News and Government Issues

Most Ateneans Do Wrong After Graduation

2012-01-17T19:01:00.000-08:00

I just read this article to a friend who graduated at Ateneo which he gave here own observation about what happened to most Ateneans after graduation. I would to share this to everybody and hopefully you will get a lesson from this post not only who are graduated in Ateneo but to everybody..

I was having dinner with my boss and her husband (all three of us Ateneans) when we talked about the difference with how Gloria and Noynoy sees life. Gloria being the realistic one and Noynoy being the usual, ideal Atenean. Then her husband started narrating about how only few Ateneans become successful in life at the age of 40, with his roster of friends as a perfect example. People at the age of 40 who still don’t own a car and cannot even settle down for once. Or worst, they just realized the right thing to do to become successful but it was too late already. And here are the things we talked about over dinner, and his advice to fresh graduate Ateneans like me. And this made sense, I am telling you. THIS WILL BE MY DIRECTION IN LIFE.

1. Having our heads up “on the hill” a.k.a too much self-esteem/ Atenean pride

The first thing that I realized when I worked is wherever you work, you can never use your school as your ticket to success. It can be an advantage for you at first, but if you only use the school name as your claim to fame, then you’re doomed. He said that the flaw of his Atenean employees (he has 120 employees all over the Philippines, btw) is that they NEVER would want to report to someone who came from a school which they think is too low for their standards. They believe that they’re smarter than their boss, who for example came from AMA or STI. But ofcourse, there’s a reason why that person became the boss. And that’s one thing you don’t have that’s why you’re the employee. Ateneans always assume that because they graduated from a good school, they should always get the jobs that would fit their high standards. And I have noticed this with my friends who always wonder why I stick to my job even though I only photocopy and print most of the time, and do errands. ARteneans always expect job to be convenient. But all things always start from scratch, and you start at the dirt bottom of it all. And if I had to photocopy, then I’d do it, because it’s part of my job. And this is what we lack, this right attitude called HUMILITY.

2. We have the right education, but not the right attitude: Humility

He told me about how he learned humility the hard way. He used to have the Atenean attitude of being so mayabang, complaining too much (I used to do this, and ALL of my working friends complain a lot, and compare bosses too). And this is one thing we should get rid of. Because for one, employers would prefer hiring people who would do EVERYTHING, even though it’s not part of your job description, because it only shows that you are a very good asset to the company. You are bringing so much to the table that the boss will give you more opportunities to excel because you’re willing. If you had to commute to faraway places, buy flowers in the afternoon, buy this and go to the office on Saturday, or even deliver things yourself because of the lack of manpower, YOU SHOULD DO IT. Because it only shows how determined you are to keep your job. Stop computing if your salary would compensate for the difficult things that you’d do. You should be so good that you can replace your boss. You are so good that he/she needs you so much to function. Why would they hire someone who does not make things happen? Who will just let the situation pass and wouldn’t move mountains to give the boss decent answers or suggestions?

3. The Employer Thinking vs. The Employee Thinking: Thinking LIKE A BOSS

To be the best worker, you should think as the EMPLOYER. How? You should always be wary of all the things your boss needs, prefers, etc. Will my boss like this attitude? What will my boss think if I say this? or that? Will this be good for the company? What else does he/she needs for the next day? What else should I do so that he wouldn’t worry? You should be good in assessing the things your boss likes and needs, because its also part of you becoming the boss someday. You are doing good in work and at the same time you are honing yourself to becoming the next boss by thinking like a boss, and not thinking like an employee. Over-think, over-analyze, be AHEAD of the game. If you keep on thinking like an employee, you’ll be an employee FOREVER.

4. Having side goals - for GROWTH

The wrong attitude that people have is that they are so narrow-minded with opportunities. I could say that I am doing well on this part, because I am working now for my dream job. My boss’ husband said, that while you have your work now, and EVEN IF IT’S NOT THE JOB YOU WANT, you should be good because it will prepare you for the work that you’ll have to do once you have the job you want. It’s not necessary that you start with your dream job, like what I said, humility - accept the job even if it’s not your dream job, and do good with it because it will be your first step in mastering the art of working. It’s also good that you have goals on the side and you are open to other opportunities because it will make you grow. It will inspire you to dream bigger and achieve that almost impossible goal. Save up for it if you really want it. If your dream is to become a dancer, even if you think it won’t sustain you for life, money will come to you if you keep on doing what you like and you have the right attitude. It may be a long road, but if you really want it, then you’ll get it no matter the consequences.

