Noynoy, Mar launch Operation Tulong Bayan

Senators Noynoy Aquino and Mar Roxas launched Operation Tulong Bayan as they urged supporters and volunteers to set aside political work and focus on organizing relief effort for thousands of families displaced by typhoon Ondoy.

Aquino and Roxas, along with former Senate President Franklin Drilon, this afternoon will visit the Tatalon area in Marikina, among the hardest hit by floods caused by Ondoy, to distribute relief goods to the affected residents there.

The two senators had cut short their consultation sorties in Mindanao to help in relief operations for Ondoy’s victims in Metro Manila and neighboring provinces.

Aquino urged supporters and volunteers to bring their donations to the following Operation Tulong Bayan Centers:

• Cubao, Quezon City: Balay, Expo Centro Filipino, EDSA corner General McArthur St., Araneta Center. Former Seafood Market, Inside the parking lot fronting farmers market. Hotline : 9137122, 9136254, 9133306. Manilyn 09086579998 Jenn 09393633436
• Makati City: 2314 Pasong Tamo Ext. (Dasma side) between Cantinetta and Makati Faith Chistian School. Tel 7108804 Rosanna 0917-8305053 Cris 09178435137

Earlier, Aquino announced that funds from the Piso-piso para Kay Noynoy will be used to buy relief goods for the victims of Ondoy.

Aquino and Roxas have converted their headquarters in Expo Centro in Farmers Market in Cubao, Quezon City as Operation Tulong Bayan Center. They met their supporters in Expo Centro yesterday to mobilize more volunteers and collect more relief goods.

Tuesday, September 29, 2009 | posted in mar roxas, noynoy aquino, typhoon ondoy | 0 comments [ More ]

Roxas seeks Senate probe on stricter SALN access

Senator Mar Roxas today sought a Senate inquiry into new restrictions imposed by the Ombudsman on public access to a public document that reveals the net worth and properties of all public officials and employees amid ongoing media investigation of the alleged inexplicable ballooning wealth of President Arroyo and her family.

Roxas filed Senate Resolution No. 1374, asking the appropriate Senate committee to look into the validity and legality of the Office of the Ombudsman Memorandum Circular No. 01, series of 2009, or the Revised Guidelines Governing Access to Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth or SALNs filed with the Ombudsman.

He said the new Ombudsman rules requires those who want access to SALNs to fill up forms and need to swear under oath from fiscals or public prosecutors the purpose or purposes they have in accessing those documents.

These new guidelines issued by the Ombudsman “obstruct rather than reinforce constitutional mandates of transparency and accountability in public service as well as undermine constitutional rights of access to information by the people,” Roxas insisted.

As author of the proposed Free Information Act that is still pending approval in both chambers of Congress, Roxas pointed out that the Constitution compels all public officers and employees to submit a declaration under oath of their assets, liabilities and net worth upon their assumptions to office, which shall be disclosed to the public.

The Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (Republic Act No. 3019) also requires public officials to “prepare and file a true, detailed and sworn statement of assets and liabilities” while the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees (RA 6713) “reinforces the public’s constitutionally protected right to information and access to public documents by providing that the (SALNs) of public officials shall be made available for inspection at reasonable hours and copying or reduction.”

Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez issued the new guidelines on June 16 this year, amidst calls for an investigation into the alleged unexplained wealth of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and her family.

At the time the new guidelines came out, the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) was doing a research on and conducting an examination of the SALN of President Arroyo, which it noted had allegedly grown significantly based on her 2008 SALN. The report also said Mrs. Arroyo got rich faster than the three presidents before her.

"The motivation and timing of the release of the Ombudsman Memorandum Circular is questionable, coming at a time when the SALNs of the President and her immediate family were under intense public inspection," the Visayan senator said.

Wednesday, September 23, 2009 | posted in free information act, mar roxas, merceditas gutierrez, ombudsman, pgma, president, saln | 0 comments [ More ]

Roxas' speech declaring his VP bid with Aquino in 2010

Below is the speech of Senator Mar Roxas as he accepted the offer of Liberal Party standard bearer Senator Noynoy Aquino to be his running mate in the 2010 elections. As we move forward, let us continue to support this tandem for change and for reforms:

Maraming maraming salamat po sa inyong lahat. Magandang tanghali po. Happy Holidays to our Muslim brothers.

