Roxas: Expect LP presence in June 10 rally

Expect the Liberal Party to join the protest in Makati on June 10 against the brazen acts of the administration to ram through with an unwanted charter change, Liberal President Senator Mar Roxas said.

"Huwag nating hayaang sipsipin ng Con-Asswang na ito ang dugo ng ating bayan. (We should not let this monster called Constituent Assembly suck the blood of our nation)," he stressed.

"Asahan ninyo kaming mga Liberal na pumanig sa taumbayan. Lalaban tayo laban sa pambabalasubas ng mga nasa poder sa ating Konstitusyon (Expect us Liberals to be on the people’s side. We will fight any and all attempts by those in power to bastardize our Constitution)," he said.

Roxas said that aside from attending the rally in Makati on June 10, the LP will also organize education and information campaigns on the issue to rally the people against the Gloria Forever agenda.

"Kailangan nating gabayan ang mga kababayan natin sa mga panahong ito na uhaw na uhaw sa kapangyarihan ang mga nasa poder (We have to guide our people in these times when those in power thirst for power)," he said.

"Gutom na ang taumbayan sa pagbabago. Ilang beses na nilang sinabi, sa pamamagitan ng mga survey, na ayaw nila sa Gloria Forever cha-cha at gusto nilang matuloy ang eleksyon (The people hunger for change. They have said many times, through the surveys, that they oppose this Gloria Forever cha-cha and want the elections to push through)," he stressed.

Public outrage over the railroaded approval of House Resolution 1109 allowing the convening of a Senate-less constituent assembly has spread throughout the country. Various groups have announced street protests to dramatize public’s rejection of House moves to amend the Charter and lift term limits, allowing Arroyo to extend her term and stay in Malacañang beyond 2010.

Roxas has sponsored Senate Resolution No. 1126, co-sponsored by Senators Benigno Aquino III and Rodolfo Biazon, urging Mrs. Arroyo to exercise her constitutional and moral duties to the public by affirming the unconstitutionality of HR 1109.

Tuesday, June 9, 2009 | posted in charter change, constituent assembly, mar roxas, noynoy aquino, pgma, philippines, pong biazon | 0 comments [ More ]

Roxas: Pinoys can't rely on GMA promise on 2010 polls

Liberal President Senator Mar Roxas yesterday said revelations that President Arroyo herself ordered the vote on the constituent assembly resolution is clear proof that Filipinos cannot rely on her word that polls will push through in 2010 as scheduled.

Roxas said the Con-ASSwang (constituent assembly) railroaded by Palace allies at the House of Representatives is too potent to be fought by any single group.

"Kelangan talaga ng panlaban sa mga aswang sa Malacanang," he said.

He added false assurance from President Arroyo that the 2010 presidential elections would push through are not enough to assuage public outrage over the unconstitutional action of her House minions.

"Kulang ang salita lamang sa Pangulong lasing na sa kapangyarihan. Alam naman nating lahat na hindi siya marunong tumupad sa kanyang mga pangako," he said, referring to the 2003 broken promise of Mrs. Arroyo that she was not running for president in the 2004 polls.

The Visayan senator said the public is waiting for a decisive act from the President: "Magpakatotoo ka, Pangulong Arroyo. Aminin mong ikaw mismo ang nag-utos na ipasa na ang Con-Asswang. O kung hindi, iutos mong ibaon na nang tuluyan ang maitim na balak na sirain ang demokrasya sa ating bayan."

Public outrage over the railroaded approval of House Resolution 1109 allowing the convening of a Senate-less constituent assembly has spread throughout the country. Various groups have announced street protests to dramatize public's rejection of House moves to amend the Charter and lift term limits, allowing President Arroyo to extend her term and stay in Malacañang beyond 2010.

Roxas has sponsored Senate Resolution No. 1126, co-sponsored by Senators Benigno Aquino III and Rodolfo Biazon, urging Mrs. Arroyo to exercise her constitutional and moral duties to the public by affirming the unconstitutionality of HR 1109.

Saturday, June 6, 2009 | posted in charter change, constituent assembly, mar roxas, noynoy aquino, pgma, philippines, pong biazon, president | 0 comments [ More ]

Roxas files on behalf of Senate petition asking Lozada custody

Liberal President Senator Mar Roxas today formally filed before the Manila Regional Trial Court the motion seeking the release of NBN-ZTE whistleblower Rodolfo "Jun" Lozada on Senate recognizance.

