Duterte maintains wide lead in latest poll; Robredo, Marcos statistically tied in top spot

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">MANILA, Philippines- Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte is still the front-runner in the latest Pulse Asia Survey commissioned by ABS-CBN Corp. published on Wednesday, May 4.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2dd4fE6WAJd4pA-c1njsucN8MkGqJuM__UQF5THfeE1OEKBK851CsuFcb9gstKu0eWxi_UPP3CgF3GENI5-wVrbelwSZpWyhYMNVpphrcKP0Ut5FzoY4ugMal_gYLI1g49dSGEUNGSG9o/s1600/duterte-lead-pulse-asia.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Duterte maintains wide lead in latest poll" border="0" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2dd4fE6WAJd4pA-c1njsucN8MkGqJuM__UQF5THfeE1OEKBK851CsuFcb9gstKu0eWxi_UPP3CgF3GENI5-wVrbelwSZpWyhYMNVpphrcKP0Ut5FzoY4ugMal_gYLI1g49dSGEUNGSG9o/s640/duterte-lead-pulse-asia.jpg" title="Duterte maintains wide lead in latest poll" width="560" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption">Mayor Duterte maintains wide lead over other presidential aspirants in the latest Pulse Asia Survey.<br />PHOTO CREDIT: Facebook/Rody Duterte</td></tr></tbody></table>The tough talking mayor maintained his lead with 33% rating for the second week in a row in the survey conducted from April 26 to 29 among 4,000 registered voters across the country. The survey had a margin of error of +/- 1.5%.<br /><br />Statistically tied at the second place were administration bet Manuel “Mar” Roxas II with 22% and Sen. Grace Poe with 21% ratings.<br /><br />Vice President Jejomar “Jojo Binay” and Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago got 17% and 2% respectively. <br /><br />Meanwhile, Camarines Sur Representative Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo surged in the survey and now shares the top spot with Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. Robredo has two percentage points lead with 30% of the votes over Marcos who obtained 28%. <br /><br />Former front-runner Francis “Chiz” Escudero ranked third with 18% followed by Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano who obtained 15%. Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV received 3% while Sen. Gregorio “Gringo” Honasan got 2%. According to Pulse Asia, 5% of the voters remain undecided.<br /><br />In the senatorial race, Senate President Franklin “Frank” Drilon emerged as the top choice after obtaining 47.8% of the votes.<br /><br />Other senatorial aspirants who have the statistical chance of winning were Sen. Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, former senators Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri and Panifilo “Ping” Lacson, Sarangani Congressman Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao, former Akbayan Party List Congresswoman Risa Hontiveros, former TESDA Director General Emmanuel Villanueva, Sen. Sergio Osmeña III, former Sen. Richard “Dick” Gordon, former DOJ Secretary Leila de Lima, Sen. Ralph Recto and Valenzuela Congressman Sherwin T. Gatchalian.<br /><b><br /></b><b>--Mini, The Summit Express</b></div>

Duterte maintains wide lead in latest poll; Robredo, Marcos statistically tied in top spot

MANILA, Philippines- Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte is still the front-runner in the latest Pulse Asia Survey commissioned by ABS-CBN Corp...

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10 Things To Know About VP Candidate Bongbong Marcos

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Admit it or not, the vice presidential race won’t be making rounds all over if not for the controversies and controversial figures attached on it and one of them is Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. This election, the late dictator’s namesake will make an attempt to restore the lost glory of his family’s name.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBhUsQFHq3OgJ32eTc4dBLfYEre6zL_qtgt4fOnKOcuVHD6BxaMe1niggG_KbeV-v55xDIYPP_UznksqM1XcCpp_YaRPcTy8XtohYkzIXAE80H2mWt5LtF4PW_yEC-15K01LTbeCtzYCAP/s1600/bbm-marcos-10-things-special-feature-jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="10 Things To Know About VP Candidate Bongbong Marcos" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBhUsQFHq3OgJ32eTc4dBLfYEre6zL_qtgt4fOnKOcuVHD6BxaMe1niggG_KbeV-v55xDIYPP_UznksqM1XcCpp_YaRPcTy8XtohYkzIXAE80H2mWt5LtF4PW_yEC-15K01LTbeCtzYCAP/s400/bbm-marcos-10-things-special-feature-jpg.jpg" title="10 Things To Know About VP Candidate Bongbong Marcos" width="400" /></a></div><br />With the enormous support from the youth who mostly were born in the post martial law years, will it be enough to catapult another Marcos to a position that’s just a heartbeat away from the Malacañan?<br /><br />There’s more to his name, know some ten things about vice presidential candidate Bongbong Marcos:<br /><br /><b>1. A veteran in the legislative and executive branches of the government.</b><br /><br />Spanning a total of a quarter century, Marcos held various positions in the government as vice-governor and governor of Ilocos Norte, as congressman of the province's second district and as senator, making him one of the most experienced political figures of the current era with excellent track record in public service.<br /><br /><b>2. Authored the Philippine Archipelagic Baselines Law (Republic Act No. 9522).</b><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5yPsxw8YLXWc7vDg6ZpVesOZwTPQOFB6munsV08F82-lsymJwfFlcKTGHhQJyNLbjFSY8ls1vuJKpFaD0FkdlgoL-m4P-Lx-ugD2ji6q9cN2eamksRTFRySvvT0rJnxoEoier_QFgtLYi/s1600/marcos-fm-bongbong-father-and-son.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Bongbong will be an inch away from the presidency, a post that the older Marcos held for two decades." border="0" height="502" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5yPsxw8YLXWc7vDg6ZpVesOZwTPQOFB6munsV08F82-lsymJwfFlcKTGHhQJyNLbjFSY8ls1vuJKpFaD0FkdlgoL-m4P-Lx-ugD2ji6q9cN2eamksRTFRySvvT0rJnxoEoier_QFgtLYi/s640/marcos-fm-bongbong-father-and-son.jpg" title="Bongbong will be an inch away from the presidency, a post that the older Marcos held for two decades." width="560" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption">Once elected, Bongbong will be an inch away from the presidency, a post that the older Marcos held for two decades. <br />Photo credit: Bongbong Marcos Facebook page</td></tr></tbody></table>While serving in the lower house of congress. The R.A. 9522 indicates the maritime jurisdiction of the Philippines which complies with the UNCLOS.<br /><br /><b>3.Transformed Ilocos Norte as first-class province.</b><br /><br />As three-term governor of the province from 1998-2007, Marcos intensively promoted the tourism of Ilocos Norte among local and foreign tourists, making the northern part of Luzon instrumental in pivoting the economy of the country as the province was able to acquire the attention of the global community in terms of generating profit and investments.<br /><br /><b>4. Yes to free market and passage of anti-dynasty law.</b><br /><br />Surprisingly, Marcos who comes from one of the most prominent political families in the Philippines voted "yes" for the passage of anti-dynasty law during the COMELEC organized vice presidential debate. The young Marcos even bragged his role in including an anti-dynasty provision in the Sangguniang Kabataan Reform Law. Marcos is very much pursuant also to propel the country to a high performing free market economy.<br /><br />WATCH: Marcos’ opening statement during the VP debate (video courtesy of Inquirer.net Youtube account).<br /><br /><center><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JATHl79NrsM" width="560"></iframe></center><br /><b>5. For mitigation of climate change.</b><br /><br />When the Marcoses came back to local politics, it was Bongbong who helmed the beginning of Ilocos Norte as an energy sufficient province. It was during his term that the province was hailed as a pioneer of renewable energy by constructing the now famous Bangui wind farm. Even today, Marcos believes that the Philippines should do more to combat the effects of climate change.<br /><br /><b>6. For youth empowerment.</b><br /><br />Marcos pioneered the establishment of the Philippine Youth Commission in 1992. It was his first ever law that he authored upon taking his role in the House of Representatives. It allows the youth to take a more proactive approach in nation-building and honing the future of the Filipino youth as effective leaders.<br /><br /><b>7. Well-educated man.</b><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy4IqqzfAYDfb13yaJHj4gls4bxGLodawePoKEP8H3U4UAInYGNWyS7fJv9Su9X5MSwy30k0rrA9Uf4Y7u1BhZ5SHUQCYAA2zn9TbCvNzMm3wuu9yl_GfnVOqPnmyGAVru_fsfIyeps_C9/s1600/college-young-bongbong-marcos-oxford.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Marcos attended the Oxford University." border="0" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy4IqqzfAYDfb13yaJHj4gls4bxGLodawePoKEP8H3U4UAInYGNWyS7fJv9Su9X5MSwy30k0rrA9Uf4Y7u1BhZ5SHUQCYAA2zn9TbCvNzMm3wuu9yl_GfnVOqPnmyGAVru_fsfIyeps_C9/s640/college-young-bongbong-marcos-oxford.jpg" title="Marcos attended the Oxford University." width="560" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption">Marcos attended the Oxford University. Photo credit: Bongbong Marcos online</td></tr></tbody></table>At a very young age, Marcos was envisioned by his family to take greater responsibilities for the country, thus providing him the opportunity to study overseas. Marcos graduated from the Oxford University with a Special Diploma in Social Studies. After that, he enrolled at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business for an MBA program but failed to complete the said course as he had to come back to the Philippines to assume his post as Ilocos Norte's Vice Governor at a very young age of 23.<br /><br /><b>8. High performing senator.</b><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ2qOuTg25LIW11QcbdoJ-Gedz1ZIwPc2mPDF1LZSGG5v0t2tF0gSxJPho-fhm7XVqLeuiLeBzMsl8gF5PXn4hL0r_ykngoXFwW96kOFcG4YptNE_vJLYzvo4QTeGldTOJ2vNZntJbeC_w/s1600/bongbong-marcos-senator-senate.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Marcos in action at the senate." border="0" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ2qOuTg25LIW11QcbdoJ-Gedz1ZIwPc2mPDF1LZSGG5v0t2tF0gSxJPho-fhm7XVqLeuiLeBzMsl8gF5PXn4hL0r_ykngoXFwW96kOFcG4YptNE_vJLYzvo4QTeGldTOJ2vNZntJbeC_w/s640/bongbong-marcos-senator-senate.jpg" title="Marcos in action at the senate." width="560" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption">Marcos in action at the senate. Photo credit: Senate of the Philippines online</td></tr></tbody></table>Marcos was the author of 34 senate bills and co-authored 17 other bills during his tenure as senator of the republic in the 15th congress. So far in the 16th congress, Marcos already authored 52 bills and co-authored four.<br /><br /><b>9. Values the role of farmers and teachers in the society.</b><br /><br />By dedicating majority of his Countryside Development Fund (CDF) while serving in the congress towards the establishment of cooperatives, Marcos’ gesture was significant to help the workers of the grassroots sector to improve their lives.<br /><br /><b>10. Loves books, movies, his kids and the Beatles.</b><br /><br />Like his fiercest rival Leni Robredo, the 57-year old lawmaker is a book and movie lover and also has three children namely Sandro, Simon and Vincent. On his free time however, the senator also loves to download and watch films aside from reading books. <br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxD_BxqbHYcWuTwS23fuQEQBUFG5XT1KS3LKb2jWxt1Paxd11FJUJeQ4-rHnSjh-GXIvM9j1RO4HR2h3RR3HyLYzuYt6RG-dQjuY0YquigGE8LBC3RlWfwvq5PdQEkRNN-1oFbqgRtTpil/s1600/bongbong-marcos-family.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Bongbong with his sons Sandro, Simon and Vincent." border="0" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxD_BxqbHYcWuTwS23fuQEQBUFG5XT1KS3LKb2jWxt1Paxd11FJUJeQ4-rHnSjh-GXIvM9j1RO4HR2h3RR3HyLYzuYt6RG-dQjuY0YquigGE8LBC3RlWfwvq5PdQEkRNN-1oFbqgRtTpil/s640/bongbong-marcos-family.jpg" title="Bongbong with his sons Sandro, Simon and Vincent." width="560" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption">Bongbong with his sons Sandro, Simon and Vincent. Photo credit: Bongbong Marcos online</td></tr></tbody></table>Another reason why Bongbong highly revered not only by Ilocanos but a sizeable population of the public is that he's as ordinary like them. Bongbong is a certified Beatle fan, claiming that he has the best collection of the band’s records prior to the EDSA uprising. He even invited Beatle icon Ringo Starr to come back to the Philippines to patch up things between the government and their group. Aside from that, Bongbong knows how to cook sinigang and pinakbet, signs of a bona fide Ilocano!<br /><br /><b>--Michael Santiago, The Summit Express</b></div></div>