Salamat, Noynoy, sa tiwalang ipinagkaloob mo sa akin. Salamat sa karangalang maging kasama mo sa paglilingkod sa bayan. Thank you for this opportunity to work with you as we raise the banner of reform. Thank you for the privilege of joining you and all our kababayans in the fight for decency and integrity in public service, and for a government that puts the people’s interest first.

Taos-puso ko pong tinatanggap ang hamon na isulong ang tunay na reporma sa ating bansa.

Taos-puso ko pong tinatanggap ang responsibilidad na maging kabalikat ni Noynoy sa kanyang laban para sa pagbabago.

Taos-puso ko pong tinatanggap ang maging katambal ni Noynoy Aquino.

But this fight is not just about Noynoy and me. It’s bigger than the two of us, it is bigger than the Liberal Party. It is about our collective thirst for change.

It is about our thirst for change finally overcoming those who want to continue the tayu-tayo system, the horse-trading, the greed, the self-interest, the transactional politics that has been the biggest roadblock to progress and prosperity for all.

Tungkol ito sa matuwid laban sa baluktot. Tungkol ito sa tapat laban sa tiwali. Tungkol ito sa tama laban sa mali.

Noy, you have raised the banner. Ito ang bandila ng reporma at pag-asa. Ito ang maglalagay ng pagkain sa mesa, dahil hindi na nanakawin ang pondo ng mga magsasaka. Ito ang magbibigay ng trabaho sa taumbayan, dahil hindi na kokotangan ang mga namumuhunan. Ito ang magpapaabot-kaya sa presyo ng gamot, dahil hindi na makikipagsabwatan sa mga abusadong pharmaceutical companies.

My friends, this is going to be a tough battle. We should not be lulled into complacency. We are up against forces who will fight tooth and nail, fair and unfair, legal and illegal, against us. Sa kanila yata, tuloy ang ligaya; sa atin naman, tuloy ang laban.

Kailangan nating isulong ang bandila ni Noy at ng reporma. Mahirap ang laban na ito, pero nasa kamay natin ang ating kapalaran.

Kung bawat araw, ang bawat isa sa atin ay makahimok ng isa pang kasangga natin, tiyak ang ating tagumpay.

Our opponents will exhaust all avenues in order to win. They have been robbing us for so long, and they want to continue robbing us. Pero hindi tayo papayag na manakaw din nila ang ating pag-asa.

Taglay ni Noynoy ang susi ng pagbabago: matapat na puso, malasakit sa kapwa, at pinakamahalaga, pagmamahal sa bayan. Buong-loob kong isinusulong si Noynoy Aquino. I am honored to join him in this field of battle.

To all of us here in this hall and all across this great nation, who are fighting alongside him, make no mistake about it: We will not back down from this fight, not now, not ever.

The fog of cynicism has already lifted from our hearts. Ngayon, puwede na muling mangarap.

Sama-sama tayo. Hindi namin kayo pababayaan. Lalaban tayo!

Monday, September 21, 2009 | posted in campaign, mar roxas, noynoy aquino, philippines, president, vice president | 1 comments [ More ]

Announcement of Noynoy-Mar 2010 tandem tomorrow

Great news! Tomorrow, Liberal Party Senators Noynoy Aquino and Mar Roxas will formally introduce their tandem in the 2010 elections. Below is an article from the Philippine Daily Inquirer about this development.

The tandem of Senators Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III and Manuel “Mar Roxas II for the 2010 presidential race is a done deal.

The two men will make the formal announcement at a press conference Monday, former Representatives Florencio “Butch” Abad and Nereus Acosta, both stalwarts of the Liberal Party (LP), said yesterday.

Abad and Acosta accompanied Aquino to the SMX convention center in Pasay City, where he spoke before an estimated 10,000 educators attending the Bato Balani Foundation’s “Tribute to Teachers.” The annual event is the largest gathering of educators in the country.

