1Ang Pamilya: Secures Pinoy families, communities

One of the most important reasons why everyone must participate in the elections is to safeguard not only our country’s democracy but as well as to ensure the future of every Juan Dela Cruz and his family. As everyone is so enticed with the coming polls, a lot of political personalities, including party list groups are on the verge of getting the public’s attention through good-for-nothing political chitchats that serves nothing but their own personal interests. These and other political dramas have made the voting public doubtful about electing Party List groups in Congress.

As they say, no two people (or group for the matter) are the same. This elections season, political groups just emerged here and there like mushrooms. Some lay their political platforms that are deceitfully crafted in such a manner that would entail people succumbing from their “propaganda” while others simply offer make-believe policies that make the electorates sick of hearing white lies and disgusting promises. However, amid these “sickening” party list groups, which are by the way being used by political personalities with ill-fated personal interests, one Party List group has stood up and proven to everybody that there is still a good reason to believe about positive change- 1Ang Pamilya takes the lead to bring about optimism while it gives realistic formula to various communal issues.

1Ang Pamilya introduces a whole new kind of politics as it tries to give doable solutions to the emerging problems Filipino families are confronting. It aims to initiate reforms and amendments concerning the betterment of the Filipino family in both its financial capability and wellbeing. The group is concerned with promoting better parentage intended to bring a feasible solution to both overpopulation and poverty. More so, the group is hoping to bridge the obvious gap between genders in their venture towards a much profitable and competitive career as they equally provide for their families. Specifically, 1AngPamilya would focus on the firm implementation of the family code to include some constitutional alterations that would benefit Filipino family at every known social stratum.

Unlike other party list groups, 1Ang Pamilya has no political inclination with any political groups and personalities for fiscal leverage or any “indecent” favor. As it aspires to serve every Pinoy family and defend their interests, it also plants the seeds of goodwill and moral reformation starting within the four corners of each home. The group also advocates the importance of familial relationship as the basic foundation for a better and hopeful society that is bounded by love, respect, compassion and trust. Most of the present Partylist groups are concerned with the superficial problems of the community and not on its root-cause.

This party list group is an emblem of true Filipino family- valuing individuality and acceptance, while it nurtures one to become productive citizen of the country. Moreover, it also pushes for modification of the family code including the addition of provisions involving child care, penalties on domestic abuses and securing Filipino families from financial debts and forced violence. It also believes that in order for a society to be productive, it has to be dwelled by families whose values are anchored with positivism. That is why the group propels for the respect to the sacredness of marriage and views an equal respect to gender and other societal relationships. It is in these premises that the group could truly represent the Pinoy families in Congress and the only way to which root-causes of various societal issues could be properly addressed. We all belong to one family. Let our voices be heard.

LOAD, AIM, FIRE! (Red solons deceitfully infesting the Congress)

The not-so-lucky seasoned Red personalities who invaded the Lower House for quite sometime and lost their bid for the senatorial race in the May 10, 2010 poll automation- in the persons of Liza Maza and Satur Ocampo are now simply showing their true colors and turned their backs on their former ally- Senator Manny Villar and the rest of their former political “haven” , the Nacionalista Party by urging their fellow progressive solons in the Congress to be “united” in advancing their cause to champion their political struggle with the government.

Accordingly, Quezon City Congressman Feliciano “Sonny” Belmonte’s bid for the speakership in the Lower House is backed by various political groups in the Congress including the rumored support to Congressman Belmonte by Satur Ocampo and Liza Maza and their minions such as party list representatives of Bayan Muna, Gabriela, Anakpawis, Kabataan and the Alliance of Concerned Teachers. Does this mean total withdrawal of support to NP - the political group that harbored these two Red solons during the hype of the campaign period, especially that NP’s Iloilo Representative Ferjenel Biron who is believed to be interested in the position?

Progressive groups as abovementioned have time and again lambasted President-elect Noynoy Aquino for his supposed lack of stand on the Hacienda Luisita issue. And having to support one of Noynoy’s strong allies-Congressman Belmonte is somewhat out of the usual norm a “principled” group (as they always claim it) is propagating. As such, one can’t help but think that theirs is an ill-fated political interest which only serves their own personal agenda.

As sourced, Ocampo stated that members of the militant bloc including himself had supported for the speakership of Jose De Venecia Jr in 2004 in exchange of various positions in the Lower House- the same tactic which will be used in gagging Committee posts in the 15th Congress alongside their support and “alliance” to Congressman Belmonte. The same trend has been in the offing by left-leaning political groups in the Congress to trade for committee positions and attain a win-win solution for both parties.

The ulterior motive of the Reds in assuming posts in the mainstream politics is already unfolding which is the extreme opposite to their so-called “principle”. They are just too willing to do everything just to get what they want. Accounts have it that they had once gulped-in their “pride” as they forged an alliance with the NP during the elections together with the son of their nemesis, Bongbong Marcos. These are all part of Red’s ploys to gain eternal power in the government- a desperate move to advancing their political struggle at the expense of the very fibers of our democracy.

In some way or another, politics is more than just a process- it’s a game that one gambles his interests, responsibility and sometimes dignity. Nothing stays the same that is why allies suddenly become your nemesis and vice versa. Congressman Belmonte and even President-elect Aquino would surely be part of the messing game Ocampo and Maza are currently playing just to ensure support from the ruling party. Once gotten their respective “chances”, the Red solons will sooner or later use such power to attack the former if things do not turn to their favor. No wonder Ocampo and Maza shall load up their weapons and aim their guns at the very “lord” they once served.

THE HACIENDA LUISITA CONTROVERSY (Noynoy saving his own mess)

Who else could better defend one’s controversies other than his very own family? Yes, a very typical Filipino culture of preserving familial relationship and family-ties but if it causes one to intimidate others and deprive them of their rights is another story. And Liberal Party (LP) standard bearer Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino is just so gullible of doing it, which for sure runs a total opposite to the “government reform” he has been offering the voting public.

And now the controversy over the Hacienda Luisita begins. Noynoy Aquino is simply living up to the standards of his clan, which normally includes “territorial protection” and “asset-clinging” with absolute abuse of authority. They remain defensive on the accounts of Luisita division as they intend to continue their control over the 4,000 hectare sugar farm land.

Just recently, Noynoy defended his cousin, Fernando Cojuangco, the chief operating officer of the holding company that owns the Luisita plantation from various criticisms here and there. Accordingly, he had publicly disproved and indicted the New York Times of misquoting his cousin saying that the Cojuangcos have no intention of giving-up Luisita. Isn’t this a very biased judgment over the issue? To note, Noynoy after acquiring power in the Congress, has been instrumental in the dismissal of the Luisita Farmer’s case and managed to keep silent over his clans’ affairs and the Tarlac farmers. This simply shows his disregard to the people’s (masses’) welfare and good governance- and the Luisita massacre in 2004 is enough proof of Noynoy’s political prejudice.

The Cojuangco clan, who owns and operates the Hacienda Luisita Inc. (HLI) and the Central Azucarera de Tarlac (CAT), has legal obligations of distributing some 4,000 hectares to their tenants as stipulated under the former Department of Agrarian Reform’s (DAR) ruling. Accounts from the Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) show that the late Don Jose Cojuangco loaned some US $2,128,480 from Central Bank of the Philippines (CBP) and Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) to purchase Luisita on March 31, 1958 and subsequently entered into an agreement to distribute some parts of the land to his tenants pursuant to the social justice program under the Marcos regime. However, Don Jose held back on his end of the agreement saying that there were no tenants inside Luisita. Ten years later, the public was surprised when CBP released an investigation which disproved Don Jose’s claim. Report on the conducted inquiry stated that there were about 100,000 residents in the 10 barrios making-up the entire hacienda; and that this overwhelming population is under Tadeco’s payroll.

On December 2, 1985, a court decision from the Manila RTC was out instructing the Cojuangcos to finally distribute the land to their tenants as stipulated in the 1958 agreement. But this wasn’t materialized when the Cory Aquino took power as president and implemented the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) which actually stalled the land-distribution by turning its farm workers into stockholders or co-owners of the azucarera turned corporation – Hacienda Luisita Inc. Instead of land, Cojuangco gave them shared capita, which now faces bankruptcy as stressed by Noynoy.

This is indeed an obvious and a glaring form of greedy governance. The Cojuangcos practically poked fun at and exploited the 1958 Agreement at the expense of the toiling farmers. If this is how Noynoy saves his own clan’s mess from the bulks of scams and fraud, then he may also have no remorse to subjugate the government with riddling political hoax that will ultimately lead Juan Dela Cruz to his own grave.

CPP NPA, UNTI UNTI NANG NALULUSAW

Tila isang masamang panaganip ang unti unting nagkakatotoo sa grupong komunista na matagal ding nanghahasik ng karahasan at pang aabuso sa ibat ibang panig ng bansa matapos na tahasang suungin ang larangan ng pulitika nung nakaraang eleksiyon.

Matagal nang pinasok ng mga rebeldeng grupo ang sistemang pampulitika ng gobyerno sa pamamagitan ng pagkakaroon ng kalahok sa party list at pag suporta sa mga kandidatong napipisil ng grupo. Subalit, nitong nakaraang eleksiyon lamang naging lantaran ang CPP NPA sa pagsuporta at paglahok ng kanilang miyembro sa isang mabigat na posisyon sa gobyerno gaya ng kanilang pagsuporta sa kandidatura ni Manny Villar sa pagka pangulo na kanila pang isinapubliko at ang pagtakbo ng ilang kilalang miyembro na sina Satur Ocampo at Liza Maza sa pagka senador. Hindi pa nakuntento sa panggagamit ang rebeldeng grupo sa eleksiyon sa pamamagitan ng panghihingi at paglikom ng limpak-limpak na salapi gamit ang kanilang permit-to-win at permit-to-campaign sa mga kandidatong pumupunta sa kanilang nasasakupan, ninais pa ng mga ito na makakuha ng pwesto sa gobyerno upang dahan dahang masakop ang pamunuan ng bansa.
Marahil ay naging agresibo sa pagbitaw ng desisyon ang lider ng komunistang grupo at tila hindi napag isipang mabuti ang ginawang hakbang. Sa kanilang pagnanais na mapadali ang pagwasak ng gobyerno ay mas lalo pa tuloy silang nasira sa mata ng sambayanan dahil nitong nakaraang eleksiyon ay kakapiranggot lamang ang nakuhang boto ng mga kilalang maka-kaliwa taliwas sa inaakalang malaking suportang makukuha mula sa taong bayan.

