Whatta year that was!

Happy New Year everyone! Welcome 2008! But before we set our sights for 2008, let us look back the great and not so great moments that we had last 2007.
July 29 - I started this blog Mar Roxas for President in 2010.

August 4 - This blog, together with Peter Laviña's blog, was noticed by the Inquirer in the article "Battle looming between LP and NP for presidency in 2010" by Gil Cabacungan Jr.

August 29 - I posted an article (which I had been drafting for several days) about Senator Manny Villar's copying of Sen. Roxas' Mr. Palengke image.

August 30 - I posted an article in reaction to the offensive remarks of the Team Gordon 2010 blog about Mar Roxas.

September 4 - Team Gordon 2010 apologizes but continues to defend their presidential bet Senator Richard Gordon.

September 5 - I made an article that rebuts on allegations that Sen. Roxas has not made a stand on issues. It currently holds that record of having the most comments (6 comments) in my blog.

September 26 - I made an article that rebuts on allegations that Sen. Roxas was bastos (disrespectful) during the ZTE broadband Senate hearings.

November 6 - This blog celebrated its 100th day in the blogosphere.

November 26 - I met personally Senator Mar Roxas and several personalities (Judy Araneta-Roxas, Adel Tamano, Franklin Drilon, Kiko Pangilinan, Pong Biazon, Satur Ocampo, Etta Rosales, Enteng Romano, Leah Navarro, Jovito Salonga, Bobby Tañada, Gwen Garcia, Tommy Osmeña, Senator Roxas' Senate Staff, etc.), with the help of his Chief-of-staff Susan Ople, during the Liberal Party event at Club Filipino, San Juan City, Metro Manila.
We look forward to a prosperous 2008. I hope that this year, more and more developments about 2010 would happen. ORAS NA! ROXAS NA!

Monday, December 31, 2007 | posted in , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 0 comments [ More ]

A Christmas Message from Sen. Mar Roxas



Here's a Christmas message from Senator Mar Roxas that was aired in Rated K last Sunday:
"Mga kababayan, inyong lingkod Mr. Palengke Mar Roxas bumabati ng isang Maligayang Pasko at Manigong Bagong Taon. Isabuhay natin ang tunay na diwa ng Pasko. Pag-ibig sa kapwa, sa bayan at sa Poong Maykapal. Salubungin natin ang bagong taon, puno ng pag-asa at pananalig sa ating kakayahan na harapin ang hamon ng panahon. Muli, isang Pasko, puno ng pagmamahalan. Salamat!"
To watch the video, please visit http://youtube.com/watch?v=fCpb4L66Kq4

In behalf of the Mar Roxas for President in 2010 Blog, I greet all of you Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! ORAS NA, ROXAS NA!

Sunday, December 23, 2007 | posted in , , , , , , | 2 comments [ More ]

Villar ouster move is a 'bogus report' - Sen. Roxas

Senator Manuel Roxas II on Thursday denied being part of any move to oust Senate President Manuel Villar, even as he said Senate could have done better if it were more focused.

Although they have not categorically announced their intention to join the 2010 presidential race, Liberal Party president Roxas and Nacionalista Party president Villar appear to be gearing up for it.

The national daily Malaya reported that LP senators, led by former Senate president and immediate past president of LP Franklin Drilon, talked to Senator Juan Ponce-Enrile and asked him to replace Villar. Several meetings allegedly took place, one of them in Senator Gregorio Honasan’s house in Green Meadows.

Drilon and Enrile are fraternity brothers in Sigma Rho.
Asked if he was aware of any plans to unseat Villar, Roxas said: “Palagay ko kuryente iyon. Wala akong alam na pagpupulong at wala naman akong nasalihan na pagpupulong tungkol dyan (I think it’s a bogus report. I am not aware of any such meetings and I’ve not participated in a meeting about that).”

“I am not aware of any such plot, of any such conversation. I certainly have not been in any meetings. It was reported to me that such meetings were held with me in attendance. I have not been to such meetings,” he said.
Villar’s camp refused to comment on the report.

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Sen. Roxas bares another big govt' lobby anomaly

Senator Mar Roxas on Friday urged Malacañang to scrap its $50 million, six-month contract with American lobby firm, Covington & Burling LLP, which would cost more than Washington’s military aid to the Philippines.

