[...] that will allow readers to post their own entries instead of just commenting on articles. Click here to find out how you can post your election-related blog [...]

[...] that will allow readers to post their own entries instead of just commenting on articles. Click here to find out how you can post your election-related blog [...]

The podcasting was indeed a commendable start but if you can have a candidate face off with the likes of Chiz vs Mike,(among others) I think that would spice up everything and would even more relevant to listen to.

Or if you can just go back to previous podcasts and clip all the responses of the candidates right after each similar question. This, I think, could help the podcasts listeners better know each of the candidates say on a common issue.

hi abatumutulakananaman, thanks for your comments.

we did think of holding debates but we decided to focus first on getting each candidate to share their stand on important issues. the candidates will debate on tv, but what tv can’t provide the public due to the cost of air time is an hour or more of each candidate saying what he or she thinks about specific issues. that being said, we’ll see if we can hold our own debates after featuring each candidate.

hey, that’s a really interesting idea on clipping each candidate’s response to a common question. thanks, i’ll see if we can already implement it for the first batch of candidates.

cheers!

I am blogging about the 2007 Philippine elections and some bloggers are leaving questions and suggestions for some candidates. Among the comments that have caught my attention are those posted in my post on the platforms of senatorial candidates. An engineer has asked the senatoriables’ plans (if any) about the exploration of Philippine Deuterium deposits which purportedly will help the country’s economy. Another has also given his idea of what he intends to do if he was a senator. I hope that senatoriables will spend some time reading election related posts and blogs to know what people want from them.

hi rhodilee, thanks for visiting. we’ll do our best to make the candidates aware of what the people want from them.

added your election blog to our blogroll.

cheers!

Thank you for adding Philippine Elections 2007 in your blogroll. I have already included the inquirer election blog link in my site. More power!

no prob rhodilee, you’re welcome.

cheers!

Hi,

I wish letter to be heard by all Filipino voters nationwide!

You may write me your comments…
Please visit my blog on the link below.

http://mrimportant.blogspot.com/

Thanks

walang mangyayari sa eleksyon sayang lang ang perang gagastusinpabayaan na lang ang mga namumuno. bahala sila sa buhay nila

maganda siguro i discuss din isyu tungkol sa party list kasi as far iam concern, iboykot ko partylist and the government could save as much as 1 billion a year pag walang nakaupo na partrylist rep. kasi pork barrek nila 70m/year plus annual budget pa nila wala din namang magandang nangyari. Iboykot and partylist.

Iboykot ang partylist. Iboykot.

watch out genuine opposition!

It was very alarming that a certain governor in mindanao said that election in maguindanao areas is already finished 12-0 for team unity.I observed this for years but yet it didnt caught the eye of any political observers.A piece of advise to GO candidate>Election returns in this areas are tabulated always at the end make an effort to talk to this governor.A piece of advise to election watch dog>if there is election returns in this areas with a result of 95% against 10% hold it.
When i observed how election is conducted in UK,i realized how worst our election process are being conducted.

just finished help choose the next batch of suckers and lickers. hope they lose appetite before our resources run dry. when that comes, they start biting and growling at each other. Happy Feast to the pachyderms!

It is really appalling that the first news I have heard when I woke up is that a certain mayoralty candidate in Manila is buying votes. Maybe I am so naive to think that vote buying won’t happen in Manila.

How wrong was I!

Here in Tondo, people are given 100 pesos by the barangay coordinator of that candidate. After voting, they are given a sort of a receipt and the balance of 200 pesos.

Frankly, I would have voted for him but his actions made me rethink. In the end, I did not vote for him for making a mockery of the election process. Maybe his father would also see the folly of their action.

I hope that he doesn’t win.

Your analysis today of ‘Arroyo duplicating a Marcos’ by Amado Doronilla is an overkill to say the least. We’re not under Martial Law and that makes us free to express our opinions. That in itself is a big difference. Just allow me to share the e-mail I posted on the Black and White Movement because I will be sharing them time and again.
info@BlackNWhite-Movement.com
Your news ad today is unfair for it makes comparisons among Asian neighbors. Your comparison should be on the different Philippine regimes i.e. end of Marcos regime, end of Aquino regime, end of Ramos regime, end of Estrada regime (definitely a no-brainer). That’s why rallies to remove GMA from power don’t prosper because GMA appears to be the best choice because she’s the only one with the economic mind. If ever FPJ won, then our country could be doomed. With his death, then Noli de Castro will take over (who I think is limited to media knowledge). If GMA did cheat, generally people are ready to forgive for that reason. She made unpopular decisions like the E-Vat but in the long run it would be good for our country. That’s how discipline works, it would be difficult at first, but it becomes easier when you get used to it. The poor who join rallies are generally paid, the rich do not join, so when the middle class join rallies they usually amount to success.
It’s good that opposing views are allowed for that can only mean press freedom. Our country is rated the 2nd most dangerous for journalists after Iraq because of press freedom. So that ranking is another form of misperception.
Corruption would be difficult to address for now because of tradition. But at least we have checks and balance to deal with them.
If fear grips because this administration intends to stay due to Charter Change initiatives, then that can wait when a new administration takes over. The people in general are sick and tired of another impeachment complaint which appears to be the only purpose of the opposition.
I’m making these comments independently to share my views.

i was one of the first residents (at least in our area) to cast my vote for the senatorial and local elections today. i actually came from work (i work in a call center) by asking permission from my boss if i can spare one hour to go out and vote then come back and continue my shift (my shift ends at 3 pm), to which he graciously obliged. i believe that this exercise is the one thing we can do to effect change in our country. i’m quite appalled by the responses of some of my colleagues and even neighbors when i asked them if they will vote. they would either say, “my vote will mean nothing,” or “it’s just the same old politicians who will win.” i mean, that’s just the point why we should exercise our civic right! if we want to effect change in our country, one vote, combined with others who believe that change can be done, will mean so much, and would even overwhelm the would-be cheaters!

i’m not pro or anti-administration. i voted for the candidates from GO, TU and independents who i believe will best serve the country. voting straight for the opposition, even if they say that they will start making things right, [is not good as they] are only after the numbers game to start another impeachment bid for GMA. on the other hand, voting straight for the administration would only ensure totalitarian control which is not healthy for a democracy. remember, our economy is gaining traction and the exchange rate of the peso is at its highest in years, so why stop the progress? strike a balance for those who want to serve and those who have the capability and experience to serve.

this may all be possible, if we actually started to care about our country’s future as well as ours by casting that vote. one vote may me minuscule, but combine them with 45 million other registered voters who feel the same that change is needed, then this may be the best we can show our politicians, and to the world.

Glad you have this election blogsite! I am in the US and I need this! Many many thanks!!!

JECK,

Why not put a name to whoever that candidate is? I would like to believe the story, but then again, anybody could write the same thing. No offense. We are all the same in the fight against all these electioneering crap!

reynaelena.com

Who cleans up the mess that the campaigners leave behind after a big night of campaigning? Who brings down all the posters that are atop wires? Who cleans all the walls covered with paper posters?

I say, the party that has their pictures on those flyers and posters need to clean up after each campaign. Why do we need to use our hard-earned taxes to pay the city workers to clean up the mess? Isn’t that littering when you just throw stuff on the streets?

Meralco, PLDT and other utility companies are not responsible for taking those posters down that are hanging on almost every street in Metro Manila and I’m sure the provinces. They are dangerous in the first place cuz most of them are blocking the stoplights. It’s not the responsibility of the Metro Aide people to clean those campaign materials that are hanging.

If it’s illegal to post campaign materials on any public or government area, it’s also illegal to hang them on electric wires or phone wires.

Closed Streets for Campaigns!!!!

Why are major streets closed for a day or so just so the wannabe candidates can have a campaign show?

On several occassions, streets in makati have been closed just so they can have stages built on major streets. I understand if they do it on smaller streets or maybe on weekends, but on a rush hour on a friday and on a major street is i believe a way too much. And not to mention the effects of the businesses affected because of these closures. Shouldn’t the candidates at least help out the businesses that are affected because of their “show”? I know a lot of these little shops were affected because I have spoken to most of the owners and they were all unaware and not prepared for these disturbances as they call it.

Is there some kind of law or standards that they should at least be following? I mean, campaign shows that lasts past 1 am and then end it with fireworks is just way too much. Surrounding areas should be notified if such things are going to happen. Those musical vehicles going around playing the theme songs of these wannabe’s are just way too much. They wake you up in the morning and they don’t stop until late at night.

Dear Chairman Abalos, Please be informed that Joselito Cayetano is not known to most Pangasinenses, and the rest of the provinces. I, for one, do not know anything about him, nor ever heard him or seen him on TV. Not a bit. How could you not count “Cayetano” valid for Allan Peter since he is known to about 99% of the Pangasinenses? Please make common sense work especially at this time, your honor!

Dear COMELEC,

I do hope that after this election, you will continue to do your duties, not only DURING ELECTION TIME. In other words, PLEASE CLEAN UP LIST OF REGISTERED VOTERS… DEAD PEOPLE are still in the list.. I believe with today’s technology, we can go for COMPUTERIZED ELECTION SYSTEM, or even VOTING TRU SMS (txting)… we have VOTERS ID, remeber!? and that’s unique for each registered voters. this is helpful especially this coming presidential election… ONCE AGAIN.. I’M APPEALING… PLS CLEANUP THE LIST. God bless! : )

I saw on TV what Mayor Binay did to one of the watchers of Kampi. Very ungentleman act, women should be treated with respect and not with an arrogant act. Same thing they did during their campaign against the late Toro Yabut. Three supporters of Bong Daza were killed its fortunate that at this present incident there were a lot of cameras and people who saw this incident. If not, we don’t know what could have happened with this woman.

Election results wll be officially posted after a week or two. After this, its payback time, a lot of elected officials once sworn in, will swear they will find all the ways to recover all their expenses with corresponding income.

Salute to my fellow Filipinos! I’m so thankful to God (I’ve been praying for the Philippines… that’s all we can do when the government is dominated by many crooks (pro or anti andministration). Natututo na talaga ang mga voters! I saw the “unofficial” result and I’m very happy. I don’t care if the winners are GO or TU. But of course, I’m not happy that Legarda and Lacson are on top, because of their moral background (based on what I’ve been reading in the newspapers for years). Legarda has accomplished a lot, but she married a rich, old man (Leviste) who was still married at that time. They got away by marrying through Muslim marriage (where is the morality here? this was published in the news). But still, I’d rather see these two candidates win over Montano and Gomez (these guys are overly ambitious for their own good! Balik muna kayo sa school!). Yeah, I hope Ralph Recto won’t win! My parents are from Batangas and although I was born in the States, I grew up in Manila… that’s why my heart still belongs to the Philippines! You’ll see naman sa lifestyle nitong mga politicians kung corrupt sila o hindi! Among the gubernatorial candidates in Batangas, I’ll settle for Vilma, although many Batanguenos think that Vilma is a puppet of and “controlled” by the husband Recto. But look at Gov. Sanchez naman, sobrang laki ng tiyan at mukhang goon! And he’s driving a hummer pa ha! By these, you can tell the lifestyle these people are leading. If I’m there, I won’t vote for any politician who has a big stomach and who has a very lavish, maluho lifestyle! As for Christopher de Leon, sayang ka, Christopher…. huwag mong dungisan ang mabango mong pangalan sa showbiz. Please, showbiz ka na lang. What a waste Christopher…. you don’t need politics. And to Aga Muhlach, I salute you for not allowing yourself to be used by some politicians. And to Escudero, I saw him in “Isang Tanong” and other programs, and he was impressive. I don’t care which political party he belongs to. I’m sure he’s aware that he’s on top because of his qualifications, not just because of those powerful people who supported him (look, Gomez was supported by the same group although he ran independently, but did he win? NO! Because Pinoys know he is not qualified. To Gomez, know that “pure intention” doesn’t make a senator!). Hurray! I love the Filipinos!

election today may not be rampant in its cheating but the mere fact that names of some active voters are not on the list and the name of dead people are still on the list,is not that a clear manifestation of cheating? a silent one maybe but still that is CHEATING the people…..let us pray that a “MIRACLE” will not happen to change the results when it reached the COMELEC.