Sa ganitong sitwasyon ay tila unti unti nang namumulat ang diwa ng mga taong dati ay tumatangkilik sa mga rebeldeng NPA at nabubulag sa kanilang huwad na mga pangako. Marahil din ay sapat nang pruweba para sa kanila ang panlilinlang at panggagamit ng rebeldeng grupo sa mga kandidatong nauto at natalo tulad ni Villar na gumastos ng napakalaking halaga nitong nakaraang eleksiyon. Sa kagustuhang masiguro ang kanyang pagkapanalo sa pagka presidente ay nakipag-alyado si Villar sa komunistang grupo ngunit sa halip na siya ang makinabang ay siya pa tuloy ang pinakinabangan ng grupo sa pamamagitan ng kanyang salapi.

Ito rin umano ang naging dahilan kung kayat tumaliwas ang ilang grupo ng NPA dahil sa hindi pag sang-ayon sa kagustuhan ng kanilang liderato. Matatandaang napabalita kamakailan ang pagtiwalag ng grupo ni Benito Tiamzon sa hanay ni Joma Sison dahil sa mahigpit na tinututulan at kinukondena ng nasabing grupo ang pagpapatupad ng permit-to-campaign at permit-to-win. Hindi rin sinang ayunan ng grupo ang pakikilahok ng ilang kilalang miyembrong NPA sa eleksiyon at pagbibigay ng suporta sa mga tumatakbong kandidato na ayon kay Tiamzon ay isang direktang pagtalikod sa kanilang layunin at ideolohiyang pinaniniwalaan.

Ang ganitong mga indikasyon ay nagpapakita lamang na nagiging marupok na ang samahan ng rebeldeng grupo maliban pa sa unti unting pagkawasak ng tiwala ng mamamayang minsan nang nalason ang pag iisip. Nagsisimula nang magising ang mga sumusuporta sa kanila dahil na rin sa mga pangakong ni minsan ay hindi nila napatupad bagkus ay lumilitaw ang totoong kulay ng pananamantala at panggagamit para sa kanilang sariling interes.

EMPOWERED BANGIT AGAINST LEADERSHIP POLITICKING

After the Congress evaded on the appointments of General Delfin Bangit together with the 301 officers this week, the public speculates the political mudslinging will create negative swing to the country’s strongest and oldest institutions. Regrettably, this egotistic exploitation of so-called civilian leadership over the military could produce alarming demoralization within its ranks; intentionally endangering state security and possibly destabilizing the leadership of newly-elected Pres. Noynoy Aquino. Even the innocent would discover that the bypass was intended to curtail Bangit’s control over the military; making his position as appointed Armed Forces Chief of Staff abolish. This is what the Congress said to be big surprise for the now “useless” administration of Gloria. This is said to be the expensive punishment Gloria appointees have to suffer before the Arroyo administration turns-over the presidency.

But do we think that this political punishment is unknown? Honestly, the controversial appointment of Bangit in the AFP hierarchy came as a source of inevitable “surprise” to most already tag the 2010 elections as a cooked-up plot for the “Gloria” people to sabotage it prolonging her term for office. At the later, they were shocked unfolding the automation that turned-out swift in favor of the supposed newly hailed Juan dela Cruz’s champion. The more we think that the influential pawns of Bangit that would see to it that the automation fails only would tell us that this is only all dished-out political propaganda against PGMA. If not of political bigotry, Bangit should have least won the public’s trust and the military confidence through the outcome of election. Ironically, this threat against the AFP particularly on its leadership will back-fire on us; leaving us afloat and trudging unstable military forces amid the growing number of insurgents and terrorist menace. Leadership after all is the key in maintaining a stable and solid institution. The newly elected officials should know that.

The Congress owes their bragged-about “social status” or political names to the people who casted them votes. They sleep on secured air- conditioned offices with their pockets and pork barrel intact while these generals and colonels journeyed enemy based camps and sleepless patrols, their badges and ranks won with the fight of their very lives. The Constitution derogated the armed forces compared with the self interests of elected heads is not just a reason to distract the institution to which 19 million Filipinos depend on for the safety of their freedom.

Bangit was accurate when he asked that the AFP should stay clear of lethal political adventurism. He was right when he asked that the other 301 officers be not bare-off their ranks, which they fought for fair and square in service of state’s well-being. If the Congress will continue to this again and again that they think was just in the eyes of the legal and civil servitude that they tend to expand it to the AFP then politicking has yet to commit its most heinous crime.

WB lauds Region XII, ARMM antipoverty campaign

After conducting its month-long assessment of the Department of Agriculture’s Mindanao Rural Development Program (DA-MRDP), the World Bank (WB) has recently rated the antipoverty campaign in Regions 12 and ARMM satisfactory. Other regions which surpassed WB’s rating critiques are Northern Mindanao (Region 10), CARAGA (Region 13), 11 and 9.

Covering 225 of the 420 towns all over Mindanao, DA-MRDP is long term poverty alleviation program for Mindanao jointly funded by the World Bank, the national and local governments, and the project proponents. Now on its third year of implementation, MRDP has accomplished over 131 million worth of agricultural infrastructure of which close to 66 kilometers of farm-to-market roads have been established, 39 linear meters of bridge and four units of potable water systems erected serving over a thousand households. With the counterpart of beneficiaries, about P87.01 million worth of various agri-based livelihoods were created benefiting mostly women and Indigenous Peoples and P42 million had been invested for environmental conservation and protection.

Accordingly, the evaluation was based on the increase of incomes of the benefited communities and the institutionalization of a decentralized agriculture and fisheries services delivery mechanism from which the program has shown well both in achieving its development objectives and its implementation progress.
To date, 164 towns has availed of and benefited from the infrastructure, livelihoods and environment projects of the program and that the good performance could be attributed to the active participation and counterpart of the various local government units (LGUs) in Mindanao.

Included in DA-MRDP program are the Rural Infrastructure (RI) projects such as farm to market roads, irrigation systems, single lane bridges and post-harvest facilities; and the livelihood component called Community Fund for Agricultural Development (CFAD) which employs community driven development (CDD) approach where the peoples organization themselves identify and implement their project with the help of the LGUs.

With such an overwhelming result, WB assured that bulk of developmental funds are ready for the LGUs and subsequently urged them (LGUs) to avail more of the projects under MRDP especially on agricultural infrastructure projects which will boost the economy of their respective area. It also vowed to support the developmental initiatives of every LGU so that a sustainable development shall reach especially those economically-challenged communities.

NPA CONTINUES TO SOW TERROR IN SOUTHERN PHILIPPINES

Despite major setbacks within the Maoist-inspired terror organization following series of armed confrontations with the government forces, the New People’s Army (NPA) was up to initiating intermittent retaliatory offensives against military troops in the restive Mindanao region.

In Cotabato Province, two military officials and one enlisted personnel were wounded after a CTM-initiated landmine explosion in Arakan town a week prior to the automated elections. According to reports, the government troops in convoy were utilizing the Arakan National Highway when the incident transpired. The recent blast was the fifth incident in the Province since January 2010. As sourced-out, two more roadside bombings are yet to be initiated by the Reds against unsuspecting military troops in the Province, anytime.

Having succumbed to their unrelenting desire to obliterate the country’s democratic fibers, the NPA rebels on May 10 engaged in a fierce armed confrontation with the government troops which at that time were securing the automated elections in the hinter areas of Makilala in Cotabato Province. The almost 3-hour battle ultimately affected the safety and security in the area, especially the innocent civilians who were exercising their democratic rights of suffrage. In fact, local government units, private sectors and even International humanitarian watchers condemned in strongest terms the election-related violence perpetrated by the NPA.

In Davao Region, the rebels on May 24 attack an army unit securing a road construction project in Banaybanay town in Davao Oriental. Report disclosed that the military troops were deployed in the project site after the construction firm complained the communist rebels for extortion and illicit taxations. The Monday attack left three soldiers killed and wounded eight others while two of the communist guerillas were reportedly killed during the encounter.

On May 22, three government soldiers were killed while another one was injured following an ambush perpetrated by the NPA rebels near a civilian community in Toril, Davao City. In another event, four soldiers, an election officer and a poll watcher died in an ambush staged by the same gang on May 12 in Maragusan town, Compostela Valley. According to reports, the military troops, in convoy with civilian vehicles were escorting the election materials when the attack ensued. Various communal groups censured the NPA-initiated carnages saying these were a treachery and utter disregard of the NPA to human lives particularly to innocent civilians whose lives, safety and security are at stake.

The Maoist-inspired NPA has been waging an insurgency since 1969 that claimed thousands of lives. It has also stepped up attacks in and around Southern Philippines since the year started. Indeed, these communist rebels have no qualms in destroying the lives of every Juan Dela Cruz as they believe that the only way to championing their cause is through bloody and illogical armed struggle.

Are we to suffer another unending cycle of terrorism and violence? It is high time for us to take active role in eliminating communist insurgency through resistance from their deceitful and treacherous “games”. Let us be vigilant. Ours is to build a stronger republic for our children’s future. Theirs is to persuade people with their deceptive norms. Be wise. Discern. Let us act now!

NO MORE STABILITY WITHIN CPP-NPA (Power struggle between Sison and Tiamzon)

Social Democrats’ penetration in the limelight governance seems to create havoc to the now divided Communist Party of the Philippines- that is between Benito Tiamzon group and Jose Maria Sison’s minions- following the “unexpected” defeat of its favored senatorial bets- Satur Ocampo and Liza Maza under its infant political group, the Makabayang Koalisyon ng Mamamayan or MAKABAYAN. It could be noted that the SOCDEM had time and again opposed the CPP-NPA’s commitment to Nacionalista Party forerunner Manuel Villa and rallied behind Noynoy Aquino’s presidential race.

Accordingly, among the plots include Tiamzon forcefully withdrawing support to known MAKABAYAN party list groups including votes supposedly favoring Ocampo and Maza. This is evidenced as AKAPBATA and the two Red senatoriables had garnered little expected votes particularly on Tiamzon-led guerilla fronts in Visayas and Mindano areas. More so, this explains why cadres underground claim that the insufficient support towards AKAPBATA prompting its defeat last poll automation is due to the fact that there is a lack of Party directive ordering them otherwise. Thus, most aver that the New People’s Army (NPA) who has first-hand control underground is left with tight hands under the orders of Tiamzon, while a few members of the Central Committee insist on implementing Sison’s electoral line of attack.

