Senator Roxas in Cebu

Senator Mar Roxas was in Cebu yesterday and was able to be with his staff for the whole day. It was a privilege to be with Senator Roxas in Cebu as this was my first time to see him here.

First stop in the morning was the Pre-Need Forum hosted by the Parents Enabling Parents (PEP) Coalition, headed by Philip Piccio, together with Senator Roxas in the Kalambuan Hall of the Cebu Normal University. The forum was jampacked with people who were lured by Celso de los Angeles' scam. Senator Roxas was committed in making this liable of this scam, be imprisoned, not only Celso de los Angeles but also those judges from the Regional Trial Courts and Court of Appeals to tried to protect Celso de los Angeles by issuing a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO). He noted that only the Supreme Court can issue a TRO and not the lower courts.

Roxas understands the situation of the Legacy victims and he wants to resolve this issue. He said that unlike other Senate investigations, that after a few months are already forgotten, he would continue to support the Legacy victims until they get back the money the Celso de los Angeles illegally used. The money that these people invested for the future of their sons and daughters, for the future of their business and for the future of their jobs.

Concerns were raised about the filing fee that the Department of Justice (DOJ) is asking for every case that is filed. Roxas told the audience that he had already waived for the filing fee in order to encourage more victims to file a case against Celso de los Angeles and his company, but it seems that the DOJ is acting on it slowly. He said that DOJ formed a Task Force on Bank Fraud last 2005 but until now, the Task Force wasn't able to file a case to anyone. It was disappointing to know this. What the hell is the DOJ doing?

Someone also wanted to clarify the services offered by Roxas on the Legacy victims. Roxas clarified that he would provide only free legal support from lawyers. He said he was not a "bolero". He admitted that he can't support the filing fees and other fees of all the Legacy victims. He suggested that the victims would file a "class suit" so that they can save from the cost instead of having everyone filing the case separately.

The last person who asked a question in the Pre-Need Forum was an interesting one. It was her who made Roxas exclaimed "This Legacy was a scam since day one!" I forgot to list her name, but Roxas will be inviting her to the Senate hearing on the Legacy scam.

After the forum, I was off the meet Ma'am Ines Delfin, one of Roxas' media staff whom I contacted for this. When Senator Roxas left the forum, the team went straight to Café Laguna in Ayala Terraces. But I and Ma'am Ines opted to be left behind from the convoy. So, we thought that it was going to be at the Cebu City Hall, but we were informed that it was in Café Laguna. OMG!

A few minutes later, we arrived in Café Laguna for lunch. In there were the Cebu City councilors and Roxas. We waited for Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña to arrive. Around 12:35 PM, Osmeña arrived. Only a few media were allowed to enter. I was privileged to shot some pictures. Together with the Mayor was his wife, Margot and son Miguel.

It was supposed to be a private lunch but a few media sneaked in. Another surprise visitor who came in was no other than Dra. Vicky Belo! In the other room was the Belo Launching in Cebu Press Conference. I'll talk about this later. Belo had a little chat with Osmeña and Roxas.

After the lunch, we immediately proceeded to Cebu State College of Science and Technology. Roxas was about to give an inspirational speech on the graduates. He challenged them not to believe in destiny. He urged them to write their own destiny and to be prepared with the real world. He also told them that the problem was not on the people, but on the leaders.

There were a lot of people around the gym where the graduation was held but Roxas has to go back home before ending the graduation rites. He told the graduates that he has still another appointments to attend.

It was my first time to ride a convoy of a public official. I joined the convoy from the school to the Mactan Cebu International Airport. At around 3:30 PM, Roxas bid goodbye to the Cebuanos as he returns to Manila. He promised that he would still be coming back.

This experience is so memorable. I loved it. How I wish it could happen again! Senator Roxas in Cebu.

Click to see more photos on Senator Roxas in Cebu at my Friendster Album.

Wednesday, March 25, 2009 | posted in celso de los angeles, doj, legacy group of companies, mar roxas, philippines, pre-need code of 2008, tomas osmeña, vicky belo | 0 comments [ More ]

Senator Mar Roxas gets the support of Mayor Tom

Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña is supporting Senator Manuel "Mar" Roxas if he runs for the presidency in 2010.

While it has been part of Filipino culture to choose the more popular candidate, he said he always chooses the candidate, who is competent to be president.

“I'm supporting Mar basically because he comes from a very decent family and to me integrity is very important. He also has the best working knowledge of the country's economy,” he said.

He said both their fathers were also close to each other. Sergio Osmeña Jr. and Gerry Roxas fought against the Marcos regime during their time.

Read more...

