News of Senator Jamby Madrigal campaigning at Cory's funeral

News that Philippine Senator Jamby Madrigal was running for President in 2010 broke out just before news of former President Cory's Aquino's death -- and got buried in an avalanche of commentary ranging from the serious to the funny to the downright mean.

Then, just days after it broke, there comes another bit of news that Jamby actually started campaigning during the last day of Cory Aquino's funeral.

Perhaps among the only people who had something good to say about news of Madrigal's budding Presidential campaign was Pampanga Representative Juan Miguel "Mikey" Arroyo who said that he would not categorize Jamby as a nuisance candidate.

In an article of the Philippine Star, Mikey defended Jamby by saying:

the credentials of the lady senator far outweigh those of the other candidates, whom he considers as double agents -- or those who pretend tobe vocal critics of his mother but are courting her support at the same time.

(An allussion that Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero responded to.)

"She does not double talk like other presidentiables. She is more sincere than other presidentiables within the ranks of the opposition. I don't see any legal impediments that would prevent her from runnings," the young Arroyo stressed.

"What you see is what you get. I have known her personally. She is a family friend."

Mikey's act of defending Jamby may just be the best backhanded compliment one can get.

And so, days later, we have Jamby Madrigal making her presence felt during the last hours leading to Cory Aquino's burial at the Manila Memorial park.

Jamby seemed to get a lot of face time on national live TV coverage that lasted for more than 9 hours and while some people noticed the prominence of the shots given to her, they passed it off as nothing.

It would have remained nothing at all, still, if I didn't catch a bit of news on Facebook and then again at Carlo Ople's website which made her appearance in the wake a bit tasteless.

Here's that article as it is seen on http://www.newmedia.com.ph/:

Shame on your Jamby Madrigal by Happy Feraren

Now that we’ve remembered, relived and recreated the spirit of ’86 let’s make sure this yellow ribbon doesn’t get tangled up in other people’s political campaigns.

Subtle electioneering IN A FUNERAL?!?! SHAME ON YOU. Do not ride on Cory’s wave to pursue your vested interest. The people who waited in the streets weren’t there to see you! The revolution doesn’t belong to you, phony politician, it belongs to the people. And what makes you think you could get away with such a dirty trick? Cory’s lasting impression of sincerity, humility and honesty is now the benchmark of what leaders are supposed to be. You think people don’t see through you? The respect we have for Cory is not something you acquire with falsity (or through endorsement from Judy Ann Santos) it is earned. How dare you pose as someone offering sympathy to the Aquino family while you think about the votes you’re going to get come election time.

As I waited for the cortege (news networks’ new favourite word) along the South Super Highway, my mom and I bought 2 yellow umbrellas from this street vendor who was also selling nuts. And then as we paid, he pulled out something from his pocket – a yellow beaded bracelet nicely packed in a small clear plastic bag. Upon handing it over to us, he said: “Eto o, bonus para sa inyo.”Of course my mom and I were pleased and were all “awww how sweet.”Until I actually looked at the bracelet and saw a little tag with the name and photo of Jamby Madrigal.

I called out to him and asked, “O bakit may Jamby Madrigal itong bracelet na ito” and when I looked at the vendor for an answer he had already walked away.

Maybe an hour before this incident, I saw her car passing by the growing sea of people. Window open, flashing the L sign and strangely enough, a cameraman in front filming the people. My mom started shouting “Transparencyyyy!” and then I looked at her asking if I could put up my middle finger and my mom looked at me and said I should just shout transparency, accountability or good governance. In other words “BOOOOOOOO!!!!” And then the two of us just started shouting BOO JAMBY!!!

I am utterly disgusted by you, Ms.Madrigal. And to you other filthy politicians, behave yourselves because we are all watching you, even if you’re supposedly Cory’s “favorite” mayor. Genuine democracy is People Power and everything Ninoy and Cory stood for. It also means that now, whenever there’s a phony claiming he or she is there to protect Cory’s legacy, we will be able to speak up and act with the same fearless fervour we had before.

You know sometimes I wish I could march in the government offices with a magical broom that can sweep away all the dirty politicians we have in this country. A giant clean up, but this time not just for the environment but for our government. Haha, imagine if we could really do that? I’m already writing down the names of the people I’d attack first with my magic walis!

So, before you file for candidacy (a bit too late though in this case) think again. Actually, good luck! The people have remembered.