CEBU CITY, Philippines – After a 60-day preventive suspension, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama returned to work on Monday, February 8, but still facing other administrative complaints before the local government department.

Rama was suspended by Malacañang last December 9 over an administrative complaint by Barangay Labangon chairperson Victor Buendia, who accused him of unlawfully ordering the demolition of the barangay's center island and street lighting project.

The case is still pending with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), but proceedings will be halted due to a ban on administrative investigations during the election period, which started on January 10.

MANILA, Philippines – Citing system problems, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for the 3rd time moved the start of ballot printing for the May 9 national and local elections. 

The Comelec decided to start ballot printing on February 15.

Ballot printing was supposed to start on Monday, February 8.

Earlier, the Comelec already scheduled the start of ballot printing on January 26, then delayed it to February 1. 

When ballot printing was moved to February 1, Comelec spokesman James Jimenez cited “scheduling issues” but refused to elaborate. 

When it was rescheduled to February 8, the poll body explained that it was still finalizing the list of candidates. 

The SC is still hearing the appeal of Senator Grace Poe to junk the Comelec orders to bar her from running for president. (READ: 4 key issues that divide SC justices in Grace Poe case)

The SC scheduled on Tuesday, February 9, another round of oral arguments on Poe’s case.

Eventually, when February 8 came along, the Comelec said it was rescheduling the printing of ballots for the third time. 

In a news conference on Monday, Comelec Commissioner Christian Lim said the new problem involves incompatible codes in the systems to be used. 

“While there is still time, we will correct whatever is needed to be corrected,” Lim said.

Bautista was asked, however, about perceptions that the Comelec is using the system problems as an excuse to delay the printing of ballots.

A delay in the printing of ballots could allow the Comelec to remove the name of Poe – that is, if the SC upholds the Comelec order to cancel her presidential bid.

Postponing elections?

On using the system problems as an excuse, Bautista answered that the data for ballot printing would be loaded on Tuesday.

He quickly added, “So alam 'nyo naman bukas, meron pang oral arguments.” (And as you know, tomorrow, there will still be oral arguments.)

“The follow-up question is, what if the Supreme Court decides on Friday? Can we still change things? The answer to me was, you can, technically, but again, you will take another 5 days to load another set of data,” Bautista said. 

In Monday’s news conference, Bautista also said he doesn’t think that this problem “materially” affects the preparations for the coming polls.

Bautista then quelled fears that this problem could force the Comelec to postpone elections.

The Comelec chairman said: “If ever there's any delay, it's in the actual printing of ballots. We think it will just be a one-week delay.” 

“It can turn out to be a blessing in disguise because, I think, now we have more flexibility in designing the ballot face that will enable us to have a shorter ballot. And a shorter ballot is beneficial in several respects,” he added.

The Comelec chairman explained that a shorter ballot will be cheaper because it will use less paper and ink.

Lim earlier said the delay in the timeline could prompt the Comelec to postpone elections in a few areas. 

He later downplayed his statement, saying: “If you ask me, I always look at the worst possible scenario.”

The elections on May 9 will be the Philippines’ 3rd automated polls. During these elections, Filipinos will elect their next president.

The Philippines is getting its 93,000 vote-counting machines from technology provider Smartmatic, which a group of election watchdogs had wanted the Comelec to blacklist. 

Critics have claimed that Smartmatic's machines can easily be rigged, but the Comelec has said it remains confident about Smartmatic.

Smartmatic provided the Philippines' vote-counting machines in its first two automated elections in 2010 and 2013. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Joey Salgado, head of the media affairs group of the Office of Vice President (OVP) has resigned to focus on VP Jejomar Binay’s presidential bid.

“Yes, [I have resigned] to work full-time for the presidential campaign [of VP Binay],” Salgado told Rappler in a text message on Monday, February 8. He is now the communications director of Binay's campaign.

Salgado, a long-time spokesperson for the Vice President, said his resignation from the OVP is effective on February 9, the official start of the campaign period for the May polls. 

According to Salgado, lawyer Rico Quicho will serve as Binay’s campaign spokesman while former journalist and Cainta mayor Mon Ilagan will be the spokesperson for Binay’s opposition party, the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA). (READ: 'Binay must be his own spokesman')

Binay and his running mate Senator Gregorio “Gringo” Honasan II, together with their senatorial slate, are set to hold their proclamation rally at the Welfareville compound in Mandaluyong City on Tuesday afternoon, February 9. – Rappler.com

The tandem of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and Senator Alan Peter Cayetano listens to the problems and concerns of farmers in Tarlac, hotbed of agrarian reform issues and hometown of President Benigno Aquino.

Pia Ranada reports. - Rappler.com

The farmers of a small village in Concepcion, Tarlac are wooed by two special guests.

The tandem of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and Senator Alan Peter Cayetano  listen to concerns and questions of Tarlaceno farmers and workers.

Far from big auditoriums and conference halls, the powwow is informal and free-flowing.

Cayetano facilitates the discussion and introduces the tandem.

Duterte explains the meat of their platform

RODRIGO DUTERTE, PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: As for water, it's not just a problem here but also in Mindanao. I have been angry at the government because why should Filipinos have to pay for his irrigation? I will do everything you ask, free irrigation, ending contractualization. That's nonsense.

and generates the laughs.

The farmers like what they hear.

NEMENCIO CALARA, TARLAC FARMER: He said free water, free fertilizer, free seedlings. If he can fix Davao, why can't he do it for the country?

Earlier, he speaks in front of supporters in Tarlac City. 

Tarlac is the hometown of President Benigno Aquino III yet Duterte supporters here are getting organized.

REYMIKE TUBAY, DUTERTE SUPPORTER: We support Aquino because he's from Tarlac but Mar Roxas isn't from Tarlac. Tarlac supports whoever can change the Philippines

Can Duterte and Cayetano turn more voters into believers?

We’ll know in the next few months.

Pia Ranada, Rappler, Concepcion, Tarlac.

GENEVA, Switzerland – UN investigators on Monday, February 8, accused Damascus of "extermination" in its jails and detention centers, saying prisoners were executed, tortured to death or held in such horrific conditions that they perished.

Over the past 4 and a half years, thousands of detainees have been killed while being held by different sides in Syria's brutal conflict, the UN commission of inquiry on Syria said in its latest report.

The report painted a stark picture of prisons and detention centres run by the Syrian authorities.

"It is apparent that the government authorities administering prisons and detention centres were aware that deaths on a massive scale were occurring," the report said.

It accused Damascus of committing "extermination as a crime against humanity."

The Syrian government was also guilty of committing a range of other war crimes and crimes against humanity, including murder, rape, torture and enforced disappearance, the investigators said.

The report, which stretches back to the beginning of the conflict in March 2011 and through last November, is based on 621 interviews, including with more than 200 former detainees who witnessed one or more deaths in custody.

"Nearly every surviving detainee has emerged from custody having suffered unimaginable abuses," commission head Paulo Pinheiro said in a statement.

The survivors had detailed how their cellmates were beaten to death during interrogation or in their cell, left to die of severe injuries sustained from torture or from unattended medical conditions, the report said

'Inhuman'

Others died from the "inhuman living conditions", including severely overcrowded and unhygenic cells and lacking food and clean water, with many prisoners for instance forced to use their toilet as a source of drinking water.  

Most of the detainees who are known to have died are men, women and children as young as seven, the report said.

Abuse, squalid conditions and deaths were consistent across places of detention and over time, and must have been condoned up the chain of command, it said.

"There are reasonable grounds to believe that high-ranking officers – including the heads of branches and directorates – commanding these detention facilities, those in charge of the military police, as well as their civilian superiors, knew of the vast number of deaths occurring in detention facilities," it said.

"Yet (they) did not take action to prevent abuse, investigate allegations or prosecute those responsible." 

Damascus is meanwhile not the only one abusing and killing detainees.

The report detailed horrific abuses carried out in detention centres run by the Islamic State group, including massacres and executions of children.

The group, notorious for its brutal public executions by beheadings and throwing people off high buildings, has committed war crimes and crimes against humanity, the report said. – Nina Larson, Agence France-Presse / Rappler.com

JUBA, South Sudan – At least 40,000 people are being starved to death in South Sudan war zones on the brink of famine, the United Nations said Monday, February 8, in a plea to rival forces to let aid in.

The figures released in a UN report describe some of the worst conditions yet in more than two years of a civil war marked by atrocities and accusations of war crimes, including the blockading of food supplies.

Conditions are "escalating," the UN said, with already over 2.8 million people needing aid, almost a quarter of the country.

"Nearly 25 percent of the country's population remain in urgent need of food assistance, and at least 40,000 people are on the brink of catastrophe," the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the UN children's agency UNICEF and the World Food Programme (WFP) said in a joint statement.

"Families have been doing everything they can to survive, but they are now running out of options," said UNICEF country chief Jonathan Veitch.

"Many of the areas where the needs are greatest are out of reach because of the security situation. It is crucial that we are given unrestricted access now."

The warning comes three months after the last UN-backed specialized hunger assessment, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report. 

That October report warned of a "concrete risk of famine" without aid.

There has been no let up in the conflict and while some food has been delivered, civilians report dire conditions. 

The army and rebels have repeatedly accused each other of breaking an internationally-brokered August ceasefire.

The IPC lists famine as a technical measure, which classifies hunger on a scale of one to five. Level five is classified as "catastrophe", and when stretched to 20 percent of the population, becomes famine.

A year ago famine was averted only after a huge intervention by aid agencies.

Those worst affected are in the northern battleground state of Unity, once the country's key oil producing region, but now scene of some of the heaviest fighting, including the mass abduction and rape of women and children. The counties of Mayendit, Koch, Leer and Guit are hardest hit. 

The UN said conditions are "particularly worrisome" because they show an increase in hunger during the post-harvest period, when people should have the most food, warning that the hunger season will start earlier and last longer than normal.

MANILA, Philippines – Presidential aspirant Senator Grace Poe maintained her lead over other presidential bets in the recent Laylo survey, which was conducted for The Standard and published on Tuesday, February 9 – the start of the campaign period.

The survey was conducted from January 27 to February 4, a month after the Supreme Court stopped the Commission on Elections from cancelling Poe's certificate of candidacy over questions on her citizenship and residency.

Results showed that Poe got 29%, a 1% increase from her December rating, also in the survey conducted by Laylo Research Strategies.

