Roxas-Lacson tandem, a plus or minus?

Hello everyone! After the Pulse Asia survey results were made known to the public, showing that Senator Mar Roxas jumped from 8% to 13% in the derby of 2010 presidential aspirants, a new survey conducted by the Issues and Advocacy Center headed by former President Fidel V. Ramos' PR chief Ed Malay, place our bet in tie with former President Joseph Estrada and fellow Senator Manny Villar.

Roxas was in tie with Estrada with 15% and Villar with 14% in a 13-way presidential race. In a 9-way presidential race, Roxas shared with Vice President Noli De Castro and Senator Chiz Escudero the third to fifth place with 14% each while Villar had 17% and Estrada 15%.

Wake up! Our candidate is already in a double-digit place and we need to keep the momentum going. He's "in it to win it".

Another interesting thing is this: just last week, Senator Panfilo Lacson quit his 2010 presidential bid citing "high cost of presidential campaign." Rumor has been that Lacson is poised to endorse Roxas for President and a possible Roxas-Lacson for President and Vice President is looming to happen. Roxas has made no comment on this and Lacson too. But in the same survey by the Issues and Advocacy Center, it also included a survey on possible 2010 team-ups. The Escudero-(Loren)Legarda tandem got 37% and an Estrada-Legarda tandem got 31% while a Roxas-Lacson tandem got 33%. This is somewhat surprising to me. I never expected that this tandem will work knowing that Roxas and Lacson were both aspiring for the presidency. But now that Lacson has quit his bid, he's now open to aligned with another 2010 presidential bet.

Then, here's the thing: Is a Roxas-Lacson tandem a plus or minus. I don't know if it's really a plus or a minus but if this comes true, big things would really change but not for sure if it's positive or negative change. Some would say that Roxas having Lacson as his VP might be dangerous because Roxas will be tainted by Lacson's alleged wrongdoings thus blemishing Roxas' clean record. Others also would say that a Roxas-Lacson will give a big boost to Roxas because it's a great tandem. You have someone who's good in the economy (Roxas' expertise) and someone who's good in peace and orders (Lacson' expertise). But whatever is Roxas' and Lacson's decision, is up to them. Weigh in the pros and cons and make a good decision.

Tuesday, June 9, 2009 | posted in campaign, chiz escudero, ed malay, erap, fidel ramos, manny villar, mar roxas, noli de castro, philippines, ping lacson | 2 comments [ More ]

Roxas statistically tied for first; gains big in the latest Pulse Asia Survey

Wait, it's not yet time to celebrate that much because there's still 11 months before the May 2010 Presidential elections, but as of now, this one is a good news. According to the latest Pulse Asia Survey dated May 4 to 17, 2009, our presidential bet, Senator Mar Roxas, is now on the circle of 5.

Photo courtesy of ABS-CBN News

Roxas was the biggest gainer in the latest Pulse Asia survey for the period February to May 2009. He was also statistically tied for first given the survey error parameters of +/- 3%.

In his press statement, he said:

"Nararamdaman na ng taumbayan ang aking pakikipaglaban para sa mahihirap. Nagpapasalamat ako sa mga taong naniniwalang mababago ko hindi lang ang kanilang mga buhay kundi ang pamamalakad ng ating bansa."

Photo courtesy of ABS-CBN News

Roxas was also number one in the Visayas region, where my place Cebu is in and my province Biliran is in too. But let us remember that we must not be put all our effort in one or few provinces. We must get every single vote in all of the provinces in the Philippines to be able to win. No matter how small or big that province is, every vote should count for us. In that same press statement also, Roxas thanked the people of Visayas for their continued support on him:

"Malaki ang utang na loob na tinatanaw ko sa taumbayan, lalo na sa aking mga kababayan mula sa Visayas na patuloy na sumusuporta sa akin," he said.

As Stella Arnaldo puts it on her blog post:

"Anything can still happen between now and May 11, 2010."

Indeed. Roxas has been saying that no matter what the result of these surveys are, there is only one survey that would matter, and that's the 2010 presidential elections. If we succeed, then good. But if we won't, then we must look back on where we got it wrong. But I know we don't want to fail. Do you?