5. Keeping the FAITH. Avoid short-cuts.

We Ateneans always want the SHORT-CUT. But the way to success, is always long and winding, and VERY HARD. For my boss, it took them more than 10 years to reap the good life. At first they said, you will feel afraid because you are clueless of what will happen in the future. Everybody will have that phase. But IF YOU WORK HARD, AND YOU HAVE THE RIGHT ATTITUDE, of course God would notice and give you the blessings you deserve. At the age of 40 most people ask, how come God never gave me the opportunity? God always gives us the opportunity, but we never found the right attitude that came with the opportunity. And this includes the long wait. Work hard and blessings will come — TREMENDOUSLY, and you’ll never know. Like what they said, they couldn’t imagine that they have gone this far because it used to be, that all things were uncertain. But they kept on working hard. 10 years is a long way to go, but it’s all worth it.

6. Having the right people around you — BE SUPPORTIVE of your partner

Get a partner who wouldn’t pull you down. If your partner needs to go home late to do over-time, you better support him/her. It’s for your future. Both of you needs to sustain each other’s passion for work because it will be the thing that you will bank on when you will have a family. Encourage your partner to do better even if work is really hard. If you trust that both of you will end up together, then quit arguing about not having enough time. If you clearly understand both of your goals, then you will inspire each other and compromise for that lost time instead of dwelling too much on how toxic work has become.

7. Being men and women for others — THE RIGHT WAY

We Ateneans, are SO opinionated that we believe so much our opinion would change the course of the world. But the truth is, real life beyond the school grounds SUCKS BIG TIME. It’s so complicated, full of doubts, it’s something you cannot describe but you have to experience it. We should stop talking too much — pointing out faults of others, praising ourselves that we do the right things all the time when in fact we only blabber a lot. Being real men and women for others means you have to WORK FOR IT. For example, having a successful company would also mean getting more employees and providing opportunities. It’s not always about service and practicing humility by going to typhoon victims. It’s also about making others lives more bearable, more stable, giving them growth. And when you do this, you are not only changing someone’s life for a day by giving out cash donations, or being a volunteer, you are CHANGING THE COURSE OF THEIR LIVES AND THEIR FAMILIES. You ARE MAKING A LONG-TERM CHANGE that will alter the difficult situation of the people who deserve it.

I couldn’t agree more on what we talked about and I want you to share this with other Ateneans. I hope I wouldn’t be bashed for this post. You know naman some Ateneans love correcting grammar and seeing faults on the opinion of others. I just want others to be aware and make the right head-start. So let’s take this by heart and make that successful future a reality!

PRESS RELEASE: SingTel donates 500,000 Philippine Pesos to Globe’s disaster relief efforts for Sendong victims

2011-12-27T07:08:00.000-08:00

Singapore Telecommunications Limited (SingTel), in support of its Philippines associate’s relief efforts for Typhoon Sendong victims, is pledging 500,000 Philippine Pesos to Globe Telecom’s corporate social responsibility programme, Globe Bridging Communities.

The donation will be used to provide relief items, including drinking water and medicines, to families affected by the flash floods and landslides that were triggered by the typhoon.
Ms Aileen Tan, SingTel’s Group Director of Human Resource, said, “We wish to express our condolences for the loss of life and destruction caused by Typhoon Sendong. Together with Globe, our regional mobile associate, we hope to play a part in assisting the Filipinos in their recovery efforts.”

Globe has responded swiftly to the calamity by offering free call and SMS services to victims, as well as setting up internet stations in evacuation centres to help them contact their kin. Globe has pledged approximately 750,000 Philippine Pesos in-kind while its employees donated 250,000 Philippine Pesos to fund on-going relief efforts.

