ON POLITICAL RESOLUTIONS FOR 2010

Is it possible to have political resolutions? Some people's lives revolve around politics all the time --talking to politicians, talking about politics -- who are running, where, who has more chances of winning, how peoples' funds are being manipulated to beef up their campaign funds, etcetera. In other words, they describe what is happening in reality.

But a resolution should make us think of how to improve our political involvement. First and foremost here I think is to make our families understand the value of our involvement. Many relatives view politics as a VERY DIRTY, STINKING FIELD, where thousands of crocs live. This should not be our viewpoint. I think what is lacking is simple education for the people to understand that getting involved politically is healthy. HEALTHY. What does that mean? It means that politics is so valuable in the way we live in this world. Let me quote Al Gore in his message for the New Yea (minus his request for donation):

FROM AL GORE:
"At times, the slow pace of change can be disheartening. The vast resources of the opposition, the absurdity that unquestionable science is still ignored by an obstinate few, and the dismay that some people -- even some leaders -- just don't seem to care -- all of this can be downright infuriating.

But it's impossible to overstate the overwhelming importance of the work we are doing. And I can tell you that there is hope for the future, and that we are closer than we have ever been to implementing real solutions on a global scale. The proof is apparent in all that we achieved together this past year.

Our shared accomplishments have renewed my resolve and my optimism for the year ahead. And that's a very good thing, because our work is more important now than ever. To put it bluntly, we are running out of time to act. We must succeed next year, because the alternative is unacceptable and the consequences are unthinkable.

I know you understand what is at stake. I need to know that I can count on you to help us overcome the tall odds we face. "

FROM MITCH STEWART, A VOLUNTEER OF THE B. OBAMA CAMPAIGN GROUP FOR HEALTH REFORM:

Early this year, millions of you chose to keep working together and create Organizing for America, to build on the momentum of the Obama campaign, take on the defenders of the status quo, and make change happen.

Special interests thought they could steamroll you with hundreds of millions of dollars in lobbying and attack ads. Meanwhile, you built a massive organization, driven by local leadership, that reached out to millions of fellow Americans and made your voices heard to Congress in record numbers.

In the coming year, our opponents will make a final stand to block health reform and seek to defeat many of the President's other crucial initiatives. And they're already targeting those in Congress who are championing change.

So I wanted to take a moment at year's end to reflect on everything you've built, and to ask for your help one last time this year to hit the ground running in 2010. Please donate $5 to keep our organizing strong in all 50 states.

This has been a remarkable year for the movement you've built from the ground up.

Beth Kimbriel, a mother of four from Richmond, Virginia, has no formal political experience. But every week, as an OFA "Community Organizer," she trains and manages other volunteer leaders to organize effectively around the President's agenda. Hundreds of her fellow OFA Community Organizers around the country have already volunteered more than 200,000 hours doing similar work. Thousands more have taken on other leadership positions in every single state. And we're still growing -- nearly a million people who had never volunteered for the presidential campaign have signed up with OFA this year.

Supporters spread the word throughout our communities, with more than a million conversations with neighbors on the phone and at the doorstep, and 250,000 letters to the editor about how President Obama's policies would help ordinary Americans.

And when Congress was making crucial decisions, you spoke out more powerfully than the special interests ever could. In the last few months, you've made more than 1 million calls to Congress -- including more than 300,000 on one amazing day in October that created huge momentum for health reform. Thousands of supporters attended town halls to counter the shouting mobs and speak out in person. And you even held 37,107 events in every congressional district -- bus tour rallies, phonebanks and forums to inform your neighbors.

These incredible efforts have powered victories on a wide range of issues. OFA volunteers provided a huge boost to help pass the Recovery Act, President Obama's historic budget, an expansion of children's health care, credit card and student loan reform. Your voices helped pass a historic green jobs and energy bill in the House, and the confirmation of the nation's first Latina Supreme Court justice, Sonia Sotomayor, in the Senate. And of course, you were instrumental in passing comprehensive health reform through both houses of Congress for the first time in American history.

With every phone call to a member of Congress, every door knocked on a rainy day, every event held in a town center, you've helped to push this country forward.

But with the special interests and their allies in Congress fighting us for every inch, we need your help again to keep our organizing strong in 2010."

In these twin letters,we can glean the optimism, of not shirking away from the responsibilities which is a highly admirable act. The same kind of perseverance should be in our psyche for us to weather all kinds of crises and disasters that may come our way. We need to be pragmatic while maintaining our idealism. And we can start this new year.

I think that number one resolution is to reserve one hour or more a day to mull over politics and to act on whatever needs to be acted upon.

Secondly, we must strengthen our links with people who think the same way as we do. We need rap groups, people who can take our steaming off when things get rough or rotten. They can keep us on course.

Thirdly, let us keep a diary that will help us assess our status on a monthly basis, whether we are meeting our targets or not.

Fourthly, read the newspapers, listen to the radio, the AM especially where we can listen to news every hour and even every 15 minutes. Between now and May 2010 we need to be updated on what is occurring. Our situation is very volatile and changes are bound to be instituted without our knowing or without giving us a chance to react.

Fifthly, let us pray, pray hard that we shall be guarded and guided by the Almighty throughout our endeavors. A five-minute prayer before sleeping and upon waking up could do wonders in strengthening our resolve to be fully active in the months ahead.

So be it. HAPPY NEW YEAR, FOLKS!

SAYING GOODBYE TO 2010

It has been a topsy-turvy year for us in the Philippines. Our lives, our minds have been subjected to so many political and...and economic pressures. We saw how Erap, freed was subjected to so many obstacles to prevent him from running. We read how Noynoy easily got his presidential candidacy slot from his party with Mar Roxas abdicating his ambition. We also view now with concern how some so-called "godfather" of local code and proven opposition leader with his down-to-earth analyses of politics will now be receding into the background (but is endorsing his daughter to take his place, a case of dynastic urge, Senator Nene Pimentel; how Manny Villar had to wade through many accusations of holding on to real estate business tie-ups despite the requirement of divesting himself of commercial interests as all officials should; and many many more. Then we have also seen how the tentacles of political supremacy have been bolstered by tie-ups of politicians to political and economic gangsters like the Ampatuan whose warped mind of killing people is beyond sci-fi methods (or did he copy some of his techniques from the violent movies that had been shown in the country). So now we know victories at the polls are not just manipulated by people like Garci, in terms of numbers, but most of all by warlords whose hands dip in the baskets of power and finances of the peoples' coffers. Then, we also saw bodies and cities swept away by floods after huge typhoon Ondoy but only because the gates of the big 3 dams were opened altogether, simultaneously, and without regard for the consequences on the people. Yet no one has been charged for negligence, omission or commission of the crime. Or any crime for that matter involving high officials? ---to be continued.

WORKING FOR A PEACEFUL WORLD

US airspace has just been violated by the presence of an Al Qaeda terrorist. The subduing of the guy does not end the terrorist threat being felt worldwide. It seems annihilation of the "enemies" of Islam is being carried out without let-up. To my mind the answer to this is just to sit quietly and not say anything until all the burning figures burn themselves out. Meanwhile measures on checking incoming and outgoing travellers all over the globe should be strengthened. It seems to me that the terrorists are always on foot -- walking in crowded places, flying in an airplane, or riding a train. Does this mean we should limit our movements also? Not necessarily. I do think that dialogue is still the best. Whoever is funding the AQ groups should be sought for expression of what they want in this world and then for all the UN forces to meet them halfway. I do think no country can solve this problem of Al Qaeda alone. It needs a global concerted effort to obliterate violent ideas, not really to eliminate the individual terrorists or groups but to somewhat pour cold water on their hot heads. Yes, fighting the AQ is like tilting with the windmills like Don Quixote but if we all work together then it is going to be a more safe world, I guess. We can start somewhere and I suggest the above.

VIEWING US HEALTH REFORM BILL

In the western hemisphere, there are four seasons which affect the human body: spring, summer, autumn and winter. These wreak havoc on the cells of the body -- changing the way the people react to their environment, for good or ill. Having a health reform program is simply trying to control the negative reactions that could arise from such a phenomenon. Control here means giving people mental rest from having to think of how to get treated or cured from illnesses that could arise from environmental factors

STAND UP!

CALLING ALL CANDIDATES WHO DID NOT PASS THE STANDARDS OF THE COMELEC: TOMORROW, THE 28TH OF DECEMBER IS THE LAST DAY FOR DEFENDING WHY YOU HAVE THE HONOUR AND PRIDE TO BE OF SERVICE TO OUR GREAT COUNTRY, INANG BAYANG PILIPINAS.

8 A.M. ON THE EIGHTH FLOOR.

AND REMEMBER TORMORROW IS THE 28TH OF DECEMBER 2009, NINOS INOCENTES. LET US PRAY THAT THE DAY WON'T BE AN EXCUSE TO MAKE US THE BUTT OF JOKES AS THE SO-CALLED "N_______ CANDIDATES" WHICH WILL BE BANDIED ABOUT IN THE MEDIA THE FOLLOWING DAY.

