Juan Country » Mar Roxas

Congratulations to President Noynoy Aquino!

Carlo Ople — Wed, 12 May 2010 09:26:08 +0000

All of Senator Noynoy Aquino‘s opponents for the Presidency, with the exception of former President Joseph “Erap” Estrada, have already conceded. It looks like that Aquino will win with a landslide based on the latest results from PPCRV and the COMELEC. I have doubts that Estrada can still catch up especially since the remaining provinces that have yet to be counted are mostly the “balwartes” of Aquino and Roxas. I just want to take this opportunity to say thank you and congratulations to Senator Manny Villar for his campaign. It was a good fight and my respect for you grew even more when you decided to concede to Aquino. In your statement you also said that you will make an effort in the coming days to clear your name. I pray that you will do just that so people will see the “real” you.

With regards to the tight race between Senator Mar Roxas and Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay for the Vice Presidency, it looks like Binay has a very comfortable lead but the Liberal Party is saying that Mar’s strongest provinces haven’t been counted yet and that would be enough to give him a very slim lead at the end of the counting. Hopefully the agony will end in the next few hours and we’ll find out who will be the partner of President Noynoy Aquino in the next 6 years.

Lastly, I hope that all the supporters and fans of Aquino now drop their “fanboy” status and start to monitor and hold Aquino accountable for all of his promises. We can’t afford another 6 years of corruption and incompetence.

Again, congratulations and good luck to President Noynoy Aquino!

The ABS-CBN HARAPAN Vice-Presidential Forum

Carlo Ople — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 17:02:18 +0000

As I’m typing this blog post, I’m currently watching the ABS-CBN Harapan Vice-Presidential Forum. Let me just say that I’m very impressed with what ABS-CBN did in terms of the format. It wasn’t your typical debate like the previous forums hosted by the major television networks. It was amazing how they were able to integrate all the various platforms available to make the forum a completely multi-media realtime experience. Other than the live broadcast on ANC, channel 2, and Studio 23, they also had live chat online and they also had people tweeting away and updating via Facebook. The term “#Harapan” even became a top trending topic on Twitter!

Exciting Debate Format
The format was very intense at the start. I loved how they had the candidates do mini-debates. My only problem here is that there wasn’t really enough substance in the discussion. It was mostly mudslinging, counter-mudslinging, and more, hahaha. They tried to redeem the debate in the end by having more sensible questions (via the fishbowl) but it became a bit boring. I guess ultimately it’s a lose-lose situation. They make it exciting, the debate loses substance. They make it meaty, the debate becomes boring.

Personally I found the exchanges between Loren Legarda and Mar Roxas to be the most exciting parts of the debate. Closely following that would be the heated and almost hostile spats of Jojo Binay and Bayani Fernando. Yasay and Sonza definitely had brilliant moments. Yasay’s answer on tripling the education budget because it’s the global standard is one of the more sensible statements in the entire debate.

Where’s Edu?
I was able to contact LAKAS-KAMPI VP bet Edu Manzano about his absence via SMS. He replied saying “Am in Pangasinan campaigning with Raul Lambino.” Edu, whoever is handling your over-all strategy should get a dress down. The Harapan forum would have been a great opportunity for you to present what you’re about to the Filipino people. That’s just my honest opnion.

Where’s the Chipeco?
Now this is weird. There was no mention whatsoever of the Vice-President candidate of KAPATIRAN, Dominador Chipeco. Oh well.

Bayani’s Yellow Engineer Hat
Truly epic. Must post picture.

TANDEM PRESIDENT-VP DEBATE COMING SOON
According to ABS-CBN News Gathering Head Maria Ressa (via Tweeter), there will be a tandem version of this debate next Sunday, same time (10:15PM). If ever that pushes through, I’m definitely canceling all my evening plans and make sure I’m glued to the TV at that time.

Let me just congratulate ABS-CBN for a job well done. My only complaint is that the debate was aired late night. This should be put on prime time.

REPLAY ON ANC
To those who didn’t catch the action, HARAPAN: The ABS-CBN Vice Presidential Debate will be replayed on ANC on March 22, Monday, 10:30 pm.

Magdalo Party endorses Villar-Roxas Tandem

Carlo Ople — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 19:47:11 +0000

Detained Senator Antonio Trillanes’ Magdalo party was all set to endorse Senator Chiz Escudero as their President of choice a few months ago. Wednesday morning the Magdalo group revealed their new Presidential candidate: Senator Manny Villar of the Nacionalista Party. For Vice-President though they didn’t opt to push for Senator Loren Legarda, instead they went for Liberal Party’s Senator Mar Roxas. This made me think about a possible Villar-Roxas scenario in 2010. Those two guys hate each other’s guts. I wonder what will happen if they end up as partners in steering this country forward should both of them win? That would definitely make things interesting.