10 Things To Know About VP Candidate Bongbong Marcos

Admit it or not, the vice presidential race won’t be making rounds all over if not for the controversies and controversial figures attached ...

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10 Things To Know About VP Candidate Leni Robredo

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">As the Filipino voters continues to scan the list of the qualifications of the six candidates vying for the second highest post of the land, the race to win the vice presidency has became more interesting than ever.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhntehuRnwZMXA-rLoY2alDkd7V-PpSJvJvEFIG5QS39okBXGew5rb044I6SIEzPsVVaWAQheTLzSdnyFv1VYcDfmjvHF4r-OQ2TeVtM2aA2vhMEE54QNTKyVyY1r2CTEe8zK9ly1z6thuP/s1600/leni-robredo-10-things-special-feature.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="10 Things To Know About VP Candidate Leni Robredo" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhntehuRnwZMXA-rLoY2alDkd7V-PpSJvJvEFIG5QS39okBXGew5rb044I6SIEzPsVVaWAQheTLzSdnyFv1VYcDfmjvHF4r-OQ2TeVtM2aA2vhMEE54QNTKyVyY1r2CTEe8zK9ly1z6thuP/s400/leni-robredo-10-things-special-feature.jpg" title="10 Things To Know About VP Candidate Leni Robredo" width="400" /></a></div><br />Are Filipinos ready for a second woman as their next vice president? Take a glimpse of Congresswoman Leni Robredo’s life and accomplishments by learning ten interesting facts about her.<br /><br /><b>1. Human rights lawyer.</b><br /><br />As how she always introduces herself, Robredo is just a newbie in the political arena. She's currently on her first term serving as the representative of the third district of Camarines Sur. While her track record in the legislature is just blossoming, Robredo has already proven her name in public service being a human rights lawyer for SALIGAN, an organization that offers free legal assistance to the poor.<br /><br /><b>2. Pushes for zero hunger, shared prosperity and gender equality.</b><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG-gRs8goZCFDPtduY15livD1nWn209t9T6nNX_U6vrwNVait4-JjwGHIKi4LpFz5eJYN3eQ9irqH9AbFC-h55pZuBQPqAwYzGdDzmHhVJbsN381q6F2XEJgESqRxoMFO8ARayfRzGxtL6/s1600/pnoy-mar-leni-tuwid-na-daan.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Robredo promises to continue and improve the “Daang Matuwid” governance. " border="0" height="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG-gRs8goZCFDPtduY15livD1nWn209t9T6nNX_U6vrwNVait4-JjwGHIKi4LpFz5eJYN3eQ9irqH9AbFC-h55pZuBQPqAwYzGdDzmHhVJbsN381q6F2XEJgESqRxoMFO8ARayfRzGxtL6/s640/pnoy-mar-leni-tuwid-na-daan.jpg" title="Robredo promises to continue and improve the “Daang Matuwid” governance. " width="560" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption">Robredo promises to continue and improve the “Daang Matuwid” governance. <br />Photo credit: Noynoy Aquino Facebook page</td></tr></tbody></table>Part of Robredo's platform is to eradicate hunger, equal distribution of wealth and opportunities all over the country not only in Metro Manila and selected big cities. As a woman and a mother of three, Robredo is aiming for gender equality, allowing women to get equal access to opportunities and enabling people from all walks of life to participate in policy making in their communities.<br /><br /><b>3. Against political dynasties and death penalty.</b><br /><br />Death penalty is not a cure for crime according to Robredo, citing the accomplishments that the late DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo had accomplished during his tenure as mayor of Naga City. Robredo also wants to put an end in the political dynasty system in the country’s political structure.<br /><br /><b>4. Yes to Freedom of Information Bill, no to contractualization.</b><br /><b><br /></b> Leni Robredo comes from a simple background prior to her ascendancy to power and fame (video courtesy of CNN Philippines.)<br /><br /><center><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6UvWLebS8KI" width="560"></iframe></center><br />Although Robredo is proposing a "supply-driven" version of FOI to be passed as this will make the government to compulsory provide information of its transactions to the public. Also, she wants to pass the Security of Tenure Bill that will improve the working condition of ordinary workers by halting the long-time practice of contractualization in the workforce. <br /><br /><b>5. An ordinary commuter advocating for "tsinelas leadership."</b><br /><br />Probably what makes Robredo a standout among her rivals in the VP post is that she truly embodies how it’s like to be an ordinary public servant by taking public transport whenever she goes to and from Manila or Naga.<br /><br />She is also known wearing her trademark tsinelas footwear whenever she visits her constituents on her district every week as she believes that she should always have a regular interaction with her people to know their needs.<br /><br /><b>6. Sudoku lover.</b><br /><b><br /></b><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg09LLvy3k7n_FyRRWmKKU8h2WsagkzlugdT3nKjjCqKS7a2hvI9SvlQV-7qPKZUHuirxBUv5ybF5Dz1z704m8UNG-br5b1VM4S3Uls9J7mt-4mTqzgB9-3EFrsyM_9mHyW3S9mgUZ54Sr/s1600/leni-robredo-family.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Leni with her daughters, Jillian, Tricia and Aika. " border="0" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg09LLvy3k7n_FyRRWmKKU8h2WsagkzlugdT3nKjjCqKS7a2hvI9SvlQV-7qPKZUHuirxBUv5ybF5Dz1z704m8UNG-br5b1VM4S3Uls9J7mt-4mTqzgB9-3EFrsyM_9mHyW3S9mgUZ54Sr/s400/leni-robredo-family.jpg" title="Leni with her daughters, Jillian, Tricia and Aika. " width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption">Leni with her daughters, Jillian, Tricia and Aika. <br />Photo credit: Modern Filipina Magazine online</td></tr></tbody></table>Aside from patronizing the works of famous authors like Tom Clancy and John Grisham, Leni loves to play Sudoku game at home on her free time.<br /><br /><b>7. She could have been a judge.</b><br /><br />Prior to her husband's death, Robredo is almost an inch away from becoming a Regional Trial Court Judge just like her father, unfortunately, the untimely death of Jesse altered the course of her career which eventually pointed her to lead the third district of Camarines Sur in the congress.<br /><br /><b>8. PHP 8.03 million.</b><br /><b><br /></b> According to Robredo herself, she sees the outcome of the VP race favoring her (video courtesy of ABS-CBN News Youtube account.)<br /><br /><center><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MzeEI4wI0qg" width="560"></iframe></center><br />PHP 8.03 million was the total net worth that Robredo filed on her 2014 SALN, slightly lower than her PHP 8.29 million SALN that she initially filed upon assuming a seat in the congress in 2013. The 2014 figure made her the 49th poorest member of the House of Representatives.<br /><br /><b>9. Tea lover and hands-on mom.</b><br /><br />Green tea to be specific, Leni is known to be a frequent drinker of green tea every morning as she personally packs the things inside the bag of her youngest daughter, Jillian before she sends her to school. Leni also personally plans the itineraries of her family whenever they got the chance to go for out-of-town trips.<br /><br /><b>10. A constructive critic of the administration.</b><br /><br />The 51-year old congresswoman may have been the anointed one of President Aquino and the Liberal Party to assist their standard bearer Mar Roxas to continue the "Daang Matuwid" governance but Robredo has been vocal that aside from the laudable accomplishments of the Aquino administration, there are still more work to do, things to improve and errors that needs to be corrected like putting new faces to helm the disastrous Department of Transportation and Communication.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSe2wpVB84kmnH3b0zLZwW0e7FRstJI6HKmISQ6x5pxbJ0SGq9njy-xDmscFodSw0wlck-fpS2yXiFPEeLgPruVSF65G59trXGPdEvTNojIFYzmXD4qzoum5lsEci3qXbjKbqo6A58V_Q8/s1600/leni-mar-tandem-liberal-party.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Robredo vows full support towards his running mate Roxas once they assume office." border="0" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSe2wpVB84kmnH3b0zLZwW0e7FRstJI6HKmISQ6x5pxbJ0SGq9njy-xDmscFodSw0wlck-fpS2yXiFPEeLgPruVSF65G59trXGPdEvTNojIFYzmXD4qzoum5lsEci3qXbjKbqo6A58V_Q8/s640/leni-mar-tandem-liberal-party.jpg" title="Robredo vows full support towards his running mate Roxas once they assume office." width="560" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption">Robredo vows full support towards his running mate Roxas once they assume office.<br />Photo credit: Leni Robredo Official Website</td></tr></tbody></table>Even when Roxas invited her to become his running mate, Robredo admitted to the media on some interviews that not all her positions on issues perfectly aligns well with Roxas' but stated that they were able to adjust well to each other’s vantage points.<br /><b><br /></b> <b>--Michael Santiago, The Summit Express</b></div>

