DESPITE trying to put our best foot forward, we have come up short again as a nation in proving that democracy is strong in our nation. Even with the relatively “calm” and “peaceful” election this time around, this did not deter the usual anomalies in the election process from taking place.
Vote buying, using children during election day, and voter disenfranchisement were just some of the usual activities that were observed.
ASIAN foreign observers expressed deep regret over the failure of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to conduct peaceful, honest and orderly elections last May 14 in the six provinces of the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
And the observation did not end in ARMM, as I reported on Tingog.com; other reports included: Voters disenfranchised in Tondo, soldiers harassing foreign observers at a Cebu checkpoint, observers being caught in midst of soldiers and crowd in Guimba, blatant cheating and chaos in Lanao Del Sur polls, as well as irregularities in Quezon…
Not that any election is perfect, but it seems the international media picked up on Arroyo’s statement the other day, and concluded that the election was fairly peaceful.
It’s good to note, however, that some foreign observers do have confidence that our election process will improve, and one observer also emphasized a move toward computerized elections.
June 14th, 2007 at 3:14 am
Borging
Here in cagayan de oro, you may not believe but some of my “tambay� neighbors were being hired and paid just to vote at Marawi somewhere going to Iligan City by using some questionable voters. Also in my wife’s place , talisayan,misamis oriental almost all people there received money the night before the election.For every councilor usually gave not less than 20 pesos and for mayors or congressmen/women runners gave at most 500 pesos per person. Damn if this is the way our government is handling the next time an election comes ill move to remote areas just to receive payments and of course from now on i cannot trust government anymore about election.That is why most of my co-workers were not voting this years election because of the common scenarios’ happening.
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Fr: Salina
My advice is this, If somebody give you money for your votes. Take the money but votes according to your coincisence. After all you’re not the one selling your votes. That well teach them a lesson they never forget.
Just look what happen in pangpanga, The juenting quenn has been buying the votes to enusured her winning. But, The people took the money and votes to the candidates they want to votes. Ha, Ha, Ha. The joke is on her!!! Thats why she’s really mad. Because of that. The people speak!!! The people have won!!!
June 14th, 2007 at 3:06 am
Edward Ballor
The elections were pathetic..I haven’t heard of ONE legal and untampered voting district…maybe the Philippines need to have the armies at each voting station, to insure that the people can vote the way they truely want to, that their votes are acurately counted, without fear of being killed or harrassed.
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Fr: Salina
Army?. I’d hope your joking! In 2004 Presidential election who do you think help do the cheating operation. For Gloria Arroyo, None other but the military’s, Aside from them PNP/COMELEC OPERATION do the cheating. Even this year election they’re also the one doing the cheating to make sure Gloria Arroyo, Candidates win.
Thank god. The filipino people join hand to protect the people votes. This is the only reason why their cheating operation has been expose. And even that, Even though they got caught they’re still denying it.
June 14th, 2007 at 2:58 am
ricky
Im ashamed that we again allowed ourselves to be dictated by FOREIGNERS in every aspects of how we as a country and as a people should behave!!!This foreign observers were the judge&jury and convicted the entire Filipino nation as a failure and the sad part is some so called�filipino intellect agreed�.Confusion,sometimes chaotic…of course because we have 30-40 million voters and 800000 candidates!!!It is unfair to compare philippine election to singapore or even afghanistan if we consider the number of voters and candidates and financial resources available.Singapore is like a big theme park(city state).If a foreigner tells us that we are ugly should we believe them?TO ALL FILIPINOS ITS ABOUT TIME WE BELIEVE IN OURSELVES.
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Fr: Salina
Yes, We can believe in ourselves. Why not! After all filipino people are very smart. But, Most of filipino people who has a good education outside the Philippines working. Because there is not enough work availlable in the Philippines.
If only the government can create job for all filipino’s! we all succeed. In our own country. But we’re not in the Philippines working to use our brain to uplift the country economy. we are working in other country therefore, We’re helping other country to uplift their economy.