I was very disappointed with the way Winnie Monsod anchored GMA’s election coverage. With the Network’s stand on being impartial and commitment on delivering the facts as opposed to trending to serve its own purposes, Winnie Monsod was reeking of support for the administration candidates. She was way out of line for castigating the “kapatiran” candidates for being last because of not spending on political adverstisements, obviously trying to defend senetoriable “Pichay” who is by the way, “Natanim sa Kangkungan”. I just hope that GMA would consider removing her from its coverage because the respect and dignity that the station holds might be tarnished by people with the likes of her. More power to the media people who are doing they’re best for the most possible “fair” elections we could just dream of…

“COMELEC says polls peaceful
The Commission on Elections said Monday that based on initial reports from the field, the conduct of the 2007 mid-term elections was relatively orderly and peaceful, except for some areas in Mindanao and a Southern Tagalog province where the casting of ballots was suspended.”

I guess the no. of dead people is nothing for the COMELEC to declare that we had a peaceful election.Are they waiting for 500 plus mortality? Is this the new definition of PEACEFUL ELECTION?
I hope I will still be here when an election happens with no bad news of killings….etc…on t.v and in papers.

Congratulation to us fellow Pinoys!!!!we are learning and hope the time will come when an elected official will think twice
before he allows himself to be drown in power and money….well,just a wishful thinking lang naman…

TO PIAN:
Try to put yourself in the place of those rallying against the ARROYO admin and maybe a day of hunger will make you uderstand why.The rich and the middle class will not really join since they are comfortable with their life if not hopeless and tired with the many changes of presidents yet with no real change in the goverment….if you can wait for that change in the Arroyo administration then a hungry stomach cannot. If your president is really an economist then there should be no reports, real one, of hunger…you should check the DSWD records and the streets once in a while.

Chiz Escudero…. the new face of the opposition?????? i dont think so.

Chiz Escudero…. the new face of the filipino youth. Ang bagong pag-asa ng Kabataang Pilipino.

With Ciz leading the poll, it is a clear manifestation that our youth still believe in people with dignity and capacity to lead.

note: im not a fan of Chiz, but i believe that he can make a difference. Huwag lang sana siyang magbago o maging dahong saging. Naniniwala akong maibabalik niya ang paninindigan, moral at dignidad ng ating mga kabataan upang ipaglaban ang ating karapatan at kalayaan.

Results of Cavite Mayors, congressman and Governor election

To Heavenly,

Chiz is really something, when he grates and slice, it tastes good for us who rely on his voice.

Keep it up Chiz.

From a fellow labuyong Bikolano and my family!!!!!!!

TO KAICEE
We do have rampant hunger and poverty but you cannot eradicate them overnight that’s for sure. I believe they were worsened during the Marcos regime. Though bit by bit we’re getting there. I just hope for unity in our population for disunity hampers this progress we all want.
The middle class participated in the EDSA II rally.
The Comelec said RELATIVELY peaceful, as compared to past elections.

TO RHODILEE
I did read about the Deluterium deposit in the same website and has caught my interest as well. I hope it will catch the interest of Inquirer and its readers.

I think the initial results of the May 2007 elections manifest many things that should signal the present administration to correct/address its significant weaknesses and wrong-doings. First, the trend of results clearly shows the lack of credibility of the present leadership re: 2004 cheating; second, people are fed up with corruption and blatant usurpation of power; and third, clamor for new, young and upright leadership. The Kapatiran trio’s entry, strong votes for Capt. Trillanes as well as that for Fr. Panlilio simply express the need for moral leadership NOW! We are fed up with the “trapos” in power, the rampant violation of human rights and disregard of people’s clamor for clean administration and genuine service. Total overhaul must happen NOW in government and in every Filipino.

Just sending my thanks for Inquirer for my postings on my blogs about May election.
Indeed, internet is one of the best
democratic instruments we have despite
selfish intentions of many users…including
mine of course,

More Power!

Pinay von Alemanya

Mukhang nagulat ang malacanang sa rating ni Capt Trillanes sa election results. takot? Ang lumalabas na magandang rating ni Capt. Trillanes ay simbolo ng damdamin at kaisipan ng mga pinoy tungkol sa kasalukuyan na liderato (?). Kelangan mabantayan ang mga boto ng GO lalo na kay Capt. Trillanes. Siguradong gagawa ang ‘presidente’ at kanyang galamay ng mga paraan para di makapasok si Capt. Trillanes sa senado.

I am not well-versed in the Philippine Constitution - my question is:
Is it in the constitution to allow even those in jail to run for any public office?

Those of us in Metro Manila who voted for the opposition shouldn’t look down on our fellow Filipinos in the provinces as cheaters just because they are from this or that province. Let’s all have faith in our people, accept the verdict and voice of our countrymen expressed through the ballot. We need not always raise a howl when things aren’t going our way. Else, there’ll be no more civility, Gloria in, Gloria out. Would we want to revolt everytime we don’t like the face of anyone occupying Malacanang? Gloria will have her time. She’ll not be president forever. Who would want to be thrown mud till kingdom come? You may call her bogus, fake, incompetent, it’s your opinion. You may shout it out loud till your voice croak and crack, just don’t disturb your friendly neighborhood. In the meantime, let’s help build our nation. As we will have new, young senators, we expect them to arise from partisan politics and help ensure the executive branch doesn’t go beyond its mandate and abuse its power. And also work with it if it needs be, like the statesmen that they want to be viewed as. We are on the same boat together. If the nation goes down, so shall we.

The turtle will surely get the gold medal when there will be a race between the turtle and the release of 2007 election results. The COMELEC should now start planning for an automated system for the next election so that there will be no more excuse of “hindi makahabol sa date”.
The very slow manual process of election here in our country gives chances of cheating,harassment,anxiety to the candidates, and a lot of trouble to the teachers.
People are now basically oriented with computers so the introduction of automated election system will not be a surprise and will be easily understood by many.

Hey,thanks for posting my blogs…

We have a system of goverment which is not stable…a lot of trimmings,a bit of changes with the icings,a little bit of remodelling and etc…it will not be an easy process and a one-man job…if we could help and join hands,it will be done in due time…ONE VOICE AND ONE GOAL,SAMA-SAMA,MAGTATAGUMPAY…
so let us join hands together and speak one language so that our message will clearly heard…iisang kanta,mas madaling maintindihan dahil same lyrics and same notes….not on the side,not against,not pro…JUST ONE VOICE AND ONE GOAL…..

IISANG TUGTOG,MADALING SABAYAN AT MADALING MAINTINDIHAN…JUST THE BASICS…SO THAT EVERYBODY WILL UNDERSTAND….if you are singing the same song but different pronounciation,aba’y taga ibang planeta ka na! wake up,you are just dreaming…LUTO NA ANG KANIN,UNTIL WHEN WILL YOU WAIT FOR THE VIAND?HIHINTAYIN MO BA HANGGANG MAPANIS ANG KANIN? If the job could be done now,then what is the purpose of waiting?

mEJO paltos lang minsan itong site na ito.. 5 comments ko and di naipublish. and hirap pa namang i-recall yong mga gustong sabihin sana pati na yung pag-kolek uli ng emosyon..

sana may column din sa newspaper kung saan maipublish ito para masulyapan lang kahit konti nung mga pinariringgan at kinukomentahan..para MAKONSENSIYA kahit saglit o konti man lang SILA..yun e kung meron pa silang konsensiya..

TO KAYCEE
I agree with most of what you said but as they say, patience is a virtue especially when you’re faced with the gargantuan task of rebuilding the economy which drowned under the 20-year Marcos regime. So we do need to be united for disunity (where the opposition seems to oppose for the sake of opposing) scares away potential investors. We can’t deny the economy is improving, (the numbers should speak for themselves) and the peso reached the P46 benchmark.

with the elections over and counting on the run i just hope our newly elected politicians will be God-fearing, sincere, respectful and friendly to his constituents.
for the legislators with their mighty power to make laws, may you repel anti-labor laws which make the workforce casual, contractuals, contractors, temporary workers/employees (without the benefits of a regular employee) for life and can be laid off at anytime.
labor must be addressed to, thus we must give our workers/employees security of tenure by making them permanent or regular workers with benefits due to them.
for the governors and mayors down the line, may you address the real need of your constituents with utmost integrity and honesty in the performance of your duties as public servants.
may all of you be not drunk of power that graft and corruption shall grip your soul forever.
God bless you all!

jurassic age - election results. another complain but if we do not air the obvious , then all the more we will just stay how we are now. we are not lacking in exposure to what other countries have in terms of automated election nor lacking in ‘intelligent’ people in the government who have the means to push for an improvement in the election process. we could even tap foreign talent if necessary to help. can an improvement be implemented for the next election? why do we have to wait for weeks to have the final election results.

TO TING
Unfortunately, those in prison are merely suspects until they are CONVICTED with finality. So I suspect those in 13th and 14th slot will work for the final conviction of the 2 suspects. I guess you know the suspects I’m referring to.

TO XXXXXXXX
Great idea! For I think the senatoriables don’t take the time to read our posts, especially on this website which keeps changing because of the various posts. But I don’t think it will be possible to publish all posts because of the volume. But maybe the Inquirer can select some. Although sorry to say the Inquirer is not our newspaper, so I rely purely on their website.

Atty.Adel Tamayo has a point in saying that our Muslim Brothers in Maguindanao are treated as “gago” everytime there is an election.Most of the time,votes from the area became “DELIBLE” if not “NOW YOU SEE ME, NOW YOU DON’T” and most of the time, “miracles” usually happened there. I hope our Muslim Brothers will fight for their dignity. Don’t let dirty politicians make a fool of us now.

You cannot help but be cynical when it comes to politics…experiencewise.
What happened now to Trillanes? hope his name won’t become “delible” …whew!time is so slow…the turtle even took a rest 5 times now and yet still on the lead…
1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10…..1,000,000….still not finished? another week?ok.let me take a nap first and dream of a PEACEFUL ELECTION and wish my great grandchildren will someday witness a clean and quick election with “honest -to -goodness” candidates….zzzzzzzz….

hmmm…dark days of marcos regime should have served it purpose..that is to make people realize what should not happen again…well,people in camouflage uniforms should stay only in their barracks..their job is to protect people,not to campaign for someone who is in power while on-duty.Traces of marcos regime can be glimpsed from time to time.

A leader who is dedicated to his mission is judged fairly if the works are truly and honestly accomplished according to the mandated and moral laws of a nation. Pinoys are smart,you cannot fool them with small talks and peso/dollar signs.Well,life is hard nowadays so they may receive the money but of course,it’s not a guarantee for an additonal vote unless accompanied by “tutok ng baril”. Ironically,campaign period is the time
of “payback” for the people and after election,”the winner takes it all”.

to pinoy I:
you forgot PINOYS are smart…we don’t even have to import techno people to update the automated election system here…all we lack is the initiative and the guts to go for an automated election…./guts for the candidates of course…no chance of cheating for them…of “hocus-pocus” incidents….
and of course budget for the quality machine…sana huwag ipitin ang budget sa susunod kung sakali man…wish ko lang.

I am not well-versed about economic issues but based on my observations,dollar exchange rate went down to P46 something for every dollar during the campaign period…in my oipnion,I credit this economic sign of progress to the release of funds from the moneyed people…a lot of gifts left and right unexpectedly from CANDIDATES who surprisely know you by name…a lot of posters…a lot of temporary employees to distribute posters, drivers,free foods in the HQ and other small jobs…these things temporarily helped the people financially …and gave a boost to peso worth against dollar…hopefully,the exchange rate will still improve after the final results of 2007 election is released(hopefully by june).