The motion was signed by Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and Senators Roxas, Maria Consuelo Madrigal, Panfilo Lacson, Gregorio Honasan II, Benigno Aquino III, Rodolfo Biazon, Loren Legarda and Francis Escudero.

"Pagtupad ito ng ating pangako kay Jun Lozada na 'di siya pababayaan ng Senado. 'Pag para sa katotohanan, kakampi ko at ng Senado (We are fulfilling our promise to Jun Lozada that the Senate will not abandon him. I and the Senate will stand by the truth)," Roxas vowed.

A resolution calling for the immediate release of Lozada on recognizance of the Senate signed by members of the majority block and another resolution signed by all senators would be routed personally by Roxas among his colleagues during the afternoon session.

In seeking the release of Lozada on recognizance of the Senate, the signatory-senators cited Section 15, Rule 114 of the Rules of Criminal Procedure which allows the release of a person in custody on "recognizance of a responsible person," which they claim in this case would refer to them.

"Considering that at the time of the issuance of the arrest warrant and Mr. Lozada's actual arrest, Mr. Lozada was under the custody of the Senate of the Philippines and has been very cooperative and has not attempted to flee during the Senate investigations, it is only proper that Mr. Lozada be released from MPD custody on recognizance of the undersigned senators," they pointed out in the motion.

Lozada was arrested on April 29 after the Manila RTC found basis on the perjury complaint of former presidential chief of staff Mike Defensor, who had alleged the witness committed perjury by giving conflicting testimonies against him during the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on the anomalous NBN-ZTE broadband network deal and during the Court of Appeals' hearing on Lozada's petition for the issuance of a writ of amparo.

In the separate Senate resolutions, senators cited the crucial role of Lozada in the Senate inquiry into the $329 million NBN-ZTE deal and how he "bravely testified and revealed the truth at the Senate hearings despite threats to his and his family's lives and security."

"Considering the invaluable contribution of Jun Lozada in the name of truth and justice when he courageously offered himself as a witness at the Senate hearings to blow the whistle and reveal his knowledge on the highly irregular and anomalous $329 million NBN-ZTE contract, it is only proper that Jun Lozada be released from MPD custody on recognizance of the Senate," the motions stated.

Tuesday, May 5, 2009 | posted in chiz escudero, gringo honasan, jamby madrigal, juan ponce enrile, loren legarda, mar roxas, mike defensor, noynoy aquino, ping lacson, pong biazon, rodolfo lozada, zte deal | 0 comments [ More ]

Roxas and other senators ask for Lozada custody

On request of Liberal President Senator Mar Roxas, senators asked today the Manila Regional Trial Court to release to its custody Rodolfo "Jun" Lozada on recognizance.

Roxas pushed the filing of the motion before the Manila RTC and a resolution calling for the release of Lozada on recognizance of the senators after meeting with the jailed NBN-ZTE whistleblower Thursday at the Manila City Jail.

Seven senators led by Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and Roxas signed the motion that will be filed on Monday when courts re-open. The other signatories are Senators Panfilo Lacson, Gregorio Honasan, Maria Consuelo Madrigal, Loren Legarda and Benigno Aquino III.

Senator Rodolfo Biazon also said he will sign the motion on Monday. Other senators are also welcome to sign the motion, Roxas said.

Roxas gave Lozada a copy of the motion signed by the seven senators when he met again with the NBN-ZTE whistleblower at the latter’s cell this afternoon (Friday, May 1).

"Hindi ka pababayaan ng Senado (We in the Senate will take care of you)" Roxas told Lozada when they met.

He also told Lozada that when he asked Senate President Enrile to support the motion, the Senate President readily agreed and reportedly said, "We (the Senate) owe it to him (Lozada)."

In the petition, the senators said that "considering that Mr. Lozada is in the custody of the Senate of the Republic of the Philippines, has been very cooperative and has not attempted to flee during the Senate investigations, it is only proper that Mr. Lozada be released from MPD custody on recognizance of the undersigned senators."

Lozada, who was star witness during the Senate investigation into the anomalous NBN-ZTE broadband network deal, was arrested by the Manila police on orders of the Manila RTC that ruled there was basis for a perjury complaint filed by former Secretary Mike Defensor.

