Inside Philippine politics & beyond

President Aquino can run in 2016, without amending the Constitution

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Analysis by Raïssa Robles

There are now reports of a possible team up of Vice President Jejomar Binay with Governor-actress Vilma Santos in 2016.  Or Binay with a prominent businessman as his running mate.

This is probably the start of a season where we will see various strange combinations floated about.

In this context, let me let me throw in a possible combination: that Aquino could run for vice president. And I don’t mean Kris, as some are suggesting.

But first, let me explain why I’m doing this. When I was in Tokyo recently, a senior editor of  a Japanese newspaper told me the Philippines was about to enter “a period of instability” because in 2016, President Benigno Aquino III would be stepping down from office and be replaced by who knows what.  

Earlier, I was told the same concern by a prominent American businessman in Manila who spoke to me on condition of anonymity. The businessman wondered who would replace Aquino who, he noted, could not run again.

Hmm. It seems both men believe that Aquino lends political stability to the system.

To both the businessman and the Japanese editor my reply was the same: Of course he can run again.

PNoy (as he is popularly called) can run for Vice-President, I said.

My reply was met with skepticism. And so I had to explain how this would effectively change the current political landscape that had only Vice-President Jejomar Binay and Local Governments Secretary Mar Roxas as the main presidential contenders.

Before I go on, I would like to stress that I am neither endorsing nor advocating PNoy’s running again. I am simply analyzing and pointing out the possibilities as a political commentator.

Let’s look at two important aspects of the idea:

  • First, the constitutionality of such a move.
  • Second, the implications of such a move on Philippine politics.

Politics is like entertainment in that it shares some characteristics with the world of movies and entertainment. Political strategists play around with combinations and see what team-ups could produce a box office hit, in this case, electoral victories.

President Aquino is barred by the Philippine Constitution only from running for President, but not from running for Vice-President or any other political office. Given his name recall nationwide and his track record, he is probably a shoe-in if he runs for vice-president.

But why would his party even consider fielding him for the vice-presidency — a spare tire position? They might consider any or all of the following points.

First, it is very likely that VP Binay will run for President in 2016. And Binay could win. If VP Binay and PNoy win – in this case, we would have a Bi-Noy scenario instead of the current Noy-Bi one – then VP Binay’s behavior might be affected by his knowledge of who his stand-by successor is.

Second, PNoy could campaign for vice-president by telling voters – ‘look, vote for the presidential candidate I endorse and for me because I’m his seal of good housekeeping. I am not going to meddle or anything. I will just be there to make sure he walks the straight and narrow.’

Presuming Aquino endorses Mar Roxas, will that be enough to make Mar Roxas win? Frankly, I don’t know at this point because there are other issues swirling around Roxas which he has not addressed.

Will PNoy look at 2016 the way President Fidel Ramos looked at 1998? If you recall, Ramos fielded House Speaker Jose de Venecia out of a sense of loyalty, gratitude and friendship even though many voters clearly did not like De Venecia.

Third, what if PNoy and the Liberal Party were to pick someone other than Roxas? That would make things truly interesting.

Then there is this one other scenario to consider, remote but possible: PNoy teams up with someone who will promise to step down so PNoy can continue being President.

Are these far-fetched? Not in our world of politics where a president is ousted, then convicted, then pardoned, then allowed to run again, then defeated, then runs for mayor and wins.

The last two years of a president’s term are usually called the lame duck years. But just a hint – or threat – of running for the VP post could erase that perception for PNoy.

So when people tell me they are afraid of what would happen in 2016, my reply is – you have to be open to the possibilities. What will happen will simply surprise you.

Comments

  1. “…guess what? If Noy2 is elected VP with B as pres…something goes …B is depose…VP Noy2 becomes president to finish the term. Is pres. Noy2 [again] allowed to sit as president?

    Sec. 4 1987 Constitution says: ‘xxx The President shall not be eligible for ”any reelection.]’ No person who has “succeeded as President and has served *as such for more than four years* **shall be qualified for #election# to the same office at any time. xxx’

    PNoy [under that scenario above] was not ‘reelected.’ So PNoy serves succeeding B. Has PNoy ‘served as ‘successor president for ‘more than 4 four years’ to B? No again. So PNoy is still good for president as successor.

    Under that scenario, VP Noy2 who became president ‘was not elected’ to the same post. Qualified again!

    In short, my opn here is that, Raissa’s idea of Noy2 being VP can [under the term ‘deposed’ of B, become president…being ‘out’ of all the ‘limitations’ provided in SEC. 4 [if simply interpreted without much ado] [How the SC also interpreted Erap’s candidacy for president 2nd time. the Court & Comelec said ‘premature’…Erap is not yet elected…bla bla bla]

    In short and as ide-ad make on 2016 PNoy a candidate for Vice President!”

    Sunod ako kay leona’s deposition dito.

  2. …guess what? If Noy2 is elected VP with B as pres…something goes …B is depose…VP Noy2 becomes president to finish the term. Is pres. Noy2 [again] allowed to sit as president?