The defeat of the two seasoned Red ambition in the Upper house, to include the MAKABAYAN-supported PLGs had accordingly ignited the conflict between Tiamzon and Sison. The ambitiously expensive political misfortune of Maza and Ocampo and other left-leaning political party did not only affect the “future” of the revolution but had also swilled-out the loyalty and confidence of the guerilla members towards Sison. The so-called political struggle of Sison which was regarded as “ambitious” which gratifies only a few of its members by Tiamzon and the rest of the Reds is the very threat to the Communist Founder’s leadership within the CPP-NPA. This could also be the very reason why Tiamzon takes the lead in their supposed power struggle and stood for the interest of the NPA unlike Sison who just favored and preferred cadres like Ocampo and Maza that greatly lost his “credibility” among his ranks.

It’s all in the wasted time. Stability within the CPP-NPA seems out of hand. Sison is simply losing the battle against Tiamzon. Sison’s way of corrupting the NPA logistics which demoralized key guerilla units awakened the front’s yearning to end his dodgy leadership. It’s about time that Sison relinquishes his post or else stay on top powerless and act as a mere Communist trophy. Majority in the Party thinks of Sison’s “silent ouster” as a contingency plan after the recent “rift” and power wrestling. But this is quite impossible. Sison may not like to gulp down Tiamzon’s ascension to power. On the other hand, Tiamzon would not want Sison to stay atop and continuously corrupt not only the Party’s finances but the very foundation and “cause” of the CPP-NPA, as well.

VOTERS SAY NO TO MUDSLINGING, THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX!

Philippines’ election season has been riddled with various political hullabaloos and unabated electoral dramas which noisily filled every part of the media leaving the voting public bombarded with loads of doubts, uncertainties and skepticism over political personalities’ integrity and capacity. In their haste to publicly malign their rivals and increase their chance at the presidency, candidates such Noynoy Aquino, Manny Villar, Richard Gordon, Jamby Madrigal and Joseph Estrada have all engaged themselves into political bickering that openly and in one way or another discredit their opponents

Aquino’s mental health status and his “raw” leadership capacities are often being questioned by his close contender-Villar whose recent plunder case filed by one of Noynoy’s cronies, not to mention his C5 road controversies, unexplained industries among others are being subject of “retaliatory” propaganda bombed in return by Noynoy’s camp. Erap, on the other hand, may have seemed to ride on political bickering through frequent press conferences stating Villar’s involvement on various graft and corruption activities which in turn had made the latter so enticed about divulging to public the seemingly ancient history of graft practices, personal controversies and scandals and the polygamous stance which the former had been so involved with. Jamby Madrigal and Richrad Gordon have, by and large, trodden the same path and indulged themselves on similar activities.

The never-ending unscrupulous and malicious attacks from one candidate to the next have made the public so sick and tired about “politicking”. They now seek to view a much competitive and holistic approach to politics which would make their votes really worth the cast. Among those who have taken this less traveled road are only JC Delos Reyes and Gilbert Teodoro. As observed, the two just went on their own ways trying to lay down clear and transparent platforms of government for the electorates to see and contemplate on. This is why more and more people have succumbed to seeing political personalities engaging in a strictly clean politics which Delos Reyes and Teodoro have been upholding.

The dark horse comes victorious

In Cebu, the recently concluded youth forum initiated by a non-partisan organization called the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc.'s Eduardo Aboitiz Development Studies Center (RAFI-EASDC) showed a high percentage of trust and confidence rating from 69 out of the 149 students who were asked in the ad hoc survey. Their votes were weighed based on presented facts that involved the presidential candidate’s political track record, achievements and tangible accomplishments. Indeed the teens realized how track record and leadership capability like that of Teodoro would really help unite our slowly dividing Republic.
Religious icon Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, having believed in G1BO’s track record and capacities had finally expressed his support for G1BO to be the country’s next President. The announcement was made during an evangelical program among his 5,000 strong followers converged at the “Kingdom of Jesus Christ, The Name Above Every Name’s” headquarters in Buhangin District in Davao City.

Meanwhile, some 10,000 urban poor masses from Parola, Tondo in Manila jam-packed Gibo Teodoro’s campaign sorty on May 3, 2010. Being referred to as the “silent majority”, the Urban Poor masses officially recognized G1BO as “the adopted son of Tondo”. This is a glaring fact that surveys do not necessarily represent the entire electoral population and do not necessarily entail “sure win” of those who have emerged on top of the surveys.

Thinking outside the box

Evidently, there are indeed electorates who continue to think ahead and outside the box amidst the riddling power thug and political bickering here and there. More and more people including those in the media, show business, political analysts, academe, religious groups, businesses and youth sectors have grown in numbers and expressed their full support to G1BO.

We are all indeed fed up with political chitchats and nonsense personal attacks. We must bear in mind that this election season is for the furtherance and betterment of our country’s governmental fibers and not for political drama. Obviously, some TRAPOs and political groups used this event to perpetuate themselves to power at the expense of the voting public. We’ve had enough. And it is time for us to choose a leader which would make our country’s hope a reality.

BEHIND 2010 POLLS: MANIPULATIONS AND SCAM

The 2010 automated polls had been riddled with various issues and controversies that affected not only the credibility of our government to manhandle orderly elections but the mere essence of democracy and sovereignty, as well. One political group, as sourced was rigging the recent elections through outside sources just to be sure pulling a supreme power in governance. With this, glaring facts have it that such a plan aims at perpetuating certain individuals to power, manipulating our country’s governance and eventually self-drive and shape situation favorable to their interests.

The truth behind this “plot” was seemed left to fester as there was no enough representation to uncover the electoral fraud that has been bombarding the multi-media. However, reliable source revealed that the “manipulation” of the election machines (PCOS) was materialized to perpetuate Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay, aknown social democrat, to Malacañang and subsequently take over Nonoy from the post. This scenario simply explains the sudden “victory” of Binay who only ranked second during pre-election surveys and suddenly inched-off Senator Mar Roxas in the actual vice-presidential race.

Accordingly, the social democrats have been doing extra efforts just to bag government posts since the regime of Presidents Aquino and Ramos. Source further disclosed that the group was also behind the successful impeachment move against former President Joseph Estrada and for the subsequent succession of then Vice President Gloria Arroyo. However, their attempt to rein in President Arroyo according to their whims apparently became futile as she proved her own tenacity and willful power to stay for ten years in the Palace and rid herself of their ministrations and beguiling political “advices”.

Ineffective in impulsively halt the present administration, the group tends to lie-low from their plans and content themselves with sneaky ploys to regain their “political aura” and ultimately gain mileage from various communal entities. That “dormant” stance gave them the opportunity to execute their plans through various personalities as in the COMELEC and the so-called “Noynoy-Binay” collusion. This could be the very reason why SMARTMATIC- a business group linked to a famous social democrat Hugo Chavez of Venezuela won the bidding to automate the 2010 polls.

It could be recalled that COMELEC Commissioner Rene Sarmiento, also a social democrat and was among the “spokesperson” of SMARTMATIC had constantly defended the company amid the alleged “controversies” weeks before the elections and was even sure that the elections will push through as scheduled. This simply goes to say that something “magical” could have happened during the automated polls. Smells fishy, right?

OCAMPO AT MAZA, NAGTATAGO NGA BA?

Maaring nagtataka kayo kung nasaan na nga ba sina Bayan Muna Representative Satur Ocampo at Gabriela Representative Liza Maza? Bigla na lamang silang naglahong parang bula matapos ang isinagawang eleksyon noong nakaraang Mayo 10 kung saan sila ay kumandidato bilang senador sa ilalim ng Nacionalista Party. Totoo bang tinanggap na nila ang kanilang pagkatalo o sadyang pinagnilay-nilayan nila rason sa ang kanilang pagkatalo noong nakaraang eleksyon? Nakakapagduda lamang dahil hindi na sila aktibo ngayon lalo na sa isyung kinakaharap na resulta noong nakaraang eleksyon. May dapat bang ipangamba ang taong bayan sa hindi nila pangingialam?

Simula’t sapol ay nababatid natin na lagi na lamang nakikialam ang dalawang kongresista lalo na usaping patungkol sa pagyurak ng administrasyong Arroyo. Kaliwa’t kanan rin ang mga protesta at rally saan mang panig ng bansa para mabigyan ng boses ang mga naapi lalo na patungkol sa kawalan ng benepisyo sa trabaho, mababang pasahod, pagmamay-ari sa mga lupain, korapsyon sa gobyerno at marami pang iba. Ngunit, isang malaking tanong ng karamihan ay kung bakit hindi nararamdaman ang presenya nina Ocampo at Maza lalo na ngayong may malaking dayaan sa nakaraang halalan.

Ocampo at Maza, may pinagtataguan ba kayo? Bigla na lamang nawala ang dalawa pagkatapos ng eleksyon kung saan nabigo silang makuha ang kahit isang posisyon sa senado. Matatandaan na ang Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) ay naglaan ng malaking pondo para sa pangangampanya ni Ocampo at Maza. Kung susuriing mabuti, ang pinag- uusapan dito ay paggasta ng malaking halaga ng grupo na nauwi lamang sa wala dahil sa pagkatalo ng dalawa. Hindi kaya may kaugnayan sa pera ang dahilan ng pagtatago nina Ocampo at Maza? Kung tutuusin, may malaking posibilidad na maari ngang nagtago sila dahil binigo nila nag partido dahil na rin sa sakripisyong ginawa ng mga miyembro ng buong CPP para sa kanila.

Malamang natatakot ang dalawa ngayon sa kanilang mga kasamahang rebelde dahil sa kanilang binibitiwang pangako sa mga ito na magkakaroon sila ng posisyon sa senado at pagiging miyembro ng gabinete kapag nanalo ang kanilang sinusuportahan. Siniguro pa ng dalawa na mababawi nila ang kanilang ginastos sa pangangampanya. Ang lahat ng pagsusumikap ng rebeldeng grupo sa pangangampanya at paglustay sa pondo ng partido ay hindi lamang sapat upang magluklok sa kaninuman sa posisyon. Marahil ito lamang ay nagbigay- daan upang mismo masira ang pagtitiwala at respetong ibinigay ng kasamahan nila sa grupo.

