While You Were Sleeping
Once again, on both sides of the globe, politics are the headlines. In the United States you have the start of the Presidential Campaigns (two years before the actual election), and in The Philippines you have the jockeying of Senatorial bets waiting until the last minute to decide their party affiliations.
The Black Bombshell
Barack Obama, Officially announced his candidacy for President, the election is in 2008. I’m partial to Barak Obama, a charismatic speaker, the first Black Presidential Candidate who actually has a fighting chance, and new blood into the often slow-moving or even stagnant politicians that pervade U.S politics. He is still second in the polls for the Democratic Nominee for President (behind Hillary Clinton)…
SPRINGFIELD, Illinois (CNN) — Sen. Barack Obama stood before a cheering crowd in his home state Saturday and announced he will seek the 2008 Democratic nomination for president.
Invoking the memory of fellow Illinoisan and the 16th president of the United States, Abraham Lincoln, the first-term senator addressed thousands packed into the Springfield, Illinois, town square on a chilly day in America’s heartland.
To chants of “Obama! Obama!,” he told the crowd: “It was here, in Springfield, where North, South, East and West come together that I was reminded of the essential decency of the American people — where I came to believe that through this decency, we can build a more hopeful America.”
If the 45-year-old Obama were elected, he would become the nation’s first African-American president.
“And that is why, in the shadow of the Old State Capitol, where Lincoln once called on a divided house to stand together, where common hopes and common dreams still live, I stand before you today to announce my candidacy for president of the United States of America.” (via)
On This Side of The Globe
On the other end of the spectrum, in the Philippines, there is new meaning for Filipino time, as candidates wait until the last minute to announce their affiliations and slowly walk (or crawl) towards the Monday Deadline for filing of candidacy.
MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Manuel Villar will cast his lot with the United Opposition (UNO), Senators Ralph Recto and Joker Arroyo will go with Team Unity, and Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan will strike out on his own.
There is still a chance that Kiko will join Team Unity, but he has to decide within hours while Gloria keeps the door open for him. Villar really has had no pressure in my opinion, because financially, he’s set. He could’ve run all by himself and churn out a good campaign strictly because of his personal wealth. But, when you have your eyes set on the presidency in 2010, every move is important and allying yourself to the popular Estrada is a good political move on his end.
It’s Kiko that is feeling the pressure now. It’s no secret he doesn’t like a lot of the individuals in the Administration’s party, and having to campaign for these people in the upcoming months is surely to keep the antacids coming.
But, right now, hours are like days, and in summary, we still don’t have a damn clue as to the final slates!
You may as well go back to sleep! Ok, maybe you shouldn’t… Keep on reading and enjoy the chaos of this neverending and changing story.
A Fuming Erap
Apparently, Erap was fumed after Villar and wife weren’t allowed to enter the Tanay villa. Looks like Erap has a new favorite son named Manny, even going to the extent of “fuming”…
This is going to strengthen Villar’s push towards a strong presidential run in the future, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves, we still have The May 2007 (hopefully clean) election to look forward to.
Manny, Choose Boxing!
And our other favorite “Manny” ditches Kampi (Arroyo’s pet party) and goes to the Liberal Party (LP)…. what a great move! jab, jab, side step, and bam! I’m here on the side of The Liberal Party. Kudos to Atienza as well, good politicking on your part.
However, Manny is still undecided as to which public post to aim for. “Hmmm, if I don’t want to be mayor, maybe I can be a boxing trainer…”
Manny, oh Manny, most candidates are having a hard time on the party to join, but you, my friend, have it backwards and can’t even decide the position that you are running for. Please, I plead with you again.. don’t run!
What’s his reason for going to LP? Because he doesn’t want anyone to think that Madam Presidente pushed him to her party. And what the heck do you think Atienza is doing? This is not a good reason, nor is it even a rational reason to join any party. You join because you believe in what they stand for…
AND THAT’S IT. WERE YOU EXPECTING MORE? GO BACK TO SLEEP!
P.S. to Madam President, Funny that you would like us to focus on good news about your Presidency, all the while having persistent reports of fraud, graft and corruption, extra-judicial killings. How can we look at the brighter spots when the dark and disturbing is so glaring?
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Nick,
There actually is nothing good in the news. This administration has a knack for redefining terms and data. Remember the classroom shortage? Its every media outfit’s duty to report what needs to be reported. In reality, its the people who actually see and experience life under this repressive regime.
Schumey, excellent comment. Indeed, it is the responsibility of every Filipino.