    Sec. 4 1987 Constitution says: ‘xxx The President shall not be eligible for ”any reelection.]’ No person who has “succeeded as President and has served *as such for more than four years* **shall be qualified for #election# to the same office at any time. xxx’

    PNoy [under that scenario above] was not ‘reelected.’ So PNoy serves succeeding B. Has PNoy ‘served as ‘successor president for ‘more than 4 four years’ to B? No again. So PNoy is still good for president as successor.

    Under that scenario, VP Noy2 who became president ‘was not elected’ to the same post. Qualified again!

    In short, my opn here is that, Raissa’s idea of Noy2 being VP can [under the term ‘deposed’ of B, become president…being ‘out’ of all the ‘limitations’ provided in SEC. 4 [if simply interpreted without much ado] [How the SC also interpreted Erap’s candidacy for president 2nd time. the Court & Comelec said ‘premature’…Erap is not yet elected…bla bla bla]

    In short and as ide-ad make on 2016 PNoy a candidate for Vice President!

  3. Hello po! I would vote for Mar Roxas if he decides to run for President. 2 things. He has not been shown to be dishonest, a qualification which other candidates may not pass. Second, the Philippines is said to need foreign investments, which is his forte.
    He might not be as popular as actors, or lawyers who have been developing their public image full time, but it would be wrong to disqualify him for this reason. I would just campaign for him.
    of course, i’m not a political analyst like you all. heh, heh.

    • He was shown to be incompetent on the way he handled Yolanda aftermath though. Oh and the only thing he can come up with to stop Martilyo Gangs from robbing malls is to ban the sale of hammers and the like inside such establishments?

      • @darewin ocampo: in such catastrophes as Yolanda, I doubt if anybody would be competent. as dilg chief, working mainly through local governments, what could he have done more? those who work in logistics would tell you it takes time to mobilize, starting from scratch. the fact that he was there even before yolanda hit leyte indicates he was on the job. too, malls are private properties. he probably saw that security in the area was okay, so he just declared that hammers should be banned. no hammer, no martilyo gang. heh, heh. of course, another gang might use, say, chairs. then the gang will be called salumpuit gang. but no more martilyo gang. definitely!
        at any rate, I choose based on what i perceive that the country needs, and the country needs more investments. more investments, more jobs, more economic activity, less poor, less crimes, etc etc. also, one president that is not corrupt.

        • He several uncalled for things in the Yolanda aftermath.

          1. The ungrateful way in which he said we already have enough volunteer doctors and nurses when the government has yet to reach numerous barangays at that time.
          2. He also said that looking for victims trapped under the rubble is not a priority,
          3. The “You are a Romualdez and the President is an Aquino” incident.

          Going back to the martilyo gang, it is the wrong approach IMO. They wanted to do the same thing with the “Riding in Tandem” problem. They want to limit the number of people who can ride a motorcycle at a time to just one. How about those who ride motorcycles in tandem for good reasons like a husband having his wife take a backride when they go to work?

          The crime rate in the country is at an all time high so how can you say the current DILG head who is unable to do enough to curb crime can achieve less crimes when he becomes president?

          And on why do you think there will be more economic activity and less poor people if Mar gets elected to the highest post in the country?

          Being so-called incorruptible is not enough. We need someone who can deliver. What exactly are the notable accomplishments of Mar as DILG chief?

        • @darewin: i’m sorry, i will not fall into the trap of looking for a perfect president. the choice is limited to what is available. heh, heh.
          so, in this case, among those who are available, i would choose secretary roxas. why? because the current president has already started the cleanup, and it is said what we need is more investments. is mar roxas not the only one, among those available, who would understand, therefore be able to communicate and convince effectively potential investors?
          too, I consider integrity as a necessary prerequisite to the presidency. otherwise, you could end up with a tyrant and despot, and we;ve been through that. it was good that cory aquino was there. got it?
          if i had unlimited choice, i would choose between either thor or batman. thor because he has a hammer at kayang kaya niya yung martilyo gang na yan. ke batman naman, meron siyang batcycle na kung minsan nagiging tricycle. hindi pwede sa kanya yung mga riding in tandem na yan. heh, heh. ang problema, hindi pwede piliin silang dalawa. sir, who would you choose? heh, heh.
          joke lang po.

      • @DAREWIN

        IF YOU ARE IN MAR ROXAS POSITION AND THERE COMES MAGNITUDE INTENSITY 10 EARTHQUAKE, WHAT WOULD YOU DO????

        YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO DO ANYTHING BECAUSE EVERYTHING BUILDINGS AND MOUNTAINS WILL BE FLATTEN…A LOT WILL BE DEAD…PERHAPS SOME PEOPLE LIKE YOU…KNOCK ON WOOD…

        SAME CASE WITH YOLANDA, ACCORDING TO THE US WEATHER DEPARTMENT, YOLANDA WAS THE STRONGEST EVER….

        FOR ME YOLANDA IS EQUIVALENT TO INTENSITY 10 IN EARTHQUAKE…

  4. During the last elections, there was talk here of forming a swing-vote bloc (of about 3 million members). Maybe it’s time to organize this now so as to be prepared for 2016. It would be interesting to see if CPM can muster 3M registered voters who agree to vote as one.

