Duterte-Carpio calls for a stop on 'Run, Sara, Run' motorcades

File photo by Superbalita Davao

 

by RALPH LAWRENCE G. LLEMIT, SunStar

DAVAO City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio barred her supporters in the city from organizing motorcades prodding her to run for president in 2022.

In a radio interview on Monday, February 24, Duterte-Carpio said some barangay officials, along with some supporters in the city, are planning to stage a motorcade to convince her to run for the presidency.

Duterte-Carpio told organizers to better save the fuel of their vehicles for some other essential purposes because she is firm in her decision not to run in the upcoming elections.

The mayor also told the group not to push through with their activity since the city is still under pandemic.

"Nagpasulti nako sa ila (I already told this person), who is a mover of their group, not to conduct gatherings because we are in a pandemic, and there is a risk na (that) there will be transmission kung dunay activity or gathering sa mga tao (if there will be activity or gathering of people), and [I told them] to stop that motorcade," she said.

Duterte-Carpio added the city has an existing ordinance prohibiting motorcade as this contributes to air pollution.

"Kahibalo ta nga naga-worsen na ang global warming. So these motorcades nga walay essential nga rason nga naga-contribute global warming and air pollution (We all know there is global warming and these unessential motorcades are just contributing to global warming and air pollution)," she said.

The mayor also ordered the removal of tarpaulins, posters, and billboards with the text "Run, Sara, Run," mounted by her supporters in some parts of the city.

"Mag-remind lang ko sa tanan na ang pagtaod og billboard and tarpaulin, there is a regulation para ana. One of that is kinahanglan ka magbayad sa government para sa mga ing-ana (May I just remind everyone that when you install billboards and tarpaulins there is a regulation for that, one of which is that you need to pay government fees)," Duterte-Carpio said.

She told the public to report the location of these posters so that the city can remove these and return these to the owners.

With the increasing number of supporters, not only in Davao City or Davao Region, but also in some parts of the country, Duterte-Carpio reiterated her previous statement that she will not be running for the national post.

"Tingala siguro ang mga tao ngano wala ko ginahatag nga rason kung ngano dili ko gusto mudagan pagkapangulo. Sa ilang tan-aw siguro, there is this chance nga tingali magbag-o akong huna-huna or wala ko nagsulti og tinuod (They might wonder why I am not giving any reasons why I am not running for the presidency. They thought there is this chance that I might change my mind, or that I am not telling the truth)," the mayor said.

"Ako na lang ginasulti pirmi is nagapasalamat ko sa ilang trust and confidence sa akoa, and nagapasalamat ko sa ilang suporta sa ako (What I am always saying is that I am very grateful for their trust and confidence in me, and that I am always thankful for their support). But I already answered that," Duterte-Carpio said, adding that there is "no chance" of changing her mind.

The mayor did not further disclose her reasons not to run, although she previously said she has many reasons behind it.

She added she does not want to offend any people on her decision.

The mayor had been shutting down rumors of her planning to run for presidency despite constant calls from her supporters, and has been leading in various surveys from different polling bodies for the 2022 presidential elections.

The mayor responded through a statement issued to national media saying that she is not planning to run in 2022, but in 2034.

"I am pleading to them to please allow me to run for President in 2034, if at that time, there is something I can do to help the country," she said.

Duterte-Carpio said in a recent interview that she is currently focused on addressing the Covid-19 situation in the city.

President Rodrigo Duterte, in recent public speeches, also does not want his daughter to run for presidency.

Grant and Expand President's Emergency Powers

Office of the Senator

Alan Peter S. Cayetano

Rm. 603 GSIS Complex Senate of the Philippines Roxas Blvd Pasay City

         

PRESS RELEASE

9 August 2016

Cayetano: Grant & Expand President’s Emergency Powers to end traffic, congestion ASAP

Making good on his vow to help President Rodrigo Duterte fulfill a campaign promise that their tandem made in the last elections, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano is proposing a measure that would give the President wide-ranging emergency powers to address the country's traffic crisis.

The senator on Monday (Aug. 8) filed Senate Bill No. 999 or the "Freedom from Traffic and Congestion Act of 2016," as he vowed to put in effect a "more holistic and inclusive approach" to address the worsening traffic and congestion problem.

What makes Cayetano's bill different from similar proposals is that it aims to address not only land transportation traffic, but air-based and sea-based transport congestion as well.

Additionally, SBN 999 shall cover not only Metro Manila, but all other urbanized areas that experience the same level of traffic and congestion, such as Rizal, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, and Metro Cebu.