Imagine. Doctor study to become nurse’s so that they can get a job anywhere in the world. School teacher, Become nanny/house keeper, or janitor in order to have a better life.
Why not tell Gloria Arroyo, If she’s really an economist. Why she haven’t done anything to uplift the lives of filipino people. Instead most of filipino people are starving. Ever since she stole her title from the duly elected President Joseph Estrada. And she stole it again in May 10, 2004. Presidential election from Fernando Poe, Jr. I’ll say, She’s nothing but the biggest crooks!!!
June 14th, 2007 at 2:48 am
ricky
The moment those foreign observers announced their verdict how the election was conducted and left, foreign and local businessmen with their money arrived,the phil. stock exchange is in an all time high since 1927?The peso rose again!!!…how ironic.
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Fr: Salina
Ricky: You sounded exactly like Gloria Arroyo. She keep deyning everything even though what the foreigner were saying is true! Wake-up!
Those foreigner only reporting what they see in the field. What they’re reporting is true! why can you accept the truth. When we all know in fact that the filipino people are the biggest crooks. kaya number one tayo sa asia. Number two human right violation in the world. and you can thank Gloria Arroyo, For that.
June 14th, 2007 at 2:44 am
ricky
Im ashamed that we again allowed ourselves to be dictated by FOREIGNERS in every aspects of how we as a country and as a people should behave!!!This foreign observers were the judge&jury and convicted the entire Filipino nation as a failure and the sad part is some so called�filipino intellect agreed�.Confusion,sometimes chaotic…of course because we have 30-40 million voters and 800000 candidates!!!It is unfair to compare philippine election to singapore or even afghanistan if we consider the number of voters and candidates and financial resources available.Singapore is like a big theme park(city state).If a foreigner tells us that we are ugly should we believe them?TO ALL FILIPINOS ITS ABOUT TIME WE BELIEVE IN OURSELVES.
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Fr: Salina
If the filipino people don’t want to be tag as most corrupt in asia. Then you people should never do the bad thing!
These foreigner only report what they see. And you can’t blame them. They’re only reporting the truth. Bakit ka mahiya eh totoo naman. You sounded exactly Gloria Arroyo, Nag nakaw siya pagakatapos, She don’t want to be tag as kawatan. It doesn’t matter what she’ll do. She’s corrupted. PERIOD.
June 14th, 2007 at 2:40 am
Teban
Hey maybe ricky is right! This has nothing to do with rampant fraud, bombings, shootings and teachers getting burned to death to steal ballots. The problem is these pesky foreigners! Let’s get rid of them, and all their snobbish foreign aid, and all that sullied foreign investment and tourist money. Who needs it?
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Fr: Salina
Either you admitted or not without the money coming from all foreigner the philippines surely going down under.
Why do you think Gloria Arroyo, Keep lying to these foreigner because that is the only way she can get help from them. Why do you think Gloria Arroyo, Lie to President GWB. Because he too give plenty of donation to the philippines government. Where do you think Gloria Arroyo, Get most of the money she’s been using to buy her AFP/PNP/JUDGES rolaytie is from these foreigner. Who’s been helping her bugos regime. Without their help Gloria Arroyo, Is nothing! Even the OFW money remmittance well be for nothing because is not enough to stir the economy. Even though I know for the fact that the reason the philippines economy is rosy because of these money remittance.
June 4th, 2007 at 11:44 am
From: brice887-New York
I am a not a foreign observer, i am a local but observing and i too am dismayed. why? we hold elections every four (4) years or less yet we get the same mess. The same problems that keeps repeating itself, over and over again for lack of a comprehensive plan. You do not need a foreign observer to tell you that. Now, if the COMELEC could have done a better job at running our elections, maybe they’ll be observing other country’s elections instead.