PAGKAMPI SA KOMUNISTA: ISANG MALAKING KAHANGALAN

“Kung hindi uukol, hindi bubukol”- isang kasabihan ng mga matatandang Pinoy na tugmang- tugama sa kinalabasan ng paglahok nina Satur Ocampo at Liza Masa sa senatorial race nitong nakaraang eleksyon. Hindi nakaguhit sa pulitika ng Pilipinas ang dalawang representante ng Bayan Muna at Gabriela ang pagiging senador ng ating bansa dahil malinaw na talagang napag- iwanan na sila sa bilangan ng kanilang mga katunggali.

Tama namang ang malaking agwat o maliit na bilang ng boto na nalikom ng dalawang kongresista ay nagpapahiwatig lamang ng papaliit na papaliit na mundo ng makakaliwang militanteng grupo tulad nila? Maari din senyales ito na nagsasabing nagsasawa na talaga ang taong bayan sa kaliwa’t kanang pagsisigaw sa mga kalye at sa kanilang walang katapusang mga rally laban sa gobyerno kung kaya’t naiisip nila na wala na ngang maibibigay na bago para sa bayan ang dalawa.

Suntok sa buwan ang ginawa ni Satur at Liza sa kanilang pagsabak sa pagka-senador lalo na ang ginawa nilang pakikipag-alyansa sa anak ng dati nilang itinuturing na kaaway na si Bongbong Marcos. Marahil ito ang dahilan kung bakit naging mapakla ang panlasa ng taong bayan sa dalawang kandidato dahil ito ay nagpapahiwatig lamang na hindi tunay ang pakikipaglaban para sa karapatan ng taong bayan bagkus ay mas importante pa ang pagpapalabas ng kanilang ngiping pulitikal na karaniwang nakikita natin sa mga tinatawag na TRAPO.

Umuwing luhaan din ang ibang kaalyadong partylist group nina Satur at Liza sa ilalim ng tinatawag na MAKABAYAN. Hindi nakakuha ng tamang boto ang mga grupo tulad ng KATRIBU at AKAP BATA samantalang halos tig-iisang posisyon lamang ang nakuha ng ilang kakamping partylist groups. Isa sa mga pahiwatig na patuloy na lumiliit ang suporta ng taong bayan sa mga makakaliwang ay ang malaking pagkatalo ng presidentiable na si Manny Villar. Kung matatandaan na inendorso mismo ni Communist Party of the Philippines Chairman Jose Ma. Sison ang nasabing kandidato tulad na din ang pag- endorse nito kay Satur at Liza. Sa madaling salita, kung sino man ang kumapi sa mga komunista at paniguradong natatalo sa anumang larangan. Kakampi pa ba kayo sa talunan?

DYSFUNCTIONAL REBELS IN THE PHILIPPINES

What is the difference between rebels and revolutionaries?

Rebels are known for what they are against, while revolutionaries are known for what they are for—simple enough? In the Philippines, there are too many identified rebels but one can hardly notice any revolutionaries. Indeed, we have no shortage of rebels- people who can keenly express what they are against, but when asked what they are exactly for, they were less likely give you any specifics. Suddenly, the air become abstracts and motherhood statements abound. It gets far worse when they pressed to give anything regarding how they would accomplish this in greater detail.

Revolutions require more thinking than rebellions, since not only do revolutionaries need to work through the same processes that rebels do in order to bring down the present system, they also need to provide a better working alternative to the system they intend to replace–not necessarily in that order. There seems to be this naive tendency to expect that dismantling the present system automatically defaults into a better one simply by letting things take their course, as if burning down or destroying a building would automatically grow a better building like a phoenix rising out of the ashes without a strong follow-through or real effort to rebuild one. In regime changes, reformers tend to focus on solutions to the evils of the old system—evils they may correctly identify. However, as they turn out, we find a worse kind of evil in their place. Especially in the absence of planning and foresight and no real grasp of principles, like terrible chess players, when reformers are not too keen in covering all their bases, there will be serious consequences in areas that actually haven’t been anticipated.

The leaders a society chooses reflect very much on who or what the society is. In other words, leaders tend to be the projection—the very image of the collective than elected them into office. When a society is unable to weigh the situation soundly- logically or reasonably- and has a shallow grasp of equally sound governing principles, then they easily and quite naturally fall for the same type of leader. A results-oriented society who believes in personal accountability would choose the same type of leader. A society who falls for leaders lacking in accomplishments in their history of service is not a results-oriented society. A society who falls for leaders who spent most of their time opposing without offering a sounder alternative is likely to be simply a society of whiners and complainers. A society who supports rebels and not genuine revolutionaries is an anarchic society. A society who elects a leader with no viable platform or solution to its ills is a society with no realizable promise as a collective. A fickle and dishonorable society is a society who ousts a leader and yet re-elects the same leader for a sack of rice.
Which society are we?

AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE FILIPINO TO STEP UP AND LEAD

The Philippines’ Commission on Election has done a tremendous responsibility as been observed in today’s National and Local Election. It overcame the hexes cast upon by the shamans in the Philippine media and the parties they supported, and stepped up in the face of overwhelming disapproval. The COMELEC stands tall as a lone beacon of modernism in our backward society.

It is indeed very ironic that the COMELEC, for so long being the blacksheep institution of the Philippine public sector, has rocketed to the top of civil service excellence on the back of a feat of technology implementation, while the stalwart relics of 1980’s emo politics now stand under the stern gaze of a public that have all but caught on to the con operation they had subject Da Pinoy to for the last twenty five years.

If Cory Aquino brought pride to the Philippine nation in 1986 for leading the people power “revolution” of that year, Noynoy Aquino, her eldest now, now stands to the same twenty-four years later--- by standing aside the institution he sought to undermine stands tall and casts a gloating shadow on his ironic win in legitimate polls.

We see the dawn of a government headed by a person who cannot lead as an opportunity for the Filipino to lead the way they were meant as the most IMPORTANT elements in ay truly democratic society.

It is now the time that Filipinos should take accountability beyond being mere voters. Being constituents of a democratic government entails responsibility beyond the vote. Electing a president is not the end of our role. It is the beginning of it.

The measures of a president’s success are quite simple: a president must have:(1) A clear understanding of his country’s most pressing issues – the As-is State;(2) A lucid view of what he envisions his country to look like by the time he steps down six years later – the To-be State of the Philippines in 2016.; and, (3) A roadmap to get us there — The Plan.

Yes, Mr President, it becomes more real now — especially to the people you’ve made promises to. The countdown to 2016 is on. And we will be watching — and leading your government.

So what’s the plan, Mr. soon-to-be President?

IT IS NOT OUR GOVERNMENT: IT IS “WE” THE PROBLEM OF THE PHILIPPINES

It was quite obvious seeing the authoritarian and conformist culture pervaded in the country made lives miserable. One writer explained how Filipino authoritarian and old- school parenting is apt to produce wimps. It is also reasoned that the voters are heavily influenced by the media and mostly by anti- intellectual messages because some of our collective behavior appreciates that.

My saying “not the government” is because people are saying “patalsikin si Gloria” (kicked-out Gloria) or “patalsikin siya”., whoever is in power. People now are focusing on the wrong things as “patalsik”. Who we elect is our fault. It is a product of our culture.

Some Filipinos would primarily say how proud they are with their culture because it is caring, loving, and beautiful culture. Yet when one deeply analyzes that it somehow possesses intolerant, inflexible, anti- intellectual and oppressive, and therefore ugly collective behavior. Some may find a doing right because of majority is doing the same when it is in fact all wrong. Then, suddenly they scratch their head wondering what they’ve done wrong.
Proof of this is seen everywhere.

When Erap became the president, some people were claiming that a gambler, drunkard, womanizer and crime lord was elected to the highest office of the land. But what does it tell to our collective behavior? We elect a leader who believe will follows people’s will, but later on, the people will go on the streets wanting he president to resign. So when Erap left, GMA took over and now nearly everyone wants her out. It’s funny since GMA had even more votes than Erap when she was elected for vice- president.

We have a culture of hypocrite masculinity. We have a religious culture, and we have men who can pray the rosary and go to mass everyday. Yet on the later part of the day, they get drunk, they hit the neighbor’s wives, bear many children, and then blame the government for not supporting them.

Children today, when they grow-up wanted to be like an artistas instead of becoming true blooded artists, graphic designers, computer engineers, and doctors. All thanks to local TV entertainment shows that are manipulative in molding kids to become stupid.

We have a behavior wherein shouting is the only means to use a cellphone when inside a public vehicle or even the mass or service is going on. Moreover, we, instead of excellence, still pursue “pwede na yan” “bahala na” and impunity.
And thus we have a behavior wherein we blame the government for our problems, but we fail to realize that we ourselves have corruption and thus responsible for our condition.

Yes, there are some Filipino culture that itself one of the most tyrannical elements of the country and is helping keep it backwards. We should realize to use our will to decide which collective behavior is right and wrong. Don’t blame anything or anyone for our misfortunes; it is in our hands we can help contribute in the development of our country- PHILIPPINES.

Making the Right Choice for your family- 1Ang Pamilya Partylist

The May 2010 National and Local Election will be the most hypocritical event in our Philippine History. Other than being anxious of who will the next president to be (troubled or fascinated?), the Partylist system has already stretched its remark by serving the interest of few who want power at a lesser cost and faster process is their point of concern. Yet the voting public remained ignorant on the essence of voting a partylist group for the Congress.

But not all Partylist group is seeking for self- idolatry. Here comes 1Ang Pamilya who is worthy of your votes and a promising start for public service. This partylist group chose to make a representation of which most of us often ignored. 1Ang Pamilya will soon introduce reforms and amendments to our Filipino family to become more productive in both financial capability and wellbeing. The group will promote responsible parenthood intended to bring a feasible solution to both overpopulation and poverty. Moreover, the group is hoping to bridge between the gap of the genders towards a profitable and competitive career as they equally provide their families. Specifically, the 1Ang Pamilya would focus more on the proper implementation of the family code to include some constitutional alterations that would benefit Filipino family at every known social stratum.

In other words, this initiative will be the boldest way to display our effort of political renewal. The 1Ang Pamilya partylist does not need any favor of some political parties nor is it seeking TRAPO’s assistance or allegiance in return of their favor. This would only mean that Filipinos should vote outside of their box and try to defend their own interest. As the group seeks the need of moral reformation starting to the four corners of each home is a real in advocating a realistic approach to state progress we all seek. Ethics has been diminished through time that can be only saved by the very fabric of societal assembly that is bounded by love, trust and blood. Most of the partylist is only concerned with the superficial problems in our society and not discussing the root- causes of such problems.

