Its Time to Exercise Your Right to Vote!

Good morning! Have you exercised your right to vote?

Brave the long lines and the scorching heat just for today because you and I know that our country is in great need of our vote. Even though as a country we've experienced so many hardships in the political sphere, let's keep in mind that change is never too late! 

If you're for the orange,  yellow, blue, green or any other color, pray for peaceful elections, be vigilant and keep the faith that as a nation, we are united in spirit in hoping for this dynamic change.

Just some reminders for our Filipino voters, remember to check the party-list you are voting for is not a fake party under GMA's flag. And if you are choosing a party-list, remember to vote for a sector that really needs representation, not those who are already rightly represented.

Last but not least, be patient and guard your vote. Wear neutral colors to your precinct such as white, black or gray (I highly encourage white because it is hot!) and also bring an ID just in case you are asked to present one. Follow the automation instructions and report any suspicious activity.

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Can Miriam be incapacitated from running for office?

Someone wants Miriam Defensor-Santiago out from the senatorial race because of her "unsound mind".

I was watching the evening news and found out that a certain Atty. Pangcoga has filed a petition with the COMELEC alleging that Miriam has a mental disorder and should be disqualified from running.

He voiced his concern over her recent proclamations in Senate (God, where do I start?), stating that these are "unparliamentary" behavior and that she only uses her position to defame and slander people. He basically said that she is insane, because she has such symptoms: “delusion of grandeur," “flight of ideas," “mood swings," “penchant for lying," and “paranoia."

I'm not really complaining because watching Miriam is entertaining.

But of course we have to focus on the legal aspect of this. Hence the question, can one be mentally incapacitated from running for office?

The 1987 Constitution only has the following requirements for one to be eligible as a Senator:

No person shall be a Senator unless he is a natural-born citizen of the Philippines and, on the day of the election, is at least thirty-five years of age, able to read and write, a registered voter, and a resident of the Philippines for not less than two years immediately preceding the day of the election. (Art.VI, Sec.3)

Let's look at that requirement of being a registered voter. The COMELEC only requires that one has to be:

a) 18 years old and above

b) Has resided in the Philippines for at least one year and in the place wherein he proposes to vote, for at least six months immediately preceding the election; and

c) Is not otherwise disqualified by law, such as any person who has been sentenced by final judgment to suffer imprisonment of not less than one year; any person adjudged by final judgment of having committed crimes such as rebellion, sedition, violation of the firearms laws and against national security; insane or incompetent person as declared by competent authority.

Let's look at those requirements again. Notice the 3rd one which says, "IS NOT OTHERWISE DISQUALIFIED BY LAW" and then it proceeds to enumerate instances when one is considered disqualified. Among these is "insane or incompetent person as declared by a competent authority". A competent authority in law is defined as one who is an expert or an authority on a subject matter. 

According to Atty. Pangcoga's counsel, Miriam's attending physician was a psychiatrist at a psychiatric hospital where she was treated. 

Are dramatic words strung together (I LIEEED!!!) plus seeing a psychiatrist until now enough to prove that one is insane and disqualified from running for government? I guess we'll see in the upcoming months what the COMELEC will finally decide.

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Presidentiable #6: The Unknowns Part I: JC Delos Reyes

I admire people who run for President even without having anything under their belt to bolster their popularity with. Erap has his ads, Villar has his house in Tondo, and Gordon has his former position as Mayor of Olongapo.

This guy (who looks like a matinee idol in his polo barong) is JC Delos Reyes, a name I believe he should change because the only JC I have ever known was waay back in elementary school.  He is Ang Kapatiran's Presidential bet for 2010.

He was a councilor in Olongapo and part of the City council. Aside from those, that's pretty much all I know about him. 

In tonight's replay of ABS CBN's Presidential Forum, someone asked him how many houses did he have and how money he has in the bank. He said that he has a house in Baguio (which he built himself because he's apparently in the bricks business) and has a rent-to-own unit somewhere. He said that he has "negative 5 million" in his bank account due to his start-up business. Maybe he was a little exaggerating on this part, but oh well.

Although I admire those who still run without having the complete machinery to back them up, I also want candidates who are realistic. Someone who was a Councilor thinks he can become a President just like that? I don't know.

What I also do not like about this particular candidate is that when asked what he would do on his First 100 Days in Office if he is elected, he said he would go on a retreat to enable him to face the fact that he is now running a country. Shouldn't he be doing that NOW if he's really serious in running?

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Mangadudatu Massacre: Death Toll Rises to 39

This just scary and way violent. Let's please pray for all the victims of this tragedy.

It was reported yesterday that a brutal massacre occurred in Maguindanao, wherein around 40 people were beheaded, mutilated and killed all belonging to the Mangadudatu clan.