More About SingTel

SingTel is Asia's leading communications group providing a portfolio of services including infocomm technology, pay TV as well as voice and data solutions over fixed, wireless and Internet platforms. The Group has presence in Asia and Africa with 424 million mobile customers in 25 countries, including Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, the Philippines and Thailand. It also has a network of 35 offices in 19 countries and territories throughout Asia Pacific, Europe and the United States.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Yoly Crisanto

Head, Corporate Communications

Globe Telecom

Tel. No. 730 2627
Fax no. 739 3075
Email: globe.corpcomm@gmail.com

Help Them With Heart Not For Publicity

2011-12-22T05:54:00.000-08:00

photo: courtesy of Direk Dennis

Lately their are group of celebrity who visited Cagayan de Oro to give helped to the victims of Typhoon Sendong namely Kris Aquino, Vice Ganda, Anne Curtis and Angel Locsin. They said we will be there in Cagayan de Oro to give some donations and to help. But I think some of these celebrities don't know what is the meaning of volunteers, WHY...?? just read below.

This is a true story by one volunteer in cdo. this is the height of inefficiency just to satisfy KRIS AQUINO:

:Dec. 19 @2pm. Ang aking anak at ibang pang mga “abs-cbn volunteers” ay ay sama-samang nagreport sa kanilang tungkulin bilang boluntaryo, nang mapuno na ang trak na may naka... kabit na malaking streamer na nakasaad na ABS-CBN relief op. na pagdadalhan ng mga “Relief goods” para maipamahagi, ang grupo nila ay inatasan na pumunta sa Balulang Evacuation Center. Habang nasa daan sila papuntang Balulang, ay isang tawag mula sa himpilan ng mga donasyon ng abs-cbn ang kanilang natanggap at ito ay ay ipag-utos sa kanila na ihinto pansamantala ang pagtungo nila sa Balulang at hintayin nila Si Kris Aquino at mga kasamahan nito.

Naghintay naman ang grupo at siyempre pati na ang trak na may laman ng mga relief goods, alas 6 ng gabi ng makatanggap ulit sila ng tawag mula sa himpilan ng mga ipapamahaging tulong ng abs cbn upang abisohan sila na hindi na sa Balulang ang punta nila kundi sa Brgy. Consolacion na dahil si Kris Aquino at mga kasamahan ay nasa Brgy. Consolacion pala. Isipin mo, tatlong oras naghintay ang mga boluntaryo upang ito ay pasabihan ulit na sa Consolacion na ang deriksyon nila. Sa puntong ito ay di napigilan ng ibang boluntaryo na punahin ang pamamaraan ng pamamahagi ng relief goods, at ang anak ko din a napigilan ang sabihin ng malakas na “Kay Kris ba itong mga relief goods?! Bakit wala tayong mapagpipiliin kundi sundin ang utos nila?!, ano akala nila sa mga boluntaryo? Mga robot na bahala na kung maabutan ng hating gabi sa daan sa kahihintay ng kanilang pabago bagong utos”. Ok lang din a kailangan ng robot ang pagkain para mapanatili ang lakas nito para sa isasagawang trabaho.” muli, ang grupo kumilos na naman sa papuntang Consolacion. Sobrang bigat ng trapiko, kaya mahina at patigil tigil din ang takbo ng trak bago makarating sa Consolacion. Di mawari ang mga pagmumukha ng mga tao sa Brgy.

Consolacion sa sobrang gutom na nararamdaman ng mga ito at halos hablotin na nila ang mga sako-sakong relief goods na nasa trak, gusto nang ipamahagi ng mga boluntaryo sa mga ang mga relief goods pero di nila magawa dahil wala pang bigay na utos mula sa himpilan na ipamigay na ang mga relief goods.. Sa awa nila sa mga tao, pilit nilang ipina-unawa sa mga tao duon na naghihintay pa sila ng kautosan mula sa nakakataas sa kanila. Dahil sa halong gutom at pagkadismaya, ang ibang tao ay nagsimula ng sumigaw sa kanila na “ano ba yan pare?!! Pangpaakit lang ba yang dala dala ninyo tulong?!”gutom na daw sila talaga, reklamo ng mga tao duon. Sa isip-isip ng mga boluntaryo, sino ba ang hindi nagugutom sa pangyayaring ito? Dahil sa naiipong galit ng mga tao, takot na takot na ang ga boluntaryo na baka lusobin ang trak at paghahablotin na lang mga sako-sakong relief goods. Sa puntong ito, saka lang nila naiisip na hindi pala sila pinasahan ng “security escort” ni pulis or sundalo man lang. Maya-maya pa, may dumating na mga vans na naka convoy.