Poe's spokesman Valenzuela Mayor Rex Gatchalian welcomed the positive news. Despite issues, Gatchalian said, the public saw through the "black propaganda" by her rivals and the "confusion-setting disqualification cases."  

"Senator Poe is very thankful for the continued support and trust of the Filipino public. We will continue to clarify to those who are still asking that Senator Poe continues to be a candidate for the Presidency. With this two-prong approach, we believe we can further solidify her standing with our voters," Gatchalian told Rappler.

Tied for second place with 22% are Vice President Jejomar Binay, who suffered a 1-percentage point decline, and administration standard-bearer Manuel "Mar" Roxas II, whose numbers are unchanged.

Davao City Rodrigo Duterte came in 3rd with 20%, while Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago was far 4th with 2%.

Poe led in Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon – similar to the findings of the January Pulse Asia elections survey.

Roxas remained the top choice in the Visayas, and Duterte in Mindanao. The two hail from those respective island groups.

The recent Pulse Asia survey showed Poe regaining her lead, after her numbers suffered earlier due to the disqualification cases filed against her. In an attempt to address it, Poe released a political advertisement telling voters she remains a candidate in the May 2016 elections. 

The Laylo national survey was conducted among 3,000 registered voters and has a margin of error of +/-1.8%. – Rappler.com 

MANILA, Philippines – Independent presidential candidate Grace Poe opened the official campaign period with a rally Tuesday afternoon, February 9, in Plaza Miranda, Manila.

It was the same venue in 2004, when her father Fernando Poe Jr was himself running for president, his supporters rallied at the same venue at the height of attempts to disqualify him.

In her speech – delivered in flawless Filipino – Poe borrowed a line from one of her father's blockbuster movies: "puno na ang salop," a Tagalog figure of speech for having had enough.

"Puno na ang salop ng kahirapan, puno na ang salop ng katiwalian. Dapat na itong kalusin," she said.

In her speech, Poe also went back to her "dramatic" life story as a foundling and how this is being used against her now. She stressed that, like many voters who experience hurt and discrimination, she had her own "hugot" – a popular expression among young people that means deep sentiment.

Below is the full text of her speech, followed by the English translation

Sa aking nanay at pamilya,

• Kay VP Chiz at ang aming labing-dalawang mga senador,
• Sa aking mga kaibigan at kapanalig at kakampi sa aming layunin,
• Sa minamahal kong mga kababayan sa Luzon, Visayas at Mindanao 

Magandang gabi po sa inyong lahat!

May nakapagsabi na dahil daw ako ay napulot lamang, ako daw ay hindi tunay na Pilipino...

Na dahil daw ako ay babae ay wala akong lakas at tapang para lumaban...

Na dahil daw ako ay bago at walang karanasan ay wala na akong kakayahan…

May nagsabi na sobra raw madrama ang buhay ko...

Marahil nga ay madrama ang buhay ko dahil, tulad ng karamihan sa ating mga kababayan, may pinagdaanan akong hirap at pait, pero bumangon at lumaban sa kabila ng mga unos at bagyo ng buhay at tadhana.

Drama nga siguro ang tawag nila dito subalit realidad at tunay na buhay ko ito... katotohanan ito na araw-araw pinagdadaanan ng marami sa ating mga kababayan.

Sa kabila ng lahat ng ito, ako ay nakatayo sa harap ninyo ngayon bilang isang Pilipino, bilang isang babae na nakikipaglaban sa mga mapang-abuso para sa ating bansa at mga kababayan na siiyang nagbibigay sa akin ng lakas upang kayo ay pagsilbihan ng malinis at wasto...

Mula sa aking pagkabata, minulat sa akin ng mga kinagisnan kong magulang na sina FPJ at aking ina ang mga katangian na taglay ko ngayon:

• Malinis
• Masipag at magbanat ng buto
• May magandang asal
• Tapat at di mapagsamantala, matapang pero di mayabang
• Matulungin, lalo na sa mga inaapi at mga bata

Gamit ang mga prinsipyo at katangiang ito, ako po ay tumatakbong Pangulo ng bansa upang tumayo at ipaglaban lahat kayo na madrama ang buhay... na may hugot at pinagdadaanan:

• kayong pinanganak ng dukha at salat sa yaman,
• kayong may kapansanan o karamdaman
• kayong nagbabanat ng buto pero di sapat ang kinikita
• kayong mga bata na, tulad ko, ay walang kinagisnang nanay kayong mga biktima ng krimen
• kayong mga biktima ng krimen at diskriminasyon
• kayong mga may mahal sa buhay na kinailangan mangimbangbansa tiisin ang init ng disyerto at lamig
• kayong mga ginipit ng mga mapangabuso sa gobyerno

Nandito ako para sa inyo.

Nandito ako dahil parepareho tayong may pinaghuhugutan.

At pare pareho tayong hindi sumusuko at patuloy na na ngangarap at nag sisikap na mapabuti ang buhay ng ating pamilya ng ating bayan.

Mga kababayan:

Nagsimula po ang kuwento ng aking buhay sa isang simbahan. Kaya minarapat ko rin na sa tapat ng simbahan ilunsad ang susunod na kabanata ng aking buhay. Sabi nga ng aking ina: ano man ang gagawin ko ay tapatan ko ng dasal at pawis

Kaya dito sa makakasaysayang lugar na ito – sa harap ng bayan, sa mata ng Diyos at Poong Nazareno– iaalay o ang panatang ito: ako po si Grace Poe – ina, anak, Pilipino – buong puso at tapang na ipagtatanggol:

• Ang  programa ng gobyernong may puso na ating itatayo
• Ang plano ko para sa pamilyang Pilipino
• Ang mithiin ko para sa ating bansa at sa ating mga anak

At doon sa mga taong pilit dinudungisan ang aking pagkatao, handa ko rin ipagtanggol ang aking pagka-Pilipino, ngayon at dito.

Mga kababayan: parating na ang Gobyernong may Puso na magpapalakas sa ekonomiya para makapagbigay ng trabaho sa lahat.

Sa mga Pilipinong ginagapang ang edukasyon ng kanilang anak, parating na ang Gobyernong may Puso na sisiguraduhin na sagana sa libro, classrooms, teachers, scholarships, kagamitan ang lahat ng paaralaan mula kinder hanggang kolehiyo.

Sa mga Pilipinong nagdarasal tuwing umaalis ng bahay na sana huwag sila maholdap o manakawan, parating na ang Gobyernong may Puso na dudurugin ang krimen, paparusahan ang may sala, ikakalat ang maraming pulis na matitino, upang ligtas tayo, saan man at kailan man.

Sa mga Pilipinong napawi na ang mga luha sa pamamalimos ng tulong para sa mahal sa buhay na may sakit, parating na ang Gobyernong may Puso na magmomodernisa sa mga ospital, na may sapat na doktor, gamot, at gamit.

Sa mga Pilipinong ilang kahig pero walang matuka, na tanging dalangin ay may laman ang kaldero, may kanin sa hapag, parating na ang Gobyernong may Puso na maglalagay ng abot-kayang pagkain sa inyong mesa, kasama na ang para sa mga bata sa eskwela.

Sa mga Pilipinong matagal ng pasan ang mabigat na krus na mataas na buwis, parating na ang Gobyernong may Puso pagagaanin ang inyong paghihirap at susuklian pa ito ng maganda at tapat na serbisyo, sa ilalim ng isang gobyerong bawal ang tong, opisinang hindi nangongotong, at mga proyektong walang patong.

Sa mga Pilipinong tinitiis ang kalbaryo ng trapik, hindi lamang dito sa Metro Manila kundi sa buong Pilipinas, ang haba ng pila sa MRT na parating tumitirik, parating na ang Gobyernong may Puso na hindi pabaya, na ang tugon sa problema ng imprastraktura ay solusyon at hindi sisi.

Sa mga Pilipinong nasa kanayunan na luha na lang ang ipinandilig sa lupa dahit walang tubig, parating na ang Gobyernong may Puso na magbibigay sa inyo ng irigasyon, wawakasan ang tagtuyot sa suporta na gobyerno, na aayusin ang kalsada, at magaayuda ng pataba at kagamitan.

Sa mga Pilipinong kumakatok sa langit upang humingi ng katarungan sapagkat sarado ang pintuan ng hustisya dito, parating na ang Gobyernong may Puso na pantay ipapatupad ang batas, ipapakulong ang abusado mga opisyal man, ipagtatanggol ang inaapi, at ipaglalaban ang mga OFW saan man sila sa mundo.

Sa mga Pilipinong ang pananaw, relihiyon o estado sa buhay ay nasa minorya, silang mga biktima ng diskriminasyon, mga lumad at katutubo, mga LGBT, parating na ang Gobyernong may Puso na buong igagalang ang inyong mga karapatan.

Sa mga Pilipinong tila inaasa na lamang sa pagtaya sa lotto ang pagkakaroon ng sariling bahay, parating na ang Gobyernong may Puso na maglulunsad ng isang programang pabahay para sa lahat.

Sa mga Pilipinong sawa na sa bagal ng serbisyo sa pamahalaan, pagod na sa mahabang pila, pikon na sa tagal ng plaka at lisensya, o galit na sa bagal ng dating ng tulong kung may bagyo o sakuna, parating na ang Gobyernong may Puso na mabilis, maagap, at may malasakit; isang gobyernong bawal ang tamad at bawal ang makupad at magnanakaw.

Sabi nga ng aking ama: huwag mong sabihin marami kang salapi. Huwag mo rin sabihin na marami kang tauhan. Pare pareho lang tayo.

Dapat ang lahat ay maabot ang kanilang pangarap. Na ang bawat bata ay pwedeng mangarap maging teacher, maging artista, maging pulis, matagumpay na magsasaka, doktor, Supreme Court Justice, at maging pangulo man ng bansa, babae ka man, pulot, o dukha. Dapat pantay-pantay.

Puno na ang salop ng kahirapan, puno na ang salop ng katiwalian. Dapat na itong kalusin.

Ipaglaban natin na ang bawat isa ay may pagkain, may hanapbuhay, at may edukasyon.

Nakataga sa bato at nakaukit sa aking puso.

Hindi ko bibiguin ang tiwala ninyo at ng aking mga magulang

Ako po si Grace Poe, at sa gobyernong may puso, kayo na ang aking pamilya. 

* * * 

English translation

To my mother and family,

• VP Chiz and our 12 senators,
• Friends, supporters and allies in pursuing our goals for the country,
• My dear fellow Filipinos…

 A good evening to all of you!

