The New Philippine President And Kris Aquino

Everyone thinks it's a big deal that Noynoy Aquino, soon-to-be proclaimed Philippine President is remotely related to the infamous mouth - Kris Aquino.

Everywhere on Facebook, Kris Aquino is being bashed after she promised to leave the country should her brother win. In fact I think she has forced herself to bow out of The Buzz and SNN as a result of her mouthing off.

Here's a clip from Manila Bulletin article on Kris Aquino being First Lady? Now that's a little silly isn't it? Apparently Kris gave up her showbiz career for it? Ridiculous!

“Her decision’s okay,” said Sen. Aquino when asked about Kris’ soft departure from show business during an interview after the Holy Mass of thanksgiving joined by his campaign volunteers in Quezon City last Thursday night.

But the apparent successor to Malacañang was quick to clarify that his sister’s decision to move away from show business is not a confirmation of her taking the role of First Lady.

“She’s (Kris is) not going to be the First Lady. I have a contract with my sisters that once I’m proclaimed, they will return to their respective private lives,” the 50-year-old bachelor said.

Earlier, Kris said she has come to the decision of giving up hosting “The Buzz” and “Showbiz News Ngayon” after deliberating on it with her sisters, Ballsy Aquino-Cruz, Pinky Aquino-Abellada, and Viel Aquino-Dee.

Kris said she will minimize her television appearance “for Noynoy’s sake," but will keep her stints in her daily primetime soap opera and a talent search program.

When asked if he intends to have a First Lady, Noynoy was hawkish. “I recognize that being married can inspire me, but I am at the same time cognizant of possibly making the wrong choice. Getting married then will only be a heavy burden,” he said.

Election Day 2010 Update From Cebu

I went to the Camputhaw precinct today and yep it was a total mess - as expected. Proctors themselves were complaining because it was hot and disorganized. All the voters just wanted to know where they should go and what they should do.

Around the precinct are more people distributing sample ballots and leaflets, everyone from children to tattooed young men (who are scary by the way) telling you to vote Villar or Gibo or Noynoy.

Cars are lined up blocks from the precinct, so be ready for a good long walk even if you brought your car along. Would probably be better if you left that at home, who know somebody might decide to steal it while you're lining up and trying to vote.

It's a lot slower this time around. The automated voting - in total fairness, wasn't built to make the actual voting process shorter but the tallying was the focus. I prayed for peaceful elections while this time my father went out to vote. Somebody has to watch the house. He said he's number 442 and it's still 180 in his precinct. Guess he'll have to go back after lunch

Political Rat Race in The Philippines

Here's an update on the Philippine political rat race. Basically Noynoy Aquino is riding on the fame of now-deceased parents - but otherwise considered mediocre, while Manny Villar is said to be all about the money. I'm not about to mouth him off since he's managed his businesses well so far (Vista Land) who knows how he's manage the country. Third in line is former president Erap Estrada, I have no idea why he's running after being imprisoned for graft & corruption

Anyway if you want a more credible source, here's a blow by blow from ABS-CBN News

Sen. Benigno 'Noynoy' Aquino III has regained the lead over Sen. Manuel Villar in the latest presidential survey conducted January 28-February 3 by Taylor Nelson Sofres (TNS).

According to the TNS survey obtained by ABS-CBN News' Ces Oreña Drilon, Aquino was chosen by 41.54% of 3,000 respondents while Villar was picked by 30.63%.

TNS is a global market research firm with an office in the Philippines.

Aquino and Villar were statistically tied in a Pulse Asia survey conducted from January 22 -26, or around a week before the TNS survey, with the Liberal Party bet garnering 37% and the Nacionalista Party (NP) standard-bearer getting 35%. (Read: Aquino, Villar tied in Pulse Asia survey)

Third in the Jan. 28-Feb. 3 TNS survey was former President Joseph Ejercito Estrada of the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) with 11.66%, statistically the same as in the last Pulse Asia survey where he got 12%.