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Simple, the bribe for vote manipulation is so rewarding (going from tens to hundreds of millions) and the actual COMELEC manipulators being simply given a slap on the wrist for what they claim as “tabulation errors” (Yeah right COMELEC sinong inuto ninyo), that the opportunity to do bad is irresistible.
Right now there are extra-judicial killings of left leaning leaders, I sometimes wonder why they do not do this instead to erring COMELEC officials who get away scot free with money in the bank to boot.
June 4th, 2007 at 7:59 am
I am a not a foreign observer, i am a local but observing and i too am dismayed. why? we hold elections every four (4) years or less yet we get the same mess. The same problems that keeps repeating itself, over and over again for lack of a comprehensive plan. You do not need a foreign observer to tell you that. Now, if the COMELEC could have done a better job at running our elections, maybe they’ll be observing other country’s elections instead.
May 28th, 2007 at 10:58 am
Ely
Ricky,
Please dont be confused about our economic growth dahil malakas ang piso kontra dolyar. Kaya lang naman tayo nakakaahon kahit papaano sa dollar ay dahil sa mga kababayan nating nagtatrabaho sa ibang bansa. Yun lang ang dahilan at wala ng iba. Kung lahat ng overseas workers ay uuwi ng Pilipinas you think our economy will stand a chance? Sa sobrang hirap ng buhay dyan sa atin sa Pinas ay kailangang isakripisyo ng ating mga kababayan ang kanilang pamilya upang mangibang bayan para lang may pantawid gutom. Kung tinupad sana ni Arroyo yung pangako nyang 6 million jobs e baka di na maubos ang mga skilled workers dyan sa Pinas. Kung umuunlad ang ating ekonomiya bakit maslalong lumaki ang utang ng Pilipinas mula ng maupo si Gloria Mandaraya Arroyo (GMA)? Bakit parang nanghihingi tayo lagi ng limos or economic aid sa Amerika, Australia, Japan at China? Kung talagang naeengganyo ang mga turistang magbakasyon bakit kaliwat kanang advisory mula sa Amerika at Australia discouraging their citizens in going to our country? And lastly, kung maayos o walang gulo dyan sa atin, bakit napakaraming namamatay na partylist member and media under the Arroyo administration? Imagine 50+ media killed and an average of 70+ a year political activist die in the Philippines? Ang tanging naacomplish ng GMA Government ay ilagay ang Pilipinas sa pinaka corrupt na bansa sa Asya, number 2 sa political and press killing sunod sa Iraq, at number one sa election related violence….Wake up!!! o di kayay maligo ka ng yelo para magising ka sa katotohanan.
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Fr: Salina.
Ely: You’re absulotely right. Ever since Gloria Arroyo, Squatt in Malacanyang Palace, The Philippines economy deteriorate but accourding to her under her stolen administration the economy is rosy. If it is true, Why is it there is more filipino people are starving. Sabihin mo her so call booming economy is pad just like she pad her votes to ensure her winning in May 10, 2004. Presidential election.
When Gloria Arroyo, Said that she’s going to create six millions job’s. She don’t meant, Job’s in the Philippines. The job she’s talking about is to sell the filipino people to the highest bidder. Meaning the OFW. How can you even believe her when she already proven herself to be the number one liar.
