Jonas Joseph “Jay Jay” Burgos son of late Freedom Fighter Jose Burgos, Jr. Missing

UPDATE 5/1 4:06 pm on Burgos disappearance

According to ABS-CBN News a witness went to the station to report on what he saw regarding the abduction of Jonas Joseph “Jay Jay”

Burgos.

The witness identifying himself only as “Randy” for his own safety and security that he saw what happened and requested further that his face not be shown on TV.

According to reports he immediately recognizes Burgos from the picture shown by Dr. Edith Burgos in her appeal to locate her missing son.

The witness narrated seeing Burgos eating alone at “Hapag-Kainan” restaurant at Ever Gotesco Mall at Commonwealth Avenue last Saturday around 1:00 p.m.

Burgos was abruptly approached by 4 “bodyguard” (burly) looking men stroking the shoulder of the victim to put him at ease. At this instance he was dragged out despite the victims shouting for help saying: “Tulungan ninyo ako, dinudukot ako, Aktibista ako” (Help me, I am being abducted, I am an activist).

It was learned that out of fear and intimidation no one dared to help the victim and things just got back to normal as if no disturbing incident just happened.

A visit at Ellen Tordesillas blog showed more disturbing development asking to pray for Burgos, which I quote:

A former colleague in Malaya last night texted me they have information that it was elements of ISAFP (Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines) that abducted Jayjay. “Please pray,” she said.

Let’s hope and pray that this is not the case. How sad that even Recto recognizes the contribution of the elder Burgos and truly this is a reflection of an ingrate instead of honoring our debt of gratitude has his son abducted under her watch is truly disturbing.

________________________________________________________

I have to break the One Day Blog Silence, to not bring this out to public attention will be a dishonor to one of our unsung heroes of the dark days of Marcos Dictatorship. Joe Burgos is the Publisher of the We Forum and Malaya during the height of Marcos repressive dictatorial regime courageously publishing independent unbiased news at a time when most of the big publications were cowering in fear or virtually shut down.

Jonas Joseph “Jay Jay” Burgos, 36, married with one child of San Miguel, Bulacan went missing since the evening of April 28. According to distraught relatives who feared he was abducted by military agents when he did not show up to attend their family reunion in Quezon City.

Jay Jay, an agriculture graduate of the Benguet State University (BSU), is a trainor of the Alyansa ng Magbubukid sa Bulacan (AMB), an affiliate of the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP).

A good natured man who is so giving who will give what he has if he felt others need it most even down to his shirt and slippers, according to mother of Jonas Dr. Edith Burgos. The relatives feared his disappearance may have been tied to his membership to an organization tagged by the military as an “enemy of the state”. Dr. Edith Burgos is appealing to the military and police for help in finding her son, to quote:

“I am appealing to anyone who knows where my son is to please, help us find my son. I am also appealing to those who took him, please, don’t hurt him. If he has done something wrong, please, give us the chance to do something about it,” she said.

Burgos said her son has no known enemies and said he was an active member of AMB since 1988.

The young

Burgos was reportedly with a certain Melissa Reyes, a mother of four, and a still unidentified male companion when they disappeared. Reyes’ relatives, according to Burgos, said Melissa failed to go home on Saturday night.

The chilling events prior to his disappearance came more than a week after masked men on board a van barged into the house of Joseph Canlas, chairman of the Alyansa ng Magbubukid sa Gitnang Luson (AMGL), and tried to abduct him.

Fortunately, Canlas was not home when the attackers came and manhandled his relatives and stole their cellular phones.

Meanwhile, the Families of Desaparacedos for Justice (Desaparacidos) condemned the disappearance of Burgos and Reyes.

“This is a brazen act which only state security forces will have the motive and gall to carry out. It’s ironic that it happened to a member of the Burgos family that had opposed and survived Martial Law and sill continues to defend civil rights and press freedom,” spokesperson Ghay Portajada said.

Portajada noted that the disappearance happened not in a remote village in the countryside, but in

Quezon City.

The group claimed that a total of 198 people have become victims of enforced disappearances since President Arroyo took power in January 2001.

Dr. Editha Chavez Tronqued Burgos describing the younger

Burgos as:

“Kamukha ng asawa ko, parang mapayat at batang Joe Burgos ‘yon, na walang salamin, Editha Chavez Tronqued Burgos told radio dzBB on Monday when she appealed for help on the whereabouts of his son.

While no one has determined what he may be wearing Dr. Burgos told DZBB that her son usually wears denim pants and T-shirt. It was reported that it was very unusual for the younger Burgos not to inform people if he is not able to come on scheduled appointments or family meetings or gatherings. His disappearance is very uncharacteristic of his diligence in informing people if he can make it or not in his appointments especially family gatherings.

This is very sad indeed, if this is how we repay our debt of gratitude to a man who risked life and limbs inspiring and enlightening people of the evils of the dictatorship by abducting his son instead of honoring him is the lowest of the low. It does not come as a surprise though because this Lady was nowhere or heard of during the dark days of martial rule. If she can create a wedge and make enemies of those who propped her up to power it really does not come as a surprise that she is bound to follow the footstep of the Marcosian dictatorship.

Bring this case to the attention of the US Congress and other influential people in the west and show the world what has become of this once proud bastion of democracy in the Far East as nothing more but a nation on the verge of another Marcosian rule.

One of Edith’s sons has already reported the incident to the police, anyone who could help her find Jay Jay can contact her through her cellular phone no. 0928-7551449.

On Banners and what can be done with it.

The potential of the internet is indeed limitless; this is just like a cyber playground where one can indulge in bringing out that creativity that you never realized you had in you. The best part is that most of the resources out there are free for the taking.

Some sites like High Power Graphics offers free banners that you can customize on site. It is such an amazing site where one does not need to be an IT person to figure out and best of all is, it is wysiwyg.

Here is one for this BOGUS PARTY LIST that I linked with BARE THE LIST site of Akbayan.

Here is one that hopefully will make people think twice before they indulge in mindless partisan administratong errr administration and opportunist yikes I meant opposition hollow choice of candidates which I linked to the Migrant Manifesto for Issue-based Electoral Contest.

This is hilarious and maybe it’s about time we use the Department of Justice facility to complain and report Gonzales as an embarrassment to his profession and his office.

Medium 468 x 60

Small 240 x 31 (good side widget)

To give these people a hard time I wanted to share the codes, unfortunately I have not figured out how to hang the code in blogs..... not yet anyway, lol...... or maybe never. So as not to disapoint those who want the banners for their blogs just email the Urot errr this wanna be author and I will gladly send them to you.

On Extra-Judicial Killings and disapearance the need to get this out in the public is a must, after all if the Philippines is indeed a civilized nation it should learn to respect human life as the most sacred and no one has the right to play god.

Filipinos in the US Support Fr. Ed’s Electoral Crusade

San Francisco (April 27, 2007) - As the May 14 election in the Philippines closes in overseas Filipinos are also registering their support and preferences in their hometowns’ politics. The Kapampangans in California launched a fund-raising campaign to bankroll the candidacy of priest-turned-politician Fr. Ed Panlilio and his crusade for “moral leadership and good governance.”

On April 29, a holy mass for peaceful and honest elections in the Philippines is scheduled 3 p.m. at the St. Anne of the Sunset Catholic Church (at 850 Judah Street) in San Francisco, California.

After the mass, a community reception and a meeting on how Filipinos can support Panlilio and his cause will follow.

"Our kabalens in the Bay Area continue to clamor for a concrete action to show our participation and concern for moral leadership and good governance through the coming national elections in our beloved Philippines next month. Please come and invite families, friends and others to this significant event and exercise of our faith in God's promise and love for our country, the Philippines," according to the flyers distributed in the internet.

A similar event is also organized in the Southern Group of Kapampangans, headed by the Southern Minalenians, in support of Panlilio, on April 29 at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 4950 Santa Monica Blvd, Hollywood. The 4 p.m. mass is to be officiated by Fr. Rodel Balagtas, a Kapampangan parish priest.

“Fr. Ed Panlilio always has the ear to the plight of the poor, listens to the cry (for help of Pampanga). He takes off his robe. He takes the sacrificial plunge to help. He runs for governor of Pampanga," according to the Minalenian Club where the priest also come from.

However, the group believed that the undertaking involves lots of money especially against rivals who possess well-oiled political machineries – the incumbent Mark Lapid and Board member Lilia Pineda. The Lapids are identified with the alleged illegal quarry operations and the Pinedas with jueteng operations in the province.

For more information on the ‘Campaign to Support Fr. Ed’, you can contact MC Canlas at 415-513-5442 and Fr. Ray at 415-412-1358.
____________________________________________________
You don't have to be a Kapampangan to support this noble worthy cause, take a stand and support Fr. Ed Panlilio to dislodge illegal Jueteng and Quarry funded political leaders lording Pampanga, join the mass and donate, help a good man lead the province out of moral bankcruptcy.

CI

related articles:

The Man Who Could Save PAMPANGA

Fr. ED Against all ODDS

Where is Ma. Luisa Posa-Dominado & Nilo Arado?

An appeal posted at TALSIK YAHOO GROUP to help find 2 missing Political Activist, reportedly abducted at gunpoint, any tip or info related to the case please send email to beyondgma@yahoo.com. The only leads so far: The victims' vehicle was found burned in Januiay, Iloilo, Philippines for more information on the case visit Arkibong Bayan.

FACTSHEET

Case: Abduction Frustrated Murder

Victims: Ma. Luisa Posa- Dominado

Nilo Arado

Jose Ely T. Garachico

Date of Incident: April 12, 2007

9:30 pm

Place of Incident: Brgy. Cabanbanan, Oton, Iloilo

Perpetrators: Unidentfied armed men

Date of Documentation: April 13, 2007

A black Mitsubishi L200 pick-up with plate number FEA 789 carrying Ma. Luisa Dominado, Nilo Arado, and Jose Ely Garachico was blocked by a Mitsubishi van with unidentified armed men at Brgy. Cabanbanan (around 7 km. from Iloilo City), Oton, Iloilo, April 12, 9:30 pm.

Garachico, 51, public information officer of the human rights groups Karapatan in Panay, was shot in the neck by an unknown caliber firearm and was ordered to get off the driver's seat. He was left behind.

Garachico may undergo surgery to remove the slug still embedded in his chest. He is currently in the intensive care unit of the Iloilo Doctors Hospital in Iloilo City.

Dominado, 52, is the spokesperson of the Samahan nga mga Ex-Detainees Laban sa Detensyon at Para sa Amnestiya (Selda-Panay). Arado, 39, is chairperson of the militant Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan), regional coordinator of Anakpawis in Panay and national council member of the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas. Both were forcibly taken into a green Mitsubishi van with plate number FVF 463, according to the police blotter report of Oton Municipal Police Station

Witnesses, however, claim that Dominado was forced on-board a white/gray van with plate number FVF 463. Arado was taken forced separately into a maroon Starex vehicle (GEW/GEM 874/847).

Garachico told investigators that they were on their way home from the capital town of San Jose in Antique when they noticed a green colored Mitsubishi van tailing them from Guimbal town, 24 km south of Iloilo City. SPO3 RA Acuesta, SPO2 LH Haro, PO3 MH Corpin, PO3 Jo Gatuslao, PO2 JRS Pabalan, and`PO2 JVG Minerva Sr. of the Oton Municipal Police station conducted the investigation.


The three had just attended an assembly of the partylist group Anakpawis in the province of Antique. Garachico tried to outrun the van but it managed to overtake their vehicle at Brgy. Parara, Tigbauan, Iloilo and cut the path of the vehicle of the activists in Barangay Cabanbanan, Oton.

The pickup truck of the activists were found at dawn of April 13 badly burned at a sugarcane field in Janiuay town 33 north west of Iloilo City or 30 km from where the victims were waylaid.

Insp. Efren Nimbra, Janiuay police chief, said residents of Barangay Guadalupe reported to the police after they saw the van in flames shortly after they heard a loud explosion between 2:00am -3:00 am, April 13.

As of this writing, the whereabouts of Nilo Arado and Ma. Luisa Dominado could not be ascertained.

Capt. Lowen Gil Marquez, Chief of 32nd Civil Relations Unit (32nd CRU) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in Iloilo dispelled accusations that the AFP is behind the incident. Marquez asserted that investigators should also look at other possible angles like business conflicts involving the victims, `ambush me" theory, and the rift within the Communist Party of the Philippines where disgruntled elements may have a direct hand in the incident. #

Prepared by:

KARAPATAN-Panay

c/o Room 203 La Salette Bldg.

Valeria St., Iloilo City

Tel./Fax No. (033) 300-0408

Below is the account of the most recent cased of political repression in the country. Attached is the statement of May Wan and Tamara Dominado, the daughters of Ma. Luisa Posa-Dominado on the forcible disappearance of their mother.

I have known, Ma. Luisa or Luing during the Marcos dictatorship period when we were both imprisoned in Iloilo in July 1973 and then transferred to Cebu and finally to Ipil Detention Center. She was I think only 18 years old at that time but was already committed to the struggle to end the dictatorship and to fight for a better life for the majority of our people.

She was imprisoned several times after being released in 1974, the last time I think during the Aquino administration. I remember seeing a poster of her and her daughter May Wan, who was only a young girl at that time asking for her release. May Wan is now a law graduate and was supposed to start her bar review classes at the UP Law Center this summer when her mother was abducted. She won't be able to review this summer as she and her daughter join other relatives of victims of human rights violation in the country in seeking justice for their loved ones.

Luing has been in the forefront of organizing former political detainees in Iloilo and Panay through SELDA and has been one of those who successfully lobbied the city government to have a memorial containing the names of those who were killed or have disappeared during the martial law years erected in one of Iloilo City's plazas.

It is with heavy heart that I learned of her abduction together with Nilo Arado of Anak Pawis Panay and the attempted murder of Liboy Garachico of KARAPATAN last April 12. Luing , Nilo and Liboy who survived the long dark years of the Marcos dictatorship are the latest victims of the present administration Oplan Bantay Laya policy.

The Macapagal-Arroyo regime continues to trample on people's rights in spite of widespread local and international condemnation of the extrajudicial killings and forceable disappearance of activists in the country. Her public commendation in her 2006 State of the Nation Address of Former General Jovito Palparan who has been implicated in many cases of political killings and disappearances in Mindoro, Samar, Leyte, Bulacan and Pampanga gave official blessings to the
military to continue with the extermination of activists, personalities and citizens considered "enemies of the state".

I join May Wan and Tamara Dominado and the relatives of Nilo Arado in their appeal to surface Ma. Luisa Posa-Dominado and Nilo Arado. Please write letters to the following calling on the release of Luing and Nilo.

H.E. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
President of the Republic
Malacanang Palace,
JP Laurel St., San Miguel
Manila Philippines
Voice: (+632) 564 1451 to 80
Fax: (+632) 742-1641 / 929-3968
Cell#: (+ 63) 919 898 4622 / (+63) 917 839 8462
E-mail: corres@op.gov.ph, opnet@ops.gov.ph

Sec. Jesus D. Dureza
Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process
*Office of the Peace Process
7th Floor Agustin Building I
Emerald Avenue
Pasig City 1605
Voice: +63 (2) 636 0701 to 066
Mobile:
Fax: +63 (2) 635 9579
Email: osec@opapp.gov.ph

Gen. Hermogenes Ebdane, (Ret.)
Secretary, Department of National Defense
Room 301 DND Building, Camp Emilio Aguinaldo,
E. de los Santos Avenue
Quezon City
Voice: +63(2) 911-9281 / 911-0488
Fax: +63(2) 911 6213
Email: osnd@philonline.com

Sec. Raul M. Gonzalez
Secretary of Justice
Padre Faura Street, Manila
Direct Line 521-8344; 5213721
Trunkline 523-84-81 loc.214
Telefax 521-1614
Email: sad@doj.gov.ph
or log on to Web site.