10 Things To Know About VP Candidate Leni Robredo

As the Filipino voters continues to scan the list of the qualifications of the six candidates vying for the second highest post of the land,...

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LIVESTREAM: "Harapan ng Bise" VP Debate 2016 on ABS-CBN video

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">MANILA, Philippines - ABS-CBN’s “Harapan ng Bise,” the vice presidential debate happens today, April 17, 2016. Dubbed as the part two of the UST debate, candidates face off anew to help voters decide for May 9 general elections. The full livestream video will be available on this page.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitGW6cS_72mSX3Zg9gRJZzXS_-5RUgHgeG3g28_AbNYoq7OzH41YVBamISuU2J4-8kQzlbrXQE-ZeN72bm2jfqRKuFrEY4vfoWicllU3uvCNL56niDxcSxH3CTYOmzTOZdp669Ym98qRKn/s1600/Harapan-ng-Bise-ABS-CBN.png" imageanchor="1" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt=" "Harapan ng Bise" VP Debate 2016 on ABS-CBN video" border="0" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitGW6cS_72mSX3Zg9gRJZzXS_-5RUgHgeG3g28_AbNYoq7OzH41YVBamISuU2J4-8kQzlbrXQE-ZeN72bm2jfqRKuFrEY4vfoWicllU3uvCNL56niDxcSxH3CTYOmzTOZdp669Ym98qRKn/s640/Harapan-ng-Bise-ABS-CBN.png" title=" "Harapan ng Bise" VP Debate 2016 on ABS-CBN video" width="560" /></a></div><br />The "Harapan ng Bise" debate, which airs live on ABS-CBN this Sunday from 5:30 P.M. to 7:30 p.m., will allow Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, Sen. Chiz Escudero, Camarines Sur 3rd District Rep. Leni Robredo, and Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV to talk about their platforms and stand on important issues. Sens. Gringo Honasan and Bongbong Marcos were also invited but could not make it to the debate due to a scheduling conflict.<br /><br /><b>Catch the livestream of "Harapan ng Bise" VP Debate 2016 here (ABS-CBNnews.com):</b><br /><br /><center><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="330" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Dvcf5UaG7c4" width="600"></iframe></center><br />Note: The full video replay courtesy of ABS-CBN will be available also on this page.<br /><br />Meanwhile, here's the live Twitter feed of the second vice presidential debate for the 2016 elections:<br /><br /><center><a class="twitter-timeline" data-widget-id="721505661226393601" href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HarapanBise" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">#HarapanBise Tweets</a><br /><script>!function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],p=/^http:/.test(d.location)?'http':'https';if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src=p+"://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document,"script","twitter-wjs");</script></center><br />The debate will be moderated by seasoned broadcast journalists Alvin Elchico and Lynda Jumilla. Viewers, meanwhile, will also get to ask the vice presidential candidates questions via social media correspondent Gretchen Ho.<br /><br />In “Harapan ng Bise,” the vice presidential candidates will go through several rounds of debate on the most urgent national issues on jobs, health, crime, security and economy. They will also test each other’s opinions, and will be grilled by panelists composed of broadcast journalist Tina Monzon-Palma and political analysts Edna Co and Julio Teehankee.<br /><br />“Harapan ng Bise: The ABS-CBN Vice Presidential Debate” is part of ABS-CBN’s “Ipanalo Ang Pamilyang Pilipino” election campaign that encourages Filipinos to use their vote and uphold the interest and welfare of their families.<br /><br />On April 24, the third and final leg of PiliPinas Debates 2016, the Towh Hall presidential debate will be held at the University of Pangasinan with media sponsors ABS-CBN and Manila Bulletin.</div>

LIVESTREAM: "Harapan ng Bise" VP Debate 2016 on ABS-CBN video

MANILA, Philippines - ABS-CBN’s “Harapan ng Bise,” the vice presidential debate happens today, April 17, 2016. Dubbed as the part two of the...