COME IN FULL FORCE, COMPLETE WITH ALL YOUR SUPPORTERS TO GIVE YOU THE MORAL STRENGTH TO FACE ALL KINDS OF ODDS.

WE WILL ALL BE THERE FOR THE SAKE OF OUR COUNTRY AND THE MILLIONS OF FILIPINO PEOPLE WHO ARE ALL HANKERING FOR GOOD GOVERNANCE.

Sister Melody Mixed Media by Chidi Okoye

AWIT

iSANG AWIT PAMASKO, ANG HIMIG: CHESTNUTS ROASTING ON AN OPEN FIRE
Malayang saling-titik ni Emma Orozco

Lamig ng panahon
Narito na
Magjaket at mamaluktot
Mga namamaskong bata sa lansangan
Hindi maawat sa pagkanta

Hanap natin ngayon ay ligaya
Paskong masaya at
may kakanin
Simbang gabi kaysarap daluhan
Buong puso tayong aawit.

Mga bata magkarol na
Si Santa ay tiyak na darating
Dalang regalo sa
mababait
At payo lang sa suwail

Halina at magsama-sama
Masdan natin
ang krismas tri
Puno ng ilaw at may bituin pa
Tiyak na masaya ang Pasko

KRISMAS SONG

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire
Jack frost nipping at your nose
Yuletide carols being sung
by a choir
And folks dressed up like
Eskimos
Evrybody knows a turkey
and some mistletoe
Help to make the season bright
Tiny tots with their eyes all aglow
Will find it hard to sleep t
onight

They know that Santa’s on
his way
He’s loaded lots of toys and goodies on his sleigh
And every mother’s child is gonna spy
To see if reindeer really know how to fly
And so, I’m offering this simple phrase
To kids from one to ninety two
Although it’s been said many times
Many ways, Merry Christmas to you

SAIL ON TO 2010 IN FAIR WEATHER!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE! MAY OUR CHRISTMAS BE FILLED WITH HOPE AND PRAYERS FOR A BETTER TOMORROW FOR EVERYONE.

BAYANG MAGILIW

PULITIKA SA PUSO, ISIP, AT DAMDAMIN

Ang mga kababayan natin ay mahilig talaga sa pulitika. Hawak hawak ko yung papeles na ipase-serox para sa Comelec kung saan sinusuri ko yung resolution nila na tinatakda ang mga pangalang pinapayagan at di nila pinapayagang makatakbo sa 2010. Yung katabi kong mama na magpapa xerox din ay gustong mabasa kaagad yung sinulat ko at nais makahingi ng kopya. Sabi ko kapag na-finalize na namin ay ipapamahagi na rin namin. Hindi siya makapaghintay at hiniram yung papeles.

Sa jeep naman, pasikut-sikot ang andar ng jeep na sinasakyan ko pauwi sa amin. Sabi ko sa tsuper, mama, baka tumalsik ako sa upuan ko at hindi na ako maboto ng mga kababayan natin. A talaga, tanong kaagad niya. At sa maraming mga panig ng MetroManila, bawa't kausap ko talaga ay mahilig, pati na yung padyak driver at vendor. Sino raw ba ang mananalo sa 2010.

Pagkatapos ng 2000, ang mga kababayan natin ay parang napaso at ni ayaw pag-usapan ang pulitika. Pero nung 2004 at lumaban si FPJ para sa pagkapangulo, at puro batikos ang tinanggap niya, marami ang naging interesado. Ewan ko kung dahil sa parang sabong ang nangyari. Tapos nung natalo siya at namatay, o pinatay, di natin matiyak, nanlumo na naman ang taumbayan. Nung 2007 naman, nabuhay na naman ang taumbayan, kasi Sen. Trillanes, nakakulong, isang sundalong nag-aklas ay pinayagang makatakbo. Exciting na naman ang pulitika. At nanalo siya. Pero ngayong 2010 elections, iba ang interes ng taumbayan. Nais nilang pag-aralan ang takbo ng eleksyon. Pinag-uusapan kung paanong di madadaya. Pinag-uusapan hindi na kung sino ang sa tingin nila ay mananalo, kung hindi nagtatapos ang tanong sa "sino ang iboboto ninyo? Bakit? Bakit hindi si ganun?"

Samakatuwid, mataas na ang kamalayan ng taumbayan sa ating pulitika. Nagsusuri, at may paggalang sa opinyon ng iba kung sino ang iboboto.

Pulitika ay nasa puso - alam na natin na ito ang paraan para magkaroon ng pagbabago sa lipunan. Pulitika sa isip -- alam natin na dapat pag-aralang mabuti, lalo na dahil automated elections -- kung paanong magiging sagradong tuluy-tuloy ang balota; at pulitika sa damdamin --alam natin na ang resulta ng pulitika ay para sa ating nakararaming kababayan, na tunay na nangangailangan ng pagkalinga.

Meron pa kayang maglalakas-loob na bumili ng boto sa 2010? Abangan.

MARCH FOR FOOD IN DECEMBER

By Emma S. Orozco

How beautiful to see Christmas images of Santa Claus,Christmas trees, Bethlehem, all in the spirit of celebrating the birth of Jesus. During our youth, we used to gather around Christmas trees and open our boxes of presents. Now, we are the ones giving away presents. But I have resolved to give presents only to children and the yayas who take care of them. I don't think the adults need to be reminded of Christmas at this time, especially when the peso-dollar exchange rate is going haywire, and the prices of basic commodities and utilities are doing nothing but increase no end. In fact they would only wish that it would pass away speedily.

Why is our country in such an economic mess? I think that this all boils down to the colonial mentality of most government officials. They don't really value the our people nor do they think that Filipino citizens here deserve good governance. Because they receive the bulk of their budgets out of the remittances of our OFWs, then they don't really have a heart anymore for the people.

I think we should open up a store: a Heart Store -- where we can sell different kinds of hearts -- to sell to those whose hearts have turned stony, or petrified, or wooden from being too far from the realities of the country. We could have a blue heart to turn over the hearts of those who are supportive of violent means in resolving the problems of the country, a violet heart for those who still consider women as secondary or even tertiary beings, a red heart for those with empty chests -- to make them alive again and nurturing of the people.

I really don't know how they (the rich and corrupt government officials) could still sleep soundly or eat without having any pangs of guilt over using the people's money.

Yesterday, I went to the Comelec and saw the employees enjoying sumptuous Christmas dinner. You know in government, the world stops. There is always a celebration of some sort, as if what is happening outside is just one of those things. So they have a budget for a year, and then they spend that money for their programs, their celebrations. And you see food all the time.

It is Christmas now and we see children plying the streets, using a tin can to go drumming and sing songs, no matter how off-key. One night, a friend gave me a box of cake. Since it is sweet and I am on a diet, I decided to give it away to the singing kids. I sliced one piece after another and gave it away. The first child came around again, only to thank me again. He stood there by the corner of a building where a fastfood restaurant was. My heart bled for him.

By the way, that's a common sight now, children standing by glass windows of restaurants, especially, Chow King. They wait for the diners to leave and then motion to them to bring out the left overs that they can eat.

The crunch is in. The food advertised in the tarpaulins or the flyers of a Chow King restaurant do not match what is served. I was served food that had only three instead of four slices of chicken on the plate. When I showed the picture in the ad and how it looked plenty, the waiters and the managers just shook their head; they cannot do anything about it.

I remember, one time in the 90's we had a Christmas giftgiving to the children of Tondo. Children, ha, but then the parents also came. At first we had some shows -- magic, and then food giving. My goodness, riot ensued. Pandemonium. Parents and children vied for a share. Worse yet, the donor, who did not follow our instructions that only those with numbers should be given, felt very frustrated and vowed never to repeat the event again.

Whose fault was it?

Maybe we should ask all the restaurants to donate for a long, long table at Luneta where food will be laid out galore for every child to partake of.

But then at this time, they will respond: it's too late, "we have already committed our supplies to other groups."

Instead, why don't we just have a March for Cheap Food this Christmas?



JO MOULTON, ART PRINT

MESSAGES TO COMELEC

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS
PALACIO DEL GOBERNADOR, INTRAMUROS, MANILA

MOTION FOR RECONSIDERATION

TEN REASONS FOR RECONSIDERATION OF
COMELEC DISQUALIFICATION OF THE CANDIDATES OF THE
DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF THE PHILIPPINES

A. Under a Democratic regime, there is no discrimination. Comelec act shows discrimination. Political acts should be based on democratic principles, recognizing the right of everyone to vote and be voted upon. The Constitution states that “ The Constitution guarantees the right of everyone to participate politically.” In other words, the Comelec should be the agent to ensure that that right is protected, preserved and guaranteed for impolementation.

B. Comelec, by disqualifying candidates, is usurping the right of the people to choose as it is narrowing down the list of candidates to those the employees of Comelec have chosen. In other words, Comelec is putting itself ahead of the people in terms of voting;

C. Democracy: Everyone is created equal. Comelec is showing bias. Political participation is a duty, starting from voting up to being voted upon. Comelec is limiting the participation of the people to those who are media-popular.