Hon. Purificacion V. Quisumbing
Chairperson, Commission on Human Rights
SAAC Bldg., UP Complex
Commonwealth Avenue
Dilim Quezon City
Philippines
Fax: (+632) 929 0102
Email: drpvq@chr.gov.ph

Thank you.

Prof. Judy M. Taguiwalo
Former Political Prisoner
Associate Professor
College of Social Work and Community Development
University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City
Philippines

==================

At around 9:30 PM, April 12, 2007, Ma. Luisa Posa-Dominado of SELDA-Panay, Jose Ely "Liboy" Garachico of KARAPATAN, and Nilo Arado of BAYAN-Panay and ANAKPAWIS were on their way to Iloilo City from Antique when they were ambushed at Brgy. Cabanbanan, Oton, Iloilo, Phlippines. Their vehicle, a Mitsubishi L200 pick-up, was overtaken by two vans. Two armed men got off from one of the vans, shot the driver, Liboy Garachico, who was then grabbed and thrown to the street. Witnesses saw that an unconscious Nilo Arado was carried off to an L300 van while a resisting Ma. Luisa Posa-Dominado was dragged to a Starex van. One of the suspects then took the victims' vehicle and sped off to an unknown destination along with the two other vans.

The witnesses immediately rushed to the wounded Liboy Garachico and brought him to Iloilo Doctor's Hospital. At around 4 AM of the next day, the victims' burned vehicle was found at Brgy. Guadalupe, Janiuay, Iloilo.

At the moment, both Ma. Luisa Posa-Dominado and Nilo Arado are still missing and Garachico is still in the ICU.

The Posa Family condemns this brutal act. We hope that our relatives, friends and the sympathetic public will persistently support our call for the release of Ma.Luisa Posa-Dominado and Nilo Arado and pressure their abductors to bring them back alive and unharmed. We pray for the complete recovery of Liboy Garachico. We demand that the perpetrators be brought into the open to face the full force of the law.

Let us fight to stop all political repression and extrajudicial killings!

Join the SAVE MA. LUISA POSA-DOMINADO AND NILO ARADO MOVEMENT!

Sign the Petition STOP THE EXTRAJUDICIAL KILLINGS IN THE PHILIPPINES NOW!!!.


Subscribe in a reader Click on the images to receive your free email updates
POGB will not sell, exchange, use or allow any 3rd party access to your email for
any other purposes without exception, email exclusively for article updates only.

Human Rights Social Issues Philippine Politics

Candle Light Prayer for Clean, Honest & Credible 07 Election

Yesterday April 25, 2007 is the start of the Candle Light Prayer for Clean, Honest and Credible elections with Kontra Daya (the group that came up with a list of 22 Bogus Party List) and ecumenical groups converging at the Comelec headquarters’ in Plaza Roma. They held ecumenical service and lighting of candles asking the people to be vigilant as moves to undermine the election persist. The Garci scandal that to this point has been unresolved makes them skeptical of the covenant entered into by the AFP and PPCRV, who wouldn’t be? Everywhere you look it seems that all indications points to some Macao cooking and this people are not even from Macao. Just look at what I saw at my cyber Buddy Schumey’s blog The Philippine Experience post, which was gathered from ANC on Tonypet Albano and Adel Tamano giving the figures during separate interviews:

Election Expenditure Update: Team Unity who boasts of 12-0 sweep has already spent close to P3 Billion in their campaign. The Genuine Opposition for their part has spent P380.

Now who wouldn’t be skeptical, this is outrageous and at a time when huge sectors of society are reduced to poverty this squandering Fooliticians spends money as if it was going out of style. Nothing is sacred in this land of madaya, I hope they are not bragging when they divulge such irrational figures.

And then we have the Justice Secretary of all people and the office he represents truly makes a mockery of our electoral contest a process that is supposed to be the hallmark of the sanctity of peoples voices drowned in vulgar “ignorance” of the law or was it senility. Imagine a Justice Secretary feigning ignorance rationalizing his bribe offer as “common election practice” truly makes Goebbel scream, shake rattle and roll in laughter in his grave for his disciples’ believing in their own concoction. Let me just quote this Inquirer Breaking News and see how pathetic it is:

"I will now keep my mouth shut."

Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez on Thursday told reporters he will not longer talk about the P10,000 he offered to barangay (village) captains in Iloilo City for a 12-0 sweep for TEAM (Together Everyone Achieves More) Unity.

After the justice chief came under fire for the offer, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said it would investigate Gonzalez.

Asked about the Comelec's response, Gonzalez said: "Bahala sila [It’s up to them]."

But he said he never thought his offer would be such a big deal because it is a common election practice.

Now how pathetic or revolting is that and to top it all he was even blaming and accusing Radio Bombo for “leaking” the bribe offer when it was he who broadcast the offer in his radio program at DWIZ. Is that a sign of dementia or pure arrogance? He could not even remember what he did and did not even see anything illegal with what he did makes you wonder what kind of justice we have since he is the man in charge of that department.

After all this can we blame Kontra Daya being skeptical with the AFP? Aside from the above development, Fr. Joe Dizon spelled out the reason for their skepticism which I quote:

The AFP-initiated covenant is just a PR gimmick to try to make people forget that the military played a major role in facilitating massive electoral fraud in 2004. The military wants the people to think they are incapable of doing massive cheating for the elections. Of all the signatories in the covenant, it is the AFP which sticks out like a sore thumb.

While we don’t doubt the good intentions of the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting and the other signatories to the covenant for honest and peaceful elections, we certainly feel a great unease over the pronouncements of the AFP. The AFP hasn’t even acknowledged and atoned for its involvement in the

Garci fraud in 2004.

What the AFP says in its covenant is different from what it is doing in reality. The harassment of voters continues. The intimidation of activists remain. How can there be honest and peaceful elections if the AFP is a party to the violence and harassment against voters. We have received reports that the AFP is also conducting election operations in other cities in the provinces.

The covenant may be used to justify the militarization of the Metro. This is a dangerous and worrisome scenario we are looking at. The covenant may backfire on the other signatories and on the voters themselves.

The Plan of AFP to hold community forums next week they feared may just be an excuse of using it as a platform to intensify militarization in the guise of campaigning for clean elections. Really, what business does a Military have in “educating” the voting public when they have not cleared their outfit of their role in the last Garcified election?

Photo courtesy: Arkibong Bayan

For totally free subscription by email on the latest articles click this ---> Pedestrian Observer

I wonder who are behind these?

There is a site on the net that mocks Wikipedia named UncyclopediA and it can be edited by people that registers to their site. So far, they have this on:

Gloring Macapal-Arroyo (also known as P-GMHey, Mrs. Jose Pidal, GMA, Tuta ng Kano, Ewok and Dwarf, ) (born April 5, 1947) is the current Furher and 14th president of the Philippines. She is the country's second female president after Kurakot Akilobut she is still the shortest President (Rumor has it, that the only reason people stand up during her speeches is because she is too short to be seen).She is the son of former President Dios-daddy Macapal before she had Sex Change Surgery, according to medical reports, her surgeon was drunk with vodka and took also most of height think it was the thing....

She is being identifed as "the mole" because of her mole in her left cheek and the shortest president in the world. She is currently tutoring George W. Bush on how to stay in office despite the politcally and complextion damaging social/political issues. She is currently teaching him under the presidential table to avoid the media.

On the side under the heading Gloring Macapal-Ayoko complete with a manipulated likeness animation of GMA:

Order 14th President of the Philippines
(4th President of the 5th Republic)
(1st Fuhrer of the 6^th
Republic aka Banana Republic)

Term of office January 20, 2001 –xxxxxx xx, xxxx

Vice President Tio-fist Gingula (2001–2004)

Boli de Broadcastro (2004–present)

Predecessor Josef "Sherap" Espada

Successor Gloria Macapagal v2

Hmmmmn, what do you think? Go to their site and check it out...... if that's any indication of how she is perceived and a measure of her unpopularity in what people post on that site then she is beyond political redemption.

Arrest Gonzales, Abalos & the rest of the 07 Election Jokers!

In an Inquirer breaking news Comelec Regional Director Renato Magbutay was quoted as saying:

The giving of money is prohibited in the campaign period especially by candidates to officials or supporters. That is considered vote-buying," Comelec Regional Director Renato Magbutay said in a telephone interview.

Magbutay said, however, that the poll body cannot act to determine if Gonzalez violated any election law if there is no formal complaint and no witness comes forward to execute an affidavit.

Magbutay pointed out that while Gonzalez is not a candidate, his son and namesake Raul Gonzalez Jr. is running for re-election as congressman of the city.

What a joke a cruel one at that and here I am so elated at the news that Comelec is now seriously doing their job with such “bold” statement only to take it back like a yoyo. Boy was I wrong. What is this guy thinking or what’s the point of yakity yak in the press when he can’t even back up his stand on the illegality of the injustice secretary’s OFFER?

Is he joking or is he a joker is an apt question on this untouchable constitutional body making a mockery of the people’s right to choose as if all this exercise is just a game. A game of fools I might say where the people are played by players of the inutile and incompetent ones.

Por dios por santo que barbaridad the provision is very clear and any which way you look at it points to the culpability of Gonzales, to quote:

Section 261 of the Omnibus Election Code states that a person is guilty of vote-buying or vote-selling if the person "gives, offers or promises money or anything of value, gives or promises any office or employment, franchise or grant, public or private, or makes or offers to make an expenditure, directly or indirectly, or cause an expenditure to be made to any person, association, corporation, entity, or community in order to induce anyone or the public in general to vote for or against any candidate or withhold his vote in the election, or to vote for or against any aspirant for the nomination or choice of a candidate in a convention or similar selection process of a political party."

P10K per burangay captain to be exact is the OFFER so in the depreciated peso of this (appreciated peso daw according to the lady who cheats errr seats by the murky Pasig River) Cheating Republic it’s probably worthless, the “OFFER OF VALUE” therefore does not count? Any right thinking individual will see this clearly and why are we not doing something about this brazen arrogance abusing their cheat errr seat of office, idiotizing (to borrow Mr. take no prisoner Abaya’s term) the people in the process?

How about Abalos proudly announcing in printed madaya errr media his big brother’s accomplishment and seeing “nothing” wrong in his "nomination" as the tricycle drivers “advocate” is just pathetic. How about Borra did you not say you will prosecute those announcing the names of the nominees? Shame on these people the “violation” is right under their very noses and they seem to get blinded by their arrogance. Arrest Abalos Borra, or is this just another hollow stance of grandstanding like a clown act in a Comelect that's more like a circus? How about the fixers are you also waiting for some "witness" to come out before you conduct an investigation? Heck who in the name of kurdapya will volunteer to be a witness? After seeing what happened to Acsa Ramirez a witness turned suspect by no less than the cheat errr chief of state, do they think people will be that motivated to come out? Oh, yeah besides they are so busy in this election so what's the rush, they are soooo "overworked", we may be be expecting too much.

Just in case Borra is true to his word that is if they even have a clue what they are bragging about he should order the arrest of Dante Ang too the godfather of the Confederation of Mothers with his dear baby boy Klink as the nominee.

Going back to the callous injustice secretary herewith is his incriminating interview over the phone:

Justice Secretary Gonzalez has offered P10,000 to each of the 180 village captains of Iloilo City or a total of P1.8 million if all TEAM Unity candidates win in their villages.

Gonzalez, a staunch ally of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, confirmed that he made the offer during a meeting with the village captains in a restaurant here last Sunday.

"It's a prize if they will work for the sweep," Gonzalez told the Philippine Daily Inquirer in a telephone interview.

So is he telling us that Section 261does not apply in his case and in the absence of the act of giving, he can announce to the whole world his offer and suffer no consequence for it? The law specifically stated OFFER so what’s the deal, what are the math geniuses waiting for? Now I know when this guy goes into private practice not to use or recommend the man he seems to have some comprehension problem in interpreting the meaning of OFFER which he says is a “PRIZE” hesumalosep no matter how you twist it, that is still a violation. So what are the people paying them for if they can’t even arrest blatant transgression of this magnitude? Or is it because as some some numb nut would say, someone needs to execute an affidavit. Well guess what, diligent authorities will not wait like Juan Tanga errrr Tamad for the fruit to fall but order police agencies to investigate and seek out witnesses to build a case. Duh, getting dumber and dumber, let's get rid of these people …… vote them out of office. Hit them where it hurts the most don’t let any of the administratong backed local candidates win. Let’s look for local leaders of integrity support the likes of Fr. Ed Panlilio, Martin Bautista, Zosimo Paredes, Adrian Sison and seek out those who will bring back sanity in our political office.
_____________________________________________________________

UPDATE: 2:44 PM 4/25/07

Looks like Abalos is getting it and finally orders law enforcement agencies to conduct an investigation regarding Gonzales' offer of P10K to Barangay captains as reported in the latest breaking news of Inquirer. Let’s hope it’s not just in the papers but actual investigation is conducted and appropriate charges filed. Abalos was quoted as saying:

MANILA, Philippines -- The Commission on Elections (Comelec) directed its law department on Wednesday to investigate if Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez violated election laws when he said he would award P10,000 to each village captain in Iloilo City who would deliver a TEAM Unity sweep in the May midterm elections.

The Comelec might even invite the controversial Cabinet secretary for "questioning."

"We want to get his exact statement so we might invite him for questioning," Comelec chairman Benjamin Abalos, Sr. said in a press conference in Manila.

Abalos explained that "anything equivalent to vote buying is illegal."

"In vote buying, even a promise by itself is already illegal," Abalos said.

Finally they seem to interpret the law accordingly that an offer is in itself illegal, but then again he seems to exonerate himself with this statement:

He said that people with "political positions" were not barred from expressing support for candidates as long as they would not make promises to the electorate or use even their "personal money," in exchange for votes.

Maybe if we see some seriousness in the overseeing of the electoral process and they themselves abide by it they may fish out their credibility out of the toilet. Welcome to the real world of Philippine politics where hypocrisy rules. How convenient, he knows that he himself endorsed his big brother thus there's nothing "wrong" for people of "political position" to act like him. His is worse because he is the head of "neutral" body overseeing the electoral contest itself.

In a subsequent interview, Abalos told the Philippine Daily Inquirer that after seeing Wednesday's newspaper reports on Gonzalez's statements, he directed the law department to conduct an investigation.

"Apparently he made an offer and he was quoted in the newspapers. We no longer need a complaint to be filed before us. Kung ganun nga ang ginawa niya [If that’s what he really did] as reported in the newspapers, if it were true, he might be liable," Abalos said in a phone interview.

But then again I should not complain at least they are headed in the right direction as far as Gonzales is concerned but it could be better……. arrest yourself too Mr. Abalos.

To get timely updates on the latest articles click this to---> Subscribe to Pedestrian Observer by Email

Catch "The Hurricane" the rising sensation

The Hurricane has struck the Filipino American Community; unlike the tropical storm that wrecks havoc in the pacific this one is widely anticipated by the Filipino American community. Her name is Ana “The Hurricane” Julaton described by one of the greatest boxing trainer Freddie Roach where she used to train with in their reunion as having a fast jab, a great right….. very strong quick right and excellent very powerful left hook…… and solid fundamentals.

She is the newest Filipina boxing sensation to arrive at the scene and at the Dela Hoya vs. Mayweather press conference in SF city hall, Oscar De La Hoya one of the greatest boxing idol had some solid advice for her. Oscar “the Golden Boy” Dela Hoya in his signature smile had this to say: “Ana they told me a long time ago to always protect my face….. I’d like for you to do the same!”