    • @et…maybe we here can muster 150 votes…double that as we keep coming back, we have 300! But remember the 300! … who said “Yours is not to question why but to do and die’…

      …speaking of mustering 3 million reg voters…you’ll need 10 terrabytes here!

      • From what I read before, each CPMer will get/convince 10 others, who will each get 10 others, and so on until we reach 3M. Doable, or not?

    • I commented on January 23, 2010 that gloria may run again for re-election if you go by the Comelec’s decision then that any non-incumbent President may be voted into office…

      Ferrer’s flawed reasoning will only lift the total ban on presidential reelection. Replace Erap with congresswoman gloria, by 2016 (if in case we’re not yet Parliamentary):

      gloria is not banned for presidential RE-ELECTION because she is not the incumbent.

      gloria is not banned for presidential ELECTION because, as presidential successor in 2001, she only completed less than four years of the 6-year-term.

      http://philippinecommentary.blogspot.com/2010/01/comelecs-falwed-reasoning.html?showComment=1264201749722#c6070671184880111571

    • The terms “any” and “re-election” or “reelection” need operational definitions. Without which the debate, if there is one, may linger on…

      • …’any’ simply [my opn] refers to the ‘same’ position – “president” and not to any other…that is supported by making the ‘office of president’ with a straight term of 6 years, discarding the old rule of ‘4 years with 1 re-election’ for another ‘4 years’.

        Erap’s case …being elected as mayor of Manila is clear on that…from ‘president’ to ‘mayor’.

    • Just to keep this discussion living -Fr. Joaquin Bernas commented on GMA news then:

      …”When the said draft was being deliberated, ConCom members came out with three proposals on the reelection issue: (1) no immediate reelection (2) absolutely no reelection whatsoever and (3) one immediate reelection.

      The “absolutists” among the drafters won, according to Bernas. The word “immediate” was “deliberately deleted,” thus the final text became, “The President shall not be eligible for any reelection.” http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/161855/news/nation/erap-candidacy-in-the-2010-may-polls-debate-rages-on

      Christian Monsod, former chairman of Comelec also says “You only get one shot to serve as elected president. There should be absolutely no second election at all,” Chairman Monsod was a ConCom delegate to the 1987 Constitution. He said “that when the 1986 ConCom drafted the Charter, the delegates wanted to guarantee that after a single term, a President is “perpetually disqualified” from seeking the highest post in the land again.”

      Same link.

      The election lawyer, Mr. Romulo Macalintal says “Napakaliwanag sa ating Saligang Batas na sinumang naging pangulo ng bansa ay ‘di na maaring tumakbo sa pagka-pangulo muli [The Constitution states that anyone who has served as president cannot seek the same office again].

      “Maliwanag na for any reelection, whether you are incumbent, sakop ka ng reelection (ban) [Whether you are incumbent or not, you are forbidden from seeking reelection],”

      “At least two arguments are being raised by those who favor Estrada’s reelection. The first is defining reelection in Article VII, Section 4 of the Constitution as election immediately following the end of the term of a President. And because Estrada did not run immediately following the end of his term, he could be allowed to run again.

      The second argument is that Estrada could run again because he was not able to finish his six-year term. Estrada’s camp argues that the constitutional ban on the reelection of Presidents only applies to “sitting presidents” running again following the end of their term and those who have completed their terms. ”

      Same link.

      A new question – Will Erap run again on 2016 for president? His case as an issue remains unresolved. When this issue becomes ripe, SC will have to decide if one is filed, assuming Erap wins on 2016.

      Surely the Transcripts of the Commission on the 1987 constitution will be one of the sources for a correct interpretation of the intent of Section 4 Art. VII provision of the 1987 Constitution.

    • The very telling response of the PMA president: PMA will not tolerate tax cheats. “We will act immediately if these isolated cases can be brought formally to our attention.”

      • ayan… IF lang. wait and see lang sila. why not purge their ranks if they’re so sensitive, d ba? saka may mali sa ad… ganoon ba talaga kalaki ang kita ng guro? saka ganon ba kaayos ang public classrooms?

    • “Olarte was referring to the half-page ad, which was published in the Inquirer, showing a female doctor riding piggyback on a female teacher.

      The physician, a certain Marjorie Villena, who supposedly earned P1,075,080.52 paid only P7,424 in taxes while the teacher, a certain Carina Santos, whose salary amounted to P852,169.48, paid P221,694.23 in taxes.

      The ad carried the message: “When you don’t pay your taxes, you’re a burden to those who do. Do your share. knowyourtaxes.ph.” It reminded readers that the deadline for the filing and payment of income tax return was on April 15.

      Olarte said the PMA would not tolerate tax cheats among its ranks. “[W]e will act immediately if these isolated cases can be brought formally to our attention.” Inquirer news.

      …how about high earning lawyers…will the ad show ‘a lawyer riding on a KANGAROO blindfolded and hitting the poor animal with boxing gloves?

      …how about DPWH’s engineers….will the ad show ‘an engineer riding on a BACKHOE or ASPHALT GRADER with the engineer blindfolded, driving that machine over a road full of pot holes?

