#PHvote quotes: Mother Lily and a singer’s tears

MANILA, Philippines – Politics is a lot like the movies.

That’s when a top movie producer, Lily Monteverde, endorses a presidential bet for 2016. Or when one of the country’s most famous singers, Imelda Papin, sheds “tears of joy” – as if on cue – over a favorable ruling by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

It’s about comedy, drama, and of course action. More in this week’s #PHvote quotes.

Mother Lily’s pick

“He is our next president!”

– Movie producer Lily Monteverde, known as Mother Lily, endorsing the re-election bid of Sen Alan Peter Cayetano

“The presidency is a matter of destiny.”

– Sen Alan Peter Cayetano, responding to Mother Lily

Citizens’ arm ‘punches’ Comelec

“Kaya ka nga citizens’ arm, kamay ka ng Comelec. Isusuntok mo ba ang sarili mo?” (That’s why you’re a citizens’ arm. You’re the arm of the Comelec. Will you punch yourself?)

– Comelec chair Sixto Brillantes Jr hitting the Comelec’s citizens’ arm, the National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections, for publicly criticizing the poll body

Corruption, poverty in Samar

Sabi nila, ‘Kung walang corrupt, walang mahirap.’ Sobrang mahirap ang Samar.”

– Fr Cesar Aculan, president of Isog Han Samar Movement and director of the Social Action Center of the Calbayog Diocese, criticizing Samar politics

 ‘Spare my children’

“Sanay na ako basta as long as ako na lang yung tirahin nila tsaka batikusin nila. ‘Wag na nilang isama ‘yung pamilya ko, lalong lalo na ‘yung mga anak ko.”

(I am used to it as long as they limit the attacks to me. They should not drag my family into this, especially my children.)

– Senatorial bet Nancy Binay, saying she is most hurt by attacks involving her son

Face of Comelec can’t vote

“I offer my sincerest apologies to everyone I have ever badgered to register, but I take nothing back… Although admittedly, it makes me all kind of stupid.”

– Comelec spokesman James Jimenez, apologizing for his failure to activate his registration for the 2013 elections, despite leading a campaign for Filipinos to register and vote

Tears on cue

“Pasensya na po. Tears of joy ‘to eh, ‘no.” (Pardon me. These are tears of joy.)

– Singer and congressional bet Imelda Papin, shedding tears after receiving a Comelec resolution that junked a disqualification case against her

– Compiled by Paterno Esmaquel II/Rappler.com