I'm with Mar Roxas

Aquino-Roxas 2010! Tuloy ang Laban!

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin Ray N. Chua) — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 02:03:00 +0000

Hello everyone! It has been a few days since I haven't blogging here. How the events unfolded has took me to decide to start a new blog. A blog that can be attuned to what is the current situation.

I am inviting everyone to follow and read my new blog, NoyMar: Tuloy ang Laban! Blog where I will be now blogging about articles and other matters related to Senators Noynoy Aquino and Mar Roxas.

Spread the word and let's support the NoyMar tandem in 2010!

Visit http://aquinoroxas2010.blogspot.com now!

Noynoy, Mar launch Operation Tulong Bayan

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin Ray N. Chua) — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 01:12:00 +0000

Senators Noynoy Aquino and Mar Roxas launched Operation Tulong Bayan as they urged supporters and volunteers to set aside political work and focus on organizing relief effort for thousands of families displaced by typhoon Ondoy.

Aquino and Roxas, along with former Senate President Franklin Drilon, this afternoon will visit the Tatalon area in Marikina, among the hardest hit by floods caused by Ondoy, to distribute relief goods to the affected residents there.

The two senators had cut short their consultation sorties in Mindanao to help in relief operations for Ondoy’s victims in Metro Manila and neighboring provinces.

Aquino urged supporters and volunteers to bring their donations to the following Operation Tulong Bayan Centers:

Cubao, Quezon City: Balay, Expo Centro Filipino, EDSA corner General McArthur St., Araneta Center. Former Seafood Market, Inside the parking lot fronting farmers market. Hotline : 9137122, 9136254, 9133306. Manilyn 09086579998 Jenn 09393633436
Makati City: 2314 Pasong Tamo Ext. (Dasma side) between Cantinetta and Makati Faith Chistian School. Tel 7108804 Rosanna 0917-8305053 Cris 09178435137

Earlier, Aquino announced that funds from the Piso-piso para Kay Noynoy will be used to buy relief goods for the victims of Ondoy.

Aquino and Roxas have converted their headquarters in Expo Centro in Farmers Market in Cubao, Quezon City as Operation Tulong Bayan Center. They met their supporters in Expo Centro yesterday to mobilize more volunteers and collect more relief goods.

Roxas seeks Senate probe on stricter SALN access

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin Ray N. Chua) — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 14:17:00 +0000

Senator Mar Roxas today sought a Senate inquiry into new restrictions imposed by the Ombudsman on public access to a public document that reveals the net worth and properties of all public officials and employees amid ongoing media investigation of the alleged inexplicable ballooning wealth of President Arroyo and her family.

Roxas filed Senate Resolution No. 1374, asking the appropriate Senate committee to look into the validity and legality of the Office of the Ombudsman Memorandum Circular No. 01, series of 2009, or the Revised Guidelines Governing Access to Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth or SALNs filed with the Ombudsman.

He said the new Ombudsman rules requires those who want access to SALNs to fill up forms and need to swear under oath from fiscals or public prosecutors the purpose or purposes they have in accessing those documents.

These new guidelines issued by the Ombudsman “obstruct rather than reinforce constitutional mandates of transparency and accountability in public service as well as undermine constitutional rights of access to information by the people,” Roxas insisted.

As author of the proposed Free Information Act that is still pending approval in both chambers of Congress, Roxas pointed out that the Constitution compels all public officers and employees to submit a declaration under oath of their assets, liabilities and net worth upon their assumptions to office, which shall be disclosed to the public.

The Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (Republic Act No. 3019) also requires public officials to “prepare and file a true, detailed and sworn statement of assets and liabilities” while the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees (RA 6713) “reinforces the public’s constitutionally protected right to information and access to public documents by providing that the (SALNs) of public officials shall be made available for inspection at reasonable hours and copying or reduction.”

Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez issued the new guidelines on June 16 this year, amidst calls for an investigation into the alleged unexplained wealth of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and her family.

At the time the new guidelines came out, the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) was doing a research on and conducting an examination of the SALN of President Arroyo, which it noted had allegedly grown significantly based on her 2008 SALN. The report also said Mrs. Arroyo got rich faster than the three presidents before her.

"The motivation and timing of the release of the Ombudsman Memorandum Circular is questionable, coming at a time when the SALNs of the President and her immediate family were under intense public inspection," the Visayan senator said.

Roxas' speech declaring his VP bid with Aquino in 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin Ray N. Chua) — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 14:04:00 +0000

Below is the speech of Senator Mar Roxas as he accepted the offer of Liberal Party standard bearer Senator Noynoy Aquino to be his running mate in the 2010 elections. As we move forward, let us continue to support this tandem for change and for reforms:

Maraming maraming salamat po sa inyong lahat. Magandang tanghali po. Happy Holidays to our Muslim brothers.

Salamat, Noynoy, sa tiwalang ipinagkaloob mo sa akin. Salamat sa karangalang maging kasama mo sa paglilingkod sa bayan. Thank you for this opportunity to work with you as we raise the banner of reform. Thank you for the privilege of joining you and all our kababayans in the fight for decency and integrity in public service, and for a government that puts the people’s interest first.

Taos-puso ko pong tinatanggap ang hamon na isulong ang tunay na reporma sa ating bansa.

Taos-puso ko pong tinatanggap ang responsibilidad na maging kabalikat ni Noynoy sa kanyang laban para sa pagbabago.

Taos-puso ko pong tinatanggap ang maging katambal ni Noynoy Aquino.

But this fight is not just about Noynoy and me. It’s bigger than the two of us, it is bigger than the Liberal Party. It is about our collective thirst for change.

It is about our thirst for change finally overcoming those who want to continue the tayu-tayo system, the horse-trading, the greed, the self-interest, the transactional politics that has been the biggest roadblock to progress and prosperity for all.

Tungkol ito sa matuwid laban sa baluktot. Tungkol ito sa tapat laban sa tiwali. Tungkol ito sa tama laban sa mali.