May 23rd, 2007 at 1:47 am
Ricky,
Please dont be confused about our economic growth dahil malakas ang piso kontra dolyar. Kaya lang naman tayo nakakaahon kahit papaano sa dollar ay dahil sa mga kababayan nating nagtatrabaho sa ibang bansa. Yun lang ang dahilan at wala ng iba. Kung lahat ng overseas workers ay uuwi ng Pilipinas you think our economy will stand a chance? Sa sobrang hirap ng buhay dyan sa atin sa Pinas ay kailangang isakripisyo ng ating mga kababayan ang kanilang pamilya upang mangibang bayan para lang may pantawid gutom. Kung tinupad sana ni Arroyo yung pangako nyang 6 million jobs e baka di na maubos ang mga skilled workers dyan sa Pinas. Kung umuunlad ang ating ekonomiya bakit maslalong lumaki ang utang ng Pilipinas mula ng maupo si Gloria Mandaraya Arroyo (GMA)? Bakit parang nanghihingi tayo lagi ng limos or economic aid sa Amerika, Australia, Japan at China? Kung talagang naeengganyo ang mga turistang magbakasyon bakit kaliwat kanang advisory mula sa Amerika at Australia discouraging their citizens in going to our country? And lastly, kung maayos o walang gulo dyan sa atin, bakit napakaraming namamatay na partylist member and media under the Arroyo administration? Imagine 50+ media killed and an average of 70+ a year political activist die in the Philippines? Ang tanging naacomplish ng GMA Government ay ilagay ang Pilipinas sa pinaka corrupt na bansa sa Asya, number 2 sa political and press killing sunod sa Iraq, at number one sa election related violence….Wake up!!! o di kayay maligo ka ng yelo para magising ka sa katotohanan.
May 20th, 2007 at 2:12 pm
The moment those foreign observers announced their verdict how the election was conducted and left, foreign and local businessmen with their money arrived,the phil. stock exchange is in an all time high since 1927?The peso rose again!!!…how ironic.
May 19th, 2007 at 8:39 am
Hey maybe ricky is right! This has nothing to do with rampant fraud, bombings, shootings and teachers getting burned to death to steal ballots. The problem is these pesky foreigners! Let’s get rid of them, and all their snobbish foreign aid, and all that sullied foreign investment and tourist money. Who needs it?
May 19th, 2007 at 12:24 am
Im ashamed that we again allowed ourselves to be dictated by FOREIGNERS in every aspects of how we as a country and as a people should behave!!!This foreign observers were the judge&jury and convicted the entire Filipino nation as a failure and the sad part is some so called”filipino intellect agreed”.Confusion,sometimes chaotic…of course because we have 30-40 million voters and 800000 candidates!!!It is unfair to compare philippine election to singapore or even afghanistan if we consider the number of voters and candidates and financial resources available.Singapore is like a big theme park(city state).If a foreigner tells us that we are ugly should we believe them?TO ALL FILIPINOS ITS ABOUT TIME WE BELIEVE IN OURSELVES.
May 18th, 2007 at 2:23 pm
Rene Villar:
In america voting here is computerizer all the candidates names, From President senator and so on is printer on the computer all you have to do is click, click, click. And if you made a mistake you can correct it, After you done voting you can print it so that your votes has been recorder. Nobody can cheat at all….
But if the election in the philippines will be computerizer they make sure that they’re going to make the program so that the can cheat. Its make very easy for them to check its depend on how the program the computer.
But if the program it just like here in the states they can’t cheat at all because after the voters finish voting he/she can print it. I hope in 2010 election philippines election will be computerizer that if Gloria Arroyo, Didn’t succeed on their cheating operation. If they succeed on their cheating operation she’ll be in power forever. Hello, Cha, cha….
May 18th, 2007 at 9:11 am
i am a citizen of philippines but to comment about election it’s very useless to have. it’s very shameful around the world that filipinos are cheaters and killers. we don’t know when will be philippines become like singapore which law is stricktly implemented.
May 18th, 2007 at 8:42 am
Borging, excellent note regarding the payments of voters…
This is happening in huge numbers in the provinces…
As I wrote earlier in another post, Samar is yet another hotspot where a lot of “bayaran” is taking place…
May 18th, 2007 at 7:29 am
The elections were pathetic..I haven’t heard of ONE legal and untampered voting district…maybe the Philippines need to have the armies at each voting station, to insure that the people can vote the way they truely want to, that their votes are acurately counted, without fear of being killed or harrassed.