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Heart defends husband Chiz over “robotic tone”

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">MANILA, Philippines - Kapuso actress Heart Evangelista has defended vice presidential candidate Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero against people who made fun of his “robotic voice” during the Commission on Elections-organized (Comelec) debate on Sunday, April 10, at the University of Sto. Tomas.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTpOcH2ic2KtfUgAwl51X2dxNdSGmnqIG0TlyGM_7XKDvlZJpPvNMnIdZ4575Fv76U9gamULkJAn1Qg0U8zAVOUVWUT_lBAbyQtb1-HDOdcHZq3oJjrFaIxmLAnTUmWdjD3AwqQmkqOM3a/s1600/heart-chiz.JPG" imageanchor="1" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Heart defends husband Chiz" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTpOcH2ic2KtfUgAwl51X2dxNdSGmnqIG0TlyGM_7XKDvlZJpPvNMnIdZ4575Fv76U9gamULkJAn1Qg0U8zAVOUVWUT_lBAbyQtb1-HDOdcHZq3oJjrFaIxmLAnTUmWdjD3AwqQmkqOM3a/s400/heart-chiz.JPG" title="Heart defends husband Chiz" width="393" /></a></div><br />Escudero was ridiculed on social media for his seemingly-rehearsed circuitous answers and “robotic” tone during the PiliPinas debates 2016. Personalities such as Ethel Booba, Teddy Locsin Jr. and Juan Miguel Severo criticized and poke fun on the vice presidential aspirant on their Facebook accounts. Escudero’s manner of speaking even generated jokes and memes among netizens.<br /><br />On her Instagram account on Tuesday, April 12, the 31-year-old actress likened her husband to Waze, a popular traffic and navigation app.<br /><br />She quoted a certain J. Guiang: “Tulad ng 'Waze,' gusto mo man o ayaw ang boses na nagsasalita sa app, dadalhin ka naman niya sa destinasyon na hangad mong puntahan.” (Like Waze, whether you like or don’t like the voice speaking in the app, it will bring you to the destination you want to reach.)<br /><br /><center><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="6" style="background: #fff; border-radius: 3px; border: 0; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.5) , 0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: 99.375%;"><div style="padding: 8px;"><div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 50.0% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;"><div style="background: url(data:image/png; display: block; height: 44px; margin: 0 auto -44px; position: relative; top: -22px; width: 44px;"></div></div><div style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BEDymzQLuu6/" rel="nofollow" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">#SayChiz ❤️ be like a flowing water. Only through its softness that it breaks the rock, and finds itself in the immensity of the sea.</a></div><div style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A photo posted by Love Marie Ongpauco Escudero (@iamhearte) on <time datetime="2016-04-11T12:01:45+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Apr 11, 2016 at 5:01am PDT</time></div></div></blockquote><script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script></center><br />Evangelista wrote in the caption of a separate Instagram post: ”Wala sa tono ng salita, nasa gawa!" (It’s not in the tone of voice, it’s in what you do!)<br /><br /><center><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="6" style="background: #fff; border-radius: 3px; border: 0; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.5) , 0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: 99.375%;"><div style="padding: 8px;"><div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 50.0% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;"><div style="background: url(data:image/png; display: block; height: 44px; margin: 0 auto -44px; position: relative; top: -22px; width: 44px;"></div></div><div style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BEFyaEXLug6/" rel="nofollow" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Because it's a non-issue ❤️wala sa Tono ng salita.nasa gawa!❤️ #SayChiz #chizwaze</a></div><div style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A photo posted by Love Marie Ongpauco Escudero (@iamhearte) on <time datetime="2016-04-12T06:38:29+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Apr 11, 2016 at 11:38pm PDT</time></div></div></blockquote><script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script></center><br />In a chance interview with reporters on Monday, April 11 at Santa Rosa, Laguna, Escudero revealed he didn’t mind comments that he did not do well during the vice presidential debate. While his rivals Senators Alan Peter Cayetano, Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., and Antonio Trillanes IV lambasted each other during the debate, Escudero chose to lie low and rarely asked questions to other candidates.<br /><br />According to Escudero, it’s not his style to attack opponents. <br /><br />“Hindi ko ginawa 'yon kagabi. Hindi ko ugali, hindi ko rin estilo 'yon. Hindi ko kailangan sigurong apakan o sirain ang sinomang kapwa ko kandidato,” Escudero told reporters.<br /><br />(I didn’t do it last night. It’s not my character and style. I don’t need to step or ruin any of my co-candidates.)<br /><br />Escudero added that there’s no need for him to point out the mistakes of his fellow candidates as he believes people already know about those things.<b> -Mini, The Summit Express</b></div>

Heart defends husband Chiz over “robotic tone”

MANILA, Philippines - Kapuso actress Heart Evangelista has defended vice presidential candidate Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero against peop...

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WINNERS AND LOSERS: The PiliPinas 2016 Vice Presidential Debate

