You are currently browsing the daily archive for March 15th, 2007.
by SHEILA S. CORONEL
Money, machine, media and/or movies, marriage, murder and mayhem, myth, and mergers — they are still the methods of choice even of the newer clans that like politics so much they have made it the family business.
1. MONEY
The families that endure and survive political upheaval are more likely to be those that have a sustainable economic base to finance their participation in electoral battles. Philippine elections are costly — a congressional campaign in 2004, according to campaign insiders, could have cost up to P30 million in Metro Manila. In rural areas, the price tag is much less: P10 million on average, although campaigns can be run for P3 million or less in smaller districts where the competition is not too intense. (More on PCIJ.org)
Originally posted at www.pcij.org
Posted March 15, 2007 11:50:00(Mla Time)
Thea Alberto
MANILA, Philippines — A mayoralty candidate from Maguindanao province and two others were injured while another was killed as two unidentified men ambushed them at the Municipality of Quirino, in the province of Sultan Kudarat Thursday, a police said.
The victims were from the town of Buluan, Maguindanao and were on their way to the town of Shariff Aguak in Sultan Kudarat when the suspects shot them, said Chief Superintendent Felizardo Serapio, Region 12 police director. (More on Inquirer)
Originally posted at www.inquirer.net
BACOLOD CITY — Bacolod Bishop Vicente Navarra said yesterday the Catholic Church will not endorse candidates, but it is urging the faithful to vote for candidates who live up to the teachings of Christ.
Navarra said the faithful should be mature enough to motivate themselves to be “politically aware of those who would best serve the interest of the nation in truth, honesty, love, justice and peace.” (More on Inquirer)
Originally posted at www.inquirer.net
Posted March 15, 2007 11:27:00(Mla Time)
FIRE prevention month’s main commemorative activity was the burning to the ground of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) building. Only in the Philippines!
Destroyed were documents and evidence concerning pending and past election protests from 1995 to 2004, allegations of unethical behavior and illegal or corrupt contracts entered into by Comelec officials, and most significantly, to our mind, verification reports submitted by Comelec field offices concerning the registration of party-list and other political parties for the 2007 elections. (More on Inquirer)
Originally posted at www.inquirer.net
Posted March 15, 2007 11:29:00(Mla Time)
Joeber Bersales
WHOM the gods wish to destroy, they first make mad, the Greek philosopher Seneca once said. And Manny Pacquiao’s devil-may-care attitude towards running for a seat in Congress borders on madness. After prevaricating for a few weeks, he has finally come down the moral high ground the Filipino people afforded him, following untold victories in the boxing arena.
In a country bereft of modern-days heroes in the flesh (remember Ninoy Aquino had to die to be glorified), Manny Pacquiao was quickly embraced by all and sundry, for he was seemingly above the everyday and the ordinary. Now, everything is about to unravel. (More on Inquirer)
Originally posted at www.inquirer.net