Citing a report by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Cayetano said the cost of traffic in Metro Manila could likely increase from P2.4 billion to P6 billion a day if left unresolved. This means that low-income households will have to allocate more of their income for higher transport costs, he said.

"Traffic does not plague Metro Manila alone. It also affects other highly urbanized cities with no relief in sight," Cayetano added. "Worse, our kababayans in other regions have to wait for Manila to solve their problem. This is the fate that awaits other highly urbanized cities in the years to come if we do not create changes now. We should prevent a repeat of the past administration's fiasco. We can't wait for two years just to finish procurement procedures. Let’s expedite the construction of major infrastructure projects to ease traffic congestion."

Cayetano further noted how severe congestion in NAIA’s major runways has caused regular delays in flights, disrupting people’s productivity and work flow while also affecting the country’s image before the international community for having one of the world’s worst airports.

“The country’s traffic problem, both land-based and air-based, in Metro Manila and in other highly urbanized cities, has assumed the nature and magnitude of a public calamity,” said the senator. "The situation has reached crisis levels and this requires no less than emergency powers for the President and concerned agencies if we are to provide urgent relief to our people’s suffering,."

If passed, Cayetano's bill shall give emergency powers to the President, along with heads of executive departments and agencies related to the transportation sector, to urgently utilize necessary government resources, employ executive actions, and reconfigure and harmonize government projects with the goal of addressing the crisis. It will take effect for three years.

SBN 999 shall authorize the executive branch to direct the formulation of a "comprehensive, integrated and sustainable Decongestion and Transportation Network Reform Plan," which will provide a roadmap for the national and local transportation system - land, sea, and air - to decongest Greater Metro Manila and other highly urbanized cities. The Secretary of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) shall be the designated Traffic Czar to oversee the implementation of the plan. 

Upon filing his bill, Cayetano stressed the need to adopt a strong system of transparency in addressing transport woes. He said any emergency measure proposed to solve the crisis should be powerful enough to prevent oligarchs from securing government projects to advance their own interests. 

“We assure the public that we will put in effect adequate safeguards to guard against graft. We believe that the President will deal harshly with any person or agency that abuses these powers for their own gain,” he said. 

The senator repeatedly said decongesting the National Capital Region (NCR) by providing sufficient transport infrastructure and linkages in other regions is the first step towards decentralization and attaining inclusive growth. During their campaign, the Duterte-Cayetano tandem presented various proposals to achieve this goal, such as constructing a Mindanao railway system and a Panay railway system, rehabilitating airports and seaports, and developing the Clark International Airport as an alternative to NAIA, among others.#

Rody Duterte in Davao for Weekend 'President Time'

By Edith Regalado (The Philippine Star)

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He flew to Davao right after the turnover ceremonies of the police and military in Manila, true to his word that he would not stay in Malacañang. Malacañang Photo Bureau/Released

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – President Duterte returned home on Friday night, using his “President’s time” to rest during his first weekend as Chief Executive.

He flew to Davao right after the turnover ceremonies of the police and military in Manila, true to his word that he would not stay in Malacañang.

For his inauguration last week, Duterte was reportedly billeted at the Holiday Inn Galleria in Ortigas Center.

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines did not declare a 30-minute no-fly time over the skies of Metro Manila and its environs when the private jet carrying Duterte was flying. The Philippine Air Force (PAF) also did not send advance teams of helicopters.

This was in accordance with Duterte’s instruction given during his first meeting with his Cabinet last Thursday not to make a fuss about his flights.

“We do not have any presidential plane anymore. I want this stopped. We should not be treated different from other suffering Filipino passengers,” Duterte told the members of his Cabinet.

Cayetano slams Escudero and other Duterte Critics

Office of the Senate Majority Leader

Alan Peter S. Cayetano

Rm. 603 GSIS Complex Senate of the Philippines Roxas Blvd Pasay City

         

PRESS RELEASE

24 November 2015

Senate Majority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano on Monday slammed the critics of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, stressing that those who are maligning the mayor’s decision to run for president are afraid of losing to him in the 2016 presidential election.

"Takot na takot na sila. Parating na ang tunay na pagbabago," Cayetano said.

The Senator was reacting to recent statements issued by the camp of presidential candidate Senator Grace Poe and her running mate, Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero, that Duterte was merely using Poe’s disqualification case as an excuse to run, since he had long decided to seek the presidency.

“Klaro sa amin ni Mayor Duterte na hindi pwedeng tumakbong presidente ang isang hindi natural born citizen. Tama po ba na ang isang nanumpa sa Amerika, babalik dito, gusto maging Pangulo? Hindi pwedeng palampasin ito. Lalong hindi ito drama," Cayetano said.