Saturday, May 2, 2009 | posted in gringo honasan, jamby madrigal, juan ponce enrile, loren legarda, mar roxas, mike defensor, noynoy aquino, pgma, philippines, ping lacson, pong biazon, rodolfo lozada, zte deal | 0 comments [ More ]

Sen. Mar Roxas in Supreme Court for oral arguments on Neri's petition

Senator Mar Roxas and the Senate's counsels march to the Supreme Court to defend the people's right to know the truth behind the anomalous National Broadband Network (NBN) deal. Roxas co-chairman of the Joint Senate Committees investigating the ZTE-NBN anomalies, said he believes that the Supreme Court will not side with attempts to conceal a crime committed against the people.

With him are Attorneys Jose Anselmo Cadiz and Carlos Medina, counsels of the Senate during the oral arguments on Tuesday on the executive privilege claim of former Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Romulo Neri over his conversations with the President regarding bribery attempts in relation to the ZTE-NBN deal.

Liberal Party stalwarts attended Tuesday's oral arguments before the Supreme Court on the executive privilege claim of former Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Romulo Neri over his conversations with the President on bribery attempts in relation to the National Broadband Network (NBN) deal.

Aside from Senators Mar Roxas and Rodolfo Biazon—who chair the Joint Senate Panel investigating the NBN with Senator Alan Peter Cayetano—also in attendance are: Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III, (second row) Cavite Rep. Joseph Emilio Abaya, Iloilo Rep. Niel Tupaz, Jr., Oriental Mindoro Rep. Alfonso Umali and former Bukidnon Rep. Nereus Acosta. Liberal Party Chairman and Former Senate President Franklin Drilon, who is not in the picture, also attended the oral arguments.

Senator Mar Roxas and Senators Alan Peter Cayetano and Rodolfo Biazon, co-chairmen in the Joint Senate Committees investigating the anomalous National Broadband Network (NBN) deal, are preparing for oral arguments before the Supreme Court on Tuesday on the executive privilege claim of former Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Romulo Neri over his conversations with the President on bribery attempts in relation to the ZTE-NBN deal.

Roxas said he believes the Supreme Court will not side with attempts to conceal a crime against the people. Also in attendance during the oral arguments are Liberal Stalwarts Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III, former Senate President Franklin Drilon, Cavite Rep. Joseph Emilio Abaya, Iloilo Rep. Niel Tupaz, Jr. and Oriental Mindoro Rep. Alfonso Umali.

Wednesday, March 5, 2008 | posted in alan peter cayetano, franklin drilon, mar roxas, pong biazon, romulo neri, supreme court, zte deal | 0 comments [ More ]

Roxas optimistic that SC will rule in favor of truth, accountability

Senator Mar Roxas expressed optimism that the Supreme Court, which is set to hear tomorrow oral arguments on the executive privilege claim of former Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Romulo Neri, will decide in favor of truth and accountability.

This, as the co-chairman of the Senate panel investigating the botched National Broadband Network (NBN) deal with China’s ZTE Corp. continues to call on to the President to “save the Republic,” to “come clean” and stop stonewalling the truth behind alleged anomalies in the ZTE-NBN deal.

“Sa Senado man, sa Korte Suprema o sa anumang larangan, patuloy tayong mananawagan sa administrasyon na tigilan na ang pagiging balakid sa katotohanan,” he said, while stressing that the people would not settle for anything less than a more truthful and transparent government.

“Clearly, the administration could have saved the Supreme Court this undue burden to decide on this case had it simply allowed the truth to come out in the open. But it instead decided to stonewall the people’s righteous demand for the truth,” he stressed.

“Nananawagan ako sa Pangulo: kagyat nang kanselahin ang E.O. 464. Kung wala namang kinatatakutan ang pamahalaan at handa naman itong harapin ang panawagan ng taumbayan para sa katotohanan, bakit kinailangan pang magtatag ng isang komite para ito’y pag-aralan?” he said.

Roxas—together with Senators Alan Peter Cayetano and Rodolfo Biazon, his co-chairmen in the ZTE probe—has filed comments to the petition filed by Neri, and is preparing for oral arguments tomorrow. In their comments, they prayed to the court to nullify Neri’s claim of executive privilege and compel him to testify before the Senate.

“We believe that Secretary Neri erroneously invoked executive privilege, and by doing so, has compromised the independence and powers of the Senate in line with its duty to the people to craft laws to ensure that none of these anomalies will ever take place again,” he said.

Roxas said that the administration has, in many instances already, tested the extent and limits of its powers instead of exercising prudence, compromising the people’s rights in the end. These include the application of Calibrated Preemptive Response to mass protests and the issuance of Presidential Proclamation 1017, which limited the people’s right to expression and the freedom of the press.