TO KAICEE
I’m not an economist too but the reason why I support GMA is because I’ve experienced different regimes starting from Marcos. I don’t think you’re aware of the extent of the damage the Marcos regime inflicted on our country. It’s either you weren’t born yet or too young to understand. So allow me to explain that will hopefully enlighten you and other readers as well. During the Marcos era our country was at some point placed under Martial Law. So that all who oppose him turned out to be heroes, injured (like Jovito Salonga), exiled or killed. So the environment then was gripped with fear. Although Martial Law was eventually lifted, Marcos remained in power so fear was still there. I remember the time when we had to watch the Aquino assassination on tape and in secret because of fear. The middle class (where I belong) participated in Edsa I. With his ouster, the media and congress became free to oppose the government. Too free in fact, that Senators/Congressmen seem to oppose for the sake of opposing. We became so divisive that would scare potential investors away. The constitution was then amended to avoid a repeat of the Marcos regime so that qualifications to run for public office were lowered that even a high school graduate can run. But this has been exploited by some who, knowing their popularity with the masses as actors/actresses, ran for public office even if they have little or no background at all on public service. Because most of our people are poor, then all forms of enticements catering to the masses were employed, like endorsements by famous celebrities and rampant vote-buying.
Our nation is respected now because we have a capable president. It is not enough to say you have a heart for the poor, for it takes more than heart to run a country.
I agree with you when you endorsed a change in the system because the current system does not address our needs anymore, in fact it hampers further growth in our economy. Our democracy is unlike other countries because it constitutes mostly poor people.
I am wary of the young new breed of oppositionists who are deemed to make it the senate like Chiz Escudero and Alan Cayetano. I think their only agenda is impeachment and nothing else. What disturbed me is why they chose to run under the GO banner which is obviously headed by the Estrada clan with no less than the former President advocating on national television a fight against corruption he himself is facing, and its former campaign manager JV Ejercito, instead of running as Independents as what Francis Pangilinan did. That in itself should make you think twice about their real intents. I’ve also read that Chiz Escudero CO-AUTHORED only about 2 bills I think while Alan Peter Cayetano had none while they were in Congress. I have a feeling that young as they are, they’re already skilled at manipulating the voters for their selfish ends. Hope I’m proven wrong.

True, that the 177% increase in the votes in ARMM was somehow excessive. However, one has to consider that in July 18, 2003 the COMELEC issued Resolution 6262 promulgated on July 18, 2003 for “the annulment of the permanent lists of voters/books of voters in all of the cities and municipalities of Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Maguindanao (except Cotabato City) and Lanao del Sur.”

By stroke of the seven signatures of the COMELEC, there was ZERO registered votes in the ARMM. We were then stripped of our political right to suffrage. It was a very painful to be in that new political status. What was more disgusting was that when that resolution was issued the Comelec did not give us the required due process of notice and hearing.

I was able to register in December 2003 because I can afford the travel expenses from Manila to Lanao, del Sur. But most of my relatives in Manila who issued me a special power of attorney with a complete document with proof that they were included in the annued voters lists and had the whole population of the precincts/barangay to attest of their residency were not allowed to register thereby disenfranchised.

Before the resolution was issued the registered voters of Tugaya, Lanao del Sur was about 6,000 but in May 2004 the registered voters were approximately 3,000. There was a disenfranchisement of roughly 3,000 voters in May 10, 2004. This is because the Comelec gave one week (in December 2003) for the re-registration of those disenfranchised by its resolution. As some of my relatives are in retail business and working in Manila likewise other ARMM residents are spread all over the country and most of them are unaware of their disenfranchisement were not bothered to go to their town to register. Thus, the very shrinking of registered voters.

I am not defending the 177% and in fact our elections in ARMM is one of worst in the country but the 177% increase has to be put in perspective that there was ZERO registered voters in ARMM from July 8 to December 2003. And after the May 2004, the Comelec had conducted the continuing registration to accommodate those voters who were not able to vote in May 2004 because they were not able to register. While there were more or less 20,000 flying voters in the ARMM during the registration of December 2003, it remained the fact that there are thousands of disenfranchised voters in ARM spread all over the Philippines who were not able to register.

The Comelec’s own election officers in ARMM whom the Comelec had attributed the fraud and which became the basis for the annulment of Book of Voters in the ARMM were not prosecuted and still serving today in the elections in ARMM.

The electorates are ones who suffered disenfranchised in the May 2004 election and accountable election officials who are not deserving up to this day to be spending time and paid by people taxes are not being held accountable for their acts.

Pampanga has a new governor who is on leave as a Catholic priest. Priesthood, which I thought was a vocation, is now like any other job where one can get away for personal or political reasons. This is a new era in politics wherein soon a Catholic priest will go against a INC Minister or a Rabbi. And later, complaints of favoritism based on religion will ensue. And pastoral letters will soon be a campaign tool.
I hope the Catholic Church will not condone the awkward situation. Imagine the priest governing the community who shared their sins or faults in confession. The Filipino trait of hiya and being scared of exposure will make them pliable to the priest.
I pray that the Archbishop will not go on leave to become President. And I appeal that Father Governor will say Amen and amin.
God bless!

TO JUNG
I share the joy of majority of Pampanguenos because they have finally found a morally upright man who hopefully will remain moral. Otherwise they will be led again by the Jueteng queen or the Quarry king. I believe that was the main purpose why the priest felt the urge to run, not because he wanted to fight other religions He is however suspended from priestly duties (like leading a mass, hearing confessions, engaging in Sacraments). So it is still a vocation.

When it comes to Bukidnon, it is illogical to mention the Zubiris and Acostas on the same breath. The latter are highly educated, extremely committed and genuine residents of Bukidnon. Neric is the only PhD holder in the House of Representatives, the same distinction that his mother held when she served the lower house. During his term, Neric never became a member of the Spice Boys unlike Miguel Zubiri. The Spice Boys were only noted for their glamor, nothing more - for lack of a better thing to do in the Lower House. They only wanted to put some showbiz glitz to the distinguished body. While many actors want to be politicians, the Spice Boys were politicians who want to be actors. Migs Z should not blame his dismal showing in the current Senate race to his being an Administration TUta-the people know he can’t deliver except for a pretty face. To the Zubiris, tell me - how much of your time do you spend in Bukidnon? and when you go their, you are like tourists - cloistered in your farm and your only contact to the outside world is through your slaves. Common, Vicky Zubiri - you’d rather go partying with Manila’s elite rather than live in Bukidnon.

SOS FOR ISABELA PROVINCE

Governor Grace Padaca’s slim margin over Benjamin Dy in the gubernatorial race in ISABELA is in peril. The losing party’s usual machination of delaying the canvassing of votes is again in the offing. It is important for the people and more importantly the media, the vanguard of truth to be extra vigilant. A minute of brown-out or instances of commotions at the canvassing center could easily change the results as it has been the practice in the past. The powers that be are known for this. They did it in Angadanan- to cheat on Padaca in 2001 congressional race in the 3rd district. They did it again in 2004, moving mountains so as not to allow the immediate proclamation of Padaca as Governor. They are doing the same thing right now in ISABELA. After concentrating on the miraculous win of Fr. Ed Panlilio in Pampanga and the lopsided win of Vilma Santos in Batangas, the media should now put its focus in ISABELA, where the kingpins of cheating thrived for generations. Without the media’s vigilance, democracy is imperiled in ISABELA.

I pity the Pampangueños for having nobody to turn to against the Jueteng Queen and Quarry King. May Christ, whom Father Gov Panlilio turned his back to in a way, bless the province which had many outstanding upright moral person in the past.
I have nothing against Rev. Panlilio. I am just worried that somehow someway many priests will have another reason to take a side trip in their so called vocation.

TO JUNG
Always think of the PURPOSE why Fr. Panlilio ran for office i.e. to restore moral order to the province. So in that sense he didn’t turn his back to Christ.

TO ALL VOTERS (Young or Old)
Let me just summarize the damages brought by the Marcos regime in our country of which I discussed extensively in my previous post:
1. Disunity because now we are free to voice our opinions unlike during the Marcos era
2. Constitutional amendments done during the Aquino regime which gave rise to incompetent leaders
These hamper the economic growth of the country. Just allow the President to continue her term and let our economy improve for I believe she is capable of handling it. If we can rise out of poverty, then we can be well educated as well.
You may consider this post too late but my sole purpose is for the maturity of our voters so that come election time these points are considered in truly making wise judgments in the next election.

If candidate Alan Cayetano is in such a maelstrom, he certainly made it by himself. He was so naive his colleagues in the opposition during the impeachment hearings saw to it that he swallowed hook-line-sinker on the issue that First Gentleman (FG) was such a crook. And Alan ever an ambitious young man took up the cudgels to bulldoze the FG. Now that Alan could not substantiate his charge about the German bank deposit, what did he do vis-a-vis his opposition friends that feed him rotten data? Come on Alan we voters cannot just sit back and believe your claims and then gift you with a Senate seat. We are not voters born yesterday.

what the hell happenned to pasig…. from the father…to his wife…back to the father… then to his son….

no wonder if within the next few years i will see the grandson running for the same slot…

i would like to congratulate the filipino people, specially the youth who voted wisely in this last election, truly the real voice of the people has been heard that no matter how popular and moneyed you are you cannot guaranteed that you will win.to the trapos and artista stop mockering our people because the youth vote will surely put an end on your evil ways.congratulations to the youth, im one of the ofw working here in abu dhabi and im proud of what happen to those trapo and artista that did not win.to the candidates who won do not dissapoint us because surely in the next election you will be answerable to us.

Honestly,I am a little bit pissed off for the fuse made by alan cayetano about his name.Forgive me for the word but he is like a “bakla” making noise.
For Chiz, he did not make any real change in the goverment,just making noise about impeachment thing.
The likes of them make noise without actions to their protests. They just protest and protest but doing nothing.
Hope they will prove their worth in the senate.

I was still in my primary schooling when the ouster of MARCOS happened. Our classes stopped and just listened over the radio of what was happening in the country at that time.Young as I am,I was aware of what was happening and the changes that happened after.
We are still learning and changing.Our political system is not different from other countries,only the people governing our country. The military is abusing their powers like the old days but of course prompted by their chief.The people see no reason to trust the leader when he himself is betraying the people and the country by cheating,corrupting and abusing his powers.
The trend now is political dynasty, from the grandpa to the grandchildren.
I hope a law will soon be passed prohibiting a family to govern a place.

TO KAICEE
You are indeed an intellectual voter and I wish other Filipino voters would be just like you. Fact of the matter is most Filipino voters are poor who think with their hearts and not with their minds.
If you’re suggesting the President should step down then all politicians should step down (except a few good men of course) because they all lied/cheated the country in one way or another with their empty promises.