      …how about korupt TRAPOS…what will the ad show? …poking into the COOKIE JAR stealing the people’s savings of money?

      …how about….bla bla bla…never mind. But If we put all the super rich tax cheats in ads a revolution by the poor might take place.

  7. Even here in England, I have spoken to a lot of Filipinos and they are backing Binay, but millions more in Philippines are backing Binay. Mar is not popular here, so why endorse him for presidency if there no chance of him to win because by so doing, we are handing the plate of presidency to Binay just like that.

    Comelec urges Congress to pass a law on money ban during elections. Why not include as well a ban on distributing blue bags of goodies with noodles, rice, cell phone, canned goods and whatever as this is tantamount to bribery during elections. The recipients of such goodies have no recourse but to vote the candidate who gave them away, just look at the result t when Nancy Binay run for her senatorial candidacy. Congress has to make its utmost effort that it wont happen again, It’s time to uphold transparency and accountability among candidates.

    If Congress doesn’t pass a law on money ban and a ban on the distribution of blue bags of goodies during elections, we have the right to know the names of those scallywags who didn’t vote for its passage and approval. We the voters can inflict on them our most dissatisfaction by not voting for them. We have to punish them severely.

  8. We can liken VP Binay to typhoon Yolanda barreling towards our country with all its destructive fury. But what do we who see it coming do? Will we be like the mayor who did nothing to ensure the safety of his constituents but instead merely secured his own estate? Or will we be like those leaders who ensured that even the most vulnerable were included in evacuating to safety?

    VP Binay has become very popular because he has successfully created the impression, rightly or not, that he looks after the interest of the masses. On the other hand, the economic achievements of President Aquino does not seem to be trickling down fast enough to create an impact on everyone especially the poorest of the poor.

    We can not dictate nor blame the people who they will vote for or even with what they will do with their votes. Between crafty and corrupt politicians who have mastered the bread and circus art of capturing the people’s mind or an honest man who does his best for the country but whose best just is not enough to reach everyone as quickly as possible, who will people go for?

    That is why there is a need for civil society and people who have tasted the benefits of a clean and honest government to help President Aquino to cross and close the great divide in our society. . If we can not reach out and be one with our less fortunate countrymen, they will be one even with those who will occupy and plunder us again. They are already at the base of the social pyramid so they can not fall down much lower. Only those who happen to be higher up will and that may be us.

  9. It is extremely hard to be the president of the Philippines. Unless one is there to loot, I cannot see how a person with sincere intentions and enough capability will have enough motivation to serve again in whatever capacity. Media keeps sweating the small stuff, instead of helping build a nation. I congratulate the real professionals in media but there are very few of them.

    Imagine how many days in the year public officials must be compelled to face the press to clarify a wrong or inaccurate story. Although the issue may have been explained well, the distorted news account had stuck in the minds of the population, and perhaps in the biased minds of some media people. It is so easy to play media’s game for those who want to plant seeds of destruction. In the end, this kind of media behavior helped serve the interest of people who do not want a clean government.

    If we end up with a Binay, I have no doubt corruption will make a comeback with a vengeance.

    As one columnist said, we have failed P-Noy. I’m not even sure people even realize that. In the end, we failed no one but ourselves.

    • very well said.

      These unethical-unprofessional media people, though in the minority, has profited much from their materialistic alliances with trapos and unprincipled bureaucrats. Comissioner Kim will not find it difficult to spot those in media whose lifestyle is worth checking.

      • Parengtony,

        Unfortunately, they are not minority. They make up the majority because a lot of them who get called “journalists” and who by self-annointment pretend to be “journalists” for some ulterior motive make up the majority. Crooked public officials and crooked fake journalists have a codependency that is killing us all. They are more aggressive and are used for evil designs. That is why our public is very confused. That is why unscrupulous public officials can get away with murder.

        • Who is the body that is supposed to investigate the composition of the National Press Club? It used to be a legitimate club of journalists until martial law made most of them prostitutes to the politics of the day. Now NPC has evolved into an organization for taboloids, radio people and PR quacks. AND THEY CONTINUE TO HAVE THE LEGAL PERSONALITY TO REPRESENT JOURNALISTS OF THE PHILIPPINES!!!

          In other words “journalists” who do not follow the ethics and who do not practice the moral integrity and fairness required of a true journalist has become co-conspirators of the bad elements.

  10. At this point PNoy should be very careful not to fall victim to the 2Ds which could be plotted by those who see REGIME CHANGE as their way out of the plunder cases readied vs them by the Ombudsman. These powerful people are allies of VP Binay who see that a repeat of the set up GMA enjoyed vs FPJ in 2004 would be welcome by the VP i.e. a sitting successor-president running for another 6 years that shall guarantee the watering down of those cases vs them. The set up is due to the factual error of Sec 4c; Art VII; Exec. Dept. If not corrected via PI & R, Awe can expect the latest version of the infamous Hello Garci scandal.