Noy, you have raised the banner. Ito ang bandila ng reporma at pag-asa. Ito ang maglalagay ng pagkain sa mesa, dahil hindi na nanakawin ang pondo ng mga magsasaka. Ito ang magbibigay ng trabaho sa taumbayan, dahil hindi na kokotangan ang mga namumuhunan. Ito ang magpapaabot-kaya sa presyo ng gamot, dahil hindi na makikipagsabwatan sa mga abusadong pharmaceutical companies.

My friends, this is going to be a tough battle. We should not be lulled into complacency. We are up against forces who will fight tooth and nail, fair and unfair, legal and illegal, against us. Sa kanila yata, tuloy ang ligaya; sa atin naman, tuloy ang laban.

Kailangan nating isulong ang bandila ni Noy at ng reporma. Mahirap ang laban na ito, pero nasa kamay natin ang ating kapalaran.

Kung bawat araw, ang bawat isa sa atin ay makahimok ng isa pang kasangga natin, tiyak ang ating tagumpay.

Our opponents will exhaust all avenues in order to win. They have been robbing us for so long, and they want to continue robbing us. Pero hindi tayo papayag na manakaw din nila ang ating pag-asa.

Taglay ni Noynoy ang susi ng pagbabago: matapat na puso, malasakit sa kapwa, at pinakamahalaga, pagmamahal sa bayan. Buong-loob kong isinusulong si Noynoy Aquino. I am honored to join him in this field of battle.

To all of us here in this hall and all across this great nation, who are fighting alongside him, make no mistake about it: We will not back down from this fight, not now, not ever.

The fog of cynicism has already lifted from our hearts. Ngayon, puwede na muling mangarap.

Sama-sama tayo. Hindi namin kayo pababayaan. Lalaban tayo!

Announcement of Noynoy-Mar 2010 tandem tomorrow

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin Ray N. Chua) — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 06:39:00 +0000

Great news! Tomorrow, Liberal Party Senators Noynoy Aquino and Mar Roxas will formally introduce their tandem in the 2010 elections. Below is an article from the Philippine Daily Inquirer about this development.

The tandem of Senators Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III and Manuel “Mar Roxas II for the 2010 presidential race is a done deal.

The two men will make the formal announcement at a press conference Monday, former Representatives Florencio “Butch” Abad and Nereus Acosta, both stalwarts of the Liberal Party (LP), said yesterday.

Abad and Acosta accompanied Aquino to the SMX convention center in Pasay City, where he spoke before an estimated 10,000 educators attending the Bato Balani Foundation’s “Tribute to Teachers.” The annual event is the largest gathering of educators in the country.

Aquino, who announced on September 9 that he was heeding the clamor to run for the presidency, himself confirmed that Roxas had accepted his invitation to be his running mate in the 2010 polls.

Asked if it was a done deal, Aquino said: “Yes. [The announcement will be made on] Monday morning.”

Abad, the LP national campaign manager for 2010, told the Philippine Daily Inquirer in an ambush interview that an advisory would be issued Sunday on the press conference to be held at Club Filipino in San Juan.

“That’s it. That’s the tandem,” Abad said.

Club Filipino is where Aquino’s mother, the late Corazon Aquino, was sworn in as President at the culmination of the February 1986 People Power revolt that ousted the strongman Ferdinand Marcos.

Read more about this news...

Roxas hints at accepting offer to be Aquino's running mate

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin Ray N. Chua) — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 02:06:00 +0000

Here's an article from GMANews.TV about Senator Mar Roxas hinting to accept Senator Noynoy Aquino's offer to be his running-mate.

Senator Manuel Roxas II on Monday hinted his inclination to accept the offer to be Senator Benigno Simeon “Noynoy" Aquino III’s running mate in the 2010 elections.

“Wala namang dahilan kung bakit hindi [ko tatanggapin ang alok]. Pero gusto ko lang na mapag-isipan ng mabuti. Malaking pagbabago ito sa direksyon na tinatahak ko," Roxas told reporters Monday.

(There is no reason why I should not accept [the offer]. But I’m still thinking things over, because this will definitely change the direction of my political plans.)

He reiterated his promise to be an ally of and to take part in Senator Aquino’s campaign for reform in the country.

Mar Roxas in ABS-CBN's Probe Profiles

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin Ray N. Chua) — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 06:13:00 +0000

Last September 9, ABS-CBN's Probe Profiles hosted by Cheche Lazaro placed the spotlight on Mar Roxas. From his life to his latest decision on giving way to Noynoy Aquino to be the Liberal Party's standard bearer. Watch the videos below and get to know him better.

PART 1

PART 2

PART 3

PART 4 Join the Kelvinonian Ideas 2.0 Blog Contest

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin Ray N. Chua) — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 04:22:00 +0000

I'm inviting everyone to join the "Be Creative, Show you Love" blog contest of my blogger friend Kelvin Servigon.

His blog has just celebrated its 1st year anniversary, and it's just good to have this blog contest for its readers. The blog contest started last September 8, 2009 and the deadline of submission of entries is on September 20, 2009.

The voting arena will be opened after the deadline, September 20, 2009 up to September 26, 2009.

The winners will be announced on September 27, 2009.

This blog is a sponsor of the blog contest.

Join now! Big prizes are waiting for the lucky winners! Visit http://kelvinonian.com/2009/09/be-creative-shout-your-love-blog-contest/ for more details.

The grower of the seeds need the sower of the seeds

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin Ray N. Chua) — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 07:12:00 +0000

On endorsing a Noynoy Aquino for President and Mar Roxas for Vice President tandem in 2010, I can only put it simply this way, "the grower of the seeds need the sower of the seeds."

To you Noy, I say: I began the campaign to sow the seeds para sa pagbabago at reporma. You must now be the one to grow them in the arena of leadership.

As Roxas said that unto Aquino, it can only mean one thing to me: Roxas should be Aquino's partner in pushing for reforms. I believe that with Roxas on Aquino's side as his Vice President, we can expect that what Roxas started will be continued by Aquino.

How will the grower of the seeds find it if not for the help of the one who sowed it.

Both men are carrying the platform of the Liberal Party, putting people first. The supreme sacrifice that Roxas did was worth commending. It doesn't mean that he's a coward. Instead, it displayed his courage. Even Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo can't do it.