Deteriorating performance it seems but our 13th Congress was the worst performing Congress so far since 1986. Going back to the events that have happened during the past months, what had been prioritized was to calm the opposition of its clamor for impeachment, to regain power, obviously backed by the “one” who was impeached himself the last time. The first venue, of course, as always been the modus operandi since Marcos, was the press, the media, to stir up public clamor. “People power” had been the coveted tool to once again remove the one occupying the highest office in the land. But the people did not buy the issue. It was not actually because the spirit of “people power” died as part of political evolution; it might be that the issue laid on the public was not so much convincing and most of the people thought it was just a waste of time and money. Given that Arroyo cheated the 2004 elections, it did not mean that she lost the elections. Different exit polls conducted at that time by some organizations that are anti-Arroyo today, agree with this (even Solita Monsod would). The fact remains that she won the 2004 elections. Undoubtedly, many who voted for her last 2004 may have changed his mind today, and even if he was included in the survey that sends a message for Arroyo to step down, his vote last 2004 did not change at all.
The unverified “people power” (I say unverified since no legal documentation at all, like the ballots and obvious participation by majority of the people except the surveys) was used by the opposition to pursue with the impeachment (again), not minding the future impact of this in the Philippine economy. So for the third year, the budget was reenacted (although for the meantime) even after we felt the effects of the reenacted budget of the last Congress (which is due to the long process of impeachment procedure). For two years, the opposition was looking back at the last 2004 elections, instead of looking forward for the future of the economy, like building more roads to at least benefit the people from Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, and Bulacan who are working in NCR, of the everyday mind boggling and exhausting traffic. What was obvious in their outlook? POWER PLAY. Instead on deliberating and using their nicely, properly, well-said, emotion-appealing speeches on the issues of the proposed budget to pump prime the economy, they spend more time on issues that did not benefit the lives of the people. Of course, common people would not notice this, being fed by the media everyday by these “no-benefit” issues, and moved subliminally by them. Recent political events being watched as similar to soap operas, pleasant to their senses, and obviously affected their decisions like in their votes. What is “popular” is being equated right now to what is “right” as too much democracy being exercised here.
Watching this midterm elections offshore (obviously I was not able to vote due to family-over-country hierarchy), as I can see the perpetrators of the “looking-back” attitude are now elevated to the Senate, joining hands with other ambitious fellows of the highest office of the land, I can only sit back in frustration and say, how poor educated Filipinos are being used by traditional politicians, only that they have new faces, as the more deserving candidates are being left out. Why choose Allan Cayetano who spoke more on Tagalog (obviously to win the common people to his side), who just raised issues like the “lack-of-evidence” German bank account instead of raising issues on how does the DPWH will spend its allocated budget, than Mike Defensor who has proven his worth as part of the Cabinet? Obviously because Defensor is identified with Arroyo. And so what is actually the obvious fight here, in this election, is between Arroyo and Estrada. So another question, Why choose the “stealer of the money” than the “stealer of the elections”? Obviously, the “stealer of the money” is more popular and therefore “right” (?) than the “stealer of the elections”. And the people will buy more on faces who shout out loud emotionally in front of the camera (this influence more the soap-opera mind of the common Filipino).
No wonder Filipinos in Singapore, Malaysia, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, etc. would rather stay in where they are rather than going back in the Philippines. And they have no interest in voting.

To Elected Officials:

I humbly challenge them to propose and approve the following measures to improve the electoral process:

1. Prohibiting the barangay officials especially the chairmen from electioneering activities

2. Absolute limitation on the term of elected officials to only three terms in the same position

3. Outlawing the public release of results of pre- election surveys of candidate standings that does not identify the sponsor and the full statistical data of the survey

4. Banning senators from returning to their posts after losing in an election bid during their term of office

5. Setting up of an agency exclusively tasked to monitor election campaign advertising limitations / violations and initiate prosecution of culpable candidates and advertisers

6. Illegalizing the publicity of endorsements of candidates by private entities including religious groups without the actual document that clearly shows the endorsement signed by their administrator

7. Extension of duration of electioneering ban on public officials to six months before election day

8. Outlawing the use of roving candidates public address systems near public schools and churches

9. Preparation, printing and distribution by Comelec of a better candidates guide

In your 25 May 2007 issue, the NSC chief claimed that “their camp’s own account had shown Aurora winning by about 1,000 votes but she began losing in the middle of the official tally”. Yet he claims that his daughter loss because of vote-buying.
Sir, if the reason is vote buying then there is absolutely no way your daughter could be winning by 1,000 votes by your own count since they would not have voted for her when they casted their vote

Your partylist tally page has not been updated since two days ago. It is disappointing to readers interested in the progress of partylist canvassing.

“WRONG IS ALWAYS WRONG, EVEN IF EVERYONE IS FOR IT; and RIGHT IS ALWAYS RIGHT, EVEN IF EVERYONE IS AGAINST IT”

A pleasant day to one and all.

I am but just an ordinary person dreaming of extra ordinary things that someday will come into reality here in this beloved country PHILIPPINES! The wise and strong decision of the Filipino people to uphold Righteousness at all costs.

Reading, watching and listening to reports about what were just happening before, during and after the election makes me chill to the bones.

Is this what was really happening to our country today? Where mistrust, dishonesty and lack of confidence were clearly portrayed by people whom we believe must be trusted?

We need to think it over again and again that we may be the accountable of our own actions but the domino effect of these actions will be for the suffering Filipino people.

If we will just STAND for the RIGHT, I believe not far from now, RIGHTEOUSNESS will prevail.

Imagine our country lead by righteous people. The basic social services, genuine land reform programs, and other government programs we are dreaming of will come to a reality.

We need to STAND and FIGHT for the good of our country. Make a stand to fight corruption and evil. Be a part of a productive citizens for the country. Get up, Stand up! Stand up for your right! and do only what is right for your country!
-Stug-

To Admin:

Just wondering what happened to my post posing nine challenges to elected officials.

I saw it on top of this page for a few days and now i can’t find it.

jung
To Admin:

Just wondering what happened to my post posing nine challenges to elected officials.

I saw it on top of this page for a few days and now i can’t find it.
********
Fr: Salina.

Jung: Poor you! Don’t wonder, The reason why you can’t find your posting anymore its because if they don’t like what you’ve posting they deleted. As simple as that. Don’t feel bad, Some of my posting has been deleted also.

My advice, Just post anything you want to get your frustration out. Then forget about it. Don’t worry to much!!!

We need to STAND and FIGHT for the good of our country. Make a stand to fight corruption and evil. Be a part of a productive citizens for the country. Get up, Stand up! Stand up for your right! and do only what is right for your country!
-Stug-
***********
Fr: Salina.

Stug: Stand up and fight. Yes, This is what most of filipino people are doing. To stand up and fight to the end. The only problem with that is, The people who’s been speaking out for what the believe, They’ve throw in jail if not they’re getting kill. As we all can see it.

drhenry4
Deteriorating performance it seems but our 13th Congress was the worst performing Congress so far since 1986. Going back to the events that have happened during the past months, what had been prioritized was to calm the opposition of its clamor for impeachment, to regain power, obviously backed by the “one” who was impeached himself the last time. The first venue, of course, as always been the modus operandi since Marcos, was the press, the media, to stir up public clamor. “People power” had been the coveted tool to once again remove the one occupying the highest office in the land. But the people did not buy the issue. It was not actually because the spirit of “people power” died as part of political evolution; it might be that the issue laid on the public was not so much convincing and most of the people thought it was just a waste of time and money. Given that Arroyo cheated the 2004 elections, it did not mean that she lost the elections. Different exit polls conducted at that time by some organizations that are anti-Arroyo today, agree with this (even Solita Monsod would). The fact remains that she won the 2004 elections. Undoubtedly, many who voted for her last 2004 may have changed his mind today, and even if he was included in the survey that sends a message for Arroyo to step down, his vote last 2004 did not change at all.
The unverified “people power” (I say unverified since no legal documentation at all, like the ballots and obvious participation by majority of the people except the surveys) was used by the opposition to pursue with the impeachment (again), not minding the future impact of this in the Philippine economy. So for the third year, the budget was reenacted (although for the meantime) even after we felt the effects of the reenacted budget of the last Congress (which is due to the long process of impeachment procedure). For two years, the opposition was looking back at the last 2004 elections, instead of looking forward for the future of the economy, like building more roads to at least benefit the people from Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, and Bulacan who are working in NCR, of the everyday mind boggling and exhausting traffic. What was obvious in their outlook? POWER PLAY. Instead on deliberating and using their nicely, properly, well-said, emotion-appealing speeches on the issues of the proposed budget to pump prime the economy, they spend more time on issues that did not benefit the lives of the people. Of course, common people would not notice this, being fed by the media everyday by these “no-benefit” issues, and moved subliminally by them. Recent political events being watched as similar to soap operas, pleasant to their senses, and obviously affected their decisions like in their votes. What is “popular” is being equated right now to what is “right” as too much democracy being exercised here.
Watching this midterm elections offshore (obviously I was not able to vote due to family-over-country hierarchy), as I can see the perpetrators of the “looking-back” attitude are now elevated to the Senate, joining hands with other ambitious fellows of the highest office of the land, I can only sit back in frustration and say, how poor educated Filipinos are being used by traditional politicians, only that they have new faces, as the more deserving candidates are being left out. Why choose Allan Cayetano who spoke more on Tagalog (obviously to win the common people to his side), who just raised issues like the “lack-of-evidence” German bank account instead of raising issues on how does the DPWH will spend its allocated budget, than Mike Defensor who has proven his worth as part of the Cabinet? Obviously because Defensor is identified with Arroyo. And so what is actually the obvious fight here, in this election, is between Arroyo and Estrada. So another question, Why choose the “stealer of the money” than the “stealer of the elections”? Obviously, the “stealer of the money” is more popular and therefore “right” (?) than the “stealer of the elections”. And the people will buy more on faces who shout out loud emotionally in front of the camera (this influence more the soap-opera mind of the common Filipino).
No wonder Filipinos in Singapore, Malaysia, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, etc. would rather stay in where they are rather than going back in the Philippines. And they have no interest in voting.
*************************
Fr: Salina

Drhenry4: The reason the philippines can’t move forward because the problem in 2004 never resolve. If Gloria Arroyo, Really won in May 10, 2004. Presidential election why is it they don’t want to open all the ballots boxes to compare to COC/SOV/ER so that the truth well come out. Truth of the matter is there is solid evidence that they cheater in order for her to win in May 10, 2004. Hello, Garci. Among other things.

Another thing is, If she really won the May 10, 2004. Presidential election, Why is it that they swear her in the wee hour of the night while the filipino people are still sleeping. When the filipino people wake-up, They don’t know whats hits them. There they’re they have a bugos President of cebu, Squatting in Malacanyang Palace, Up to date. I’ll say its time to unite and kick the bugos President of cebu from her stolen power.

She don’t deserve to be a leader because she don’t have a mandate from filipino people, Because she only stole her title from President Joseph Estrada. And she stole it again in May 10, 2004. Presidential election from Fernando Poe, Jr.

In my book Gloria Arroyo, Don’t deserve to be a leader. She should not set in Malacanyang Palace a minute longer. The filipino people deserve better. Amen:

KAICEE
Honestly,I am a little bit pissed off for the fuse made by alan cayetano about his name.Forgive me for the word but he is like a “bakla” making noise.
For Chiz, he did not make any real change in the goverment,just making noise about impeachment thing.
The likes of them make noise without actions to their protests. They just protest and protest but doing nothing.
Hope they will prove their worth in the senate.

I was still in my primary schooling when the ouster of MARCOS happened. Our classes stopped and just listened over the radio of what was happening in the country at that time.Young as I am,I was aware of what was happening and the changes that happened after.
We are still learning and changing.Our political system is not different from other countries,only the people governing our country. The military is abusing their powers like the old days but of course prompted by their chief.The people see no reason to trust the leader when he himself is betraying the people and the country by cheating,corrupting and abusing his powers.
The trend now is political dynasty, from the grandpa to the grandchildren.
I hope a law will soon be passed prohibiting a family to govern a place.
*********
Fr: Salina

Kaicee: Politician are all the same, Some make empty promise’s, Just like Gloria Arroyo,…Some lie’s, Just like Gloria Arroyo, In fact she keep lying to the filipino people. Some kill’s just like Gloria Arroyo, in order to contenue squatting in Malacanyang Palace..

