The campaign heats up C.R.O.S.S.R.O.A.D.S Jonathan De la Cruz 02/15/2010

The campaign heats up C.R.O.S.S.R.O.A.D.S Jonathan De la Cruz 02/15/2010 And so, after just five days into the official campaign, the air is filled with charges galore. Liberal Party (LP) presidential bet Sen. Noynoy Aquino started the ball rolling by pledging to (finally) distribute the family’s 6400 hectares (actually it’s now down to 4700 hectares after deducting the original HLI residential-cum-golf course complex and those converted into mixed use, i.e., industrial, commercial and part residential) after more than 50 years of waiting. Which is most welcome, of course. The only problem is that this is supposed to happen five years from now (by 2015) when the family has “unburdened” the holding firm from its debts so that the farmers get their portions “debt free.” The question that immediately arose is why wait for five years when the law says “now na.” Besides, if it is going to be CARPED the land will really be “debt free” since the payment to the original owners will be deducted from the payment anyway. Then, of course, there is the question of whether this pledge will push through, win or lose. Finally, the good senator’s campaign had to be asked: What if other family members balk at the suggestion and an intra-family battle ensues? These and other questions need to be answered soon before this issue continues to haunt the campaign to the very end... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune ALTERNATE URL: http://www.classicposters.com/commentary/20100215com4.html

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL Unmistakable midnight rush FRONTLINE More mudslinging please ZOOMING IN Start distancing yourself from GMA, Gibo C.R.O.S.S.R.O.A.D.S The campaign heats up DIE HARD III Erap and the Last Song Syndrome HE SAYS Dry and lonely SHE SAYS El Niño, el cha-cha