12 Pebrero, 2025 Miyerkules
election campaign period, gun ban in effect
Love month in iskup
No to Divorce!!!
Get well soon Nanay Angelita Santiago-Lopez, Happy 91st birthday Nanay
No to SOGIE bill
Congratulations Marked Men for Christ Philippines Seminar, 565th training seminar, 53 missioners, 37 staff members, January 30,31,February 1,2025, Kabaleyan Cove, San Carlos City,
Pangasinan, next seminar Baguio City, July 16,17,18, 2025
PM for any hospital discharge problem
ABS 2025
Watch “Komedya o komida” of our very own J.Lo and Nidz Godino at BBM Bayanihan Broadcast Media Facebook page and You Tube channel, thanks of thousands of viewers in its 2nd month
VP Sara’s future in balance as election season kicks off
By J.Lo
“Composition of the next Senate will be crucial” to trial’s outcome, Dennis Coronacion, head of political science department of Manila’s University of Santo Tomas, said campaigning began in the Philippines Tuesday for mid-term elections that could set table for next presidential race and determine political future of impeached Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio.
Talk show hosts, movie stars and a preacher jailed on sex-trafficking charges are among typically colorful group of candidates vying for dozen open Senate seats.While May 12 vote will fill more than 18,000 posts nationwide, would be senators who are facing duty few bargained for as jurists in impeachment trial of former president Rodrigo Duterte’s eldest daughter.
The vice president, whose alliance with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.has imploded spectacularly, was impeached by House of Representatives last Wednesday on charges of “violation of the constitution, betrayal of public trust, graft and corruption, and other high crimes”.Sixteen votes in the 24-seat Senate are needed to deliver conviction that would bar Duterte from public office and presidential run she says she is “seriously considering”.
Senate President Francis Escudero has said it is “almost a sure thing” trial will not finish before new congress takes over on July 28.
On Thursday, Duterte camp put out statement urging voters to “choose wisely who they will vote for, especially in the Senate, where fate of VP Sara will be decided”.Tuesday’s campaign kick-off is limited to Senate hopefuls and candidates for so-called party-list seats , those reserved for groups ranging from taxi drivers to midwives.
Electioneering will kick into higher gear late next month when candidates for remaining 254 House seats and thousands of local positions launch their bids for office, filling streets with brightly colored posters and airwaves with catchy jingles.
But carnival-like atmosphere belies darker side.
With control over local purse strings in balance, even lower-level elected offices can be bitterly contested, with occasionally deadly results.
Police are already investigating 12 incidents of possible “election-related” violence, including shooting death of candidate for local post.
Police spokeswoman Gen. Jean Fajardo told reporters last month that three to five “private armed groups” that were backing politicians she did not identify were being monitored.
“These can do a lot to… harass candidates or worse, create violence to influence outcome of election for certain area,” she said.
In 2022 presidential election, police said three security guards and one voter were shot dead in separate incidents on southern island of Mindanao.
Hours before polls opened, another nine people were wounded in grenade attack at polling station.
Survey by pollster Social Weather Stations last month listed job creation, food security, the health system, education and workers’ rights as Filipinos’ top concerns.
But contest for Senate seats often boils down to name recognition, something polls suggest will continue.
Congressman and former television personality Erwin Tulfo and talk show host brother Ben Tulfo are both favorites to join third sibling, Senator Raffy Tulfo, as members of senior chamber.
Self-proclaimed “Son of God” preacher Apollo Quiboloy awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges is polling poorly, while former boxing champion Manny Pacquiao is looking to return to Senate on slate backed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., whose sister Imee is polling well after early struggles.
According to Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism, Marcos clan is one of at least 24 families running five or more candidates in country long dominated by political dynasties.
In southern city of Davao, multiple Duterte family members will seek office as they attempt to maintain control of their traditional stronghold.
Rodrigo Duterte, who will turn 80 before election day, is running for his old job, mayor of Davao , city that launched his political career.
If he wins, he could be joined at city hall by his son Sebastian, who is seeking to become Davao’s vice mayor.
ISKUP! 