P-Noy decides not to run

President Aquino announced before a conference of Semiconductor and Electronics Industries executives to vote for the right candidate who not only says the right things but who can also be trusted to deliver what they promise.

Aquino also told a group of Makati businessmen that having six more years in office is not the right solution to sustain the country’s growth.

Senate President Franklin Drilon said the President’s rejecting the possibility of a second term shows he always listens to the sentiment of his bosses (people).

Recent surveys show that 62 percent of Filipinos are against amending the Constitution to allow a second term for the President.

Vice President Binay was glad that President Aquino finally spoke against seeking another presidential term.

Navotas City Rep. Toby Tiangco said that “Aquino finally listened to the people.”

Senator JV Ejercito welcomed the statement of the President as the correct thing to do because a second term for him will not be the right solution towards economic growth.

“I concur with the President that a second term may create political turmoil and divisiveness, and is counter-productive in attaining economic development,” Senator Ejercito added.

Buhay party-list Rep. Lito Atienza, agreed with Senator Ejercito. He said Aquino’s pronouncement saved the country from divisive politicking and plunging into a constitutional crisis.

Cavite Rep. Elpidio Barzaga Jr. reiterated that there is no more time to amend the Constitution.

Archbishop Ramon Arguelles of Lipa, Bishop Arturo Bastes of Sorsogon and Marbel Bishop Dinualdo Gutierrez of South Cotabato were unanimous in calling the President’s stepping down in 2016 a “good decision.”

With President Aquino out of the 2016 race, that clears the way for Mar Roxas to be the LP candidate.

Binay tops another survey

Vice President Jejomar Binay got 36 percent of respondents’ votes in a recent private survey conducted by a Swiss polling firm on Sept. 20-27, with 1,875 respondents nationwide.

The “other” candidates polled the following: President Aquino, 12%; Mar Roxas, 9%; Grace Poe, 6%; Chiz Escudero, 4%; Bongbong Marcos, 3%; and Miriam Santiago-Defensor, 2%.

The same survey produced favorable results for Binay.

Twenty-four percent of those who picked Binay said that their choice was based on his being pro-poor; 20 percent said that he is a strong leader while 19 percent said he is trustworthy.

Binay in Bicol

Vice President Jejomar Binay visited 10 towns of Camarines Sur and Camarines Norte this week.

Binay was the guest speaker at the book launching of former House Speaker Noli Fuentebella, entitled “Embracing Destiny”, last Wednesday in Tigaon.

Binay was warmly applauded and was mobbed by the 3,000 people in attendance. He spent two hours posing for selfies with admirers. I am reminded of the same treatment accorded to Erap when he was a presidential candidate.

It appears that the Senate investigation is not hurting his image with the grassroots.

Rehab plan finally approved

The long-overdue P167.9-billion Comprehensive Rehabilitation and Recovery Plan (CRRP) for the Yolanda-hit areas in Eastern Visayas, recommended by Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery (PARR) Panfilo Lacson and endorsed by National Economic Development Authority, was finally approved by President Aquino, a week before Yolanda’s anniversary on Nov. 8.

PARR Lacson said the masterplan took eight months to finalize because it includes the different plans — Reconstruction Assistance for Yolanda framework of the National Economic Development Authority, the Post-Disaster Needs Assessment of the Office of the Civil Defense, rehabilitation plans of local government units and the cluster action plans approved by the Cabinet — formulated by different agencies.

This plan outlines the National Government’s commitment to implement over 25,000 rehabilitation and recovery specific plans and programs and activities.

A breakdown of funding requirement under the Aquino-approved P167.9 billion Yolanda recovery master plan follows: Infrastructure, P35,148,634,408; Social Services, P26,406,233,815; Resettlement, P75,678,683,100; and Livelihood, P30,631,237,230, adding up to a total funding requirement of P167,864,788,553.

The plan was submitted to Aquino last Aug. 1, but it took him three months to approve the plan, the main cause for the delay in implementing the rehabilitation plan.

Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Mar Roxas blames local government officials for not implementing projects already funded.

Flavier, outstanding Filipino

We are deeply saddened by the passing away of Senator and Health Secretary Juan Flavier.

Dr. Johnny Flavier was our partner in community development starting in 1966 when he was president of Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement (PRRM); and I was Presidential Assistant on Community Development (PACD) then.

He was elected senator in 1995 and reelected in 2001.

I considered Johnny Flavier the best speaker, together with Ninoy Aquino. I recall, he was the main sponsor of the National Anti-Poverty Law. He was genuinely pro-poor and loved the rural folk.

Johnny Flavier — outstanding Cabinet member, hardworking senator, champion of the barrios and rural folk — rest in peace. We will miss you, loyal friend. Thank you for the memories.

Juan Flavier should be considered for a posthumous Ramon Magsaysay award.

Tidbits

The Supreme Court (SC) has decided not to adopt the 4-day work week.

Plunder charges have been filed against Senate President Franklin Drilon for alleged overpricing of the P660-million Iloilo Convention Center (ICC). The charges were filed by former provincial administrator Manuel Mejorada Jr.

Congratulations to Quezon Province Governor David C. Suarez for getting a Galing Pook Award.