Roxas said he was familiar with the rates charged for normal trade access or information access and believed the $50 million was for “something more, perhaps like getting the US Defense and Military establishment to soften resistance to a new strain of Martial Law.”

“If they can’t defend this in Plaza Miranda or any market in the country, then they should junk it altogether,” Roxas said in a statement.

Roxas revealed that the pricey contract was signed between the Philippine Embassy in Washington D.C. and Covington & Burling to “promote the interests of the Republic of the Philippines with the US Congress and the US Government on a range of political, economic, and security issues.”

“Who is behind this contract and why? Who is ready to stand before the people and explain what this contract is all about and why $50-million of the people’s money should be spent on this rather than on school-feeding programs, better health services, and other priorities?” he asked.

Roxas demanded that the government publish in full the provisions of the multimillion dollar contract to avoid a repeat of the controversy generated by the P50 million Venable LLP contract in 2005.

Saturday, December 22, 2007 | posted in , , , , , | 0 comments [ More ]

Sen. Roxas expresses dismay on Gary Teves

Senator Mar Roxas said he will not hesitate to block before the Commission on Appointments (CA) the confirmation of Finance Secretary Margarito Teves for the latter’s refusal to suspend the Expanded Value-Added Tax (EVAT) on the prices of gasoline.

Roxas said this as he expressed dismay after Teves outrightly rejected the senator’s proposal to suspend EVAT on oil.

Friday, December 21, 2007 | posted in , , , | 0 comments [ More ]

A message from the KMP to Sen. Roxas

Do not be like a modern Makapili like Sen. Santiago

The militant Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) challenged Sen. Manuel “Mar” Roxas II to stand up for the Filipino people and our interest against the Japan-Philippine Economic partnership Agreement (JPEPA) and not do a complete turnaround as Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago did.

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Thursday, December 20, 2007 | posted in , , , , | 0 comments [ More ]

Sen. Roxas statement on Cheaper Medicines bill passage delay

Senator Mar Roxas said he was disappointed that the House has failed to pass before Christmas a bill to lower local prices of medicines, despite assurances to do so in the previous Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council meeting.

"Ikinalulungkot ko na hindi ito maisasabatas bago pa ang Pasko. Kahit ipasa man ito sa House ngayon o bukas, hindi na ito makaka-bicam at mara-ratify bago mag-break. Huli na masyado," Roxas, sponsor of SB 1658 or the Quality Affordable Medicines bill, which was passed on final reading at the Senate last November 5, lamented.

"By the time Congress reconvenes, it will be another month. Sana maaga itong naipasa sa mababang kapulungan para naisabatas bago ng Pasko," he added.

Despite the setback, the Senate Trade Committee Chairman said, "Ngunit ang mahalaga ay maipasa pa rin ito. Mas maganda sana before Christmas, pero kung after Christmas, okey na rin, basta maipasa natin ito."

As of early afternoon, the House of Representatives has not passed its counterpart to Roxas' bill, despite an initial commitment at the start of the 14th Congress last July to pass the bill in 45 days. When this was not accomplished, the House targeted the bill's passage and bicameral approval before Christmas.

The Liberal Party President also noted how Congress also had to deal with bicameral talks for the 2008 budget. The Quality Affordable Medicines bill had been certified by the President as urgent in the last Congress and in the 14th Congress, and was named a priority measure during the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council last December 11.

The measure has been Roxas' major advocacy even during his time as Trade Secretary, when he negotiated for trade concessions to be granted to developing countries under the Trade Related Intellectual Property System (TRIPS) international agreement. First among SB 1658's provisions are the proposed amendments to the Intellectual Property Code which seek to allow the parallel importation of locally patented drugs and to allow generic manufacturers to test, register, produce patented drugs prior to patent expiry, among others.

The bill also recommends strengthening the Bureau of Food and Drug to serve as a counterfoil to attempts to bring in fake or substandard medicines by allowing BFAD to retain its operating income from fees and other charges so it could upgrade its facilities and beef up its human resources.

The bill also contains provisions allowing the President to impose drug price ceilings in times of calamity, public health emergencies, events that cause artificial and unreasonable price hikes, the prevalence of illegal price manipulation and whenever prevailing prices have risen to unreasonable levels.