Some have argued that, because I am a foundling, I can never be a true Filipino… That because I am a woman, I can never fight a man’s fight or do a man’s job… That because I lack experience, I also do not have competence…. There are even those who say that may life is just too full of drama…

Maybe my life is replete with drama because, like the majority of Filipinos, there are difficulties that I have to struggle with, I have been oppressed and belittled, but I rise to fight again after each battle, after the passing of each storm of my life and fate.

They may well call it drama, but this is my real life….  It is the reality that many Filipinos live every day.

Despite all these, I stand before you today as a Filipino, a woman who knows how to fight bullies and oppressors, a leader with a heart that loves our country and people.  It is from the people that I draw strength so I may serve them truly and effectively...

From childhood, my parents - FPJ and my mother – have molded the qualities and values that I possess today

• Integrity
• Diligence and hard work
• Courtesy, kindness and consideration for others
• Truthfulness and to not take advantage
• To be helpful, especially to children and the disadvantaged

Armed with these qualities and values, I am running for the presidency of our country, so that I may stand and fight with all of you whose lives are full of drama… whose daily pain and struggles are drawn from long experience…

• You who were born poor
• You who suffer from disabilities and poor health
• You who toil hard for wages that cannot cover your needs
• You, children who never knew their mothers
• You who have been victims of crime
• You, whose loved ones have had to find work overseas, suffering the intense cold or the desert heat
• You who have suffered in the hands of abusive people in government

I am here for you.

I am here because we all draw from the same pain.

And because, despite this, we have not given up, and will continue to dream and strive for a better life for our families.

My fellow Filipinos:

The story of my life started inside a church. It is fitting that I should launch the next chapter in front of a church.

As my father has told me:  In whatever you do in your life, always fill your efforts with prayers.

Therefore, in this historic spot – before the people, before God – I offer this pledge:  I am Grace Poe, mother, daughter, Filipino.  With all my heart and strength, I will uphold and defend:

• Programs of a compassionate government
• Our aspirations for the Filipino family
• Our hopes for the country and our children

And to those who have gone to great lengths to tarnish my good name, I am ready to defend my Filipino identity, here and now.

My fellow Filipinos, whose knees have been worn thin and bruised praying for a decent life, your Gobyernong may Puso will strengthen our economy to create jobs for all.

My fellow Filipinos, whose backs have been bent just to give your children an education, your Gobyernong may Puso will ensure that our schools, from kinder to college, will have books, classrooms, teachers, scholarships, and facilities.

My fellow Filipinos, who say a fervent prayer everytime you leave your home to be spared from thieves, your Gobyernong may Puso will crush crime and ensure that the police will be there to protect you and keep you safe, anytime and anywhere.

My fellow Filipinos, whose tears have dried up begging for help for your sick and infirm, your Gobyernong may Puso will modernize our hospitals, and ensure adequate doctors, medicine and medical equipment.

My fellow Filipinos, who toil endlessly for a measly income, whose only prayer is the small comfort of having food on the table, your Gobyernong may Puso will fill our cooking pots at home, and in schools for our children.

My fellow Filipinos, who carry the almost unbearable burden of high taxes, your Gobyernong may Puso will ease our load and repay you with effective service, under a government that doesn’t accept bribes or pad project costs.

My fellow Filipinos, who daily endure the city traffic, the long lines to the MRT, and unreliable public transportation, yourGobyernong may Puso will provide real solutions to our infrastructure problems, instead of laying blame.

My fellow Filipinos in the countryside, whose tears water our farms because of the lack of irrigation and support, yourGobyernong may Puso will end the drought in government assistance - ensuring irrigation and roads, and deliver fertilizers and farm implements.

My fellow Filipinos, who knock on the doors of heaven asking for justice, your Gobyernong may Puso will guarantee equal enforcement of the law, prosecute the corrupt, defend the oppressed and vulnerable, and fight for the rights of OFWs wherever you may be.

My fellow Filipinos, whose faith, sector, life status or views are among the minority, who are discriminated against, the Lumads, the LGBT, your Gobyernong may Puso will will respect, protect and defend your rights.

My fellow Filipinos, whose only hope to own a home is in a winning Lotto combination, your Gobyernong may Puso will launch a broad housing program for all.

My fellow Filipinos, who have resigned themselves to slow or absent government services, who are tired of waiting in long lines, who are frustrated waiting for their vehicular plates or driver’s licenses, who are angry at the slow pace of relief and assistance after a disaster, your Gobyernong may Puso will be prompt, efficient and compassionate. 

As may father said: Don’t brag about having many people beneath you. Don’t brag about wealth. We are all the same.

Each of us should be able to realize our dreams.  Every child should be able to dream of becoming a teacher, a policeman, a prosperous farmer, a lawyer, even a president of our country.

Puno na ang salop.  Our tolerance for poverty, our tolerance for corruption, is at its end.  Dapat na itong kalusin.  We will beat it out of our system together.

We will fight for each one’s right to food, jobs, education and protection. 

This is our promise. This is my heart’s mission.

I will never betray your trust; I will never turn my back on what my parents taught me.

I am Grace Poe, and in our Gobyernong may Puso, you are my family.

– Rappler.com 

BATAC, Philippines – She’s back with her pick up lines that have made her a social media star. But presidential aspirant Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago looked and sounded weak in the short time that she campaigned here on Tuesday, February 9.

Santiago, who was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2014, is running for president with Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. (READ: Will voters go for ill candidates like Miriam Santiago?)

Their proclamation rally here is her first sortie, but she defended her long silence by slamming the other candidates for premature campaigning. The official campaign period for national candidates, after all, just began Tuesday.

“Look at our politicians. According to the law, do not start campaigning before February 9. All of the ‘presidentiables’ paid billions of pesos before the campaign,” she said in Filipino before hundreds of students at the Mariano Marcos State University. 

“That is wrong under the constitutional point of view. These people have already violated the laws before they became president.” 

Santiago threw her pick up lines.

“Ngayon pa lang ang eleksyon, di ‘ba?” she asked. “Bakit ikaw matagal nang tumatakbo sa utak ko?” (The election just began now, right? How come you've been running for a long time in my head?)

She pulled one more:: “Ballot box ka ba? Kasi wala akong pakialam, basta safe ka,” she said to the delight of the crowd. (Are you a ballot box? Because I don’t care as long as you're safe.)

And another one: “Wala akong pakialam kung sino ang iboboto mo basta sana nasa akin ang boto ng mga magulang mo.” (I don’t care who you are voting for as long as I got your parents’ votes.) 

The senator didn’t stay long, however. She left after her brief speech, saying she had appointments in Metro Manila.

This left Marcos alone to answer the students’ questions.

It's an odd set-up, since it’s usually the standard-bearer who occupies much of the campaign time and stage.

Earlier in the day, during the tandem's proclamation rally at the Imelda Cultural Center, Santiago herself alluded to her illness when she said Marcos would be her ideal replacement should “something happen to me.” (READ: Miriam to Ilocanos: If something happens to me, Marcos to take charge)

Asked later to comment on her remarks, Marcos dismissed it as a joke.

“Si Senator Miriam palabiro palagi nyang nababanggit yang mga bagay na yan.” (You know Senator Miriam, she always jokes and says things like that.)  “I think it is just to demonstrate na para sa kanya may kumpyansa s’ya sa akin, kami ay nagkakasundo (that she has confidence in me and that we are aligned)."

Santiago earlier said she's free from cancer. But she has refused the challenge for her to release medical records to prove her claim.

A once-formidable presidential bet in 1992, Santiago is trailing behind other candidates in the latest survey. But Marcos is running second, and he's banking on the support of the Ilocos region to make him vice president. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Members of the youth party-list group Kabataan turned to social media to launch their campaign on Tuesday, February 9.

Kabataan members posted 'selfies' (self-portrait photographs) and 'groufies' (group photos) on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram as they campaigned around Manila and other parts of the country.

The battlecry for their May 2016 party-list bid? The hashtag #TayoAngPagasa (We are the future), setting the tone of the millennial campaign.

{source}<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-version="6" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:8px;"> <div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:37.5% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"> <div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAAGFBMVEUiIiI9PT0eHh4gIB4hIBkcHBwcHBwcHBydr+JQAAAACHRSTlMABA4YHyQsM5jtaMwAAADfSURBVDjL7ZVBEgMhCAQBAf//42xcNbpAqakcM0ftUmFAAIBE81IqBJdS3lS6zs3bIpB9WED3YYXFPmHRfT8sgyrCP1x8uEUxLMzNWElFOYCV6mHWWwMzdPEKHlhLw7NWJqkHc4uIZphavDzA2JPzUDsBZziNae2S6owH8xPmX8G7zzgKEOPUoYHvGz1TBCxMkd3kwNVbU0gKHkx+iZILf77IofhrY1nYFnB/lQPb79drWOyJVa/DAvg9B/rLB4cC+Nqgdz/TvBbBnr6GBReqn/nRmDgaQEej7WhonozjF+Y2I/fZou/qAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"></div></div> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BBi4BngJbyv/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">First day of the official campaign period! re-elect #Kabataan 55 sa balota! #TayoangPagasa @kabataanpartylist @sarahelago @siyamsampu @znev03 @thereforeiammai @mico_selo @marjohara2k</a></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A photo posted by Jian Carlo Ramos Gomez (@jaycegomez) on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2016-02-09T00:11:22+00:00">Feb 8, 2016 at 4:11pm PST</time></p></div></blockquote> <script async defer src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script>{/source}

“We may not have the money nor the well-entrenched machinery that other parties have, but we have the power of the Filipino youth to buoy us in this election. We will maximize technology, social media, and our warm bodies on the ground to spread the youth’s message of hope,” Kabataan national president Marjohara Tucay said.

The youth party-list group, which claims it has a 200,000-strong membership, won seats in the last 3 elections. Lawyer Terry Ridon represented Kabataan in the 16th Congress. 

For their 4th bid, Kabataan's legislative platform builds on issues that affect their sector like education and employment.

“In its three terms in Congress, Kabataan Partylist has led not only the youth but also various marginalized sectors of society in the struggle for accessible education, decent employment and genuine solutions to our country’s problems. This 2016 elections, we are again challenged to assert representation in the legislative branch. And we’ll not only settle for one, but three seats,” said Sarah Elago, the group's first nominee.

The Filipino youth account for nearly 40% of the total number of voters in the country.