With Roxas endorsing Aquino for President, I am rest assured that what Roxas started will not go to waste. But Roxas hasn't indicated yet his future political plans.

What should we do?

We must convince Aquino to get Roxas as his Vice Presidential candidate and so as Roxas that we must convince him to accept the challenge. These two men are the fruits of good trees. They're the products of good leadership. They did nothing that would tarnish the good image of their forebears. Yan ang serbisyo publikong TATAK AQUINO, TATAK ROXAS!

Tuloy ang Laban! Lalaban Tayo!

Coming soon, Mar Roxas for President in 2016!

Where to stay in Makati Avenue when you're in budget?

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin Ray N. Chua) — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 01:29:00 +0000

For those who want to find a budget hotel in Makati City but with quality service, especially when you are tightening your belt, I have something to tell you.

You should know about Jupiter Suites! When you're in Metro Manila and you're finding the best hotel deal for your money, then this hotel is for you! This budget hotel has a lot to offer to its guests that you wouldn't imagine. They call it "Quality Accommodation."

Here's why you I can recommend Jupiter Suites for you when you're finding a budget hotel in Makati City:

Offers their guests a free airport transfer for guests staying for 2 or more nights. Now, that's a great one from a Makati Avenue hotel.
It has free Internet access and breakfast for its guests. Only this budget hotel in Makati City can give you that.
Has the best hotel deal among its competitors. Despite of being a budget hotel, their quality is not sacrificed.
This Makati Avenue hotel is located in the financial district of Metro Manila. Easily accessible and near from the seaport and airport. Now, that's a good news!

Most of us have been finding budget hotels that don't sacrifice the quality. Only this Makati Avenue hotel gives you the best hotel deal for your money.

Just remember, when you need a best hotel deal from a budget hotel in Makati City, then go to Jupiter Suites located at 102 Jupiter Street Bel-Air, Makati City, Philippines.

You can also contact them at Tel. (632) 890.5044 to 50 or Fax (632) 890.5019.

Gov. Panlilio, Gov. Padaca and Mayor Robredo to make a very important annoucement

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin Ray N. Chua) — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 01:59:00 +0000

Here's a replurk from Bong. Pampanga Governor Ed Panlilio, Isabela Governor Grace Padaca and Naga City Mayor Jesse Robredo will be making a very important announcement.

Everyone is invited to be at the Walingwaling Room of Club Filipino, Greenhills, San Juan at 10 AM. Probably, this very important announcement is the start of the snowballing support of Noynoy Aquino for President in 2010.

It can be remembered that Mayor Robredo already endorsed Mar Roxas for President in 2010 but the unexpected event happened. Governor Padaca, though she didn't expressed yet then her support for Roxas, is a member of the Liberal Party.

Let's wait and see on what would happen on this very important announcement.

Kevin Ray Chua's Official Statement on Mar's giving way for Noynoy

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin Ray N. Chua) — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 12:25:00 +0000

I blog this in a somewhat sad note. I keep asking to myself, "was my endeavor a complete failure?" When the word about Senator Mar Roxas' "major announcement" was buzzing around the internet and confirmed it with his staff, I was not feeling well. I didn't even attended my class on that time as more and more people are talking about it online.

(From left to right: Kevin Ray N. Chua, Senator Mar Roxas II, Councilor Peter Laviña and my dad Ronilo Chua)
The picture above with me doing a "Laban" sign, which I meant as "Liberal," might have been a sign that something different will happen.

But on that morning, before the "major announcement", I already said on my blog post that "whenever Roxas, coming from his heart, tells his supporters to support an Aquino-Roxas tandem instead for the good of the country, then I'm for it just like what former Vice President Doy Laurel did to President Cory." I was still hoping that a Roxas-Aquino tandem will stay in place with Roxas as President and Aquino as Vice President. But it seems that things were not going that way.

Many supporters have been e-mailing, chatting, plurking and twitting me if Roxas would give way for Aquino. I told them that I remain hopeful that Roxas would remain as the Liberal Party's standard bearer.

As I was watching Roxas delivering his speech live as aired in the television, I held back my tears. Together with my colleagues in our student government, we watched as this historic event unfold. When Roxas finally made it clear that he's stepping aside for Aquino, I can't help but give him a standing ovation and so did my colleagues. I must admit that I was disappointed with his decision, but I know that he also has been feeling what I was feeling when several people have already started to push for Aquino's presidential bid in 2010.

As a staunch supporter of Roxas, I find it hard to do what I said. Knowing that I have did my part, without pressure or dictate from Roxas' staff or even himself, I felt sad. The times that I spent on internet cafés just to blog for Roxas ended with this unfortunate event. But upon listening to his speech, I saw that Mar Roxas that other people didn't. He was a true statesman. Untainted with allegations of corruption, he has exhibited a true sense of leadership and selflessness by putting the country first before himself. Setting aside his personal ambition for the good of the party.

There's no shame in his act. His critics might hurl him the worst, but I stand by my support on him. He chose to lead in unity, not in division.

I vehemently believe that Mar Roxas will be a good president, a contrast to the present administration. Probably, it was not just his time and the Almighty One has a greater plan for him. With this, I throw my support, as what Roxas did, to Noynoy Aquino for President in 2010 and I ask everyone to do so. But here's the thing, Roxas still didn't said that he's going to be Aquino's Vice Presidential candidate. It's my and your duty to convince Roxas to push through an Aquino-Roxas tandem in 2010.

To fellow Roxas supporters, to Roxas' Senate Staff (which a lot of them I have met and became friends with), to myself and to Mar Roxas: Tuloy ang Laban, Lalaban tayo!

What will happen to this blog? I will still continue to be blogging and will start to encourage Roxas to run alongside with Aquino as Vice President. In that way, I will do my part for growing the seeds of reform and change that Roxas has planted.

Coming soon, Mar Roxas for President in 2016!

NOTE: If you have a friend from the media, please tell him/her that this is the official statement of the blogger who created a blog supporting Roxas' candidacy for President.

Tuloy ang laban, Lalaban tayo!

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin Ray N. Chua) — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 04:31:00 +0000

Below is the transcript of Senator Mar Roxas' speech he delivered in Club Filipino to give way for Senator Noynoy Aquino to run for the 2010 Presidency. I will be issuing my official statement on this one later. To all Roxas' supporters, "Tuloy and laban, Lalaban tayo!"

