It's Edu for Gibo

MANILA, Philippines - Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. finally has a running mate.

Former Optical Media Board chairman Edu Manzano will be proclaimed as Lakas-Kampi-CMD candidate for vice president during the administration party’s national convention next week.

Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno, Lakas-Kampi-CMD vice chairman, officially announced the Teodoro-Manzano tandem in a press conference at the Shangri-La Hotel in Makati yesterday.

Puno said he had asked Teodoro’s permission to open talks with Manzano, whom he had known for a long time and helped in his political and personal careers, Puno said.

Manzano said he agreed to become Teodoro’s running mate because he believes in Teodoro’s capability to lead the country as the next president.

“I would like to hitch my wagon with that of the good secretary and be part of his team that would push the Filipinos’ future,” he said.

Manzano said Puno played a “big role” in convincing him to accept Teodoro’s offer.

“Many of you may not be of the knowledge that Secretary Puno has been like a mentor to me,” he said.

“He told me to talk to Gibo (Teodoro’s nickname). I believe he possesses the qualities needed to move this country forward. I want to be part of his team.”

He suggested Manzano to Teodoro, based on the TV host’s capability as a public servant, Puno said.

Teodoro and Manzano were schoolmates at the De La Salle University in Manila.

Teodoro, incoming Lakas-Kampi-CMD chairman, said he and Manzano would push the party’s platform of governance to bring the country back on its feet.

“I need a partner who will convince people that we need to rise again,” he said in Filipino.

Read more via the Philippine Star

FAcebook becomes new battle ground for Philippine politics

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Noynoy: I've got more Facebook friends than Chiz

MANILA - How popular is Sen. Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III in the online community?

According to online portal Yehey.com, Aquino has double the number of online friends in his Facebook and Friendster accounts compared to presidential candidates Francis "Chiz" Escudero and Manny Villar.

Aquino has a combined total of 155,950 friends on the two popular sites followed by Escudero with 81,114 friends and Villar with 56,945.

On Twitter, Aquino also leads with 17,970 followers as of November 9, followed by Escudero with 14,679 and Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro at 3,609.

More via ABS-CBN News

Talaga naman ah. I hope they take issues on economics and agriculture as seriously as they do on Farmville. Yun na!

2010 elections up in GMA-Hillary meet

MANILA, Philippines - President Arroyo and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will discuss election issues - including the turnover of power in 2010 - in their meeting at Malacañang on Nov. 12-13.

Press Secretary Cerge Remonde, in an interview over Radyo ng Bayan, said the objective of Clinton’s visit would be to discuss the holding of peaceful elections as well as other matters of mutual interest.

President Arroyo will reassure Clinton of “a peaceful and orderly transition of power,” Remonde said.

“Definitely that’s the objective. That’s what our President is working for that is why she is pushing for the automation of the elections,” Remonde said, referring to the meeting’s top agenda.

“And of course this includes the peaceful and orderly transition of power because that is also the objective of the President,” Remonde said

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Defections rock Lakas

LP, NP big gainers of exodus from ruling party

MANILA, Philippines--Two rival parties are raiding the ruling Lakas-Kampi-CMD and its traditional bailiwicks, thus changing the political terrain ahead of the May 2010 national elections.

The Liberal Party (LP) seems to be ahead of the Nacionalista Party (NP) in the raiding mission and is now reassembling the late former President Corazon “Cory” Aquino’s “yellow army.”

Mayors Alfredo Lim of Manila and Hernani Braganza of Alaminos, Pangasinan, members of Cebu’s perpetually bickering Osmeña clan, Cebu Rep. Antonio Cuenco, and Quezon City Mayor Sonny Belmonte’s daughter Joy, who is running for vice mayor, are only a few of those who have ditched political affiliations and are now backing Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, LP standard-bearer and Cory Aquino’s only son.

Even Cavite Gov. Erineo “Ayong” Maliksi, who ran and won as governor under the administration banner in 2007, has defected.

Via Inquirer... Read more