Si Kris at mga kasamahan nito pala ang dadaan, kasali na ang mga PSG na nagsisigaw ng “tabi kayo!..saan ba mga pulis ditto?!”, laking gulat ng grupo ng mga boluntaryo ng maintindihan nilang papaalis na pala si Kris at mga kasamahan nito, bakit pa sila pinapunta duon? Ilang minuto pa, isang tawag na naman mula sa himpilan ng reliefs goods operation ng abs cbn na nag-uutos sa kanila na iwanan na nila ang Consolacion at tutungo na naman sila ng Balulang, muli!. Diyos Mio!. Ang relief goods pala ang pinang-aakit lang pala talaga. Nang makarating ng Balulang bandang alas 9 na ng gabi, sinundan-sundan talaga ng mga likas ng mga tao ang trak na puno ng relief goods, at muli, wala pa ring utos na ipamahagi na ang mga ito o ipababa man lang sa trak ang sako-sakong relief goods sa “evacuation center.” Kinapa-kapa na naman ng mga nag silikas ng tao ang sako-sako tulong na nasa trak, nagsusumigaw na ang iba na ipamigay na nila ang mga ito, dahil nakita naman daw nila ang malaking streamer sa trak na naka sulat duon na “ABS-CBN Relief Operation”. Dahil di pinansin nag sisigaw na ang mga tao, “ASAN ang inyong president!!”aming binay, galing na dito…

Muli! Nakatanggap na naman sila ng tawag mula sa himpilan ng relief operation ng abs cbn na bumalik ulit sila sa himpilan(base)..sobrang awa talaga ang ang naramdaman nila para sa mga biktima ng trahedya, may dala dala pa ang mga itong trauma mula sa pangyayaring trahedya tapos di pa pinansin ang kanilang pagsusumayo na na ibigay na sa kanila ang relief goods. Walang magawa ang grupo ng mga boluntaryo kunbdi sundin ang utos ng himpilan na bumalik na sila sa pinanggalingan ng relief goods, pero dahil di nila matiis ang kaawa-awang mga tao, pa sekreto silang nag bukas ng sako ng relief goods at pasekreto rin silang namigay sa mga nadadaanan nila pero pinagbilinan nila itong huwag mga ingay sa iba “psstt huwag na ipagsabi sa iba”(psst ayaw saba sa uban”), dahil takot din sila na lusobin sila ng mga tao, at kaya silang mahabol dahil sa bagal ng takbo ng trak dulot ng trapiko.

Ganito ang naging nakahila-hilakbot na karanasan ng mga boluntaryo sa mga naging pagsasagawa ng network ng abs cbn relief operations, dahil kitang kita talaga ng kanilang mga mata ang mga kaaw-awng kalagayan nga mga biktima sa mga lugar na napuntahan nila at tapos ang nagawa nila ay para laman silang nag-iikot at palundag-lumdag sa mga evacuation center’s. Kaya, napag isip-isip ko na pahihintuin ko na sa pagiging boluntaryo sa network ang anak ko at patulungin na lang sa pamamagitan ng mga NGO, paaralan at simbahan.

LBC Refused to help CDO victims - the two faces of LBC

2011-12-19T22:56:00.000-08:00

This post is from Carlo Mangoba where he is trying to send donations via LBC to Cagayan de Oro. The statement below that you will read is so sad because LBC Hari ng Padala Refused it.