May 18th, 2007 at 3:06 am
Here in cagayan de oro, you may not believe but some of my “tambay” neighbors were being hired and paid just to vote at Marawi somewhere going to Iligan City by using some questionable voters. Also in my wife’s place , talisayan,misamis oriental almost all people there received money the night before the election.For every councilor usually gave not less than 20 pesos and for mayors or congressmen/women runners gave at most 500 pesos per person. Damn if this is the way our government is handling the next time an election comes ill move to remote areas just to receive payments and of course from now on i cannot trust government anymore about election.That is why most of my co-workers were not voting this years election because of the common scenarios’ happening.
May 18th, 2007 at 1:21 am
With Comelec direct involvement in 2004 election of Arroyo marred with Garcillano tape scandal, no wonder why there is NO reason to TRUST Comelec anymore! With Comelec “voting manipulations”, only the politicians that bear Arroyo administration seal will win, that is scandalous! If if there is an agency that needs a quick rebump, it should be the COMELEC!
May 18th, 2007 at 12:51 am
Rene, If Cayetano gets in, he may just move ahead with an IMPEACHMENT for the COMELEC commissioners..
You’re right, a revamp is definitely needed, and maybe many of the government institutions as well.. but who will take the initiative?
May 17th, 2007 at 11:01 pm
Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha,….I’m glad that even yon mga dayohan nakikita nila kong ano ka corrupt this bugos regime of Gloria Arroyo.
I’m glad that they all see all those bought buying, Intemiditating people among other things! I’am also glad that they find out how this bugos President of cebu with her cronies run this country.
If philippines election will be computerizer good. But, Its going to be easy for them to cheat. Either way, They’re going to cheat one way or the other especially if their life depend on it. Just like Gloria Arroyo, Her life depend on her candidates this election.
But, If they succeeded on cheating either way she’s dead meat. So she better think again for contenueing their cheating. I don’t think filipino people going to take it setting down. I don’t think the filipino people going to let her get away with it. When that happen there is more blood going to spell on the street because her AFP/PNP the one going to do all the killing.
Just like whats happening right now.
May 17th, 2007 at 10:43 pm
Yes Monday Lessons, you can come to their countries and observe. Even inside the precincts foreign observers can go, unlike in the Philippines. They can even observe the checking of the voters’ cards agianst the register of voters. And all that without the risk of being thrown in jail for six years and face deportation as so nicely reported even in this otherwise good newspaper. They can watch if people can vote in privacy, they can watch how votes are counted, and guess there are even ballots in those countries with the names of all the candidates properly printed on it so one just has to circle the candidate of choice. So why do we not send the COMELEC on a tour to the world of real elections to observe?
May 17th, 2007 at 9:29 pm
[...] Eleksyon 2007 Blog : Foreign observers still dismayed [...]
May 17th, 2007 at 8:26 pm
A hard lesson in life is all abouth TRUTH!
the truth is really painful deep inside and out!
we failed to prove to the world how strong our democracy is! we failed to hide the truth from the foreign observers as they have seen the realities of philippine elections, how the poor electorate people were manipulated, how their votes were bought before they cast their votes.
sad to note, that the only important thing is to hold power at whatever cost. sad to say that the political system is controlled only by the elite families and their cronies/associates which dictated on whom to vote. is this democracy?
i’d better say not!
there is no genuine reform! the people will suffer to the very end. true peace will be achieved only at one’s tomb? i hope i’m just wrong!
May 17th, 2007 at 8:08 pm
Everybody, from top level officials on down, are probably salivating over the prospect of a computerized elections. Just imagine the percentage of kickback each one gets when undertaking a multi-million project such as this. COMELEC officials themselves need to get revamped.
May 17th, 2007 at 5:33 pm
Yes ,it’s peaceful alright. Fanatical diehards of politicians put to rest in peace those who cross their way. And we are shameless to invite foreign observers to see us washing our very dirty linen in international public. Can we do the same to their own respective countries, I mean, observe how they conduct their elections and nitpick?
May 17th, 2007 at 5:32 pm
An appeal of ANAD Party List