Country above self. Bayan bago ang sarili.

Iyan ang habilin ng aking lolo, President Manuel Roxas.

Our nation is in trouble. Leadership is bankrupt. Institutions are in disarray. People are hungry.

Noynoy Aquino and I share the same outrage over the mess we are all in, the same way we share the solution-clean, honest, selfless public service.

Marami at matindi ang mga problema ng bansa. Kailangan nating ayusin. Matindi ang kalaban. We need a determined force for good far stronger than the festering evil around us.

We need to fight just as our own fathers fought dictatorship, and just as both died believing that good will conquer evil.

Noynoy and I want to make a difference, but we also know that we need to unite to achieve what we want.

I am the President of the Liberal Party.

It is within my power to preside over a potentially divisive process or to make the party a bridge for the forces of change. I choose to lead unity, not division. Bilang pinuno ng aking Partido, magdedesisyon ako.

Mahal ko ang Partido Liberal. My grandfather founded it. My father led it during the most difficult times of Martial Law. Sa harap ng peligro, sa kabila ng napakaraming tukso-hindi siya sumuko.

He inspired me-to stay the course, to fight the good fight, to pass the test of true character. To believe.

Over the weekend, Noynoy and I had many long conversations... Masinsinang usapan. We agreed: Let us forget about ourselves for a moment. This is not about us, this is about our people and our country. This is about our common dream. The dream of our parents.

But let us not remain a country of dreamers. Tama na ang pangarap. Gawin na natin, ngayon.

Today, I am announcing my support for the candidacy of Noynoy Aquino for President in 2010.

Noy has made it clear to me that he wants to carry the torch of leadership.

The passing of our beloved former President Aquino has reawakened a passion among us. I acknowledge this as fuel to bring us to the realization of our dream: Good will triumph over evil.

Ito na ang pinakamabigat na desisyon sa buhay ko. Maniwala man kayo o hindi, ginagawa ko ito para sa bayan, para sa inyo. I do this for unity in support of change. And if that means that somebody must make the sacrifice, it must be me. Ako na.

To you Noy, I say: I began the campaign to sow the seeds para sa pagbabago at reporma. You must now be the one to grow them in the arena of leadership.

Hindi kami maghihiwalay ni Noy. I will stand with him.

At sa aking mga kababayan, sa mga nagtiwala sa akin: Mahal na mahal ko po kayo. Mahal na mahal ko po ang ating bayan. Hindi rin tayo maghihiwalay. Itutuloy natin ang pagbabago sa ating bansa. Itutuloy natin ang laban para sa reporma!

Kay Noy, at sa aking mga kababayan: Country above self! Bayan bago sarili!

Hindi ko kayo pababayaan! Lalaban tayo!

Roxas to make a "major announcement" this 6PM at Club Filipino

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin Ray N. Chua) — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 09:01:00 +0000

This just in. Senator Mar Roxas, together with Senator Noynoy Aquino will be making a "major announcement" in the Gabaldon Room of Club Filipino this 6 PM.

I just received a call from one of Roxas' staff and informed me that although Aquino will be there, it has nothing to do with their tandem in 2010 or Roxas' rumored sliding down as VP.

Kinda bitin, but let's just wait for that "major anouncement." Just this morning, I created a blog post about a Mar-Noynoy tandem in 2010, and this one just came out this afternoon.

Details about this event will be broadcasted live in GMA's 24 Oras, ABS-CBN's TV Patrol World and all other local media networks. Please do stay tuned.

A Mar Roxas-Noynoy Aquino tandem in 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin Ray N. Chua) — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 02:08:00 +0000

Much has been said about this. Even before the death of former President Cory Aquino, I have been advocating for a Mar-Noynoy tandem in 2010.

Senators Mar Roxas and Noynoy Aquino are the fruits of good trees. Their team-up will be a formidable one. The tandem also gives a geographical balance with Roxas from the South and Aquino from the North.

But others, after the death of President Cory, have urged Noynoy to run for President. Now, that created a buzz on the Liberal Party on which it has been made known that Roxas will be the party's standard bearer for President. To prevent another party crack-up, Roxas and Aquino have been in talks since Sunday to iron out things and made September 9 as the date to watch.

I have been supporting Roxas since July 29, 2007 when I created this blog. For me, it's hard to give way being an avid Roxas supporter. I still believe on a Roxas-Aquino tandem.

But whenever Roxas, coming from his heart, tells his supporters to support an Aquino-Roxas tandem instead for the good of the country, then I'm for it just like what former Vice President Doy Laurel did to President Cory. As of now, I'm still pinning my hopes on the Roxas for President and Aquino for Vice President tandem in 2010.

I believe that this two persons are the exact opposite of the Arroyo administration. They have stood up against the wrong moves of this administration and will continue to do so for the good of the country. As what Manolo Quezon III said in his Philippine Inquirer article entitled The Long View: On the cusp of redemption, "the country already knows they’re the only two whom the present dispensation can’t tolerate. In that sense, they have already been redeemed."

Oras Na! Roxas-Aquino Na!

How about you? What do you think?

Naga City Mayor Jesse Robredo endorses Mar Roxas for President!

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin Ray N. Chua) — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 09:32:00 +0000

In his column today, August 23, in Abante, Naga City Mayor Jesse Robredo of Kaya Natin! has finally threw his support to Senator Mar Roxas as our next President.

Entitled "Mar for President", Robredo praised Roxas and endorsed him to be our next President in 2010.

Below is the full article that Robredo wrote in Abante:

Ngayong maugong na ang mga balita tungkol sa pagtakbo ng mga kandidato sa eleksyon sa 2010, hayaan ninyo akong ipaliwanag ang aking desisyong tulungan ang aking kasamahan sa Liberal Party na si Senador Mar Roxas.