  11. If Aquino runs for VP and wins, and Binay runs for President and wins, then I will go back to being prayerful and wish that something happens so that succession will occur within Binay’s term. ha ha ha ha

    Kidding aside, I’m with Buencamino’s views. President Aquino has to choose well and endorse him strongly. But in addition to that, he should hit the opposition standard bearer strongly, just like Corona. If he doesnt hit Binay, then the odds are great Binay will win.

    The battle cry for 2016 will be ” Ituloy and laban sa korapsyon! ” “Patuloy kayong maghihirap kapag ibinoto nyo ang korap!”

  12. I don’t think he can run. If we are going to follow the constitution to the letter “The President shall not be eligible for any re-election” Aquino cannot run for any elective office again. Dapat nga disqualified si GMA at si Erap from running in any election pero walang nag file ng kaso sa SC nung pinayagan sila ng Comelec. (Although I heard there is a pending disqualification case against Erap in the SC but the SC has not acted on it. Takot siguro gumawa ng tamang decision ang mga kumag. But be that as it may, the constitution’s language is widely interpreted as intended to limit a president to one term. Running for vice will be seen as going around the constitution’s intent, making a mockery of the people’s decision to limit presidents to only one term. Aquino will use whatever credibility he has if he decides to go around the constitution, he will be seen as no different and as power hungry as previous presidents who tried to go around the one term limit by pushing for charter change.

    The best scenario for stability is for Aquino to declare his chosen successor early and do his damned best to get his choice elected, without resort to cheating of course. He can begin to take him around the country now, present him to the people as his understudy, so that those who were happy with his presidency will rest assured that whatever he started will be carried on by his chosen successor.

    • Sorry typo in one sentence. “Aquino will lose whatever credibility he has” not “will use whatever credibility he has”

    • Manuel@4

      I agree with the last paragraph. That PNoy must anoint his successor and do his best to ensure victory.

      I believe it is very unfair to PNoy for anybody to expect him to run for a lower position like Gloria and Erap. I think PNoy does not belong to the league of the latter.

    • we are all facing a very difficult situation indeed re:2016. Mar Roxas is still our best bet. He is a good public servant, unfortunately , he is not as good as a politician. Strong support from the outside is needed for him to win. And when we decide to favor him, we must go all out for he will need all the help he can get. If we deeply analyze our cards at hand, we will find Mar Roxas is our only chance, our only alternative. We have no other options.I see Noynoy as no longer as sure as he used to be in choosing Mar due to the winnability factor. Binay has been campaigning for more than 6 years . I hope Noynoy will decide sooner than later for time is not on our side. A Roxas/Aquino (any) or Roxas/Poe tandem I think has a great chance.

  13. I suppose there are as many speculations as there are opinions, which is a bunch. The main criterion for president in my book is good character. That means psychologically healthy, rational of thought, mature of bearing, with impeccable integrity. I wish Poe had a deeper track record or that Robredo didn’t crash. Wishes aren’t worth much. Poe/Aquino would rocket the Philippines higher into the world of respected nations. The character is unmatched, and Mr. Aquino would provide the needed stability, experience and special strength during transition.

    I rather think Poe will not volunteer to run. Too much humility. The nation would have to demand she serve. President Aquino would have to listen and agree, and not do as he is likely inclined to do. Go too much with loyalty to the loyal (Roxas).

        • Her parentage.

          Here’s what I know: Senator Poe is well-principled, mature, and of high character.

          Know. Not rumor.

          I further believe a child ought not be made to carry the burdens of adults. A child is a child is a child.

        • “I further believe a child ought not be made to carry the burdens of adults. A child is a child is a child.”

          I agree 100%, Bonggit included.

          Grace and Bonggit are both rightly judged based on their individual character as well as their individual personal and professional track record.

          I also believe that a strong endorsement from PNoy will take away an overwhelming percentage of the “masa” votes from Binay.

        • nobody is asking grace to shoulder the burderns of the adult, if she does, that’s her choice. we just want her to be honest and upfront. grace is no longer a child, she’s adult now free to make her decisions.

          and blood is thicker than water.

          grace, herself, mentioned many times during last election in may 2013 that she is curious and wants to know more about her family tree. she mentioned many times that if given chance, she would dig deep into fpj’s origin, see what was written in fpj’s original birth certificate. apparently, when fpj first tried to run for president, his residency was questioned whether he is true filipino or not. that info was not available then. suppressed yata by gloria arroyo.

          if grace is found to be makoy’s biological daughter, would she fight for makoy to be buried in the libingan ng mga bayani? given state funeral posthumously? and declared a national day of mourning?

        • @moonie, I tend to think that brains and character are thicker than blood. Indeed, Senator Poe should be asked respectfully what she thinks about the rumor. And she could be asked respectfully what she thinks about recovery of the Marcos fortune, the Marco dictatorship, and other relevant questions. She should not be treated disrespectfully because she is the child of unusual birth. A good share of the Philippine population was born of unmarried parents and split families. Her parentage is irrelevant, except to the point that she clearly was gifted with a great brain.

        • JoeAm

          There is a saying in the vernacular which my parents inculcated in me and my siblings. I frequently hear my wife say the same to our children and close relatives.