Tuesday, December 18, 2007 | posted in , , , , | 0 comments [ More ]

Suspend 12% VAT on petrol - Sen. Roxas

In a bid to provide relief against the continuing rise in prices of oil products, Senator Mar Roxas on Friday said that he wants the 12 percent value-added tax (VAT) on petroleum products suspended for at least six months.

Roxas' proposal was contained in Senate Bill lNo. 1962 which was filed a day after a nationwide transport strike against the continuing rise in oil prices.
“Ito, simple lang. I-suspend lang natin ang pagpataw ng VAT sa produktong petrolyo, kaginhawaan agad ito, at sa ganoong paraan, makakatulong tayo sa ating mga kababayan. Kung ang diesel ay P38.45 kada litro, P4 na katipiran ang maibibigay natin kaagad," he said.
The senator pointed out that when VAT was imposed, the price for crude oil stood at $50 per barrel.

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Sunday, December 16, 2007 | posted in | 0 comments [ More ]

Sen. Mar Roxas in Sinukwan Festival

Senator Mar Roxas recently visited Pampanga and has expressed his amazement over the province's premiere festival.

Dubbed as "Mr. Palengke", Roxas graced the culminating activities of the cultural programs of the Sinukwan Festival Saturday. The festival is a yearly event organized by the Save Pampanga Movement. It is aimed at preserving and propagating Kapampangan culture and tradition through week long festivities.

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Tuesday, December 11, 2007 | posted in , , , | 0 comments [ More ]

It's Time

From http://www.panorama.com.ph/news.php?aid=1120

Our Times by Susan Ople

Red, blue, and white buntings declaring "Oras Na!" ("It’s Time!") with the Liberal Party logo decorated the Kalayaan hall of Club Filipino. Socially-relevant tarpaulins depicting scenes like a silhouette of a lonely soldier on a solitary trek with the words, "Honor and Dignity for our Soldiers," hanged along the sides of the wall. A huge video wall at the center of the stage was used before the high point of the program to show an audio-visual presentation regarding the history and personages of the Liberal Party.

Rich visuals, bold colors, and the theme of "Oras Na!" made the election of new party president Senator Mar Roxas a memorable event. Add to this, the gathering of friends and supports of the party and Roxas himself bolstered the impression that the LP has the capability of attracting a broad sector of society, including those with divergent views on how real change can come about.

Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia, Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmena, Isabela Governor Grace Padaca, Magsaysay awardee and Naga City Mayor Jesse Robredo, former Bulacan Governor Josie dela Cruz, Rep. Jose Yap of Tarlac, former Representative Lu Antonino of General Santos City, Leah Navarro, Enteng Romano and Dinky Soliman of the Black & White Movement, UNO Spokesman Atty. Adel Tamano, Ang Ladlad leader Danton Remoto, former Cabinet Secretaries, Rep. Satur Ocampo of Bayan Muna, Rep. Etta Rosales of Akbayan, and so many others came together to witness the passing of the torch from former Senate President Drilon to Senator Mar Roxas as party president.

I was huddled in one corner with close friends and family of Senator Roxas listening to him take his oath of office before the distinguished Senate President Jovito Salonga, when we heard the quiver in the senator’s voice. Perhaps it was the crowd, respectful yet obviously in adoration of the party’s perceived standard-bearer. Perhaps, it was the oath itself, which in part, states: "I will uphold the Liberal Party-- its Constitution and its founding ideals of conscience over ambition, principles over glory, and integrity above power-- as our instrument to attain the paramount national interest". Or perhaps it was just that precise moment – when thoughts of his father, Sen. Gerry Roxas and his grandfather, President Manuel Roxas, crossed his mind. There will always be other parties for other people, but for a Roxas, there can be no other party except the LP.

For his acceptance speech, Roxas focused on the theme of change and renewal. Addressing his fellow politicians and civil servants, it was time, he said, for everyone to "come along, roll up your sleeves, open your hearts and re-discover that wellspring of idealism that first brought us to public service." The lawmaker from Capiz also stressed the need for critical yet constructive engagement. "Whenever policy is wrong, we are the party that will say No/, and make an honest and determined effort to provide solutions. As important as it is to know the "whodunit", it is even more important for our future to know the "how-to-solve-it."