Its up to you who you want to vote, If you vote the wrong candidates then don’t vote for them next election, As simple as that.

darkknight
i would like to congratulate the filipino people, specially the youth who voted wisely in this last election, truly the real voice of the people has been heard that no matter how popular and moneyed you are you cannot guaranteed that you will win.to the trapos and artista stop mockering our people because the youth vote will surely put an end on your evil ways.congratulations to the youth, im one of the ofw working here in abu dhabi and im proud of what happen to those trapo and artista that did not win.to the candidates who won do not dissapoint us because surely in the next election you will be answerable to us.
*****
Fr: Salina

Darknight:

The reason the filipino people vote wisely this election because they learn their lesson in May 10, 2004. Presidential election. Aside from that they’re witnessing all the killing, corruption under the bugos regime of Gloria Arroyo,. Thank god, The filipino people finally wake-up to see what’s going on in our beloved country, So call Philippines. Its about time!!! MABUHAY TAYONG LAHAT.

to jung, your comment is still here — scroll down. the most recent entries are on top.

cheers!

Salinas, perhaps the 13th Congress feels that they have ran out of bills to legislate that is why they are the worst.

The times are changing, and laws should change with them. While the other countries are fine-tuning their laws to environmental issues, our crab mentality perennially dominates Congress and Senate by kicking others down so they can go up. Occasionally in other countries, it’s called power struggle.

The upper and lower houses should have a huge whiteboard of all pending bills in the session hall to visually remind everyone of their progress, including the public. The members take issues personally and tend to vote on bills because of partisan or monetary influence. The leadership in both houses should be responsible enough to be objective in issues because they make or break the direction and performance of the Houses - instead on luring pork barrels and other perks to get ulterior motives done.

We have so many problems in our society that deserve legislation. The House leaders should have the respect to assign research tasks to different committees or even individual solons in issues that are helpful to the Filipino.

There are so many solutions to basic problems readily available to the daily lives of the Filipino.

Why does WHO buy dried malunggay (moringa) leaves to nourish children in poor countries? DOH can easily promote it here in paminta-like sachets. They call it the miracle tree because a sachet has so much nutrition that it can make a dying child walk in half a day! Starvation - as in nothing to eat - is so bad in our country.

In other countries, they address the cutting down of secondary trees for charcoal by teaching people to make charcoal briquettes from waste material. Go to any province and you will see how trees are being cut for uling, exposing higher probability to erosion and flooding.

These are small things to them because they will not make money out of it. But in other countries, these are given priority because it helps so much. Instead, they rename streets, investigate celebrities, make basketball courts and waiting sheds, and all other nonsensical superficial political put-ons that will justify and perpetuate their theft.

TO Admin:
Any chance some of these blogs be put into print? I would personally comment Pian and drhenry4 blog. I believe that media has a lot of power and can influence a lot of people. Although, to point out some, the media has been bias on some of their reports, most are one sided, most are from the opposition. That is why more people hated this goverment with the opinions presented by the media becomes factual to the masses.

I hope that the media can also create awareness that would unite the nation.
There should press freedom, but it should be put into good use.

Thanks!

TO SALINA
I beg to disagree. It’s not as simple as voting them out. You’ve allowed the country to be stuck with some people. That’s why I feel it imperative to educate the public on what they should think in truly voting wisely.

Salina
Why would I be more concern of “Hello Garci” rather than “Hello Philippines”?
The oppositions were given the chance during the process of impeachment but because they did not do their homework properly, it failed. What they did at first was to use “people power” to shortcut prosecution of Arroyo, which of course, against the rule of law. And because it failed their next option was to go to the stream of the rule of law but upon entering the process, an Oliver Sansano would derail their plan. They were overtaken. Why? Because they made a mistake of using the “Gloria resign” tactic. In the end, they keep on blaming the majority of maneuvering the process when they themselves did do their homework, timely and properly. And they came out sour graping like kids because they were not given “another chance” of which they demanded profusely. Imagine, they were defeated by mere technicality. How irresponsible! And the process did not uplift the economy, did it? While our neighbors are looking forward, Filipinos are still looking behind. Backward.
Obviously, everybody would like to have a good economy in the future. Improved economy will not happen overnight. The economy right now is the product of what decisions people in the government did in the past years. We elect officials, not only President, to rule and lead the country. But because we are a democratic country and not authoritarian, a President cannot do his job without the Congress doing its homework. Instead of fiscalizing the budget, they were busy fiscalizing the elections. Can’t you sense the real motive here? Power instead of peoples’ welfare? And instead of reforming the 2007 election process, they were ran out of time, again. Nearly we had another year of re-enacted budget, thanks for the elections.
I really don’t believe that GMA did not win the 2004 elections, even if she cheated (which I believe she did). But even if she only won by a small margin of votes, she still won. And the exit polls agreed with it. Unseating her at this time is not good for the country, whether we like the odds or not. If that will be insisted, an economic disaster is eventful and all of us will suffer the consequences.
The people have spoken in the recent elections. I hope that is enough. Let’s move on. The economy is at stake here. Everyone should be productive, contribute to the GDP. Do not blame the government for the slow economy when you, yourself, are not productive. Don’t be like Lacson, Cayetano, Escudero, etc. who just go to media and tell stories while their constituents are stuck in traffic because they did not contribute in building roads to their homes. That is a loss of income tax (whooping 30% of your income!) everyone is paying them.
As you’ve said, the Filipino people deserve better.
************
Drhenry4: The reason the philippines can’t move forward because the problem in 2004 never resolve. If Gloria Arroyo, Really won in May 10, 2004. Presidential election why is it they don’t want to open all the ballots boxes to compare to COC/SOV/ER so that the truth well come out. Truth of the matter is there is solid evidence that they cheater in order for her to win in May 10, 2004. Hello, Garci. Among other things.
Another thing is, If she really won the May 10, 2004. Presidential election, Why is it that they swear her in the wee hour of the night while the filipino people are still sleeping. When the filipino people wake-up, They don’t know whats hits them. There they’re they have a bugos President of cebu, Squatting in Malacanyang Palace, Up to date. I’ll say its time to unite and kick the bugos President of cebu from her stolen power.
She don’t deserve to be a leader because she don’t have a mandate from filipino people, Because she only stole her title from President Joseph Estrada. And she stole it again in May 10, 2004. Presidential election from Fernando Poe, Jr.
In my book Gloria Arroyo, Don’t deserve to be a leader. She should not set in Malacanyang Palace a minute longer. The filipino people deserve better. Amen:

Marius
Thanks for the appreciation.
What I would like to advise the FILIPINOS is to read, analyze and write. “Read” means not to accept every media infos on hand. It must be coupled with “analysis”. Just an example, why in the world every candidate would flock to Estrada’s place and kissed his hand? Is it because only of media mileage (since Estrada is popular)? I can smell MONEY. Financial assistance for the elections. How can youngsters like Cayetano and Escudero afford millions of media ads for the campaign? Why Estrada had the power to choose who will be GO’s candidates? Just popularity? MONEY. He who gives the money, controls the house.
Although not all, but media? Even the most popular ones, are they not receiving “gifts” from Estrada’s camp, being very “generous” man? And these “gifts” were not merely “tokens”. They are “gifts” one cannot forget. I’m not accusing anyone directly but, come on, if everybody is after the “TRUTH”, then speak up. “Write”.
Don’t be fooled of self-righteous image, taking advantage of other’s faults. They themselves are rotten eggs.

TO Admin:
Any chance some of these blogs be put into print? I would personally comment Pian and drhenry4 blog. I believe that media has a lot of power and can influence a lot of people. Although, to point out some, the media has been bias on some of their reports, most are one sided, most are from the opposition. That is why more people hated this goverment with the opinions presented by the media becomes factual to the masses.
I hope that the media can also create awareness that would unite the nation.
There should press freedom, but it should be put into good use.
Thanks!

TO MARIUS
Thanks for suggesting.

TO SALINA
Gaya nga ng mga previous posts ko, kung gusto mong pababain si GMA because she lied/cheated the country, then ALL politicians (except for a few good men of course) should step down because all cheated the country in one way or another with their empty promises. Kaya pabayaan mo na siyang magtrabaho. Pag umunlad na ekonomiya natin, saka ka manghimutok.

What will happen on the soon to be vacated post of Senator Alfredo Lim for his three-year unexpired term as senator if he will then assume his position as mayor of Manila? Will the 13th senator on the May 14 election be automatically considered as the one replacing his post? Or will there be any special election to be considered as to elect the one replacing his post? What if then considered as impractical to have a special election, will it be prejudicial to the other parties (e.g. GO or the Independent candidates) if the 13th placer in the senate will be coming from the TU and automatically will assume as the one replacing Mr Lim for his unexpired term in the senate? I am thinking that the nation is not aware though that the May 14, 2007 election have taken place to elect our new senators and that it did not include the if-vacated post just in the case of Mr Lim who won the Mayoralty race of Manila.

Pian
TO SALINA
Gaya nga ng mga previous posts ko, kung gusto mong pababain si GMA because she lied/cheated the country, then ALL politicians (except for a few good men of course) should step down because all cheated the country in one way or another with their empty promises. Kaya pabayaan mo na siyang magtrabaho. Pag umunlad na ekonomiya natin, saka ka manghimutok.
*************
Salina

Hello, My darling. Pian: He, He, He,….
No, I don’t think so! Gloria Arroyo, Is the squatter in Malacanyang Palace. And the taxespaper’s money the one paying for her salary therefore we can kick her ass out if we really want it too. Kaya lang, She have all her goons to protect her ass.

Instead of these AFP/PNP protecting the filipino people they’re only protecting the squatters in Malacanyang Palace.

drhenry
Marius
Thanks for the appreciation.
What I would like to advise the FILIPINOS is to read, analyze and write. “Read” means not to accept every media infos on hand. It must be coupled with “analysis”. Just an example, why in the world every candidate would flock to Estrada’s place and kissed his hand? Is it because only of media mileage (since Estrada is popular)? I can smell MONEY. Financial assistance for the elections. How can youngsters like Cayetano and Escudero afford millions of media ads for the campaign? Why Estrada had the power to choose who will be GO’s candidates? Just popularity? MONEY. He who gives the money, controls the house.
Although not all, but media? Even the most popular ones, are they not receiving “gifts” from Estrada’s camp, being very “generous” man? And these “gifts” were not merely “tokens”. They are “gifts” one cannot forget. I’m not accusing anyone directly but, come on, if everybody is after the “TRUTH”, then speak up. “Write”.
Don’t be fooled of self-righteous image, taking advantage of other’s faults. They themselves are rotten eggs.

TO Admin:
Any chance some of these blogs be put into print? I would personally comment Pian and drhenry4 blog. I believe that media has a lot of power and can influence a lot of people. Although, to point out some, the media has been bias on some of their reports, most are one sided, most are from the opposition. That is why more people hated this goverment with the opinions presented by the media becomes factual to the masses.
I hope that the media can also create awareness that would unite the nation.
There should press freedom, but it should be put into good use.
Thanks!
**************
Salina

Funny you said that. That media is one side only. Ha, Ha, Ha….In Erap time nobody taken his side. Not even the media! Is not only one side but loopside as well. But since Gloria Arroyo, Has been squatting in Malacanyang Palace, She use all her power to squash all the media who’s speaking against them. They don’t want the filipino people to know exactly whats going on. Even in this election, If we remember when the media start flashing all the votes count. Gloria Arroyo, Et el. Put a stop on it.

So that they can contenue their cheating operation. I’m glad the filipino people unite and watch the votes counting so that the cheating operation well not prosper. They’re still cheating! As we all can see it.

Just remember one thing people is not blind that they can’t see exactly what’s going on. I’m glad the filipino people finally wake-up to see the truth.

MBM
Salinas, perhaps the 13th Congress feels that they have ran out of bills to legislate that is why they are the worst.

The times are changing, and laws should change with them. While the other countries are fine-tuning their laws to environmental issues, our crab mentality perennially dominates Congress and Senate by kicking others down so they can go up. Occasionally in other countries, it’s called power struggle.