Sa aking mahigit na 18 taong paglilingkod sa pulitika, samu’t saring problema na ang aking mga nakita sa ating bansa. Bilang isang mayor sa rehiyon ng Bikol, batid ko ang paghihirap na nararanasan ng ating mga kababayan kaya naman pinag-isipan kong mabuti kung sino ang nais kong tulungan at suportahan sa susunod na halalan. Bakit si Mar? Para sa akin, ang susunod na pangulo ay hindi lamang dapat magaling ngunit dapat ito ay matino at may puso para sa mahihirap din.

Magaling ba si Mar? Kung titingnan natin ang kanyang nagawa bilang dating kalihim sa Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) at bilang isang senador, makikita natin na naging maganda ang kanyang nagawa para sa ating bansa.

Halimbawa, noong DTI secretary siya, inayos niya ang pagbibigay ng PEZA permit sa mga palapag ng mga gusali. Ang PEZA ay nagbibigay sa isang negosyo o korporasyon ng mga pribelehiyo kapalit ng pagbubukas nito ng negosyo sa ating bansa. Dati-rati ang mga lupa at lote lamang ang pwedeng maging PEZA at dahil sa ginawa ni Mar nahikayat ang maraming mga call center sa ibang bansa para mamuhunan sa atin at magbukas ng mga call centers dito.

Ngayon, libu-libong mga Pilipino ang nakikinabang dito at patuloy pang dumarami ang trabahong nakaabang para sa bawat Pilipino. Pag may trabaho, may perang pambili ng pagkain, pampaaral sa anak at pambili ng mga gamot. Dahil kay Mar, tunay na ramdam ng libu-libong pamilyang Pilipino ang asenso. Ipinakita ni Mar na hindi lamang siya hanggang salita na siya ay tumutulong sa mahihirap ngunit nagagawa niya itong realidad para sa mga kababayan natin.

Matino ba si Mar? Kung ihahambing natin si Mar sa ilang kasamahan niya sa Top 5 ng mga “Presidentiables” sa nakaraang mga survey ng Pulse Asia, si Mar lamang ang kandidatong hindi nasangkot sa kahit anong katiwalian sa pamahalaan at si Mar lamang ang kandidatong walang nakadikit na tiwaling negosyante.

Nagkausap kami minsan ng isang malapit na kamag-anak ni Mar at sinabi nito na noong si Mar ay DTI secretary, ni hindi sila makapunta sa kanyang opisina at makakuha ng PEZA permit para makapagpatayo ng mga call centers sa Cubao. Kaya kung mapapansin ninyo, ngayon na lamang naglilitawan ang mga call center sa Cubao dahil hindi na si Mar ang DTI secretary na nagbibigay ng PEZA. Ayaw kasi ni Mar na maisip ng mga Pilipino na ginagamit niya ang kanyang kapangyarihan para yumaman ang kanyang pamilya at mga malalapit na kaibigan. Alam naman nating lahat na may isang naghahangad na tumakbong Presidente ngunit hindi man lamang makapagpaliwanag nang maayos kung ginamit nga ba niya ang pera ng taong bayan para makinabang ang kanyang negosyo.

Panghuli, si Mar ang aking Presidente sapagkat naniniwala akong mabibigyan niya ng tamang direksyon ang ating bansa tungo sa hinahangad nating magandang kinabukasan at pagbabago. Kailangan natin ang isang lider na may konkretong paglilingkod na nagawa sa ating mga kababayan at hindi lamang puro daldal at pangako sa mga komersyal sa telebisyon.

Madaling sabihin ng isang kandidato na siya ay para sa mahirap ngunit kung ito ba ay kanyang nagawa o gagawin ay hindi natin masisiguro kaya naman dapat tingnan nating mabuti kung ano nga ba talaga ang nagawa ng mga kandidatong ito. Para sa akin, si Mar ay hindi lamang hanggang salita ngunit napatunyan niya na maayos na paglilingkod ang tunay niyang hangarin sa kanyang pagtakbo sa 2010.

Para sa inyong mga komento, paki-text sa 0922-8570496 o kaya ipadala sa kayanatin@yahoo.com.

Tell your friends about this and let's spread the support for Mar Roxas!

Oras Na! Roxas Na!

Fernandez couple apologize to Roxas

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin Ray N. Chua) — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 15:57:00 +0000

Gary and Lorita Fernandez, parents of the three remaining quintuplets born in April this year who received help from Senator Mar Roxas and his girlfriend Korina Sanchez, last night apologized to Roxas and Ms. Sanchez for criticisms labeled at them by some sectors after the Fernandez couple sought financial help for further medical treatment of one of the babies in a radio station last Tuesday.

In a letter to Roxas signed by Lorita Fernandez, the couple said they never criticized the senator and Ms. Sanchez but rather sought help from an anchor of a radio station because one of their children could be suffering from hydrocephalus.

"Kami pong mag-asawa ay humihingi ng paumanhin sa nangyaring kontrobersiya laban po sa inyo ngayon. Wala po kaming intensyon na siraan kayo (We apologize for the controversy we generated. We have no intention to besmirch your name)," said the couple in their letter to Roxas.

In response, Roxas said the couple had nothing to apologize for, saying he understood the impatience that couples like them undergo because of the extreme poverty they live in.

"Nalulungkot ako na talagang sa hirap ng buhay ngayon, maraming pamilya gaya ni Gary at Lorita ang kailangang bigyan ng tulong pinansyal (I feel sad that there are couples like Gary and Lorita who really need financial assistance because of their poverty)," Roxas said.

"Nakausap ko na sila Gary at Lori at nainitindihan nilang mas mabuting maturuan silang magtayo ng sariling kabuhayan kesa sa umasa na lang sa tulong ng iba (I have talked to Gary and Lori and they understood that our approach which is to help them gain their own livelihood is better than relying on help from others)," he added.

In their letter, the couple admitted they felt bad towards the social welfare officer assigned to assist them, thus they resorted to seeking help from a radio anchor, who in turn misinterpreted it as abandonment of the couple and their children despite all the assistance they already received.

"Kami po’y humingi ng tulong dahil kailangan po ng suporta ng mga bata … lalo na po sa pagpapagamot ni Marie Loralaine at Wenna Mavinia (We sought help for further support for our children .. especially for medication for Marie Loralaine and Wenna Mavinia)," the couple said.

