Controversial characters join political circus

MANILA, Philippines—An ex-convict, a “berdugo,” a bagman of the “fertilizer scam,” a suspect in the Dacer-Corbito double murder and a “euro general.”

They were among the controversial figures who are running for either president, senator, representative, governor or mayor in the May elections.

The candidates are businessman Mark “MJ” Jimenez, retired Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan Jr. and former agriculture undersecretary Jocelyn “Jocjoc” Bolante.

They are joined by former Senior Supt. Cezar Mancao II and retired PNP Director Jaime Caringal.

Jimenez on Monday declared his candidacy for president, invoking a bigger call to serve the people.

He offered himself as an alternative to traditional and inexperienced politicians.

At a press conference in his residence in Makati City, Jimenez, once described by then President Joseph Estrada as a corporate genius for packaging the takeover of PLDT, said he was running as an independent on a platform of human rights, poverty alleviation and good governance.

He said he would file his certificate of candidacy (CoC) as an independent candidate on Tuesday.

Jimenez, a former representative of Manila’s sixth congressional district, said he decided to resurface because most of the presidential candidates today were just offering “empty promises” to the people.

“I have also come to realize that while I can do a lot to uplift the plight of the poor in my private capacity, so long as good governance and accountability remain empty promises of politicians, the efforts of private citizens will be overwhelmed by the corrupt practices of public officials,” Jimenez said.

By joining the elections, Jimenez said he hoped to elevate the level of debate among presidential candidates on important issues affecting the voters to give them a better view of what each of them could do, not offer, once elected.

Human rights

He said the promotion of human rights would be his priority because of his “own personal tragedies” in the hands of the government—from the time he was extradited to the United States in 2002 to face charges to his expulsion from Congress for lack of residency in Manila.

“There’s always a time for everything. That’s why you call it a calling. And I think this is the time,” he added.

He was jailed in the United States for two years for tax evasion and illegal campaign contribution.

Jimenez said he had not committed any crime in the Philippines although he had been accused of serious charges, from being a fugitive and a drug dealer to a coup financier and gangster, none of which have been proven in court.

Asked how rich he was to be able to wage a nationwide campaign, he said: “I’m rich enough to share with all the people who are in need.”

Since his return from the United States in 2005, Jimenez put up the Hulog ng Langit (Heaven Sent) Foundation and has spent a lot of money for charity work such as providing educational scholarships, free mass baptism, mass feeding and spiritual healing.

He said he was offering his expertise as a businessman who has managed big companies and a big number of people with total ease and care.

If elected, Jimenez promised to replicate what US President Barack Obama did during the latter’s early months into the US presidency like taxing the rich and passing a stimulus package and medicare package, among others.

Against Ocampo’s Senate run

Palparan, who is accused of ordering the killing of scores of activists, announced he was seeking a seat in the Senate to counter the influence of the progressive bloc.

Palparan, a party-list representative for Bantay, said one of his considerations in filing his CoC in the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Monday was the decision of Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Satur Ocampo to run for senator.

Aside from Ocampo, a former National Democratic Front spokesperson, Gabriela party-list Rep. Liza Maza has also launched her bid for the Senate.

“I will campaign against left-leaning parties,” Palparan said, adding that he is an independent candidate. He has not declared support for any presidential candidate yet.

Palparan accused Ocampo and Maza of being enemies of the state.

The retired Army officer, an administration ally, has been investigated for allegedly ordering the elimination of scores of members of groups he accused of being “fronts” of the Communist Party of the Philippines and its armed wing, the New People’s Army, in the provinces where he had been assigned.

Palparan, who has been called “The Butcher,” denied the allegations against him.

Bolante for governor

In Roxas City, Capiz, Bolante filed his CoC for governor at the Comelec provincial office.

Bolante allegedly disbursed the P728-million fertilizer fund to administration allies to bolster President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s candidacy in the 2004 presidential election.

Bolante, who listed his party as Ugyon Kita Capiz (UKC) or United Capiz, will be running against reelectionist Gov. Victor Tanco Sr. of the Liberal Party (LP), who filed his CoC last Friday.

The UKC is a local party organized by Bolante and Rep. Fredenil Castro of the second district of Capiz and allied with the Lakas-Kampi-CMD party.

Mancao

In Compostela Valley, Mancao filed his CoC shortly before noon Monday.

The former police officer, a government witness in the Dacer-Corbito murders implicating Sen. Panfilo Lacson and Estrada, is seeking to represent the province’s first congressional district.

“I have returned to bring change and good governance to my district,” Mancao, who hails from the gold-rich and vote-rich town of Monkayo, told the Inquirer.

He is challenging Board Member Maria Carmen Zamora-Apsay, daughter of Rep. Manuel “Way Kurat” Zamora Jr. The elder Zamora is now in his last term.

Mancao and the Zamoras are town mates and distant relatives.

Mancao said he would seek a “graft-free” district and create more jobs for his constituents.

“I have accomplished so much in other areas [as a police official], so my efforts now should be geared for the development of my place,” he said.

Mancao said his group was supporting Senators Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III and Manuel “Mar” Roxas II, LP presidential and vice presidential candidates, respectively.

Among Mancao’s allies is businesswoman Sheila Cualing-Soriano, daughter of the late Mayor Margarito Cualing of New Bataan town.

Caringal

In Laguna, Caringal filed his CoC on Monday for mayor of Cabuyao town.

Caringal and seven others were tagged as the “euro generals” after their delegation to the 7th Interpol General Assembly in October last year in Russia was briefly held by Moscow’s customs agents.

The Philippine National Police representatives were held at the Moscow international airport for carrying 105,000 euros (then about P6.9 million) in undeclared cash in excess of the allowable limit.

Caringal is running under the Aksyon Demokratiko party. With reports from Maricar Cinco, Inquirer Southern Luzon; Felipe V. Celino, Inquirer Visayas; and Frinston Lim, Inquirer Mindanao