This is the third straight poll showing an increase for Mar Roxas who in 2004 garnered almost 20 million votes when he topped the 2004 senate elections. The vote garnered by Mar Roxas in 2004 was and still is the highest number of votes garnered by any candidate in the Philippines.

Veteran political columnist Ellen Tordesillas also shared her thoughts on this good news:

"Looks like Sen.Mar Roxas “padyak” ads are effective in making people notice him. Or maybe because of his crusade against Legacy owner Celso de los Angeles whom he accused of swindling thousands of plan holders. Or it could be the "Korina Sanchez" factor."

I really don't know where exactly Roxas hit the right note because there has been so much fuss about his Padyak TV Ad. His public engagement also with Korina Sanchez was called distasteful to some even other accusing the host of Wowowee, Willie Revillame, of being bribed to have them on the show which is so untrue. The Legacy issue has also been a good aspect of Roxas' pursuit for justice to those who are being fooled by people like Celso de los Angeles. Whatever it is, I know these contributed a lot to Roxas' poll ratings.

But here's one point that blogger Ding Gagelonia has observed that might have boosted Roxas' poll ratings:

"I am making the observation after also having closely tracked his performance in the first episode of the ABS-CBN Leaders Foum during which Mar projected a clear vision of what he wanted to do."

Oh! Why would we forget that. The ABS-CBN Leadership Forum was a good avenue to get to know more him and his vision for our country. That surely helped a lot.

As what I have said earlier, the piñata hasn't been broken and we still don't know what's inside it. It's still a wide open race for the potential presidential candidates, unless some of them slide down. We should do all our best to make Mar Roxas succeed. We must do our part, because if not, then this is just a piece of nothing that we are doing.

Please pass this good news to your family members, friends and relatives here in the Philippines and abroad. Lalaban Tayo dahil Mahalaga Ang Pilipino! Mahalaga Ang Tao!

Oras Na! Roxas Na!

Monday, June 1, 2009 | posted in campaign, chiz escudero, erap, manny villar, mar roxas, noli de castro, philippines, president, pulse asia | 2 comments [ More ]

Mar Roxas and other 2010 presidential hopefuls in leadership forum

Spread the word about this! Senator Mar Roxas and other 2010 presidential hopefuls will be joining the ANC Leadership Forum this May 11, 7 PM organized by the ABS-CBN News Channel and the Ateneo School of Government.

Joining him in answering the issues that concern us in 2010 are Senators Chiz Escudero, Ping Lacson, Dick Gordon, DND Secretary Gibo Teodoro and Pampanga Governor Ed Panlilio. In its site, ANC said that they're still waiting for confirmation from Vice President Noli de Castro, and Senators Manuel Villar and Loren Legarda to attend the event. I think they really should. Asides from free publicity, it's the proper venue that would give the Filipino voters an idea on whom they should vote for President in 2010.

Tell your friends, family and relatives about this!

Sunday, May 10, 2009 | posted in abs-cbn, campaign, chiz escudero, dick gordon, ed panlilio, gibo teodoro, loren legarda, manny villar, mar roxas, noli de castro, philippines, ping lacson | 0 comments [ More ]

Senator Roxas surges in new SWS survey

Senator Mar Roxas is surging in the latest Social Weather Stations survey for the potential candidates of President in 2010.

But despite this "still distant" rank in the survey, his party mates in the Liberal Party are not backing down their support and so do I.

Let's remember this: surveys are not what the entire people say. It's only the opinion of a few. We must not be disheartened by its results if we are lagging behind nor we should be overconfident when we are leading.

But surveys do matter also because after all because they condition the minds of the people. What should we do? For me, it's good if we start gathering warm bodies and tell them about who Mar Roxas is and why he deserves to be our next President. Know more about Mar Roxas and his position on different issues.

In that way, we can be able to continue the surge of our candidate, Mar Roxas!

Tuesday, March 31, 2009 | posted in chiz escudero, dick gordon, erap, loren legarda, manny villar, mar roxas, noli de castro, pgma, philippines, ping lacson, president, sws survey | 6 comments [ More ]

Manny Villar values money more than the people

What does Senator Manny Villar of the Nacionalista Party think about the 2010 Philippine Presidential elections? In an interview with Reuters India, he said:

"If you can't even raise one billion pesos, why even run?"