Less than three years of experience in the ring, the Alameda-based 25-year-old, who weighs 125 pounds, has won several boxing titles, including the San Francisco and California State Golden Gloves and the Diamond Belt—the first and probably the only Filipino female boxer to do so.

Don’t let Julaton’s slight frame fool you, her quick powerful moves have produced a 20-10 amateur record and helped her earn the No. 4 ranking among all female boxers in the United States. She has also represented the United States in the 2006 Pan-American Championships.

All this was through her hard work and early introduction to martial arts in which she has had training for 15 years holding a black belt in Taekwondo. She attributes her martial arts training background in her focus and technique in her punching power through skillful pivoting of her feet.

Julaton’s trainer Angelo Reyes believes that she is already capable of going pro. “She could easily have gone pro last year,” he says. “But she doesn’t want to be a sideshow.” She is an advocate of woman’s boxing and constantly speaks out against unfairness and lack of respect towards female boxers. That differentiates her from the rest and a rising idol unlike others who has a clear grasp of what and where she wants to go.

If you have Oscar dela Hoya and Freddie Roach rooting for you, top that with Manny Pacquiao her boxing idol that serves as her inspiration tells you she is one boxer to reckon with. She went to Southern California to gain some inspiration from the touted best pound for pound boxer our very own Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao and enthusiastically get critiqued by one of the best trainer in the field Freddie Roach. Said encounter had her so enthused and excited that she can’t wait for the fight night. Well so are we, a Filipina in the middle of the ring facing an opponent in her “hurricane” jabs and hooks smashing the stereotype of the “delicate” Filipina along the way is a welcome sight for women’s equality.

Watch the fight, Julaton is scheduled to fight the world’s top-ranked amateur Ronica Jeffreys on May 5th, 2007 it will be an exciting day at the West-Wind Event Center as Ana "The Hurricane" Julaton fights for No. 1 Status!!

Directly after watching Dela hoya vs. Mayweather on PPV Ana "The Hurricane" Julaton (Hoo-La-Ten) California State Boxing Champ, SF Golden Gloves Champ, National Diamond Belt Champ, SF Championship Gold Medalist, Rank #4 in the U.S. will fight U.S.A.'s No. 1 Ranked Featherweight Ronica Jeffrey (N.Y. State Champ, N.Y. Golden Gloves Champ, U.S. World and Pan Am representative) in a 5 round bout to find out who is the BEST in the U.S.!! This fight is similar to the Pacquiao vs. Barrerra fight in terms of importance for Ana.

This is the Highest Ranking Female Fight ever in the Bay Area! This anticipated fight is Ana's biggest test. Ronica is a 3 time NY Golden Gloves Champion, 2006 Everlast National Champion, 2006 U.S. representative for the PanAm and the World games. Ronica Jeffrey is the current ranked #1 Featherweight in the U.S. she is considered to be one of the best female fighters the U.S. has produced. The fight will be at West Wind Event Center, 1551 University Ave. Berkeley, California. 94703 Call 510 841 1427/510 523 2001 for tickets or inquiry.

Photo courtesy: Daisy Rosas/Primer Round Magazine

The Man Who Could Save PAMPANGA

Meet Father ED.

He's an Independent Candidate for Governor of Pampanga.

Against decidedly evil choices:
the wife of the country's top Jueteng Lord,
and the son of the King of Illegal Quarrying,

it's poetic,
if decidedly Quixotic,

that a Man of the Cloth
has coalesced the forces of good
in the hopes of saving Pampanga from its so-called Leaders,

including the President of the Philippines herself.

How could she blatantly allow,
and even encourage,
such morally unqualified candidates
to run for the top post in her home province?

It's symptomatic of her supreme arrogance
and utter callousness, really.

This is the same President who didn't even reprimand
the Secretary of inJustice, when, with infinte insensitivity,
he declared that Julia Campbell,
the U.S. Peace Corps volunteer bludgeoned to death in Banaue,
was to blame for her own demise...
because she should have known better than to go hiking by herself.


This is the same President who's NOT lifting a finger
to prevent the congressional campaign of her phonepal "GARCI".
Letting her "fingers do the walking" indeed.

This is the same President who's ruining the career of a hapless Manny Pacquiao;
forcing the "People's Champion" to run as Congressman,
if only to forcibly evict the Opposition's Muse,
Darlene Antonino Custodio, from the Lower House.

This is the same President who's bent on inflicting Lito Lapid,
the former Pampanga Governor (now seemingly lobotomized Senator),
on the people of Makati;
the sole reason for his Mayoralty campaign? If he wins,
the Opposition loses its last remaining Rally Point in MetroManila.

Petty, petty, petty.

And now, this.

In a microcosm of what should be systemic in our nation,

a good man with hardly any resources,

in this case,
an "Among",
as Priests are called in Pampanga,

has had to run against tremendous odds,

just to give hope,
and perhaps, bring back a semblance of honor,
to his home province,
stripped of all dignity by the powers-that-be.



Can he really succeed?
Does "Among Ed" really have a fighting chance?

In circumstances not too far removed
from the current drama in Pampanga,

two brave women once dared to challenge,
and win,
against seemingly insurmountable, immovable, entrenched rulers.

Cory Aquino dismantled the Marcos dictatorship in 1986;

and just three years ago,
Grace Padaca ended the Dy's hegemony in Isabela.

IT CAN BE DONE.

please visit:

www.amonged.org
________________________________________

I saw the above Manila Boy blog entry of Spanky Hizon Enriquez, it was well written so I just have to ask his permission to hang his entry. After all why re-invent the wheel or why spoil a good thing, let's support a good man in Pampanga and rid them with anak ng jueteng and Lord of the rings errr jueteng pa rin.

Incriminating Document, REAL or NOT?

UPDATE 10:12pm Nap of PHNO Forum comes this PCIJ PDF file, check it out it even has the signature of ASEC Marcelo T. Farinas II, Head, OEA Special Concerns.

UPDATE 6:09pm 4/23 Roman gave us another update providing us a link to the PCIJ's PDF file on the "confidential" proposal document for the 2007 Party List campaign and i-site's 2007 election files titled Palace ’special operations’ in party-list elections bared an article relating to the 2 OEA Documents.

This is just great now we see people cooperating and exchanging information to expose the shameless insidious machinations of an Administration known for flare-ups and eruption as described by the Inquirer editorial.

Posted at Bare the List Site, can anyone verify if this document are genuine and accurate?
____________________________________________
Roman Says:
April 22nd, 2007 at 5:01 pm

Is the following memo the “alleged” one?
_____________________________________________
Office of the President
of the Philippines
Malacañang

Office of External Affairs
CONFIDENTIAL
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
THROUGH: ATTY. ERLYN DE LEON
SPECIAL ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT

FROM : THE OFFICE OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

SUBJECT : FORMATION OF THE OEA SPECIAL CONCERNS
GROUP AND REQUEST FOR FUNDING SUPPORT

DATE : 16 OCTOBER 2006

The Office of External Affairs (OEA) would like to respectfully inform Her Excellency of the formation of the OEA Special Concerns Group (OEA-SCG) which shall focus in the participation of our grassroots and allied NGO’s and people’s organizations in the 2007 Congressional election.

This specific electoral campaign has the following objectives:

1. Provide full support to several COMELEC accredited partylist groups that are ascertained to be pro-administration and ensure the winning of nine (9) to twelve (12) seats in the House of Representatives;

2. Form a party-list bloc that will support the plans and programs of the administration and help in countering destabilization moves by the opposition as well as left-leaning party-list groups; and,

3. Contribute in the overall campaign to substantially lower the number of votes of leftist and left-leaning party-list organizations, and in the process reduce the seats of these anti-administration parties in the House of Representatives.

The OEA-SCG is headed by Assistant Secretary Marcelo T. Farinas II, assisted by three (3) Directors and a 5-person Secretariat. The OEA-SCG, in cooperation with concerned groups and officials of some government agencies, has formulated a comprehensive analysis of the party-list situation and prospects for 2007 (confidential copies are hereto attached).

The OEA-SCG has secured a private office in Ortigas Avenue, Greenhills as its Operations Center. However, there is the immediate need to increase the members of the Secretariat to make the group fully-functional in order to expedite the attainment of the aforementioned objectives, and resource support is required.

The group has a national network from various sectors including Ilocanos and other major ethnic groups, women, youth, OFWs, senior citizens, Muslims and Indigenous Peoples, urban poor, farmers and fisherfolks, and workers, as well as international support in the United States of America, Middle East, and Asia-Pacific.

All the pro-administration partylist organizations to be supported shall also establish its own headquarters and shall need fulltime staff. This shall be done immediately after accreditation by the COMELEC.

Attached please find the 2007 Party-List Campaign proposal including a proposed budget of PHP 5.5 Million from October to December 2006. Corollary, may we request that funding assistance from Her Excellency’s Intelligence Funds be immediately granted to the SCG as well as the various partylist groups identified as pro-administration.


For Her Excellency’s perusal and approval.

[Signed]

ASEC. MARCELO T. FARINAS II
Head, OEA Special Concerns Group

___________________________________

Confidential

2007 Party-list Campaign

A Proposal

The party-list system has been exploited to the hilt by left and left-leaning organizations and has been dominated by them since the 2001 elections. To date, the legal fronts of the CPP-NPA-NDF have 6 congressmen in the House of Representatives, while the moderate left organizations and the opposition have a combined 6 representatives as well. These anti-administration congressmen have a total of PHP 780 Million in Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) annually (PHP 65 Million each per year) or PHP 2.34 Billion in 3 years. Furthermore, they are using their positions and influence to campaign against the President and the policies and programs of the administration.

The 2007 elections specifically the party-list campaign shall again be used by these organizations to expand their political influence and gain more seats in the House of Representatives. Some are also eyeing seats in the Senate.

Bayan Muna and Anakpawis shall spearhead this leftist campaign with the objective of achieving 3 seats each. They are strengthening and consolidating their forces and are gearing up for additional party-list congressional seats through the women’s sector (Gabriela) youth sector (Anak ng Bayan), Muslims (Suara Bangsa Moro) and OFWs (Migrante).

Other left-leaning partylist groups are consolidating ranks and shall definitely aim for the maximum partylist seats allowable. These partylist groups include Akbayan, Partido Manggagawa and Ang Ladlad.

Various groups identified with the opposition are also aiming to win seats in Congress through the partylist “backdoor.” The United Opposition or UNO, the Filipinos for Peace, Justice and Progress or FPJPM (the NGO that launched the failed presidential bid of the late Fernando Poe, Jr.), the Citizen’s Movement for Justice, Economy, Environment and Peace or JEEP (the NGO that campaigned for the presidency of Joseph Estrada), MARE (the women’s organization identified with Ms. Loi Estrada), and the Union of the Masses for Democracy and Justice or UMDP (formerly named as PMAP or People’s Movement Against Poverty).

These well-funded partylist organizations shall actively campaign for forty (40) seats in Congress with the foremost objective gathering additional votes in the House of Representatives for another round of impeachment against the President.

The administration and its allied civil society organizations should have a comprehensive counter-plan with the objective of frustrating the aforementioned grand plan of the left and the opposition. This proposal is one-way of achieving that goal.

Objectives

Five (5) to eight (8) pro-administration party-list organizations shall be fielded in the 2007 Congressional election with the following objectives:

1. Provide full support to several COMELEC accredited partylist groups that are ascertained to be pro-administration and ensure the winning of nine (9) to twelve (12) seats in the House of Representatives;

2. Form a partylist block that will support the plans and programs of the administration and help in countering destabilization moves by the opposition as well as left-leaning party-list groups; and,

3. Contribute in the overall campaign to substantially lower the number of votes of leftist and left-leaning party-list organizations, and in the process reduce the seats of these anti-administration parties in the House of Representatives.

Conduct

Agbiag! Timpuyog Ilocano (AGBIAG!), Babae para sa Kaunlaran (BABAE KA), League of Youth for Peace and Development (LYPAD) and Kalahi Advocates for Overseas Filipinos (KALAHI) have filed registration as national sectoral organizations. These are the 4 main party-list organizations to be supported. Two (2) to five (5) more partylist groups shall be given support, which may include a coalition of Muslim and Indigenous Peoples and already registered party-list parties.

Timelines

October 1 to November 30, 2006:

Firming up of party-list organizations to be supported.
Full operationalization of the headquarters including completion of all required staffing.

December 1 to December 31, 2006:
Planning, and expansion and consolidation of network, and Party-list Conventions

October to December 2006 Proposed Operation Budget:

Item [1]: Organizational and consolidation meetings, and operational support
Budget: 150,000/organization x 5 organizations
Total Monthly: 750,000 x 3 months
Total for 5 months: 2,250,000

Item [2]: Conventions of COMELEC accredited and pro-administration partylist groups
Budget: 550,000/organization x 5 organizations
Total for 5 months: 2,750,000

TOTAL [Items 1 & 2, for 5 months]: 5,000,000
10% Contingency: 500,000
OVERALL TOTAL: 5,500,000

EXTRA! Cyber Istambay Threatened with LIBEL!

This Inquirer editorial in my previous blog entry seems like it's on target as the election progresses and retrogresses depending on how you look at it:

“Of course, what may be immediately apparent with the First Gentleman’s court conduct is that it seems apposite to his spouse’s outbursts, her propensity to bang the phone at the slightest hint of bad news and to walk out of press conferences when she does not like the questions being thrown at her. If only for their vile temper, the two are really compatible. They deserve each other.”

“So are official outbursts a platform and policy of the government? We don’t know. What we have observed is that the legendary presidential temper seems to operate by osmosis -- from the President’s spouse and kin to the President’s fellow workers in government. What we’re seeing is a new public administration system: a management by flare-ups, a presidency by eruption.”

Hmmmmmn, operate by osmosis? I wonder if Akbayan was right in their allegations that Babae Ka is really connected or a “front” of malacanang with their similarities in this type of “management by flare-ups and a presidency by eruption” description of Inquirer. In a comment I posted at Bare the list, instead of answering the points I raised they responded with threat of including the Cyber Jaywalker in their "libel" suit. Here is the latest from my “friends”, see if there is some “osmosis” in their demeanor:

Babae Ka Says:

April 19th, 2007 at 3:03 pm

You are in the list pedestrian observer. We know who you are and what’s your position in Akbayan. Prove your allegations in court.

Takutin ninyo lelang mong panot (Go threaten your balding ancestor), uLOL, WRONG I am not with Akbayan I just formed my own BOGUS PARTY LIST called JAYWALKERS BOGUS PARTY LIST. I have not registered it yet because I am checking it out if I can "buy" a party or be nominated through some "fixers" so is this true? If so do you know of any sellers?

It is quite obvious that they can't refute the allegations of Akbayan and instead of answering this other point I raised they resort to juvenile retort. It is not working so they try and muscle their way with threatening people with libel suit, oh is that a surprise?

Huh and double huh? What a bunch of you know what, they dangle their moronic threat but does not even have a clue how it works in the court of law. Well maybe that is how it works in the injustice department where skeletal remains are recycled (it's not even in the closet, hehehe) in harassing Bayan Muna Re-electionist Satur Ocampo. Heck, how moronic is that anyway, they say prove my allegations in court? It does not work like that "sweeties", the burden of proof is not on Cyber Jaywalker the "accused" but the "accuser" which is you. So if I say that IF it is true that you are in the buying and selling of nominees and you admit and say yes then you are a bunch of scam artist of the BOGUS PARTY LIST kind. Go figure that one out.............. give me some inputs here or go to Bare the list Site and see if the first couple really has that osmosis effect on people according to Inquirer.