Thursday, January 24, 2008 | posted in campaign, loren legarda, mar roxas, philippines, tomas osmeña, visayas | 0 comments [ More ]

Mar Roxas in Ati-Atihan and Sinulog

Whew! Actually, I was a member of the crowd control for the Sinulog celebration last January 20. It was really hot! I mean, the sun was hot! I was there from sun up to sun down near Jolibee Gorordo. I was not only the one enjoying the festivity. There's Senator Mar Roxas who joined the Ati-Atihan in Aklan and the Sinulog in Cebu (he was in the Cebu City Sports Complex with Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña and Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia). Many people are asking me for pictures, but I don't have one. I was not able to take pictures because I was, as I said, a member of the crowd control group. But yesterday, Ate Jenny Bugarin of Senator Mar's media staff sent me these pictures of Senator Roxas during the festivities:

Tuesday, January 22, 2008 | posted in blog, franklin drilon, gwen garcia, mar roxas, philippines, tomas osmeña, visayas | 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 ]

Roxas-Garcia or Roxas-Osmeña?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tuesday, December 4, 2007 | posted in campaign, gwen garcia, mar roxas, philippines, president, tomas osmeña, visayas | 0 comments [ More ]

Oras Na! Roxas Na!

(From left to right: Kevin Ray N. Chua, Senator Mar Roxas II, Councilor Peter Laviña and my dad Ronilo Chua)

Yesterday, I attended the once-in-a-lifetime election of Senator Mar Roxas as the new Liberal Party President, succeeding former LP President Franklin Drilon, in Club Filipino, Greenhills, San Juan City. It was a very stressful day for me actually. I woke up 4:00 AM together with my father. We ate our breakfast and hurried outside to ride a taxi. We arrived in the Mactan Cebu International Airport around 5:10 AM. Our flight was 6:15 AM. When we were in the plane, we slept a while to recover our energy a bit. We arrived in the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, we went straight to the taxi area and rode a taxi to Club Filipino. When we arrived there by 9:00 AM, the place was still quiet with few guests around. By 10:00 AM, more and more people showed up thus increasing the crowd inside the vicinity. I met several personalities in the event namely: Ma'am Susan Ople, Ate Jenny Bugarin, Ate Thea, Prof. Danton Remoto, Mar's mom Judy Araneta-Roxas, Black and White Movement organizers Leah Navarro and Enteng Romano, Atty. Adel Tamano, Fr. Carmelo Caluag, former Senators Jovito Salonga, Bobby Tañada and Franklin Drilon, Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia, Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña, Cory Quirino, Senators Kiko Pangilinan, Pong Biazon, Noynoy Aquino, former Congressmen Butch Abad and Nereus Acosta, Isabela Governor Grace Padaca, and many more to mention.

The Liberal Party is carrying the slogan "ORAS NA!", which I think is the prelude campaign slogan to bring back the old glory of the party in the upcoming 2010 elections and place a Liberal in Malacañang. I was also able to met my fellow Mar Roxas for President in 2010 blogger Peter Laviña in the event. I was also able to talk with Senator Roxas and called me as his "inspiration." Wow! That was a great compliment from my idol! I said that it was a stressful day for me, but the event was worth remembering.

BTW, thanks a lot to the entire Senate staff of Senator Mar Roxas headed by Ma'am Susan Ople for accommodating us, from the one who gave me coffee to the one who guided us to the Senate session hall, from the one who gave us our merienda to the one who drove us to NAIA. ORAS NA!

Tuesday, November 27, 2007 | posted in blog, campaign, cheaper medicines bill, gwen garcia, mar roxas, noynoy aquino, philippines, president, tomas osmeña | 1 comments [ More ]

Photo of Sen. Roxas with Vis-Min local leaders

Photo courtesy of Philippine Senate Website

VISAYAS-MINDANAO DEVELOPMENT AGENDA: Senator Mar A. Roxas II and local government executives took the cudgels for a Visayas-Mindanao Development Agenda that would come from the people themselves through a series of consultations starting December. In an unprecedented meeting in Davao City this Sunday, Roxas, (L-R) former Presidential Adviser for Regional Development Paul Dominguez, Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, Cagayan de Oro City Vice Mayor Vicente Emano and Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes all agreed that as Visayas and Mindanao has contributed greatly to the national wealth, the ongoing neglect of the South in the national development plan must be reversed.

Sunday, November 25, 2007 | posted in dungkoy emano, jonas cortes, mar roxas, mindanao, philippines, rodrigo duterte, tomas osmeña, visayas | 0 comments [ More ]

Sen. Mar Roxas on Vis-Min agenda

Senator Mar Roxas and local government executives of key cities in Visayas and Mindanao took the initiative for a Visayas and Mindanao development agenda, which has been neglected in the national development plan.

Roxas, together with Mayor Rodrigo Duterte of Davao City, Mayor Tomas Osmeña of Cebu City, Mayor Jonas Cortes of Mandaue City and Vice-Mayor Dungkoy Emano of Cagayan de Oro City, announced the beginning of consultations to formulate a focused and sustainable plan and “checklist” for the people of Visayas and Mindanao, reported the Philippine News Agency.

“Visayas and Mindanao has a lot to offer our national development, which makes it imperative that these two regions get a fair share of these developments,” Roxas said.

The senator announced that the first salvo of consultations for this development plan will happen in December in Cebu City, with Osmeña’s efforts to conduct consultations with all sectors on two key questions: What they want Cebu to be after 10 years, and what obstacles are there to achieving this goal? This will eventually be rolled-out to other communities in Visayas and Mindanao.

Read more... and more here...

Tuesday, November 20, 2007 | posted in dungkoy emano, jonas cortes, mar roxas, mindanao, philippines, president, rodrigo duterte, tomas osmeña, visayas | 0 comments [ More ]