He just showed on what he values most. MONEY

Yes, it's a sad reality that if you want to run for President in the Philippines, you must have P1 Billion or even more to win.

But this must change. Elections should never be dictated by how much money a candidate raises and spends, but by a candidate's platform of government, his service and track record.

Instead to trying to change the status quo, Villar even supported the status quo! Senator Mar Roxas wants to change it, Villar doesnt!

This just shows how arrogant Villar is in pursuing his candidacy.

"Filipinos cannot be bought... They will choose a leader who can provide good government," Senator Roxas reacting to Villar's remarks.

Villar sees the Filipino people as someone whom he can buy with his money just to have his place in Malacañang in 2010. The Filipino voters will never allow to be bought!

It's up for the people if they want a leader who wants to defend the ugly status quo or a leader who wants to change it.

Thursday, March 5, 2009 | posted in campaign, manny villar, mar roxas, president | 0 comments [ More ]

Senator Roxas breaks his silence in his vote on Enrile and CARP

Much has been said about Senator Mar Roxas' vote to oust then Senate President Manny Villar and replace him with Senator Juan Ponce Enrile.

Many people, including me, were disappointed with Senator Roxas' abstention to the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program Extension Bill (CARP) despite its swift passage in the Senate.

But now, Senator Roxas has broken his silence on the issue.

In his Facebook account, he shared his notes on why he voted to oust then Senate President Villar and abstained in the CARP Extension bill.

After reading it, I got his point on CARP. The extension was just a short-term solution. It was like extending a toothless law. He advocates for a real land reform.

Below is the transcript about his explanation on the two issues:

Hi all. I've been reading and replying to private messages during the Christmas break and I thought I'd share some of them with everyone.

Here's one regarding Senate President Enrile: Nagtatanong po kayo kung bakit ko binoto si Senator Enrile para maging SP (You were asking why I voted for Senator Enrile to be the Senate President). This isn't the most pressing issue now, but in the spirit of transparency, I'd like to tell you why I voted for him. Back then it had come down to a choice between the then-SP or anyone else. We could have let the days dragged on with a leader we couldn't trust anymore... but the Senate simply can't function in that manner. Sen. Enrile was the only one who we could agree on enough to muster the necessary votes to replace the then-SP.

---

Here's another one regarding my take on the CARP Extension: Lets be honest here: This so-called extension bill does not work. It does not extend the program. It merely extends funding for land acquired before the program expired. There will be no new acquisition and distribution of land with this bill. And even when land is distributed, our farmers still don't have adequate tools and know-how to make use of it. The land merely becomes idle or is sold back to the original landowner.

So, for me, voting yes to this bill would have meant betraying the very spirit of land reform. You may ask, then, why didn't I just say no in the first place?

Because a no symbolizes that I am against land reform per se. Or it might be interpreted as that by some sectors or entities. I didn't want that message to come across.

I do favor the implementation of CARP, but we don't need another version of an incomprehensive agrarian reform program. What we need are reforms that carry weight, not extensions of toothless laws. The CARP should be a genuine vehicle for social justice and economic development.

We still have time to craft a land reform law that could only be implemented by the next administration, which would be more dependable than this Arroyo regime. The new law must include services like low-interest and long-term credit facilities; seeds, fertilizers, and irrigation; and adequate drying and milling capabilities.

Neither a yes or a no would have worked in this particular case. I abstained because I stand for real land reform. And I'm hoping we could work together to achieve that. Thanks though for being genuinely interested in the plight of our farmers.

Friday, January 9, 2009 | posted in carl, carp, juan ponce enrile, manny villar, mar roxas, pgma, philippines, president | 0 comments [ More ]

The Making of the Education President

Senator Mar Roxas' Senate Office just forwarded to me this article in PDF format about "The Making of the Education President" by Carlos Valarao. To give you an overview about the article, it talks about how the so-called "presidentiables" namely Senator Manny Villar and Senator Roxas have performed in the aspect of education legislation. And guess who won!

Below is the article which I uploaded in Scribd for easy reading:
   

Click here to read the article via Scribd. If it doesn't display, be sure you have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed in your computer.