For the longest time LBC has been my go-to company for all of my shipping needs, especially during the time that I was studying in Cagayan de Oro city. But due to my recent experience with LBC, I will never ever use them again now that I’ve seen that they don’t value the plight of their customers.
As we all know, CDO has recently been ravaged by Typhoon Sendong leaving hundreds dead, and thousands without basic necessities like food, clothing and even potable water. Among those victims is my fiancé’s family. Sendong left their area badly flooded and have rendered them with a low supply of food and no potable drinking water. They have spent the last couple of days trying to secure a supply of potable drinking water but to no avail, most sources of potable water in the city have been contaminated, or in short supply.
I heard in the news that LBC was accepting donations of food, water, clothing, etc. to Cagayan de Oro city, that all donations would be accepted in any of their branches so I thought that maybe me and my fiancé can send her family a shipment of bottled water. Just to make sure that we would not be wasting our time, I called beforehand LBC’s customer service number (02) 858-5999 and got a confirmation from two customer service representatives, one girl and an agent named “Bryan.” I clearly stated with them that the water that I was sending was to be sent to my fiancé’s parents and not to be donated, the agent’s reassured me after putting me on hold for over two minutes that the water would be accepted as long as they are in sealed containers and are properly packaged. I even asked them if they can deliver the package door-to-door or if my fiancé’s family needs to pick-up the package from the LBC office in CDO. Me and my fiancé were both relieved to hear the reassurance from LBC that they would accept our shipment especially since my fiancé’s family only has less than a gallon of water left and we were informed that they will get our shipment in 24 hours.
We bought a case of 1.5 liter bottled water in Landmark Makati then proceeded to the LBC branch in Glorietta to ship the water. Upon reaching the counter the guy behind the counter frowned and gruffly said to his companion “ o donation nanaman.” We informed them that the water was for my fiancé’s family and not to be donated. The man behind the counter gruffly told us that they won’t accept the shipment of water unless we are donating the water to a foundation. (NOTE: WE TOLD LBC THAT WE ARE PAYING FOR THE COST OF SHIPPING THE PACKAGE) We told the man behind the counter that we were informed by their customer service department that they can accept shipment of bottled water, we were practically begging them to accept the shipment since my fiancé’s family badly needs the water. The man told us to sit and wait while he called someone on the phone. After 10 minutes he put the phone down and told us that they still won’t accept the shipment.
The man’s companion, who was a bit nicer than the man we were speaking to, told us that the donations are shipped via sea freight and would take weeks before it reaches its destination. This little factoid horrified me, people are cold, going hungry and thirsty in CDO due to the lack of clothing, food and potable drinking water and here’s a company proudly proclaiming that they accepting donations but takes their sweet time in getting those badly needed donations to the intended recipients. As the saying goes, “paano na ang damo kung patay na ang kabayo.” So what use is their effort in accepting donations when those donations would not be received when needed?
If you are a Kagayanon, or someone who sympathizes with the victims of the tragedy in Mindanao, please spread the word and repost this note about how LBC treated a victim of Sendong and showed their true stand about Corporate Social Responsibilit.

So all the statement of LBC release are all joke joke to help to the victims of Typhoon Sendong in Cagayan de Oro and some part of Northern Mindanao?

Where Is P-Noy When Typhoon Sendong Hit Cagayan de Oro and Iligan City

2011-12-18T18:45:00.000-08:00

Did you where is our beloved President when this tragic happened in these two cities in Mindanao? He is partying with his security personnel in Malacanang, enjoying the jokes and performances of actresses. This was confirm by Valerie Concepcion on Sunday, the same day the combined death toll in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan climbed to more than 600 and about 900 are missing.. According to Valerie Concepcion

Done w/ work.. Tnx for having me.. :) It was nice to see Pres. P-Noy laughing at my jokes & enjoying my performance..ü #Malacañang #PSGNight,

and later she was deleted. but too late people are start asking and do a screen shot on she tweets.

Is this the right time to the President to have party where in people of Visayas and Mindanao having problem to save life and look for a food to eat.?
The tweet of Valerie Concepcion is not end on this tweet.

she was performing three songs for the President and was alongside singer Jessa Zaragosa, who was one of the performers.