{source}<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">UP Diliman students pledge for genuine change for the upcoming elections. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/55Kabataan?src=hash">#55Kabataan</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TayoAngPagasa?src=hash">#TayoAngPagasa</a> <a href="https://t.co/etFoaWuqp2">pic.twitter.com/etFoaWuqp2</a></p>&mdash; Kabataan Party-List (@KabataanPL) <a href="https://twitter.com/KabataanPL/status/697000114703855616">February 9, 2016</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>{/source}

The party-list system is mandated to give "marginalized and under-represented sectors" the chance to be represented in Congress.

There are 56 party-list representatives from 41 groups in the 16th Congress.

In the May 2016 race, a total of 59 party-list seats are up for grabs, according to the Comelec. 

To secure a seat, each group is required to get at least 2% of the total number of votes for party lists.

At least 210 organizations sought to join the 2016 race, but as of January 2016, only 121 were accredited by the Comelec. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Supreme Court (SC) Justice Francis Jardeleza expressed concern that the Commission on Elections (Comelec) “may have crossed a line” and deprived presidential candidate Grace Poe of her rights to due process.

The poll body cancelled Poe’s certificate of candidacy for president in the 2016 elections on the basis of questions about her citizenship and residency. The camp of Poe accused the poll body of grave abuse of discretion and is asking the SC to reverse the Comelec decisions on the 4 cases filed against her. (READ: EXPLAINER: Issues the SC will decide in Grace Poe case)

Jardeleza’s interpellation on Tuesday, February 9 – the 4th round of the SC oral arguments – focused on Poe’s status as a foundling. It was the first time he interpellated since the oral arguments started in January. On the same day, Poe was officially launching her campaign.

The SC justice asked Commissioner Arthur Lim if the Comelec went beyond the fact that Poe is a foundling in ruling whether she is a natural-born Filipino.

"We made findings of fact that notwithstanding the claim that she was found at the doorstep of the Jaro church...notwithstanding that the petitioner was presumably born in Iloilo because she was found in Iloilo, and the presumption would be that that would be her place of birth, still we reached the conclusion that despite all these totality of facts stipulated at that by the parties, the facts independently or collectively do not satisfy the Constitutional definition of what is natural-born," Lim answered.

Jardeleza used the Senate Electoral Tribunal’s (SET) decision on Poe’s citizenship as a point of comparison. The SET majority ruled Poe is a natural-born Filipino under the 1935 and 1987 Constitutions.

According to the justice, the SET decision made findings of fact and looked at other evidence submitted: the color of Poe’s skin and eyes, and the place where she was found, for instance.

"The Comelec did not do that," he pointed out.

"You decided on a question of law: foundling, ergo, not natural-born. That’s why I’m asking for a specific finding beyond the statement stipulated that she is a foundling. To me, the stipulation that she is a foundling is a starting point," Jardeleza said.

But Lim pointed out that while these are "admitted facts," the question is still whether a foundling is a natural-born Filipino.

"When we found she is not natural-born, did we commit grave abuse of discretion?" the commissioner explained.

But Jardeleza said neither of the Comelec en banc decisions explained why Poe's camp did not meet the quantum of proof.

He also jumped off from the February 2 interpellation of Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, when Lim said Poe could have presented results of a DNA test to prove she is natural-born. (READ: Sereno to Comelec: What proof do you want from Grace Poe?)

"The rules of court do not say that only DNA evidence is acceptable," Jardeleza, said, adding that all types of evidence should be admissible.

"When a foundling can prove by DNA evidence, aren’t you in reality saying that that is really a conclusive presumption? In the first place, a foundling does not know his or her parents. How can he or she find a DNA match when the very definition of foundling is somebody who has unknown parents?" the justice said.

He reiterated this question later in his interpellation: "Foundlings are not natural-born until they produce DNA evidence, is that correct?"

Lim answered: "Not necessarily, we can say [foundlings are] not natural-born citizens, period."

EXPLAINER: Can Comelec ‘disqualify’ Grace Poe?
EXPLAINER: 3 reasons why Comelec erred in ruling vs Poe
EXPLAINER: 3 curious points in Comelec 1st division’s ruling vs Grace Poe

4 possibilities

On Tuesday, Jardeleza enumerated 4 possibilities of a foundling’s parentage:

• Both biological parents could be Filipinos
• Biological father could be a Filipino, biological mother could be an alien
• Biological mother could be a Filipino, biological father could be an alien
• Both biological parents could be aliens

"Only in 4th possibility that the foundling can be deemed not natural-born," he explained.

Jardeleza asked Lim if these possibilities "induce in you a belief that Poe as a foundling is a [natural-born] citizen or not."

"Given 4 possibilities, given what Poe has introduced by evidence, your legal obligation not only as rule of court but as a matter of due process of law [is to] arrive at a conclusion of probability or improbability of parentage," the justice explained.

"Evidence, logic show there are 4 possibilities. Is it more probable than not given possibilities that [biological parents] are citizens, or is it more probable that, no, both mother or father are aliens?"

Lim said that even if the first 3 possibilities are "more probable," that would still not justify a ruling that Poe is natural-born "because that would be engaging purely on speculation without factual support."

But Jardeleza disagreed it is speculative.

"I have to make up my mind which side did not have sufficient evidence.... It seems to me your ruling – because she is a foundling, ergo reading of Constitution she is not natural-born unless at some point in time she will have DNA evidence – that bothers me because I will have to decide…that is the meaning of the constitutional provision that decisions have to state clearly and distinctly facts and rules they are based on."

Lim still insisted Comelec observed due process and asked the High Court to judge the poll body on whether it committed grave abuse of discretion or not.

The oral arguments will resume next Tuesday, February 16. – Rappler.com 

MANILA, Philippines – Vice President Jejomar Binay officially launched his campaign for the presidency on Tuesday, February 9, in Welfareville, Mandaluyong City, with a promise of "meaningful changes" for the poorest Filipinos which, he said, the current administration failed to deliver.

In his speech, the standard-bearer of the United Nationalist Alliance asked the audience to imagine how it is to live with access to free health care and  education, 3 meals a day, jobs, and good and prompt service from government. These are what he promises to deliver, he said, the same way he made it possible in Makati during the years he was mayor.

He promised to take 4 specific steps to improve the lives of ordinary Filipinos in his first year as president. Read the full text of his speech below to find out what these are:

Mga kababayan, mga kapwa Pilipino:

Sa gabing ito, sa piling ninyong lahat, sa piling ng masang Pilipino, nakikita ko, naririnig ko, ramdam na ramdam ko, ang pagkauhaw at paghahangad ninyo ng makabuluhang pagbabago.

Pagbabago tungo sa isang Pilipinas na pinagsasaluhan at tinatamasa ang pag-unlad. Hindi lamang ng iilang mga mayayaman, kundi lahat ng Pilipino, lalo na ng mga mahihirap.

Pagbabago tungo sa isang pamahalaang taimtim na nakikinig, kumikilos nang mabilis at naglilingkod nang tapat sa bawat mamamayan.

Pagbabago tungo sa isang bansang payapa, masagana, at taas-noong humaharap sa mga hamon ng mundo.

Matatandaang sa simula ng kasalukuyang administrasyon, ipinangako sa atin na sa loob ng mag-aanim na taon ay mawawala na ang kahirapan. Nakakahiya.

Malapit nang matapos ang 6 na taon, ngunit imbes na mawala o mabawasan man lamang ito, mas lalo pang dumami ang mahihirap na Pilipino.

At sa gitna ng pag-unlad ng iilan sa sinasabing tuwid na daan, milyun-milyong kababayan pa rin natin ang walang trabaho, lugmok sa hirap, kapos sa pag-aaral, kulang ang pambili ng gamot at araw-araw aykumakalam ang sikmura.

Mga kababayan, ito ang tunay at masaklap na kalagayan ng ating bansa noon pa man at hanggang ngayon.

Hindi ba’t nakakalungkot isipin na kung sino pa ang gumagawang ng mga matatayog na gusali at mararangyang mansyon, siya pa ang walang sariling tahanan?

Kung sino pa ang nagtatanim at umaani ng butil na ating kinakain, siya pa ang laging nagugutom?

Kung sino pa ang bumubuhay at nagtataguyod ng ating industriya, siya pang binubuwisan ng malaki at walang katiyakan sa trabaho. 

Kung sino pa ang kapos at nangangailangan, siya pang pinagkakaitan ng serbisyo ng pamahalaan. Sobra na, tama na ang mga kabuktutang ito.

Mga kababayan kong Pilipino, walang saysay ang pinagmamalaking pag-unlad ng ekonomiya kung marami ang naghihirap. 

Walang kabuluhan ang pag-unlad kung marami ang walang trabaho. 

Balewala sa isang taong gutom ang magandang balita tungkol sa ating ekonomiya.

Dapat may pagkain sa mesa ng bawat Pilipino. Dapat may trabaho ang may kakayanang magtrabaho. Dapat nakakapag-aral ang mga kabataang pag-asa ng ating bayan. Dapat may murang gamot ang mga taong may sakit at walang namamatay sa kahirapan.

At dapat di na ang lahat ng ating mga kababayang Pilipino ay nabubuhay nang maginhawa at kasama sa pag-unlad ng ating bayan.

Mga kababayan kong Pilipino, halos 6 na taon na ang lumipas ngunit hanggang ngayon, lubhang napakailap pa rin ng kasaganahan sa maraming Pilipino.

Halos 6 na taon na ang dumaan ngunit lubhang napakailap pa rin ng katahimikan.

Halos 6 na taon na ang dumaan, ngunit lalong dumami ang walang hanapbuhay, ang nagugutom, at ang naghihirap.       

Kayat ngayong papalapit na ang halalan, nangangarap, at umaasa tayo ng tunay at makabuhulang pagbabago.

Nangangarap at umaasa tayo ng isang pamunuan na hindi magiging manhid, palpak, at kapos sa pagkalinga sa mahihirapnating kababayan.

Sa darating na halalan, muling mabibigyan tayo ng pagkakataong iwasto ang mali.

Sa darating na halalan, muling ibinabalik sa atin ang kapangyarihan na mamili ng mga taong may karanasan, may kakayanang mamuno, at may tunay na malasakit sa mahihirap.

Sa darating na halalan, muling ipinagkakaloob sa atin ang kapangyarihang gawing totoo ang ating mga pangarap.