D. Arbitrary rejection of candidates
a. hahaba ang balota: this is technical and has a quasi-meaning
b. what is more important: 1.) protecting the right of voters to choose their leaders; 2) protecting the right of everyone to politically participate from voting to being voted upon;
Comelec is presuming that the supporters of candidates will exert all effort to vote for their candidates no matter the length of the ballots. In fact it should act first on the basis of principles not technicalities;

E. Right and duty to run for national and local positions. Currently, those allowed to run have been in the limelight for many years already. Comelec then is assuming and disseminating the idea that to be a candidate, one must be popular in media. This is not a legitimate reason for disqualification. The qualifications, the capabilities of the candidates should be the ones to be scrutinized. 6. Comelec by its act is deciding who matters as a candidate, usurping the people’s right to choose. It is the people who should decide;

F. Give everyone a chance: this is democracy. Otherwise, elitism becomes the guiding principle. The people should be the final arbiter, the final decision-maker as to who should be voted upon.

G. Comelec judgment by prediction: it claims that disqualified candidates cannot mount a successful campaign. How could Comelec say that a campaign will be successful or not successful? In 2007, Sen. Trillanes was allowed to run but was not able to campaign because he was in jail, yet he won. Jamby Madrigal is independent, has no party; not participating in debates, not being interviewed in media yet she is included as a presidential candidate. A successful campaign has many factors;

H. Comelec should educate the voters: Leaders should be chosen by the people, not because of their popularity but by the principles they stand for;

I. By using the argument that a candidate must be able to mount a nationwide campaign is anti-democratic and belittling the capacity of the people to put up their own leaders;

a. Campaigning nationwide has both visible and invisible qualities: a candidate can make their presence be felt nationwide; or their supporters can radiate their energies, their presence among the people. There are multiple ways to campaign politically and every candidate will have his or her own style of campaigning. For Comelec to dictate one style is an authoritarian not a democratic posture which then is unconstitutional.

b. By claiming that the candidates need ability to campaign nationwide the Comelec is already dictating on the political approaches to getting elected. This is not their function;

c. Comelec is dictating that media exposure shows success in campaigning. But campaigning has many forms. – through word of mouth, through leaflets, tv and radio broadcasts, internet, through person-to-person approach, through opinion-makers in the communities, etc. Just because a candidate is not being talked about in the media is not a guarantee of success in campaigning. In the long run, a successful campaign is conducted on the substantial issues that the candidate carries and not the medium; and

J. Reason of inability to campaign nationwide: is not tenable
a. The advent of tv and the Internet has eased the problems of campaigning. Candidates can campaign through tv, being interviewed and the interview being broadcasted.
b. The internet is the popular medium now for communication. A candidate can easily contact anyone nationwide and internationally – the OFWs – to inform supporters and the voters about his or her presence.
c. The DPP has chapters nationwide

WILHELMINA S. OROZCO
Senatorial Candidate, DPP




REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS
PALACIO DEL GOBERNADOR, INTRAMUROS, MANILA

REPLY TO RESOLUTION NO. 8713

This Reply pertains to the Comelec Resolution No. 8713 which takes off from the Memorandum dated December 7, 2009 of the Law Department relative to the certificates of candidacy for national positions in connection with the May 10, 2010 Automated National and Local elections.

Comments:

1. Observation no. 1: the Comelec praises Jamby Madrigal and disgraces Mario B. Crespo by saying that “her political track record in launching a serious nationwide campaign ins unquestionable, proven by her in the leection in the senate,” versus “Mr. Crespo has no proven political track record in nationwide candidacy…not have any political party affiliation to support his bid for the presidency…would be quite difficult for one man, independent at that, to seriously mount a presidential campaign throughout the nation.”

Comments: The Comelec erred in this observation as it clearly shows bias towards those who are already in positions of power in the government. Instead of allowing anyone, qualified by intellectual competence to be put up as a candidate it makes the trappings of power as the basis for approval of candidacies.


2. Observation no. 2: “Further the following DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF THE PHILIPPINES’ (DPP) certificates of nomination for senator do not bear the following recipients’ signature(s) of acceptance as required by Section 6 of the COMELEC Resolution No. 8678 specifically that of WILHELMINA SIOZON OROZCO and LUIS DE GUZMAN RAMOS. “

Comment: This is a false statement. Wilhelmina S. Orozco signed the nomination in front of Atty. Rafanan and together with other staff members of the Law Department on the day that the DPP other candidates filed their COC’s.

3. Observation No. 5: the Memorandum placed the names of Jovito S. Palparan and Liza L. Maza sequentially.

Comments: These two people are at odds politically. It is clear that the Memorandum wanted to give a satirical twist in its approval of candidacies – that people from opposite political spectrum can be together as senatoriables. Is this a professional way of handling a memorandum in a very significant event as the elections of 2010? Does the Comelec show professional sincerity in doing its job by treating the candidacies of the two in this manner?

4. Observation No. 5: in the next paragraph, “It can therefore be concluded that aside from having bona fide intentions of running for the position of senator, all of these candidates are possessed with sufficient political manpower, resources and machinery to launch a nationwide campaign.

Comments: “manpower, resources and machinery” these are just factors to contend with when one becomes a candidate. Now how does Comelec know that every candidate rejected will not be able to commandeer or even move its supporters to take care of “manpower, resources and machinery” once the campaign period starts?

Why does the Comelec meddle into the “manpower, resources and machinery” that the candidate has or can gather when these are factors that can be easily mobilized once the campaign period starts? Every candidate will have its own method of conducting their campaigns. The Comelec has no right to intervene on the process of campaigning.

The Comelec right should be confined to approving the candidacies based on the Constitutional Requirement. The Supreme Court erred in its decision (Pamatong vx. COMELEC, GR 161872) granting the Comelec the right to prohibit and disqualify candidates based on practical considerations. On the contrary, it is the duty of the Comelec to insure that every candidate has enough exposure in media and in the communities so that the voters can make an intelligent choice.

At present, the Comelec puts in the shoulders of every candidate the burden of promoting themselves.

5. Observation: The Comelec has declared the DPP candidates as Nuisance Candidates defined as: “one whose certificate of candidacy is presented and filed to cause confusion among the electorate by the similarity of names of the registered candidate or by other names which demonstrate that the candidate has no bona fide intention to run for the office for which the certificate of candidacy has been filed and thus prevent a faithful determination of the will of the electorate.”

Comments: the word “nuisance” is a negative term that speaks of being a cause for disturbance of peace. The above observation of the Comelec is a sweeping generalization – calling all those who it did not qualify as “nuisance.”

An ethical government agency should respect the dignity of every citizen. It should conduct its activities under the highest standards of respecting the human rights of everyone – in this case, of wanting to serve the country through participation in the electoral processes – that of being voted for.

Yet Comelec chooses to wallow in low politics and in one sweeping thrust of the pen dismisses many candidates who could have built their reputation as experts in their fields of endeavor and whose only flaw has been to file their certificates of candidacy.

In this regard, Comelec should be censured in the use of the word “nuisance,” as it brings itself down to the level of poor debaters who use “ad hominem” arguments once they run out of verbal or written defenses.

6. The Comelec has made erroneous governance time after time by disqualifying people without uniformity, as it has shown to exhibit favoritism or bias in its judgment.

Comment: The Comelec, should it commit an error, should be made to pay the candidates harmed by its decisions which have caused moral damages.

The question that Comelec should ask itself is: why are there many people who want to join as candidates? Has it ever examined the kind of government that the Filipino people have had over the decades? Have the different administrations made a positive difference in the lives of the people such that they would love to elect the same people over and over again?

The above comments are meant to overturn the decision of the Comelec in rejecting the COCs of the DPP, and to put into order its acts under professional standards as it shows bias, discrimination and anti-human rights posture in its Resolution.

The DPP must pursue this case up to the highest levels as the Comelec has shown its bias in all of its activities every time the election period arises.

In not being able to correct this, the DPP will be faced with the same problems every time an election arises and the Comelec will be able to petrify in its mistaken governance permanently. In this regard, the DPP would lose its political clout among the people as it would not be able to field its qualified candidates to let them decide the leaders they want.

THE DPP AS THE TRUE PARTY OF THE PEOPLE MUST BE ABLE TO CORRECT HISTORICAL ERRORS WITH SPEED AND INSTALL A GOVERNMENT SENSITIVE ENOUGH AND POSSESSING OFFICIALS WITH KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE OF GOOD GOVERNANCE – INCORRUPTIBLE AND RESPECTFUL OF HUMAN RIGHTS.