Aquino, who announced on September 9 that he was heeding the clamor to run for the presidency, himself confirmed that Roxas had accepted his invitation to be his running mate in the 2010 polls.

Asked if it was a done deal, Aquino said: “Yes. [The announcement will be made on] Monday morning.”

Abad, the LP national campaign manager for 2010, told the Philippine Daily Inquirer in an ambush interview that an advisory would be issued Sunday on the press conference to be held at Club Filipino in San Juan.

“That’s it. That’s the tandem,” Abad said.

Club Filipino is where Aquino’s mother, the late Corazon Aquino, was sworn in as President at the culmination of the February 1986 People Power revolt that ousted the strongman Ferdinand Marcos.

Read more about this news...

Sunday, September 20, 2009 | posted in campaign, mar roxas, noynoy aquino, philippines, president, vice president | 0 comments [ More ]

Roxas hints at accepting offer to be Aquino's running mate

Here's an article from GMANews.TV about Senator Mar Roxas hinting to accept Senator Noynoy Aquino's offer to be his running-mate.

Senator Manuel Roxas II on Monday hinted his inclination to accept the offer to be Senator Benigno Simeon “Noynoy" Aquino III’s running mate in the 2010 elections.

“Wala namang dahilan kung bakit hindi [ko tatanggapin ang alok]. Pero gusto ko lang na mapag-isipan ng mabuti. Malaking pagbabago ito sa direksyon na tinatahak ko," Roxas told reporters Monday.

(There is no reason why I should not accept [the offer]. But I’m still thinking things over, because this will definitely change the direction of my political plans.)

He reiterated his promise to be an ally of and to take part in Senator Aquino’s campaign for reform in the country.

Read more about it at http://www.gmanews.tv/story/172263/roxas-hints-at-accepting-offer-to-be-noynoys-running-mate

Tuesday, September 15, 2009 | posted in campaign, mar roxas, noynoy aquino, philippines, president, vice president | 0 comments [ More ]

Mar Roxas in ABS-CBN's Probe Profiles

Last September 9, ABS-CBN's Probe Profiles hosted by Cheche Lazaro placed the spotlight on Mar Roxas. From his life to his latest decision on giving way to Noynoy Aquino to be the Liberal Party's standard bearer. Watch the videos below and get to know him better.

PART 1

PART 2

PART 3

PART 4

Saturday, September 12, 2009 | posted in mar roxas, noynoy aquino, philippines, president | 0 comments [ More ]

Join the Kelvinonian Ideas 2.0 Blog Contest

I'm inviting everyone to join the "Be Creative, Show you Love" blog contest of my blogger friend Kelvin Servigon.

His blog has just celebrated its 1st year anniversary, and it's just good to have this blog contest for its readers. The blog contest started last September 8, 2009 and the deadline of submission of entries is on September 20, 2009.

The voting arena will be opened after the deadline, September 20, 2009 up to September 26, 2009.

The winners will be announced on September 27, 2009.

This blog is a sponsor of the blog contest.

Join now! Big prizes are waiting for the lucky winners! Visit http://kelvinonian.com/2009/09/be-creative-shout-your-love-blog-contest/ for more details.

Friday, September 11, 2009 | posted in blog, blog contest, kelvin servigon, kevin ray chua, philippines | 1 comments [ More ]

The grower of the seeds need the sower of the seeds

On endorsing a Noynoy Aquino for President and Mar Roxas for Vice President tandem in 2010, I can only put it simply this way, "the grower of the seeds need the sower of the seeds."

To you Noy, I say: I began the campaign to sow the seeds para sa pagbabago at reporma. You must now be the one to grow them in the arena of leadership.

As Roxas said that unto Aquino, it can only mean one thing to me: Roxas should be Aquino's partner in pushing for reforms. I believe that with Roxas on Aquino's side as his Vice President, we can expect that what Roxas started will be continued by Aquino.

How will the grower of the seeds find it if not for the help of the one who sowed it.

Both men are carrying the platform of the Liberal Party, putting people first. The supreme sacrifice that Roxas did was worth commending. It doesn't mean that he's a coward. Instead, it displayed his courage. Even Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo can't do it.