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">MANILA, Philippines - Better than Pacquiao-Bradley. That’s how the recently vice presidential debate organized by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) last Sunday, April 10 went on.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4bP5BqAAHVxcAnYhogViCx5tsJlFcMBEmdXKYNVFvDq6zMDFfzrJ6agFDsomYdYV3vGr9t8tjfBRcEWUB_ALkpedplv7yCSi2mzjjkQczfiVNSIc9cZ0OFRUxWqmq01TnLuuyslVaehBO/s1600/vice-presidential-candidates-pilipinas-2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4bP5BqAAHVxcAnYhogViCx5tsJlFcMBEmdXKYNVFvDq6zMDFfzrJ6agFDsomYdYV3vGr9t8tjfBRcEWUB_ALkpedplv7yCSi2mzjjkQczfiVNSIc9cZ0OFRUxWqmq01TnLuuyslVaehBO/s640/vice-presidential-candidates-pilipinas-2016.jpg" width="560" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption">The VP aspirants pose for a short pictorial upon entering the premises of the UST Gymnasium. <br />Photo credit: Philipine Star online</td></tr></tbody></table>The overflowing trading of barbs against each other even made the lone vice presidential debate a standout compared to the previously held presidential debates as observed by netizens and political analysts. As it meaty as it can gets, the gymnasium of the University of Santo Tomas was jam-packed with supporters of the six candidates aiming for the second highest post in the land.<br /><br />With issues ranging from corruption, poverty, economic growth, political dynasties, human rights abuses, Mindanao, crime eradication, transportation woes, foreign policy and even internet connection, the aspiring second-in-command leaders braved the challenge. Let’s see who were in and out during the debate:<br /><br /><b>WINNERS</b><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiY02yK-VPjB839Ok_CaEikTcgIS_lpACX-f61YJ9cKyPsypI9z-BNT6T6j3Ki5dLcaJPsK6hyiam8TbNcnZJIQaBTE9S8XKvRcsaazRvovY-_ukAyK6Pa0E3JnaFfZt5vKQMoyPR-I799/s1600/winners-vp-pilipinas-debates-2016.JPG" imageanchor="1" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="WINNERS: Cayetano, Marcos and Robredo nailed it last Sunday at the #PiliPinas2016 VP Debates" border="0" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiY02yK-VPjB839Ok_CaEikTcgIS_lpACX-f61YJ9cKyPsypI9z-BNT6T6j3Ki5dLcaJPsK6hyiam8TbNcnZJIQaBTE9S8XKvRcsaazRvovY-_ukAyK6Pa0E3JnaFfZt5vKQMoyPR-I799/s640/winners-vp-pilipinas-debates-2016.JPG" title="WINNERS: Cayetano, Marcos and Robredo nailed it last Sunday at the #PiliPinas2016 VP Debates" width="560" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption">WINNERS: Cayetano, Marcos and Robredo nailed it last Sunday at the #PiliPinas2016 VP Debates <br />Photo credit: CNN Philippines online</td></tr></tbody></table><b>1. “I cannot give what I do not have.” - Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.</b><br /><br />If Binay was the subject of mockery and intense castigation during the last presidential debate, it was the turn of the younger Marcos last Sunday as he was under siege from his fellow candidates. The discussion on corruption alone went approximately for an hour giving Marcos longer media exposure albeit he became the subject of scrutiny. <br /><br /><center><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CDEajffD8xc" width="560"></iframe></center><br />“I cannot apologize for anyone else, only myself and for what I have done.” – Bongbong on FM’s human rights violations. Source: Youtube online (ChampBlogs).<br /><br />Anyway, good or bad, Bongbong and his set of followers proved what his contemporaries doesn’t have, that the more he gets hurt, the more he is loved by his loyalists. The machinery of the Marcoses seems to be doing its work properly. Bongbong is truly made for politics but he just really needs to find a way on how to address the issues of corruption against his family and make unbelievers focus on his government platforms instead.<br /><br /><b>2. “It’s the political leadership that will win the day.” - Senator Allan Peter Cayetano</b><br /><br />Knowing that he only got one shot to impress the nation, Cayetano made sure that his voice will not only be heard but will resonate all throughout the program with his scathing remarks headed towards his fellow party-mate Senator Bongbong Marcos. <br /><br />Pitching federalism and strong political will to solve the country’s predicaments, Cayetano made sure that every minute that was allotted for him will make him a standout and he did. Cayetano remained aggressive in the entirety of the debate, alternately attacking Marcos, the Liberal Party, Aquino administration, Secretary Jun Abaya and of course, Vice President Binay who was at the audience. Although he made quite a good strategy to win the anti-Marcos crowd, his style can also spell the opposite come election day as Marcos is known to reverse any harmful elements to his campaign into an additional asset.<br /><br /><b>3. “Sa amin pong anim, may the best woman win!” - Congresswoman Leni Robredo</b><br /><br />She started softly but the unassuming Camarines Sur representative finally exposed her fierceness and delivered the now famous one-liner “May the best woman win,” implying the looming possibility of winning the election next month against his all-male rivals.<br /><br />Robredo exuded an aura of confidence and independence from his running mate, former DILG Secretary Mar Roxas by addressing issues with concrete answers and admitting that the current programs of the administration needs to be improved. Instead of making any reference of the works of her late husband Jesse Robredo to impress the crowd, Leni opted to share her own vision of good governance and brought with her solid figures of facts that supported her stance on the issues presented to her in which no other candidates that night did so much.<br /><br />Some may have hit the target but there’s the other half who could have done better during the debate.<br /><br /><b>1. “Bilang sundalo po at rebelde, paulit-ulit ko pong itinaya ang aking buhay.” - Senator Gregorio Honasan</b><br /><br />The former soldier and leader of coups in the past barely made his presence felt. His apparent composure and deep knowledge on issues solidified his name as one of the veterans of Philippine politics but failed to give outstanding views on issues hurdled on him.<br /><br />Standing in the podium, Honasan remained mum while his contemporaries were trying to outlast each other and was found by the audience as playing safe as he refrained from attacking them which is the name of the game in a highly publicized debate.<br /><br />If there’s one highly commendable on his performance that night, it’s the way how he centered on the safety and importance of the Filipino family and the right to live.<br /><br /><br /><b>2. “Ito po ay tungkol sa inyo, tungkol sa interes at kapakanan ninyo, hindi kung sino ang gwapo at maganda dito sa entablado.” - Senator Francis Escudero.</b><br /><b><br /></b> His proposed solutions to issues may have been commendable but it is undeniable that Escudero needs to step up in the game in the last four weeks of the campaign as his other rivals were able to pushed him out of the picture that night and are now catching up with him in the recent surveys. <br /><br />Escudero was clearly outshone by the Marcos-Cayetano and Marcos-Robredo clashes, which was very surprising given that the young senator had always that capability to attract the interest of the cameras and the public whenever he wants to in the past.<br /><br />Like Cayetano, Escudero also tried to remind the public that he is the solely, and officially the chosen running mate of Senator Grace Poe in this election as he tried to mention their tandem most of the time in the platform. This is not so good as the senator should’ve shown himself as more secured being Poe’s preferred partner rather than reiterating to the public that he is indeed her chosen one and not Trillanes who is offering himself as Poe’s alternative tandem.<br /><br /><b>3. "Ang kailangan po natin ay isang Vice President na buo ang tapang na haharap at babanggain sila." – Senator Antonio Trillanes III.</b><br /><br /><center><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/W_XlNyIaw9w" width="560"></iframe></center><br />“Mag-create tayo ng autonomous regions one for central Mindanao and one for Basilan, Sulu & Tawi-Tawi.” Trillanes on Mindanao Source: Youtube online (ChampBlogs)<br /><br />He’s still the valiant rebel soldier that we knew from the last decade, but Trillanes seems to be losing steam on this campaign and we hope it is not because he failed to secure a presidential running mate.<br /><br />Known to be fiery and full of conviction, Trillanes was just like the Manny Pacquiao of the debate, perceived as a strong contender but failed to showcase such attribute in that three-hour long program. Instead, it was his fellow Nacionalista Sen. Cayetano who took that role that night, making him a mere second voice. <br /><br /><b>OTHER WINNERS AND LOSERS OF THE DEBATE</b><br /><br />The debate didn’t only put the candidates into the limelight but also acknowledged the other elements present in the program and here they are:<br /><br /><b>(Winner) CNN Philippines</b><br /><br />As compared to the previous two presidential debates, CNN Philippines presented a more sophisticated stage design and implemented a calmer but strict imposition of rules among the debaters.<br /><br />CNN Philippines also exuded its characteristic of being the country’s most globalized media outlet as it introduced some of the CNN’s notable news personalities overseas like CNN Asia Pacific Editor Andrew Stevens, to ask the candidates some questions that they need to address according to their proposed platforms. <br /><br /><b>(Winner) Pinky Webb</b><br /><br />The high caliber broadcast journalist who is making a comeback as CNN Philippines’ newest journo successfully passed her baptism of fire by being able to co-handle the debate with maintained composure. As she also headlines the network’s first Filipino-language newscast “Balitaan,” we expect Webb to bring more contribution to the network in terms of formulating its own distinct characteristic to the Filipino audience.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzXFk_3a21eQ0r2NcWcza-1y5_PweZFZe6uYOaiuJadTG9IVT8FhK_WXrf8nvu0lD3AAVeNh2tA44va1TGaAeUtYwrrcZF7pVnqrQbX7B_X34F4RqGlBXsSZcReGArUEeqIyqGyt2DChQh/s1600/pilipinas-2016-vice-presidential-debate.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="The VP aspirants tried to outsmart each other at the lone VP debate last Sunday." border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzXFk_3a21eQ0r2NcWcza-1y5_PweZFZe6uYOaiuJadTG9IVT8FhK_WXrf8nvu0lD3AAVeNh2tA44va1TGaAeUtYwrrcZF7pVnqrQbX7B_X34F4RqGlBXsSZcReGArUEeqIyqGyt2DChQh/s640/pilipinas-2016-vice-presidential-debate.jpg" title="The VP aspirants tried to outsmart each other at the lone VP debate last Sunday." width="560" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption">The VP aspirants tried to outsmart each other at the lone VP debate last Sunday at UST Gymansium.<br />Photo credit: GMA News TV Online</td></tr></tbody></table><b>(Loser) The live audience</b><br /><br />Although they added spice to the program, the uncalled jeering of the crowd against the rivals of their supported candidates was disturbing. It can be recalled that the unruly set of audience even started such taunting right at the beginning of the program while Marcos was just having his preliminary talk. Aside from that, the loud hissing of unwarranted comments every now and then just disrupts the airtime allotted for each candidate, making some points heard unclearly.<br /><br />For those who weren’t able to tuned in during the live event, here’s the full video of last Sunday’s debate.<br /><br /><center><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0hR_6DR0ToA" width="560"></iframe></center><br />What’s your opinion? Share it in our comment box!<br /><br /><b>- Michael Santiago, The Summit Express</b></div>

WINNERS AND LOSERS: The PiliPinas 2016 Vice Presidential Debate

MANILA, Philippines - Better than Pacquiao-Bradley. That’s how the recently vice presidential debate organized by the Commission on Election...

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LIVESTREAM: PiliPinas Debates 2016 Vice Presidential Debate up on CNN PH video