Monday, March 3, 2008 | posted in alan peter cayetano, mar roxas, pgma, philippines, pong biazon, president, romulo neri, zte deal | 0 comments [ More ]

Roxas assails Neri invocation of executive privilege before SC

Senator Mar Roxas assailed former Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Romulo Neri’s invocation of executive privilege before the Supreme Court relative to the National Broadband Network (NBN) controversy, as he joined colleagues Alan Peter Cayetano and Rodolfo Biazon in asking the tribunal to lift the status quo order preventing the Senate from effecting an arrest order against Neri.

Senator Mar Roxas, co-chair of the Senate joint panel investigating the NBN project, said “Secretary Neri’s insistence on executive privilege stonewalls the people’s efforts to arrive at the truth.”

He noted that the issue of executive privilege had already been settled by the Supreme Court in the case of Executive Order 464, which was used by administration officials to try to avoid Senate probes two years ago.

“We maintain that the conversations between the President and Secretary Neri on kickbacks from the NBN, which he had only partially revealed to the Senate, are not part of policymaking covered by executive privilege, as they involve criminal allegations. In addition, the executive can not claim any issue of national security or diplomatic relations, as the NBN is a public concern – all P15 billion in taxpayers’ money of it,” Roxas said.

Speaking through Senate Legal Counsel David Yap and counsels Pacifico Agabin, Jose Anselmo Cadiz and Carlos Medina, Jr., the Senators said that Neri’s erroneous invocation of executive privilege has prevented the joint committees from accessing information needed to comprehensively evaluate the NBN controversy and to craft the necessary remedial legislation to prevent similar anomalies from happening.

They added: “Petitioner has repeatedly and erroneously invoked the executive privilege and by doing so, has unduly and directly interfered with, and obstructed the valid exercise of the powers and functions of herein Respondents as Senators of the Republic. Respondents are therefore left with no other recourse than to exercise the power to cite Petitioner in contempt.”

“Without the testimony of Petitioner, Respondent Committees are effectively denied of their right to access to any kinds of useful information and consequently, their right to intelligently craft and propose laws to remedy what is called ‘dysfunctional procurement system of the government’,” they stressed.

“It is fervently hoped by Respondents that, in the end, this Honorable Court, in the exercise of its wisdom, will see through this blatant attempt on the part of the Chief Executive to brush aside the Constitutionally-mandated principles of public accountability and right to information,” they added.

The Liberal Party President, along with fellow LP stalwart Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, had filed a separate petition last October seeking clarification on executive privilege, after the NEDA’s refusal to provide minutes of a meeting on the NBN that would shed light on the terminated contract, which was changed from a build-operate-transfer (BOT) to a taxpayer-funded project in March 2007.

Friday, February 15, 2008 | posted in alan peter cayetano, mar roxas, noynoy aquino, pong biazon, romulo neri, zte deal | 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 ]

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 blog, campaign, cheaper medicines bill, franklin drilon, gwen garcia, mar roxas, noynoy aquino, philippines, pong biazon, president, tomas osmeña | 2 comments [ More ]

Senator Roxas commends Madrigal singers

From http://www.senate.gov.ph/press_release/2007/0830_roxas1.asp

Senator Mar Roxas, along with three other senators, praised the Philippine Madrigal Singers for winning the 2007 European Grand Prix for Choral Singing, in Arezzo, Italy.

"The Philippine Madrigal Singers should be recognized for their unprecedented and unparalleled excellence in choral singing, which has brought pride, joy, and inspiration to the Filipino people through their exemplary and world-class choral performance in international competitions," the lawmakers said in filing Senate Resolution No. 107 in the group's honor.

Senators Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III, Rodolfo Biazon and Ramon "Bong" Revilla, Jr. co-authored the measure.

The 2007 European Grand Prix for Choral Singing is an annual competition for the winners of the six European choral competitions and inaugurated in 1989.

This year, the Philippine Madrigal Singers, headed by Mark Anthony Carpio, had bested other world-renowned choral groups such as the Taipei Chamber Singers, Cuba's Schola Cantorum Coralina, Hungary's Cantemus Choir and Russia's Children's Choir Vesna.

The Senators pointed out that the Madrigal Singers had already won the European Grand Prix back in 1997. "The Philippine Madrigal Singers is the first and only choral group in the world to win twice the European Grand Prix for Choral Singing, which is also internationally known as the 'Choral Olympics' of the world," they noted.

Thursday, August 30, 2007 | posted in bong revilla, mar roxas, noynoy aquino, philippines, pong biazon | 0 comments [ More ]