With Roxas endorsing Aquino for President, I am rest assured that what Roxas started will not go to waste. But Roxas hasn't indicated yet his future political plans.

What should we do?

We must convince Aquino to get Roxas as his Vice Presidential candidate and so as Roxas that we must convince him to accept the challenge. These two men are the fruits of good trees. They're the products of good leadership. They did nothing that would tarnish the good image of their forebears. Yan ang serbisyo publikong TATAK AQUINO, TATAK ROXAS!

Tuloy ang Laban! Lalaban Tayo!

Coming soon, Mar Roxas for President in 2016!

Tuesday, September 8, 2009 | posted in campaign, corazon aquino, gerry roxas, manuel roxas, mar roxas, ninoy aquino, noynoy aquino, philippines, president | 0 comments [ More ]

Where to stay in Makati Avenue when you're in budget?

For those who want to find a budget hotel in Makati City but with quality service, especially when you are tightening your belt, I have something to tell you.

You should know about Jupiter Suites! When you're in Metro Manila and you're finding the best hotel deal for your money, then this hotel is for you! This budget hotel has a lot to offer to its guests that you wouldn't imagine. They call it "Quality Accommodation."

Here's why you I can recommend Jupiter Suites for you when you're finding a budget hotel in Makati City:

1. Offers their guests a free airport transfer for guests staying for 2 or more nights. Now, that's a great one from a Makati Avenue hotel.
2. It has free Internet access and breakfast for its guests. Only this budget hotel in Makati City can give you that.
3. Has the best hotel deal among its competitors. Despite of being a budget hotel, their quality is not sacrificed.
4. This Makati Avenue hotel is located in the financial district of Metro Manila. Easily accessible and near from the seaport and airport. Now, that's a good news!

Most of us have been finding budget hotels that don't sacrifice the quality. Only this Makati Avenue hotel gives you the best hotel deal for your money.

Just remember, when you need a best hotel deal from a budget hotel in Makati City, then go to Jupiter Suites located at 102 Jupiter Street Bel-Air, Makati City, Philippines.

You can also contact them at Tel. (632) 890.5044 to 50 or Fax (632) 890.5019.

| posted in blog, jupiter suites, kevin ray chua | 0 comments [ More ]

Gov. Panlilio, Gov. Padaca and Mayor Robredo to make a very important annoucement

Here's a replurk from Bong. Pampanga Governor Ed Panlilio, Isabela Governor Grace Padaca and Naga City Mayor Jesse Robredo will be making a very important announcement.

Everyone is invited to be at the Walingwaling Room of Club Filipino, Greenhills, San Juan at 10 AM. Probably, this very important announcement is the start of the snowballing support of Noynoy Aquino for President in 2010.

It can be remembered that Mayor Robredo already endorsed Mar Roxas for President in 2010 but the unexpected event happened. Governor Padaca, though she didn't expressed yet then her support for Roxas, is a member of the Liberal Party.

Let's wait and see on what would happen on this very important announcement.

Thursday, September 3, 2009 | posted in campaign, ed panlilio, grace padaca, jesse robredo, kaya natin, mar roxas, noynoy aquino, philippines, president | 0 comments [ More ]

Kevin Ray Chua's Official Statement on Mar's giving way for Noynoy

I blog this in a somewhat sad note. I keep asking to myself, "was my endeavor a complete failure?" When the word about Senator Mar Roxas' "major announcement" was buzzing around the internet and confirmed it with his staff, I was not feeling well. I didn't even attended my class on that time as more and more people are talking about it online.

(From left to right: Kevin Ray N. Chua, Senator Mar Roxas II, Councilor Peter Laviña and my dad Ronilo Chua)
The picture above with me doing a "Laban" sign, which I meant as "Liberal," might have been a sign that something different will happen.

But on that morning, before the "major announcement", I already said on my blog post that "whenever Roxas, coming from his heart, tells his supporters to support an Aquino-Roxas tandem instead for the good of the country, then I'm for it just like what former Vice President Doy Laurel did to President Cory." I was still hoping that a Roxas-Aquino tandem will stay in place with Roxas as President and Aquino as Vice President. But it seems that things were not going that way.