The wife of Esmael Mangadudatu, was on the way to file the nomination of Esmael, her husband, to contest the governorship of Maguindanao against Datu Andal Ampatuan, the head of a powerful local family.

The dead bodies has already risen to 39, so far only 4 have survived the attack. 

The southern Philippines is riven by clan rivalries, including one between the Mangudadatus and the Ampatuans. Many politicians and elected officials in the region maintain well-equipped private armies.

Ampatuan has been elected governor of Maguindanao three times previously, always unopposed, although he resigned from the post earlier this year, apparently to circumvent term limits on elected officials.

One of his sons is the governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, an area which covers six provinces.

None of the Ampatuans made any coment to local or foreign media.

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo condemned the violence and ordered her top security officials to "personally oversee military action" against those behind the killings.

"No effort will be spared to bring justice to the victims and hold the perpetrators accountable to the full limit of the law," she said in a statement. "Civilised society has no place for this kind of violence."

Article & picture taken from: http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSSP511463

http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSSP511463

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Presidentiable #5: Noynoy Aquino--OK I get it, celebs endorse you!

Check out the MV for Noynoy's presidential campaign:

Some notes:

1) I will never vote for anyone that Regine endorses, just because I remember her saying she is the "freaking Regine Velasquez". She needs to trim her hair or at least get some layers. That is one shagged up 'do. Whose idea was it to make her sit around a campfire, anyway?

2) Is it just me or did the kid change in the first part after she gave out the torch?

3) Sharon Cuneta...I didn't think she would get any bigger than her Smart billboard. But she did. Definitely in this MV.

4) Boy Abunda is like Kokuum, sounding out the drums of war!

5) Maja Salvador just stepped out of her ad for RC Cola with Kim Bum and into this shoot.

6) Someone didn't inform Bea Alonzo that this is an ad for Noynoy and not for Kasheica.

7) Greatest ending ever! A quick scroll of EVERYONE who made the MV. 

I gotta be honest, I am not voting for Noynoy. Why? I just don't want to! I am entitled to my vote! This MV was painful for me to watch, it focused too much on the celebs rooting for Noynoy instead of focusing on the different sectors that was obviously just inserted into the video to try to prove a point (Muslim, fishermen, basketball players?). What is his platform? WHAT DOES HE WANT FROM US!?!? Okay, I get it, you're chummy with the stars! But what are you going to do?

I want a President who has a side and who can speak out his mind. I want a President who can see opportunities, take action, and make even a bit of progress for the Philippines. Is anyone out there qualified to do this? (No Erap, I am not talking to you!)

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Presidentiable #4: Chiz Escudero

Chiz Escudero just turned 40 last October 10, making him eligible for the position of President as mandated by our Constitution. He, as I see it, is the politician known for such tight shirts (see photos below):

See how tight that is? There isn't even any room around his armhole! 

He apparently told Arnold Clavio in GMA's Unang Hirit that he will not speak of his plans to run as of yet. Citing concern for those who were hit by the recent typhoons, he added that now is not the time for talking about politics (yup and our Madame President in the meantime uses her Presidential palaces as evacuation centers). 

But of course an insider has told me that he has already decided to run for President with Loren Legarda as his running-mate...after being in the lawmaking business for just a couple of years. 

I personally think Chiz is too young to be our President. He's intelligent, yes. He's fasyon, fine, I'll give him that. But age-wise? I don't think so. Of course you cannot measure ability by age, but experience tells us otherwise. I think he's better off riding out another term as a Senator, but if he's so bibo in becoming President, let him do it!

There is a shortage of intelligent leaders in our government, but then again, I would rather have him craft laws in the meantime. Why is he in such a rush, anyway? What happens to him if he loses?

I remember he gave a talk to our class around last year and he informed us that on the event that he loses an election, he'll stop running. Hmmm...imagining scenarios where Chiz can fit himself is funny, here's a few things:

1) Become a matinee idol and be Angel Locsin's new partner (since Piolo has already been eaten by KC Concepcion anyway):

2) Replace Willie Revillame in Wowowee: (say it with me now, CHICHIZEEEEE!!!)

Hahahah...I seriously enjoyed doing this. What do you guys think? Should Chiz run? I honestly don't want to lose him as a lawmaker, but who am I to stand in the way of his political dreams?

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Presidentiable #3: ERAP, TATAKBO ULIT?

HAHAHAHAHAHA!!! I remember seeing this ad and thinking how nutty Erap is, actually consenting to something like this. And then it suddenly hit me, like a pile of bricks that he is seriously thinking about running again.

Sure enough, yesterday the newspaper comes blaring out with the heading that ERAP IS 99.9% SURE THAT HE IS RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT. Is this guy insane? I have no idea. Do not let me get into the constitutional issues that abound this thing, because I bet it will all just go in circles.

Has everyone already forgotten the perjury raps? Can 1 ad cure everything that has happened in the past? During his presidency?