Don't hesitate to share your views or comments about the article. Feel free to post your comment on this post.

Thursday, November 27, 2008 | posted in campaign, carlos valarao, education, manny villar, mar roxas, president, scribd | 2 comments [ More ]

To Mr. Erin Azarraga on Senator Mar Roxas' stand on Charter Change

This afternoon, I was googling (searching online) on the latest news about US President-elect Barack Obama's upcoming Cabinet selection. Then, as I was surfing in Google News about Senator Mar Roxas, I saw this article from the online edition of The News Today, a daily newspaper based in Iloilo City and circulated in the entire Western Visayas region.

A businessman from Pontevedra, Capiz named Erin Azarraga, the son of the late Atty. Edward Azarraga, urged Roxas to show his stand whether he is for or against the charter change that Malacañang is pushing.

Azarraga said that many senators seem to be "pro Charter Change" as they were instrumental to the ouster of former Senate President Manny Villar who was replaced by Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile, a Malacañang ally.

I just can't get the connection on why the removal of Villar from the Senate Presidency and with Enrile on the helm would spell as a "pro Charter Change" Senate. After all, there's no such thing as "permanent" Senate President. Everyday, a Senate President will be under a threat of removal if he doesn't have the support of the majority anymore unlike in the US wherein the Vice President is also the Senate President. Another point that I have to make is that even if Enrile is the boss, the majority would still win and they are AGAINST Cha-Cha.

In my own opinion, Roxas has been AGAINST the administration's blatant attempt to remain in power beyond 2010 through Charter Change (Cha-Cha) and he has been consistent with that message. He also said that it is not a priority.

Roxas has also vowed to lead the fight against the administration's Cha-Cha. He said that it was "clearly a conspiracy in pushing for Cha-Cha, to perpetuate this administration of corruption, stealing, and lack of accountability."

It was also a clear indication that the President wants to stay in power as the Cha-Cha train is being led by her son Pampanga Rep. Juan Miguel "Mikey" Arroyo in the House of Representatives.

That slip of tongue by Press Secretary Jesus Dureza in his impromptu opening prayer at last Tuesday's (Nov. 18) Cabinet meeting in Malacañang was another clear indication.

The results of the latest IBON nationwide survey conducted last October 1 to 10 shows that majority of Filipinos continue to reject moves to amend the Constitution a.k.a. Cha-Cha and I'm glad to know that Roxas is with them!

I assure Mr. Erin Azarraga that Roxas is AGAINST Gloria's Cha-Cha. But if it is the Cha-Cha of the people, he wouldn't.

How about you? Are you FOR or AGAINST the administration's Cha-Cha? Do you believe that Mrs. Arroyo is not behind the chew-chew Cha-Cha train? I want to hear from you.

Monday, November 24, 2008 | posted in charter change, erin azarraga, juan ponce enrile, manny villar, mar roxas, pgma, philippines, president | 0 comments [ More ]

Manny Villar out, Juan Ponce Enrile in

Last Monday, Senator Manny Villar was ousted as Senate President by a vote of 14-0 and was replaced by Senator Juan Ponce Enrile.

The "surprise Senate coup" came to me as a surprise as I was not able to watch TV and read news articles online. I only knew about it yesterday.

The following Senators voted to oust Villar. The ones with an asterisk sign (*) indicate that they voted for Villar as Senate President last July 2007, otherwise they voted for Senator Aquilino Pimentel, Jr.:

1. Loren Legarda
2. Ping Lacson
3. Jamby Madrigal
4. Mar Roxas
5. Rodolfo Biazon
6. Chiz Escudero*
7. Jinggoy Estrada*
8. Bong Revilla*
9. Edgardo Angara*
10. Richard Gordon*
11. Migz Zubiri*
12. Lito Lapid*
13. Gregorio Honasan*
14. Juan Ponce Enrile*

Senators Joker Arroyo*, Benigno Aquino III, Alan Peter Cayetano*, Pia Cayetano*, Majority Leader Francis Pangilinan* and Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel, Jr.* abstained from voting.

Let's face it, Senator Mar Roxas voted to oust Villar from the Senate Presidency. It was already expected that he would do it because last July 2007, he voted for Pimentel, Jr. and not for Villar as Senate President.