WILHELMINA S. OROZCO, DPP Senatorial Candidate
Senatorial Candidate, DPP

EMPOWERING WOMEN: National Women’s Summit Declaration

October 20-21, 2009 Quezon City, Philippines

We, 350 participants of the National Women’s Summit, inspired by its theme “Women’s Self Reliant Leadership and Collective Empowerment in Times of Crisis,” gathered at Miriam College, Quezon City, Philippines on 20-21 October 2009 to assess and to reflect on the gains as well as the challenges we still face 15 years after the adoption of the Beijing Platform of Action (BPFA) by the women of the world; Conscious of the destruction and tragedy left behind by the wrath of typhoons “Ondoy” and “Pepeng,” we are determined to confront and overcome the persistent problems that plague our country and people. We are aware that the setbacks we face today such as arrested economic growth, deepening poverty, continuing war and conflict in Mindanao, bad governance, widespread corruption, religious extremism, environmental vulnerability, and violation of human rights, are deeply rooted in structures of inequality and injustice, both national and international, exacerbated by our complacency and lack of love of country which prevent us from confronting these issues with firm resolve and unswerving determination; As women committed to gender equality, social change and the progress of our beloved country, we must harness resilience, self-reliant leadership, and collective empowerment which Filipino women have demonstrated time and again when faced with unending crisis; We hereby resolve to:
1. Continually strengthen our commitment to uphold women’s rights in all its dimensions - political, social, economic, cultural, and spiritual; renew our efforts in mainstreaming the value of legal and legislative education and its potential in creating governance and a just political system, particularly in monitoring government compliance with international human rights commitments, such as the BPFA, CEDAW, Convention on Migrant Workers and their Families; persist in the enforcement of domestic laws and regulations for women’s rights and their liberation from poverty, foremost of which is the Magna Carta of Women (RA 9710);
2. Popularize more vigorously the value of electoral advocacy for the promotion of women’s rights and social justice and demand the highest levels of accountability in governance by choosing and electing leaders who are honest, transparent, democratic, committed to peaceful social change, who accept women’s rights as human rights and who value partnership with civil society;
“Women’s Self Reliant Leadership and
Collective Empowerment in Times of Crises”
20-21 October 2009, Miriam College, Quezon City
Secretariat: Women and Gender Institute, Katipunan Road, Loyola Hts. QC; Telfax: (632) 4359229* 5805400 loc.
3590* Email: wagi@mc.edu.ph* Website: www.cedaw-watch.org/womensummit.html
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3. Strengthen our commitment to confront the economic crisis today by advocating socially-oriented and just economic policies and programs; supporting active trading among small and medium-scale entrepreneurs and investors, majority of whom are women, across different islands of the Philippines; upholding farmers’ and workers’ rights; encouraging social dialogue among cooperatives and trade unions while ensuring that the voices of women farmers, workers and informal workers are heard;
4. Encourage women to become entrepreneurs, investors and financial managers by offering them financial education and training, providing them with credit and market information and supporting the storage, distribution and standardization of the prices of their products and services;
5. Develop and implement women-empowering programs which tap indigenous/local knowledge of women that respond to the dangers posed by patriarchal backlash, over-all deprivation, non-access to services, and which should include the protection of women against threats to their personhood through-out their life cycle;
6. Engage educational institutions in the design of socially-relevant and gender-fair academic curricula, youth-driven outreach civic engagement programs that can provide the youth, especially girls and young women, the consciousness, wisdom, knowledge, and competencies as agents of transformative leadership;
7. Sustain the monitoring of developmental strategies related to the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDG) to ensure a gender responsive approach in policy implementation and practices for achieving MDG goals, especially addressing issues, among others, around maternal mortality, child mortality and HIV AIDS;
8. Systematically utilize all forms of media for awareness-raising, for action and mobilization in order to socialize the values of environmental protection, sustainable development, regenerative lifestyles, and feminist spirituality.
We urge the Philippine government and the private sector to give priority to the following:
1. Build an inclusive and progressive political system, on a sustained basis, through the promotion of a culture of peace and cooperation among Christians, Muslim and Indigenous peoples by encouraging them to work closely in partnership with one another and supporting the co-equal leadership of women and men in their distinctive and diverse cultures;
2. Assist in the re-structuring of community-based organizations of women, simultaneously tapping into front-line government agencies, the private sector and civic organizations that provide protection and resources against violence against women and children and support for women’s health and livelihoods needs, including those of women with disabilities and those of indigenous women; find solutions to trafficking and prostitution of women and
“Women’s Self Reliant Leadership and
Collective Empowerment in Times of Crises”
20-21 October 2009, Miriam College, Quezon City
Secretariat: Women and Gender Institute, Katipunan Road, Loyola Hts. QC; Telfax: (632) 4359229* 5805400 loc.
3590* Email: wagi@mc.edu.ph* Website: www.cedaw-watch.org/womensummit.html
Page3
children, and respond, through education and training, to threats from disasters and natural calamities;
3. Promote the education, training and career opportunities of women and girls in science and technology, in order to contribute to economic prosperity and a good quality of life; respond to the challenges of climate change and maximize the country’s maritime potential, given its archipelagic nature;
4. Implement a national health program and policy through effective legislation, supported by adequate budget, and which demonstrates the government’s commitment to uphold standards in international conventions dealing with women’s reproductive and sexual health and rights, including other dimensions of gender and health, such as women’s wellness, lifestyles and aging to enable women to improve their quality of life as they engage in transformative leadership within their communities;
5. Create the infrastructure for the provision of decent work for women in agriculture, trade and services through correct monetary, fiscal and banking programs and policies;
6. Guarantee adequate protection and support the development of women migrant workers, in particular, temporary workers before, during and after their overseas work, and develop the domestic labour market in order to provide Filipino workers real options of working inside or outside the country.
As Filipino women we must always remember, as we return to our homes and families, that we should never lose hope as life is what we make it to be; the choice is ours to move forward towards prosperity or to stagnate in poverty and want. We should always be vigilant and courageous to demand from Government and the private sector that they meet their responsibilities with timeliness and adequate support. At this National Women’s Summit, we all decide to move forward as a nation and as a people, knowing that Filipino women are the best hope of our country. Filipino women, let us stand up and be counted for women’s rights, democracy, self-reliance and empowered leadership!

“Women’s Self Reliant Leadership and
Collective Empowerment in Times of Crises”
20-21 October 2009, Miriam College, Quezon City
Secretariat: Women and Gender Institute, Katipunan Road, Loyola Hts. QC; Telfax: (632) 4359229* 5805400 loc.
3590* Email: wagi@mc.edu.ph* Website: www.cedaw-watch.org/womensummit.html
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MINDANAO, WHAT NEXT?

A Report-Commentary by Wilhelmina S. Orozco
A symposium was recently held on Mindanao, Maguindanao, Martial Law, What next? sponsored by the La Liga Policy Institute in Quezon City. Actually, I am not a stranger to this place as my father was a Surigaonon. He came to Manila in the 20's a product of the diaspora at that time, but in reverse and married my mother.

While the people of Luzon were looking forward to Mindanao as the Land of Promise, my father had chosen Manila as the Land of Opportunity, Actually, according to my cousins, he was running away from his grandmother who had wanted him to become a priest. And here in Manila, he was able to hone his talent in piano-playing and using this to earn a living.

Back to the symposium, one speaker said how some of the media people were drawn to join the Mangudadatu filing of candidacy papers in order to generate funds as their salaries were not enough to pay for their daily needs. He said that a photo journalist was paid P53 per picture while a reporter, P12 per column inch.

The media people could have been drawn by the fees to be given them by the organizers of the event, but they should not be criticized in this way for they could no longer answer back, although what he had said was true.

The better way of saying this could have been: "The inclusion of the media people in that massacre only underlines their sufferings two-fold: the need for them to be true and honest media practitioners, no matter the political circumstances, and their having to live as such no matter how little the pay. Whatever extra pay they could have gotten from covering the event could only be termed "bonus," and not the main reason for their having gone to meet their death."

Pancho Lara, a doctoral student at the London School of Economics, the main speaker, spoke about how the local leaders in Mindanao are also engaged in gun-running, drugpushing, money-laundering and other nefarious activities rendering nation-states inutile politically. Actually, political and economic gangsterisms are allies. There is not much difference between the two.

Amina Rasul narrated that before Marcos Martial Law was installed in 1972, the Muslim leaders in the south were upright professionals and those who belonged to the royalties. Muslim administration of government did not have much problems. There were no murderers like the Ampatuan clan. And the clans were institutionalized positively in Mindanao as fall-back buffers to help cushion the economic woes of the people. The clan subsidized, helped and saved their own kins from the trials and travails of living when government help was amiss.

Here we can see that traditional customs and blood relations were kept intact by the Muslims to maintain the race. However, when Marcos through ML took over the reins of power, many of these Muslim intelligentsia left and scattered all over the Philippines and the world. Those left behind were the "latak" of societies, the kinds who would not respect human rights.

To my mind, what is actually needed now is the opinion of the Mindanaoans themselves, on how they want to develop. We Luzonians (whom they call imperialists) should develop tighter links with the progressive Muslims so that we could live more peacefully with them.