Many supporters have been e-mailing, chatting, plurking and twitting me if Roxas would give way for Aquino. I told them that I remain hopeful that Roxas would remain as the Liberal Party's standard bearer.

As I was watching Roxas delivering his speech live as aired in the television, I held back my tears. Together with my colleagues in our student government, we watched as this historic event unfold. When Roxas finally made it clear that he's stepping aside for Aquino, I can't help but give him a standing ovation and so did my colleagues. I must admit that I was disappointed with his decision, but I know that he also has been feeling what I was feeling when several people have already started to push for Aquino's presidential bid in 2010.

As a staunch supporter of Roxas, I find it hard to do what I said. Knowing that I have did my part, without pressure or dictate from Roxas' staff or even himself, I felt sad. The times that I spent on internet cafés just to blog for Roxas ended with this unfortunate event. But upon listening to his speech, I saw that Mar Roxas that other people didn't. He was a true statesman. Untainted with allegations of corruption, he has exhibited a true sense of leadership and selflessness by putting the country first before himself. Setting aside his personal ambition for the good of the party.

There's no shame in his act. His critics might hurl him the worst, but I stand by my support on him. He chose to lead in unity, not in division.

I vehemently believe that Mar Roxas will be a good president, a contrast to the present administration. Probably, it was not just his time and the Almighty One has a greater plan for him. With this, I throw my support, as what Roxas did, to Noynoy Aquino for President in 2010 and I ask everyone to do so. But here's the thing, Roxas still didn't said that he's going to be Aquino's Vice Presidential candidate. It's my and your duty to convince Roxas to push through an Aquino-Roxas tandem in 2010.

To fellow Roxas supporters, to Roxas' Senate Staff (which a lot of them I have met and became friends with), to myself and to Mar Roxas: Tuloy ang Laban, Lalaban tayo!

What will happen to this blog? I will still continue to be blogging and will start to encourage Roxas to run alongside with Aquino as Vice President. In that way, I will do my part for growing the seeds of reform and change that Roxas has planted.

Coming soon, Mar Roxas for President in 2016!

NOTE: If you have a friend from the media, please tell him/her that this is the official statement of the blogger who created a blog supporting Roxas' candidacy for President.

Wednesday, September 2, 2009 | posted in campaign, corazon aquino, gerry roxas, mar roxas, ninoy aquino, noynoy aquino, pgma, philippines, president | 8 comments [ More ]

Tuloy ang laban, Lalaban tayo!

Below is the transcript of Senator Mar Roxas' speech he delivered in Club Filipino to give way for Senator Noynoy Aquino to run for the 2010 Presidency. I will be issuing my official statement on this one later. To all Roxas' supporters, "Tuloy and laban, Lalaban tayo!"

Country above self. Bayan bago ang sarili.

Iyan ang habilin ng aking lolo, President Manuel Roxas.

Our nation is in trouble. Leadership is bankrupt. Institutions are in disarray. People are hungry.

Noynoy Aquino and I share the same outrage over the mess we are all in, the same way we share the solution-clean, honest, selfless public service.

Marami at matindi ang mga problema ng bansa. Kailangan nating ayusin. Matindi ang kalaban. We need a determined force for good far stronger than the festering evil around us.

We need to fight just as our own fathers fought dictatorship, and just as both died believing that good will conquer evil.

Noynoy and I want to make a difference, but we also know that we need to unite to achieve what we want.

I am the President of the Liberal Party.

It is within my power to preside over a potentially divisive process or to make the party a bridge for the forces of change. I choose to lead unity, not division. Bilang pinuno ng aking Partido, magdedesisyon ako.

Mahal ko ang Partido Liberal. My grandfather founded it. My father led it during the most difficult times of Martial Law. Sa harap ng peligro, sa kabila ng napakaraming tukso-hindi siya sumuko.

He inspired me-to stay the course, to fight the good fight, to pass the test of true character. To believe.

Over the weekend, Noynoy and I had many long conversations... Masinsinang usapan. We agreed: Let us forget about ourselves for a moment. This is not about us, this is about our people and our country. This is about our common dream. The dream of our parents.