Administration candidate Gilbert Teodoro of the Lakas-Kampi-CMD was fourth with 5.21%, the same as in the last Pulse Asia survey.

Bro. Eddie Villaneuva got 2%, Senator Richard Gordon got 1.7%, Senator Jamby Madrigal got 0.22%, also statistically the same as what they received in the January 22 to 26 Pulse Asia survey.

Villar ethics case as factor

The TNS survey was done around a week after a heated controversy over Villar's ethics case erupted in the Senate, which could be one reason for the changes in the ratings of the two leading presidential candidates.

The Senate committee of the whole's report accusing Villar of unethical conduct in connection with the C-5 road extension project was taken up during the plenary on January 25. The committee had ordered him to return over P6 billion in government funds that were allegedly wasted for the project. (Read: Senators clash in plenary over Villar ethics case)

On January 26, Senate President Enrile also accused Villar of trying to bribe him to change his stand on the issue. (Read: Enrile claims Villar tried to buy him off)

The Senate, however, failed to act on the report after Villar's supporters failed to show up on the last session day of the 14th Congress.

NP downplays survey results

The TNS survey was apparently commissioned by the Aquino camp.

Asked for his comment, NP spokesman and senatorial bet Gilbert Remulla said the report does not disclose how the questions were phrased and whether they were slanted for or against any candidate

"Alam namin na ito ay galing sa Liberal Party. Ayaw nilang banggitin 'yung pangalan eh. Dahil doon, hindi rin namin alam kung ano 'yung mga tanong, kung ano ang slant n'yan, kaya sa ganon ay hihintayin na lang namin ang magiging resulta ng survey ng SWS at Pulse Asia," Remulla said.

("We know this was commissioned by the Liberal Party. They don't want to disclose the name. We also do not know the questions, whether these were slanted...So, we'll just wait for the results of SWS [Social Weather Stations] and Pulse Asia.")

According to the TNS website, it first set up an office in the Philippines in 1983. It offers "full service operations covering all aspects of marketing research and consulting" and claims to be "No. 1 in the Philippines for customised market research."

"Almost 30 years of research experience has made us experts in understanding the Philippines trade and consumer environment. These insights are critical to helping our clients make their important business decisions," TNS Philippines says.

"TNS Philippines offers in-house field and data processing services backed by stringent quality control procedures to make sure the analysis and recommendations we deliver are accurate and timely," the firm says on its website.

The Magic Word in Philippine Politics -- AQUINO?

It seems these days, people want to relive what it was like during the People Power Revolution. Thinking we have an ominous enemy and we have to do it again. Only this time, the enemy isn't as clear as it was during the time of Martial Law

Nevertheless, just because of the notable family name - Sen. Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III has been petitioned to run for presidency over the last few weeks and he has officially announced his decision to run for president (as the Liberal Party's standard bearer) in the 2010 elections at the historic Kalayaan Hall in Club Filipino, Greenhills, San Juan City, this morning (Sept. 9).

"Tinatanggap ko ang hiling ng sambayanan. Tinatanggap ko ang habilin at tagubilin ng aking mga magulang...Bayang Pilipinas, tatakbo ako sa pangpanguluhan sa 2010, " Aquino said.

It's kind of sickening what has become of Philippine politics. But I guess that's the way it is. His mother just died for crying out loud. Wouldn't she appreciate it if we don't make the same mistakes? And not just go into things because we feel like it.

Noynoy made the announcement 40 days after the death of his mother, the late President Corazon Aquino, who died of colon cancer last Aug. 1. In Filipino tradition, the 40th day after a person's death is the end of the grieving period for the relatives of the deceased.

Noynoy probably won't be an awesome president if he wins - which is pretty likely because of the fame of his dear parents - the patriot Ninoy Aquino who is on our 500 peso bill & the recent passing of his dear mother & former president Cory Aquino.