And partly to answer the oft-repeated questions about 2010, the new party president intoned:" I accept the challenge of building a strong, united, and modern LP – rooted in its founding principles, sharpening its purpose – and leading it to victory in 2010."

The event ended well, with confetti and numerous photo-taking sessions, and a press conference ably moderated by former Bukidnon Congressman Neric Acosta. Rep. Erin Tanada, former Education Secretary Butch Abad, party treasurer and Quezon Governor Raffy Nantes. Seventeen-year old blogger Kevin Ray Chua was around to chronicle the event for www.marroxas2010.blogspot.com. Davao City Councilor and LP member Peter Laviña of www.liberalpresident2010.blogspot.com met up with Kevin and chatted about political blogging.

The road to 2010 is still, as Roxas himself said, still "a ways to go." But I like it that we are not lacking in leaders who are strident about their willingness to be agents of change. It takes courage and a bit of zaniness to even consider being part of the body politic especially with our parochial way of politics. One needs a degree of self-flagellation to even contemplate a presidential run in 2010. People nowadays are quick to react, most of the time with little facts at their disposal, perhaps aided and abetted by the speed by which news travels.

The LP is the first party to have openly declared its standard-bearer in 2010. It would be interesting to observe and write about the forthcoming Nacionalista Party’s 100th anniversary dinner-show at the PICC. Like Christmas, the spirit of 2010 has started.

Saturday, December 8, 2007 | posted in , , , , , , , , , , | 2 comments [ More ]

Sen. Roxas is against the Cyber-Ed project

Senator Manuel "Mar" Roxas believes that the multi-million-peso cyber education project of the Department of Education (DepEd) is but a waste of money.

"Sana hindi na ito matuloy at ito'y malaking pagsasayang sa pera ni Juan dela Cruz (I hope that it will not push through as it is a big waste of the people's money)," Roxas said in an interview last Monday.

Roxas expressed that there are other means and technologies, which can be used to improve the educational system of the country.

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Wednesday, December 5, 2007 | posted in , , , , , | 0 comments [ More ]

Roxas-Garcia or Roxas-Osmeña?


Would it be a Mar Roxas-Gwen Garcia tandem in 2010 or a Mar Roxas-Tommy Osmeña?

Well, that's the current buzz here in Cebu after Liberal Party leaders Neric Acosta, Butch Abad and Emilio Abaya hinted a possibility of having a Cebuano as the next vice president in 2010.

Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia, whom I met during the LP National Convention last November 26, told SunStar that she and Roxas would be “more interesting as a love team rather than a political tandem—for now."

Meanwhile, Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña said, “I am the son of a presidential aspirant before Martial Law. Sergio “Serging” Osmeña was the favorite choice of the Cebuanos. I realized that (running for senator) would hurt Cebu because all those who have ambitions would hurt Cebu. That is why (there are those) who consolidated my father’s enemies. They consider my father a threat to their ambitions. So if I will aspire for national office, Cebu will suffer, SRP will suffer, and everybody will try to run amok with our projects here.”

But wait a minute, Gwen and Tommy had been in feud after the land-swapping fiasco! Would this mean that if Gwen is chosen as Roxas' VP, Tommy would withdraw his support to Roxas? Or the other way around? That's spooky!

Given the record of Cebu with 3 million plus voters, it would really determine every Philippine election on who's gonna win. Garcia and Osmeña are potential candidates but it's up to them if they would decide to run for vice president.

Tuesday, December 4, 2007 | posted in , , , , , , | 0 comments [ More ]

Only 1 Liberal Party... nothing else

Senator Manuel “Mar” Roxas, president of the Liberal Party (LP), said Monday that as far as he's concerned, there is only one LP and that is the one he has recently been elected as president.

The issue of factions in the party is already dead, said Roxas.
"The Supreme Court has already ruled on that, and it recognizes the faction of former Senate President (Franklin) Drilon as the legitimate Liberal Party," Roxas said. "And I am president of that faction."
Roxas was in the city Monday to grace the opening ceremonies of the 2nd Barangay Justice Advocates Congress at the Grand Men Seng Hotel.

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