          “Sa oras ng kagipitan ang kamag-anak LAMANG ang MAAASAHAN na tutulong ng tunay at lubusan, lalo na sa gitna nang buhay o kamatayan.” “At tandaan mo iyan.” Sa madiin na pagbigkas.

          “In time of crisis especially over life or death, ONLY the relatives could be TRUSTED to help truly and till the end.” With “Don’t forget that” emphatically.

        • you’re right, rene-ipil. we filipinos come from very tightly knit families. it’s family first among others.

      • If Grace runs for president, she must present her DNA test in relation to Bongbong and Susan. Bongbong – to clear her parentage. And Susan – to see whether Susan and Grace are lying to their teeth or telling the whole truth as to their biological relation.

        If Grace does not run for president let’s leave Grace in peace.

        • Her parentage is irrelevant. Her foster parents did an exceptionally fine job of raising a high class lady, and any need to impose the burden of wayward adults on a child is most disturbing.

        • Her parentage should not matter, I agree.

          Except that she has told everyone she was a foundling and unrelated to Susan Roces.
          I am really wondering why, on the eve of her election, a man whom I met inside the Abs-Cbn studios while I waited for my turn to appear, told me about his night outs with fpj. I asked this man how true the rumor was abt rosemarie sonora and marcos and he told me it was true.

          I would not have given credence to this man except for the fact that he was accompanying the new PNP chief Alan Purisima in ABS-CBN that same night.

          Later, after Grace Poe was elected, she told the story that she was a foundling.

          So shoot me if I’m asking answers now to this very same question.

          If she cant tell the truth about her parentage, what more is untrue?
          And if it’s true she really is a foundling, where did THAT story about rosemary come from?

          That rumor is on the same level as the story on Alfie Anido and Jack Enrile.

        • I don’t know what she told people or why, and I’d suggest those who believe it is material simply ask her, face to face, rather than promote behind the back rumors. Perhaps she didn’t want to deal with the unkind assumptions of others, which are exhausting and punitive, so she told a white lie. I hardly blame her . We are a foolish and unreliable and often cruel species.

        • I understand and empathize with the concern of others here and their wish to address that rumor to the point of requesting for a DNA test to lay this to rest. The trauma of the Marcos dictatorship is so deep that the slogan/vow “never a Marcos” again is a serious one. Blood is thicker than water adage is taken very seriously also. The fear of having the former dictator buried in the Libingan ng mga Bayani is a real one. Put it this way, Joe… we have driven away the guy (Edsa 1), we were hailed by the world as the first country to succeed in a peaceful revolution to unseat a despot, and that despot will be resting among the our other Heroes? Quite ironic, yes? And what will happen to the claims on the rest of the 10 billion dollars spirited away, which is why we are allocating billions to pay off interest and principals on foreign loans to be paid by the next five generations or more? Daughters and brothers are known to have different principles, but can you blame us if we fear that this one is also tainted with the same blood?.. Would a declaration from Grace Poe that she is different from her father be enough? The other plunderer former president after being convicted in a very credible court was quickly pardoned by the next plunderer president…, what will happen to the still open cases and the stolen funds that the Marcos children are still interested in notwithstanding their denial? We were burned by that presidential pardon given by the former PGMA to the former PJE. Also we just cannot take chances of the Marcos clan rewriting the history, just like what Enrile is trying to do via his memoir…

        • @Mary, I’m reminded that Filipinos don’t trust Filipinos, and do trust ghosts. One has to make the distinction between genetic makeup and societal and family values. As far as I know, Marcos was very intelligent, not crazy. Grace Poe was raised a Poe, not a Marcos, and has the values of two parents who were dedicated to raising a well-educated, high-principled young woman. To penalize her, for all that she has given to live a good straight life, because of fears about ghosts . . . it’s too much for me. I think y’all who want DNA tests are treading the edge of rationality and risk hurting both a fantastic woman and the Philippines.

        • Honestly, having watched Grace Poe in her various interviews, I’m very impressed with her, she is very intelligent, articulate and she appears sincere and with integrity. I have heard of that rumor but I disregarded it and went on to vote for her. But for President? Now I realize, Marcos was also intelligent and articulate but where did it take us? He was so intelligent that he was able to perpetuate himself in power and was all set to make his allegedly acquisitive wife his successor, he was so intelligent and cunning that he was able to spirit away billions of dollars (that we and the future generations will still be paying for) using multilevel virtual corporations to elude discovery by an impoverished nation whose citizens he deceived into believing he is the best president ever, and those he was not able to deceive, tortured and killed… If and when it will be proven that she is not a Marcos descendant, then, well and good, let’s consider her… if she wants the position, she may not be offended when asked to take a DNA test, to lay all this rumor to rest.

        • [email protected]

          “I’m reminded that Filipinos don’t trust Filipinos, and do trust ghost.”

          I am a Filipino and I do trust my wife who is also a Filipino.
          As far as I know Filipinos have not experienced a civil war wherein classmates in the Philippine Military Academy had to slaughter each other. Maybe Filipinos have not completely lost their trust to fellow Filipinos. But sometimes I trust ghosts more than some of my Filipino neighbors. And I don’t trust Grace because she is not a ghost.