This group doesn’t only rely on the lip service but to whatever group we identify ourselves with, we could only belong to one family, human enough to commit mistakes and rational enough to accept the change within.1Ang Pamilya is not taking this political renewal alone but the 14 million Pinoys wanting the better future for themselves and the people they care about; an initiative that seek self-change and charity other than poltical mudslinging between groups and TRAPOs. They set themselves to a mission- to promote responsible parentage and providing a safer environment for our family and others precipitates the idea of cohesion other than the disunity that politics is now facing.

Other than just by providing amendments to our family code including provisions to specific areas like childcare, penalties to domestic violence and securing Filipino debts and forced violence, 1Ang Pamilya is also tasked to reintroduce values re-integration to include Filipino reverence to the sanctity of marriage else the observance of equal respect to other communal relationships. If we could provide enough political representation for our families in Congress, then sooner or later we could help establish the progression towards the absence of marginalized sectors in our society.

ABS- CBN’s ETHICAL STANDARD AT STAKE; NOYNOY GUILTY OF GRAFT

The end of Philippine journalistic ethics and the advent of capitalism than tends to influence our bureaucracy is about to start. This is because of the all- out campaign for Liberal Party bet Noynoy Aquino on May 9th is being sponsored by ABS- CBN. Try to imagine the support given by the station management and this favor will end- up when their bet will snag Malacañang. How will be the presidential bet keep- up the station’s supposed return of investments? Will this one way of the Lopezes to take back MERALCO? This only make sure that Juan dela Cruz be on front seat witnessing how this influential capitalists and clans including the Cojuancos make use the presidency the second time around.

The “interest” of the Lopezes on Aquino’s presidency has already diminishes the ethical judgments of their reporters and media practitioners to the point that they molded news reports in favor of the interest of Aquino and the management. In fact, the media streaming scheduled on May 9th only incite the participation of partisan press by ensuring true-blooded capitalists and hungry clans like the Conjuancos have the control of power. This only proves the practice of “corruption” outside the state government. When Nonoy enjoys the lavish amount of control over ABS- CBN’s reporters and celebrities serves only the beginning of the series of graft LP has perfected under his leadership. And this only includes the powerful use of media in influencing the public standpoint.

As the ethics of professionalism, the press should always remain neutral not only in politics but also to everything else that are connected to social welfare and interests. For the media was functionally created and continually patronized by the populace. Their broad prospective as well as limiting their selves with politics and governance made them the only ally of the community between poverty and governance that encountering graft controversies. The press should stay flawless and uninfluenced. But the Lopezes with the interest for expansion of their empire together with the Cojuancos that enjoying their immunity over the exploitation of Hacienda Luisita only made Noynoy a political insult.

Corruption is not just about robbing taxpayer’s money as Noynoy thought about. Having pleasure at the expense of one’s interest itself is an example of fraud. The part when Noynoy make use ABS-CBN’s undeniable power of the mass media only to pursue his candidacy was more than pocketing public funds. Aquino had known for the fact that they maximize the use of TV and radio ads and going beyond this is a big form of “cheating”. He execessively use his “connections” within the network to help him organize the suppose campaign”fraud” on May 9th. If Aquino is open to the idea of exploring the leniency of COMELEC and the loopholes of election rulings, what will then stop him from doing the same when he finally heir the presidency?

As Noynoy and his ally remain ignorant on his slogan “Kung Walang Corrupt, Walang Mahirap”, they still remain blind on practicing this graft in their own advantage.

Priest: for good or for evil?

The world now is a dangerous place to live and the people are difficult to trust. Yet we look forward on reforming ourselves to become better individual by listening and acting to the word of God through our priests. But what is this erring connotation that other priests are openly used by the enemies of the state? Are they’re for God or pretending to be for God?

The ordained minister fulfills his threefold work as a priest, prophet and minister (king) and in the community the priest presides is a community formed by the Word of God- a Eucharistic, prophetic and ministerial community. He brings the Good News to all conditions and status of human life, reaches out to the sick and disabled community, the poor and victimized in society. He makes real to the Christian community the Christ’s love of preference for the poor.

But how come some priests neglect their responsibility? The ongoing issue was held with regards to some priests of who are allegedly favoring the policies of the leftists group. We all know that these so-called “revolutionist”, even saying they are for the good of the people, yet they still radiating war and violence in our society. They implement violence in order to get what they want and have the power to control it. They are self- praising individual who always disagree to the government but they still do nothing to help the society. They are enemies of the state and only ensuring that all people will believe in their lies and deceiving actions.

“While priests must distance themselves from politics in order to favour the unity and communion of all the faithful, thus becoming a point of reference for everyone", a quote from Pope Benedict XVI instructing our priest to be neutral and function responsibly to our society. The priest should not allow themselves be used for communism. How will they able to unite people if they are also allowing violence to happen? How will they tell themselves “disciples of God” if they allow evil to eat their souls? How will they able to function well if all they do is to deceive people claiming that they are holy but the truth is that they demons in disguise? They become rotten flesh and their names will soon be disappeared that no one would able to remember it.

It only proves the saying “keeping the enemies closer”. Communist used our priest to stay enclose to the community to be able to gain control of it. Or let me say priest are allowing themselves to be possessed by the demons of our society. How could we trust them if they let all of this happen? Priest may have those weaknesses for they are human like us but they possess human reason to distinguish what is right to what is evil. They should know better for they are chosen people of God to lead nation for good and be close to Him.

Let priest be faithful to their responsibility as God gave it. Let their names be holy and their soul be blessed. Let not them be painted with grave sins and be of high moral. If they want to be part of this violent- related group, stop calling your names as “disciples of God”. Beware of them!

“I AM SORRY” – NOY

It was the election period also not so long ago that we were made audience of a pitiful public apology from Gloria Arroyo that was scorned by the rest of the world and had intellectuals wondering what were her advisers thinking to actually propose the idea to her? This time, we are witnessing the very same advisers getting deep into action by prodding Senator Noynoy’s apology to SWS president for his honest, yet callous, comment regarding biased and deceiving survey results.
His comment supposedly meant firms other than SWS, but which other survey firms would he have been talking about when it is only SWS that supposedly matters? We need a decisive president at the helm, not someone who balks at his own comments and actions and expects apologies two weeks afterwards will make up for it. Is losing favor from a survey firm enough to retract your own belief and principle? With the presidency at stake, what else is the good Senator ready to retract for the sake of appearances? I have never felt a greater sense of déjà vu and dread for the coming election results.
Not trying to totally destroy Noynoy’s credibility as many of my acquaintances are dear friends of his but really, what are his qualifications to run for the presidency? He is but a puppet that certain politicians are using to justify their own selfish desires. Take the good Senator’s Empowerment platform. He has been in Congress and the Senate for numerous years already, has he not been able to maximize on this yet? Why only now when he had years and millions as pork barrel to have channeled the same thread to the very people he now wishes to completely and fully govern? What has he done in the past years to make him worthy of the post? It should all boil down to this really.
What is he made of? Strip him of his name and let us see the MAN behind the spectacles and the likeness of Ninoy. What has he done for us that we can expect the same when he gets more power? Pork barrel figures are no laughing matter. Lacson himself was able to say he did not spend a cent from it. Where did Noynoy’s go?
Before Cory died, I honestly have forgotten she had a son for a senator. And I know I am not alone in this sentiment. What does that make of him? Sometimes, there is a fine line between empowerment and having no guts to lead so you will obviously just give the responsibility to someone else. I hope Noynoy is not aiming for the very people worth fighting for to bite into that sham.

A Call for Responsible Journalism

Lambasting the present administration is not really constructive criticism. If you are not part of the solution then surely you are part of the problem. Is it really fair, as a journalist to list down all the faults of PGMA and not at all mention her legit accomplishments? Are we really working for the good of our fellowmen?
I am in no way a great fan of PGMA but inciting bad press without providing alternate solutions cannot be considered good pieces—unless we are working for the opposition. Unless they were paying us to do nothing but criticize and push Juan de la Cruz further down the development ladder. Otherwise, there is really no greater purpose to let our fellowmen down.
So I am calling all writers who are still pursuing that perfect story for this coming election. Why not let it be about something positive for our country without biting into showbiz-like controversies? Let us do our job of perfectly snooping into the accomplishments and non-performances of our presidential candidates.
The new president’s leadership will soon affect all of us, not just in the media, but ALL of us. We should unite this once for this purpose at least. Then we shall see, and we shall let the entire country see who truly deserves our vote. Together we can do this. We already should know by now how powerful media can be in this country, let us stop denying it is in our hands than can make a positive change.
All it would take is responsible journalism at its best. Let us do our homeworks and let us remember what first brought us into this profession-the adventure of being in the beat, the victory of uncovering the story of a lifetime. Let this lifetime matter. Let us strive to at least try an honest President with no controversies and nothing but good old clean politics to his name. Shouldn’t Juan dela Cruz deserve to have a good government? No linkages to the left, no briberies with our police, no leftover porkbarrel to pocket—nothing but a clean name and an even more impressive accomplishment sheet. All our presidential candidates have been government servants for quite some time now, they should have enough credits to their name already to deserve the presidency. Let us discover who truly deserves to win and make ourselves count.

A PUSHOVER FOR PRESIDENT?

