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Tag: senator

Sen. Chiz Escudero seeks relief of Cotabato police, army leadership

Cotabato, Government, Muslim Mindanao, News, Personalities, Politics
The rising number of abductions in Cotabato City over the past months has prompted Senator Chiz Escudero to call for the relief of the local police and armed forces chiefs in the area, saying they failed in their duties to secure and protect the people from criminals like the kidnap-for-ransom gangs. Escudero, chairman of the Senate committee on national defense and security, condemned the latest abduction in the city involving Chinese businessman Eulogio Lim Yu last Saturday. This came a month after a nine-year-old girl was kidnapped but rescued in Pigcawayan, a town adjacent to the city. The girl’s father, trader Allan Tamayo, was killed when he tried to stop the abductors. Before this, Chinese businesswoman Conchita Tan was also snatched in Cotabato City, and her driver and bod...

Got an invite to attend a forum on the 2011 National Expenditure Program

Advocacy, Bukidnon, Controversial, Events, Government, Headline, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, News, Personalities, Politics
I must say that it was a surprise - a nice one at that, I suppose - to receive an invitation to attend a forum on the 2011 National Expenditure Program. I received the invite from Mindanaoan Senator Teofisto "TG" Guingona III's office. Guingona is the convenor of the Open Budget Partnership (OBP). As to what the Open Budget Partnership is, I seriously don't have any idea so don't ask. However, I'm hoping I will understand it better on Saturday, the day of the forum. The event will be held in Manila, by the way. Let me just say, before anything else, that I'm grateful for the invitation. This is a good step forward especially for the government to bring in not only members of the traditional media but those involved in the new media as well. Although I do have plans of writing news artic...

Two Mindanaoan senatorial candidates get my vote

Advocacy, Bisaya, Blogging, Bukidnon, Commentary, Controversial, Features, Government, Headline, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Marawi City, Media, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Muslim Mindanao, Opinion, Personal, Personalities, Politics
With just a few hours before May 10, 2010 - the very day the Philippines is set to hold its first ever automated elections - I, Mindanaoan, would like to share to you two choices I've already made. I'm set to vote for these two senatorial candidates and I'm proud to let you know that both of them are from Mindanao. Both Mindanaoans and both I've had the utmost honor to work with. I'm voting for Adel Tamano (#54 on the ballot) and Neric Acosta (#1 on the ballot). Before I delve into the finer details as to why I'm voting for these senatoriables from Mindanao, let me quote something from respected columnist Manolo Quezon III (my idol!): "The job of a senator is not just about legislation, it’s about oversight, with the latter being more relevant and required than the former. The House...

Sen. Ping Lacson’s statement on his absence from Senate

Announcements, Controversial, Government
Press statement of Senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson. Senator Ping explains why he left the country and why he has been absent from Senate proceedings amid reports that a warrant of arrest will soon be issued. Mindanaoan reckons that this may be a national issue but this is still something that you and I must also be familiar with. The senator has finally confirmed that he has left the country, amid reports that the courts may soon issue a warrant of arrest against him in relation to the Dacer-Corbito murder case. So fellow Mindanaoan, don't just listen to one side. Listen to both parties and decide who's telling the truth. Let's see if justice truly does still prevail in this country. The following the full text of Senator Ping Lacson's statement. Mindanaoan received this straight f...

Message of Senator Kiko Pangilinan for the Mindanao Bloggers Summit 3 participants

Announcements, Blogging, Cagayan de Oro City, Events, Features, Internet, Media, Mindanaoan Update, News, Personalities, Politics, Society, Videos
Thanks to the very amiable Nina (I super, super owe you!) and of course to Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan, we were able to play this very special video message for the participants of the Mindanao Bloggers Summit 3. Needless to say, Mindanaoan is absolutely proud of the trust and confidence that Senator Kiko has extended to me. Daghang salamat! :) To Nina --- Mindanaoan super appreciates this! I know it was difficult to pull this off especially since Senator Kiko was scheduled to arrive from his ASEAN trip HOURS before the start of the summit (he arrived last Friday and the summit was last Saturday) but you still managed to produce this! Daghang salamat! :) And to all of the participants of the MBS CDO, enjoy :) For official press releases of the recently concluded Mindanao...

Sen. Dick Gordon proposes a 9th ray to the sun in Philippine Flag – should Mindanao care?

Advocacy, ARMM, BIMP-EAGA, Blogging, Commentary, Controversial, Government, Headline
Independent Senator Richard Gordon probably has too much time on his hands. This was the very first thing that came to my mind when this Mindanaoan blogger learned that Senator Dick Gordon filed a proposal before the Senate to add a ninth ray to the sun in the Philippine Flag. Yes, you read that right. A ninth ray to the sun in the Philippine Flag. According to him, the additional ray will symbolize his "advocacy to champion reforms in Mindanao." Now don't ask me exactly how a 9th ray can make a whole lotta difference but if you ask the senator (who, I think, also has plans to run for president come May 2010), he says this move is part of his many advocacies for "peace and continuous growth and development not only for the Muslim people but also for the whole of Mindanao." The me...