The upper and lower houses should have a huge whiteboard of all pending bills in the session hall to visually remind everyone of their progress, including the public. The members take issues personally and tend to vote on bills because of partisan or monetary influence. The leadership in both houses should be responsible enough to be objective in issues because they make or break the direction and performance of the Houses - instead on luring pork barrels and other perks to get ulterior motives done.

We have so many problems in our society that deserve legislation. The House leaders should have the respect to assign research tasks to different committees or even individual solons in issues that are helpful to the Filipino.

There are so many solutions to basic problems readily available to the daily lives of the Filipino.

Why does WHO buy dried malunggay (moringa) leaves to nourish children in poor countries? DOH can easily promote it here in paminta-like sachets. They call it the miracle tree because a sachet has so much nutrition that it can make a dying child walk in half a day! Starvation - as in nothing to eat - is so bad in our country.

In other countries, they address the cutting down of secondary trees for charcoal by teaching people to make charcoal briquettes from waste material. Go to any province and you will see how trees are being cut for uling, exposing higher probability to erosion and flooding.

These are small things to them because they will not make money out of it. But in other countries, these are given priority because it helps so much. Instead, they rename streets, investigate celebrities, make basketball courts and waiting sheds, and all other nonsensical superficial political put-ons that will justify and perpetuate their theft.
***********
Salina

MBN: Thanks! Yes, 13 congress is worse, But all and all. All gov’t. Office is worse. Where in the world you’ll find sec. Who would say, They have number’s in the office therefore the 3rd impeachment the opposition planning to do when the 14 congress open.

These type of people who’s setting in gov’t. Office don’t deserve to be in the office. This is one of the reason why the Philippines can’t move forward because the people who you think can run this country better. The one ruining it. The filipino people deserve better.

OHHHUMM…nice hibernating for awhile…a break from the ever-slow proclamation of elected senators…hmm…the turtle is way up ahead and just had its 100000000th rest and nth snack…..
ELECTION,YOU SAY? where?wise voter? is there such a wise voting here in our country?doubt so…just try to update yourself with election news…all you wanna do is clench your fist and control your tears…heroes have been made from this mock election and still many will be going to be recognized…let’s just wait for the days to come….Pinoys out there…how long can we endure more such insults to our dignity? we are a laughing stock to the world with an election full of #@*$……
soe say this is not news to them coz they are used to it…so?..you mean we gonna stay back and allow this nincompoops to insult and abuse our right,making a fool of us Filipinos…Election is the only power we have to make a change for the country but they deny this right to us right from the start….only in the Philippines where you can hear an election commissioner to appoint an election officer and the deny it later…only here where you can witness an election commissioner to defend somebody who changed the election returns in favor of his own candidates under the directives of local officials……..

Abalos….hope you can still sleep soundly at night…

This is the real purpose of blogs(if not a forum net already)..to bring out all your frustrations ……

hey guys…nice interacting with you but see no reason why we should not publish these things out….

For Pian:
well,if you really favor the “i’m sorry president”,it is your prerogative but hope you should not be an advocate and a promoter of the present admin….it put you rather in bad light…
All have to say is let us work for the betterment of our country in our own little or big ways…depends on your financial status also because if you have the chance to help improve the economy by providing work for our brethren then GO!!!…. and for us strugglers,let us help by giving the due hours at work and avoid undertimes,tardiness and absences….an hour wasted means money wasted…..WHY DON’T WE DO WHAT THE JAPANESE DO….work,work,work,work,work…to heck with the nincoompoops running the government….let’s just work,work,work,work….whatever work available…..(masa_money=officials_money)….pag pantay wala ng lamangan….It really originated from the Spanish era,no money means no identity,with money means smart although there are some people up there who are dumbwitted backed by hyenas and wolves….

AN ELECTION AND WISE VOTING DO NOT GUARANTEE SMART AND VIGILANT ELE TED GOVERMENT OFFICIALS….IT IS NOT A POKER GAME NOR A LOTTERY….YOU MIGHT WISE IN VOTING BUT DOES IT GUARANTEE AN HONEST ELECTION?….
the trend is pakapalan ng mukha at kung sino ang kakagat sa mga pambobola

well,I admire the patience of some who want to wait for changes to come in the form of whatever it maybe….pinoys are in reality are the most patient people on earth(that’s why we are also the in-demand mutchachas abroad) but to be made fools upfront is a different matter….if we let go things like this then what our heroes and ancestors fought for will be for nothing….

Mabuhay sa lahat ng mga Pinoy!!!!!

Do you honestly believe that Erap is the big factor for the Go candidatesto be elected? Pinoys are not that naive and ignorant anymore…..I say it is more of RETALIATION AGAINST THE PRESENT ADMINISTRATION….
………………………………………………..ONE thing more, I voted for GMA,ARROYO but now….

Why is it that Inquirer.net posts COMELEC’s Tally as “- partial, unofficial as of 05-29-2007 12:30 pm…” I understand partial, but why is it unofficial? Where can we get the official, partial tally?

to mister jungmay i add;

tomake the senatoril,governatorial and congressional race be rgional . so that the counting of ballots can be contained. there will be less senators to think of be payed by salary that is coming from us.

and take out the pork barrel out of their handsand not use as campaign money that they are spending in millions.

ayan kaya nakakatangap ng death threats ang mga media men natin eh hindi lang kasi kayo namamahayag e nagoopinyon pa kayo bias pa(hindi naman medyo halata…sa iba)pati kasi kayo mukhang pera din dumadaloy at sinasakyan ang agos kasi andun ang pera eh…maghayag na lang kayo, in black en white, hindi colored! kasi kinukulayan nyo pa eh!

HI SALINA!

To Salina:
Take note that during Erap’s time he also sued Inquirer for libel. Eventually, he cannot go against the media because it is where he does his “Pa Pogi” and even now. The GO is using the media to stir hatred against Arroyo. Where the byproduct is someone like YOU.
Well…what can I do…yung mga bobo lang naman ang madaling nagpapa-uto sa mga pulitiko.

TO PIAN AND SALINA:
do you have anyone in your minds who will be the best presidential candidate?
the age-group of the senators today are becoming younger….from the old timers,maybe Angara and Joker,but from the neophytes,any guess who would have the guts to run for president?do you think legarda might try her luck?

I wonder why the peso value kept on escalating when reality speaks of a situation of having hard time budgeting the salary of an average employee…is there any physical sign that can stand witness to the economic progress as manifested by dollar-peso exchange rate?

I wonder how will the goverment solve the incoming problem of illiteracy due to the increasing tuition fees and prices of commodities?how would the goverment solve the increasing delinquents brought about by financial incapacity to have an education?increasing child labor?increasing street crimes in broad daylight?

Now,the suppose to be protectors of the people got used of sideline jobs from their superiors that it became difficult for them to do their jobs as law enforcers…their minds became disoriented and distorted to recognize their duties and to separate the truth from lies of their superiors…
in short,the law enforcers themselves are corrupt out of practice…

How many presidents more will pass running our goverment before all our basic problems be solved?
it seems like asking if the elephant could really fly….

TO KAICEE
Well I think Loren will try her luck being a very ambitious person. Right now though my preference would be Kiko Pangilinan for he has shown consistency in his stand.
You were asking about the appreciation in our exchange rate in spite of our divisiveness. The good news is at least it’s not depreciating.

question sa batasan five, nakakatangap din ba kayo ng pork barrel? kung meron i’m sure naitulong nyo na sa mga masa at walang trabaho yon ano…kaysa tumambay sila pupuhunanan nyo ang mga welga nila at pinang iimprenta nyo ng mga leaflets para kaawaan kayo ng mga tao kasi inaapi kayo…baket kulang ba ang mga ibinibigay sa inyo na galing sa buwis ng mga tao?

Next President?

Kailangan 1] Magaling 2] May Konsensya 3] Malinis sa Pagnanakaw 4] Malupit sa Nagkakasala 5] Hindi Kriminal

I smell Mar Roxas. Serving four presidents means he’s good. His experience in Malacanang makes him the most knowledgeable of the Presidency. And yes, perhaps Kiko with his ladyluck. The career moves of Loren as a journalist were outstanding until she was contaminated with politics, where she made all the wrong career moves with her affiliations. Being number one again is her vindication so she is truly a contender.

To All:
I just hope that the coming senators will work for the people who gave them the mandate to do so, create more laws that will make our economy more prosperous. They should stop their ‘papogi’ with the media because it is too much, it is damaging our country.

To Salina:
Please ditch out the pharse ‘Bugos president of CEBU’. Cebu did not vote for Arroyo alone, the majority of the Philippines did. Don’t push the ‘truths’ you are thinking because you cannot even prove it. Baka galit ka lang sa Cebu dahil ang Cebuanos ay anti-opposition. To tell you, ayaw kasi namin nang trapo at sa mga taong walang ginigawa kundi manira nang kapwa(Cayetano,Escudero et al).
At sana naman, yung mga taong katulad mu dito sa Pilipinas maliwanagan na sila. Naghihirap sila kasi tamad sila, tulad nang majority from Luzon,hindi kasi marunong maghanap nang trabaho palaging naghihintay nang himala.
You are not in the Philippines to justify that maraming naghihirap dito and walang trabahong available. You are merely getting the information from the media, which sometimes overkills the facts. I know you are pro-opposition,sana naman wag kang pumunta dito sa Cebu. Wag mung dungisan ang aming magandang lugar.

To Admin:
Since most of the posts here constitutes a lot of people’s rage against the present administratoin and the Inquirer is a reputable newspaper in the country, I’m hopeful that some of these posts be published. We are in a free country and these opinions are highly principled and substantial. Voice out the opinions with the likes of Salina, this will wake-up those people esp. GMA.

This reflects the change that most OFWs wants for the country.

I don’t know what happened to the people that went out on EDSA II. They have forgotten how corrupt Erap was, the evidences were ovewhelming. Everybody seems to forget about it.

With GMA, I don’t know how great the evidence is against her alleged account? But did the evidence equated to Erap’s evidences?

I don’t know what happened. People eventually just woke up one morning and forgot about Erap and then move the allegations to GMA.

I’m predicting that who ever will be the next president. He will also had allegations of corruption and there will be another impeachment.

Who is the problem? I’ll leave to the people who think rather that those who are fanatical.

the call for GMA impeachment is at her heels. as some say, the weight of the wealth she has allegedly took will make her less than four feet and more than forfeit her term.

but who is next pres?

Lacson - but if you take away what you C, it is poisonous
Kiko - the Sharon stuff doll, is it noted
Legarda - Double L (LL), lipat ng lipat.litong lito
Roxas - MARket czar or caesar, likes to wash hands to imply innocence as seen in his website
Erap - just chant his name repeatedly and you have cash, Josephidal? busted na siguro, wag na hirit

let’s enjoy their show! but, sorry, tickets are not free, it will cost us our future….

I just want to know how accurate namfrel is? Because one of the town in Ilocos dont have the same declaration who won in all local positions for that town.

The Root Cause of Electoral Fraud, Violence and Vote Vending in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao

By: Atty. Algamar A. Latiph

Once again we witnessed the nasty politics of violence and flood of allegations of vote rigging in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. What has been largely ignored is the region’s prevailing poverty, political and socioecomic inequalities where electoral fraud and violence are rooted. United Nations’ official Topfler Klaus said that “when people are denied access to clean water and air to meet their basic human needs, we see rise of poverty, ill-health and a sense of hopelessness. Desperate people can resort to desperate solutions.”

Being consistently listed in the “Bottom 10 (2003)” of the Philippine Human Development Report 2005, the five provinces of ARMM confirmed their sorry state of inequalities and ebbing human development. They occupy PHDR’s “Bottom 10” in its category of the: Most Poor Provinces; Human Development Index (where Basilan, Maguindanao, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi are in the lowest ranking); Per Capita Income (except Lanao del Sur); Basic Enrollment (except Tawi-Tawi), and; Gender Development Index (except Lanao del Sur).