I have no ill will against the son of revered former Pres. Cory Aquino. Senator-elect Noynoy Aquino, practically he did nothing wrong to the citizenry that his mother once sworn to serve. However, what ticks me is the part where he also had done nothing right. The two-termer in the Senate House is nothing but a breathing piece of suit. He remained unnoticeable in the senate other than being the only son of the EDSA Uno icon. He was simply the son of “someone” and the brother to somebody else. So why on earth would a “dormant” legislature think he has the capacity to assume the executive post?
It is no secret that Liberal Party simply casted Sen. Noynoy as a party “slacker” in terms of gaining political popularity. Noynoy was never the senator who made his name known unlike Sen. Mar Roxas who had his own indelible mark in the Philippine politics. So the big question is, why was Noynoy pushed for the presidency in the first place? Why should LP’s benchwarmer take on the heaviest load of the 2010 competition? Else, why ditch Mar over a mediocre politician?
There is nothing more dangerous than electing a moppet president who is more than susceptible to be shoved aside. Noynoy with his experience of being sidetracked and “silenced” proves that he would meet the exact same fate as former Presidents Erap Estrada and Gloria Arroyo. Apparently, among all three, Noynoy is essentially the weakest link with regard to political dependency. Erap depended much on his charm in the movie industry, while both Noynoy and Gloria gained their conviction from birth rights. However, Noynoy is on to blowing everybody’s whistle with his “I am my mother’s son” statement.
Being the son of the well-honored Cory and Ninoy simply made Noynoy outrightly “insignificant”. People should not be naïve and not notice that his family name is what’s pumping his career and nothing else. His parent’s shoes are too big for him to fill no doubt about that; but does the public really expect him to? He could have at least fought against the shadow and make a “man” out of his own right, his sister Kris has obviously done it so why can’t he? Noynoy chose politics and not the other way around. He should have been able to make it worthwhile; relying on his parent’s appeal makes him nothing but a political joke.
What change is he guaranteeing Juan dela Cruz? Why should we surrender government to someone who had not grown his own backbone after years of being elected in office? The Aquino name was perfumed through his parent’s dedication to country, Noynoy staled it with his sordid “fixation” and “flimsiness”. And just like a lost spoiled brat, Noynoy seeks comfort to TRAPOs in the likes of former Franklin Drilon who had been a renowned “balingbing” after ditching Gloria who he helped bring into Malacañang. Surely, Noynoy will be facing the same fate soon enough.

EXTORTIONISTS OUT TO ROB PINOYS OF THEIR RIGHTS

Highly treacherous members of the New People’s Army bared their fangs yet again when they attempted to harass site surveyors of the Smartmatic Corp.-Total Information Management (Smartmatic-TIM) who were undertaking preparations - surveying for GSM transmission signals - in Quezon, Masbate and several Bicol provinces for the past few weeks.
These armed groups who have been preventing the site surveyors from reaching their target areas without first paying their monetary demands have now caused unnecessary delays to the success of the poll automation. In a nutshell, these bandits have proven yet again that they exist for money and money alone. They no longer operate because of ideology and has no desire to see our country, let alone their kababayans, experience the technical advancement of their electoral rights.
By wagging their M16 rifles under the nose of these terrified site surveyors, these lowly extortionists only showcased their duplicity and their knack for issuing coercive threats against unarmed civilians who are only doing their job to earn a living for their family. In addition to this, their aggressive stand against the poll automation attest to the fact that they are not the people’s protector but are in fact the very source of their misery. By allowing these disgraceful bandits to exist in any area within our country will only endanger our democracy and rob us of our rights.
They have now started to take away from us our chance to improve our electoral system, so any other effort toward development will surely be impeded by these extortionists. Aside from using the polls to make money and forcing their guns on our throats, these criminals will be our bane, that is, unless we do something about their existence.

FAVORABLE SURVEY RESULT FOR VILLAR A HOAX

When will these politicians learn? It seems that everyone is still agog over who gets the top rank in pre-elections surveys that they fail to see where such drastic activities will painfully lead to and how it has been virtually disrupting our country’s democracy. Despite calls to have this kind of surveys banned, political parties are still stubbornly commissioning these mind-conditioning activities to deliberately get ahead of their adversaries and to project a situation that is entirely bereft of reality.
Take the latest series of Social Weather Station (SWS) survey results where presidential candidate Manny Villar was shown to be slowly inching his way to the top and gradually closing his gap, in points, with presidential wannabe Noynoy Aquino of the Liberal Party. Because of these developments, almost everyone are now saying that the race between the two contenders has turned into a highly competitive race to the top and therefore expected to be an exciting electoral battle. Such statements only prove that the recent turn of survey events has glaringly and quite unfairly forced the Pinoy voters to accept the ludicrous notion that the upcoming May 2010 fight will only be between Noynoy and Villar.
Of course, such an absurd concept can only be so well planned. An unimpeachable source revealed that one of the stakeholders in the 2010 polls has crafted this “script” to calculatedly compel the Nacionalista Party to relax their campaign strategy but in the end plan to turn the tables on Villar, especially by ensuring the C-5 scandal will do its case. Such ploy is intended to show that no one can usurp Noynoy’s place – despite the onslaught of campaign ads their opponents plaster - as the most viable presidential candidate for the country. This is also aimed at creating a snowball effect among the voting populace and to intentionally create a problem in case another presidentiable wins. Apparently, Juan dela Cruz is indeed that gullible to fall for such cheap tricks.
Was it not the same allegation used by Senator Miriam Santiago – who topped almost all the pre-election surveys during the 1992 elections – against her stalwart adversary Fidel Ramos when the latter won the presidential polls? Will we see a repeat of such tactic? The answer would have to be on the affirmative.

IS NOYNOY THE NUISANCE?

What it takes to Lose People’s Interest

Is it not annoying when people claim they are better than everyone else? That they flaunt their well-off names and actually depend on it to have whatever it is they want to do? As if they themselves were sanctified by the names they inherited?

There is no question about the revered Cory Aquino in her role during EDSA I. She symbolizes the millions of Filipino who jam-packed Metro Manila streets to bring down the tyranny of Ferdinand Marcos. She was the “symbol”; and for that she was loved. But even the People Power icon was not immune to public ridicule nor is she incapable of committing mistakes. Our beloved Cory was not a saint and the public knows that. The same goes with the late Archbishop Cardinal Sin, who like Cory, was also the emblem of people’s peaceful revolt. But the revered bishop also committed his own oversights, human that he is.

Sen. Noynoy Aquino appears to actually think very highly of himself. It was as if the Aquinos were made sacred and that the presidential post was his by matter of birth right; like a spoiled brat that takes everything as “justly” his. Isn’t that annoying enough? “Nakakahiyang magbuhat ng sariling bangko”, is a cliché that Noynoy should actually keep in mind. Hearing him of how spotless he seems to be compared with the other presidential aspirants is very overbearing indeed. His bragging should mark him a “nuisance” to the voting public.

What has Noynoy made in the context of his name? What was it that pushed him to ever embrace a challenge as hard as the presidency, when he knows he had done nothing “worthwhile” in his second “senateship”? His political career remained “spotless” of biases or graft riddled programs simply because there was not a single program authored or started by him to ever start with. He was nothing but a suit inside the Senate floor for two consecutive terms. His claimed “untouched” name was made possible by his literal “inexistence” else evanescent career as a senator. Of course, who would pay attention to him when there he cannot offer something interesting that is worth the public’s attention? Ironically, this clean “ghost” also wants to haunt Malacañang. The absentee senator is now ambitioning to be the first ever absconding president.

Try and imagine just how Noynoy could possibly run the country like an empty suit walking. How will he survive the greedy wolves that are anxiously waiting to see him “trip” and turn himself into a laughing stock? Have we forgotten how Liberal Party biggies like former Sen. Franklin Drilon promised the public of reform in the hands of Gloria? What guarantees do we have that LP would not ditch Noynoy and queue their next favored TRAPO to take his place? Noynoy is among the “easy pickins” in Philippine politics. How long will it take for Drilon to sidetrack Noynoy who preys on his very family name? People accept every president’s fallibility as a natural blunder but not gullibility. Unfortunately, Noynoy exemplifies both at dangerous extents.

IS PPCRV IN CAHOOTS WITH THE COMELEC?

A citizen-based watchdog is now calling foul over a Catholic church-backed poll watchdog for supposedly using its close connections with several high ranking officials of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) to block the group’s accreditation with the poll body. The National Citizens for Free Elections (NAMFREL), in a statement, revealed that the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) has been opposing their application for accreditation to be an additional citizen’s arm in ensuring an honest and peaceful 2010 polls.
The unexpected stand of the PPCRV has naturally shocked the leaders of NAMFREL given that the two groups used to work together in several past elections and that the head of the PPCRV, Henrietta De Villa, also used to be the head of NAMFREL. Ironically, it was De Villa herself who claimed that there is no conflict in chairing both PPCRV and NAMFREL and that both organizations can work together to realize the goal of a clean, honest and orderly elections. As such, her sudden retraction is now being viewed with suspicion by the very people she used to work with.
Jose Cusia, NAMFREL Chairperson, also fails to understand why PPCRV is opposing the external unofficial parallel quick count that said organization plans to undertake since it will not overlap with the latter’s pre-agreed internal quick count during the upcoming polls which PPCRV has no plans of even making public. Cusia, further cited that several electoral watchdogs composed of academic and professional organizations, NGOs and various church groups have aired their concern about the PPCRV’s impartiality since it has questionable links and maintains too close a relation with the COMELEC.
Using said allegation as a cue, it was discovered that De Villa is a member of the COMELC advisory council in the automation project. An unimpeachable source also revealed that De Villa was also one of the convenors of the Moral Force Movement (MFM) launched by Supreme Court Justice Reynato Puno, who in turn is a very close friend of COMELEC chairman – also a former associate justice of the SC - Jose Melo. Apparently, it was SC Puno who worked for Melo’s appointment in the high tribunal before being appointed as the poll body’s head.
Also, perusing PPCRV’s prime movers has also emphasized the gnawing doubt that said watchdog cannot remain non-partisan and objective during the performance of their tasks in the upcoming 2010 elections. It was discovered that one of PPCRV’s Board of Directors, Johnny O.R. Cardeñas, is also the incumbent president of the movement called Kapatiran sa Pangkalahatang Kabutihan (KPK) which in turn launched the national political party called Ang Kapatiran who is endorsing presidential candidate Jose “JC” De Los Reyes. Clearly, the PPCRV cannot fully discharge its function as an unbiased citizen’s arm since some of its precursors have stakes or questionable interests in the upcoming elections.