Kaya mga kababayan, kapwa Pilipino, sabay-sabay tayong mangarap. Ipikit natin ang ating mga mata at ilarawan sa ating isipan: 

• Libreng gamot at pa-ospital, lalo na para sa mga mahihirap.
• Libreng edukasyon, gamit pang-eskwela, uniporme, at aklat-pampaaralan.
• Pagkain sa bawat mesa 3 beses araw-araw.
• Trabaho sa may kakayanang magtrabaho. 
• Maayos at maagap na serbisyo mula sa inyong pamahalaan.

Mga kapwa kong Pilipino, noong ako ay magsimulang maglingkod bilang alkalde, ganyang-ganyan din ang pinangarap namin ng mga taga-Makati.

Ngunit marami sa aming kritiko ang nagsabing panaginip lang ito. Hindi ito pwedeng gawin, hindi ito pwedeng mangyari.

Pinatunayan namin sa mga namimintas at naninira na sila ay nagkamali. Ang mga pangarap noon, nangyayari at tinatamasa ng mga taga-Makati ngayon!

Kaya’t sa gabing ito, inuulit ko ang lagi kong sinasabi sa ating mga kababayan sa mga probinsya: ang nagawa namin sa Makati, gagawin natin sa Pilipinas.

Ngunit may 4 na dapat gawin kaagad upang maramdaman ng ating mga kababayan ang ginhawang hindi nila naramdaman sa nakalipas na mag-aanim na taon. Itong 4 na hakbang na ito ay pasisimulan ko sa unang taon ng aking pagka-pangulo.

Kapag ako na ang pangulo ng Pilipinas, sisiguraduhin ko:

Na ang halos 20 milyong estudyante sa mga pampublikong paaraalan ay tatanggap ng libreng aklat, uniporme at mga gamit pampaaralan! Para sa programang ito, maglalaan tayo ng higit na P65 bilyon sa ating pambansang budget.

Kapag ako na ang pangulo ng Pilipinas, makikipagtulungan ang pamahalaan sa mga local governments at private sector para makapagpagamot ng libre ang mga mahihirap nating kababayan!

Kapag ako na ang pangulo ng Pilipinas, ipagpapatuloy, palalawakin at lilinisin natin ang Programang Pantawid Pamilya Pilipino o 4Ps!

Huwag kayong maniwala sa mga kasinungalingan na ititigil daw ng inyong lingkod ang 4Ps. Hindi lang natin ipagpapatuloy, palalawakin pa natin para makasama ang mga edad 60 hanggang 64, at ang mas marami pa nating kababayan. 

Lilinisin natin  ang programa para matiyak na walang palakasan at pulitika at walang nasasayang na pondo. At titiyakin natin na matatanggap ang 4Ps sa tamang oras.

At kung ako na ang pangulo ng Pilipinas, aalisin natin ang income tax ng mga kababayanan natin na kumikita kada buwan ng P30,000 at pababa! 

Sa mga nagsasabing hindi ito pwedeng mangyari dahil malulugi ang pamahalaan, simple lang ang sagot ko: bilyun-bilyon ang nawawala sa pera ng bayan sa smuggling. Bilyon-bilyon ang nawawala dahil hindi wasto ang pangongolekta ng buwis sa mga mayayaman. Bilyun-bilyon ang nasasayang dahil sa hindi wastong paggastos ng mga departamento ng pamahalaan. Yan ang dapat asikasuhin, hindi ang pagpapahirap sa mga manggagawang Pilipino.

Ang lahat ng iyan, at higit pa, ang gagawin natin sa unang taon ng aking administrasyon.

{source}<div id="fb-root"></div><script>(function(d, s, id) {  var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];  if (d.getElementById(id)) return;  js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id;  js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js#xfbml=1&version=v2.3";  fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));</script><div class="fb-video" data-allowfullscreen="1" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/maraalyssabelcepeda/videos/10208712288754472/"><div class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/maraalyssabelcepeda/videos/10208712288754472/"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/maraalyssabelcepeda/videos/10208712288754472/"></a><p>WATCH: VP Binay&#039;s speech at UNA&#039;s proclamation rally in Welfareville, Mandaluyong</p>Posted by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/maraalyssabelcepeda">Mara Cepeda</a> on Tuesday, February 9, 2016</blockquote></div></div>{/source}

Sa mga nagsasabing hindi kayang gawin, sa mga nagsasabing hindi pwedeng mangyari ang lahat ng sinabi ko, ang sagot natin:

Kung kayo ang mauupo sa pwesto, talagang hindi mangyayari ang tunay na pagbabago. Talagang hindi giginhawa ang buhay ng masang Pilipino. 

Ngunit kung ang inyong lingkod ang bibigyan ninyo ng pagkakataon, ang lahat nang sinabi ko, magkakatotoo. Ang hangad ninyo na trabaho, maayos na serbisyo, at pamahalaang kumakalinga sa inyo, magkakatotoo sa administrasyon ni Jojo Binay. 

Mga kababayan, mga kapwa Pilipino, sa dami ng problemang iiwanan ng kasalukuyang administrasyon, kailangan natin ng isang pangulo na handang gawin ang dapat gawin upang maiahon sa kahirapan ang nakararami nating mga kababayan.

Kailangan natin ng isang pangulo na gagawin ang lahat upang maiangat ang antas ng kabuhayan ng nakakarami.

Kailangan natin ng isang pangulo na tapat at tunay na maglilingkod sa masang Pilipino.

Kailangan natin ng isang pangulo na hindi umiiwas, hindi nananahimik, hindi naninisi at hindi nalilito sa panahon ng krisis.

Kailangan natin ng isang pangulo na tunay na kumakalinga sa mahihirap. 

Ang ganyang uri ng pagka-pangulo ay hindi napag-aaralan. Hindi yan nakukuha sa mga aklat na binabasa. 

'Yan ay isang pamumuno na nahuhugot mula sa karanasan at naka-ukit sa puso.

Ang tinutukoy ko ay paglilingkod na hindi nakukuha sa salita. Napakadaling mangako, lalo na ngayong panahon ng eleksyon. Ngunit ang mas mahalaga, ang nagawa na at ang gagawin pa para sa bansa at para sa sambayanan.

Mga kababayan, mga kapwa Pilipino, mga nagmamahal sa ating bansa, mga hindi nang-iiwan sa gitna ng laban.

Kayo ang tunay na magpapasya. Kayo ang tunay na magtatakda.

Kayo ang may kakayanang magtimon ng kinabukasan ng ating bansa. 

Sa loob ng maraming taon, lalong lalo na sa nakalipas na mag-aanim na taon, sa inyo ako kumuha ng lakas upang harapin ang lahat ng batikos, panglalait, paghamak at paninira.

Masakit ang mga binitawang salita at paratang laban sa akin at sa aking pamilya. Ngunit mas masakit para sa akin ang makita ang mga kababayan nating naghihirap at nagugutom sa gitna ng kasaganahan at maling pamahahala. Ang ganyang kalakaran ay hindi na dapat magpatuloy.

Kapag ako ang inihalal ninyong pangulo ng Pilipinas, sa inyo ako patuloy na kukuha ng lakas upang harapin ang anumang hamon.

Sa inyo ako kukuha ng lakas upang itaguyod ang isang pamahalaan na tunay na naglilingkod sa masang Pilipino. 

Sa inyo ako kukuha ng lakas upang matupad ang ating mga pangarap - para sa ating mga anak, sa ating mga pamilya at sa ating mahal na bansang Pilipinas.

Namnamin natin ang gabing ito, mga kababayan.  

Ito ang bisperas ng ating paglaya sa kahirapan, sa kawalan ng trabaho, sa kulang-kulang at makupad na serbisyo, sa kapalpakan, at sa manhid na pamamahala at sa walang katuturang paninira, pagmamalinis at pulitika ng paghihiganti at hidwaan. 

Tandaan natin sa gabing ito ang simula ng pagbubuo ng pambansang pagkakaisa. 

Susi ito ng ating mabilis na pag-unlad at matibay na tiwala at kumpiyansa  sa ating pagka-Pilipino.  

Mahalin natin ang ating kapwa lalo na yaong maliliit, may kapansanan, inaapi at mahihirap. Tungkulin natin ito hindi lamang bilang mabuting Pilipino kundi bilang mga kristiyanong gumagalang at sumusunod  sa dakilang aral at  utos ng diyos.

Bukas, sisimulan nating itatag ang pamahalaang magpapaunlad sa ating bayan; ang pamahalaang magpapabuklod-buklod sa ating mamamayan; ang pamahalaang may malasakit sa mahihirap; ang pamahalaang may kakayahan at layuning maghatid ng ginhawa sa bawat pamilyang Pilipino.

Magsama-sama tayo sa ating panalangin sa Poong Maykapal para maiangat natin ang buhay ng bawat Pilipino. 

Maraming salamat sa inyong lahat, pagpalain nawa tayo  ng Poong Maykapal. 

– Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – At the campaign season's kickoff on Tuesday, February 9, the streets were not the only places where supporters made noise. 

Netizens who could not be present at the rallies of Grace Poe, Rodrigo Duterte, and Jejomar Binay were making their views about their candidates known on social media.

Supporters of the 3 presidential bets propelled them to the trending topics in the Philippines, Quezon City, and Manila.

In Manila, where Duterte and Poe held their sorties, #GP2016, Plaza Miranda, and Tondo trended at one point. The Poe-Escudero tandem held their event at Plaza Miranda, while Duterte and Cayetano were in Tondo.

Binay, who campaigned in Mandaluyong, was the 3rd most trending topic in Quezon City under "VP Binay." Poe and Escudero were second in Quezon City. Their hashtag #GP2016 also trending at 8th, while Tondo came in 5th.

Supporters of particular candidates tried to make the case for their picks online while others showed their opposition to other bets.

Poe, Duterte energize supporters

Bouncing back from issues surrounding her disqualification cases, Poe has reemerged as the frontrunner of the race.

Hindi lang naman sa survey leading si Sen Grace Poe, kundi pati sa puso ng buong Pilipino. #GP2016

— CaseyMartinezUPGRADE (@caseypher) February 9, 2016

Poe recently topped the Laylo and Pulse Asia surveys released just days before the campaign season. She saw a dip in her ratings while facing the disqualification cases against her.

Si Grace Poe talaga ang gusto kong manala sa halalan ngayong 2016. #GPG2016

— ALLEYAت (@roldan_alleya) February 9, 2016

Realtalk: Grace Poe is better than Roxas and Binay :3 #GP2016

— ☆Ｊｅｒｒｉｅ Ｚｙｘ☆ (@JerrieZyx) February 9, 2016

Despite the strong show of support, many netizens railed against the event, which caused heavy traffic. Her opening salvo was staged at Plaza Miranda.