"Wala po kaming masamang sinabi laban po sa inyo. Ang lahat ng negatibo ay pawang mga kumento (We did not say anything against you. All the negatives were just commentaries)” of the radio anchor, they added. “Alam po naming na sa lahat ng nilapitan naming nu’ng nanganak ako ay walang unang tumulong at nakinig kundi kayo. Kaya’t gusto pos ana naming kayo pasalamatan ng personal (We know that you were the only one who helped us immediately when I gave birth. That’s why we wanted to thank you personally)," Lorita said.

Roxas’ chief-of- staff, Atty. Blas Viterbo, said the senator assigned a social welfare officer to assist the couple after taking care of the hospitalization and medical care for the quintuplets, two of who died from sepsis despite extra medical attention and medication paid for by Roxas and Ms. Sanchez. Until now, sepsis is a common cause of death among Filipino babies born under similar circumstances of poor parents and multiple baby births.

The social welfare officer, Ms. Menchie Silvestre, had advised Roxas and Ms. Sanchez that it would be best to spare the Fernandez couple from more cash gifts and recommended that the couple be given livelihood training instead so they can raise their children without relying on financial help from others.

Roxas said he supports Ms. Silvestre’s advice in the handling of the couple, but assured them he continues to monitor their situation and will help them gain their own means of livelihood.

"Hindi ko sila pababayaan (I will take care of them)," he said.

Roxas presses more teeth in OFW protection

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin Ray N. Chua) — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 03:14:00 +0000

Liberal President Senator Mar Roxas called for stronger government protection for the estimated 10 million Filipinos working abroad, especially against abuse by their employers or host countries.

At the same time, Roxas vowed to press for reforms in government policy involving the deployment of skilled and non-skilled workers to other countries as he noted the growing number of Filipinos overseas and the rising number of OFW-related incidents.

"Naniniwala akong ang pinakamahalaga nating maibibigay sa mga OFW natin ay seguridad. Kailangang bigyan natin ang mga OFW ng sapat na suporta at proteksyon para hindi sila abusuhin kapag nasa abroad na sila (I believe that the best thing we can give to our OFW is security for them. We need to give them all the support and protection so they will be spared abuse when they are abroad)," he said.

The Visayan senator said the government must also reduce the financial burden of Filipino overseas workers by removing the 0.15% Documentary Stamps Tax (DST) on money remittances to the country. It is a "significant financial burden to (OFWs) considering that the country is already experiencing unprecedented highs in food and oil prices," he said.

At the same time, Roxas pushed for the professionalization of the Foreign Service system, which he said would ensure that only the most talented and most qualified are recruited by the government to ensure that our OFWs will get quality assistance from personnel and officers of the Department of Foreign Affairs here and abroad.

He also pressed Malacañang to release the P50 million for the OFW Social Reintegration program that President Arroyo has yet to release to the Department of Labor and Employment. The program provides "balikbayan" OFWs with sufficient knowledge of how to use their savings as well as investment opportunities and other forms of reintegration assistance.

Roxas said the government must ensure that OFWs have access to communication wherever they are to so they can easily call Philippine offices in their areas in cases of employer problems and that free legal services for those facing legal problems are readily available.

He also said pre-departure orientation and preparation seminars should likewise be given to departing OFWs to brief them of their rights and on what they should and could do should they encounter difficulties in their jobs.

But all these reforms, he stressed, could only take place once an activist government – one that cares for and listen to its people – takes over from the current administration, which has consistently shown insensitivity to the plight of its workers abroad.

Mar and Korina should get Buddy Gancenia as their wedding videographer

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin Ray N. Chua) — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 02:55:00 +0000

Get a credible wedding videographer! I guess Senator Mar Roxas and Korina Sanchez must get fellow blogger Buddy Gancenia, the best Philippine wedding videographer for having won the Grand Prize in the 1st Sony Wedding Video Competition 2007, for their wedding videography on October 23, 2009 in their "People's Wedding."

This website owned by Buddy, a wedding videographer, is the first and only Documentary-Reality Wedding Video producers in the Philippines’ – and in the world. This must be something!

FEATURES AND BENEFITS:

Distinctive presentation and a professional feel, much like a TV reality show
Beyond the traditional music video-style production
No content sacrificed. Interviews, behind-the-scenes footages, and unexpected occurrences are put as part of the story. It’s as real as it gets.
Highly personal and unique. No two Reality Wedding Videos are alike.

Buddy has been producing many quality and creative videos and I'm confident that producing a wedding video will be another hit!

MATCHLESS DELIVERY TIME: Wedding Videos in 2 Weeks!

Filipino newly-weds usually call it a common sight when their wedding video is delivered 3-6 months after their wedding, but not with this wedding videographer.

Buddy and his company understands your need for immediate replays of your wedding day and guarantees you to get your copy of High Production Value Wedding Videos in just 2 weeks from your wedding day. Just provide them the necessary materials such as your preferred music on or before your wedding day.

Mar and Korina should take this cool wedding videographer in their upcoming wedding.

To check their rates and services, visit http://realityweddingvideo.tv/rates-and-service/ NOW!

Mar Roxas - Korina Sanchez wedding on October 23, 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin Ray N. Chua) — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 01:44:00 +0000

Here's an article from Ricky Lo of Philippine Star about the wedding of Mar Roxas and Korina Sanchez. Originally from his article, "Mar-Korina 'People's Wedding' set Oct. 23"

Photo courtesy of MARC NICDAO, reprinted from People Asia magazine.

It’s confirmed: Senator Mar Roxas and Korina Sanchez will (finally, finally!) get married in what they call a “People’s Wedding” on Oct. 23.

“It will be an afternoon wedding,” Korina said in an interview with Funfare.

The venue is a toss-up between Sto. Domingo Church and the Manila Cathedral. But the reception will definitely be held at Bahay na Puti (in Cubao, Quezon City), the home of Mar’s lolo and lola and the venue of the reception for the wedding of Mar’s parents, former Sen. Gerry Roxas and Judy Araneta, and his aunt Baby Araneta and Dr. Raul Fores.

“So,” said Korina, “in a big way, we are following tradition. There may be more than a thousand guests although we have yet to finalize the list. Mar has relatives in Negros, Iloilo, Capiz and Bulacan; while mine are from Pampanga. Some of my relatives will come from New York.”