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">MANILA, Philippines - The first and only vice presidential debate dubbed as "PiliPinas Debates 2016" happens today, April 10, 2016 at the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Quadricentennial Pavilion gymnasium. CNN Philippines brings the livestream video of this event in relation to May 9 national elections.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLUAtAni0zhD2T2h5Taa5Yjrd6yNsL7VEhPhe4ft0aNn4nc0FDkbiojhi9EBowwGUTzX8PWa8IqeqU43k9mCjC5YHd7LdNEQqI8Dodzbd8uWRrID06C9fgAt338xusl0cdnUnDau6dPprU/s1600/CNN-pilipinas-debates-2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="PiliPinas Debates 2016 Vice Presidential Debate up on CNN video" border="0" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLUAtAni0zhD2T2h5Taa5Yjrd6yNsL7VEhPhe4ft0aNn4nc0FDkbiojhi9EBowwGUTzX8PWa8IqeqU43k9mCjC5YHd7LdNEQqI8Dodzbd8uWRrID06C9fgAt338xusl0cdnUnDau6dPprU/s640/CNN-pilipinas-debates-2016.jpg" title="PiliPinas Debates 2016 Vice Presidential Debate up on CNN video" width="560" /></a></div><br /><br />Organized by the Commission on Elections (Comelec), PiliPinas Debates 2016 for Vice Presidential bets is in partnership with the Kapisanan ng Broadkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP), CNN Philippines and Business Mirror. <br /><br />The debate will be broadcasted live on free television Channel 9, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.<br /><br /><b>Catch the livestream of Pilipinas Debates 2016: the vice presidential debate at the UST here</b>:(http://www.cnnphilippines.com):<br /><br />Updating for the video. Refresh page for the updates.<br /><br />Note: The full video replay courtesy of CNN Philippines will be available also on this page.<br /><br />Meanwhile, here's the live Twitter feed for the very first vice presidential debate for the 2016 elections:<br /><br /><center><a class="twitter-timeline" data-widget-id="701246678234312704" href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PiliPinasDebates2016" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">#PiliPinasDebates2016 Tweets</a><br /><script>!function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],p=/^http:/.test(d.location)?'http':'https';if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src=p+"://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document,"script","twitter-wjs");</script></center><br />Moderating the debate are veteran journalists Pia Hontiveros and Pinky Webb. Pre and post-debate programs scheduled at 4:00 and 7:30 PM, respectively will be anchored by Amelyn Veloso.<br /><br />On April 6, the Supreme Court has ordered Comelec Chairman Andres Bautista to allow the debates to be streamed "unaltered" on other websites other than the lead network but "subject to the copyright condition that the source is clearly indicated."<br /><br />SC Public Information Office chief and spokesman Thedore Te said that in a unanimous decision, the tribunal partially granted a petition filed by online news organization Rappler against Bautista.<br /><br /><br /><b>All VP bets confirm attendance for PiliPinas Debates 2016: The Vice Presidential Debate</b><br /><br />CNN Philippines vice president for News and Current Affairs Alfonso “Pal” Marquez III said all six candidates confirmed their attendance for the debate: Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, Sen. Chiz Escudero, Sen. Gringo Honasan, Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, Sen. Bongbong Marcos and Camarines Sur third district representative Leni Robredo.<br /><br />Topics to discuss includes corruption, corruption in relation to poverty, political dynasties, human rights, peace and order, traffic and other urban problems, internet and mobile connectivity, foreign policy and the vice president as the “spare tire.”<br /><br />Unlike the previous debates, Marquez said that all vice presidential candidates will be given the opportunity to react on every question during the debate.<br /><br />"Hindi na kami nag draw lots kung sino yung candidate na magtatanungan. We’ll let it to our discretion to decide who will be pitted against whom," Marquez said to the media.<br /><br />"“Kasi kapag draw lots, let’s say yung dalawang kandidato they don’t differ in views, I tell you, there won’t be a debate. Kailangan yung merong conflict. So we will decide on the spot," he added.<br /><br />Comelec chairman Andres Bautista said the debate was patterned after the US Republican debates and in accordance with the international best practices and was properly agreed to by all the organizers.<br /><br /><b>PiliPinas Debates Schedule</b><br /><br />After the vice presidential debate today, Comelec will also mount the final presidential debate this April 24 to be organized by ABS-CBN as the lead network with Business Mirror as print media partner. This will be held at the University of Pangasinan.<br /><br />The successful run of first and second leg of the presidential debates were happened last February 21 (GMA-7) and March 20 (TV5).</div>

LIVESTREAM: PiliPinas Debates 2016 Vice Presidential Debate up on CNN PH video

MANILA, Philippines - The first and only vice presidential debate dubbed as "PiliPinas Debates 2016" happens today, April 10, 2016...

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Partylist denies alleged P70-million ‘unholy alliance’ vs. Marcos

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">MANILA, Philippines - A multi-sectoral partylist coalition issued a statement Tuesday denying all accusations on alleged “unholy alliance” with vice presidential candidate Chiz Escudero in exchange for seventy million pesos to derail the candidacy of his rival Senator Bongbong Marcos for the 2016 national elections.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK3Vikgd4ZqbxAEagG5RTovjujTjjS_EKY-Wpa6sJhdEBqd2J0_x01gThQYtMPlKTnV24dxKI29tp055WL-YroXans5Fpb7QLmVkRcZD_NME3sPKYhrdTVH7-Y4RBuY0CFxqX6V3jsT7lw/s1600/chiz-bongbong-sanlakas.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Sanlakas on Chiz and Bongbong" border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK3Vikgd4ZqbxAEagG5RTovjujTjjS_EKY-Wpa6sJhdEBqd2J0_x01gThQYtMPlKTnV24dxKI29tp055WL-YroXans5Fpb7QLmVkRcZD_NME3sPKYhrdTVH7-Y4RBuY0CFxqX6V3jsT7lw/s640/chiz-bongbong-sanlakas.jpg" title="Sanlakas on Chiz and Bongbong" width="560" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On alleged “unholy alliance” with Escudero, partylist denies alleged pay-off, says article is pure baloney.</td></tr></tbody></table>“Sanlakas does not need any prodding, much less need to get paid, for us to take a clear and unequivocal stand against the electoral bid of another Marcos in office,” said Manjette Lopez, president of Sanlakas.<br /><br />Lopez, herself a victim of martial law, twice arrested and detained explained. “We join hands with the on-going Never Again Campaign and the Campaign Against the Return of the Marcoses to Malacanang (CARMMA) in calling for the rejection of Bongbong Marcos’ candidacy in the coming elections. We demand justice not only for human rights violations, but also the economic injustice inflicted by the plunder of billions of dollars by the Marcos family and cronies.”<br /><br />On February 28, <a href="http://www.manilatimes.net/p70-million-unholy-alliance-vs-marcos/247479/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Manila Times</a> published a story claiming that a reliable source nicknamed as “Heart,” said Escudero’s decision to approve release of the P70 million to the two leftist groups who are enemies of traditional politicians. It was described as a “desperate move” by those who knew about the agreement directly or indirectly.<br /><br />“The allegations in the article of a certain Nelson Badilla are absolutely fabricated. Sanlakas has no relation with a certain Charlie Avila, the alleged conduit to Senator Escudero. This is pure baloney. We do not need a conduit for we have worked directly with Sen. Escudero in the past on such issues as the fight against contractualization, increase in wages, tax reform vs VAT, and the like.” <br /><br />“The article is malicious and smacks of red-baiting, very reminiscent of Martial Law tactics when seeking to malign its enemies.” Lopez added. She asserted that the article was intended to hurt Escudero more, alleging an “unholy alliance” with the left, paying in a desperate attempt to undermine BongBong Marcos’ electoral bid.<br /><br />“But the flux of anti-Martial Law and anti-Marcos sentiments in quad media was overwhelming and cannot possibly be seen as contrived, even if the RAs (Makabayan) and RJs (Sanlakas) conspired to launch a campaign against Bongbong Marcos.” Lopez declared. “No amount of fictitious allegations by Marcos’ paid hacks can hide this.”<br /><br />Sanlakas and its member organization announced last week that it forged an alliance with Escudero on the basis of advancing demands which includes (1) regular employment; (2) social services such as education, public housing, universal health care, safe and efficient mass transportation; (3) land use and government support to farmers; (4) climate justice and protection to the environment; (5) pro-people budgeting and progressive taxation; (6) eradication of corruption and, (7) people’s sovereignty against foreign and corporate powers.<br /><br />“But then again, there is still a speck of truth in the article though, and that is that an Escudero victory in the 2016 polls will stop on its tracks Bongbong’s bid to get back in Malacanang.”, Lopez concluded."</div>

Partylist denies alleged P70-million ‘unholy alliance’ vs. Marcos

MANILA, Philippines - A multi-sectoral partylist coalition issued a statement Tuesday denying all accusations on alleged “unholy alliance” w...

