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!