Numerous BOGUS PARTY LIST in '07 Election- 1

There are now numerous list of BOGUS PARTY LIST coming from different organizations a good sign that people are actively exposing questionable party list. We have Akbayan coming out with the first 11 party lists which they say are fronts for the Lady cheating errr seating by the murky Pasig river, 41 from Urban Poor for Legal Reforms (UP-LR) and Bantay R.A. 7941 and now we have B&W MOVEMENT and Kontra Daya with their own black list of 12 & 22.

I am not complaining here I believe this is a good sign that vigilance is slowly creeping into the consciousness of our people and not only mouthing it but actually taking action in exposing these unscrupulous characters who shamelessly and desperately sneaking like dirty rats scumbag to forage the wealth of the people they call PORK BARREL.

The bastardization of the party list system should not be taken lightly and we have one of the most respected former Senate President Jovito Salonga clamoring for the release of the names of nominees for party list. We also have other politicians joining in but sadly their motivations for doing so are questionable at best because of election season's empty hollow posturing.

Thanks to Schumey and Yuko Takei who called my attention on the Parents Enabling Parents (PEP) that was included in the combined list of UP-LR and Bantay R.A. 7941 as reported by newspapers, victims of educational plan company knuckleheads maybe victimized again by this bastardization of the party list system through the incompetence of Comelec and those fixers as reported in the you tube video Party List for Sale.

The problem here is we have various organizations with their own priorities and advocacy while they see the same problem are coming out with different lists from 11 to 41 is just not going to cut it. It makes me wonder if their advocacy was for their personal agenda of satisfying their huge ego or one track minded advocacy seeing only a limited picture based on their advocacy when the issue is larger that their agenda, personal or otherwise.

Have we not heard of working together, sharing of information, cooperation and solidarity? Or is it just how we are, narrow minded the world revolves around me and nothing else matters but my own and others are irrelevant? Let’s face it the trapos and their minions are formidable giants that owns the electoral system and for small organizations while I don’t question the validity of their various advocacies should seriously consider cooperating with one another in this issue for the sake of the common good of our people. What’s wrong with sharing information since you share it to the public anyways? Can we not explore the possibility of sharing information, comparing notes and verifying the accuracy that once it goes out to the public it creates more impact?

Below is another list of party list groups prepared by KONTRA DAYA (a broad-based election watchdog formed to expose the very possible repeat of wholesale election fraud in the May 2007 Philippine elections).

1. AT (Aangat Tayo) connected to PITC Usec. Teddie Elson Rivera

2. Abono connected to House Speaker Jose De Venecia

3. Agbiag! Timpuyog Ilocano, Inc. connected to Office of External Affairs Asec. Marcelo Farinas II

4. Aging Pinoy (Aging Pilipino Organization, Inc.) connected to

Norberto Gonzales

5. Ahon (Ahon Pinoy) Dante "Klink" Ang II (1st nominee)

6. Ahonbayan connected to Norberto Gonzales

7. APOI (Akbay Pinoy OFW-National, Inc.) DILG Usec. Melchor Rosales

(1st nominee), DILG NCR Dir. Rodolfo Feraren (2nd nominee)

8. AKSA (Aksyon Sambayanan) connected to Norberto Gonzales

9. ANAD (Alliance for Nationalism and Democracy) supported by the AFP

10. ANAK (Angat Ating Kabuhayan Pilipinas, Inc.) Supt. Eduardo

Octaviano, NCRPO-PNP (1st nominee)

11. ANC (Alliance of Neo-Conservatives) Usec. for Presidential

Appointments Liel Cordoba

12. Ang Kasangga member, Sigaw ng Bayan

13. ARC (Alliance of Rural Concerns) Archie Santiago (son of Sen.

Miriam Santiago)

14. ATS (Alliance Transport Sector) Ariel Lim, Presidential Assistant

for Public Transport Affairs

15. ABA-AKO Percy Chavez, chairperson, Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor

16. Babae Ka (Babae para sa Kaunlaran) member, Sigaw ng Bayan; Sally Dagami (1st nominee), Ruth Vasquez (2nd nominee)

17. BANAT (Barangay Association for National Advancement of

Transparency) Raul Lambino (1st nominee)

18. Bantay Ret. Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan (1st nominee)

19. Bigkis (Bigkis Pinoy Movement) connected to PAGCOR Chair

Ephraim Genuino

20. BP (Biyaheng Pinoy) Dr. Arsenio Abalos, Jesus Cruz (vice-mayor of Mandaluyong)

21. Kalahi (Advocates for Overseas Filipinos) Poe Gratela, former

Office of External Affairs coordinator for OFW concerns (1st nominee)

22. VFP (Veterans Freedom Party) supported by the AFP

And this one from BLACK AND WHITE MOVEMENT:

BLACK LIST (Huwag Iboto)

COOP NATTCO

BANTAY BAYAN

Babae Ka

KAKUSA

AKSA

ALAGAD

AGBIAG

APEC

Butil

AVE

AKBAY PINOY

ALIF

BABAE Ka is shamelessly muscling posters at Bare the List site threatening people with Libel Suit ala Mike “Mr. Libel” Arroyo, how about we band together and sue the Comelec, the Bogus Party List, and the fixers for illegal possession of ugly faces errrr fraudulent filing of party certificates and fraudulent approval by the konsumisyoners errr commissioners. Let’s see if any of our Fooliticians are really serious in their pronouncement in joining this issue, how about them filing criminal cases against these frauds so that anyone who thinks they can get a free backdoor pass to pork barrel will think twice (that is if they are capable of thinking) before they blatantly abuse and disenfranchise the marginalized sectors of proper representation. Here is Binabae errrr Babae daw sila posted at Bare the List comment section:

Babae Ka Says:

April 18th, 2007 at 3:28 am

Oh by the way, Babae Ka will file libel cases against those involved in maligning the name of this organization. Wait for it.

Hah! Who do they think they are? Mike Arroyo? Hmmmmmmnnnn, sounds like some rant of deluded drunken stupor basking in power than a marginalized group to me. Here is a portion of the you tube video regarding the fixers where Babae was mentioned which I transcribed:

Ces: Hinimok ang mga NGO na magparehistro daw bilang Party list nuong Oktubre kabilang dito ang ofw International na ngayon ay Akbay Pinoy na, Babae ka at lypad na ngayon ay Lipad na. Pinangakuan daw sila ng pondo pero ng hindi ito naibigay sinabihan ang mga party list na ibenta na lang ang nominees.

Bert: Sabi po nila wala na nga po. Sold na daw Lahat

Ces: Sino ang kausap mo na nagsabing sold, sino 'yun?

Bert: Ang kausap ko 'yun pong isa member ng Babae ka.

What’s up with that and here is Borra threatening people with prosecution just by divulging the names of the nominees. I wonder why this Borra is saying that, is it for people to lay off the issue so the fixing and side business “behind their backs” can do their business unhampered? Tell you what Borra, instead of threatening the people with prosecution why not prosecute or at least investigate the three people mentioned in the you tube as the brokers for party list nominees? While you’re at it arrest Abalos too, not only for mentioning his big brother as a nominee but for blatantly and shamelessly campaigning for his brother when he rationalized his brother’s accomplishment in the newspapers.

Meanwhile Akbayan’s original list of 11 has now grown to 15 questionable groups in the party-list race and more detailed compared to the rest:

Are there groups in the party-list race fronting for the GMA administration? Here’s a list of groups that are reportedly connected to Malacanang and to certain government officials and agencies. AKBAYAN has called for an investigation of these groups, but the COMELEC rejected the idea:

BABAE KA
Originally the Kababaihan para sa Inang Bayan (KABABAYAN), its first nominee, Sally Dagami was reportedly a former Kaibigan ni Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (KGMA) coordinator.

Babae Ka! was one of the many organizations mentioned by an ABS CBN Correspondence report that were encouraged and helped by the Office of External Affairs (OEA) to participate in the party-list elections.

Babae ka! was also a member of the Malayang Babae para sa Cha Cha at Reporma (MELCHORA) which is affiliated with the Sigaw ng Bayan group, a Pro Charter Change and Pro-Peoples Initiative group headed by Raul Lambino jr. which is reportedly organized by the OEA and DILG.

In a recent TV interview, the spokesperson of Babae Ka! admitted that they have members working at the OEA. In fact, a certain Nerissa Garcia, Executive Director of OEA, is a standing member of the said group.

Nominees:

Sally Dagami- reportedly has close links with the Office of External Affairs, also a reported former KGMA Coordinator

Ruth Vaquez- a member of Sigaw ng Bayan (pro-cha cha, pro-GMA group)

KAKUSA
KAKUSA’s Chairman Emeritus is convicted child rapist and former Zamboanga del Norte Representative Romeo Jalosjos. It is represented by its national president, R. Dodong Canonigo. The Lamb of God Foundation, an outreach program for elderly inmates established by Jalosjos, is supporting KAKUSA.

The personalities involved in KAKUSA are linked to Partido Demokratikong Sosyalistang Pilipino (PDSP), which is led by National Security Adviser Bert Gonzales.

Nominees:

Ranulfo “Dodong” Canonigo

Atty. Omar Rivera - Chief of Staff of Rep. Cecelia Jalosjos-Calderon. Both Jaloslos-Calderon and Atty. Rivera are members of PDSP.

Ma. Jesusa Arguelles-Sespene - Chief of Staff of Rep. Cesar Jalosjos, who is also a member of PDSP.

BIYAHENG PINOY
An “association” of tricyle drivers, Arsenio Abalos, the elder brother of COMELEC chairman Benjamin Abalos sits as director and national council member of the party. Also, the group was founded and chaired by Mandaluyong Vice-Mayor Jesus Cruz, who claims to be a tricycle operator before.

According to a January 27, 2007 news report by Malaya newspaper, COMELEC insiders reportedly said that Biyaheng Pinoy has earned a moniker inside the poll agency as “Asosasyon ng mga Kamag-anak at Kapitbahay ni Abalos or AKKA.”

The same report said Biyaheng Pinoy’s application has been kept secret. Its name was omitted in the roster of party-list petitioners.

Cruz, an ally of the Abalos clan, is on his last term while Arsenio is a barangay captain in Hagdang Bato Itaas.

Cruz originally planned to contest the lone congressional district of Mandaluyong occupied by Rep. Benhur Abalos but opted to run under Biyaheng Pinoy. He is the legal adviser of the National Confederation of Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines.

Arsenio is said to be planning again to run for mayor but was prevailed upon to run under Biyaheng Pinoy as one of its nominees.

Mandaluyong insiders said the arrangement was forged so as not to spoil the agreement between Benhur and Mayor Neptali Gonzales Jr. that they would switch places in this year’s elections.

The young Abalos is set to return as mayor while Gonzales will stage a comeback in Congress.

Nominees:

Mandaluyong Vice Mayor Jesus Cruz

Dr. Arsenio Abalos - a brother of Commission on Elections Chair Benjamin Abalos, whose own son, Ben-Hur, is running for mayor in Mandaluyong City.

ANG KASANGGA
Its president is former Assemblyman Jose Tumbokon. Mr. Tumbukon served as an assemblyman and presidential adviser during the Marcos dictatorship. He was appointed minister of state of information and official spokesperson of the Interim Batasan Pambansa and the Kilusang Bagong Lipunan (KBL).

The officers of Kasangga include Cristeta Absolor, reported a regional director of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). Another regional officer of the organization is Elizabeth Manuel, who is reportedly the Acting Executive Deputy Director of the Philippine Trade Training Center (PTTC).

Nominees:

The sister of First Gentleman Mike Arroyo, Marilou Arroyo, is allegedly one of the nominees of the group.

AGBIAG!
Marcelo Farinas II, Malacanang’s Assistant Secretary for the Office External Affairs (OEA) is the group’s Secretary-General.

Perfecto Cardenas, one of the organization’s incorporators is reportedly one of Abra’s Sangguniang Panlalawigan members.

Rogelio Peig, a registered incorporator of Agbiag!, is the Chief of Staff of Representative Vincent ‘Bingbong’ P. Crisologo, Quezon City, 1st District.

Another incorporator of the said organization, Thompson Lantion, heads the Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB). A former police general, Lantion lost his bid for the gubernatorial seat in Nueva Vizcaya despite running under the administration Lakas party. Mr. Lantion was one of the many generals Mrs. Arroyo rewarded with important government positions.

Meanwhile, Agbiag! Regional convenor for CAR region, Renato Paredes was a former chief of the Traffic Management Group (TMG). He also also lost his bid for a congressional seat in Ifugao province.

Nominees: No information yet.

AHON PINOY
Headed by Dante “Klink” Ang II, president and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Manila Times Newspapers. Klink is the son of Dante Ang Sr, the current Chairman of the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO).

Nominees:

Dante “Klink Ang Jr. –Son of Dante Ang Sr., Chairman of the Commission on Filipinos Overseas.

Bernardo Ople, brother of late senator Blas Ople

Ernesto Herrera III, son and namesake of a former senator.

AKSYON SAMBAYANAN (AKSA)
Aksyon Sambayanan (AKSA) is a “social democratic” movement affiliated with the Partido Demokratiko Sosyalista ng Pilipinas (PDSP) of National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales, a close ally of the Arroyo government. It is said that AKSA is the recycled version of PDSP in the party-list race. PDSP lost twice in the party-list elections and was therefore disqualified.

Nominees:

Timoteo Aranjuez, former secretary-general of Partido Democratiko Soyalista ng Pilipinas (PDSP)

Elizabeth Angsioco, chairperson of the Democratic Socialist Women of the Philippines (DSWP), the women organization of Norberto Gonzales’ PDSP.

BANTAY
Also known as the True Marcos Loyalist (for God, Country and People) Association of the Philippines, led by known Marcos supporter, Cherry Cobarrubias.

Nominees:

Retired General Jovito Palparan - Palparan is accused of orchestrating numerous cases of extra-judicial killings. Branded as the “Butcher General”.

BANAT
The Barangay Association for National Advancement and Transparency (BANAT) was already disqualified by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) for failing to obtain two per centum (2%) of the total votes cast for party-list in the two elections 1998 and 2004 and failure to participate in the 2001 elections. Yet, they have been suspiciously resurrected.

Nominees:

Atty. Raul Lambino - Spokesman and leader of Sigaw ng Bayan, whose People’s Initiative was called by the Supreme Court as an act of grand deception.

Atty. Salvador Britanico

Joel Mendez

ANAK
List of Nominees:

Kenneth Gatchalian - son of William Gatchalian

Supt. Eduardo Octaviano - a police officer of the Philippine National Police (PNP) National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO).

AKBAY PINOY
Akbay Pinoy is also a member of Sigaw ng Bayan and its Chair is Bong Guro. This group was legally charged by Makati residents together with Sigaw ng Bayan for forcing them to sign signatures in favor of GMA’s Charter Change initiative.

Nominees: No information yet.

LYPAD
According to a report in ABS-CBN’s Bandila, the Youth League for Peace Advancement (LYPAD) allegedly attempted to sell one of its party-list seats for P5 million. LYPAD is a newly accredited party-list, and it started as a pro-GMA organization called Youth Power Against Destabilization (YPAD). It is also a member of Sigaw ng Bayan.

Ted Lazaro, current chairman of LYPAD, is also a member of AKBAY youth OFW, the youth wing of AKBAY Pinoy (see above). He is also the son of Adelaida Lazaro, leader of AKBAY Pinoy, who was also legally charged by Makati residents for manufacturing signatures for the People’s Initiave.

Nolan Tiongco, LYPAD secretary-general, is a member of a group called Peace 4 Development (P4D) where Melvin Mitra, allegedly the youth coordinator for the Office of External Affairs (OEA), is also a member.