ANG TRAFFIC ESPAÑA-QUIAPO ty grace poe ang hassle sobra

— Queenie Boado (@queeeeebow) February 9, 2016

ang hassle mo grace poe

— jowjowjow (@JonaMaae) February 9, 2016

Another fan favorite, Rodrigo Duterte, rallied his supporters in Tondo. Although he did frequently change his mind about running, he has been able to build a solid base.

The tough-talking Davao mayor has also earned the admiration of voters who believe in his promise to eliminate crime and corruption. (WATCH: #TheLeaderIWant: Leadership, Duterte style)

Lahat ng tunatakbong presedente except kay duterte ay may kapangyarihan na sa gobyerno ng pilipinas .e wala paring pag babago!!! #Duterte

— M★RVOLTAGEO (@marthebartender) February 9, 2016

However, it is this same approach that disappointed other voters who have criticized his admission of extrajudicial killings and his views on human rights and the death penalty.

Duterte all the way. #DuterteIsInTheAir#Duterte2016#Pagbabago

— digong for president (@tanim_bala) February 9, 2016

Do you think #Duterte would really kill when he becomes President??
A president that has the guts to kill. . Hmmm. No thanks. NEXT!

— Inigo Demetrio (@itsnotjustInigo) February 9, 2016

Duterte is one angry dude.

— Couchprincess (@couch_princess) February 9, 2016

Be cautious with Binay

Binay, known for his pro-poor image, received flack from netizens who warned others to be cautious of his gimmicks.

Sana naman hindi madala ang mga tao sa pasopas o kung ano mang pautot nito ni Binay.

— yhel Enriquez (@tabayhel) February 9, 2016

Others took a more humorous approach, poking fun at Binay's gimmicks.

Tao: Bat ayaw mo pumunta dun kay binay sa shaw mall ? Me:Jusko ano naman gagawin ko dun Tao: Malay mo bigyan ka ng t-shirt Hahhaha

— Archiiee ㅈㅅㅊ (@JhnplMDR) February 9, 2016

Allegations of corruption also followed Binay to the campaign period, and many said they would not vote for him because of the cases filed against him.

Taxpayer ako. Gusto kong mapunta sa tama at mapakinabangan ang ibinabayad kong buwis.

AYAW KO KAY #BINAY. #PHVote

— Rain (@_ulan_) February 9, 2016

Negative comments do not hold back the Binay campaign which has a loyal voter base. (READ: Binay, Escudero lead 2016 race – SWS poll)

@BinayPaRin2016@MartinRomualdez#una#malasakit naniniwala kami sainyo. Solid Romualdez and Binay!

— Marcelita Guiterrez (@mayegutierrez06) February 9, 2016

Wild ride

The campaign season was intense before it began. Now that it has officially started, some netizens are bracing themselves for a crazier ride.

@rapplerdotcom Particularly interested. To note are Presidentiables who are having DQ cases, corruption charges & ill-health. VP is lucky!

— Mang Juan (@oklangkuno) February 9, 2016

On one of Rappler’s Instagram posts for the event, one netizen, marvene_aurora, said she expected it to be “chaotic and hot” while earthdelmindo said it would be “colorful.”

 

Are you a first-time voter? Fill in the blanks now! #PHVote

A photo posted by Rappler (@rappler) on Feb 8, 2016 at 7:04pm PST

Social media has been key to gathering support so far. Most candidates have social media accounts, which they use to release statements and other campaign materials. 

@rapplerdotcom Wil b a unique election Social media wil b a great impact & equalizer for candidates victory Election is now changing #PHVote

— ner (@chichaychi) February 9, 2016

Candidates’ supporters are also vocal online, and there has been blowback for many who publicly express their opinions for or against their bets. 

Online or offline, it's still anyone's game (READ: The Scrum: PH presidential bets face fickle voters at start of campaigns). – Bea Orante/Rappler.com

ILOILO CITY, Philippines – Fired up before a hometown crowd, administration standard-bearer Manuel “Mar” Roxas II greeted supporters here in Ilonggo, cracking jokes and cheering with them on the second leg of the “Daang Matuwid” coalition proclamation rally on Tuesday, February 9.

“We’re here. We won’t back down, we will win,” Roxas said in Ilonggo, as he introduced to the Iloilo crowd his slate and their special guest, President Benigno Aquino III.

Roxas and his running mate, Camarines Sur Representative Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo, spent the day talking about their 3-point platform which they said hinged on a single theme: freedom. 

“We’ll assure you that your family is free from hunger and threats,” Roxas said.

At the Capiz Gymnasium in Roxas City earlier in the day, Roxas told thousands of supporters: “Ang programa natin ay nakatutok sa tagumpay ng bawat pamilyang Pilipino. Sisiguraduhin natin na ang bawat pamilya at malaya sa gutom, malaya sa takot, at malayang mangarap. Yan ang ating ipinaglalaban, yan ang alam ko, yan ang kaya ko, at yan ang gagawin nating lahat."

(Our program will focus on every Filipino family. We will make sure that each family is free from hunger, free from fear, and free to dream. That’s what I’m fighting for, that’s what I know, that’s what I can do and that’s what we will all do.) 

“Daang Matuwid” is the current administration’s tagline for its good governance, transparency, and anti-corruption platform and its poverty alleviation and wealth redistribution programs. (READ: Mar Roxas: No one can stop us)

Roxas outlined the “Roxas-Robredo” commitment to Filipinos. 

They would focus on creating more jobs in the manufacturing and tourism sectors, and expanding the BPO industry. Agriculture and fishery-based jobs would also get a boost under what Roxas termed the “Daang Matuwid Bukid Revolution,” a program that would give farmers and fisherfolk access to loans with reasonable rates.

Roxas said the tandem would also push for housing for the homeless. As interior secretary, Roxas was tasked to spearhead the relocation of informal settler families in the National Capital Region, a controversial assignment since housing is not part of the department’s mandate.

Universal health care will also be a priority, said Roxas. The ruling party has long trumpeted the expanded PhilHealth as proof of how effective “Daang Matuwid” is in helping the country’s poorest.

Without going into specifics, Roxas said his would be an administration that “will not abandon” its citizens in times of calamity. When Roxas was interior chief, he was a frontliner in many major disasters, a role that has also been cited in discrediting his capability to lead.

Swift justice is another of Roxas’ promises. He highlighted the importance of having trustworthy police officials and a reliable justice system.

Roxas also highlighted inclusive development as a priority by focusing on improving the existing “Bottom Up Budgeting program,” which allows civil society organizations, people’s groups and the like to access national funds for a project of their choice. This program has also earned the ire of critics because they say the LP is using this to promote the party.

Promising to push for "kalayaan para mangarap (freedom to dream)," Roxas cited only one specific program: the Pangtawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), the current administration’s flagship anti-poverty program which in turn is an expanded version of a previous Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) program. The 4Ps is a staple in Roxas’ speeches throughout the country.

Of the administration’s programs, it’s touted to be the best example of how the Aquino government cares for the poor amid criticism that the country’s stellar economic growth is anything but inclusive. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Presidential candidate and Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte took his oath as the new chairman of political party Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) on Tuesday, February 9 in Tondo, Manila.

In the presidential elections, Duterte is PDP-Laban’s standard-bearer. 

He replaces chairman Mike Sueño and is now second only to PDP-Laban president Senator Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III.

"This was offered to him a long time ago, but the personality of the mayor is that he doesn't want to accept a position that is occupied by somebody else," Pimentel told Rappler.

Dutere was offered the position in the middle of 2015, even before he announced his decision to run for president. In fact, the position was to "psychologically convince him, prepare him to run for president," said Pimentel.

The senator stressed, however, that Duterte's duties as chairman will not conflict with his presidential campaign.

"He will preside over the national assembly, the highest policy-making body in our party. In our Constitution, it must be held once a year. The day-to-day management falls on the shoulders of the president and the secretary-general," explained Pimentel.

Before the oath-taking, Duterte never held leadership positions in the party.

However, Pimentel and his father, PDP-Laban founder Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel had tasked Duterte to go on a nationwide listening tour to promote a federalist form of government for the Philippines. 

Federalism is among the main advocacies of PDP-Laban. The elder Pimentel authored the Local Government Code of 1991. In his view, federalism would allow a higher degree of devolution of powers to the local level.

A shift to a federalist system of government is also one of the pillar’s of Duterte’s electoral platform.

He has told voters in sorties that federalism will empower local government units and give them more control over their resources and planning their development.

Senator Alan Peter Cayateno, Duterte’s running mate, also embraces federalism, saying it will more evenly distribute wealth and development throughout the Philippines.

Cayetano is a member of the Nacionalista Party but has been adopted by PDP-Laban as its vice-presidential candidate. 

Duterte’s oath-taking capped his campaign kick-off in Tondo, Manila. – Rappler.com

WASHINGTON DC, USA – Barack Obama unveils the last budget of his presidency Tuesday, February 9, a multitrillion-dollar plan that is dead-on-arrival in Congress but could shape the 2016 White House race.

Legislatively, the future looks bleak for Obama's 2017 fiscal year plan, which covers spending on everything from cybersecurity to cancer research.

Republicans who control Congress have already vowed to draft their own, "Rather," in the words of House Budget committee chairman Tom Price, "than spend time on a proposal that, if anything like this administration's previous budgets, will double down on the same failed policies."

Adding insult to White House injury, spending announcements that would have made waves in the first year of Obama's administration are likely to quickly dissolve into saturation coverage of the New Hampshire presidential primary, which also takes place Tuesday.

Still, the budget provides Obama with an opportunity to fashion national and Democratic party priorities. 

The White House is promising a statement of intent that will be a "coherent, prioritized a budget that reflects the need to expand economic opportunity for everybody in United States," said spokesman Josh Earnest.

It will include plans to levy a $10-a-barrel tax on oil, a measure that would aggressively push Obama's efforts to wean the United States off fossil fuels.

A "computer science for all" program would give school $4 billion to teach a "new basic skill" and help modernize workforce skills.

Looking further afield, the proposal will include $7.5 billion – a 50 percent increase from the previous year – to fund the campaign against the Islamic State (ISIS) group.

That includes $1.8 billion to play for over 45,000 more GPS-guided smart bombs.

The budget would also invest more than $19 billion on cybersecurity, a 35 percent increase. 

Fortuitous timing

The plan might have its biggest impact on the campaign trail, where Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders are fighting a tougher-than-expected battle for the Democratic Party's presidential nomination.

