Malacanang's "Samar" & "Balay" Groups

[chua_riwap]

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakin...t-say-senators

Factionalism worse in Aquino’s government, say senators

MANILA, Philippines – Infighting is not a strange thing in Malacañang but the alleged factionalism between the “Samar” and “Balay” groups in the Aquino administration is the worst, according to two senators who said they “have seen it all” after the Edsa revolution.

“There is always [discord in any administration]. You can’t take that away except that in this administration, the factionalism is deeper and [worse] than previous ones,” said Sen. Edgardo Angara, who was executive secretary during pardoned plunder convict Joseph Estrada’s short-lived tenure as president.

“From Aquino to Ramos to Erap to Gloria—I have seen [these administrations] close hand and I know how different factions fight each other. But this is the only administration where there are too many factions and competition is very fierce,” Angara said.

Even before he stepped into power last June 30, President Aquino’s core team of supporters—assembled hastily for his surprise candidacy in the May 2010 elections—has always been filled with tension and conflict.

On one end are groups and individuals who frequent his campaign headquarters on Samar Avenue in Quezon City and on the other end are supporters and kibitzers who make the Balay headquarters of the Liberal Party at the Araneta Center in Cubao, Quezon City, their meeting place.

Angara said these groups have competed for Cabinet seats, government posts and budget allocations.

“Competition is good because it will inspire and motivate others to be at their best, but it can be also be destructive because they can destroy each other. If the goal is to destroy each other, they will destroy their own boss and their own administration,” he said.

This factionalism has also led to what critics describe as the amateurish way the Aquino administration has been running government in its first three months, as the President has been forced not only to choose the best people to run the government but to maintain the balance of power between his warring allies.

Sen. Joker Arroyo, who was executive secretary in the administration of President Aquino’s late mother Corazon, described the current Aquino administration as no better than a “student council or student government” with a list of blunders and bloopers piling up as the days passed.

Arroyo said Malacañang has become a “hit or miss” administration where the President has been forced to use his political capital and own up to his people’s mistakes.

“His people think the President should cover for them because he’s like Teflon—no amount of criticism can stick to him. But this is totally wrong, the officials around the President are supposed to protect him, not the other way around,” Arroyo said.

[jimnyeatworld]

welcome to the banana republic

[Monseratto]

Barkada Republic. If you don't belong to the above group, you either belong to his Ateneo High School group or his Gun Group. And most of the Ateneans in the group are Aquila Legis Fraternity members... Anyone still remember the hazing controversy?

[locoroco777]

If only mar roxas won....its really gonna be a better scene not only in the palace...but the government as a whole as well....

[voltscastillo]

ayusan na ng passport ito, hehe

[oliver1013]

So, mas magaling pa si GMA?

[Monseratto]

Binabatikos noong isang araw ni Mike Enriquez. PNoy said he was against politicians posting their pictures on DPWH projects. Pero has anyone noticed how big PNoy image is on the immigration card at the Airport? It even bigger than GMA's image before.

[niwde11]

^^ nope. kanya kanyang "misplaced priority" lang. :D
cons yan ng medyo late or biglaang tumakbo. medyo limited ang master plan nila.

[oliver1013]

Ang mahirap kasi ngayon, si Binay ang nakangisi sa sideline, pag maraming reklamador. Kaya supporta na muna tayo, mas mahirap si Binay pag naging pangulo.

Lahat kasi ngayong ginagamit yung Hostage tragedy as if yung yung life or death ng Pilipinas.

[chua_riwap]

Binabatikos noong isang araw ni Mike Enriquez. PNoy said he was against politicians posting their pictures on DPWH projects. Pero has anyone noticed how big PNoy image is on the immigration card at the Airport? It even bigger than GMA's image before.

Pinatitigil na raw ni PNoy yung distribution ng Immigration Cards. But sabi ng BI, pauubos na lang daw yung stocks nila. Napansin ni PNoy ito whent he went to the US.