These past weeks, many groups had put pressure on the government to lift Martial Law in Maguindanao as they could see that it could be a prelude to a bigger coverage in the country. The administration was besieged in Congress during the joint session of the Senate and the House Representatives by the most erudite of the Constitutionalists, as well as in the Supreme Court by civil society groups who questioned the legality of the ML.

Now, Maguindanao is free again, but the question is will the charge of rebellion be sustained against the Ampatuans? Some sectors say that ML was installed in Maguindanao to convert the charges against the Ampatuans who perpetrated the crimes and who are known to be responsible for the false victory in the elections by GMA from pure murder to rebellion to allow them to post bail and/or get a lighter sentence.

Whatever the outcome would be, the lifting of Martial Law in Maguindanao province, on the 13th of December 2009 brings about a new perspective in looking at Mindanao. We can now probably look forward to a more humane treatment of Mindanao, a greater zeal at solving the problems of kidnappings there, the increase in literacy rates, the absence of the peoples' being used there to manipulate elections like what Garci had done, the many changes in the Madrasah -- for example the teaching of democratic ideals and what are so-called democratic behavior, apart from the UN Declaration of Human Rights, and the pulverization of the Abu Sayyaf groups, the Lost Command, and all other groups that are causing the elusiveness of peace in this 2nd largest island of our country.

Mindanao is rich in natural resources and is one of the greater food suppliers of Luzon. It is high time that we look into how we can profitably unite with our Filipino brothers and sisters under more peaceful circumstances.

On my part, I wish to be able to travel freely and without fear of meeting dire circumstances rendering my trip bizarre.

PUBLIC STATEMENT OF SUPPORT FOR GOVERNOR GRACE PADACA

We, democracy and freedom-loving Filipinos, fully stand by Isabela Governor Grace Padaca who we believe is the legitimate winner of the 2007 gubernatorial elections in the said province amid an unfair ruling by the Commission on Elections Second Division composed of Commissioners Nicodemo Ferrer, Lucenito Tagle and Elias Yusoph.

As fellow Filipinos, we believe that this resolution to unseat Governor Padaca in favor of former Governor Benjamin Dy is highly questionable and the evidence raised forth against Padaca raises significant doubt as to the validity of Dy’s claims of electoral fraud resulting to his loss.

The May 2007 elections saw Governor Padaca win by 17,007 votes over Benjamin Dy. Had Governor Padaca used dishonest means, this kind of margin will be next to impossible to pull off given that Padaca’s resources are scant and her political machinery nonexistent. If there is a candidate with a vast campaign fund and an organized machinery, it would most certainly be the Dy family who have been in power in Isabela for over forty years, until Padaca defeated them in the 2004 elections.

Governor Padaca has shown integrity as the highest government official of the province, not to mention efficiency and strong political will, all without dubious, illegal transactions. Her campaign against illegal logging in the Sierra Madre mountains has so far proven successful especially after Typhoon Pepeng hit Northern Luzon late this year. Her other programs have greatly benefited the people of Isabela, including health, education, good governance and electoral reforms.

In the past five and a half years that Governor Padaca has served as the local chief executive of Isabela, she has encountered numerous unnecessary problems, among them flagrant non-cooperation by some government offices with the provincial government leading to conflicts. These particular offices are not known to support Governor Padaca; however that does not give them an excuse to disregard common courtesy and protocol and fulfill their duties as required by law.

This should not be the case for any government official. Padaca won in 2007 via a clean and honest election and deserves to be treated as such. The Comelec’s resolution ousting Padaca is not the first attempt of her opponents at regaining control of Isabela. However, the people of Isabela themselves have shown that they have chosen Padaca to govern them for another term, and they, along with the rest of the Filipinos who believe in her and in justice, will not rest until the truth prevails.

We call on all supporters of Governor Padaca as well as Filipinos who believe in good governance to fight against corruption and injustice being done to a good Filipino leader. We believe that this issue is not confined solely to the borders of Isabela, but concerns all Filipinos. We cannot let this happen in Isabela inasmuch as we refuse to let it happen in our own provinces, cities, and municipalities. The fight here is between right and wrong, between good governance and corruption, between truth and falsehood. If we let this injustice happen, we will continue to be at the mercy of a corrupt system that seeks to destroy democratic institutions which were established to serve the needs of the people, not the interests of a selfish few. As citizens of the Philippines, we have the duty to preserve the integrity of our democratic institutions and hold accountable officials who fail to uphold the truth.

Let us not allow evil to triumph and together let us take a stand for the truth, for justice, and for good governance. The fight of Isabela is a fight of the entire Philippineskai.pastores@yahoo.com

RUDY DIANALAN FOR SENATOR, Philippines 2010

OFWs rally behind leader running for Philippine Senate
Ronaldo Z. Concha | Arab News

JEDDAH: Filipino groups in Jeddah have rallied behind a community leader who is running for senator in the May 2010 Philippine national elections.
Nazruddin “Rudy” Dianalan, a systems engineer at Saudi Arabian Airlines and one of the most prominent Filipino community leaders in the Kingdom, filed his candidacy late last month on a platform of better welfare and protection of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their families.
“In my long involvement in community activities, I have seen the need by OFWs, especially those in distress, for a voice in the Philippine Congress,” said Dianalan, who comes from a family of public servants in the southern Philippine city of Marawi.
“OFWs need a voice coming from a real OFW and I believe that once they become aware of our plan, they will support us,” he said.
Dianalan, who has held various key positions in the umbrella organization Kasapi Congress, has been active in advocating the protection of OFWs from recruitment to when they are in work, the welfare of their families at home, and helping them prepare for reintegration when they return home for good.
Once elected, he said, one of his priorities is to focus on monitoring the performance of Philippine foreign missions, especially in assisting and protecting OFWs. “We want all those assigned to our diplomatic posts to be on their toes at all times and to be truly responsive to the needs of our citizens in distress,” said Dianalan, who is also a leader of Maisa, an organization largely helping Filipino Muslims coming to the Kingdom for Umrah.
Dianalan, who is running as an independent, said he may not have a political support team to bank on but he believes that the overseas Filipino community is enough to help him win one of the 12 Senate seats at stake. The Philippine Senate has 24 seats, of which 12 are elected every three years for a six-year term.
The number of Filipinos overseas is estimated at more than 9 million, including about 6.5 million contract workers. The rest are migrants.
Support from different Filipino organizations poured in when Dianalan announced his candidacy during a recent gathering at the La Parilla Restaurant in Jeddah.
Peddie Hollanda, a former president of the Western Region chapter of the Alpha Phi Omega (APO) alumni association, one of the biggest Filipino organizations worldwide, said it was about time that the Senate gets an OFW representative.
Rizaldy Javing of the Circulo Ilonggo in Saudi Arabia (CISA) pledged his support and will campaign for Dianalan in the Kingdom as well as his province in Iloilo.
Javing said he will launch a fundraising drive to help Dianalan’s national campaign, while computer expert Frank Resma created an official website.
Rams Gunao, chair of the WPBL and adviser of the United Maguindanao Expatriates Association, urged OFWs to support Dianalan. Overseas Filipino Workers Cooperative Council (OFWCC) Chairman Rudy Castro said this would be a good chance for Filipinos to elect someone who is an OFW and who can stand and fight for their causes.
He recalled how Dianalan demonstrated his qualities in a recent meeting with Philippine legislators who visited the Middle East including Jeddah last month. “He knows how to effectively articulate our aspirations,” Castro said.
Members of the Internet-based NGO for overseas and homeland Filipinos, Worldwide Filipino Alliance, where Dianalan is a trustee and vice president for Middle East and Africa, declared their support and volunteered to assist him when the campaign period starts.
Other groups such as the Global Filipino Nation, Order of the Knights of Rizal-Jeddah Chapter, Kasapi Congress, and Maisa Inc. also declared their support for his candidacy. Dianalan will be using the Manila office of the Partido Pandaigdigang Pilipino (Global Filipino Party), of which he is co-chairman, when campaigning starts in February.
For more information visit www.ofwsenator.monggos.com

GRACE CALLS

My dear friends and relatives,

I hope you understand my insistence for you to take notice of me, my party, AKP – Ang Kapatiran Party, & our cause. It’s for God and Country.

I am resending you my letter of appeal with my Bio-Data- with some additions/corrections I overlooked at first. Many recipients of my former e-mail told me that they had difficulty opening my attachment.

If you believe in AKP’s cause, please forward to your contacts. I can’t thank you enough but the Lord will.

Grace



“Love of Country is Love of God” – A letter to all Filipinos

Dear Fellow Filipinos,



Our country is God’s gift to you and me. There’s no other place more precious to us than our land. Our spirits and dreams are rooted in its soil. What has happened to this gift of our Creator? Our nation has been debased and abused for so long, both by colonizers and home-grown tyrants; by self-serving leaders and an indifferent people. Yet, we have withstood the ravages of corruption and prolonged neglect. Our country is resilient and so are we.

