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Category: 2016 elections

The Pichay lesson in political ads

Published by Ellen on April 16, 2013

Pichay's ad in 2007 elections
Pichay’s ad in 2007 elections
Some are concerned that with the lifting by the Supreme Court of the airtime limits on political advertisements, we would be bombarded with all those propaganda in the next 30 days.

Less-moneyed candidates are worried that they would be drowned by those with money to burn. Independent senatorial candidate Teddy Casiño said the SC’s ruling favors wealthy candidates or those backed by the ruling elite.

“Ginawang parang unli text, unli call.The problem is its steep cost,” he said. TV ad rates, depending on the time slot, would not go below P250,000 for a 30 second ad. A candidate would need some P30 million for the remaining four weeks of the campaign.

” It is disgusting that the SC has decided against the Comelec’s effort to rein in expensive campaigns which poor or cash-strapped candidates like me cannot afford,” Casiño lamented.

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Battle for DILG secretary post intensifies

Published by Ellen on August 26, 2012

Rep. Jun Abaya:LP’s man for DILG
The battle over the position of Secretary of Interior and Local government, left vacant by the death of Secretary Jesse Robredo in a plane crash last week, intensifies between the Balay (Liberal Party-Mar Roxas) and Samar (Vice President Jejomar Binay and Executive Secretary Jojo Ochoa) factions.
Lacson at DILG: not good for Mar Roxas 2016 plans

We saw posted in Facebook last week a news item about Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson confirming his interest in the position of DILG secretary, the effect of which was in very bad taste.

A closer look at the news item, however, showed that the date was June 2012 after President Aquino announced that two senators are being eyed for a cabinet position after their elected term expires in June 2013.

When asked if they were Lacson and Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, Aquino replied, ““Those two in particular.”

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Using the Arroyo stigma again for 2013 and 2016

Published by Ellen on April 15, 2012

Target of Arroyo stigma campaign
Come to think of it, why would Zambales Rep. Mitos Magsaysay and Miguel Zubiri want to be in the United Nationalist Alliance, a coalition that former President Joseph Estrada and Vice President Jojo Binay are forming for the 2013 senatorial elections, and not under the political party of Gloria Arroyo, their benefactor?

We can only guess that they themselves know how unpopular Arroyo is. They want to use other political vehicles and they have found this in UNA.

This has nothing to do with loyalty because we believe Magsaysay remains solidly behind Arroyo. It’s being practical. Actually a smart move. And opportunistic.

We are intrigued, however, by the decision of Binay, who is not shy about his 2016 presidential plans, to allow the two to align with him knowing the political damnation people tainted by Arroyo, imagined or not, suffer. Remember how the “Villaroyo” tag doomed Manny Villar’s presidential bid?

Not surprising that Liberal Party leaders and anti-Binay operators immediately picked up the slant and pastin on Binay the Arroyo stigma. Binay had to remind the public of the time when those are now styling themselves as anti-Arroyo used to be her ardent supporters.

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