        • Yes, nurture versus nature, which will prevail when it will matter most? and I can’t scoff on history, it teaches us lessons so we need not experience horrible things before we can learn from them… I know and I realize I’m not being fair to Grace and I’m willing to listen, I’d like to keep an open mind.

        • @Mary, and I will watch Grace Poe carefully to see how she handles this matter if it is presented to her by reporters.

          If I were a Manila-based reporter, I would ask both Senators Poe and Marcos some substantive questions about issues. What do you think about government efforts to recover money stolen by the Marcos family? What do you think about bank secrecy laws? What do you think about legislator SALN’s being an annual requirement in FOI legislation?

          I think you would get some different answers, and you would nod in agreement with one of the two senators.

        • I know I am being biased here but I am unable to see why being a companion of the new PNP chief provides credence to a kwento by an unnamed source.

          And why should such a kwento now be the basis to demand that she present further proof that the kwento is untrue?

        • Wag lang syang kakampi sa mga Marcoses,,, Grace is a formidable candidate even without opening her blood line , i think so… So what kung sino ang ama nya , ang santol na maasim ay pwedi namang magbunga ng MATAMIS na santol diba@ parengtony…

        • @Joe America – That would be fair… it would really be interesting to compare their response if and when those questions will be posed to them. BTW, I enjoy being a commenter on your blog, I’m Mary Grace P. Gonzales over there, my trigger-happy finger automatically typed my full name when I registered… such a mouthful…with initials to booth, ha…

        • These are not rumors.

          In 2004 Fernando Poe, Jr. personally sought the endorsement of Imelda for the presidency when he visited the tomb of President Marcos (Wikipedia).

          FPJ won overwhelmingly in the Ilocos Region.

          In 2013 Grace Poe also won overwhelmingly in the Ilocos Region, second only to Loren Legarda.

          Bongbong calls Grace “sis” and Grace calls Bongbong “brod” as a joke according to an Inquirer article.

          http://lifestyle.inquirer.net/145641/the-grace-and-burden-of-her-name

          According to movie celebrities blogspot, nine (9) Rosemarie movies were shown in 1968. I presume these movies were all made in 1967 or early 1968. And only one movie was released or shown in 1969. In 1970 Rosemarie married Ricky Belmonte. In mid-1980s Rosemarie left Ricky purportedly for a vacation in US but never came back and married an American.

          FPJ and Susan were married in December 1968. Among their primary sponsors were Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos. Shortly thereafter the newly married couple got custody of Grace and adopted the latter. (Wikipedia).

          Sometime in 1988 or thereabout after two years in UP, Grace reportedly rebelled, stopped schooling and went to US where she finished college in 1991. (Wikipedia).

        • Those are a fine rendition of facts that aim to reflect suspicion. But do all the facts. She was appointed to the movie board by President Aquino, not Marcos, and garnered more votes than any other senate candidate. She is working diligently to get an FOI Bill out of the Senate in a few months; it has languished unattended until she arrived.This is a fact, one of good deed. I am sure there are a lot of facts that would say this list of suspicious activities, mostly very old history, is a very small part of the relevant story today.

        • [email protected] March 5 at 9PM

          That “She is working diligently to get an FOI Bill out of the Senate in a few months;” is TRUE.

          That “it has languished unattended until she arrived” is FALSE because the senate already passed the FOI bill on third reading on December 17, 2012. Grace as the head of the senate committee on public information has the duty to continue the work done by the senate in the 15th congress. But it is true that the FOI bill languished in the lower house. The Transparency and Accountability Network reported on January 14, 2013:

          “The Senate has already passed the FOI bill on Second Reading (11 Dec 2012) and Third Reading (17 December). Thus it only awaits the passage of the counterpart measure from the House of Representatives, before a bicameral conference can be convened to harmonize any disagreeing provisions between the Senate and House versions.”

          I am glad that Grace is now doing her job diligently and intelligently.

        • ay, manuel, the detective among us could also trace gracie original birth certificate, see which hospital she was born, the name of the birth mother who relinguished her, the age and address, and the name of the man who fathered her. if one was filed in the registry of births. the hospital may even have a record of her birth too. the FOI bill which grace is sponsoring now should clear this all out and make information readily available.

          now, about that birth certificate filed by the relinguishing birth mother and witnessed by doctor or midwife present at the birth, there are items there that must be filled in and cannot be left blank. so, if FOI presents a certificate with erasures, then we know someone has been tampering.

        • …one day Grace Poe will have to decide…DNA testing…

          assuming here -Fact 1…she has the same genes with FM and so also Bong2. She goes to be a candidate to P. Bong2…p [ukes!] What’s the problem? …we don’t know if she will win or not.

          assuming here-Fact 2…she is not biologically related. She files for P as a candidate. What’s the problem if she won the post?

          Reverse/or mix the above…she is related and won! What’s the problem? No problem yet…we wait and see next what’s the problem.

          But Bong2 continuously p [ukes!]

        • I think, her parentage is relevant. it’s needed when compiling health history. there are diseases that children inherit from parents. or got predisposed to. if parents died of heart attack, children are likely to die of heart attack as well, and even if they adapt healthier lifestyle they’re still predisposed. same with breast cancer and diabetes.

