Pope denounces terrorism

The Holy Week break was a welcome respite for everybody, especially for candidates.

Concluding the Easter Vigil at St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican before thousands of people, Pope Francis used his Easter Sunday message with a denunciation of “blood terrorism,” recalling victims of attacks in Europe, Africa and the Middle East by Islamic extremists. He has been addressing the issue of terrorism several times during the past week, including the persecution of Christians, individualistic society, pedophile priests and slavery.

Pope Francis expressed his dismay that people fleeing war or poverty are being denied welcome as some European countries squabble over the refugee crisis, saying Easter invites us not to forget those men and women seeking better future by those who could offer them welcome and assistance.

Pope Francis urged the world to use the “weapons of love” to combat the evil of “blind and brutal violence.”

Erap proclamation

Mayor Joseph ‘Erap’ Estrada held his proclamation rally at Liwasang Bonifacio before an estimated crowd of 30,000.

Erap proclaimed his six congressional candidates and 36 candidates for councilor.

Also present at Erap’s rally was vice presidential candidate Bongbong Marcos.

Vice President Jejomar Binay presided at the proclamation rally of Abigail Binay as candidate for mayor in Makati at Metropolitan Hall. Binay visited his mother’s hometown in Isabela  and held a rally at Cabagan.

Large classes

One problem that has not been attended to by the Aquino administration is the large numbers of students in classes, reaching as high as 80 per class.

The average number of students per class is 48.

Classroom sizes are built to have only 35 students each.

The teacher’s efficiency is also affected where there are classes of 40 or more.

The next administration should prioritize the solution to this problem besides building the lacking classrooms.

LPs hatch anti-Duterte plan

The camp of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte has accused the Liberal Party (LP) of initiating a covert plan to destroy his presidential bid.

The plot is reportedly to picture Duterte as a pro-American candidate hiding behind the platform of federalism to allow easy access for United States companies to the rich mineral resources of Mindanao. 

Peter Laviña, spokesman for Duterte media team, said the LP will try to picture Duterte as a coddler of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) as well as an ally of the New People’s Army (NPA).

The Duterte camp said they will also be accused of giving easy access for the US to establish bases in Mindanao.

Laviña described the demolition as a diabolical and desperate move to resuscitate the dying campaign of Roxas.

The Duterte camp is also denouncing in the strongest terms the machinations, terrorism and vote-buying that their rivals, especially the LP supporters, have been carrying out as part of their black propaganda. Their camp has been receiving several complaints and reports from their supporters, who are being terrorized and harassed by the LP supporters, from the field.

As part of the traditional politics (trapo) strategies of the LP supporters, Eddiebong Plaza had allegedly distributed 10,000 each to local families to buy votes for LP candidates; Budget Secretary Florencio Abad was reportedly distributing P5,000 to each barangay chairman in Surigao del Norte; the Department of Public Works and Highways personnel were ordered to remove the campaign tarpaulin of Duterte and Cayetano, even in private companies; the Department of Agriculture also dole-outs to buy support for the administration, which, all of these, are clear violations of the election code that Commission on Elections (Comelec) must investigate, according to Laviña.

In Mindanao, where 47 percent of the voting population prefer Duterte, the LP will use allied local government officials to destroy Duterte, according to a staff member of an LP stalwart, Laviña added.

Roxas visited the Muslim community in Quiapo, Manila, accompanied by former Mayor Alfredo Lim, before proceeding to Divisoria.

Tidbits

Calauan, Laguna Mayor George Berris was seriously wounded in an ambush on Sunday. Two companions of Mayor Berris died in the ambush.

Former Mayor Alfredo Lim held his proclamation rally at Plaza Miranda, with President Noynoy Aquino in attendance.

Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is running unopposed in her congressional candidacy in the 2nd District of Pampanga.

Mayor Len-Len Alonte of Biñan is running unopposed for the position of representative of Biñan, Laguna. Rep. Jun Chipeco is running unopposed for the 2nd District of Laguna.

Also running unopposed are Mayor Edwin Olivarez of Parañaque, Mayor Jun Rey Tiangco of Navotas, and Mayor Lani Cayetano of Taguig.