Magdalo also endorsed the following Senatorial candidates:

Colonel Ariel Querubin (NP), Senators Pilar Juliana Cayetano (NP), Rep. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (NP), Senate Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada (Pwersa ng Masa), Susan Ople (NP), Gilbert Remulla (NP), Adel Tamano (NP), Brigadier General Danilo Lim (Liberal Party), Rep Ruffino Rozzano Biazon (LP), former Sen Vicente Sotto III (NPC), lawyer JV Bautista (PMP) and Jose de Venecia III (PMP).

I’m very happy to note that my auntie, Susan “Toots” Ople, is one of the senatorial candidates who was endorsed by Magdalo. In behalf of my family, let me just say thank you to Magdalo for their support. It was also cool to see another Senatorial candidate that I am actively campaigning for in their list – Liberal Party’s Ruffy Biazon.

Anyway, the Magdalo party has a nationwide membership of around 55,000. If you count their influence over their respective families and if ever they do decide to block vote, then you’re looking at voting base of 150,000-200,000. Let’s see which personalities in their list won’t make the cut come election day.

To Aquino, Enrile, Madrigal, et. al: File a case against MV!

Carlo Ople — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 09:23:17 +0000

I think I finally have a solution to this C5 controversy that’s win-win for everyone. First the senators who claim to be champions of TRUTH, HONESTY, JUSTICE, and INTEGRITY should drop their act. You guys are obviously using this as a campaign issue in the upcoming 2010 elections. The one who should be charged with being unethical is the lot of you. It’s hard to say that you’re doing this “FOR THE PEOPLE” when you are also running for office because no one stands to gain more from Villar’s downfall than you guys.

FILE A CASE AT THE OMBUDSMAN
If you really believe that Manny Villar is guilty, then file a case with the Ombudsman and let the axe fall where it may. When it’s done that way, MV has no choice but to really defend himself in court. At least it’s an impartial judge who’s deliberating on the case and not his political enemies.

What’s amusing is that all the ganging up on MV has had a completely opposite effect on his numbers. He’s getting the “underdog” status now and more people are supporting him as shown by the latest Pulse Asia survey (which was taken during the C5 controversy).

So there’s my challenge for the people who believe MV is guilty. FILE CHARGES. And to MV? DEFEND YOURSELF IN COURT.

The sooner he gets charged, the sooner this is resolved. Until then, all I’m seeing is politics, politics, and politics.

Senator Pimentel’s sex joke against Senator Roxas and wife

Carlo Ople — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 13:37:45 +0000

I would just like to take this opportunity to strongly “censure” and express my disappointment and disgust over Senator Pimentel’s sex joke in the Senate session against Senator Mar Roxas and his wife, Korina Sanchez. The sacred halls of the Senate is not the place for such ungentlemanly, rude, and disrespectful conduct. I would understand if the joke was directed at an issue that involved national interest but this was just plain stupid. There was absolutely no reason for Pimentel to bring that up during the plenary debates. I mean… come on. I used to think Senator Pimentel had a lot of class as a statesman but now I’m seriously having second thoughts.

From ABS CBN Interactive:

“My name was mentioned in the context that we are ganging up, that this is all political, that we are using insertions, when he (Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano) said in a blanket statement that we had insertions,” Roxas said.

“I say no. I had no insertion on any matter. In fact, I have no insertion, period. Because we’re in the minority! Let alone an insertion for a road to pass through any such property,” Roxas said.

Pimentel answered: “Well, well, I am sure that after your marriage, you had some insertions.”

“But that may be different,” he added.

The comment prompted laughter from those seated in the gallery, but angered Roxas. “That is an affront on my wife (Korina Sanchez), Mr. President!” he said.

For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV

I hope that Senator Pimentel realizes that as a Senator he has to properly conduct himself. Making brazen sexual innuendos sets a very bad example to the Filipino youth. Whatever trust, faith, and respect I had for you sir you just trashed with how you acted in today’s session.

Juan on one with Mar Roxas (ABS CBN)

Carlo Ople — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 15:28:07 +0000

I’m a staunch supporter of Senator Mar Roxas who’s running under the Liberal Party for the Presidency. I don’t think that will ever change even if my auntie is now under Nacionalista running under Senator Villar. I’ll probably write a post later on explaining why Mar is getting my vote but for now let me just share with everyone the interview he had on ABS CBN with veteran broadcaster Ted Failon (Juan on one). In this video, they have a 10 minute chat on various topics, including Mar’s plans for 2016 and his marriage with Korina Sanchez.