But let us not remain a country of dreamers. Tama na ang pangarap. Gawin na natin, ngayon.

Today, I am announcing my support for the candidacy of Noynoy Aquino for President in 2010.

Noy has made it clear to me that he wants to carry the torch of leadership.

The passing of our beloved former President Aquino has reawakened a passion among us. I acknowledge this as fuel to bring us to the realization of our dream: Good will triumph over evil.

Ito na ang pinakamabigat na desisyon sa buhay ko. Maniwala man kayo o hindi, ginagawa ko ito para sa bayan, para sa inyo. I do this for unity in support of change. And if that means that somebody must make the sacrifice, it must be me. Ako na.

To you Noy, I say: I began the campaign to sow the seeds para sa pagbabago at reporma. You must now be the one to grow them in the arena of leadership.

Hindi kami maghihiwalay ni Noy. I will stand with him.

At sa aking mga kababayan, sa mga nagtiwala sa akin: Mahal na mahal ko po kayo. Mahal na mahal ko po ang ating bayan. Hindi rin tayo maghihiwalay. Itutuloy natin ang pagbabago sa ating bansa. Itutuloy natin ang laban para sa reporma!

Kay Noy, at sa aking mga kababayan: Country above self! Bayan bago sarili!

Hindi ko kayo pababayaan! Lalaban tayo!

| posted in campaign, corazon aquino, gerry roxas, manuel roxas, mar roxas, ninoy aquino, noynoy aquino, philippines, president | 0 comments [ More ]

Roxas to make a "major announcement" this 6PM at Club Filipino

This just in. Senator Mar Roxas, together with Senator Noynoy Aquino will be making a "major announcement" in the Gabaldon Room of Club Filipino this 6 PM.

I just received a call from one of Roxas' staff and informed me that although Aquino will be there, it has nothing to do with their tandem in 2010 or Roxas' rumored sliding down as VP.

Kinda bitin, but let's just wait for that "major anouncement." Just this morning, I created a blog post about a Mar-Noynoy tandem in 2010, and this one just came out this afternoon.

Details about this event will be broadcasted live in GMA's 24 Oras, ABS-CBN's TV Patrol World and all other local media networks. Please do stay tuned.

Tuesday, September 1, 2009 | posted in campaign, mar roxas, noynoy aquino, philippines, president | 0 comments [ More ]

A Mar Roxas-Noynoy Aquino tandem in 2010

Much has been said about this. Even before the death of former President Cory Aquino, I have been advocating for a Mar-Noynoy tandem in 2010.


Senators Mar Roxas and Noynoy Aquino are the fruits of good trees. Their team-up will be a formidable one. The tandem also gives a geographical balance with Roxas from the South and Aquino from the North.

But others, after the death of President Cory, have urged Noynoy to run for President. Now, that created a buzz on the Liberal Party on which it has been made known that Roxas will be the party's standard bearer for President. To prevent another party crack-up, Roxas and Aquino have been in talks since Sunday to iron out things and made September 9 as the date to watch.

I have been supporting Roxas since July 29, 2007 when I created this blog. For me, it's hard to give way being an avid Roxas supporter. I still believe on a Roxas-Aquino tandem.

But whenever Roxas, coming from his heart, tells his supporters to support an Aquino-Roxas tandem instead for the good of the country, then I'm for it just like what former Vice President Doy Laurel did to President Cory. As of now, I'm still pinning my hopes on the Roxas for President and Aquino for Vice President tandem in 2010.

I believe that this two persons are the exact opposite of the Arroyo administration. They have stood up against the wrong moves of this administration and will continue to do so for the good of the country. As what Manolo Quezon III said in his Philippine Inquirer article entitled The Long View: On the cusp of redemption, "the country already knows they’re the only two whom the present dispensation can’t tolerate. In that sense, they have already been redeemed."

Oras Na! Roxas-Aquino Na!

How about you? What do you think?

| posted in campaign, corazon aquino, manolo quezon iii, mar roxas, noynoy aquino, pgma, philippines, president | 0 comments [ More ]