Hopefully not.

But I have to admit, Erap's face on 0:33 was one big HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHA!

My thoughts on Mar Roxas' stepping down and allowing Noynoy to run as President soon. Still collecting whatever is left of my sanity. One thing's for sure though, I am definitely not voting Noynoy for President.

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Presidentiable #2: MANNY VILLAR...Akala Mo!

Manny Villar, after his leave from the Senate President position, has been hounded of the C5 incident. But as all Filipinos do, we easily forget what happens and focus on the present instead!

Villar got something right though, a great PR manager.

He uses the "I-understand-you but we're the same" approach instead of Roxas' messiah stance. Very effective though because Villar has been gaining more nods in the polls. I personally like the ad, this is a youth friendlier take on his character, as opposed to what he released before when he recounted his experience of living in Tondo. In a span of 30 seconds, I want to vote for this guy just because of how he represents all sectors in his ads. Compare this with Roxas and how he only focuses on the urban poor sector.

Orange is Villar's color, it actually makes him stand out from other presidentiables who use the flag's usual colors of red, blue and white. 

Note this though, I'm not entirely going to the Villar camp until I know the real details of the C5 issue. But based on his ads, these are quite packing a punch and leaves a good impression to the audience.

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Rip those Dante De Guzman posters NOW!!!

As a long-time resident of Quezon City (and part-time Makati), I have been constantly exposed to the various ways a politician uses to put his name out there to the voting public.

Please don't get me started on the bigger Barangay blue and orange signs that litter the corners of the roads. The person's name is actually bigger than the Barangay they are posting. Not only that, but sometimes its a totally unknown person who has his name up there. Who are you?

This has to start with Congresswoman Susano of District II, who brazenly puts up her name in steel letters upon a large arc before one enters Batasan. My dad actually insists that she uses her own money for it, but the thing is, I DON'T CARE. It is a huge eyesore. Take it down!

On the other hand, what irks me the most is a certain Councilor (otherwise known as DANTE DE GUZMAN) who blatantly fills up the entire city from Batasan to around West Avenue with posters of his face announcing his projects to the world. I don't mind if you announce your projects, but please remove your face and make the font of your name smaller. It's so beyond shameless.

Oh don't make me go into the posters he had for a boxing clinic or whatever. You see, I don't even remember what the project is because all I remember is his unclothed upper body and his gloves. Unbelievable!

Not too far behind is his relative, ARLENE DE GUZMAN, who has also resorted to his tactics of posting her picture everywhere. Their posters are making the city very unsightly. Someone should pass a law banning posters when it is not election season.

I am calling out to everyone to join the demand in asking to TAKE THESE DANTE DE GUZMAN POSTERS DOWN! RIP THEM, BURN THEM, VANDALIZE THEM! They pollute Quezon City and are undoubtedly expensive to produce. I know that I am not alone in this cause for I have stumbled upon a worthy group in Facebook who also support it. 

Or if you don't want to resort to these barbaric methods, just do not vote for him.

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Presidentiable #1: MAR ROXAS..Drama Revisited.

As election-season draws near, Pinay Glamourista aims to join in the public service bandwagon in analyzing our presidentiables' images, which plays an enormous part in their campaigning. These entries swear to be bias-free (since I definitely don't have anyone high on my list right now) and will strive to sweat out all the things the presidentiables must strive to work on.

First on our list is the ever-gregarious Mar Roxas, who was known from his previous senatorial campaign as "Mr. Palengke". His image then was all about friendliness, openness, as well as smile-ness. He seemed approachable from most of his ads and this, I think won the hearts of most Pinoys.

He previously set the country a-buzz due to his engagement with his girlfriend, Korina Sanchez. Who can ever forget that heart-wrenching proposal done in Wowowee?

As always, his trademark short-sleeved blue polo is still his item of choice, even for his Presidential campaign. But due to his descent in the polls, it turns out that he ranks high with the upper middle to upper class citizens. On the other hand, he's not exactly riding high among those in the middle to lower class. So what does he do? Make a corny commercial!!!

I'm sure all of you remember that ad where Mar takes over driving the pedicab from the kid. It seriously made me cringe. Who are these people behind these ads!? But who am I to complain, I'm not part of their target audience. It probably had an impact more with others.

Wait! This ad has actually a follow-up commercial! Let's take a look:

Whuuuut. Mar: "KA-MUUUS-TAAAAA?"

I don't like it. If Mar Roxas is gaining more votes in the lower brackets due to this commercials, well good for him. He's definitely losing some in the higher brackets. It's too dramatic!!! Everyone's too squinty! I know times are hard in the country right now but COME ON! I'm suppose to feel hope when I see you, not get all depressed!

One thing though: I love the lola! Hahahaha!!! She should be given an acting award for this!

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