        • it has been said that grace poe is articulated, intelligent and charismatic. many scammers and conmen are also articulated and charismatic and highly educated. they’re often trusted, then they pounced and run away with people’s money. italy’s mossoulini was also articulated, hitler as well. hitler was one of the greatest orator of his time, his speeches were all inspiring and enthalling. for him, the germans commited crime against humanity.

        • Oh, I agree her health history is relevant to her, as a private matter. It is not up to us to be peering into her meetings with doctors.

        • Ask former employees of CAMP CRAME….they will tell you the truth about MARCOS and ROSEMARIE SONORA… one place of their rendevouz in a very short span of time…. With regards to GRACE ,coming from Sonora’s blood, somebody must tell ,,, cause it could be dangerous , Imelda could be close also to SUSAN… BONG-BONG and GRACE tying up together – super typhoon iyan… and only an AQUINO again with a rightfull tandem can overcome that victory….IMHO lang sir.

        • well,
          ang tangi kong maidadagdag ay”blood is thicker than water”.
          tumamis o umasim ang bunga, ang paaamahan ay ang pinag-ugatan.
          dahil uso na ang DNA, wala namang masama kung gamitin ang siyensya.
          pag ang karangalan ng angkan(ugat)ang nakataya, sino ang uunahin niya, ang iba o kadugo?

        • i’ve heard about this when i was in college. an aunt whom i’ve stayed with while i was studying belonged to a military intellegence group and he confirmed this. Rosemary came out on national television with her husband Ricky and denied the rumor. She said “magagawa ko ba iyan?” showing her sweet face in denial. This must be in the year 1973. Grace Poe must be that old. If she is that intellegent, siya lang ang nagmana sa ama.

        • pardon, ang relative ko pala ang aunt who was married to a military intellegence group member.

        • If Grace was born 1968, malamang hindi mga anak ni MARCOS si GRACE … Ang affair nila i think when i am staying at Project 4 on the year 1972-1973 martial law and every time they were both inside Camp Crame sarado daw lahat ng gate nila , a bayaw of mine an architect , civilian agent station at Crame then… Doon malimit ang rendevouz ni APO at ROSEMARIE … FACTS was Marcos 5’6″ in height or more and i think Rosemarie was about 5’3″ in height or more …napakaliit ata ni GRACE kung anak nila…. The aaffair was true but as to GRACE the offsring of the two… Malayo at malabo ata po…

        • @pelang ….alam mo ganoon din ang naramdaman ko kay GRACE…sa tingin , she was really nice, straight and a righteous person… Kaya ako pweding P or VP sya …

        • Senator Grace was born in Sept.03, 1968.

          The accusations that indirectly or indirectly implies that Senator Grace’s personal declarations about her parentage are untrue are baseless and clearly unfair.

        • And demands for DNA testing creep me out. What, like Marcos was a deviant? He was a brilliant man, but unfortunately had the moral values of those of the “power ilk”, not much different than Enrile or Estrada or Arroyo or most of the governors and mayors. He was just more successful. How about “results testing” instead, looking at Ms. Poe’s solid and productive work as head of the Movie/TV Review Board, or her fine work to push FOI forward forthrightly. How about “integrity testing” that casts here intelligent principles and ideas against those of all the unprincipled twits in congress.

        • Parengtony, I think the fact that Grace was born in September 1968 is a very significant date.

        • if she was born in 1968, then that settles it. I’m so happy about it because as of now, she and mrs robredo are the only ones i see who are fitted to run as candidate of the highest official of the land. maybe, my relative was just that, also mahilig sa chismis. come to think of it, lahat ng tao noon, pinaghihinalaan na subversive kahit tsismis lang.

        • victin, sinabi nila na grace was born in 1968, but had anyone actually seen her real birth certificate?

          he, he, I have an older sister who doctored her birthdate, and got away with it. in her passport, she made herself 7 years younger, more suited to her new face made younger by botox.

        • Hmmm..@monnie…may punto ka dyan he he late registration pwede talaga,,,doctored birth certificate pwede padin he he … Dapat magkalkal tayo mga CPMERs,,, para sure tayo…he he…

      • Correct. I’d hate voting for someone who turns out to be a daughter of the the late unlamented dictator.

      • For all cpmers
        Re Grace Poe’ parentage.
        Blood maybe is thicker than water.
        Nurture vs nature add individualism.
        I suggest we go with our guts! Instinct, or kutob.
        She still has my vote. Kudos with Congresswoman Leni Robredo.

    • Hello there, Joe…..this may sound ridiculous….but I came late!!! and just now logged on to joeam.com and read some……..will continue to read more…….Now I know where to find you….your thoughts are sober and sensible and fair. “Likes” galore tikang sa akon!!!

      • Well, thank you Tomas Gomez III, aka “Buddy”, and wise man dedicated to Filipino well-being. I’m glad you found the site, which is also attracting a fine group of commenters who pull me in when I go astray. My goal is to learn and think and contribute in a wee small way to the well-being of the Philippines. I hope you will stop by from time to time to lend us your perspectives.