But our country is at the verge of collapse. Filipinos are scattered throughout the world in search of hope; we are restless, afraid and hopeless here in our homeland. Unless we act now, we may never see the sunrise of our dreams for a better Philippines.

God mandates us to come to our nation’s rescue. Love of God is love of country and love of country is love of its Giver. Your duty is to choose the right leaders. Mine is to offer myself.

I am offering my experiences, my skills and my passion to serve. This is made possible with the registration of AKP “Ang Kapatiran Party”—the only platform-based political party which is founded on the values of our faith as believers in an Eternal Supreme Being. These founding principles are: Options for the Poor and the Vulnerable; Right to Life and Dignity of the Human Person; Dignity of Work and Rights of Workers; Care for God’s Creation; Peace, Active Nonviolence and Progressive Disarmament; among others.

Running for the Senate is my answer to the call of duty to God and country. Given a chance I will be grateful to serve our nation. With your help and with God’s blessings, I will craft laws that will truly serve the people’s interest.

We need laws that are not only fair but also suffer no loopholes that could be exploited by scheming minds for their unjust ends. Human society needs human laws that are extensions of the Divine. We need laws that can guide us in building a community of justice, peace and progress for the good of all.

Let us work together to redeem our land. Resurrect our country’s damaged institutions, decaying culture, and vanishing dreams. With a sense of pride and national dignity and under the direction of the Supreme Leader of all nations, let us save and nurture our country. With God in our midst, how can we fail?



Yours sincerely,

Grace Riñoza-Plazo



Bio-Data

Atty. Grace Riñoza-Plazo

A Lawyer Who Mediates than Litigates

Candidate for Senator of AKP “Ang Kapatiran Party”

I. Personal Information:

* Name: Maria Gracia de V. Riñoza-Plazo
* Birthday: March 10, 1948
* Birthplace: Nasugbu, Batangas



* Parents: both deceased
* Mother – Perla Villas de Veas, of Looc Occ. Mindoro
* Father -- Pedro Lagos Riñoza—Mun Mayor of Nasugbu, Batangas.

1956-68; 1981-1987



* Family Members:
* Husband – Engr. Rodolfo Felonia Plazo



Children:

* Joseph R. Plazo – 33 years old, Entrepreneur; 2nd year Law-Ateneo
* Maria Theresa R. Plazo – 32 years old, Pre-school tutor- Masters in Special Education student, Miriam College
* Voltaire R. Plazo- 31 years old, Operations Manager, Citi Encore RMI, A Convergy’s Co. –Nuvali, Sta. Rosa
* Marlon R. Plazo- 28 years old, Senior Manager, GSMR Devt. for Asia Region, Procter & Gamble, Singapore
* Religious Affiliation: Catholic



II. Educational Background:

* Elementary: Looc Central School, Looc, Occidental Mindoro – Valedictorian - 1960
* High School: Immaculate Conception College, Balayan, Batangas Ist Honorable Mention - 1964
* College: Bachelor of Arts in Political Science- University of the Philippines, Diliman – 1964 to 1966
* Bachelor of Arts in English, Canossian College, San Pablo City-1970, while preparing for the nunnery
* Bachelor of Laws, Ateneo de Manila University – 1981; Bar rating, 85.5% top 30



III. Work Experience:

* Law Practice – Litigation, Mediation Counselling-1982 to date
* Proprietor/ Manager, Hearth Realty – 1983-1995
* Sales Supervisor – V.V. Soliven Realty – 1973-75
* Branch Manager, Foundation Homes Realty – 1971-73



IV. Accomplishments/Awards/Contributions/Published Works

* Author

RUNNING ON DIVINE ENERGY: 2007 – ISBN Number 1-4196-4594-3 Published by Booksurge, USA-- Simple and short meditations on all facts and events affecting the author .

EASING THE PAINS OF BATTLE: 2007 – ISBN-10: 1419672339; ISBN-13: 978-1419672323 by Booksurge, USA- Lyrical accounts of mediation of parties involved in conflicts ripe for litigation—mostly spouses & family members



V.Major Advocacies:

Family Advocacies: Provides psycho-spiritual-legal intervention for spouses in conflicts:

Psycho-spiritual-legal counsel for:

LINGGAP (Ligal na Gabay at Pamamagitang Pampamilya} 2002- to date

TALIMA (Tulong Ligal at Lingap sa Mag-asawa at mga Anak), an outreach program of Ateneo Center for Family Ministry (CEFAM), 1995-2002

* Abandoned Children: Supports Bukid Kabataan Center, a Healing Farm for abused and abandoned children located at Sitio de Fuego, Brgy. San Francisco, General Trias, Cavite 4107 – 2007 to date
* Farmers’ Cause – http:// philandreform.x.am Gives farmers active support
* Legal Aid – Free legal services for the members of the Couples for Christ , among others

CfC St. Thomas More & Associates – 1998 - 2003

* Women’s Issues: Undertakes women empowerment:

Sta. Maria della Strada Parish delegate to the National Conference on Women: PICC Nov. 14-15, 1997

Asian Speaker and Philippine Representative – International Seminar on “The Dignity of Women in the Light of Mary’s Mission held at Centro Internazionale Canossiano, Via della Stazione, Ottava, Roma – March 25-29, 2000

* Foundations: Legal Consultant

Center for Collaborative and Creative Ministry (CCM) Foundation Inc., Canossian Daughters of Charity, Looban, Paco, Manila – for lay empowerment, 1997 – 2002

Vibrant Earth Foundations, for nurture of Mother Earth, Good Shepherd Convent, Aurora Blvd., QC- 2000 – 2007

Cooperative – Corporate Secretary: SMDS Multi-Purpose Cooperative Sta Maria della Strada Parish. June

2000 – May 2001


Others:

* Current--
* Couples for Christ for family evangelization- since 1991
* Centering Prayer Foundation member- since 2004
* Past --
* SMDS Healing Ministry – on leave
* SMDS Family Ministry – Bringing the law to the grassroots for people empowerment- 1995 - 2000
* PPCRV SMDS Chapter- volunteer lawyer – up to 2001

CALLING ON COMELEC

Today, the Concerned Citizens' Movement, a moral force group, had three speakers, Jun Lozada, Grace Llamanzares, daughter of FPJ, among others who spoke about the most likely scenario that the automated elections will only get fouled up in the long run. They also said that after voting, the voters will not have any hard copy of whom they had voted for, leading to the mercy of the counters. There were many other technological glitzes that could happen they said, and so two of the suggestions on the floor were:

1. Challenge the Comelec in public, a debate with the presence of the media; and

2. Signature campaign for the people to state that Comelec should just revert to manual counting.

On December 9, the Liga ng Filipina will hold a symposium on "Martial Law, etc. What next?" to be held from 12 to 3 pm at the Quezon City Sports Club. Everyone is invited to attend, for free.

Time is running short; only five months to go till May 2010. Are we prepared for all kinds of eventualities?

Painting by Salvador Dali "Persistence of Memory"

WHEN BRO. EDDIE CALLS

Bro. Eddie joined the presidential elections in 2004 but was not able to make due to fraudulent election processes. Then he slow rebuilt his campaign again among the Jesus is Lord Movement and launched his presidential candidacy again. Today he ranks among the morally upright people who want to give meaning and value to political
leadership in the country.

"Bro. Eddie Villanueva early Monday called on Bangon Pilipinas members and all freedom-loving Filipinos to join the November 23 Movement rally on December 9.

He also called on Bangon Pilipinas in all major cities and towns "to launch their own actions accordingly" under the banner call "Make your presence felt, fight for what is right!"

"It is incumbent upon us to show our concern over recent developments. We cannot stand by as martial law is imposed on Maguindanao based on questionable grounds," he said, explaining his decision to go all-out in endorsing the march.

Villanueva congratulated the National Union of Journalists (NUJP) and its allied organizations for spearheading the rally. "They are vigilant heroes who deserve our praise and commendation," he said, adding that "we have to be vigilant that martial law is not extended to include other parts of the country as well."

Bangon Pilipinas joined the November 23 Movement as initiated by the NUJP, he emphasized, because "We have to show, in great numbers, that we cannot be fooled by the machinations of those who would hold on to power beyond their allotted time."

"We would like to see Filipinos all over the land marching in protest over this latest inimical act of the incumbent," Villanueva said.

He further called on members and supporters of Bangon Pilipinas all over the Philippines to launch their own actions accordingly.

"Make your presence felt, fight for what is right!" Villanueva told them.

The march, sponsored by the November 23 Movement and composed of a great number of organizations including Bangon Pilipinas, will start 9:30 am in front of the UST and march on to Don Chino Roces Bridge, ending at 3 pm.

For reference:
Andrea Echavez
Bangon Pilipinas Media Bureau
+639228987150"

LETTING OTHERS LIVE

Why is peace very elusive to find in this world? In Afghanistan, Pakistan, and now the Philippines, the claws of war are being raised and swished right and left to snuff out lives.