Sanders's electrifying support in early voting states has exposed a battle for the soul of the party.

The self-styled democratic socialist's message has eclipsed Clinton's more moderate and, she claims, realistic message.

The pair virtually tied in Iowa and polls show Sanders leading Clinton in New Hampshire by double digits.

Obama is unlikely to withhold endorsement from either, but they will be cautious about getting on the wrong side of a potent campaigner who remains deeply popular among Democrats.

When Obama earlier this year suggested he could not vote or campaign for anyone who does not support gun control, Sanders was quick to define his record on the issue.

The budget also provides Obama an opportunity to draw sharp contrast with Republicans, as the November general election looms.

"Clearly, Republicans are not interested in hearing about a budget that invests in the future and grows the wages of hard-working Americans," charged House Democratic Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi. – Andrew Beatty, AFP / Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Presidential candidate Miriam Defensor Santiago launched her campaign on Tuesday, February 9, in Batac, Ilocos Norte, the home town and  bailiwick of her running mate Senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.

It was short – with her trademark pick-up lines that are a hit with young people reserved for a later forum on the same day.

But the speech made one big promise that surely resonated with anti-corruption advocates: she will make sure those who stole lawmakers' development funds would be jailed under her presidency.

Here's the full text of her speech:

Thank you very, very much for your kindness and generosity to me.

This is not the place or the time to explain my agenda of government. Hindi ito tamangpanahon o lugar para maging matagal ang akingtalumpati, kundi sasabihin ko lang na dapat mag-reporma na sa ating sistemang pampulitika dahil nakita na natin naang sistema ngayon ay hindi umuubra. Hindi nakakapagbigay ng empleyo sa ating mga kababayan, lalo na sa the hardest working and the most industrious of the Filipinos, those who live here in Ilocos Norte. Mamaya, bibigyan ko kayo ng pick-up lines pero doon pa sa Mariano Marcos State University.

Sasabihin ko lang sa inyo na ito ang pinaka-unangaraw ng kampanya opisyal ng ating gobyerno. On the first day, I came here because I’ve always admired the Ilocanos, and to signify my whole-hearted support for Bongbong Marcos as the next vice-president. 

If I’m elected president and something happens to me, we want somebody young and idealistic, as you have witnessed, to take over the reins of government. Ako naman inaalok kolang ang aking kasaysayan sa gobyerno dahil maramingmga sikreto ang gobyerno kaya ang pork barrel hindinapupunta sa taumbayan.

I tell you this, once I become president of this country, all the people who stole the pork barrel amounting to billions of Philippine pesos shall be sent promptly to brand new jails. Pumili sila ng kulungan nila, merong ordinaryo, merong business class, merong first class, pero kulong silang lahat.

Thank you very, very much. I will be back many times. Thank you.

– Rappler.com 

LONDON, United Kingdom – A man set himself on fire in the early hours of Tuesday, February 9, outside Kensington Palace, the central London home of Prince William and his wife Kate, and later died of his injuries, British police said.

Two fire extinguishers could be seen next to a police tent set up at the scene of the incident near the large windows of the palace's Orangery.

Two people in white forensic suits put a green petrol canister in a transparent evidence bag under a tree nearby, an AFP photographer saw.

There was a strong smell of petrol at the scene, which was cordoned off to tourists.

"This incident is not being treated as terrorist-related," the police said in a statement.

Officers were called to an area near the locked parks of the palace at 3:06am (0306 GMT) "following reports of a man behaving suspiciously" the police said in a statement.

"Officers attended and found a man, believed to be aged in his forties, ablaze," the statement said.

The man could not be saved and was declared dead half an hour after emergency services arrived on site.

Police said that a few hours earlier a London hospital had alerted them to the disappearance of a male patient in his forties but did not say whether he was the same man.

William and Kate and their two children Prince George and Princess Charlotte were not in Kensington Palace at the time of the incident, a palace spokesman said.

They spend most of their time at Anmer Hall, a Georgian manor on Queen Elizabeth II's Sandringham estate in Norfolk, eastern England. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Former Interior and Local Government Manuel "Mar" Roxas II launched his bid as standard-bearer of the ruling Liberal Party in his home city of Roxas in Capiz on Tuesday, Friday 9.

Speaking in a mix of Ilonggo and Filipino, Roxas cited the progress that he said the country attained under the administration of President Benigno Aquino III. As he had been saying in his sorties and other public events, he promised on Tuesday to continue and expand the "Daang Matuwid" (Straight Path) principle of governance.

Here's the full text of his proclamation speech:

Mr President, Vice President Leni, sa ating mga kasama at kasangga sa Senado, led by Senate President Franklin Drilon, mga pinalangga nga kasimanwa, mga kauturan, mga Ilonggo nga ari diri subong, sa aton mga anay kaupod sa gabinete, sa kay Speaker nga sang bilog nga Kamara de Representante, Sonny Belmonte, sa tanan na mga kongresista nga halin sa sobra ka layo nga mga lugar kag nag kadto gid diri sa aton sa sini nga adlaw.

Governors, mayors, of course, ka aton mayor, Mayor Alan Celino, Congressman Tony del Rosario, Congressman Castro, sa aton nga mga lingcod-bayan, sa inyo tanan mga pinalangga nga kasimanwa:
 
Maayong udto gid sa aton tanan kag madamo gid nga salamat sa inyo nga mainit nga pagbaton sa akon sa sini nga adlaw. 
 
Mr President kung papayagan ho ninyo, mga kasimanwa ari na gid kita! indi na gid mapunggan, daog na gid kita! Nagtipon kita diri subong nga adlaw para sa liwat nga pagsugod sang aton causa, sang aton nga pag pakigbato para sa matarung, para sa malinong kag mainuswagon nga buwas damlag, amo na ang Daang Matuwid, amo na ang aton nga gina tulod.

Ang sabi ko po sa ating mga kababayan na nagtipon po tayo dito para muling sariwain, muling ilunsad ang ating patuloy at walang-sawang paglaban para sa katarungan para sa kaayusan at para sa ating kaunlaran, ‘yan ang Daang Matuwid. 
 
Malaking karangalan po para sa amin dito sa Capiz na ang ating mga pinakamatataas na lider sa iba't ibang bahagi ng ating bansa ay nagsipunta po rito sa ating maliit na probinsya—isang bayan na madalas malaktawan at siguro pinakakilala sa buong Pilipinas bilang pugad ng mga aswang. 

Malaking karangalan po para sa amin na nagsidalo po kayo lahat dito sa araw na ito, sa ating paglungsad ng panibagong yugto ng ating laban para sa pagpapatuloy ng Daang Matuwid. Palakpakan po ang Daang Matuwid. 
 
Matagal na nating ginagawa itong laban na ito. Magmula nang itinatag ang ating bansa, sa bawat henerasyon, may mga kababayan tayo na naninindigan, nagsusumikap, nagsasakripisyo, at kung minsan, nagbubuwis ng dugo para sa kapakanan ng ating mga kababayan at ng ating bansa.
 
Tatlongpung taong nakalipas ang sigaw natin, "Tama na, sobra na, palitan na!" Limang taong nakalipas, ang sigaw natin, "Patalsikin natin ang isang tiwaling gobyerno at pamunuan na mandaraya, magnanakaw, at sinungaling." Babalik pa ba tayo doon? Babalik pa ba tayo sa baluktot at tiwaling nakalipas? 
 
Noong 2010, pumili tayo ng isang lider, isang pamumuno na tapat. Isang lider na tuwid, isang lider na tumututoo sa atin, President, PNoy Aquino. Palakpakan po natin. Ang resulta – ang dating Sick Man of Asia, ang bansa nating tinatawag na lumpo, may sakit, hindi nakakasabay sa agos ng panahon – ngayon, ang tawag sa atin ay Asia’s bright star, Asia’s new tiger. Sa madaling salita, ‘yan ang Daang Matuwid, ‘yan ang ipinaglalaban natin.
 
Kaya naman sa yugtong ito, sa kabanatang ito na inilulunsad natin sa araw na ito ang ating sigaw, “Ituloy! Itaguyod! Palawakin!” At tama lamang ito dahil kitang kita sa iba’t ibang panig ng ating bansa ang kaginhawaan, ang progreso na narating na natin at marami pa na mapagtatagumpayan pa namin. 'Yan ang Daang Matuwid. 
 
Para sa mga hindi pa nakakaalam, paano natin ipagpapatuloy ang Daang Matuwid? Simple lang. Ang programa natin ay nakatutok sa tagumpay ng bawat pamilyang Pilipino. Sisiguraduhin natin na ang bawat pamilya ay malaya sa gutom, malaya sa takot, at malayang mangarap. ‘Yan ang ating ipinaglalaban, ‘yan ang alam ko, ‘yan ang kaya ko, at ‘yan ang gagawin nating lahat.
 
Kalayaan mula sa gutom. Freedom from hunger. Ang ating sagot – trabaho, pagkakakitaan. Lilikha tayo ng trabaho sa manufacturing sector. Aakitin natin ang mga mamumuhunan na dito sa ating bansa na magpatayo ng mga pagawaan ng mga pabrika at dito sila makakapagbigay ng trabaho sa ating mga kababayan. Nagawa ko na dati ito, at sigurado ako, magagawa natin ito muli. 

Lalo pa nating papalaguin ang IT-call center BPO industry, na ngayon meron nang mahigit isang milyong tao na nagtratrabaho doon sa sektor na iyon. Itong industriyang ito, mahigit $20 bilyong ang pinapasok sa ating bansa. Nagawa ko na ito dati; sigurado ako magagawa natin ito muli. 
 
Lalo pa natin papalaguin ang tourism sector, isa ito sa pinakamabilis na paraan sa paglikha ng trabaho at masisiguro natin na kakalat ang kaunlaran sa lahat ng panig ng ating bansa, yan ang ating tatrabahuin.
 