Villar also has some problems to face like the C-5 Road Project Scandal which he should explain. He should go under investigation by the Senate Ethics Committee and deliberate whether he has committed wrongdoings or Lacson is just politicking.

If the clamor to oust Villar from the Senate Presidency was only defended by Roxas, it might not have been successful. It takes 13 votes to unseat a Senate President. It just shows that majority in the Senate wanted a change of leadership.

I am also expecting that Roxas would keep his Chairmanship in the Senate Committe on Trade and Commerce. His performance has been very good and I see no reason why he should be removed from the position.

Wednesday, November 19, 2008 | posted in alan peter cayetano, chiz escudero, jamby madrigal, juan ponce enrile, loren legarda, manny villar, mar roxas, philippines, ping lacson | 0 comments [ More ]

Roxas sought P500M budget realignment for cheaper medicines; but proposed add'l 2008 DOH budget not acted on

Liberal President Senator Mar Roxas revealed last Sunday he sought to realign P500 million from the proposed 2008 national budget to make available cheaper medicines to the public under a law that he authored, but Congress' conference committee did not act on it.

The Ilonggo senator said he wrote Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile, Senate Finance Committee Chairman, to consider realigning P500 million from the P3-billion Kilos Asenso Fund as additional budget for the Department of Health's Medicine Procurement Program under the Cheaper Medicines Act.

As primary author of that law, Roxas sought to make available to Filipinos cheap medicines that are normally sold here at high prices by local and foreign drug companies.

"Ang sagot natin sana sa mataas na presyo ng gamot dito sa atin ay itong batas na itinulak ko sa Kongreso, at hiniling ko na bigyan ng dagdag na P500 milyon ang budget ng DOH para sa implementasyon nito."

He said the conference committee, however, only approved his recommendation that P50 million be allotted as budget for the reintegration of returning OFWs under the Social Protection and Welfare Program of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and another P10 million for the Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD) for the purchase of laboratory equipment for the implementation of the cheaper medicines law.

Roxas said he is releasing this information ahead of an expected showdown Monday on senatorial budget insertions arising from allegations of Senator Panfilo Lacson that Senate President Manuel Villar engineered an insertion in the GAA for a "road to nowhere."

"I requested realignments in the 2008 budget for what I believed are for the public interest and I hope everybody bare their own requests so this won't turn into a game of deception and obfuscation," he said.

He added that his request was also approved for P90 million under the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for the widening and improvement of the heavily congested Manila-Cavite Road.

He said the P90 million request was made under the representation of Cavite Rep. Joseph Emilio Abaya, who sought the appropriation to address mounting complaints from Cavite's motorists of massive daily traffic congestion to and from Manila especially during the rush hour.

"This is a project to widen the road that is a major route not only for Cavite's beleaguered motorists and commuters, but also for cargo trucks transporting export products from the Cavite Export Processing Zone to Manila for shipment," he said.

Roxas said: "The national budget involves the people's hard-earned money that they entrusted to the government through taxes, so they ought to know whether these are being spent for their benefit or only for the benefit of a few."

He said the Senate Finance Committee, and thereafter the bicameral conference committee, approved his proposed amendment to the 2008 GAA for the allotment of P50 million for the DOLE's OFW social integration program.

"Daan-libong mga kababayan nating OFW ang bumabalik dito sa Pilipinas na walang trabaho o hindi alam kung paano gagamitin ang kinita nila. Kaya kasama ito sa programa na inaprubahan ng Kongreso sa ilalim ng aking panukala. Hindi lang po natin gustong makabalik nang ligtas ang ating mga OFWs kundi siguruhin din na magiging maayos din ang kanilang buhay sa pag-uwi nila," he said.

Under this program, the National Reintegration Center for OFWs of the DOLE will provide counseling, job matching services and skills training and development for returning OFWs, Roxas noted. He also said that DOLE had been pushing for this project for a long time and it was only funded this year.

Roxas said the P10 million for the DOH was allotted for the purchase of laboratory equipment for BFAD in preparation for the full implementation of the Cheaper Medicines Act.