In the same Bandila report, Melvin Mitra was named by an informant as the middle person behind the sale of party-list seats. He allegedly contacted a congressional candidate and offered a seat in LYPAD for only P5 million.

Nominees: No information yet.

AANGAT TAYO
AANGAT TAYO is headed by the Philippine International Trading Corp. executive vice president Teddie Elson Rivera, who now sits as president.

Nominees: No information yet.

ANAD
ANAD was formed in 2003 by the National Alliance for Democracy (NAD), the movement that supplanted the dreaded Alsa Masa, a vigilante group organized by the government in Davao. NAD serves as the umbrella organization for all anti-communist forces in the country. In 2004, NAD registered ANAD as its party-list group.

Nominees: No information yet.

AGING PINOY
AGING Pinoy was also implicated in Bandila’s report as one of the party-list groups affiliated with the Office for External Affairs that is selling its seats to individuals who want to use the party-list system as a cheaper way to get into Congress.

Nominees: No information yet.

The 41 party list groups whose nominees are being asked to be disqualified are:

1-United Transport Koalisyon

Aangat Tayo

Abante Ilonggo

Abay-Parak.

Abgbiag Timpuyog Ilocano Inc.

Agricultural Sector Alliance of the Philippines Inc.

Ahon Pinoy

Akbay Pinoy OFW-National Inc.

Aksyon Sambayanan

Alagad

Alay sa Bayan ng Malayang Propesyonal and Repormang Kalakal

Alliance for Barangay Concerns

Alliance for Nationalism and Democracy

Alliance of Neo-Conservatives

Alliance of People's Organizations

Alliance of Volunteer Educators, The True Marcos Loyalist Inc.

Alyansa ng mga Grupong Haligi ng Agham at Teknolohiya Para sa Mamamayan Inc.

Ang Galing Pinoy

Ang Laban ng Indihinong Filipino

Angat Antas Kabuhayan Pilipino Movement

Angat Ating Kabuhayan

Arts Business and Science Professional

Asosasyon ng Maliliit na Negosyanteng Gumaganap Inc.

Association of Administrators, Professionals and Seniors

Babae Para sa Kaunlaran

Bago National Cultural Society of the Philippines

Bagong Alyansang Tagapagtaguyod ng Adhikaing Sambayanan

Barangay Association for National Advancement and Transparency

Bigkis Pinoy Movement

Biyaheng Pinoy

Biyayang Bukid

Filipinos for Peace, Justice and Progress Movement

Hanay ng Aping Pinoy

Kapatiran ng mga Nakakulong na Walang Sala

Kasangga sa Kaunlaran Inc.

Kasosyo Producer-Consumer Exchange

Pwersa ng Bayaning Atleta

Sulong Barangay Movement

The True Marcos Loyalist Inc.

United Movement Against Drugs

Let us all work together or allow these unscrupulous characters like dirty rat scumbags climbing through the back door to forage for the peoples meager resources like gluttons scurrying for their share of the PORK BARREL. Help expose the Bogus Party List or forever whine and complain while forever sinking in the muck of dirty politics. Share what you know at the Bare the List site of Akbayan, or with any other organizations exposing these scam on the people.

ONE DAY BLOG SILENCE

Remember the date APRIL 30, 2007 in honor of the victims of the tragedy at VIRGINIA Tech let's all observe a day of silence. I will not only honor the victims of this latest tragedy but as a Filipino will extend this to other victims of unjustifiable horrific violence. I will extend this to honor those that fell in the hands of tyrants and men in uniform in their extra-judicial killing spree of human rights victims in the Philippines. Please spread the message, get the logo and post it in your blog, below is from One Day Blog Silence:

Silence can say more than a thousand words.

This day shall unite us all about this unbelievable painful & shocking event and show some respect and love to those who lost their loved ones.

On April 30th 2007, the Blogosphere will hold a One-Day Blog Silence in honor of the victims at Virginia Tech. More then 30 died at the US college massacre.

But it´s not only about them. Many bloggers have responded and asked about all the other victims of our world. All the people who die every day. What about them?

This day can be a symbol of support to all the victims of our world!

All you have to do is spread the word about it and post the graphic on your blog on 30th April 2007. No words and no comments. Just respect, reflect and empathy.

Spread the word about this event:

Amazingly a simple campaign such as this just One Day of Silence get's into so much analysis causing paralysis leading to inaction if we just give up and listen to detractors and non-conformist of all shades and color, I hear ya Dan:

If you want to discuss these tragic events now is the time to do it, before it fades from peoples memories. Unfortunately I fear we have already fallen into this trap.

PARTY LIST FOR SALE?

Watch the video and see for yourself how scam artists bastardize a system that should enable marginalized sectors representation shamelessly taken over by questionable parties for a backdoor pass to PORK BARREL and other perks alloted for representatongs. This you tube video report on Party List anomalies, prominent among them is my favorite Binabae errrr Babae daw sila or Ka whatever the heck they think they are. This is a group who claims that Akabayan is using them to gain media mileage, whaaaaat? Excuse me but really has anyone heard of this group? I don't think so, they should be thankful if they are truly a legitimate party list for the free media mileage Etta Rosales is giving them.





Another video that highlights of all people a party of ex-convicts backed up by a CONVICTED RAPIST named JALOSJOS, what in the name of kurdapya are these people thinking. We cannot allow this BOGUS Party LIST to win, shame on us if we allow these despicable lowest of the low scam our people. Unfortunately in the Philippines Miracles (not the heavenly one) do happen done in the backroom by math wizards expert in dagdag (add) and bawas (subtract). If CONVICTS can form a party maybe I should form one myself and this will be called JAYWALKERS Party List, hehehe its purpose is to harass those terrific errr traffic aides in a catch me if you can game in the middle of the streets.




In contrast while BOGUS PARTY LIST abound Ang Ladlad Party List was disqualified hora mismo by tongelec errrr comelec and the top honcho even has the gall to boast of his big brother's "accomplishment". Hmmmmnnnn, is it because the RAPIST CAUSE are more important than LGBT issues dealing with abortion, pro-choice, discrimination and other relevant issues of our times that also affects or impact straight men and women?

11 Party list and the 41 Party list questioned by Akbayan, Bantay RA 7941 and Urban Poor that's almost half of the 91 (+2 if comelec reconsider it's decision) to choose from makes it really difficult for voters to arrive at intelligent informed decision. The situation is even made worse when reports coming from Overseas Filipinos that they were given incomplete list of the Party list or no list were given at all by their respective consulates and embassies.

BARE THE LIST - SUBMISSION SITE FOR BOGUS PARTY LIST NOMINEES (lets do our part be vigilant and if you know any of those bogus candidates submit their names at Akbayan's site)

Read other related articles:

Babae ka, Abalos and the rest of the Jokers in ’07 Philippine election

"FIXING" PARTY LIST for SALE?

More on BOGUS PARTY LIST

Reactions to BOGUS PARTY LIST

BOGUS PARTY LISTS

Questionable "OFW" Party List?

Paredes a breed apart from Trapos in the ’07 Election

Principle a word so archaic and foreign long ago removed in Filipino “leaders” vocabulary; if they can have their way would probably outlaw the term. Just look at how they acted in a mob like fashion literally killing the impeachment using their sheer number like a rampaging street mob where reason or logic has no place but chaotic behavior and destruction along their path. How about the head honcho and their henchmen errr fellow commissioners of a constitutional body tasked to oversee an honest, fair, and credible election whose trust rating went down the the toilet? Instead of bowing their heads in shame they hang on shamelessly like leeches sucking the blood of the emaciated people till the last drop. I can go on and on and this blog will run out of digital space crashing the server and we probably will not have covered all of the shameless acts and attitudes of these “leaders” acting like a mob boss than servant leaders.

Looking at the grim scenario and pathetic electoral exercise in our poor abused country hope is nowhere in sight until Ang Kapatiran came along bringing with them Zosimo Jesus “Jess” Mendoza Paredes II a lawyer by profession and civil servant all his life. While his stand in the Subic Rape case is controversial that may go either way depending on how and where one’s outlook of the case perceives it, his action and demeanor says it all. Unlike other leeches errrr leaders who hang on desperately to their patronage position he opted to resign with his principle intact when his stand and that of her Lady boss collided. He’s got the cajones so to speak and sadly a rare breed in this day and age in a nation retrogressing while our neighbors continue to flourish. Here is a quote I lifted off his blog:

This election is very crucial!

It comes at a time when;

a.) The Philippines has been adjudged as the most corrupt country in Asia;

b.) The Philippines, for a long time now, has been or continue to be one of the poorest, if not the poorest, in Asia and/or in the world; and

c.) That no less than the President of the Philippines and her Administration has been indicted before the Permanent People’s Tribunal in The Hague, in The Netherlands for multiple violations of human rights.

The foregoing considered, it is not difficult to see or realize now that many, if not most, of our representatives (the politicians) in government have failed us, the very people that these politicians were sworn to serve.

We are partly to blame! But, most of the blame, perhaps, goes to these politicians (candidates then) who took us for a ride or who have successfully masqueraded themselves into something or someone who they were not.

And we have fallen for them! We have known no better! Or, simply, we have taken things lightly, very lightly, at the polls! We have taken for granted our right of suffrage, or, we just couldn’t care less! We have put no regard in the sanctity of the ballot!

Having accepted the stark reality that we are, inevitably, in, we also must now accept the reality that another election is at hand, forthcoming, or just around the corner.

We now have a chance to right the wrongs of the past; a chance not to commit the same mistakes!

Paredes was invited by Ang Kapatiran together with Sison and Bautista who upon seeing the platform and principle of the party embraced it without any reservation. The Party’s strict adherence to its code of ethics and platform based campaign is a challenge they will have to hurdle in a system that favors personality and patronage type of politics.

Patronage and personality based politics thrives in a poor country and runaway corruption goes unchecked because the balance of power or rather power is exclusively owned and monopolized by a few ruling minority elite. Here is another quote from paredes:

For the past thirty six (36) years of my life and throughout all the various positions I have held and the different places I have worked in, I have seen, first hand, the following:

a.) The stark or abject poverty of our people especially in the country-sides and the growing slum areas in the urban centers;

b.) The corruption, abuse and utter disregard of life, and patronage or boot-licking in the military;

c.) The unabated abuse or misuse of authority or power or their positions, and the graft and corruption, of our politicians and other public or government officials and personnel; and

d.) The deplorable or callous violation and/or surrender of our sovereignty as a nation and people in the name of foreign relations or in fear of losing foreign aids, and trading and security partners.

The last one on the list above, cost me my most recent position in government, but without any regret, whatsoever. I tendered my resignation and eventually quit my post on January 31, 2007, because I took a stand diametrically opposed to that of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s Administration vis-à-vis the unceremonious or unauthorized whisking away or transfer of convicted US Marines Lance Corporal Daniel Smith from the Makati City Jail to the US Embassy premises in Manila (without any court order or authorization) in the dead of a Friday night of December 29, 2007, in the middle of the Yuletide or Christmas Season. Indeed, it was a clear case where the “Palace took the law into its hands.” In a democracy like ours and in a society of laws and not of men, like the Philippines, “Nobody is over and above the law!” From the lowliest Juan Dela Cruz to the highest President Arroyo, they are all under and subject to the supremacy and majesty of the law.

Such act was a grave and despicable violation of the centuries-honored principles of the separation of powers and the rule of law enshrined in no less than the highest law of the land, the Philippine Constitution of 1987.

Confronted by the power wielders in Malacañang, I stood my ground, owned up to my words quoted in the newspapers and accepted full responsibility for having publicly expressed them, and said: “Ergo, my further stay in my office is untenable, Therefore, I am resigning.” And the rest is history.

Ang Kapatiran with Zosimo Paredes, Adrian Sison, and Martin Bautista are addressing these problems in their thrust towards renewing the Filipino political culture. Their goal is to empower the people and without the help and support of the "intelligentsia" and the middle class it will go nowhere. Their people funded campaign is another people empowerment initiative that is gaining ground and hopefully again with people who are "aware" of the problem will encourage and support.

The bigger dilemma here is do we want a peaceful or violent transition? Armed groups wanting to overthrow and rearrange Philippine society are organized while those who desires peaceful transition are organized in small ego pockets trying to outdo each other whining and lamenting the conditions but doing nothing about it .To top it all their ego gets in the way for an organized collective approach because a whole lot of them are more focused on inflating their ego over their cause or advocacy deluding and seeing themselves riding in their imaginary immaculate white horses in their shinning armour out to save the poor.

We can disagree with what they stood for or the party’s platform, but who among the crap errrr crop of political parties or politicians are in this contest based on principle, integrity and honesty? Whether we like it or not agree with them or not our only choice and hope for a better future will be dependent on how they are received by people who can make a difference. Stay in the sidelines and do nothing and we will forever whine and lament our pathetic condition. Encourage and help them now and we may see others of different political persuasion of any color to follow suit and only then, can we have a flourishing participatory democracy where people dictate the outcome and not the few ruling minority elites robbing the nation blind.

Related articles:

Ang kapatiran banking on Principle, Integrity & Honesty in the 2007 Election

Bautista Battles Trapos in '07 Philippine Election

If you like the articles you read in this blog you can get updates here or get email updates by entering your email address (strictly for updates and not used or given out to any third party) on the right hand side of the blog.

EDSA, a Lost Cause?

BARE THE LIST - SUBMISSION SITE FOR BOGUS PARTY LIST NOMINEES (lets do our part be vigilant and if you know any of those bogus candidates submit their names at Akbayan's site)

I checked on Martin Bautista's blog to read his latest entry titled Cry for what we lost a you tube on EDSA which he linked in his site. 21 years have passed after that event of pride and glory proclaimed as one of our biggest contribution to world peace and democracy our nation has gone nowhere and slid farther down the muck of poverty and desperation.

What happened? How did it happen? How can we allow this to happen? Ahhhhh desperation truly sets in but some say we are our own enemy thus we retrogressed instead of progressed. Are we really our own enemy? Are we supposed to pin the blame on "us" the very people suffering and victimized by crooks in politicians clothing?

Fraud is everywhere, opportunist scammers passing themselves off as Party List and fixers for a fee for a backdoor pass to tongress so they can partake of the loot. Yes the loot better known as:

P65 Million in Pork Barrel

P35K a Month Salary

P200K a Month Published Expenses

P50K – 100K a Month Allowance from the Speaker

P100K – 150K Christmas Gift from the Speaker

P100K – 150K Occasional Gift from Malacanang (Christmas)

People risk life and limbs for these to oust a dictator, so tongress people can fleece the national coffers dry? We have not even touch the Senate, the Presidential Office and those in different elected position 17K in all.

Handog Ng Pilipino Sa Mundo a fitting tribute to those who sacrificed and risked everything to regain our freedom from the conjugal dictatorship. Indeed a people’s triumph over tyranny, unfortunately taken hostage by our “leaders” insatiable greed and lust for power. We don’t deserve this and those who sacrificed their lives only to be treated by ingrates that shamelessly brought us to this pathetic stage. What have we got to show for it? We now have 10 percent of the population driven out of the country for lack of livelihood opportunity.

An accomplishment they say as administration after administration parrots their hollow accomplishment of whose administration can send out the most human exports. A multitude of modern day heroes they say or is it slaves to fleece them dry of their dollar earnings. A nation mired in poverty and uncontrollable corruption so prevalent it has seeped into our culture and collective mindset, one can only wonder if this nation is worth dying for? Sad indeed……….

"FIXING" PARTY LIST for SALE?