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Chiz continues to lead Pulse Asia's VP race survey for May 2016 election

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">MANILA, Philippines - Senator Francis Escudero continues to lead in the May 2016 vice-presidential race survey while three other VP bets have double-digit voter preferences, Pulse Asia announced on Saturday, February 6.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYKIwZ3Y6dKRx4Vf5oFjL8svC7giMs0lSfJlYCsmTe_KL5ZHsAqL6Oldb0UusBlNdmw8yuuXHaxV2775afcEW6oH9p3vHSQaosBUmioOSg30qrt0WYGGFWLDSSEV1Tp2qMzSZFaUNs1_WR/s1600/chiz-leads-pulse-asia.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Senator Chiz Escudero tops recent Pulse Asia VP race survey" border="0" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYKIwZ3Y6dKRx4Vf5oFjL8svC7giMs0lSfJlYCsmTe_KL5ZHsAqL6Oldb0UusBlNdmw8yuuXHaxV2775afcEW6oH9p3vHSQaosBUmioOSg30qrt0WYGGFWLDSSEV1Tp2qMzSZFaUNs1_WR/s640/chiz-leads-pulse-asia.jpg" title="Senator Chiz Escudero tops recent Pulse Asia VP race survey" width="560" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Senator Chiz Escudero tops recent Pulse Asia VP race survey. Photo Credit: Facebook/senchizescudero</td></tr></tbody></table>Thirty-three percent (33%) of Filipino registered voters said they would elect Escudero to the vice presidency if the 2016 elections were held at that time.<br /><br />Meanwhile, Senator Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. secured second place with 23%. Camarines Sur Representative Maria Leonor "Leni" G. Robredo and Senator Alan Peter S. Cayetano shared third spot (18% and 14%, respectively). <br /><br />Two other candidates posted single-digit voter preferences – Senator Gregorio Honasan (5%) and Senator Antonio Trillanes IV (4%).<br /><br />The rest of Filipino registered voters (3%) do not have any preferred candidate for vice-president.<br /><br />The survey which was conducted from January 24 – 28, 2016 using face-to-face interviews has confidence level at 95 percent.<br /><br />In the different geographic areas and socio-economic classes, Senator Escudero has the lead in the rest of Luzon (37%) and Classes D and E (both at 34%). <br /><br />Metro Manila residents are most inclined to vote for either Senator Marcos (36%) or Senator Escudero (33%). <br /><br />In the Visayas, the lead is shared by Senator Escudero (32%) and Camarines Sur Representative Robredo (25%) while in Mindanao, the top candidates are Senator Escudero (29%) and Senator Cayetano (22%). <br /><br />As for those in Class ABC, their most favored vice-presidential bets are Senator Marcos (28%), Senator Escudero (24%), Camarines Sur Representative Robredo (21%), and Senator Cayetano (17%). <br /><br />Pulse Asia said that the levels of support for these six vice-presidential candidates do not move significantly during the period December 2015 to January 2016. This observation holds true at the national level and across geographic areas and socio-economic groupings.<br /><br /><b>RELATED STORY</b><br /><a href="http://pinoybuzz.blogkorner.com/2016/02/grace-poe-regains-top-spot-3-other-presidential-candidates-2nd-place.html" rel="nofollow">Grace Poe regains top spot; 3 other presidential candidates share 2nd place - Pulse Asia</a></div>

Chiz continues to lead Pulse Asia's VP race survey for May 2016 election

MANILA, Philippines - Senator Francis Escudero continues to lead in the May 2016 vice-presidential race survey while three other VP bets ha...

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Santiago-Escudero tops UPLB student mock election

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">MANILA, Philippines -  If there is one thing that Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago was able to carry on herself as part of her political capital, it’s none other than her arresting aura that the youth enjoys well regardless of what generation they belonged with. That attribute manifested clearly as the feisty presidential aspirant who hails from Iloilo topped the recently concluded presidential and vice presidential mock election by Political Science 1 Section W students from the University of the Philippines Los Baños.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9f8R2-xBPlu6-jFBfdxEZzTcA-j42dKHxXKU97bZPklqOf-Zedv9mEndJ6kUhiJ7CeziNWLRL71rzV7hNlM-BWZ9YMOcig4YLgv2LvVULyyU7NIIvCH4gx37DVf6hPk0WG93cohl-9fIQ/s1600/santiagoescuderotopspoll.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Santiago-Escudero for 2016 according to a mock student election held by UPLB political science students" border="0" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9f8R2-xBPlu6-jFBfdxEZzTcA-j42dKHxXKU97bZPklqOf-Zedv9mEndJ6kUhiJ7CeziNWLRL71rzV7hNlM-BWZ9YMOcig4YLgv2LvVULyyU7NIIvCH4gx37DVf6hPk0WG93cohl-9fIQ/s640/santiagoescuderotopspoll.jpg" title="Santiago-Escudero for 2016 according to a mock student election held by UPLB political science students" width="560" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It’s a Santiago-Escudero for 2016 according to a mock student election held by UPLB political science students</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><b>Youth vote goes to Miriam again </b><br /><br />Held last November 26 with the theme ‘Reimagining Philippine Politics’, the mock election was able to gather a total number of 2,292 voters who were asked to pick their preferred presidential and vice presidential bets based from those heavyweight political figures running for the respective seats.<br /><br />Out of that number, Santiago snagged the top spot by garnering a total of 1,507 votes or two-thirds of the total votes casted. She took the lead by a wide margin as she was followed by Duterte coming over with only 420 votes (18.32%).<br /><br />Surprisingly, Manuel ‘Mar’ Roxas II of Liberal Party who has been trailing behind the rest of the top presidential aspirants in various surveys emerged as UPLB community’s third choice with 114 or (4.97%) while consistent survey topnotcher of the recent time Senator Grace Poe-Llamanzares was very closed to Roxas with 100 votes (4.36%).<br /><br />Corruption issues seems to be hitting Vice President Jejomar Binay as the ‘iskolars’ placed him only on the fifth spot with 40 votes (2.01%).<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSaBafM8xdSQ_rKw0_MmvW4dKPkG3FlbYpEKvVkQSqgpeLuEQ0ARHi7tlWADnfGwR4qtcZ7BBCmrffLENbeDpNv_OU5RJDsXxs85ToQ4lFoFFzdWfKV4_DQwcteMGSOAwk_F7VRryHyv-e/s1600/santiago-uplb-poll1.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="UPLB political science election poll results" border="0" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSaBafM8xdSQ_rKw0_MmvW4dKPkG3FlbYpEKvVkQSqgpeLuEQ0ARHi7tlWADnfGwR4qtcZ7BBCmrffLENbeDpNv_OU5RJDsXxs85ToQ4lFoFFzdWfKV4_DQwcteMGSOAwk_F7VRryHyv-e/s640/santiago-uplb-poll1.jpg" title="UPLB political science election poll results" width="560" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo credit: UPLB Mock Elections by Political Science Section W Facebook page</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Among the 2,292 participants in the mock election, 2,187 voted for those abovementioned names while the rest voted for lesser-known candidates (3.49%) and abstained (1.09%).<br /><br /><b>Escudero remains top choice for VP post</b><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtZJAylWQ62iVzAy0SkEAwXzWF5NUhnuMqY-bzQ54w8YrDYieQLl9yN_gyFDJv07qQpdeLTyTFuvdImKDsuMnWc0OZbU3xXwz-madc-4nJlaIAyT8g2MH5mzekgfnRpdbZ5yTz_bpg22ar/s1600/santiago-uplb-poll2.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="UPLB Mock Elections by Political Science results" border="0" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtZJAylWQ62iVzAy0SkEAwXzWF5NUhnuMqY-bzQ54w8YrDYieQLl9yN_gyFDJv07qQpdeLTyTFuvdImKDsuMnWc0OZbU3xXwz-madc-4nJlaIAyT8g2MH5mzekgfnRpdbZ5yTz_bpg22ar/s640/santiago-uplb-poll2.jpg" title="UPLB Mock Elections by Political Science results" width="560" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo credit: UPLB Mock Elections by Political Science Section W Facebook page</td></tr></tbody></table>While his partner obtained unsatisfactory result, Senator Francis Escudero maintained his position as the leading figure to succeed Binay as shown by the mock poll results wherein he took 584 votes (25.48%).<br /><br />But compared to the presidential mock poll results, the vice presidential category was a tight race between him and Congresswoman Leni Robredo of Camarines Sur. With a 46 lesser votes, Robredo came very close to Escudero as she had 538 or 23.47% of the total.<br /><br />Senators Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Alan Peter Cayetano were trailing behind on the third and fourth place with 387 and 359 votes.<br /><br />The famed leader of the failed ‘Oakwood mutiny’ Senator Antonio Trillanes IV was at fifth place with 134 (5.85%) votes while the last place was occupied by Binay’s running mate, Senator Gregorio Honasan holding a meager two-digit vote of 71 (3.10%).<br /><br />There were 169 (7.37%) voters who picked other candidates other than the first sixth aspirants while 50 (2.18%) abstained.<br /><br /><b>Will her social media army enough to bring Miriam to Malacañan?</b><br /><br />“It is entirely possible that the 2016 presidential and senatorial elections will be determined by social media” – Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago on her view with the 2016 elections.<br /><br />If there is one class in the Philippine society where Miriam has a stronghold with, then it is the youth. It clearly shows that her previous presidential campaign during the 1992 and 1998 elections were majorly youth-driven. Albeit failing twice, she remained as a one of the enigmatic figure in the senate as shown on her successive elections to the congress excluding the 2001 senatorial elections. Now that she is giving another shot for the presidency while recovering from sickness, she’s banking on the power of her social media army to finally end the saga of her quest for the presidency on a high note.<br /><br /><b>Amidst the controversies, will Escudero maintain his hold until May 2016?</b><br /><br />We’ve known how the 2010 vice presidential derby was fought by Binay and Roxas. Roxas was leading the surveys until his supporters were caught by surprise on how Binay slowly but surely climbed his way on top, eventually tossing out Roxas on election day.<br /><br />Escudero is at the top, thanks to his calm and straightforward articulateness with the Filipino language and of course, by Poe’s charisma that secured him to where he is now.<br /><br />But with the administration backing Robredo, Cayetano and Marcos being under the two of the most colorful and charismatic presidential candidates, the words ‘Vice President’ cannot be owned yet by Escudero as early as of this time.<br /><br /><b><i>- Michael Santiago/TheSummitExpress</i></b></div>

Santiago-Escudero tops UPLB student mock election

MANILA, Philippines -  If there is one thing that Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago was able to carry on herself as part of her political cap...