Mindanaoan.com exclusive: Senator Chiz Escudero on Senator Noynoy’s plan to run for president in 2010

Advocacy, Announcements, Blogging, Broadcasting, Controversial, Government, Headline, Media, Mindanaoan Update, News, Personalities
Mindanaoan.com just received this text message from Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero on Senator Noynoy Aquino's declaration to run for president in the May 2010 elections: "He is a good friend and I wish him all the best in his endeavor. He is definitely a good addition to the roster of those who have declared their intention to run for President in order to give our people the widest and best possible choices for President." Escudero, 39, is also rumored to be a presidential candidate. Observers say that the young legislator is being eyed by the NPC Party to be its standard bearer in next year's presidential elections. Chiz Escudero will turn 40 on October 10, 2009. WHAT CAN YOU SAY ABOUT THIS, FELLOW MINDANAOANS?

Mindanao peace and development hostaged to politics

Commentary, Controversial, Government, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Opinion, Personalities, Politics
Senator (and rumored presidentiable) Francis "Chiz" Escudero has said it and I agree --- the peace and development here in Mindanao is hostaged to politics. The kind of politics that run in "Imperial Manila." One of the things that the next president should do is bring together all stakeholders in Mindanao to craft a development agenda --- one that's doable, cost efficient and worth all of our time and efforts --- that will not be hostaged to any change in administration. “Only an all-stakeholders approach will lead to the long-sought peace and meaningful development in this region, not Imperial Manila’s “urong-sulong, atras abante” approach since we gained independence,” Escudero said. The 39-year old lawmaker said the country’s development will greatly be accelerated if authorit...

Rumored presidentiable Sen. Chiz Escudero and Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte share a light moment during Kadayawan Festival 2009

Blogging, Davao City, Government, Headline, Mindanaoan Update, Personalities, Photos, Politics
Fans of rumored presidentiable Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero and Davao City Mayor Rodrigo "Rody" Duterte will love the picture in this Mindanaoan blog entry. Opposition Sen. Chiz Escudero was one of the main guests of Mayor Rody during festivities marking the city’s Kadayawan Festival 2009 last August 22, 2009. Judging by the happy smiles on the faces of these two popular political personalities, do you think this is a sign of an alliance to come? WHAT DO YOU THINK? In his visits to Mindanao, by the way, Escudero has repeatedly called for increased investments by government in agriculture and infrastructure to maximize the island’s economic potential.

So I received a cool package recently…

Gifts, Government, Headline, Mindanaoan Update, Personalities
Check out the contents of a package sent to me via courier recently. (Apologies for the poor quality of the photos as I only took them via my ever trusty Motorola Krzr phone.) Now...is this a sign of things to come? Is this something die hard supporters should be elated about? Or is this just a way for HIM to thank his friends, fans, foes (?) and supporters? You know...the year 2010 is a presidential election year and this early, we have heard of the many personalities who have made it clear that they have intentions of gunning for the top executive position in Philippine government. From Senator Manny Villar to Senator Mar Roxas to Senator Loren Legarda. Do you think HE will run? Do you think he will face Legarda in the quest to get the NPC Party's nod? And do you think he has...

Is Mindanao really RP’s “Wild West”?

Advocacy, Commentary, Government, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, Opinion
This got me thinking when I received a press release from the Office of Sen. Richard Gordon recently. The PR read: "Turn around Mindanao’s image as RP’s ‘Wild West’ – Gordon" The senator said that Mindanao has "gained a negative reputation in the international media as the country’s “Wild, Wild West” due to the continued spate of kidnappings, sporadic bombings, and the poor peace and order situation." Is our beloved island Mindanao really the Philippines' version of the so-called "Wild West"? In a meeting with the Regional Development Council of Region 12 and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Gordon challenged Mindanao executives to turn around Mindanao's negative image from being the “Wild West of the Philippines ” into a premier tourist destination with its unique history and ...

Sen. Gordon’s New Year’s Message

Government, News
Here's the full text of Senator Richard "Dick" Gordon's New Year's Message. This coming year 2009 (year of the Ox), I also hope that each and every one of us can be the change or agent of change that our country (badly) needs. It really all comes from within! Sen. Gordon's year 2009 message: Let us be the change our country needs. I extend my warmest greetings to my kababayans here and abroad as you, along with the rest of humanity, eagerly await the dawn of New Year 2009! Each New Year is a symbol of hope and a herald for new beginnings. The year 2009 stretches across us like a horizon, filled with opportunities to be explored and challenges to be overcome. As we celebrate another milestone in our history, let us not forget the lessons we have learned from the past and continue t...