BARE THE LIST - SUBMISSION SITE FOR BOGUS PARTY LIST NOMINEES (lets do our part be vigilant and if you know any of those bogus candidates submit their names at Akbayan's site)

Update 2:26 PM 4/12/07

It’s the party, not the nominee, Abalos the braggart (Garci) fiend or friend depending on how you look at it in Edson C. Tandoc Jr., article on Inquirer. True but if Bantay 7419 can substantiate their charges that there are fixers in Tongelec errr Comelec it appears that this argument only serves the interest of corrupt personnel and highly connected individuals and those in power.

In BOGUS PARTY LIST one of the comments from anonymous poster characterized these parties like frogs, to quote:

The problem with these “bogus” party lists is that they are like frogs that only goes out during the "rainy season" (which I mean is the election in case they don't know). If they really are for the people, then may I ask them these questions;

* What have they done already that directly benefit the people?

* What have they done to the issues that directly affect the citizens?

* What struggles of each sector’s have they addressed and won?

I hope people will know which one to choose. The issue on these party lists things is beyond the respect for the democratic rights, as what babae ka is telling, the issue is that these "BOGUS" party list are really FUNDED and ORGANIZED by the Arroyo Government to suppress and defeat the progressive party list inside the congress that opposes the wrong deeds of this government.

THE MAIN ROLE AND GOAL OF THESE BOGUS PARTYLIST, AS ENLISTED HEREIN, IS TO TOTALLY BLOCK THE CAPACITY OF THE PROGRESSIVE PARTYLIST TO ADDRESS AND REGISTER THE TRUE NEEDS AND VOICES OF THE PEOPLE!!!

Now we have Abalos giving us another B.S. response on his low rating with “I WILL DO MY BEST” HUH? Sorry, but your best is not good enough in a nation that is struggling to see a better Philippines, this mindset and sorry excuse of an “honorable” Commissioner task to oversee the electoral process is just pathetic and hopeless. This constipational errr constitutional body if there is any shred of decency left in them should have bowed their heads in shame and resigned en masse during the height of the garci scandal. Bragging on his crumb like shallow accomplishment being thrown in our direction when it is their long overdue job in the first place to clean the voters list is just pure hogwash. Abalos does not get it; no one wants to listen to them anymore because he and his fellow commissioners down to the lowest employees in their organization have lost the trust and confidence of the general public.

To quote Lacson on Garci's bid for a representatong cheat err seat in Erwin Oliva, & Veronica Uy's Inquirer article:

"If he gets elected, God forbid, I think we will have a Congress wrongly deserved because we should be making a strong statement against the assault on the integrity of the election," he added.

I almost would like to agree with Lacson but since when did Comelec and Congress been known for integrity? Below is a quote on the possibility of fraud in this election:

The former Philippine National Police chief said some local leaders are reportedly selling senatorial votes to the highest bidder in the cheating scheme, which involves leaving the ballot space for senators blank. He said voters in such areas tend to fill only the blanks for local candidates in their ballots. The spaces for senators are usually left blank.

Lacson said cheating is not possible without the connivance of Comelec employees and officials.

“This is not possible if there is no one from the Comelec in on the scheme. So Chairman Abalos and the other commissioners’ better look into this scheme in various parts of the country, where the votes go to the highest bidder,” he said.

Lacson said the second scheme involves Malacañang shouldering the campaign expenses of party-list groups, echoing accusations by activist party-list groups.

“Malacañang will designate the nominees in the accredited party lists. They will help them campaign. Once they win, the party lists will not stand for the marginalized sectors they claim to represent because Malacañang has bought them," he said.

Grim scenario with equally braggart commissioners with integrity and credibility problem, how the people respond to these will determine where we are headed………

___________________________________________________________

Great, now in Inquirer breaking news screams this headline “Fixers sell party-list seats for P7M, says group” and of all people they were peddling the scam to the group of Ameurfino Cinco chair of the Bantay Republic Act 7941. How stupid can they get on the other hand I am glad they are that dumb or we would not have known what is going on there.

Commenting on the report, Comelec Commissioner Rene Sarmiento said he would ask the Comelec to look into the claim, saying the allegation “undermines the Comelec as an institution.”

I don’t know about the undermine part but since the Garci incident this body has no shred of credibility so what is there to undermine? And with Abalos rationalization that Garci was just bragging then maybe Comelec is a body of braggart now that it appears there are “fixers”. If this can be proven this is high treason, they should all be sent to jail and throw away the key for good measure.

Ameurfino Cinco, chair of the Bantay Republic Act 7941 or Bara, said his group had learned about the racket during a meeting with the supposed fixers about three weeks ago in Makati.

The group boasted of connections with Malacañang’s Office of External Affairs (OEA) and no less than the Commission on Elections, he said.

“They said that it was within their power to have a party-list (group) accredited because they were in power,” he told the Philippine Daily Inquirer in an interview Wednesday.

This is too much, what is wrong with these people, they are sick.

“This is personal knowledge, not hearsay because we talked with these people,” he said in Filipino. “They are bastardizing the party-list system.”

Cinco named both alleged fixers, one of whom was an erstwhile, outspoken critic of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo once described as a “destabilizer” of her administration.

But the man, a resident of a classy village in Muntinlupa, had been conspicuously silent especially at the height of the “Hello Garci” scandal, which nearly toppled the government two years ago.

The other alleged fixer is a known “political operator” once identified with the late Baron Cervantes, the slain, self-styled spokesperson of the military fraternity Young Officers Union. His companion was similarly visible during the wake of Cervantes.

It seems that there are more than 11 party list “fronts” in this overheard criminal boasting. While hearsay is not acceptable in court (it should open up an inquiry or investigation, but that is the Philippines so I am expecting too much, gawd), I am sure Abalos will repeat his boasting rationale and just shrugged his shoulder as always.

In the Makati meeting, Cinco said the second fixer had boasted that there were more party-list groups fronting for the Palace than the 11 organizations mentioned by Rosales.

How pathetic can these people be? They were like acting as if they were the aggrieved party at the height of the Garci scandal, this is just ridiculous.

As per the rates supposedly given by the second fixer, the group assured a party-list organization of accreditation in exchange for around P1.2 million, the starting figure.

In case a group didn’t have the money, Cinco said the fixers would have it accredited anyway, provided that they got hold of its top nomination slot. A party-list group is allowed five nominees.

The slot would then be peddled to anyone interested for around P3 million or P7 million.

Have mercy on us we are really going down the depths of hell with these scalawags running the affairs of the nation.

Bautista Battles Trapos in '07 Philippine Election

"But do we have a choice? There comes a point in our lives when living a good and secure and prosperous existence becomes immoral when you cast a blind eye to the terrible suffering all around us. If you truly believe in your heart that you can offer whatever blessings and talents that have been given to you but decide to back-off because of the tremendous sacrifice in loss of privacy, income, security and family time then you would not only have failed yourself but your country as well." Martin bautista

Why do people like Martin Bautista, accomplished in his own chosen profession as a gastroenterologist doctor, his wife also a doctor specializing in pulmonology and both well established in the USA decided to go home in the Philippines. So how did they get themselves involved in the dirtiest game in town? Politics in the Philippine context is seen by many (if not all) as the most despicable and dirtiest activity in our society with equally despicable leaders. Coming from a highly matured prosperous society, going back to the third world is truly intriguing to look at, so I have to find out, for the sake of my readers, Martin’s perspective:

But do we have a choice? There comes a point in our lives when living a good and secure and prosperous existence becomes immoral when you cast a blind eye to the terrible suffering all around us. If you truly believe in your heart that you can offer whatever blessings and talents that have been given to you but decide to back-off because of the tremendous sacrifice in loss of privacy, income, security and family time then you would not only have failed yourself but your country as well.

As I read further on Martin Bautista I just can’t help but get awed at a man who has a plan and mission in life. While a huge number of Filipinos wanted out, he went in, family in tow. Intriguing as this sounds, I just have to find out what exactly it is that drives him to go “against the flow”. While many of us see the retrogression in the Philippines, Martin and his Wife on the other hand (in choosing a path less traveled) are secured financially and fulfilled professionally as a husband and wife team in a medical practice.


He could have taken the easy path; enjoying their material success in the bible belt of America, secured and peaceful among god fearing citizens. But going back to what could be seen as a god forsaken place, ruled by criminally corrupt minority, individuals disguising as leaders of the people, truly makes you want to know more of what drives him to do what seems to be unthinkable. While it does appear irrational, it is in fact not so once you learn more of what this man is all about in his blog entry titled Radio Interview:

During a moment of levity, Mike asked when I was scheduled to see a psychiatrist. Not an entirely humorous question because any which way you look at it you will ask why a successful gastroenterologist in the US who has never been sued in a medical malpractice case (the interviewer asked if I was running from something) with his pulmonologist wife will bring their 4 US-born daughters back to a 3rd world nation where hunger, corruption and mayhem continue on a daily basis. Right now I am still searching for more answers: That if we don't actively resist then we have no business to complain and whine; that to those whom much is given much is expected in return; that I am personally responsible for my countrymen; that I have prepared myself painstakingly and will do a better job; that my motives are clean and hence I will not fail.

Ok, so why chose a party with no budget? Why not go with the loaded traditional parties that can ensure his victory legitimately or otherwise? Well, that is if he is like the recycled politicians who sees politics as a compromise, it does not have to be if you want genuine reform. You cannot change the system you despise if you become the very person like those who brought us to this muck and degradation. It was clear he is aware of that predicament and his decision to run under Kapatiran, which adheres to a strict code of ethics and party platform, is the natural choice.

Ang Kapatiran at first glance will leave most everyone the initial impression that it is a group of stubborn and narrow-minded, ultra conservative, "old school" senior citizens with a reactionary agenda. It is strongly Pro-God, anti-violence and anti-dishonesty. Describing the current leaders of the Party as "uncompromising" will be putting it in mild terms. I confess that I (one of the very few liberal Democrats in Oklahoma) have had some concerns about a number of positions that the Party has espoused but I accept the validity of the saying "the devil is wise because he is old". These are people with far greater experience who have in a sense seen it all. So whenever we discuss the platform I always bear in mind that I must always respect the seniority that they possess. This respect never fails to cast a calming effect on my youthful exuberance. So while I put on record that I agree without any reservations with all the core principles of the Party, I have some slight differences with a few "non-deal-breaker" issues.

I think that it is better to aspire for a perfect world rather than remain content in patching up our imperfect house.

The quote below validates the stand of Concerned Overseas Filipinos, who came up with an Open Letter on the Debate addressed to the senatorial candidates and sponsors that never got materialized. These senatoriables are so picky, while Ang kapatiran and their 3 candidates barely get any attention:

There have been quite a few editorials decrying the lack of intelligent discourse surrounding the senatorial race. This coming from a group that shuts out entities that have no money budgeted for "media operations". There is truly quite a gulf separating those who spend public money over those who spend hard-earned money. Even radio stations in the provinces now ask "permission" from Manila if they can conduct radio interviews with candidates coming from unheralded parties, permission that usually comes with a price.

Here we are, bursting with ideas yet confined to discussing our hopes and plans for the future with market vendors and waiting trisikad ( a tricycle-rickshaw) pedal pushers. We can't even break into the debates sponsored by wealthy business interests because they all seem to want to hear the same old garbage and promises that have protected the economic elites all these years. Don't they see that such a rotten system will keep us from fully developing as a nation?

This statement below truly speaks volumes on how he see the intrinsic goodness of Filipinos when transplanted in an orderly less corrupt society are basically hard working good citizens who follows the rules and are socially responsible. Unlike self absorbed cowards or ignoramuses believing in the defective Filipino DNA myth of old he dares say otherwise. While others hide their head in the sand he confronts the problem head on clearly pointing out the trapos who are the real cause and the ones responsible in our retrogression. Overseas Filipinos should take a hard look at this man on how he sees our sector, a true leader respecting his people as against pseudo-leaders who disdain and see their followers as inferiors dumb enough not to see their corrupt leadership:

For more than 20 years, Filipinos have participated in a controlled trial that isolates them in groups in various foreign lands and observed how they behave and interact in other environments. The conclusions are definitive: Filipinos work harder, follow rules, become more socially responsible and think about the future more often. So it is not in the Filipino. It is because our leaders have failed us. Political expediency has priority over moral principles. Case in point is the continuing obsession to become a "model debtor" nation and pay off every last cent of interest including those originating from odious loans. We are able to do this at the expense of the poor having even less social services, poorer education and crumbling infrastructure. This is the type of leadership that prioritizes looking good before the international bankers over widespread malnutrition in the countryside. We really must try something else because this leadership formula clearly is not working. If I may be allowed to dream for even a fraction of our overseas sisters and brothers to return and help redeem our prodigious national promise.

Indeed a statement like that truly endears him to us because it is a different statement from those we often hear from the whining Overseas Filipinos, who were born to complain and lament about everything wrong, even about their own failures to our “Filipino mindset,” thinking it will make them feel better or superior. Totally opposite from that lady that cheats…errr…has a seat by the Pasig River, who points the blame on our Filipinoness when she was in the thick of that Garci scandal. It is just so amazing how dense people get, we were not the ones who were involved in the cheating and here she is blaming us. Respecting and recognizing the goodness of Filipinos should be required of our leaders, for how else can they serve if they show contempt on the very people they are purported to serve? Martin is the man who gives us that hope and is the one who can lead his people in his journey; he alone will perish together with those who will sit idly watching by the sidelines. Together we can build a strong group of cohesive and vigilant supporters in our quest towards a new beginning that may bring this nation out of the basket case these traditional politicians has wrought upon us.

His view on politics is remarkable, very positive and on the right track for a man who is determined to make a difference, here is an excerpt from his blog:

Certainly not that it is improper to devote oneself to politics because politics is, in principle, immoral.

What follows is something else. Politics is an area of human endeavor that places greater stress on moral sensitivity, on the ability to reflect critically on oneself, on genuine responsibility, on taste and tact, on the capacity to empathize with others, on a sense of moderation, on humility. It is a job for modest people, for people who cannot be deceived.

Those who claim that politics is a dirty business are lying to us. Politics is work of a kind that requires especially pure people, because it is especially easy to become morally tainted. So easy, in fact, that a less vigilant spirit may not notice
happening it at all.

Politics, therefore, ought to be carried on by people who are vigilant, sensitive to the ambiguous promise of self-affirmation that comes with it.

I have no idea whether I am such a person. I only know that I ought to be, because I have accepted this office.

I have long ago lost faith in our electoral process and the kind of leaders that gets elected in a contest that is so fraudulent prone. We have experienced 2 edsa peaceful “uprising" deposing 2 presidents only to get dismayed and disappointed at the new leadership. Both of these leaders the people installed had one thing in common; they somehow distanced themselves from the very people that catapulted them to their unexpected rise to power. They came from the minority ruling eltite who as Martin described are old familiar names that has failed us. This election is once again dominated by the same familiar names products of the same old family names spending millions if not billions of peso to get elected, to do what exactly may I dare ask?

Martin Bautista unlike these “leaders” see the need of partnering with the people unfortunately a great many just don’t seem to get it. They want change but they can’t let go of the past personality type contest insisting on a campaign that typifies a personality based contest.

He needs vigilant supporters who will keep him on track because, in an environment where endemic corruption has become the norm, the possibility of falling out is enormous. Martin is up to the challenge and this is his decision (which is years in the making). The question is, are we up to it or do we prefer to whine and lament in desperation with our senseless excuses while relegating ourselves as the biggest losers in Asia as our neighbors progressively adapt and flourish in the new global reality? While we see so much posturing (feeling like and even comparing themselves to Jose Rizal and the propagandistas in their forced exile) among aspiring leaders in the Overseas Filipino community no one dared or has the guts to do what Martin is doing. He went home to challenge the trapos with all their might armed only with infectious idealism, nationalism, and honesty with sincerity and integrity to boot, how can you not support and follow this man in his journey for a better Philippines.

