by  Edmer F. Panesa and Leonard D. Postrado
from Manila Bulletin
 http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/246825/groups-unite-against-midnight-chief-justice

Civil society and militant groups joined forces Monday to urge the Supreme Court (SC) and the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) to move away from the attempt of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to appoint the successor of Chief Justice Reynato Puno despite the election appointments ban rule.
Their respective leaders gathered together at a restaurant in Ermita, Manila for the signing of a manifesto of solidarity against the appointment of a “midnight Chief Justice.” After which, the group held a solidarity march to the …

With less than four months in her lame duck presidency, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo will be off to another foreign junket with final stop in Washington, DC.  What is she up to now?  Would she try to convince Obama to support her “master plan” to save the Philippines from the “catastrophic fallout” of failed elections?
– Perry Diaz

Arroyo resumes foreign trips; first stop: Hanoi
by Joyce Pangco Pañares
from Manila Standard Today
http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/insideNation.htm?f=2010/march/6/nation2.isx&d=2010/march/6
President Gloria Arroyo will leave for Hanoi and Washington next month for the 16th Leaders’ Summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and …

Gen. Bangit named to ‘prevent’ proclamation of winners in May polls

by Jefferson Antiporda
from The Manila Times

http://www.manilatimes.net/index.php/top-stories/12992-new-afp-chief-under-fire
President Gloria Arroyo’s appointment of a new military chief came under fire from the Liberal Party (LP), which charged that her move was meant to prevent the proclamation of winners in the May 2010 elections.
Those polls will pick President Arroyo’s successor, whom she is expected to swear in on June 30, the end of her nine-year presidency.
The President on Monday announced that Lt. Gen. Delfin Bangit would replace Gen. Victor Ibrado as the new chief …

by Gerry Baldo
from The Daily Tribune

http://www.tribune.net.ph/headlines/20100305hed3.html
CEBU CITY — Former President Joseph Estrada, who has been consistently rating in third place following Liberal Party presidential contender Noynoy Aquino and Nacionalista Party standard bearer Manny Villar, has now moved to second place with 21.5 percent, dislodging Villar who dropped to 17 percent. Aquino remained on top with 25 percent.
According to Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) campaign manager, former Ambassador Ernesto Maceda, the survey was commissioned by another political party and the party would not want to disclose who among the presidential contenders …

by Marlon Ramos
from Philippine Daily Inquirer
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20100306-256938/Danding-Cojuangco-a-PASG-agent-Tell-that-to-the-Comelec 
MANILA, Philippines—Since when did business tycoon Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco Jr. become an antismuggling agent?
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is wondering how Cojuangco’s name found its way on the roster of Presidential Anti-Smuggling Group (PASG) personnel seeking exemption from the nationwide gun ban.
Other dubious “PASG agents” applying for immunity from the firearms ban were Gregorio “Greggy” Araneta III, son-in-law of former First Lady Imelda Marcos, and a certain Jose Taruc, apparently the radio broadcaster.
Also on the list were Mayor Napoleon Dy of Alicia, Isabela, scion of …

Source: Al Jazeera
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/03/04/10/ampatuan-silencing-potential-witnesses-hitman
MANILA, Philippines – A man who says he took part in last November’s massacre in Maguindanao province has told Al Jazeera how he now fears he too will be killed as the alleged mastermind of the killings seeks to silence potential witnesses against him.
In an exclusive interview, the man known as “Jesse” told how he had been ordered to kill a witness, and he now fears he will be next after the head of a powerful clan placed a bounty on his life.
“[Datu Unsay] gave the order for …

MEDIA RELEASE
(March 5, 2010)
FROM: Dr. Ana Maria L. Tabunda
Chief Research Fellow
Pulse Asia, Inc.
RE: Pulse Asia’s February 2010
Pre-election Survey for National Elective Positions
In keeping with our academic nature, Pulse Asia disseminates to the public some findings from its February 2010 Pre-Election national survey.
The survey fieldwork was conducted from February 21 to 25, 2010 using face-to-face interviews. Several developments dominated the news headlines in February 2010. Among these are the: (1) Senator Manuel B. Villar, Jr. appearing before his colleagues to put on record his alleged innocence in connection with the C-5 …

From Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile:
GORDON IS NOT FOR SALE
 
I commend Senator Gordon for unmasking the real character of Senator and presidential candidate Manuel B. Villar as a man who thinks he can buy his way to the highest position in the land with his billions of money.
 
I understand Senator Gordon has come out to tell the public about the bribe attempt made by Senator Villar through an “emissary” and a “mutual friend.” I confirm that such attempt actually happened and I have no doubt about its veracity because Sen. …

by Cathy C. Yamsuan, Michael Lim Ubac
from Philippine Daily Inquirer

 http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20100303-256350/Gordon-accuses-Villar-of-bribe-attempt-buying-off-media
MANILA, Philippines—Sen. Richard Gordon Tuesday accused Sen. Manuel Villar, one of his rivals for the presidency, not only of bribery and bullying but also of buying off members of the media.

Gordon said in a live interview over radio station dzBB that through an emissary sent “about three days before the Senate ended its session” on Feb. 3, Villar offered him a Cabinet post and reimbursement of his campaign expenses in exchange for joining a plot to unseat Senate President Juan Ponce …

Compare (see photo) and decide who would you rather elect as your 2010 president.
 
By the way, Villar claims his brother died because they were too poor to care for him. They were nine children in the family, could afford to eat canned corned beef and were enrolled in private schools. Can you believe that they could not afford health care? — Billy Esposo

VILLAR SAID: “Naranasan mo na bang mamatayan ng kapatid dahil wala kang parang pampagamot?”
TRANSLATION: “Have you experienced your brother died because he didn’t have medicine?”
NOYNOY SAID: “Naranasan mo na bang …