My Dear Friends,

I am pleased to inform you that the Commission on Elections approved my candidacy for Vice President of the Philippines under Bangon Pilipinas Party in the May 2010 elections.

While the campaign period officially begins on February 9, many of my opponents who are traditional politicians have long begun their vote-seeking activities in order to maintain their formidable advantage. However, I can still win the election on the basis of my performance as a public servant who bravely stood for change even against the President on the issue of corruption and abuse of power. Thus, I was named by the prestigious Business Week magazine in July 2000, as a Star of Asia at the forefront of change, striving for a firmer foundation for a nation torn by crisis.

We have seen that even the brightest and the most experienced public official can fail to carry out his duties in serving the common welfare. A leader, above all, must have the moral strength and courage to stand up for what is right and not for what is expedient. He cannot be burdened by the overpowering load of narrow and selfish interests on his shoulders, which for years have been impeding our national growth and causing untold sufferings to our people.

Thus, the election of competent leaders with the political will to carry out their duties as public servants and who will not be subservient to any vested interest is the first step that must be taken for real change to happen.

Therefore, may I request that you be part of the efforts to make real change happen and contribute any modest amount to help defray the costs of my campaign for Vice-President. In this manner I will be democratizing the source of my political funds, which will enable me to truly represent a broader mass of our electorate, and not be beholden to any elite group.

If you wish to make a donation to my campaign, please call me personally at 0917-8825822.

Sincerely yours,

JUN YASAY

Dear Friends,

In November, election fever descended on the Yasay household and politics took front seat in conversations, particularly about Jun Yasay's possible candidacy. Three political parties sent feelers inviting him to run for senator. As his wife and partner, I was vehemently opposed to this idea. My compelling argument is one often told to visitors to the Great Wall of China: "Do not attempt to scale the wall unless you are determined to reach the top." Yes, I did not want him to run, unless success is reachable -- with funds, machinery, and a political party.

On the day before his registration as candidate, I had a full day and left my phone at home. Because of the time difference (New Jersey/Manila is 13 hours), he was not able to reach me at the moment when he was officially offered to run as Vice President under Bangon Pilipinas. This was propitious since I would probably have not agreed. Instead of my call, he got one from a prayer warrior who spoke about his vision of Mordecai, second in rank to King Xerxes, who was held in high esteem by his people because he worked for their good and spoke up for their welfare. This was the sign that he had prayed for.

Brother Eddie files COC for president; Yasay is running mate

Brother Eddie files COC for president; Yasay is running mate
MANILA, Philippines - Jesus is Lord (JIL) leader Bro. Eddie Villanueva, standard-bearer of the Bangon Pilipinas party, took a shot at the presidency once more when he filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) with his running mate, former Securities and Exchange Commission chairman Perfecto Yasay.