Related articles:
Ang kapatiran banking on Principle, Integrity & Honesty in the 2007 Election

Legislative Office a BIG Taxpayers Burden

=====================================================

Cyber Istambay received an email from Martin Bautista thanking this urot…errr…wanna be author in his response to my latest entry titled “Bautista Battles Trapos in ’07 Philippine Election which I reprint below:

To: Pedestrian Observer

From: Martin Bautista

Date: Apr 8, 2007 3:13 AM

Subject: Bautista Battles Trapos in ’07 Philippine Election

Maraming salamat. I am deeply grateful for the vote of confidence. People like you make it possible for me to face the formidable odds I wake up to every day. Many thanks. Please pray for me.

Martin Bautista

I wanted to reply in private and acknowledge his appreciation. But to do this without sharing my thoughts in public does not do justice to his noble leadership in showing us that there is still hope in our motherland.

I have not personally met Martin, his wife Sylvia and their wonderful children but from what I am seeing, along with the very positive feedback I get, Martin and his family truly deserves more than just a vote of confidence.

I am not a very religious person and I can count all the times I have prayed but this time around, I am not only praying for Martin but praying for our people to make a difference in our nation hoping they see the logic, impact and what it meant for our numbing decades of apathy to exuberance in wanting to be part of this historic electoral exercise.

=========================================================

If you like the articles you read in this blog you can get updates here or get email updates by entering your email address (strictly for updates and not used or given out to any third party) on the right hand side of the blog.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 License & Copyright .

Babae ka, Abalos and the rest of the Jokers in ’07 Philippine election

Babae Ka is acting like a scorned women, hahaha they have invaded this Jaywalking Cyber Pedestrian Observers’ blog entries titled “BOGUS PARTY LIST” and “Reactions to BOGUS PARTY LIST” spamming with their 3 praise errr press releases.

Yeah right, like we are going to get enlightened with their hollow rant starting with the most ridiculous immature childish and truly laughable statement of:

BABAE KA CONDEMNS AKBAYAN “Accusation is nothing but a cheap shot aimed at gathering media mileage at our expense”


The Babae para sa Kaunlaran or BABAE KA condemns in the strongest possible words the unfounded accusation of Akbayan that the former is an “administration front”. This is nothing but a cheap shot aimed at gathering media mileage at our expense and that of other legitimate party-list organizations.

First of all I have never heard of this organization and I guess they were infamous errr became “famous” when their org got lumped by Akbayan with Singaw errr was that Sigaw ng Bayad yikes I meant Bayan. Why in the name of Kurdapya will Akbayan choose Binabae err Babae “sila” and 10 others including their “competitor” Ahon Penoy of Klinkity Klink who claims to be an OFW party when Votester listed them originally as a confederation of mothers?

Next to sound like a militant liberated women’s group ala NOW (middle daw) they resorted to this ridiculous charge in their 2^nd press release:

“Rep. Rosales lied on national television” BABAE KA ACCUSES AKBAYAN OF SEXUAL DISCRIMINATION

Hmmmmn, I am getting confused here Etta is a “male chauvinist”? Hello how did that happen? Etta Rosales is all women and the issue she raised and the question posed with the Comelec was for being a “front” for La Presidenta.

Perhaps it will enlighten us if this org instead of ranting and posturing that they represent womanhood of Bansang Madaya should inform us what if any have they done in alleviating the plight of women. If all they do is rant they deserved to be told……..SHOOO GO AWAY! NOT IN MY BLOG, GO DO YOUR THING IN YOUR OWN BLOG.

In another development in an Inquirer report titled “Abalos to critics: I am not my brother’s keeper” surely earns a DOUBLE BOOOOH from this Jaywalking Cyber Pedestrian Observer together with Mr. Borra, on the other hand how about a TRIPPLE BOOOH instead because we cannot just leave Garci baby the “mayabang” konsumisyoner according to Abalos in Greg Macabenta’s interview. Hello anyone home……. You may not be your bothers (nope no typo there for being bothersome I suppose) keeper but you are the keeper of the sanctity of the ballot in ensuring a clean, honest and fair election, or is it too much to ask?

Here is the interview of Greg Macabenta on Abalos:

During the open forum, I asked Abalos about this incriminating statement. I’m reproducing the transcript of our exchange (from a video recording), for the readers to judge:

GM - From your account, where Garcillano appears to have committed to make certain candidates win, it would seem to me that you have assumed that Garci was guilty - a commissioner of the Commission on Elections - of election fraud, for trying to manipulate the elections. Ang tanong ko po - ano po ang ginawa ng Comelec, para –(My question is – what did the Comelec do to -)

ABALOS - No, I said -

GM - Sinabi niyo kanina po (You said earlier) - what he committed - what he committed hindi nangyari – (did not happen) …But nonetheless, ang tanong ko - mali pa din ba ang ginawa ni Garci o hindi? (my question is – was what Garci did wrong or not?)

ABALOS -No what I said -

GM - And what did you do about it?

ABALOS - No, what I said, there were these misrepresentations - but none of this ever happened. None of this ever happened. Ibig sabihin nuon,(what it means is) there was this man who was merely trying to impress the person he was talking to -

GM - But was he committing a crime?

ABALOS - You know, making a - pag nagyayabang ka (if you’re boasting), is that a violation?

G - Ang ibig sabihin (you mean) he did not commit a violation when he committed to make somebody win, being a commissioner of the commission on elections?

ABALOS - Tapos na nga ho, eh. (It was already over)

GM - No, no, no, kahit tapos. (even if over)

ABALOS- Eh, it was over.

GM - Ay naku (oh, my), so you did not consider it wrong that he made a commitment despite being a Comelec commissioner? How is that possible? And then you ask us to believe?

A - No, no please. Look, I was explaining. Here is a person who was talking to somebody, making representations about this, this and that.

G - Pero hindi ba illegal iyon? (But wasn’t that illegal?)

Abalos continued to insist that Garci was “merely trying to impress.” (he carefully modified that: “…assuming it was Garci…that has not been proven…”)

ABALOS – Now you tell me, what crime has he committed?

Abalos then pointed out that the Senate and the House had investigated the Garci scandal “for two years” and “there was not even a recommendation to have him charged.” Of course, Abalos ignored the fact that the Arroyo-controlled Congress refused to do anything about the case.

Abalos continued to justify the actions of Garcillano.

ABALOS - Kung ang isang tao ay nagyayabang lamang – (If a man was just boasting) that is my point. Somebody was trying to impress somebody - ano'ng kasalanan nuon? (What’s wrong there?)

GM - Oh, come on, come on.

ABALOS - O - If I tell - if I tell you - ibig mong sabihin ang pagyayabang is kasalanan – (You mean, boasting is wrong?)

GM - Do that in America and he will be charged -

ABALOS - You mean, in America if I make - if I make a -

GM - As a Comelec commissioner - as a commissioner of the elections - you make a commitment to make somebody win?

ABALOS - Probably for - for impropriety, yes, For impropriety but not for a crime. For impropriety, yes. That's why he was not reappointed. Remember, he was - he was - he was - he was only an interim appointee. That is why after that incident he was never reappointed. That was probably his punishment.

So there. Going by the Abalos Electoral Doctrine, if a Comelec official commits to make a candidate win in the May elections (and you can be sure, it won’t be for free), there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. He’ s just trying to impress.

Is it any wonder, the Comelec and Philippine elections are a mess?

Yada yada yada, and he thinks he can pull a fast on that one? No wonder the party list system is a mess, as if it is not bad enough that electorates will rummage through 17K positions to be filled in this election we have 91 going on 93 (if the 2 disqualified gets the “reprieved” yeah like convicts from the Comelec) party list to look into with almost half of them questionable or outright BOGUS PARTY LIST. And we blame the masses for being dumb in electing scalawags into office? When this disorderly electoral contest gets more complicated and muddled with commissioners who play IWAS PUSOY(weasel), hesumalosep what are the taxpayers spending billions of scarce resources appreciated peso daw for anyway, if they all act like the biggest weasel in Bansang Madaya?

Hmmmmn, Akbayan is having a very difficult time getting the party list nominees so they can lodge a complaint with Comelec and this stickler for the rules and law kuno will not release it and even had the gall to threaten a person who announces these nominees with prison time almost got me going, hehehe. Well do your job as I have mentioned before police your own rank and ARREST ABALOS! He not only confirmed in the printed madaya errr media his bothers nomination but even campaign for him with his spiel on how his bro helped the trycicle people and his “qualifications”. And they complain about people who don’t follow the rules when they themselves are guilty of it, hypocrites all shame on you people. Delicadeza died a long time ago and conflict of interest will soon follow suit at the rate these people oversee our electoral contest.

How “noble” of Mr. Abalos in saying:

“A party-list group is prohibited by law from getting government backing of any kind. I do hope someone will file a case on this,” Abalos said.

Now, how exactly can they do that if Mr. Borra is adamant in not releasing the official list to the petitioner? Here you are “hoping” that “someone” will file a case when they are right there in front of you, Akbayan needs the list for their disqualification petition so what’s up with that soap opera good guy stance? Uhuh, yeah I believe you.

And then, what’s up with this con puwit err ass guy below?

“They’re bastardizing the party-list system,” Lambino said, referring to Rosales and her group.

Ayayay, no originality, how can genuine Party List Akbayan bastardize the “system” when they are not the one who are in Banat's situation? Baligtad na talaga ang mundo, yikes how cheap indeed. Here is what Etta Rosales has to say on Lambino:

Sought for comment, Rosales told the Inquirer in a text message: “Can’t he even be original? He throws back at us behavior he is guilty of -- a GMA stooge bastardizing the party-list system after failing to bastardize the people’s initiative by forging signatures and deceiving the people. He deserves public contempt and rejection even before the 2007 polls.”

At least there are some Lambino accusation that looks valid and need to be clarified by those concerned:

Lambino also took issue with the “lifestyle” of Rosales, her fellow Akbayan Rep. Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel and economist Walden Bello, one of the group’s nominees in the May elections.

“Are they marginalized?” he asked. “They’re living luxurious lives. They’ve been frequently traveling abroad.”

And this:

Lambino said he was wondering why Rosales wasn’t picking on other party-list groups supposedly fronting for religious organizations. He cited Buhay and Cibac, which were represented in the 13th Congress by Rene Velarde and Joel Villanueva, respectively.

Velarde is the son of El Shaddai leader Bro. Mike Velarde while Villanueva is the son of Bro. Eddie Villanueva of the Jesus Is Lord Movement.

And what exactly is the business of sex errr religious sect doing in a party list?

Hah, enough of that here is the combined list of questionable party list so voters will know:

1-United Transport Koalisyon

Aangat ang Kabuhayan (ANAK)

Aangat Tayo

Abante Ilonggo

Abay-Parak.

Abgbiag Timpuyog Ilocano Inc.

Agricultural Sector Alliance of the Philippines Inc.

AHON PINOY OFW Party

Akbay Pinoy OFW-National Inc.

AKSA

Aksyon Sambayanan

Alagad

Alay sa Bayan ng Malayang Propesyona

and Repormang Kalakal

Alliance for Barangay Concerns

Alliance for Nationalism and Democracy

Alliance of Neo-Conservatives

Alliance of People's Organizations

Alliance of Volunteer Educators

The True Marcos Loyalist Inc.

Alyansa ng mga Grupong Haligi ng Agham

at Teknolohiya Para sa Mamamayan Inc.

ANAD

Ang Galing Pinoy

Ang Kasangga

Ang Laban ng Indihinong Filipino

Angat Antas Kabuhayan Pilipino Movement

Angat Ating Kabuhayan

Arts Business and Science Professional

Asosasyon ng Maliliit na

Negosyanteng Gumaganap Inc.

Association of Administrators,

Professionals and Seniors

Babae Ka!

Babae Para sa Kaunlaran

Bago National Cultural Society of the Philippines

Bagong Alyansang Tagapagtaguyod

ng Adhikaing Sambayanan

Barangay Association for National

Advancement and Transparency

Bigkis Pinoy Movement

Biyaheng Pinoy

Biyaheng Pinoy

Biyayang Bukid

Filipinos for Peace, Justice and Progress Movement

Hanay ng Aping Pinoy

KAKUSA

Kapatiran ng mga Nakakulong na Walang Sala

Kasangga sa Kaunlaran Inc.

Kasosyo Producer-Consumer Exchange

Parents Enabling Parents

Pwersa ng Bayaning Atleta

Sulong Barangay Movement

The True Marcos Loyalist Inc.

United Movement Against Drugs

NOTE: I have removed PARENTS ENABLING PARENTS (PEP) in the list of Urban Poor for Legal Reforms (UP-LR) and Bantay R.A. 7941 they are petitioning for disqualification based on feedbacks from Scumey and Yuko Takei. They are victims of this educational plan company and it seems they are being victimized again in the conduct of dirty electoral contest populated by "fixers" (as reported by TV news crew) and inept body tasked to oversee clean and honest election.

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7941

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE ELECTION OF PARTY-LIST REPRESENTATIVES THROUGH THE PARTY-LIST SYSTEM, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:
Section 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Party-List System Act”.
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State shall promote proportional representation in the election of representatives to the House of Representatives through a party-list system of registered national, regional and sectoral parties or organizations or coalitions thereof, which will enable Filipino citizens belonging to the marginalized and underrepresented sectors, organizations and parties, and who lack well-defined political constituencies but who could contribute to the formulation and enactment of appropriate legislation that will benefit the nation as a whole, to become members of the House of Representatives. Towards this end, the State shall develop and guarantee a full, free and open party system in order to attain the broadest possible representation of party, sectoral or group interests in the House of Representatives by enhancing their chances to compete for and win seats in the legislature, and shall provide the simplest scheme possible.

Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. - (a) The party-list system is a mechanism of proportional representation in the election of representatives to the House of Representatives from national, regional and sectoral parties or organizations or coalitions thereof registered with the Commission on Elections (COMELEC). Component parties or organizations of a coalition may participate independently provided the coalition of which they form part does not participate in the party-list system.

A party means either a political party or a sectoral party or a coalition of parties.

A political party refers to an organized group of citizens advocating an ideology or platform, principles and policies for the general conduct of government and which, as the most immediate means of securing their adoption, regularly nominates and supports certain of its leaders and members as candidates for public office.

It is a national party when its constituency is spread over the geographical territory of at least a majority of the regions. It is a regional party when its constituency is spread over the geographical territory of at least a majority of the cities and provinces comprising the region.

A sectoral party refers to an organized group of citizens belonging to any of the sectors enumerated in Section 5 hereof whose principal advocacy pertains to the special interests and concerns of their sector.

A sectoral organization refers to a group of citizens or a coalition of groups of citizens who share similar physical attributes or characteristics, employment, interest or concerns.

A coalition refers to an aggrupation of duly registered national, regional, sectoral parties or organizations for political and/or election purposes.

Sec. 4. Manifestation to Participate in the Party-List System. - Any party, organization, or coalition already registered with the Commission need not register anew. However, such party, organization or coalition shall file with the Commission, not later than ninety (90) days before the election, a manifestation of its desire to participate in the party-list system.

Sec. 5. Registration. - Any organized group of persons may register as a party, organization or coalition for purposes of the party-list system by filing with the COMELEC not later than ninety (90) days before the election a petition verified by its president or secretary stating its desire to participate in the party-list system as a national, regional or sectoral party or organization or a coalition of such parties or organizations, attaching thereto its constitution, by-laws, platform or program of government, list of officers, coalition agreement and other relevant information as the COMELEC may require: provided, that the sectors shall include labor, peasant, fisherfolk, urban poor, indigenous cultural communities, elderly, handicapped, women, youth, veterans, overseas workers, and professionals.