Should Sen. Trillanes do video conferencing instead?

Government, Headline, Internet, Mindanaoan Update, Opinion, Technology
There's a proposal in the Philippine Senate these days that Senator Antonio Trillanes IV be allowed to attend the Senate sessions through the power of the Internet. If the proposal will be ratified, Sen. Trillanes can "participate" in the sessions through video conferencing. If ever this will push through, the senator, who's currently in the slammer (compulsory detention after his involvement in a recent coup attempt), will be the first Filipino elected official who will use this type of technology. As expected, Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago rejected the proposal. The other senators who have yet to let their stand known include Senators Joker Arroyo, Juan Ponce Enrile, Manny Villar, Richard Gordon, Panfilo Lacson, Manuel Lapid, Francis Pangilinan, and Mindanao's very own, Juan Miguel Zu...

Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero speaks up on his plans for 2010

Controversial, Government, Headline, Mindanaoan Update, Opinion, Personalities
If you're curious if Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero is running for President this 2010, then read on. Here's the full text of Sen. Chiz's blog. THOUGHTS? December 2, 2008, 12:29 am Dahil sa mga naglalabasang surveys na kasali ako sa top 5 ng mga presidentiables, marami ang nagtatanong kung nangangarap daw ba akong maging presidente ng Pilipinas sa 2010. Ang masasabi ko lang ay oo. May pangarap ako tulad ng sinumang pulitiko siguro ngayon na humawak ng mas mataas na puwesto. Ang maganda sa pangarap, ito ay libre at hindi kailangang bayaran. Subalit ang mahalaga sa akin ay hindi kung ano ang gusto ko. Gusto ni ganito na tumakbo, gusto ni ganyan na tumakbo. Hindi mahalaga kung ano ang gusto kong takbuhan. Ang mahalaga, ano ba ang gusto ng ating mga kababayan na tatakbuhan ko o gusto ba...

Pictures taken during the Senate Nov. 17, 2008 revamp

Broadcasting, Controversial, Government, Headline, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, News, Opinion, Personal, Personalities, Photos
What supposed to be was a simple, routinary visit to the Senate of the Philippines last November 17, 2008 turned out to be one very controversial occasion. It was the day when the Senate coup happened. It was the day when the Senate revamp occured. It was the day when Senate President Manny Villar got ousted by his fellow senators and was replaced by Senator Juan Ponce Enrile. And yes, it was also the day when Mindanaoan Senator Juan Miguel "Migs" Zubiri got appointed as Acting Majority Floor Leader. Although I've been receiving some tips via text messages that something "big" and "major" would occur in the next few days, I never thought that IT would happen that day, a seemingly innocent Monday. Anyways, here are the photos I took that day: (CLICK ON THE THUMBNAILS) ...

Sen. Chiz Escudero proposes 20 years imprisonment for criminally negligent bus drivers

Bukidnon, Government, News
Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero has proposed that bus drivers who commit criminal negligence in road mishaps should face twenty (20) years of imprisonment. This, in the wake of a lot of vehicular accidents as of late. The senator from Sorsogon, who currently chairs both the Senate Committee on Ways and Means and the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights, introduced Senate Bill Number 2701 (SBN 2701) which aims to provide more teeth to existing preventive policies to achieve safety benefits. SBN 2701 penalizes criminal negligence committed by common carriers with reclusion temporal, or twelve (12) years to twenty (20) years in prison, in case of death. Common carriers' criminal liability is found in Article 365 of the Revised Penal Code, Criminal Negligence, which provides as p...

Senator Richard Gordon on Obama’s victory

Headline, News
From the Office of Senator Richard Juico Gordon: “I join the rest of the world in extending our warmest congratulations to US president-elect Barrack Obama for his historic electoral victory. His ascendancy to the most powerful post in the world as the first African-American President signals a political and cultural paradigm shift as it sends a clear and loud message to all peace and freedom-loving nations – CHANGE IS IN OUR HANDS. The impossible has happened. Change has indeed come to America, and it was made possible by the power of the ordinary people." - Sen. Dick Gordon

Happy birthday, Sen. Chiz!

Personalities, Society
It's Senator Francis Joseph Guevara "Chiz" Escudero's birthday today! (Betcha didn't know that was his full name, eh?) I just greeted him via text message a few minutes ago. I bet he'll have a great, grand birthday today. I remember the very first time I interviewed him was via text message as well. He was Sorsogon's representative then and was closely associated with former President Joseph "Erap" Estrada. Later on, he served as the late Fernando Poe, Jr.'s spokesperson during the latter's presidential campaign trail. It was a time when I felt that the local newspapers barely had access to the opposition. Most, if not all, of the stories that I read back then were anchored on the side of the administration. There were hardly any comments from the opposition. It was a time when the phra...
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