Yes, pacifism is what I advocate. I believe that every individual's life needs to be saved, and in every method available. If there are those who sow the seeds of war in our midst let us capture them and put them where they cannot harm anyone. But I would not use any gun, armalite or even a dynamite to bomb them out of their existence in this world.

Funny how those suicide bombers completely lose their sense of value of their own bodies and just think of killing masses of people, innocent and not innocent. What kind of religion would teach that -- not to value life? And what about boxing? Why is this not being outlawed when it seeks to destroy the human body systematically, and gets watched by millions like the Romans who salivated at the scenes of gladiators running for their lives or fighting with lions who would corner them in the maze of the Colosseum in ancient times.

I wonder why the Catholic Church has not even categorically stated any ounce of abhorrence over this so-called "sport" which even gets introduced to young boys aged 8 and above, or even younger. One time, I told a mother who was watching her son wearing gloves and boxing another young boy, "When he gets battered, especially his head, he would become so dull that he would not be able to understand a single lesson being taught in school. And so what would be the point for your sending him to school if his head has been violently shaken up and unable to think properly anymore?" There and then she pulled her son away and grabbed the gloves from his hands.

I think that violence, and that necrophiliac attitude, that love of death, is only bred by the environment. No individual is born with that hot taste to kill, or even just maim another being. It is how society is shaped -- if it allows violent games around, if it sees that war is justified, that to kill is all right, then we can be sure that the youth shall also imbibe those ideas and grow up not knowing what is humane and what is evil

So, martial law, an aberrant form of ruling, surely an authoritarian method of dealing with recalcitrant tribes, has been installed in Maguindanao to so-called curtail the rebellious followers of the Ampatuan clan, and of Mayor Ampatuan who is now incarcerated for having been involved in the massacre of 59 mostly women. The news is so horrific that reading the newspaper is like seeing blood spilling over the pages, so much so that listening to the radio news is very uplifting. The latter lifts us out of that pressure to imagine what horrible scenes surrounded the killing.

The main rationale for the imposition of martial law was that the followers were found massing up with high-powered arms, readying probably to save their leader from the clutches of the law enforcers. But then, is this the only way to deal with the crime? To introduce more iron fists and make the groups tow the line of peace?

We are not sure if we are being given the correct reasons; but nonetheless the new tactic makes us squirm with disgust as to how a very quiet entry of the tanks and soldiers into Maguindanao should now turn authoritarian resurrecting the days of Marcosian rule in the country.

Imposing martial law is a cop out, a lack of desire to seek all the best possible solutions. This is not the way governance should be. I seek a better, peaceful solution even with a foreign mediator if need be. Surely those who are funding the Muslim communities from abroad carry much clout to make the Ampatuan stay more civil, and not warlike.

In the last meeting of the Peoples' Primaries, Don Flordeliza mentioned that the great problem in Mindanao is warlordism which many dismissed before as too much overreading. But three days afterwards, the massacre of civilians happened in Mindanao and because of the machinations of warlords.

Now is the time for all peace groups to gather together and make their presence be felt, publicly. Meditation, praying, carrying flowers and releasing doves of peace -- all these should bring home the message that what God and humans have brought forth as breathing beings should be allowed to be free -- to think, to act, to speak. And should they commit errors, then let the collective spirit envelope them into submission and make them repent their ways.

Maybe being idealistic is no longer relevant. But so long as idealism can still instill the value of human lives, it can never be irrelevant.

"Buhay na hiram ating iuwi ng buo at matatag, may mapayapang paninindigan makatarungang pananaw sa buhay at paggalang sa karapatan ng lahat ng taong mabuhay."

THINKING DEMOCRATIC POLITICS

Philippine parties are multiplying in the country. But are they democratic in the way they are organized and run?

It is easy to say that we need a party in order to present our problems to the formal political institutions in our country. In the case of the 2010 elections, we need a party that will propel our candidacies, or carry the agenda that we want the government to carry, as well as one that will be the medium for us in presenting to the government our needs and wants.

Maybe we should really think through how to keep the political parties democratic, how to make them truly sensitive to the needs of the members, as well as open to their voicing out what they want, what they want to be heard by the leaders, and so many more.

PRAYING FOR PEACEFUL ELECTIONS

It is very difficult posting at this time. Someone has removed the picture image icon where I can paste one that will illustrate what I wantto say. Nonetheless, this will not stop me from communicating with you Folks.

A new era in politics is arising in the country.We are now at the crossroads, where we can either throw all our principles to the wind and go by the "pera-pera" mentality or truly stick by the principled route of electing the people who would espouse the peoples' causes.

It is very disheartening that a woman president should be the prime example of everything wayward in politics -- buying off loyalties, and twisting our laws in order to secure her victory at the polls as congress representative.

Now I ask, do we lack icons, models of Filipino women politicians who could really be called the best public servants? Does the world lack those women who could be put up as the great change agents in bring about a peaceful world?I don't think so. But now I throw these questions to all the women in the women's movement. I think we should think up of strategies to make sure that the women who are catapulted to power do not become corrupt and instead think of the welfare of the people, of the environment. We should always be on guard against misdemeanors that could lead to authoritarian and gangsterish ways.

Everyone has a right to vote and be voted upon.That's a dictum in democratic politics. But that right does not include twisting the arms of the voters to win, or buying their votes, or promising them rewards, afterwards. None of them. Instead, every vote cast should be done so in the spirit of freedom --freedom of thought and action of the voter. Do these sound like tall orders?

I can hear some cynical comments about the outcome of the 2010 elections. People seem to be wary about "no-el" and that the creation of a military junta could be in the offing to perpetuate the status quo. But some sectors also say that there are restive stirrings among the armed groups --both left and right. It would be suicidal to stop the elections at this time. And the ordinary folks think of it, feel it, as a time to make a lot of money too, not just to change the faces of those up there. Elections mean for them a new life - no matter if it is just another mangungurakot somewhat like in the movies -- you change the villains, and the heroes, but the story is the same.

Still others say that the 2010 elections could be the bloodiest for us. And they have already started with the Maguindanao massacre. Which other places would be besieged by violent conflicts among competitive candidates?

For our part, we who belong to the non-governmental organizations, we who are joining the elections to achieve meaning in our lives, what can we do to make 2010 a peaceful year for transition of leaderships?

At this time, we should already be strategizing how to make the candidates we want be known by the people. By December 14, when the Comelec would be announcing the final list of candidates, we need to make sure that our candidates shall win in the elections.

Winning means 1. the people knowing and liking our candidates who should be morally upright and know good governance; 2. seeing that the proper votes for them are counted; and 3. seeing that the winning candidates take their seats and protests are minimized.

Most of all, let us pray, pray hard that everything is done peacefully.

(AFTER 20 MINUTES OF POSTING, THE ICON APPEARED. VOILA, MAGIC!)

LIVE AND LET LIVE

Why is peace very elusive to find in this world? In Afghanistan, Pakistan, and now the Philippines, the claws of war are being raised and swished right and left to snuff out lives.

Yes, pacifism is what I advocate. I believe that every individual's life needs to be saved, and in every method available. If there are those who sow the seeds of war in our midst let us capture them and put them where they cannot harm anyone. But I would not use any gun, armalite or even a dynamite to bomb them out of their existence in this world.

Funny how those suicide bombers completely lose their sense of value of their own bodies and just think of killing masses of people, innocent and not innocent. What kind of religion would teach that -- not to value life? And what about boxing? Why is this not being outlawed when it seeks to destroy the human body systematically, and gets watched by millions like the Romans who salivated at the scenes of gladiators running for their lives or fighting with lions who would corner them in the maze of the Colosseum in ancient times.

I wonder why the Catholic Church has not even categorically stated any ounce of abhorrence over this so-called "sport" which even gets introduced to young boys aged 8 and above, or even younger. One time, I told a mother who was watching her son wearing gloves and boxing another young boy, "When he gets battered, especially his head, he would become so dull that he would not be able to understand a single lesson being taught in school. And so what would be the point for your sending him to school if his head has been violently shaken up and unable to think properly anymore?" There and then she pulled her son away and grabbed the gloves from his hands.

I think that violence, and that necrophiliac attitude, that love of death, is only bred by the environment. No individual is born with that hot taste to kill, or even just maim another being. It is how society is shaped -- if it allows violent games around, if it sees that war is justified, that to kill is all right, then we can be sure that the youth shall also imbibe those ideas and grow up not knowing what is humane and what is evil

So, martial law, an aberrant form of ruling, surely an authoritarian method of dealing with recalcitrant tribes, has been installed in Maguindanao to so-called curtail the rebellious followers of the Ampatuan clan, and of Mayor Ampatuan who is now incarcerated for having been involved in the massacre of 59 mostly women. The news is so horrific that reading the newspaper is like seeing blood spilling over the pages, so much so that listening to the radio news is very uplifting. The latter lifts us out of that pressure to imagine what horrible scenes surrounded the killing.

The main rationale for the imposition of martial law was that the followers were found massing up with high-powered arms, readying probably to save their leader from the clutches of the law enforcers. But then, is this the only way to deal with the crime? To introduce more iron fists and make the groups tow the line of peace?