There are not too many details as yet.

“Mar and I want to hold it at the Sto. Domingo Church which has a long walk and a beautiful entrance with beautiful stained glass all over it. There are wonderful, wide corridors and a garden in the middle,” added Korina. “The Manila Cathedral is also an old church which has beautifully gilded cornices and a beautiful ceiling and is very regal aside from it already being air-conditioned. There may be another church we are looking at, like San Sebastian Church and Quiapo Church. We will decide which one this week.”

What about the entourage?

“I think I will have 12 bridesmaids. I have called my best friends from my childhood until today. I’ve lost touch with some of them so I had to look them up and call them. They were all thrilled and so am I. These bridesmaids make this special event very real for me as these are women who had been there to share my lowest moments and my highest throughout my life so far. I will have six flower girls one of whom is my niece Saila. Of course, Baby James is our ring bearer, Dyan Castillejo’s son Matthew is the Bible bearer and I am hoping I can make my nephew Miguel walk as the coin bearer. My two nieces, Tyra and Maya, will be junior bridesmaids along with Mercedes, Mar’s niece.”

She and Mar have yet to finalize the list of ninongs and ninangs and secondary sponsors.

Kris Aquino will anchor the ABS-CBN coverage of the Filipino wedding. Korina’s gown will be designed by Pepito Albert and those of the entourage by Patrice Ramos-Diaz and Randy Ortiz. Mar’s cousin Margarita Fores has drawn up the menu and, in fact, they have set up a mock of the reception dinner tables.

“Ang ganda!,” exclaimed Korina. “ It’s exactly how I would want a wedding dinner table to be. Beautiful! Mar keeps reminding me, ‘Not too much,’ so it’s great that my contacts all gave me discounts and friends lent me old things to use for the decor. It is turning out so well.”

Korina calls it a “People’s Wedding” because she and Mar are not keeping anything secret. Every detail will be documented and shown as a two-hour special on Channel 2.

“So, makikita ng tao ang lahat ng detalye ng kasal. We are thinking of a way to acommodate people who would like to be at the church and be part of this special moment between myself and Mar. Mar has helped so many people and everywhere I go, people ask, ‘Kailan ang kasal? Imbitado ba kami?’ They want to go. It is very heartwarming and I wish we could invite the whole country. Hahahaha! So I guess television is the best way to make them part of it.”

And what about the honeymoon?

Korina didn’t say where.

Hmmmm. Are we going to see that, too, in the TV coverage?

Akbayan endorses Mar Roxas for President; Risa Hontiveros, to run as LP guest candidate

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin Ray N. Chua) — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 12:45:00 +0000

The AKBAYAN party-list group formally endorsed the presidential bid of Liberal President Senator Mar Roxas in the 2010 national and local elections.

The group likewise announced it has accepted the offer of the Liberal Party for AKBAYAN Rep. Risa Hontiveros to be a guest candidate in LP's senatorial slate for next year's election.

AKBAYAN is the first party-list group to endorse a presidential candidate for the 2010 polls. The Liberal Party is expected to name Roxas as its standard bearer in the presidential election next year.

"Oras na para ang mga pwersang nagnanais ng tunay na pagbabago sa ating bansa ay magkaisa para makamit na natin ang matagal nating minimithing maunlad at modernong bansa (It is time for the political forces that yearn for a progressive Philippines to unite)," Roxas said after being informed of AKBAYAN's endorsement of his bid for the presidency.

The Liberal Party and AKBAYAN, he added, will be offering a common agenda of good governance and reforms that will push for an activist government that truly cares for the people and their welfare.

AKBAYAN President Ronald Llamas said their group believes Roxas is the only presidential candidate who could stop rampant graft and corruption in government.

"Walang Presidente, kahit na gaano kagaling, ang makakapagsulong ng anumang reporma kung hindi nito sisingilin ang GMA administration dahil sa talamak na korupsyon sa gobyerno (No President, however competent, can push true reforms unless it makes the current administration pay for the gross corruption in government," he said.

"Kailangan natin ng isang lider na kayang itulak ang mga tunay na reporma, at para sa amin, sa lahat ng nagbabalak na tumakbo bilang presidente ay si Mar Roxas lang ang tanging pwede naming makasama (We need a leader that can push true reforms, and for us in Akbayan, among all those aspiring to become President, it is only Mar Roxas that we can join in this fight)," Llamas said. Llamas was re-elected as Akbayan president in the partylist group's 4th Regular Congress held last Friday at the Club Filipino.

He added Roxas' principles and platforms made him different from the other candidates.

"Pinili namin ang kandidato na klarong hindi makikipagnegosasyon sa GMA administrasyon at hindi sasabak sa halalan sa 2010 na ang batayan ay baluktot na political accommodations (We chose a candidate who will not compromise with the GMA Administration and will not run in the 2010 elections through unprincipled political accommodations)," Llamas said.

"Matagal na rin kaming nakakatrabaho si Mar Roxas batay sa aming mga tinutulak na reporma, kagaya ng pagtulay sa batas para sa murang gamot (We have worked for reforms with Mar Roxas based on our platform, like the passage of the Cheaper Medicines Law)," he also said.

Llamas said he is confident that with the inclusion of Hontiveros in LP's senatorial line-up, Filipinos could look forward to a stop in government corruption and an economic policy that would protect local industries and the interests of farmers, workers and professionals.

Roxas to public: Beware of defective, fake LPG tanks

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin Ray N. Chua) — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 07:19:00 +0000

Senator Mar Roxas cautioned the public against using defective or substandard Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) tanks as he vowed to pursue illegal refillers and manufacturers of faulty cylinders.

Roxas vowed to fast-track committee discussions and approval of the proposed LPG bill, which the House of Representatives has approved and transmitted to the Senate that seeks a stronger government campaign against defective or fake LPG tanks.

As a testimonial for the urgent passage of this bill, a fire victim, Abigail Eugenio has approached Roxas and sought medical assistance for minor burns she sustained when the LPG tank at a "lugawan" where she and her boyfriend were eating exploded last June 21.