LP: WEAKER BY THE DAY

“Aquino and his Weakness”

The recent Pulse Asia survey that summed-up Senators Noynoy Aquino and Manuel Villar’s ratings at a deadlock is seemingly the needed push to confirm the waning status of the Liberal Party. Apart from the sounding division inside LP’s campaign agenda with regard to Sen. Aquino’s fallible leadership, the public is also starting to condemn the kind of mud fight LP is trying to pull with Nacionalista. The snowballing of one contemptible issue to next between Aquino and Villar actually lowered public’s esteem on them. Stooping down that low has actually nailed Aquino’s presidential ambition to a “thing of the past”.
If Aquino cannot organize LP’s mere campaign committee without the meddling of a few TRAPOs like former Senator Frank Drilon, what kind of administration would he be leading if he ever gets elected? Unifying a political Party and even managing his own people inside LP is becoming a huge hurdle for Aquino at this point of the campaign period. All thanks to Aquino’s ever “dependent” attitude that is getting his people baffled. The LP presidentiable is apparently used to demanding what he desires and it being given to him that he pays little interest on how his people are actually handling his “candidacy”. This is what should concern people about falsified heroes that were made by TRAPOs like Drilon.
Other than the ill-managed campaign committee of Aquino, Noynoy’s insensitive impulse is also becoming a problem inside LP. First, it was his “disdain” against the Social Weather Station (SWS) who narrowed his lead against Nacionalista bet-Sen. Manuel Villar. The “surveys ay nabibili sa Quiapo” statement blew up on Aquino’s face and actually got him in a very awkward position with regard to private survey outfits that had been fueling his supposed “charm” to the people. If I may, the apologetic letter of Aquino directed towards the SWS management was read over deaf ears. Well, could we really blame the SWS management for putting up a snobbish front on the “ungrateful” LP bet? Besides, if LP was really sincere, Noynoy could have done better than writing a letter to SWS two weeks too late. If he was man enough, he would have made the apology on television where he made the disparaging remarks in the first place.
Maybe if LP briefed Aquino on every detail with regard to LP’s campaign antics and how the surveys helped him in ways a presidentiable could only hope to, they would not be currently facing such a dismal position. This is sadly the end of the Aquinos’ charm. Politicking pollutes a good name and LP knows of this mistake by now when they picked a presidentiable “na hininog sa pilit”.

NOY SAYS SORRY TO SWS

The race to being the next president is getting tougher as the May 2010 elections is fast approaching - less than 100 days to be exact. Latest survey results revealed that the gap between Liberal Party’s standard bearer Sen. Noynoy Aquino and Nacionalista Party’s Sen. Manny Villar is only eleven percent which is quite small compared to previous results. This might be the reason behind why Aquino blurted out that surveys are not reliable at all.

Aquino finally realized that something was wrong in his answer regarding the question on survey results during a presidential forum dubbed “Kilalanin: A Presidential Forum” held at the De La Salle Zobel School last January 9, 2010. He clearly states that surveys are only bought in Quiapo. It is just like saying that surveys are not credible and should not be honored.

Due to his wrongdoing, Aquino clarifies that Social Weather Station (SWS) is not part of those institutions being referred to as “incredible surveys” as stated in the forum. He even wrote a letter to SWS President Mahar Mangahas apologizing and re-affirming that the institution is competent in their services. A letter believed to be made by the political supporters of Aquino as a cover up for his lack of common sense.

The failure of Noynoy to think before he speaks undoubtedly brings him to dig his own grave. This eventually brought a lot of criticism from his detractors. Obviously, the voters had a gist on Noynoy’s own perception towards the questions being raised to him. His apology letter to the SWS is a preventive measure in the polling organization in case the great contender, Villar, outrun the number one rank of Aquino.

In a recent interview, he was asked: If he wins the presidential seat, will he allow to be dictated by the people around him? He did not answer the question and instead he blurted out his ideas on how to handle the country. This only proves that he immediately learns his lesson.

PPCRV VIOLATES COMELEC REGULATION ON CITIZEN ARM

On October 26, 2009, the COMELEC issued a resolution granting PPCRV’s petition for its accreditation as Citizen’s Arm for the 2010 elections after an exact and hasty twenty one (21) days of processing.
PPCRV’s accreditation as Citizen’s Arm is subject to the following conditions of the COMELEC:
1. That PPCRV is subject to the direct and immediate control of the Commission and shall comply with all lawful orders;
PPCRV clearly did not comply with the proper process it should undergo when filing a petition to become a Citizen’s Arm. One of which is the publication of its petition in a newspaper of national circulation for three (3) consecutive weeks. Clearly, a violation was committed because PPCRV only published once and in a relatively unknown newspaper at that. It can be noted that at the time PPCRV filed its petition to become a Citizen’s Arm the country was at the height of devastation as typhoons Pepeng and Ondoy slaughtered many lives and properties—an issue taken advantage by PPCRV to go to COMELEC unnoticed. The organization’s negligence of the process denied the Filipino voters their right to decide whether PPCRV is credible enough to be their watchdog in the coming elections. There is definitely no doubt as to why there were no oppositors to its petition.

2. That PPCRV shall be non-partisan and impartial during the election period;
It is noteworthy that Johnny O.R. Cardenas, one of PPCRV’s Board of Directors is the incumbent president of Kapatiran sa Pangkalahatang Kabutihan (KPK). Ang Kapatiran Party (AKP) is borne out of KPK and was accredited by the COMELEC as a national political party. Furthermore, AKP is the Political Party List of Presidential candidate Eddie Villanueva. How then could it serve its duty of being impartial?

3. That PPCRV shall not be under the influence whatsoever of any foreign government corporation, or entity and shall not solicit or receive, directly or indirectly, any contribution or aid of whatever form or nature from any government, corporation, or entity, and that neither shall said organization nor any of its members seek to achieve its objectives or programs through violence, or aim to propagate ideology opposed to the principles of republican and democratic governments;

To note, PPCRV has an existing MOA with Philippine Computer Society (PCS), a private organization. This is a discernible indication of PPCRV’s incompetence having to hire PCS for the development of a system that would pave way for effective information dissemination and monitoring on the automated elections in May 2010—one of PPCRV’s task. The latter unmistakably violated the above condition. To further stress, COMELEC’s laxity and inexplicable lenience of PPCRV’s misconducts poses an alarming issue.

A citizen’s arm plays a vital role in the elections and having an inept and ungovernable organization holding a very critical position is like hiring a nurse for an engineering position. The 2010 election is yet the most critical for us Filipinos, not only because it is the first automated election we will undertake but also and more importantly because the Filipino people are thirsty for a genuine societal change. Are we to wait for an electoral sabotage or fraud to take place before we act on this disquieting issue?

RIGODON SA PAGITAN NG NAMFREL AT PPCRV

Nagkakarooon ng matinding sigalot sa pagitan ng National Citizen’s Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) at Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) sa usapin ng pagiging lehitimong tagapagbantay sa darating na 2010 halalan. Iniipit umano ng PPCRV ang aplikasyon ng NAMFREL sa Commission on Elections (COMELEC) upang mapabilang sa listahan ng mga tagapagbantay ng boto upang masiguro ang pagkakaroon ng malinis at payapang eleksyon.

Ikinabigla ng mga namamahala ng NAMFREL ang naturang aksyon ng PPCRV dahil ang dalawang organisasyon ay nagtutulungan sa mga nakalipas na halalan at ang pinuno ng PPCRV na si Henrietta De Villa ay naging pinuno rin ng NAMFREL. Taliwas naman ito sa sinabi ni De Villa na walang gulo na namamagitan sa NAMFREL at PPCRV dahil maaaring magtulungan ang dalawang grupo upang maisakatuparan ang parehong layunin na magkaroon ng maayos at malinis na halalan. Ngunit biglang nabago ang lahat ng sabihin din ni De Villa na malilito lamang ang mga tao kung dalawang grupo, NAMFREL at PPCRV, ang magbabantay sa botohan. Hindi tuloy maialis ang mga kuro-kuro na may pinaplano ngang milagro ang PPCRV. Kung kaya’t tahasang pinaninindigan ng PPCRV na sila lang ang tanging magiging tagapagbantay ng boto sa halalan dahil masisira ang kanilang kredibilidad kung hindi magtutugma ang kanilang resulta sa ilalabas ng NAMFREL.

Hindi rin umano maintindihan ni Jose Cuisia, NAMFREL Chairperson, kung bakit kailangang hadlangan ng PPCRV ang kanilang plano na pagsasagawa ng pagbibilang para mailabas sa publiko taliwas sa inihain sa kontratang pinirmahan ng PPCRV na ang kanilang bilang ay hindi maaring maisapubliko. Nabanggit rin ni Cuisia na may mga ibang grupo/organisasyon na tahasang naghayag ng pag-aalala dahil nakikitaan ang PPCRV na may kahina-hinalang pakikipag-ugnayan sa mga opisyales ng COMELEC.

Dahil na rin sa mga akusasyon, natuklasan na si De Villa ay isa sa mga miyembro ng konseho ng COMELEC patungkol sa proyekto ng automation. Nalaman rin na si De Villa ay napabilang sa mga nagtatag ng Moral Force Movement (MFM) na inilunsad ni Supreme Court Justice Reynato Puno, matalik na kaibigan ni COMELEC Chairman Jose Melo, na dating associate justice ng Korte Suprema. Lumabas rin na si SC Puno ang umayos para ma-appoint si Melo sa mataas na hukuman bago pa man ito mailuklok sa COMELEC.

Dahil dito, ang PPCRV ay hindi magiging patas at hindi maaaring walang kilingang kandidato. Hindi rin nito magagampanan ng maayos sa kanilang tungkulin bilang tagapagbantay ng boto sa darating na halalan 2010. Nadiskubre kasi na isa sa mga pinuno ng PPCRV na si Johnny O.R. Cardeñas ay nanunungkulan bilang presidente ng Kapatiran sa Pangkalahatang Kabutihan (KPK) na naglunsad ng partidong Ang Kapatiran. Ang nasabing partido ay ini-endorso naman si Jose “JC’ De Los Reyes bilang kandidato sa pagkapangulo sa darating na eleksyon. Malinaw na hindi magiging lubos na matagumpay ang tungkulin ng PPCRV bilang taga-bantay ng boto dahil na rin sa mga taong bumubuo sa organisasyon na tiyak na may mga kinikilingang kandidato.

TRASH TALK AMONG PRESIDENTIABLES

Unhealthy Ratings are to blame?

The trash talk between the Liberal and Nacionalista Parties that started when the Social Weather Station (SWS) gave differing presidential standings is an example of “unhealthy” politicking. Apparently, Senators Manuel Villar and Noynoy Aquino both ditched their social decorum that had them doing away with all known civility and face live cameras while they belittle each other. Sad to say, this is how “elected” senators want to lose face in front of two million youth voters watching their every move. It would not be altogether strange to say that the executive post is nonetheless losing public admiration. Sad to say, those queuing to inherit Malacañang are far shoddier than the Gloria they accuse of graft.

What’s more startling between the two presidentiables’ squabble with regard to the surveys released by the SWS is that both of them have in fact “milked” the ratings for their campaign, not discounting their claims of the surveys either easily bought or manipulated. For one, Aquino has enjoyed his supremacy on SWS’ released numbers. LP has bragged it not just on presidential forums but on their campaign trips all across the country as well. Interestingly, those same numbers were immune to their now claimed “manipulations of the rich few”. Was it because nipping through those numbers mean digging-up their own money trail backing up surveys that say Aquino bags top spot?