As regards life expectancy, they placed at the lowest with Tawi-Tawi at 51.2 years (PHDR 2005). The National Anti-Poverty Commission’s Summaries of the 40 Poorest of the Poor Municipalities disclosed that 65% of the municipalities are from ARMM of which three are among the 13 municipalities where election failed on May 14, 2007. The NAPC’s database, likewise, revealed that region’s 351,230 households have no access to water, this is equivalent to one-third of its registered voters.

These inequalities result to 1.8 million migrants all over the country in search of opportunities. Beyond the region’s boundaries, discrimination and exclusion confront Muslims thereby narrowing their choices. Job hiring, school admission, house leasing among others are just few instances of discrimination. Out of the 663 inmates in Camp Karingal’s Women Jail Dormitory Facility, 94 inmates come from ARMM (2005 data from the Muslim Legal Assistant Foundation). This is 14% of the jail’s population which is sharply disproportionate with the Muslims’ less than 2% population in National Capital Region. None of the inmates finished secondary school; they found themselves living in slum areas and all are unemployed.

The perception of the 47% of the Filipinos is that Muslims are terrorist/extremists according to the Pulse Asia Ulat ng Bayan March 2005. It also found that 55% believed that Muslims are prone to run “amok” and about 33% to 44% have anti-Muslim bias. It is surprising however that only 14% of the respondents had experience interaction with Muslims while 58% based their judgment from media. It show how media’s negative portrayal of Muslims unduly affect stereotyping. In the later part of the election candidates’ theatrics in the media highlighted their stereotyping, and derision of the region’s people as cheaters with their culture of violence.

The region has experienced centuries of violent and painful history in defending their freedom from foreign domination. The 20th century was marred by exhaustion from struggle from the systematic policy of driving them out of their fertile ancestral land in which they are now a minority. The densely militarized region is host to 1.38 Million internally displaced persons brought about by armed conflict from 2000 to 2004. Since 1971, the armed conflict claimed 120,000 lives.

As a body politic, ARMM meets the profile of a failed region where it did not only breed electoral violence but, to an extreme, a terrorist group—Abu Sayyaf Group. The current political violence is a sad reality of Moro versus Moro. It is a violence devoid of any political ideologue neither personal animosity. Owing to the absence of choices within the region, politicians are not motivated by power and prestige but a control of the limited wealth in the local units or districts—the Internal Revenue Allotment or Pork Barrel Fund. A victory in election will secure a three-year uninterrupted flow of millions of money. Politicians spend millions to buy votes since return-of-investment is assured. The scenario in the region’s politics is that the cost of violence is worth an investment. That is the reason that politicians’ drive to ensure victory and the sense of losing the election increase political tensions and, at times, result to bloodshed.

In abstract, a ballot is more than a piece of paper; it is a paper where the highest expression people’s supremacy in governance is cast. But this exists only in law books. Rather the ballot is a material object treated as property which can be sold at the highest bidder or can be used as leverage in accessing basic human subsistence. In ARMM the ballot has yet to serve its constitutional utility of building a “just and humane society.” Though it lost its altruistic value, the ballot is not a meaningless paper but a commodity that can yield money worth more than the expected delivery of public goods and services.

In The End of History and the Last Man, Francis Fukuyama described Philippines as “masks [by] enormous disparities in wealth, prestige, status, and power, which these elites can use to control the democratic process.” The region’s political and socioeconomic inequalities had given birth to political slavery where political dynasty gestated and, in exceptional cases, political warlordism evolved. In this system, open political participation is systematically eliminated denying the possibility of equal access to public office in order to institutionalize political monopoly. It is a process of selection among members of the family instead of free election. It is based on ones’ influence in the family rather than platform of government. Qualification, competency and character play no role. Public accountability succumbs to bloodline loyalty.

Patronage politics thrived because of the political symbiotic-dependency between the politicians and the poverty-stricken majority. The former provide for basic human subsistence in exchange of the latter’s continued patronage. Supporters will be in a three-year payroll that would somehow satisfy basic human needs for job, food and health. Being of limited choice, one has no sufficient freedom to break the bond. Freedom and liberty is elusive to men with empty stomach whose faculties are too infirm to exercise freewill. A different scenario however exists in the case of political warlordism where fear and reign of terror is employed to assure political submission; the leverage of money-politics plays a minimal role. The will of the people is snatched by the barrel of the gun.

Family kinship contributes to the perpetuation of warlordism where family members serve as foot soldiers. More often than not, the history of rido (clan feud) among the candidates fuels electoral violence. This is the underlying cause on the failure of election in the 13 municipalities in Lanao del Sur on May 14, 2007. Likewise, the technical aspect of the election aids dynasty and warlordism in preserving their political domination. Instead of modern electronic voting which is free from human intervention what is used is the Jurassic process of paper voting on the sheets of ballots, election returns, statement of votes, and certificate of canvass which can be physically hijacked and doctored. The current process gives election staff a wider latitude of discretion making it susceptible to bribery and intimidation.

In terms of representation, political opportunities are reserved for the few elites. Philippines is “a society dominated by social elite, most often of large landowners, who are neither tolerant of other classes nor efficient entrepreneurs,” according to Francis Fukuyama. This is a bitter fact but its degree of impact is twice as worst in the ARMM.

More than three quarters of the members of the House of Representative belong to political dynasty; the Senate is not an exception. While the Lower House is equalized by geographical representation, Senate’s (including the Senators-elect) balance of power is iniquitously tilted toward imperial Manila where half come from NCR (12% of national population) and each provinces of Cavite, Sorsogon, Iloilo, and Zambales have two. The ARMM which has 10% of the population has yet to have its Senator for a decade and without Sen. Pimentel, Mindanao would not have any representation.

It may be argued that this unequal representation is tempered by the creation of ARMM. This is far from truth. The Office of the Regional Governor, has yet to be freely elected. At present, it is Malacanang anointment. Since its creation, elections were postponed eight times; and there were eight instances where ARMM officials’ term of offices were extended by the Congress without election. Apart from this, the Southern Philippines Development Authority was inactivated by virtue of Executive Order No. 149 for almost five years, it was activated only few months ago.

It seemed that the root causes of the fraud and violence are not appealing to politicians as well as the media that it rarely have their equal attention. The region gets that extraordinary interest only when there is blood-letting during election and armed conflict. In this election the question on Moro Problem and inequalities have been hardly taken seriously. What was underscored in the media is the issue on who will control Congress rather than what Congress can do to the failing region. This political timidity is not surprising. Congress is dominated by northern politics, it members’ approach and perception to the region’s inequity is subjective than structural. “Dominant groups tend to be unaware of social inequalities… [they] tended to see person-related causes of war [in this case political violence], while non-dominant Muslims prioritized structural causes of the conflict.” (Montiel, C.J. and Macapagal, E.J., Effects of Social Position on Societal Attributions of
an Asymmetric Conflict, Journal of Peace Research, Vol. 43, No. 2, 2006, pp. 219-227).

When job, health care, education, food and water, and physical security are wanting people are shut of choices. The hapless marginalized people become vulnerable and exposed to exploitation aggravated by government’s impotence to guarantee human security. Nobel laureate W.A. Lewis in his Theory of Economics pointed out that increase in per capita income “gives a man greater control of his environment, and thereby increases his freedom.” But the State has failed to create a condition in which human development and security can be realized; where people choices and opportunities are much wider and where they could have greater control of their environment. Today’s politics however is not that encouraging: it is built on a high wall of intense and uncompromising political antagonism where constructive political cooperation is jettisoned.

It is Congress’ constitutional duty to dismantle dynasty. Unfortunately conflict of interest exist, Congress itself is ruled by different species of political dynasties. Legislative measures to make IRA and Pork Barrel spending more accountable and transparent are far from its agenda. International development agencies, who are pouring billions of pesos in ARMM, are not that helpful in making the country and other institutions more accountable on fund they received to alleviate the region’s inequality. It is disturbing on how the visible political warlords exist in a society claiming to be governed by rule of law. It will not require a legislation to disarm private armies, with the military might of the State it is sufficient to destroy their existence. With these bleak scenarios and the political oblivion on the issues concerning the Bangsamoro, the ruling dynasties and warlords, therefore, will flourish while the cycle of electoral fraud, violence, and vending will
persist.

Be it stressed here that the region’s human development’s figures is not statistically improbable. It confirmed that Bangsamoro, for decades, has been cheated and rigged of their right to live with human dignity.

this is my comments in yesterdays election report of cebu daily News by V.P. Vamenta informing the public about the election winners in different province and municipalities. I object to the report that grace padaca won the gobernatorial race in the province of isabela. as far as i’m concern there were no proclamation yet for governor in the province of isabela. this report is misleading the people the truth about the election result. pls be fair in your report. any false report will destroy the credibility of this news organization.
****abegail*******

masyado namang bias reporting nyo dito sa inquirer. masyado ninyong pinalalabas na napakabuting tao ni grace padaca. nais kong ipaalam sa lahat ng tagasubaybay ng diyaryong ito ang tunay na ugali at panunungkulan ni grace padaca. ang alam ng mga tao siya ay mabait at mapagmahal na ina ng aming probinsiya ngunit puro kabaliktaran ang mga iyon. hindi nyo ba alam na mahirap lapitan yan si grace lalo na ang mga mahihirap. kailangan pang magpaschedule kung hihingi ka ng tulong, papaano kung life and death ang sitwasyon edi mamamataw nalang dilat ang mata ang mga taong nangangailangan ng tulong. hirap magpapirma sa kanya at lagi pang bugnutin. mabait siya pagnakaharap ang media pero pag wala ang media daig pa niya ang leon kung magalit sa mga empleyado niya kahit ipagtanong nyo pa sa mga empleyado ng kapitolyo. magaling magnakaw yang si grace. akalain mong gamitin ang intelligence fund ng isabela capitol para sa pangsariling kapakanan niya. at ang questionable dito ay mga executive assistant pa niya mismo ang nagcash advance ng milyon milyong pondo isa na dito si alma ang kanyang kapatid. kaliwat kanang reimbersement pati isang supot ng kendi, sibuyas 100 php worth of call card eh nirereimberse pa nakakahiya pangsariling gamit napakaliit na bagay kukunin pa sa gobyerno. netong neto si grace at ang kanyang pamilya simula ng naging gobernador na siya. paki imbestigahan ang asset ni padaca mga kapatid niya sapagkat kitang kita sa mga luho ng mga pamumuhay nila ngayon mga damit na gamit malaki ang pinagbago. pera ng mamamayang isabelino ang ginagamit nila sa luho nila= mahiya naman kayo grace padaca. kapal ng mukha ninyo. wag mong gamitin ang pagka lumpo mo upang pagtakpan ang mga kabulukan mo sa kapitolyo at para kaawaan ka ng mga tao. magising kayo mga isabelino wag magbulagbulagan. ginagamit lang ni padaca ang kanyang kapansanan. isa siyang magnanakaw kahit imbistigahan nyo pa. sana magising na kayong mga isabelino at itong inquirer maging patas sana kayo sa pagkomento wag pera lang ang tignan kungdi pati kapakanan ng mga mamamayan na lubos na nagtitiwala sa inyo. sana wag magpagamit sapagkat kayong mga media nalang ang natitirang institusyon na aming pinagkakatiwalaan, sana wag na kayong sumali sa kurap nating gobyerno. salamat

********maria************

The blogs have been limited to oust GMA, impeach GMA, GMA nag daya, etc.,etc., etc . But NOTHING about how we can make this country move again. The premise is always GET GMA out and things will be ok. That was the same premise we had when we ousted Marcos. Life after Marcos will be better. Did it become better? No! Its even worse now. Not because of only GMA but because we continue to gripe, gripe and gripe and do nothing.