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IN PHOTOS: Chiz Escudero marries Heart Evangelista in Balesin wedding

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">MANILA, Philippines - Senator Chiz Escudero and actress Heart Evangelista were pronounced husband and wife today, February 15 at around 5:20pm. View wedding photos here.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfsheRDQXvz6G6qDZOI5QUXI1lLRWFCSZvluSnCklgZ5TulrYNniPRv1zai5zIEkAeBOqzM8615twCSeuKh9xvKLSBCAelu5mfA3JAgGLnmiP19jEcDnMU5P2yAiWHsn-6sBsyEMfb79Hc/s1600/Heart-Chiz-wedding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Chiz Escudero marries Heart Evangelista in Balesin wedding" border="0" height="592" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfsheRDQXvz6G6qDZOI5QUXI1lLRWFCSZvluSnCklgZ5TulrYNniPRv1zai5zIEkAeBOqzM8615twCSeuKh9xvKLSBCAelu5mfA3JAgGLnmiP19jEcDnMU5P2yAiWHsn-6sBsyEMfb79Hc/s1600/Heart-Chiz-wedding.jpg" title="Chiz Escudero marries Heart Evangelista in Balesin wedding" width="560" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heart and Chiz finally tied the knot on Sunday | Credit: sebastiandesu on Instagram</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Heart and Chiz tied the knot in a Catholic wedding ceremony held at the Balesin Island Club in Quezon.<br /><br />The romantic wedding is inspired by the Hollywood movie, Edward and Bella's The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn.<br /><br /><center><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="4" style="background: #FFF; border-radius: 3px; border: 0; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: -webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width: 99.375%; width: calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding: 8px;"><div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 50% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;"><div style="background: url(data:image/png; display: block; height: 44px; margin: 0 auto -44px; position: relative; top: -22px; width: 44px;"></div></div><div style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a href="https://instagram.com/p/zHaTzrs9VG/" style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_top">The happy gorgeous bride ❤️ so happy for you @iamhearte 😍 #chizheart21515</a></div><div style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A photo posted by draivee (@draivee) on <time datetime="2015-02-15T08:52:42+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Feb 15, 2015 at 12:52am PST</time></div></div></blockquote><script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script></center><br /><center><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="4" style="background: #FFF; border-radius: 3px; border: 0; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: -webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width: 99.375%; width: calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding: 8px;"><div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 50% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;"><div style="background: url(data:image/png; display: block; height: 44px; margin: 0 auto -44px; position: relative; top: -22px; width: 44px;"></div></div><div style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a href="https://instagram.com/p/zHhxIiCM5S/" style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_top">Husband and wife!!!!!! We love you @iamhearte #chizheart21515 #chizheartlovefinally</a></div><div style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A video posted by @solennheussaff on <time datetime="2015-02-15T09:57:52+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Feb 15, 2015 at 1:57am PST</time></div></div></blockquote><script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script></center><br />The ceremony was officiated by Bishop Arturo Vasquez, a close friend of Senator Chiz from his hometown in Sorsogon. Concelebrating the Mass were Fr. Jerry Orbos and Fr. Roger Joseph Erestain, who are also close to the groom.<br /><br /><center><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="4" style="background: #FFF; border-radius: 3px; border: 0; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: -webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width: 99.375%; width: calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding: 8px;"><div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 50% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;"><div style="background: url(data:image/png; display: block; height: 44px; margin: 0 auto -44px; position: relative; top: -22px; width: 44px;"></div></div><div style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a href="https://instagram.com/p/zHbL2yCMxl/" style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_top">Beautiful and intimate #chizheart21515 #ChizHeartLoveFinally</a></div><div style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A photo posted by @solennheussaff on <time datetime="2015-02-15T09:00:21+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Feb 15, 2015 at 1:00am PST</time></div></div></blockquote><script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script></center><br /><center><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="4" style="background: #FFF; border-radius: 3px; border: 0; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: -webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width: 99.375%; width: calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding: 8px;"><div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 50% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;"><div style="background: url(data:image/png; display: block; height: 44px; margin: 0 auto -44px; position: relative; top: -22px; width: 44px;"></div></div><div style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a href="https://instagram.com/p/zHbf9iki8j/" style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_top">Pure love. #chizheart21515 #PatDyPhotography #FrancisPerezPhoto #CaliberKingPhotography @patdy11 @redtangent @caliberking @iamhearte @balesinislandclub</a></div><div style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A photo posted by Francis Perez (@redtangent) on <time datetime="2015-02-15T09:03:06+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Feb 15, 2015 at 1:03am PST</time></div></div></blockquote><script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script></center><br />President Benigno 'PNoy' Aquino III who was supposed to be Chiz's best man, was replaced by Phillip Escudero, Chiz's brother. Meanwhile, Heart's older sister Camille Ongpauco was the maid-of-honor.<br /><br />Chiz revealed to the press that he asked PNoy to skip the Balesin wedding and invited him to the Manila reception on February 18 instead.<br /><br />Some of the big names in showbiz, business and politics have attended the ceremony.<br /><br /><center><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="4" style="background: #FFF; border-radius: 3px; border: 0; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: -webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width: 99.375%; width: calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding: 8px;"><div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 50% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;"><div style="background: url(data:image/png; display: block; height: 44px; margin: 0 auto -44px; position: relative; top: -22px; width: 44px;"></div></div><div style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a href="https://instagram.com/p/zHTsAsya2Z/" style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_top">Kumpleto na ang bridesmaids. #ChizHeart21515</a></div><div style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A photo posted by Nelson Canlas (@nelsoncanlas) on <time datetime="2015-02-15T07:54:50+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Feb 14, 2015 at 11:54pm PST</time></div></div></blockquote><script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script></center><br /><center><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="4" style="background: #FFF; border-radius: 3px; border: 0; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: -webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width: 99.375%; width: calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding: 8px;"><div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 50% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;"><div style="background: url(data:image/png; display: block; height: 44px; margin: 0 auto -44px; position: relative; top: -22px; width: 44px;"></div></div><div style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a href="https://instagram.com/p/zHYiS7KRcf/" style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_top">Ninangs waiting for the bride #chizheart21515</a></div><div style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A photo posted by Jiggy Manicad (@iamjiggymanicad) on <time datetime="2015-02-15T08:37:12+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Feb 15, 2015 at 12:37am PST</time></div></div></blockquote><script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script></center><br />Principal sponsors include business tycoons Hans Sy, Lance Gokongwei, Fernando Zobel, Bobby Ongpin, Jerry Acuzar, Ramon Ang and Vic del Rosario.<br /><br /><center><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="4" style="background: #FFF; border-radius: 3px; border: 0; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: -webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width: 99.375%; width: calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding: 8px;"><div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 50% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;"><div style="background: url(data:image/png; display: block; height: 44px; margin: 0 auto -44px; position: relative; top: -22px; width: 44px;"></div></div><div style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a href="https://instagram.com/p/zHbi5QqRQ4/" style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_top">Ninongs #chizheart21515</a></div><div style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A photo posted by Jiggy Manicad (@iamjiggymanicad) on <time datetime="2015-02-15T09:03:30+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Feb 15, 2015 at 1:03am PST</time></div></div></blockquote><script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script></center><br />Reports said that the newly-wed couple will spend honeymoon in Japan.<br /><br />Before the wedding ceremony, Heart celebrated her 30th birthday of Valentine's Day.<br /><br />Heart and Chiz became couple for more than two years before their marriage. Chiz was married to Christine Flores for seven years until he announced their marriage has been annulled. They have two children.</div>

IN PHOTOS: Chiz Escudero marries Heart Evangelista in Balesin wedding

MANILA, Philippines - Senator Chiz Escudero and actress Heart Evangelista were pronounced husband and wife today, February 15 at around 5:20...

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