by Ernesto T. Solidum
The United People’s Coalition (UNO, PDP Laban and PMP) under the joint leadership of Joseph Estrada and Jejomar Binay, in a presscon on November 18, 2009, proclaimed candidates for provincial and local positions. Former Sen. Ernesto Maceda officiated the ceremony. He swore in Roberto M. Garcia, Jr. for Vice Governor, Napoleon Navarosa – Mayor–Libacao, Roselyn Mayor – Mayor–Altavas, Romy Bautista – Mayor Malay, Atty. Adolfo Iligan – Mayor–Numancia, Dr. Mercedes Imperial – Mayor – Banga (represented by Atty. Belongelot), Rommel Rojo – Mayor – Buruanga, Nonoy Pador – Mayor Batan, Paul Peralta – Mayor – New Washington, Jun Beltran – Mayor – Kalibo, and Pete Garcia – Mayor – Ibajay. A number of candidates for SB of Libacao, Kalibo, Numancia and Altavas were also present.
Former Sen. Maceda confirmed the candidacy of former Pres. Joseph Estrada for President together with his running mate, Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay. Estrada is currently seeking to remove legal impediments before the Supreme Court since based on his arguments: a) he has served the presidency for less than four years, and b) the Pres. as stated in the Constitution (repeated 40 times) does not apply to Mr. Estrada since he is not incumbent President. According to Maceda, Malacañang through Pres. Secretary Cerge Remonde has given green light for Estrada to run for the Philippine Presidency.
In his speech, Cong. Ompong Plaza of Agusan del Sur, candidate for Senator said that if elected, he would fight for agricultural reform in the senate through science and technology based farming and strengthen the corps of production technicians who will assist farmers. It is only in this way that we can achieve 10 – 20 percent increase in food production to feed our expanding population.
Sen. Jinggoy Estrada parlayed graft and corruption charges against his father by saying that even though Erap is no longer in power, the issue remains prevalent in the country. It should be noted that the Philippines slipped in the Millennium Challenge Corporation’s control of corruption scoreboard from 76 percent in 2007 to 57 percent in 2008 and to 47 percent this year.
Unemployment rate in the country stands at 14 percent, hence the gripping poverty in our midst. Jinggoy Estrada said that his father is the true symbol of opposition in the country having been under house arrest for six and a half years. He is grateful for the mass support extended to him and her mom for having been elected Senators.
Atty. Adolfo Iligan, mayoralty candidate of Numancia said his major platform is on fighting graft particularly against administration officials. He said, "being in the opposition does not necessarily mean weakness but can be springboard to success. The victory of Isabela Governor Grace Padaca, a paraplegic could be a challenge to anybody in overcoming all odds."
A powerpoint pre-sentation on Jojo Binay’s phenomenal success as Chief Executive of Makati since 1986 was discussed by City Council member, Armand Fabella. Basic trans-formation is outstanding growth in revenue from P270 million and debt of P200 million in 1986 to P10.6 billion current income. Mayor Binay believes that the vice president should be as qualified as the president. The slogan, "Ganito kami doon. Ganito sana ang mangyari sa aming bansa", is a rallying cry loaded with reality and optimism.
Some 2,500 party delegates from towns of Ibajay, Libacao, Kalibo, New Washington, Altavas, and Numancia headed by Mabeth Mobo Garcia, the United Leadership Coalition, Aklan Chapter, converged at the Sampaguita Gardens Convention Center, New Washington. /MP
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