What do we do then?

One thing i have been saying in all these blogs is: Let those who steal, cheat, etc., be ACCOUNTABLE! Lets punish them HARSHLY! Lets not treat them like kids but just forgiving and setting examples for all to follow: steal, cheat., etc.

Lets EXTERMINATE those that are guilty. Set up courts that would DECIDED asap, not 5, 10 years after.

It was the best chance we had under Marcos, with our Revolutionary status: BEHEADED the families of the cronies who did NOT return the loots they stole. We could start with their children, and grand children in the Luneta until they returned those that they stole. We could have started with the Romauldezes. That would have sent a strong message for those “FUTURE” thieves. But no, what did we do? We voted IMEE, BONG-BONG, DE VENECIA, and most cronies into office.

NAKAKAHIYA! So what followed was the same pattern of stealing, cheating, etc.

For so long as we continue to be CHRISTIAN daw, we will end up the LAUGHING stocks of the world, of Asia as the world’s most corrupt CATHOLIC country!

We oust GMA, more corruption will follow because those that come into power will be begin stealing from scratch. Why? Because they know they will be able to get away from it. And there will be more Jose Velarde’s and Jose Pidal’s…

It will never end. We can argue ourselves until the next elections, we can blame this and that person, him and her, but without making people - those in power ACCOUNTABLE, we will continue to live in this rut - looking pathetic to the rest of the world.

tapos na election, local, national eh 8-2-2 or 7-3-2, 12th spot na lang hindi pa sigurado sa senador…

ano na gagawin ng taong bayan……

bantayan ang mga nanalong politico kung tutuparin nila ang kanilang mga pangako….

susme, bakit kailangan pang bantayan parang bata, yung mga anak ko nga hindi ko na binabantayan…….

labo-labo na para sa speakership ng lower house…… puro naman daw kaalyado ni gloria…..

eh pati rin naman sa senado eh labo-labo din ang opposition para sa senate president….

hay wala kang tulak kabigin …. mapa administration o opposition… iisa ang kulay…. basta kapangyarihan…. walang kakampi o kasama….

tandaan, lahat yan eh nanalo kasi ibinoto natin….. walang sisihan….

ipagtanggol, ipaglaban ang mga ibinoto ninyo…… baka bukas, mamya dismayado na kayo sa kanyang gawa at asal…. nadengoy pala kayo…..

akala mo ginto…. punong puno ka ng pag asa na ikaw uunlad…. yon pala ang idol mo ay isang tanso…. natanso ka ng kanyang mga matatamis ng pangako….

umaray ka na lang ng walang nakakakita… mag antay… mag antay sa susunod na election….

matuto ka sanang kumilatis….. para sa darating na election ay hindi ka matanga, maluko ng mga politico manloloko……

amen…. amen

As I predicted many, many times in the blogs. IN the end it will boil down to PERSONAL INTEREST! Kawawa naman ang Pinoy!
————————————————————————————————————————————————————
‘Presidential ambitions splitting opposition’

BY CHRISTINA MENDEZ
The Philippine Star

Two newly elected Genuine Opposition (GO) senators have blamed the “political ambitions” of some opposition senators for the opposition’s failure to come up with one candidate for the Senate presidency.

Senators-elect Loren Legarda and Francis Escudero said on Friday that the emergence of two or three aspirants is making it difficult for the opposition to vote as one.

So far, the opposition has not decided whether Senate President Manuel Villar Jr. should be replaced when the 14th Congress opens next month.

“The members of the opposition have been meeting on this issue,” Escudero told the Manila Overseas Press Club Thursday night in Makati.

“We are battling for a consolidated vote. We will vote as a group and as a bloc. It does not matter who will be the candidate at this point. We want to vote as a bloc,” he said.

Escudero said opposition senators have been conducting dialogues to determine who should be the opposition candidate for the Senate presidency on July 23.

During the same forum, Legarda said opposition senators have been working hard to “gather a consensus” to put up one strong contender for the top Senate post.

“I guess that it would be pathetic if after having won overwhelmingly, we would lose,” she said. “As Chiz mentioned, we have endeavored to meet regularly without the possible contenders and we try to get a consensus.”

It would be “pathetic” if the opposition “loses in the vote and committee chairmanships” because they are divided, she added.

Legarda said while the opposition has a majority of 13 in the Senate, they could not reach a consensus because there is more than one contender for the top Senate post. “It (contenders) could be two or three,” she said.

Escudero said the performance of the senators in the next three years would determine front-runners in the 2010 presidential elections.

“If the next three years will be a referendum, so be it,” he said.

“Let every person vying, aspiring, wanting to become president or vice-president show our people in the next three years why they should vote for him or her. I don’t see anything wrong with that.”

Escudero said he does not see anything wrong if some senators would be seen as politicking rather than introducing reforms in Congress.

Politics defines the art of convincing other people through one’s performance in the service, he added.

“I do not believe that we the newly elected senators in Congress will simply do our own campaigning,” Legarda said. “That is merely speculation. It is up to our people to decide who among us perform, it is our responsibility to help the people.”

“If we do not do this, we are in for something unexpected. I assure you we will not busy ourselves simply with politicking or investigations.”

Legarda said she believes that the best politics is performance.

“If we speak of 2010 now, I believe that is a great disservice to our people,” she said.

“As I mentioned there are 20 million Filipinos – almost 10 percent – (who are) unemployed… I think that it is incumbent upon us as new senators and those who remain at the Senate to make sure to pass laws that would address the basic needs of our people – health, education, agriculture and other basic needs.”

She will not be joining the fray for the Senate presidency to avoid complicating the issue further, Legarda said.

Escudero said the situation remains uncertain because the list of those interested in running for the Senate presidency keeps changing.

“Two or three, more can be emerging in the next few days,” he said, without admitting whether he would go for Villar or Pimentel.

He would rather wait for those seeking the Senate presidency to show their intention, Escudero said.

Reports said Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago, perceived to be pro-administration, has expressed support for Villar.

Senator-elect Gregorio Honasan is also reportedly placing his bet on Villar, reports added.

Senators Edgardo Angara, Juan Ponce Enrile, Joker Arroyo, Pia Cayetano, Richard Gordon, Lito Lapid, Bong Revilla and Santiago are counted as pro-administration.

Honasan has vowed to remain independent, but he is considered by some to be also pro-administration ally.

Opposition senators Villar, Aquilino Pimentel Jr, Manuel Roxas II, Jinggoy Estrada, Jamby Madrigal, Panfilo Lacson, Rodolfo Biazon, and Senators-elect Alan Peter Cayetano and Antonio Trillanes IV belong to the new Senate majority.

Then suddenly the guns have gone quiet…Where are your opinions guys? Agreeing to disagree is healthy. Lets get it on!

thanks GOD,Trillanes issue is already settled.Zubiri or Pimentel? well,let us wait and see.Both gentleman are in trouble with regards to the votes from Maguindanao region. I really sympathize with our Muslim brothers.The questioning of the legality of their votes is so shameful;same as questioning the dignity of those who voted.If I put myself in their shoes, I will be angry because it seems we the people of Maguindanao were made “dummies” for a mock election. Well,for now it seems a mock election.
For one,I’d rather blame the lack of education for our Muslim brothers that they became puppets of some people who are so greedy with power and money.
I wish that whoever sits as the next president will give the people of Mindanao the same benefits the people of Luzon and Visayas are receiving like educations,housing,road widenings etc…

Our system needs a thorough polishing and hope the newly elected senators will concentrate on improving our bylaws for the benefit of all Filipinos and not so because of personal agendas.Some changes might not be easily acceptable to the Filipinos especially those crowds with personal interests’ at stake but if thoroughly explained and just black and white which a simple “juan dela cruz” can understand,it will be accepted and will be effective.Somehow,a good senator might not have an easy disposition with his comrades but surely will have the support of the people.Our true heroes did not have an easy life either.
Mahirap din na magbulagbulagan sa mga kabuktutan ng mga nakaupong mambabatas. Kahit ayaw natin ng gulo at divisiveness ng mga Pilipino, kailangan nating ipaglaban ang katotohanan.
Kung sama-sama,nagkakaisa at nagtatagumpay!

hi gerry:
honestly, i don’t want to be included with those who suddenly disappeared and days later,found their bodies littering the vacant lots. so whoever have the guts to confront a corrupt goverment face to face,come out then!
do you honestly believe that if you confront the corrupt,the goverment could protect you? at least in the form gripe,you vent out your frustrations but if you know you could do something about the corruption, start with yourself…live a clean life! don’t accept simple form of blackmails …we got a lot of it which seems like innoccent acts.

Very correct KAICEE! It is easy to criticize. We never stopped criticizing when marcos was in power. When cory came and the kamaganak came to power we couldnt do anything but complain. When ramos came and his own crownies took over it was the same, and then Erap and GMA. When will it ever end? From one Barangay of Thieves to another Barangay of Thieves. More Jose Velarde’s, Jose Pidal’s. Same scenario over and over and over again. And the complaints will never stop like the thievery. Your right, we can start with ourselves, our families and then our neighbors. We need to begin somwhere. One small step. But above all lets all campaign for ACCOUNTABILITY for all govt officials and lets set up courts to persecute them. And when found guilty, lets just exterminate them and use the waste from the decaying bodies to fertilize our land.

Lacson et al should stop these investigations and instead work for the country’s progress.

I do not believe anything that comes out of Lacson’s mouth anymore. Did he not say the he would be a one term senator? Did he not say that he would not accept the top PNP post after Gen. Lastimosa was fired? All of these are in preperation for his presidential bid in 2010.

Our country is in need of laws and programs that will bring it up to par economically with our neighbors. I am not surprised that this is happening again this early, all these politicians are the same. I honestly believe that the country may need to go through a revolution like what the US, France, China etc. had to go through.

Please ask yourself, do you like a country that is being governed by a president who is doing her job and is successful at it inspite of what her critics try to do? Than someone who does not know how to run a country like what Erap did to our country, like what Marcos did for 20 years? By the way, Lacson’s idol is Marcos, really nice!!!

For GMA, do not enter into an agreement with those Marcoses. The few who still support you and are against the Eraps, Lacsons, Enriles etc. will leave you too, Watch out!!!

Kiko Pangilinan, you think by running as an independent you are above evrybody else? You are only looking after yourself.

If you really do not like to be alligned with any group then do the sacriice and resign!!!

Akala mo kung sina kang malinis.

Nonoy Aquino, how dare you soil your dad’s name by joining GO in the last elections.

Don’t you remember that Erap was the one who escorted those evil Marcoses to the chopper when they left Malacanang?
You say you are for good governance, did Erap run the government the way it should have been managed? NO!!!!!!!

You should have run as an independent.
A lot of us were very disappointed when you joined Erap’s team.

TO ALL
I know this to be out of place. Please bear with me. I just want to create awareness by choosing the busy forum or the latest.
Do consider Dr. Martin Bautista for the next elections obviously (a senatorial candidate of ‘Ang Kapatiran’ together with Adrian Sison and Zosimo Paredes). He’s a 45-year-old gastroenterologist in the US who came home after 17 years. You can see from his background that he truly means service. For those who find him to be a hypocrite for working abroad, do understand he’s a family man who needs to sustain his family, that he will be able to keep his independence by not relying on public funds to support his family. He helps his countrymen in his capacity but it’s just not enough for there are millions of Filipinos. It’s a good start in Philippine Politics to have him and his party around.
I urge you to forward/text/inform all your contacts about them. I believe they only lack exposure that’s why I’m doing this. But I can’t do it alone so I’m appealing to everyone’s help. If all will inform their contacts about them and urge them as well to forward, we might hit a million.
We cannot afford to be indifferent now if we want meaningful change. Otherwise we only have ourselves to blame. BUT TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

BTW, I’ve posted this on the different topics just to be sure.