Wednesday, September 17, 2008 | posted in bfad, cheaper medicines bill, doh, dole, joseph abaya, juan ponce enrile, manny villar, mar roxas, ofw, ping lacson, road to nowhere | 1 comments [ More ]

Mar Roxas places 2nd on PUP's mock election

It's OK! At least we can prove that we have a strong candidate here. Being second on the mock election doesn't necessarily mean that you will eventually lose in the general election. Instead, it would suggest that you are a strong contender for the post, it's just that there are still things needed to be done.

In The 7th Magnum Blog, I read about the Polytechnic University of the Philippines' mock election conducted by the PUP College of Economics, Finance and Politics from July 9-10, 2008. According to the blog post, Senate President Manny Villar had an edge of 226 votes against Senator Mar Roxas. Below is the breakdown of votes:

• Senate President Manny Villar - 800 votes
• Senator Mar Roxas - 534 votes
• Vice President Noli de Castro - 330 votes
• Eddie Gil - 65 votes
  

One year and a half to go and voters would be going to the polls to choose a new President. I hope mock elections like this would also be held on different colleges so that they would be able to gain the pulse of their students on who deserves to be the next President in 2010.

Thursday, July 17, 2008 | posted in eddie gil, manny villar, mar roxas, noli de castro, pup | 2 comments [ More ]

An interesting note from political analyst Antonio P. Gatmaitan and some businessmen on the 2010 polls

Political analyst Antonio P. Gatmaitan, speaking in before members of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, that Senator Mar Roxas would be one of the 14 potential presidential candidates that will contest in the 2010 presidential exercise. He described him as a "vote-getter", and is also expected to join the 2010 polls. It can be noted that Roxas ran for Senate in 2004 and obtained a "historic" 19.88 million votes, Mr. Gatmaitan said.

Meanwhile, PCCI Chairman Miguel Varela said that the 2010 polls were crucial to uplifting the lives of Filipinos.

"We need a massive campaign to educate the public and ensure that mechanisms are in place to maintain the integrity of the ballot. We all want social and economic reforms and we continue to wait for that paradigm shift to a politics of substance from a politics of popularity," Mr. Varela said

Mr. Varela has a point. The upcoming election would really matter and would determine on how we can shift our country from the failed policies of this administration. We can just be sitting there, as if we didn't felt the sufferings. We need to do something and compel our leaders to do their job.

Outgoing PCCI President Samie Lim on the other hand said it was not too early to stage a forum on the 2010 elections.

"We believe that the choice we will make in 2010 is so critical that we have to start early in assessing our potential leaders.

"One of the questions to ask is, are we really having an election in 2010? If we are, who are the best candidates? It will also be interesting to look into the real power of different sectors and the new media in influencing voters’ decisions."

That's one of the main point why this blog was launched. We need to make the Filipinos have a mindset that there will and should be an election in 2010. Charter change would not be an excuse for postponing the elections nor another declaration of martial law. The other point also is to open the minds of the Filipinos and give them an ample time to take a look at our bet, Senator Roxas. In this way, we can exhaust ourselves to do everything and prove to them that Senator Roxas would be the best among the rest. We may be insulted by some people for having this too early but we are determined on changing how elections work in the Philippines starting here in the cyberspace.

We need to get involved as early as possible when another election is done. It not at all time we need to settle down. It's also time to think ahead for the future. Our leaders can address the issues of today and at the same time, work for the future.

To those people who are saying that now is not yet the time to get involved about the 2010 elections, I ask you, when? Would 90 days of campaigning around the country be enough to get to know the candidate? Would we allow ourselves to be blinded by the polishes candidates make by that time?

Now is the time to get involved. Think of the future. Think what's best for your country.

Sign the petition and join the movement!

And by the way, I would also like to share to you Carlo Ople's reaction upon meeting Senator Roxas. Enjoy!

Thursday, June 26, 2008 | posted in antonio gatmaitan, blog, campaign, chiz escudero, dick gordon, erap, kiko pangilinan, loren legarda, manny villar, mar roxas, miguel varela, ning, noli de castro, ping lacson, president, samie lim | 0 comments [ More ]

Happy 51st Birthday Senator Mar Roxas!