The COMELEC shall publish the petition in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.
The COMELEC shall, after due notice and hearing, resolve the petition within fifteen (15) days from the date it was submitted for decision but in no case not later than sixty (60) days before election.

Sec. 6. Removal and/or Cancellation of Registration. - The COMELEC may motu proprio or upon verified complaint of any interested party, remove or cancel, after due notice and hearing, the registration of any national, regional or sectoral party, organization or coalition on any of the following grounds:

It is a religious sect or denomination, organization or association organized for religious purposes;

It advocates violence or unlawful means to seek its goal;

It is a foreign party or organization;

It is receiving support from any foreign government, foreign political party, foundation, organization, whether directly or through any of its officers or members or indirectly through third parties for partisan election purposes;

It violates or fails to comply with laws, rules or regulations relating to elections;

It declares untruthful statements in its petition;

It has ceased to exist for at least one (1) year; or

It fails to participate in the last two (2) preceding elections or fails to obtain at least two percentum (2%) of the votes cast under the party-list system in the two (2) preceding elections for the constituency in which it has registered.

Sec. 7. Certified List of Registered Parties. - The COMELEC shall, not later than sixty (60) days before election, prepare a certified list of national, regional, or sectoral parties, organizations or coalitions which have applied or who have manifested their desire to participate under the party-list system and distribute copies thereof to all precincts for posting in the polling places on election day. The names of the party-list nominees shall not be shown on the certified list.

Sec. 8. Nominations of Party-List Representatives. - Each registered party, organization or coalition shall submit to the COMELEC not later than forty-four (45) [sic] days before the election a list of names, not less than five (5) from which party-list representatives shall be chosen in case it obtains the required number of votes.

A person may be nominated in one (1) list only. Only persons who have given their consent in writing may be named in the list. The list shall not include any candidate for any elective office or person who has lost his bid for an elective office in the immediately preceding election. No change of names or alteration of the order of nominees shall be allowed after the same shall have been submitted to the COMELEC except in cases where the nominee dies, or withdraws in writing, his nomination, becomes incapacitated in which case the name of the substitutes nominee shall be placed last in the list. Incumbent sectoral representatives in the House of Representatives who are nominated in the party-list system shall not be considered resigned.

Sec. 9. Qualification of Party-List Nominees. - No person shall be nominated as party-list representative unless he is a natural born citizen of the Philippines, a registered voter, a resident of the Philippines for a period of not less than one (1) year immediately preceding the day of the election, able to read and write, bona fide member of the party or organization which he seeks to represent for at least ninety (90) days preceding the day of the election, and is at least twenty-five (25) years of age on the day of the election.
In case of a nominee of the youth sector, he must at least be twenty-five (25) but not more than thirty (30) years of age on the day of the election. Any youth sectoral representative who attains the age of thirty during his term shall be allowed to continue until the expiration of his term.

Sec. 10. Manner of Voting. - Every voter shall be entitled to two (2) votes. The first is a vote for candidate for member of the House of Representatives in his legislative district, and the second, a vote for the party, organization, or coalition he wants represented in the House of Representatives: provided, that a vote cast for a party, sectoral organization, or coalition not entitled to be voted for shall not be counted: provided, finally that the first election under the party-list system shall be held in May 1998.
The COMELEC shall undertake the necessary information campaign for purposes of educating the electorate on the matter of the party-list system.

Sec. 11. Number of Party-List Representatives. - The party-list representatives shall constitute twenty percentum (20%) of the total number of the members of the House of Representatives including those under the party-list.

For purposes of the May 1998 elections, the first five (5) major political parties on the basis of party representation in the House of Representatives at the start of the Tenth Congress of the Philippines shall not be entitled to participate in the party-list system.

In determining the allocation of seats for the second vote, the following procedure shall be observed:
The parties, organizations, and coalitions shall be ranked from the highest to the lowest based on the number of votes garnered during the elections.

The parties, organizations, and coalitions receiving at least two percent (2%) of the total votes cast for the party-list system shall be entitled to one seat each: provided, that those garnering more than two percent (2%) of the votes shall be entitled to additional seats in proportion to their total number of votes: provided, finally, that each party, organization, or coalition shall be entitled to not more than three (3) seats.

Sec. 12. Procedure in Allocating Seats for Party-List Representatives. - The COMELEC shall tally all the votes for the parties, organizations, or coalitions on a nationwide basis, rank them according to the number of votes received and allocate party-list representatives proportionately according to the percentage of votes obtained by each party, organization, or coalition as against the total nationwide votes cast for the party-list system.

Sec. 13. How Party-List Representatives are Chosen. - Party-list representatives shall be proclaimed by the COMELEC based on the list of names submitted by the respective parties, organizations, or coalitions to the COMELEC according to their ranking in the said list.

Sec. 14. Term of Office. - Party-list representatives shall be elected for a term of three (3) years which shall begin, unless otherwise provided by law, at noon on the thirtieth day of June next following their election. No party-list representatives shall serve for more than three (3) consecutive terms. Voluntary renunciation of the office for any length of time shall not be considered as an interruption in the continuity of his service for the full term for which he was elected.

Sec. 15. Change of Affiliation Effect. - Any elected party-list representative who changes his political party or sectoral affiliation during his term of office shall forfeit his seat: provided, that if he changes his political party or sectoral affiliation within six (6) months before an election, he shall not be eligible for nomination as party-list representative under his new party or organization.

Sec. 16. Vacancy. - In case of vacancy in seats reserved for party-list representatives, the vacancy shall be automatically filled by the next representative from the list of nominees in the order submitted to the COMELEC by the same party, organization, or coalition, who shall serve for the unexpired term. If the list is exhausted, the party, organization, or coalition concerned shall submit additional nominees.

Sec. 17. Rights of Party-List Representatives. - Party-list representatives shall be entitled to the same salaries and emoluments as regular members of the House of Representatives.

Sec. 18. Rules and Regulations. - The COMELEC shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations as may be necessary to carry out the purpose of this Act.

Sec. 19. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the implementation of this Act shall be provided in the regular appropriations for the Commission on Elections starting fiscal year 1996 under the General Appropriations Act.

Starting 1995, the COMELEC is hereby authorized to utilize savings and other available funds for purposes of its information campaign on the party-list system.

Sec. 20. Separability Clause. - If any part of this Act is held invalid or unconstitutional, the other parts or provisions thereof shall remain valid and effective.

Sec. 21. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations, or parts thereof, inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed.

Sec. 22. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in a newspaper of general circulation.

More on BOGUS PARTY LIST

Scroll down for 4/9/07 update.......

In July 8, 2005 The House sub-committee on party-list system and sectoral representation has approved a measure seeking to ban bogus party list groups masquerading as marginalized and underrepresented sectors from participating in the elections.

I went to the Philippine Congress site to check on the status of the bill and found out there were different authored bill and has been consolidated as HB0578, the last activity is it is the business of the day in Nov. 27, 2006:

History of Bill

NO. HB05876

FULL TITLE : AN ACT AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7941, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE 'PARTYLIST SYSTEM ACT'
SHORT TITLE : Amending Republic Act No. 7941, Otherwise Known as the 'Partylist System Act'
ABSTRACT : The bill seeks to facilitate the representation of the marginalized and underrepresented sectors in Congress through a more effective system of election of partylist representatives.
BY CONGRESSMAN/WOMAN MARCOS, IMEE R.
DATE FILED ON 2006-10-11
CO-AUTHORS:
BARINAGA, ROSELLER L.
VALDEZ, EDGAR L.
ERNESTO "ERNIE" C. PABLO
MADAMBA, SUNNY ROSE A.
OCAMPO, SATUR
TEODORO A. CASINO
VIRADOR, JOEL G.
BELTRAN, CRISPIN
MARIANO, RAFAEL V.
MAZA, LIZA
ROSALES, ETTA
MARIO "MAYONG" JOYO AGUJA
ANA THERESIA "RISA" HONTIVEROS-BARAQUEL
CUA, GUILLERMO P.
RENATO "KA RENE" B. MAGTUBO
CHAVEZ, LEONILA V.
MARCOLETA, RODANTE D.

REFERRAL ON 2006-10-12 TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
SIGNIFICANCE: NATIONAL
SUBJECT:POLITICAL PARTIES

DATE READ: 2006-10-12
COMMITTEE REPORT NO. 02023 submitted on 2006-10-11
SUBMITTED BY: SUFFRAGE AND ELECTORAL REFORMS
RECOMMENDATIONS: approval
SUBSTITUTED BILLS: HB00341, HB00409, HB02451, HB02734, HB03302, HB03474
DATE INCLUDED IN OB: 2006-10-12

DATE CALENDARED : 2006-11-27

Hopefully this will address the gray areas that create an opening for opportunist groups in maneuvering their way through the back door of Congress. It will help ensure that only those genuine party-list groups representing the marginalized will enter the House of Representatives, but until congress acts fast (like how they act swiftly without much delay in passing national budget) this will be a perennial problem every election time.

It seeks to disqualify sectoral parties organized, funded, or assisted by the government. Military, police-related organizations, security agency or a private armed group would also be barred from registering as a party.

Proof will be required of a political party that they have a constituency spreading over the geographical territory of at least a majority of the provinces or cities, comprising a region. Let’s hope that they come up with specific ratio or number lest some smart aleck goes around it again if ever this bill passes.

They are also aimed at increasing the present number of party list of 24 to 52 seats representing 20 percent of the total house membership. It will also seek to increase the present 3 seats allocation to 6 and 1.8 percent of the total votes garnered by a party list guarantees them a seat in congress.

The party list at this point in time is like a stinking shoes hanging in the air bastardized by pseudo marginalized party. In the meantime I have sent an email inquiry to the named authors above with email address in the Congress site………. let us see how they will respond or even respond at all.

==============================================

Update on BOGUS PARTY LIST

4/9/07

In a report by Erwin Oliva of Inquirer 4/02/07 the chairman of the House sub-committee on party list representation was denied access to the list of party list group nominees.

In a letter sent to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Monday, Akbayan Representative Loretta Ann Rosales said lawyer Alioden Dalaig, director of the poll body’s law department, claimed he "was inhibited" from releasing the documents with the party-list nominees ostensibly because it violated Section 7 of Republic Act 7941, also known as the Party-List System Act.

But the law states that while "the names of the party-list nominees shall not be shown on the certified list," it does not say the public has no right to access such information.

If Etta Rosales is denied access to information what more with the public? What is wrong with these Comelec people do they think they are in Fort Knox guarding the gold reserves? These are list of questionable if not bogus nominees with bogus intention of mis-representing marginalized sectors of society. In advance societies they have a law against fraud, in the Philippine I am wondering if there is an unwritten code on how to commit fraud when one is in position.

"The purpose for Section 7 is crystal clear, which I think any high school student can understand,” Rosales said. “It is intended to guide the voters in their choice of the party list group whose name they should write instead of the names of its nominees.”

“It is beyond logic that the names of the nominees should be kept clandestine, especially since the issue of violating the party list law and the 2001 Supreme Court ruling relates directly to the kind of nominees that had been chosen by questionable party list groups recently accredited," she said.

Despite numerous letters to the (out) law department of the Comelec on the advice of Abalos for access to the party-list nominees, Etta is getting nowhere. It appears that the request for the list was in preparation for the filing of formal complaint before the Comelec on this suspected dubious party list. No cooperation seems to be forthcoming and your guess is as good as mine…….. something smells fishy and only Comelec can do something so blatant as seen on their “model” operator errr commissioner Garci soon to be tongressman.

Meanwhile in another development Inquirer had bannered the story with “TO EXPOSE FAKE GROUPS, Comelec told to release party-list nominees” had another group Partido ng Manggagawa (Workers Party) asking for the same saying it will expose the “powers-that-be” and “vested interest” behind these FAKE groups.

In a statement, Gerry Rivera, vice-chairman and a nominee of Partido ng Manggagawa, said, “There is no rule or reason for the Comelec to keep it a secret except to protect the fake party-lists from open condemnation and public pressure. The lists of nominees are public documents and its public scrutiny flows from the logic of the Supreme Court landmark decision on the party-list system.”

Rivera cited the Supreme Court decision on Ang Bagong Bayani-OFW Party vs. Comelec where the high tribunal laid down an eight-point set of guidelines to screen the party-list groups and weed out the legitimate from the counterfeit.

He quotes the decision: “Sixth, the party must not only comply with the requirements of the law; its nominees must likewise do so… Seventh, not only the candidate party or organization must represent marginalized and underrepresented sectors; so also must its nominees. To repeat, under Section 2 of RA 7941, the nominees must be Filipino citizens ‘who belong to marginalized and underrepresented sectors, organizations, and parties.’”

Rivera said “trapos” (or traditional politicians) and “Malacanang stooges” are using the party-list system to sabotage it. “While the workers recognize that the party-list system is just a token concession to marginalized sectors, we will defend the beachhead that we have conquered in the enemy territory that is the elite-dominated Congress,” he said.

This Bastardization of the party list system has to stop, ignore this problem and this is what Leila Rispens-Noel from the Netherlands has to say:

Like the terrifying hydra in the Greek mythology, as we cut the heads of political bastardization, more new heads are coming out. It stinks. This is getting to be a bigger fight. The only thing we can do is to try to inform the people/electorate about this. We need the help of the mainstream media and the civil society, church groups, schools, etc.

Thanks for your blog ---- i-circulate ng husto. We should come up with DON’T VOTE THESE BOGUS PARTY LISTS CAMPAIGN!

I don’t know what else we can do about it.

Do people even care? Now in that same report instead of spending P50 million and up they now “only” spend 15 to P20 million, well what do you know? Even Party List political party a supposedly marginalized groups spending this amount of money is just unreal considering the numbing poverty that engulfs this nation. BOOOOH shame on you people…. Oh yeah, shaming dense people will just not cut it anymore, especially when you talk of hundreds of millions in unaccounted pork barrel and perks that goes with it……… having a thick skin is the name of the game.

Mr. Borra is such a stickler for rules; I am “honestly impressed” at his unflinching stance:

“We will only publish the names of the nominees 3 pm after [polling places close for] the May 14 elections,” election commissioner Resurreccion Borra said in a briefing Wednesday.

Borra said the decision not to disclose the list of nominees was made late Tuesday.

The poll official argued that Comelec should not publish the names of the nominees since “they're [party-lists] not yet sure to win.”

“It is premature for them to question it,” Borra referring to the clamor of the party-list Akbayan and other groups for the Comelec to publish the nominees’ names.

Nah, I don’t think so what he is doing is actually frustrating the people and the party list groups who wants to expose bogus party list hiding under their “formulated” rules that they “decided” kuno. If they are such a stickler for the rules and follow the laws to the letter what may I ask did they do exactly when their kulig errrr colleague operator errr commissioner Garci was in the thick of the election fraud scandal………. NOTHING, because according to them no case was filed (yeah they are right even possession of ugly face errr fake public document did not prosper in court) in court. Excuse me but don’t you guys police your own ranks? Maybe not huh, lest they accidentally arrest themselves altogether for allowing the circus to go on then no one will oversee the fraud errr election.

I am getting confused here, Mr. Borra is insisting that the nominees cannot be published but Akbayan needs the list for legal purposes (not for publication) because without said official list in the legal papers there is no basis for their disqualification petition. I say DOUBLE BOOOOH to Comelec and Mr. Borra, watch out folks something is cooking and they are not even from Macao.

=====================================================

Related articles

Questionable "OFW" Party List

Bogus Party List

Reactions to Bogus Party List

Use of content or any part thereof requires permission and acknowledgement of source. This work is licensed under a
Creative
Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0
License & Copyright .