"Kung gusto ninyo ng drama at pagkukunwari, nandyan ang Poe-Escudero. Kung gusto ninyo ng matapang na solusyon at mabilis na aksyon, nandito po ang Duterte-Cayetano. Basta kami, we will not cheapen the presidency," Cayetano added.

Cayetano said Poe should answer directly the issues raised against her instead of hiding behind the back of Escudero.

“Hindi maaari na hindi marinig ang tinig niya lalo na kung gusto niyang maging presidente ng bansa. If this early she is already hiding behind a person, who at best is only muddling the issue lodged against her, what more if she becomes president?” Cayetano quipped.

Cayetano also defended Duterte against insinuations that the local executive may not be allowed to run as a substitute for Martin Diño, the standard-bearer of Partido Demokratikong Pilipino-Laban ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), of which Duterte is a member.

“To those nitpicking at the legal issues surrounding Mayor Duterte’s planned candidacy, set your sights elsewhere. Aside from Mayor Duterte being a natural-born Filipino with a long track record of public service, there are no outstanding legal issues in his bid. Under the law, substitution is allowed. The filing of the PDP-Laban is valid,” Cayetano added.

Cayetano acknowledged that the months leading to the elections could be tough for both him and Duterte, as influential individuals and groups who are afraid of the mayor’s inclusion in the race may try to launch smear campaigns against their ticket.

“We are certainly expecting it. May mga grupo na maraming pera gaya ng mga drug lords, smugglers at crime syndicates na balak magsama-sama para hadlangan ang tambalang Duterte-Cayetano sa gobyerno. Alam nilang liliit ang mundo nila. But I have faith that the people, who are sick and tired of crime and corruption, will support us all the way. Panahon na para sa matapang na solusyon at mabilis na aksyon,” he concluded. #. #

Duterte: I might just run for president

By Edith Regalado (The Philippine Star)

 15  2279 googleplus0  2 

Video grab from ABS-CBNnews.com shows Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte speaking on his local TV show yesterday.

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – For the sake of the oppressed, he might just run for president.

Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte said yesterday he could still join the 2016 presidential race.

“I do not like the way oppressed Filipinos are being treated now. They are oppressed and have no one to turn to,” Duterte said in his “Gikan sa Masa, para sa Masa” TV show. “If they keep letting Filipinos suffer, I might just decide to run as president.”

It would be a turnaround from his previous stand that he could not be “the savior” of the country.

Earlier, the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) chose the mayor as substitute for its presidential candidate Martin Diño who withdrew his bid in the 2016 polls.

The party announced that Duterte was its “concededly strongest presidential hopeful” and passed a resolution on Oct. 27 to show its support for the mayor.

Headlines ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1

Duterte said he was getting tired of responding to speculations that he would eventually join the presidential race by beating the Dec. 10 deadline to replace Diño.

“I really do not know. I really do not know how to solve the problem of the Philippines. I cannot be the savior of this republic,” he said.

However, even as he shuns running for the country’s top post, he has been commenting on what can be done to solve some of the country’s problems should he become president.

He has lamented the ordeal suffered by ordinary Filipinos, mostly overseas workers, who become victims of the “laglag bala” or bullet planting scam at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

Vice presidential bet Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano has been trying to persuade Duterte to run for president.

The mayor said if he does run for president, he would have former Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Francis Tolentino in his senatorial slate.

Duterte said he supports Tolentino’s aim of forming a National Disaster Recovery Agency and push for laws that will promote disaster preparedness and environmental sustainability.

“The Commission on Elections earlier said it would not work on the substitution of Duterte as presidential candidate of the PDP-Laban until the mayor accepts the party’s decision.

The poll body has not received a letter from Duterte indicating his willingness to stand as Diño’s substitute for the presidential race.

The PDP-Laban has also yet to file a new certificate of nomination and acceptance for Duterte. The substitution will not be valid without Duterte’s consent, the Comelec said.

Duterte said he has yet to receive a communication from PDP officially compelling him to run for president in place of Diño.

The mayor had repeatedly said he has no interest and ambition in seeking the highest office of the land.

“I do not have the stomach to become the president of this country,” Duterte said many times.

But the mayor said government has not done enough to address the problems besetting the country these days.

Headlines ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1

PNoy Believes Purisima Lied to Him During Mamasapano Operations

By XIANNE ARCANGEL, GMA News

President Benigno Aquino III felt he had been lied to by then-suspended Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director-General Alan Purisima during the police operation to arrest two high-value terrorists in what is believed to be Moro Islamic Liberation Front territory in Mamasapano, Maguindanao on Jan. 25.