At para sa kanayaunan, tulad ng ating probinsya ng Capiz, ilulunsad natin ang "Daang Matuwid Bukid Revolution" para sa higit na pag-unlad ng ating mga magsasaka at ng agri-fishery sector. Hindi kayo maiiwanan. Merong tatlong bahagi itong bukid revolution. Simpleng-simple lang po ito. Nasimulan na, lalo pa nating itutuloy at papalawakin: 
 
Una, murang pautang para di mauubos sa mataas na interes at amortization ang kinikita ng ating mga magsasaka at mangingisda. Pangalawa, mas marami pang imprastuktura para mas madali at sariwang maparating sa mga malalaking pamihilihan ang mga produkto nila. At pangatlo, dagdag pa more na mga postharvest facilities tulad ng mga thresher, dryer, chillers para mas malaki ang recovery ng inaani nila. ‘Yan ang ating Bukid Revolution. Ang resulta nitong lahat, mas malaking kita at take home para sa ating mga magsasaka at mangingisda. Sa madaling salita, ‘yan ang pagpapatuloy ng Daang Matuwid. ‘Yan ang ipinaglalaban natin. 

Pangalawang kalayaan, pangalawang tutukan natin, ay kalayaan mula sa takot. Ang ating sagot: katiyakan. Katiyakan sa tinitirhan. Paparamihin pa natin lalo ang mura at disenteng mga pabahay sa mga walang tinitirhan. Katiyakan na kapag nagkasakit ka, may sasagot sa pagpapagamot sayo, papalawakin pa natin ang coverage ng Phil Health. Katiyakan kapag may unos ng kalamidad, meron kang masasandalang gobyerno na hindi bibitiw sa inyo. ‘Yan ang ating Daang Matuwid. 
 
Katiyakan, na ‘pag meron nang-api, o nang-abuso sa inyo, meron tayong kapulisan at sistema ng katarungan na huhuli, mag-iimbestiga, lilitis at magkakalaboso sa mga salarin – ‘yan ang ating Daang Matuwid.

At katiyakan na lahat ng bahagi ng ating bansa ay makakasama sa ating kaunlaran at development. Walang mapag-iiwanan, walang makakalimutan, papalawakin pa natin ang Bottom Up Budgeting hanggang sa halagang P100 bilyong, para lahat ng bayan, lahat ng barangay, ay kasama sa ating development. Sa madaling salita, ‘yan ang Daang Matuwid at ang kanyang pagpapatuloy na siyang ipinaglalaban natin.  
 
Kung ang unang kalayaan ay kalayaan mula sa gutom, at ang pangalawang kalayaan ay kalayaan mula sa takot, ang pangatlong kalayaan, ang pangatlong tututukan natin, ay ang kalayaan para mangarap. 
 
Ang ating sagot: pag-asang makakaahon sa kahirapan ang ating mga pamilya. Pag-asang makakapag tapos ng pag-aaral ang ating mga anak. Kaya meron tayong 4Ps dedepensahan natin ang 4Ps, itataguyod natin ang 4Ps, papalawakin pa natin ang 4Ps para mas marami pang pamilya sa ating bansa ang makakarating sa araw tulad na ito na makikita nila ang kanilang mga anak na aakyat sa entablado, makakatangap ng diploma bilang unang konkretong yapak tungo sa mas maunlad na pamumuhay. ‘Yan ang ating Daang Matuwid. ‘Yan ang ipinaglalaban natin.
 
Mga kababayan, malinaw ang ating ipinaglalaban. Kongkreto ang mga plano at gawain na isinusulong natin. Nasimulan na natin ito, napagtagumpayan na natin ito, at malayo na ang ating narating. ‘Yan ang Daang Matuwid. [Palakpakan]
 
Hinihingi ko po ang inyong tulong, hindi lamang para sa akin. Hinihingi ko po ang inyong tulong para sa kay Vice President Leni Robredo. Palakpakan po natin. Tulong para sa kay Senate President Franklin Drilon. Tulong para sa galit sa buwaya, TG Guingona. Tulong para sa simbolo at tagapagtanggol ng ating sistema ng katarungan, Leila de Lima. Tulong sa sa isang mahusay na lingkod bayan, Mark Lapid. Tulong para sa isang taong parating naninindigan sa anti-corruption, Ping Lacson. Tulong para sa isang tao na siyang nagsusulong ng kapayapaan, ng kalinungan, sa ating buong bansa, Ina Ambolodto. Tulong para sa simbolo sa leader ng movement para sa mga kooperatiba sa ating buong bansa, [Cresente] Paez. Tulong para isang lingcod-bayan na nakita natin sa Senado, nakita natin sa Ehekutibo, mahusay ang kanyang performance, Kiko Pangilinan. Tulong pubulig para sa isa sang aton na kasimanwa – Hontiveros ini siya tagapanitan, tagagulasi aton nakasimanwa, Riza Hontiveros. Tulong sa isang tao na nakakaunawa at marunong at tutulong sa pagpapababa ng presyo ng kuryente, Icot Petilla. At tulong para sa isang tao na mahusay at eksperto sa Finances at Economics ng ating bansa, Ralph Recto. 

Hinihingi ko po ang inyong tulong para sa ating causa. Samahan niyo po kami sa pagtataguyod, sa pagsusulong ng pagpapatuloy ng Daang Matuwid. Dalhin natin sa bawat bayan, bawat barangay, bawat sitio, bawat dako ng ating bansa ang magandang balita, ang mga napagtagumpayan, at ang maunlad na patutunguhan ng Daang Matuwid. 

Hindi magiging madali itong laban na ito. May mga kababayan tayo na nagnanais na bumalik sa baluktot na nakaraan dahil dito sila yumayaman o humuhugot ng kapangyarihan. Gagawin nila ang lahat, lahat ng paraan gagamitin nila kasama na mga black propaganda, kasama na mga pagsisinungaling, kasama na ng panloloko para paghiwalayin tayo, para sirain ang ating tiwala sa isa't-isa. Pero, ganito naman talaga ang lahat ng laban para sa tama. Bukas natin, kinabukasan natin, ang nakataya dito. Hindi basta-basta itong laban na ito. This is a fight worth fighting. Hindi tayo magpapatalo sa mga abusado, sa mga manloloko, at higit sa lahat, hindi tayo magpapatalo sa mga magnanakaw! 

Sigurado ako na panatag ang ating kalooban, na matibay ang ating paninindigan at malakas ang ating samahan. ‘Yan ang ating samahan sa Daang Matuwid. 

Nakikita ko na namamayagpag ang dilaw dito sa Capiz ngayong araw na ito. Ibig sabihin, hindi tayo nag-iisa sa laban na ito. Isang paalala lang po: itong ating pagsuot ng dilaw ay hindi dahil pamoda o pauso lang. Nakasuot tayo ng dilaw dahil ito ang ating uniporme. Tayo ang sundalo ng Daang Matuwid. [Palakpakan] Dilaw ang kulay ng ating prinsipyo. Dilaw ang kulay ng ating paninindigan, at dilaw ang kulay ng ating tagumpay. 

Bago po ako magtapos, nais ko lang muling pasalamatan ang lahat ng mga matataas na opisyal, pinangunahan ng ating Pangulo, na binigyan tayo ng kahalagahan. Pumunta sila dito sa ating munting lugar na Capiz. [Palakpakan]
 
Huwag ho kayong matakot, mababait ang mga aswang dito sa amin.  

Sa inyong lahat po, ipagpatuloy natin ang Daang Matuwid na siyang naghatid sa atin sa kaginhawahang natatamasa na natin ngayon, at mas malayo pa, mas marami pa ang mararating natin.
 
Mabuhay ang Daang Matuwid! Mabuhay ang Pilipinas! Maraming salamat! Magandang tanghali sa ating lahat!

– Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – In an apparent swipe at critics, presidential aspirant Senator Grace Poe on Tuesday, February 9, said her "dramatic" life echoes the plight of other Filipinos.

As she launched her campaign, Poe used the very criticism her opponents had been harping on.

Poe said her dramatic life – as a foundling and as a Filipino who became an American citizen and then reacquired her citizenship – enables her to share the sentiment of those who underwent pain, hardships, and judgment from other people.

“May nagsabi pa nga na sobrang madrama daw ang buhay ko. Marahil nga ay madrama ang buhay ko dahil, tulad ng karamihan sa ating mga kababayan, may pinagdaanan akong hirap at pait; at inapi at minaliit ngunit bumangon at lumaban sa kabila ng mga unos at bagyo ng buhay at tadhana,” Poe said in her speech at their proclamation rally at Plaza Miranda in Manila.

(There are even those who say that may life is just too full of drama. Maybe my life is replete with drama because, like the majority of Filipinos, there are difficulties that I have to struggle with, I have been oppressed and belittled, but I rise to fight again after each battle, after the passing of each storm of my life and fate.)

Administration standard-bearer Manuel “Mar” Roxas II alluded to Poe in his recent political advertisement. In that ad, Roxas took a swipe at presidential candidates “who are full of drama.”

“Drama nga siguro ang tawag nila dito subalit realidad at tunay na buhay ko ito... katotohanan ito na araw araw pinagdadaanan ng marami sa ating mga kababayan,” Poe said.

(They may well call it drama, but this is my real life. It is the reality that many Filipinos live with every day.)

Poe, a foundling, was adopted by movie royalties Susan Roces and the late action hero Fernando Poe Jr. In 2013, she topped the senatorial elections with over 20 million votes. 

"Gamit ang mga prinsipyo at katangiang ito, ako po ay tumatakbong pangulo ng bansa upang tumayo at ipaglaban lahat kayo na madrama ang buhay, na may hugot at pinagdadaanan," Poe said, with reference to another term used by Roxas in his recent ad.

(Armed with these qualities and values, I am running for the presidency of our country, so that I may stand and fight with all of you whose lives are full of drama, whose daily pain and struggles are drawn from long experience.)

Now as she treads the path to the presidency, Poe is facing the risk of disqualification over citizenship and residency issues. Her natural-born status is being questioned on two grounds – that she is a foundling and that she swore allegiance to the United States in 2001. (READ: TIMELINE: Grace Poe's citizenship, residency)

Poe said she made it past through all the hardships she experienced – a form of hope as she continues to face the risk of being barred from running in the 2016 elections.

“Sa kabila ng lahat ng ito, Ako ay nakatayo sa harap ninyo ngayon bilang isang Pilipino, isang babae na marunong lumaban at makipag laban lalo na sa mga mapang-abuso, isang lider na may puso at taglay na pagmamahal para sa ating bansa at mga kababayan na siiyang nagbibigay sakin ng lakas upang kayo ay pagsilbihan ng malinis at wasto,” Poe said.

(Despite all these, I stand before you today as a Filipino, a woman who knows how to fight bullies and oppressors, a leader with a heart that loves our country and people. It is from the people that I draw strength so I may serve them truly and effectively.) 

Read the full text of her proclamation speech: "Ipaglalaban ko ang mga may hugot." – Rappler.com