Okay, let me just say that this was a wasted opportunity. I noticed that most of the questions being asked by the media in interviews like this revolve around the show biz aspect of politics. They talk more about chismis and issues as opposed to the actual plans and platforms of the candidates. Hopefully this can change later on.

As advice to Senator Roxas’ team, maybe you guys can tell Mar to be more lively on TV, haha. Truth be told, if you’re not a supporter, you might find him a bit boring, hehe

Mar Roxas finally drops Padyak!

Carlo Ople — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 01:55:39 +0000

Senator Mar Roxas‘ previous Padyak campaign was really a sight for sore eyes. A lot of people got disenchanted with him because it gave the impression of him being a traditional politician. I recently saw his latest ad and I must admit that this one is 100x better than Padyak. It also highlights what Mar is all about and genuinely communicates his love for the country and passion for service. I’d like to share his latest ad in this blog which I found circulating on Facebook entitled “Mar Roxas’ Sacrifice”.

Good job to Mar’s campaign team for this one. Panalo!

Political Ad Parodies on Youtube

Carlo Ople — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 08:21:37 +0000

Mark Jimenez has been waging an online black propaganda campaign against several presidentiables using Facebook and Google Adwords advertising. However, I just realized that black propaganda isn’t really all that new. In fact, the best form of black propaganda has already spread on the net. Remember the dubious political ads on TV? There are parodies of them on Youtube and they’ve been getting quite a good number of views without the benefit of aggressive promotions.

Here are some of the videos:

Sen. Manny Villar’s Akala Mo Ad Parody

Sen. Mar Roxas Padyak Ad Parody

For more videos like this, just head on over to the Youtube channel of corruptscankissmyass. I was trying to find the parody of Sen. Noynoy Aquino’s “Hindi ka Nag-iisa” was they turned into something about Hacienda Luisita.

Korimar Christmas Greeting Video

Carlo Ople — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 08:57:43 +0000

Apparently there’s a new term that was coined with the wedding of Senator Mar Roxas and broadcast journalist Korina Sanchez. They’re now called “Korimar”. Sounds like Marimar! Haha. Anyway, here’s their Christmas greeting video. What’s surprising (but very nice to see) is that they included Mar’s son who’s been hidden from the public eye since forever. The dialogue of the script is also a bit interesting since Mar says “sa wakas na completo ko na ang aking pamilya”. Korina was the missing piece of the puzzle. Naks.

Here’s the vid:

Korimar. Lol xD

VP 2010: Roxas vs Legarda vs Manzano vs Binay

Carlo Ople — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 10:46:05 +0000

Administration Standard Bearer Gibo Tedoro finally has found a running mate in popular TV actor and host Edu Manzano. In an interview broadcasted over several networks the night before of the declaration, Manzano said that the invitation for him to take the offer was like a Pacquiao punch. It wasn’t something that he was expecting at all. Personally, I also never imagined that the administration would field Edu Manzano as their VP bet. I mean his only experience is handling the Optical Media Board and a short Vice Mayor stint in Makati. He’s still kinda raw at the moment.

If you compare all the candidates running for VP, all of them save for Manzano have strong accomplishments and credentials under their belts. Here’s a quick run-down. Note that this is not at all exhaustive:

Senator Mar Roxas
- President, Liberal Party
- #1 voted Senator in 2004
- Author of the Cheaper Medicines Bill
- DTI Secretary
- Wharton School Post Graduate Studies

Senator Loren Legarda
- #1 Senator in 2007
- Author of A LOT of bills (too many to mention lol)
- Illustrious and successful broadcast journalism career

Makati Mayor Binay
- “Super” Mayor of Makati for so long
- UNO Party President
- One of the main opposition figures against PGMA

Edu Manzano
- Optical Media Board
- Vice Mayor Makati (1 term)
- Show Biz

I’m sorry Edu, but you truly are… the weakest link.

All the other VP candidates have much more experience and qualifications. They have a lot of tangible accomplishments that have made a major impact in the lives of this nation. I feel sorry because I think you would have easily won a seat in the Senate if you took that route. As a Senator, you would have gained more experience and who knows maybe you can actually make a run for VP in 2016 or 2022?

This just goes to show how ridiculously desperate the Administration block was. They were turned down by so many VP potential candidates and eventually they had to settle with who would agree. Edu, they’re using you and I hope that you’d strongly consider backing out.