We are not sure if we are being given the correct reasons; but nonetheless the new tactic makes us squirm with disgust as to how a very quiet entry of the tanks and soldiers into Maguindanao should now turn authoritarian resurrecting the days of Marcosian rule in the country.

Imposing martial law is a cop out, a lack of desire to seek all the best possible solutions. This is not the way governance should be. I seek a better, peaceful solution even with a foreign mediator if need be. Surely those who are funding the Muslim communities from abroad carry much clout to make the Ampatuan stay more civil, and not warlike.

In the last meeting of the Peoples' Primaries, Don Flordeliza mentioned that the great problem in Mindanao is warlordism which many dismissed before as too much overreading. But three days afterwards, the massacre of civilians happened in Mindanao and because of the machinations of warlords.

Now is the time for all peace groups to gather together and make their presence be felt, publicly. Meditation, praying, carrying flowers and releasing doves of peace -- all these should bring home the message that what God and humans have brought forth as breathing beings should be allowed to be free -- to think, to act, to speak. And should they commit errors, then let the collective spirit envelope them into submission and make them repent their ways.

Maybe being idealistic is no longer relevant. But so long as idealism can still instill the value of human lives, it can never be irrelevant.

"Buhay na hiram ating iuwi ng buo at matatag, may mapayapang paninindigan makatarungang pananaw sa buhay at paggalang sa karapatan ng lahat ng taong mabuhay."

RIGHT TO LIFE

Folks, below please find comments on how the massacre in Maguindanao could have been wrong moves of the victims, and of those who told them to proceed despite the threat of undergoing violence.


"I have a sneaky suspicion that this same women may have been the lawyers of the vice mayor in 2007 when the 2 sons of the Ampatuans were killed and the primary suspect was him...The political party bigwigs, the cowardly vice mayor, the lawyers, the journalists [in this order] were all one in making that "massacre" INSANE decision...All victims may not have the same reasons, but everyone by his/her act of going with the convoy signified approval to the decision as the RIGHTFUL ONE. How terribly sad.

"Be that as it may, here again, I end with a prayer for the victims and the misguided killers. All are, in truth, victims of our irresponsible society and leaders. You may not like my inclusion of the killers in my prayers, but I am just exercising my Christian faith in the best way I know how.

"Should non-Muslims be concerned about this RIDO? One friend who has never trusted a Muslim in his life said, "Hayaan natin ang mga iyon. Magtudasan na silang mga Muslim. Mabuti nga maubos na sila! I can trust only a dead Muslim."

"When a journalist goes with the enemy and acts as a bodyguard or a deterrent force, he is viewed as siding with the enemy and has declared his will to protect the life of the enemy who are known to be killers. Doing that makes him of friend of the enemy and a friend of the enemy automatically becomes an enemy himself.

"The journalists took the grave risk in siding with the enemy.without
weapons and adequate security. Without weapons and security
they were mowed down like helpless babies in a crib.

"Faced with the realities of “very serious risks,”for me it was insane to proceed. Even if it had turned out to be okay and not a massacre, I would still call it an insane decision."

The writer also brought out his suspicions of the material interest of the media persons who tried to cover the event, but got killed.

What kind of mindset is this when dead people are being blamed for what had happened? Those massacred were victims of family feuds, say, but does that absolve the murderers of their crimes? Why analyze the situation in this manner -- imputing motives on the dead, and blaming them instead of the killers?

Folks, this kind of thinking fans more hatred and anger, rather than rational view of the incident. When analyzing a negative situation like what happened in Maguindanao, we need to take stock of why this had happened, why a simple case of bringing the certificate of candidacy should cause them to get killed.

Are we to allow personal motives to get the better of us when assessing political acts? Or are we going to abide by certain democratic principles, that everyone has that right to put up his or her name as a candidate?

Now the writer imputes ill will on the victims just because two relatives of the killers had been killed before, and hence rido or vendetta was committed against the perpetrators of those killings.

This is where we need to take stock of what is called CONSERVATIVE THINKING which labels situations as "YOU AGAINST US AND WE AGAINST YOU." This philosophy really spawns trouble, and worse, as what had happened, a "do or die" attitude. This attitude or kind of thinking retards growth and closes all kinds of discussions, stops all kinds of negotiations.

I wonder if the Madrasah school teaches the students how to think in a manner by which they can distinguish what is democratic and what is undemocratic.

Yes, we have to revisit the educational curricula to find out how best to rear citizens respectful of everyone's right to life.

MASSACRE IN THE NEW MILLENNIUM

After our gaining a CNN Hero of the Year who taught literacy to children by pushing a kariton (cart), we have gained a notoriety for being number 1 in having the most dangerous place for media people, with the massacre of civilians including the democratic team led by Genalyn, out to register the certificate of candidacy of her husband, Vice Mayor Toto Mangudadatu of Maguindanao, lawyers and media people who joined to cover that historic event, which could have been the first challenge to the warlords in the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao.

How sad indeed that day after day our national image is being tarnished by forces of reaction to the shake up of the non-democratic foundations of our country. But more than that image, we are now seeing the strong ties that bind the media, and other civilian groups who remain staunch advocates of the rule of law, and of adherence to democracy.

I do think that we need to be most vigilant at this time. Last night I listened to an ex-police general talk about the need to call for the resignation of GMA should she not be able to arrest the perpetrators of the crime. This afternoon, I listened to the press conference featuring the officials of this administration talking about how they are solving the problem, and pointing to the legal steps being taken so that the guilty will not be able to weave themselves out of the process.

This masssacre in the new millenium is a grim reminder to all democratic-loving peoples, not only in the Philippines but elsewhere in the world that there are still persons who will not relinquish their powers peacefully. The animalistic murder of those supporting the challenger to their powers shows that they are not even schooled whatsoever in any manner about what democracy means, and that is to respect the right of anyone to put themselves up as candidate for any position.

It is horrible that that this is just the filing of candidacy and not the voting proper yet for the position.

So we call on all freedom-loving peoples to remain vigilant. Let us wear the black armbands till that day that judgment is made of the case. Let us put up our own posters until the completion of the 2010 elections that Vigilance can cost our lives but it also means that our children, and our children's children will reap and enjoy the victories of our struggles for peaceful, honest and pro-people elections.

Let us all continue praying that we shall hurdle all the obstacles that will try to stop us from believing in democratic and honest elections.

Also, now is the time for all of us to join the Peoples' Primaries of the Transform Politics Movement so that together we can strengthen our ranks and contribute to the growing movement to have true democracy in the Philippines.

Lastly, let us pray for the repose of the souls of the departed, that they may find that their deaths will not have been in vain, after all.

So be it.

NEW POLITICS

The directions of the third force politics in our country is now taking shape. Although the organizers will not admit that it is such, the moves of the Transform Politics Movement or the Transformers, point to that direction: becoming a factor to contend with in the field of politics, vis-a-vis the old political parties that date back to many decades ago.

In its last meeting today, the 22nd of November 2009, the suggestions for the Peoples' Agenda were discussed which augur well the objectives of most of the non-government organizations like those programs for healthcare -- free; education -- free up to college; energy -- exploration of new alternative fuels; politics -- more grassroots participation in local and national politics; gender equity, and many more. These suggestions will be brought up in the General Assembly to be held sometime in December with the date to be announced by the main facilitator, Roy Cabonegro.

The birth of the TPM which arose out of the Peoples' Primaries discussions that started in the house of Patrick Pantaleon in Forbes Park and then had its assemblies at the Asian Institute of Management and Miriam College this year gives a very optimistic view of politics in our country. Many participants are idealists yet are grounded in the realities of our socio-political lives.

We can no longer remain mum in the face of so many problems we have been suffering from. Neither can we contain our desire to express ourselves politically anymore. TPM shall cultivate the voices of the people to express their preferences in terms of elections, governance, and the accountability of the officials, among others.

Times have changed since the eighties when all we wanted was to boot out the dictatorship; hence when Cory took over as president we had felt so comfortable and thought that she could do everything for us. Now we know, after 23 years that we must also take responsibility to steer the country into the kind of directions that we want -- truthful, honest and makamasa governance.

Our involvement is just starting and we cannot hope to achieve an overnight change. Change shall come, step by step, so long as we are aware of where we are, we know the proper methods to use, and that we can be more patient in dealing with our colleagues -- whether they have a penchant for grandstanding or not so long as they are sincere, or a desire to be heard.

Maybe the birth of new politics eggs many people to make speeches and so we must allow everyone to do so -- but also remind them that others may also want to share their ideas.

Yes, democracy is now taking root in our country and the greater thing is that we now know that speaking, negotiating, debating, arguing, arriving at a consensus are a big factor in making changes; that everyone will have a chance to speak and to contribute their ideas on the table.

So we say, "Welcome to the world of new politics." Let us protect it and make it mature more.

(For those who want to join the General Assembly of the TPM, please contact Roy Cabonegro at 09294418247).


- painting by Henri Matisse