 

Two lawmakers who were present at the meeting Aquino held Monday in Malacañang confirmed the President believed he was told lies when he received inaccurate information from Purisima that help was on the way for the beleaguered SAF troopers trapped in a gunfight with Moro rebels in Mamasapano.

 

In an interview over dZBB Tuesday, House Minority Leader Ronaldo Zamora recalled Aquino was asked by a lawmaker who used to be in the uniformed services if he felt he had been misled by the information he received regarding “Oplan Exodus,” the police operation to arrest Malaysian bomb making expert Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan and Filipino terrorist Abdul Basit Usman. 

 

“Ang sagot ng Pangulo, tingin ko hindi lang [ako] na-misled. I had been told lies,” Zamora recalled Aquino as saying.

 

“I still remember the word [the President used]: ‘I had been lied to,’” the lawmaker added.

 

'They were lies'

Antipolo Rep. Romeo Acop said he was the lawmaker who asked Aquino if he felt he had been misled by the information Purisima relayed to him regarding “Oplan Exodus.”

 

“I asked him: Do you think you were fed inaccurate information regarding this police operation? The President was candid enough to respond: I think they were lies,” Acop, a former police director, said.

 

In a transcript of text messages that he read before a Senate inquiry Monday, it was revealed that Purisima had told Aquino the military was already providing mechanized and artillery support even though they have not yet been deployed at that time. 

 

Purisima was already suspended as PNP chief when the SAF commandos carried out the operation to nab Marwan and Usman. According to Zamora, Purisima updated Aquino about the “Oplan Exodus” from Nueva Ecija. 

 

Aquino met with House leaders and select lawmakers later that day to explain how much he knew about the SAF operation in Mamasapano. Aquino recollection of his actions that day was accompanied by a Powerpoint presentation containing the text messages he received from Purisima.

 

Aquino is commander-in-chief

 

While Aquino did not specifically mention Purisima as the person who lied to him, Acop believes the President could have only been talking about him since the text messages the lawmakers saw came from the now-resigned PNP chief.

 

Zamora, for his part, said: “Hindi niya (Aquino) sinabing sinungaling si Purisima, but he felt he deserves to be told the truth.”

 

Acop said Aquino deserved to know the whole truth about the Mamasapano operation because he is the police and military’s Commander in Chief.

 

“The President should have been given all the true information regarding the operation, kasi if the information given to him were not true or relevant, he couldn’t make a good decision,” he said.

 

Acop said it was clear from the President’s presentation to them that he gave specific instructions to Purisima to inform PNP officer in charge Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina and Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas about “Oplan Exodus,” and to then- SAF director Getulio Napeñas to coordinate with the AFP but these were not followed.

 

“The burden of the operational lapse on communication on the ground now falls on Purisima and Napeñas since they had failed to coordinate and even when the President specifically instructed them to,” he said. 

—NB, GMA News

Stronger Bonds with International Community

President Benigo Aquino sought stronger bonds with the Philippines and the international Community as they face the new year.

The President thanked the international community anew for the help they gave to Filipinos affected by calamities.

"As President, I am filled with happiness and hope, knowing full well that the New Year provides many opportunities to deepen our cooperation and strengthen the partnerships we have forget, " he said.

He added the Filipino people remember who their friends are, and will look for ways to repay those who stood by them in the most difficult times as part of "utang ng loob".

The President referred to the help from the international community to victims of last year's calamities, including the magnitude-7.2 quake that shook Central Visayas, and super typhoon "Yolanda" (Haiyan), which devastated Eastern Visayas and Southern Luzon.

Fastest Growth in Asean?

I was really surprised receiving the news, that the Philippine economy moved to the fastest in Southeast Asia in the third quarter at 7.1 percent from a year earlier, coming just a little behind China's growth and surpassing projections.

I received these news while waiting at the airport in Manila for my flight back to Davao City.

Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda commented it like this: "This was possible due to sustained confidence in the leadership of President Aquino and his administration, which has consistently equated good governance with good economics. The government has pushed to ensure this economic growth is felt by the broadest number of people!"

The German Ambassador for the Philippines, Dr. Joachim Heidorn, whom I interviewed just a little while ago, had the same opinion. By the way, the interview shall be published here soon.

Philippines - the fastest growth in Asean? I pray and I wish, it might not become a nine days fly... .

Aquino: No Apologies to Bishops

Is it the really right move of the President of the Philippines? Check out more here: 

Aquino: No apologies to bishops

AND, WHAT'S YOUR OPINION?