The Liberal Party president said, because of the injuries she sustained, Ms. Eugenio lost the opportunity to work abroad after she missed a final interview for the job she was applying for.

Roxas said he will run after those who sell fake and defective LPG tanks because he will not let Filipino family’s dreams to turn into ashes and that the guilty party should be punished.

Roxas urged the public to meticulously check cylinders they buy from refilling stations and listed tips on how to detect substandard tanks:

No embossed brand name in the tank’s body;
Improper painting and is rusty;
Corroded foot ring and bottom cap;
Tampered serial number, date of manufacturing and has no "quality seal" from the Bureau of Product Standards (BPS) of the Department of Trade and Industry;
Leaking valve and dents; 6) No "ring" collar; and 7) Light in weight and bought from suspicious refilling station.

The Philippine Association of Cylinder Manufacturers has said 12 million LPG tanks are being sold in the local market, of which 3 million are for scrapping because they could not be fixed anymore, while another 3 million are for pre-qualification or for inspection and certification by the DTI. LPGIA and Bureau of Fire Protection records show almost 1,700 fires due to defective or fake LPG tanks since 2001 until last year.

Roxas files resolution declaring Jan. 25 as "Cory Aquino Day"

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin Ray N. Chua) — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 14:48:00 +0000

Liberal President Senator Mar Roxas today filed a resolution declaring January 25, the date of birth of former President Corazon Aquino, as "Cory Aquino Day."

In Joint Resolution No. 28, Roxas said the former President, who passed away on August 1, deserves to be honored yearly for her crucial role in the revival of democracy in our country.

He said the country should look up to Mrs. Aquino as a symbol of the fight against corruption.

"Former President Cory Aquino has demonstrated in the clearest terms that steep moral values and strength of character are what our nation need in times of unabated corruption and political and social decay," he said.

When she was president, Mrs. Aquino, endearingly called as "Tita Cory" by the people, took on the mission to run after the riches stolen from the nation during Martial Law, Roxas said.

The Senate is expected to pass Joint Resolution 28 today. The House of Representatives is also expected to pass a similar resolution.

Tita Cory's dreams live on despite death - Roxas

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin Ray N. Chua) — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 08:50:00 +0000

Liberal President Senator Mar Roxas expressed deep, personal sadness over the death early Saturday morning of former President Corazon Aquino as he relayed his and his family’s condolences to Mrs. Aquino’s children and family.

"Tita Cory, personally and through her husband Ninoy, underwent so much pain and abuse but she never surrendered. Today, even in death, her dreams live on and they will never be defeated," Roxas said in a statement released after learning of the former President’s death.

To honor the former President, Roxas called on Filipinos to "pray as one nation" and on political leaders to tone down partisan and political statements and activities.

"Tita Cory stood for the unity and reconciliation of our people. The least that we can do today is to set aside our partisan interests, tone down our partisan voices and pray as one nation for her peace and the peace that she dreamt for all of us," he said.

Roxas and his family are close personal friends of the Aquino family. The senator’s late father, former Senator Gerry Roxas, was also a close friend and political ally of President Aquino’s assassinated husband, former Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr., who with Gerry Roxas and former Senator Jovito Salonga formed the Liberal Party’s triumvirate especially during the martial law years.

Mar Roxas returned to the Philippines in 1985 after nine years of working in the United States to help in the presidential campaign of Mrs. Aquino.

His full statement is as follows:

"Tita Cory, personally and through her husband Ninoy, underwent so much pain and abuse but she never surrendered. Today, even in death, her dreams live on and they will never be defeated."

"At no time did an ordinary housewife like her exert an extraordinary influence in the course of our recent history. As she cared for Ninoy and her family during the days of his brave struggle against the dictatorship, she nurtured the nation in its brave journey from darkness to freedom.

"Her leadership was a bridge between the long era of rebellion and strife in the seventies and eighties, and the restoration of democracy towards the nineties. It was a leadership steeped in pure selflessness. For Tita Cory fought dictatorship with the same fervor that she loved our nation. Through her, we were able to live out and show to the world, our own patriotism.

"We saw how the EDSA revolution that was sparked by Tita Cory reverberated globally. It inspired peoples all over Eastern Europe and Latin America to bring down authoritarian rule without violence, to the extent that even the Berlin wall was torn down three years later. The whole world owes much to her shining example.

"Tita Cory joins the ranks of the greatest freedom fighters of the last and current century— Ghandi, Mandela, Aung San Suu Kyi, among several others who have devoted their life and being to principle that there is nothing more precious than the liberty and dignity of human beings.

"Tita Cory stood for the unity and reconciliation of our people. The least that we can do today is to set aside our partisan interests, tone down our partisan voices and pray as one nation for her peace and the peace that she dreamt for all of us.

Liveblogging at the SM City Cebu Northwing Atrium

noreply@blogger.com (Kevin Ray N. Chua) — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 09:26:00 +0000

Hello everyone! I'm here at the SM City Cebu Northwing Atrium doing live blogging, for the first time (thanks to fellow blogger Jose Faruggia), for SM City Cebu's free wifi launching.

5:18 PM: SM City Cebu free wifi launching just started. Paulo Varela is hosting the show.

5:22 PM: Nikki Taylor playing the disco. Fellow Cebu bloggers are here in the SM City Cebu Northwing Atrium.

6:14 PM: Woot! Sinjin and Jose just won their respective prizes for the photo blogging contest.

6:32 PM: Cebu's very own band, Hardwood, is now playing. Their music is great!

6:40 PM: Thanks Ricky for letting me borrow your laptop!

7:08 PM: Finally met with my Plurk friend Luke Santillan aka Kwangulastic here in the venue. We're now on the same table.

7:16 PM: Hardwood band just wrapped up their songs. Stage now idle. Where's Paulo, the host?

7:47 PM: Kai just did me a favor. She took my meal stub and ordered my food. Thanks! I'm hungry now... but the music is still going on.

7:52 PM: Try to check out our free food! Yummy!

8:17 PM: The program ended unnoticed. The host is nowhere to be found and the crew are now packing out the instruments in the stage. Fine.

8:22 PM: Ricky's now going. I have to return the laptop.