Today is Senator Mar Roxas' 51^st birthday. Happy Birthday Mr. Palengke!

This birthday is a special one, and not just because he will turn 51. This year, he wouldn't just celebrate turning one year older. Today, he would be celebrating it for having so many people working with him toward the real change that you and I know our country so desperately needs. We have seen him work so hard just to pass the Cheaper Medicines Bill that is direly needed by our fellow citizens even if his critics would try to pin him down.

ORAS NA!

Whether he's in the wet markets to check the prices of the basic commodities or back in the Senate thinking on how to serve our people better, he never forgets why he should be called as Mr. Palengke not only outside but also inside his heart and his mind.

ORAS NA!

Be sure not to forget to send your birthday greetings to mar@marroxas.com and tell him why he should run for President in 2010. We need your voice to convince him that there is a clamor for him to run. Your message really matters.

If you haven't yet signed the online petition to urge Senator Roxas to run for President in 2010, be sure to join us at http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/marroxas2010.

If you want to share with us on why you support him for President in 2010, please do make a simple essay together with your photo and send it to kevinraychua@gmail.com and I will include your message of support in Why Mar Roxas for President in 2010 Blog.

ORAS NA! ROXAS NA!

Tuesday, May 13, 2008 | posted in blog, campaign, cheaper medicines bill, manny villar, mar roxas | 0 comments [ More ]

Manny Villar doubts effectiveness of Mar Roxas' cheaper medicines bill

As Senator Mar Roxas said, the passage of the Cheaper Medicines Bill is a major step in providing affordable quality health care.

But wait a minute...

Well, well, well... Here goes Senate President Manny Villar again taking a jab at Senator Mar Roxas on the passage of the Cheaper Medicines Bill. I wonder why only now Manny Villar made that reaction. I never heard him talking in support 'for' the House version before. I think he's really looking at Mar Roxas as his biggest rival in the 2010 Presidential elections.

To know more about the bill, go ahead and read the Cheaper Medicines Bill Primer.

Friday, May 2, 2008 | posted in campaign, cheaper medicines bill, manny villar, mar roxas, pgma, philippines, president | 0 comments [ More ]

200 days and counting... Oras Na! Roxas Na!

Happy Valentines Day to all our readers and blog subscribers! Although I don't have a special someone to spend my Valentines, it's just OK!

Today is a great day not only for me but for all of us! It's the 200th Day Anniversary of the Mar Roxas for President in 2010 Blog! Once again, thanks a lot for bringing our blog into this point of success.

Speaking of success, I am very glad to tell all of you that our blog is now gaining momentum more than ever! Aside from having a lot of interested readers and visitors, we are now one of the TOP 200 150 Blogs of the Philippines based on Ratified.Org which uses Technorati, Feedburner and Google stats to measure the top 100 blogs of the Philippine blogosphere.

And perhaps another good news to coincide our celebration is the latest SWS Survey on who should succeed Mrs. Gloria Arroyo in 2010. Maybe others would say that he's just behind the survey topnotcher Vice President Noli De Castro and Senators Manny Villar and Loren Legarda in that survey and ask us why we should celebrate it. Well, Senator Mar Roxas, in that survey, registered the highest increase among potential presidential candidates from 9% in September 2007 to 20% in December 2007! Click the chart below to see the survey results:

YOU can make a difference!

We and our blog contributed to this success! By helping each other, through different media, we were able to spread the message from Friendster to Facebook to Yahoo Groups. All through this hard-fought campaign to urge Senator Roxas to run for President in 2010, YOU and I have met challenge after challenge head-on.

Every time they start to count us and Senator Roxas out, we prove them wrong. And we're going to keep proving them wrong as many times as we need to until we put Roxas in Malacañang by 2010.

YOU and I know that only the people, not the critics, get to decide whether Roxas should be the next President of the Philippines .

Let's show them what we're made of. Sign the online petition NOW!

As what our motto then says, "Together, all becomes possible!" and now, our new motto "Oras Na! Roxas Na!" Hoyhoyhoy! Hoyhoyhoy! Please tell us about your comments and suggestions on how we can improve more and serve you better.

Don't forget also to subscribe to our posts through e-mail and sign the Mar Roxas for President in 2010 Online Petition!