If Sen. Noy is among those who doubt the credibility of surveys to state facts, why has he kept his mouth shut for the past months? Why squeal disfavor now right after his “supposed” lead against all other presidentiables was trimmed-down to 11%? So what if Sen. Villar paid for the survey to get a good feel out for his name when he has already doled out his millions to everything else to include buying Bayan Muna’s 2-million command vote that paved the way for Representatives Satur Ocampo and Liza Maza joining his camp? Should we put Villar to the stake for riding on the same “trick” his adversaries do? LP simply scrutinizing Nacionalista for “copy-catting” their political gimmicks?

It is alarming how numbers could dictate Juan dela Cruz’s line of thought; like how a few hundred who answer those survey sheets make a superficial majority. How the tri-media picks-up the survey results and publish it is a political scheme itself. A good rating is practically what LP greedily wanted to own without others’ meddling with it. Villar employing the same trick to get a sounding boost on his political career was more or less a “distraction” on LP’s controlled white wash with the assistance of various survey groups.

The suggestion to not trust surveys as they are easily bought on the outskirts of Quiapo should also include not buying the gimmicks of NP and LP who are obviously on a campaign to recycle their names. True enough the numbers are big lies and the people who cower behind those “ratings” are masking quacks.

KIMAY, GINAMIT NG NPA SA KANILANG PROPAGANDA

Ayon sa pambansang bayani na si Jose Rizal, ang kabataan ay pag-asa ng bayan. Ang mga katagang ito ay nagsisilbing inspirasyon sa karamihan lalo na sa mga kabataan dahil tumatatak sa kanilang isipan na sila ang magsisilbing gabay upang magkaroon ng malawakang pagbabago sa pamamalakad sa bansa. Kung kaya, malimit na nakikita ang mga kabataan at estudayante na nagtitipon-tipon sa kalsada upang marinig ng gobyerno ang mga hinaing nila sa isyung kinahaharap ng bansa ngayon. Ngunit alam ba nila talaga kung ano ang kanilang pinaglalaban? O nauto na lamang sila ng mga tao o grupong sadyang sumasalungat sa gobyerno?
Ang pagkamatay ni Kemberly “Kimay” Jul Luna na isa sa mga kabaatang miyembro ng New People’s Army (NPA) ay binigyang parangal ng Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) dahil sa kanyang pakikibaka sa murang edad. Bago pa man masali sa NPA, si Kimay ay kabilang sa “iskolar ng bayan” at nag-aaral sa Mindano State University-Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT). Ngunit nasayang ang ibinigay sa kanyang pagkakataon na makatapos sana ng pag-aaral dahil sa kanyang pagtalikod sa pag-aaral at pag-anib sa Partidong Komunista. Marahil, sa tamis ng pananalita at mga huwad na pangako ng mga taong nagrekruta ay nabulag si Kimay sa ideolohiya ng partido kung kaya hindi na niya kinailangan ang edukasyon.
Ang pangyayaring ito ay lubusang inabuso ng CPP dahil nagbigay daan ito upang makahikayat ng mga kabataan na umanib sa kanilang samahan. Ang pagkawala ni Kimay ay walang nagawang mabuti sa kanyang sarili at pamilya niya mismo. Ang NPA lamang ang nakinabang sa pagkamatay ni Kimay dahil ginamit nila ito bilang isang propaganda upang madagdagan ang kanilang puwersa sa pamamagitan ng paghihikayat sa iba pang kabataan para umanib sa kanilang kilusan.
Tama ba ang isinusulong na ideya ng CPP at NPA? Inaatasan nila ang mga kabataan, estudyante at propesyunal na sumali sa kanila upang mabigyan ng hustisya ang nangyari kay Kimay. Humihina na nga ba ang kanilang puwersa kung kaya ginagamit pa nila ang kamatayan ni Kimay para sa kanilang pansariling interes? Wala naman sanang masama sa kanilang pinaglalaban ngunit patuloy naman ang kanilang armadong pakikibaka na nagdudulot ng kapahamakan hindi lamang sa buhay ng mga rebelde at sundalo kundi pati na rin sa mga inosenteng mamamayan nakapaligid sa kanila. Ito ba talaga ang gusto nating kahinatnan ng mga kabataang pag-asa ng ating bayan?

SURVEYS ARE NOT FOR REAL

Oh yes! They are not true and valid at all as Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III says that there are surveys that can be brought in Quiapo. This is the reply given by the Liberal Party’s standard-bearer when asked about his declining numbers compared to the surging ratings by other presidential candidates in a forum held last January 09, 2010 at De La Salle-Zobel School in Ayala Alabang Village, Muntinlupa. He also insists that there are credible surveys where presumably he is the top choice among the presidential candidates. Along with Aquino were Nacionalista Party’s standard-bearer Sen. Manny Villar, Bagumbayan Party’s presidential bet Sen. Richard Gordon and former Department of Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro of LAKAS-KAMPI-CMD.
Obviously, the forums had greatly affected the voter’s perception as the survey results are still up for change. Popularity should not be part of the qualities taken into consideration in choosing a candidate. The presidency is not an heirloom that can be passed from generation to another or something that you can buy from the grocery. Knowledge and intelligence should also be considered to be able to lead the nation and its people.
The result of the surveys for the past months showed Aquino being number one consistently. Aquino’s rank was constant since his declaration to run for the presidential race. It was noted that the highest rating gained by Aquino was immediately after the death and burial of his mother, former President Corazon Aquino. He firmly believes that Filipinos would support him as much as they supported his parents. However, his ratings started to decline as the emotional support and the so-called “Cory’s magic” started to fade off, which is already expected by his campaign managers and political backers.
Noynoy’s political career is way behind other candidates. Villar and Gordon are trying to make the public see that Aquino has not done anything worthy as a legislator. Though the race is tough, each presidentiable has a tactic to achieve their goal of the presidency. They should prove themselves through their works and achievements rather than sticking with the family’s legacy or using their wealth for campaign ads.
It does not follow that the child of a former president would and should be one also. President Diosdado Macapagal as revered during his term while her daughter, President Gloria, went through public criticism all throughout hers. In the same manner, Noynoy being the son of Ninoy and Cory alone does not automatically make him a fit president. Show us what you got, good senator then maybe, we would know for ourselves whether those surveys are indeed real or not.

I DON’T STEAL, ASK MOMMY?

“What it takes to elect an Honest Man in Malacañang”

As the 2010 election nears, voters scram in search for good candidates. This is where the “early politicking” actually makes sense. This is the time where claimed “infomercials” sounds more like “vote for me”. Frankly speaking, these premature campaigning serves its purpose in giving the public just the right idea to whom they should cast their votes, which unfortunately is to the less sounding “few”.
Arguably, the public should change its standard of who is “saint” or “sinner”, because it is not as simple as looking at the candidates’ last name that either rings good or riddled with controversy. For one, parentage does not guarantee anything. Sons or daughters do not live the lives of their parents nor do they inherit morality; genes have nothing to do with it. Leadership is never a privilege in a state where democracy reigns. Luck cannot be used as an excuse to force leadership in Malacañang.
If we are concerned with presenting facts and having someone as transparent as water to manage this country, why not start with the open secret that all these presidentiables cheated the law against premature campaigning by way of making “infomercials”; the son of our beloved EDSA-I heroine included. The smiles, the reform chitchats are proof of how dishonest they could be when it comes to pursuing political goals; preserving familial integrity did not stop either of them. Change should have been started with “abiding by the law” and not exploiting it for political advantage. Where is morality or honesty when one is already cheating the law at this point in time? What else would they bend when they are given much more power?
I pity hopefuls who use their comfortable family blankets. But then I was wrong. Presidentiables who like to live on a dream of being a saint amidst his wicked gimmicks does not deserve public sympathy. It is the people he unfortunately enticed to sanctify him that deserve empathy. If they are foolish enough to believe that honesty is inherited or bought by those multi-million PR financiers, then they will soon see how it will backfire to a serious state threat. The moment we swallow their infomercials/electioneering ads we are giving away our chances to actually vote for an honest state executive. The damage has already been done and the stench of politicking is already out but we choose not to see.
What is worse is when these presidentiables try to laundry out their names and act as if they are to the point of sainthood. They are hypocrites hoping to gag us up with nothing but propaganda. This writer would like to think we, Filipinos, are better than that.

ANOTHER YOUTH, WASTED

The nation stood aghast at yet another star that drastically fell in the grounds of the Reds—the death of Kemberly Jul Luna, a former youth activist and MSU-IIT student leader, indeed appalled and sorrowed many. The brainy beauty was fatally hit with a bullet that went through her chest and nape in the encounter of her NPA unit and the 8th IB in Brgy Concepcion, Valencia City, Bukidnon.
"Kimay is a revolutionary model who should be emulated by the youth and students and all of those longing for an end to the grave sufferings of the Filipino people,” the CPP flagrantly stated. After Kimay’s death, the CPP even had the guts to exploit it as a way of propagating their revolutionary struggle. Clearly, we need not a profound understanding of how the Reds work—they inculcate wrong ideas to the youth, agitate their innate sense of patriotism, anger their hearts through issues like that of Kemberley’s death and push them to the thought that waging armed revolution is the only way they can attain democracy. A flawed way of educating the youth will cause more to die.
Kemberly was Adriane, Joshua, or Ma’am Nurse to the people she had worked with in the highlands. She was the loving and ever-charming “Kimay” to her family and friends. For her NPA unit, she was a revolutionary student who willfully traded her comfortable life to be one with the peasants, but whose life ended in the arms of the NPA who vowed to fight for the people’s democracy— including hers. But what kind of democracy lies in the death of Kemberly and the many youth who have trodden the same road as hers? Surely, she could have spent more time with her family and friends; she could have used her talents more and shared it with others; given her brilliance, she could’ve been one of the next leaders of our country; and she could have helped more peasants, more poor, and more people. All these could have been possible if she was not led and deceived by those who are eyeing to use her brilliant mind to their advantage. “…Her early death was a great loss to all who knew and loved her,” the CPP said. But to the country, her early death is a signal to put an end to the erroneous abuse of the youth.
Cliché has it that the youth is the future of our country. Thus, their death is a great loss to the hope of our nation to become better. Just like a simple math problem that needs answers, the country in despair amid social and economic problems needs solutions and not the deaths of its future generation.