Thursday, February 14, 2008 | posted in blog, campaign, chiz escudero, erap, kiko pangilinan, loren legarda, manny villar, mar roxas, miriam defensor-santiago, noli de castro, philippines, ping lacson | 0 comments [ More ]

The Race is On for Mar and Manny

Thanks to Ate Jenny Bugarin, Senator Mar Roxas' media relations officer, for informing me about the Philippine Star's Starweek Magazine banner story today entitled "The Race Is On - Manuel Villar, Jr. and Manuel Roxas II : First on the starting block". Indeed, the race is on!

I hope to see a Manny Villar-Mar Roxas fight for the presidency in 2010. It would be our first step in returning to the 2 party system.

Sunday, January 6, 2008 | posted in campaign, manny villar, mar roxas, philippines, president | 0 comments [ More ]

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 bayani fernando, blog, campaign, dick gordon, erap, feliciano belmonte, loren legarda, manny villar, mar roxas, noli de castro, noynoy aquino, pgma, philippines, ping lacson, president | 0 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.

Read more...

Sunday, December 23, 2007 | posted in campaign, franklin drilon, manny villar, mar roxas, philippines, ping lacson, pong biazon | 0 comments [ More ]

Alfredo Rosario on Sen. Mar Roxas

In his column today in the Manila Times, Mr. Alfredo Rosario elaborates why Senator Mar Roxas is "a formidable contender for the presidency."

Here's an except of his column:

[...] Many believe that the senator possesses all the political advantages in seeking the country’s top post within the gift of the Filipino people. They see him as a formidable contender for the presidency.

First, he enjoys the advantage of name recall, being a scion of a well-known family. His mother, Judy Araneta Roxas, belongs to the affluent Araneta clan. He has a distinguished political record. In 1993, he ran for congressman in the first district of Capiz and won handily. Later he became the House majority leader and eventually Cabinet member as Trade secretary.

He surprised the whole nation with his extreme popularity in 2004 when he ran for the Senate and topped the race with an overwhelming 20 million votes, a record still unmatched in the history of the Senate.

Roxas has the political machine and the logistics to support a long and expensive campaign. The LP is one of the oldest political parties with grassroots organizations all over the country.

Above all, he has the integrity and passion for work. His educational, moral and leadership credentials have projected him as an articulate, intelligent and dignified person. He does not wear his social superiority on his sleeve and interacts with his fellowmen with humility and grace.

The central theme of his public life has always been the promotion of the national interest and the people’s welfare as evidenced by legislation he has authored and his innovations in job creation and consumers protection. His reputation has preceded him and earned him the recognition of the international community as “one of the global leaders of tomorrow” and “one of the young leaders in politics and business who will bring Asia and the Pacific to the forefront of world affairs.” [...]

Thursday, November 29, 2007 | posted in campaign, loren legarda, manny villar, mar roxas, noli de castro, pgma, philippines, ping lacson, president | 0 comments [ More ]

LP-Atienza wing to reunify for Mar; LP-UNO team-up, OK with Erap

From http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=100319 and http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=100217

The Liberal Party (LP) will hold its national directorate meeting Sunday to reunite its various factions and rally behind Sen. Manuel Roxas II, who will be its standard bearer in the 2010 presidential elections.

"Senator Roxas will be the unifying factor of the party," former Senate president Franklin Drilon, the outgoing party president, said at the weekly Kapihan sa Sulo Hotel in Quezon City.

He said the LP secretariat has invited members of the breakaway group led Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Lito Atienza.

Drilon said the invitation was sent directly to former Manila congressman Miles Roces, a leader of the Atienza faction.

Read more..

Erap open to LP-UNO merger

Ousted President Joseph Estrada is ready to admit the Liberal Party faction of former Senate president Franklin Drilon into the United Opposition (UNO).

In a telephone interview, Estrada, titular head of the opposition, said Drilon’s LP wing can join the UNO, although it is too early to conclude who will be fielded as the opposition standard-bearer in the 2010 presidential elections.

Read more...

Sunday, November 25, 2007 | posted in campaign, erap, loren legarda, manny villar, mar roxas, pgma, philippines, ping lacson, president | 1 comments [ More ]