After of her series of tweets people are asking to P-NOY why he is on the party at the time he knows that the Typhoon Sendong victims are still picking up pieces? He has time to go party to PSG Christmas party while his people fighting for survival in Cagayan de Oro, Iligan, Bukidnon and other neighboring areas.
Other and concern questions. If Valerie Concepcion and Jessa Zaragoza was hire to perform during the PSG Christmas party where the public funds used?

The statement below is an observation of the Kagay-anons or from Mindanao on how local media of ours cover the tragedy.

The difference when a calamity strikes metro manila and other provinces:

Metro Manila - everything stops, everybody helps, The MEDIA is focused on the efforts of different celebrities, groups and politicians on their effort to help.

Other provinces especially in Mindanao - The shows on major networks goes on... if you turn on your tv you see them dancing, singing, smiling... if there are efforts...not visible enough. media will just show the updates on their allotted time slot.

SO TRUE! good thing BBC WORLD and CNN shows updates on what happened in CDO and Iligan.

Thanks to Mindanaoan for the Photos

There is Something Wrong In Philippine Blog Awards

2011-11-18T01:02:00.000-08:00

2nd time around Philippine Blog Awards or PBA will be held in Mindanao. This is a yearly event which aims to recognize the bloggers who stand out on their respective niche. Last November 12, 2011 the Philippine Blog Awards was held in Visayas and YES they have lots of potential and nice blogs were nominated during the event. I really gave time to review the nominated blogs in Visayas , those who were awarded for their respective categories. In my opinion YES 90% of them were really qualified and deserving to be nominated.

While this November 26, 2011 it's time for Mindanao to recognize bloggers for their respective niches . The PBA will be held in the home of the champions and the tuna capital of the Philippines, General Santos City. So probably the blogging community in GenSan is hosting this big event. November 17, 2011 the gensantos site released the official blog nominees for Mindanao. We were excited to see the official finalist for Mindanao but when I looked at the finalists, I got so disappointed..

I will specify why I'm disappointed..

* BEAUTY AND FASHION *

www.pinoytvcritic.com - This is an entertainment blog and it's a 72 days old blog. So it means this blog is too young and does not enough post.
http://www.chamimayonflats.blogspot.com/ - I can say that this blog is majority not about FASHION and BEAUTY. This blog mostly tackled the owner’s pregnancy period. Looking at the posts, I don’t think this would pass as a finalist. Yeah she has some posts about fashion but those were mostly personal...

FOOD AND BEVERAGE *

http://www.ormanmanansala.com/ - No doubt that this blog is a food blog, but my question is why is this the only finalist blog nominated in this category..? Were there no other initial nominees? Seriously, the entire MINDANAO?

* LIFESTYLE *

http://akosiisko.wordpress.com/ - How did this become a lifestyle blog..??

http://www.turtzonthego.blogspot.com/ - SERIOUSLY..??This blog is more on politics..

* PHOTOBLOG *

http://www.iamvisualstoryteller.blogspot.com/ - Did you check this blog before including this as finalist...? This blog does not exist...

* TECHNOLOGY *

http://gensanblog.com/ - Are you sure that this blog is a TECHNOLOGY BLOG..?? How do you define a Tech Blog? The judges might want to differentiate a Tech blog from a GENERAL BLOG..?

* TRAVEL/DESTINATION *

http://www.journeysandtravels.com/ and http://jt76.wordpress.com/ - Blog has the same content but nominated as finalists in 2 different categories as in COPY PASTE content to the other TEMPLATE.. Let's assume that this blog was migrated but these 2 are basically the SAME blog. How is it a finalist for 2 categories?
http://www.wayph.com/ - This blog used images from this blog bukidnonphotojournal.blogspot.com without informing the owner of the blog aside from the watermark of the photos he/she did not give any credit link to the original owner/up-loader of the photos..

I do not know what were the basis of the panel of judges to make a certain blog a finalist for a certain category. I do not wish to question the credibility of the panel but seeing all these lapses on the blogs listed anyone would wonder if the blogs were properly screened or at least reviewed. This blogging award is a BIG shame to the blogging community ESPECIALLY in Mindanao if the panel didn’t bother to scrutinize each entry or if they blindly pick those entries... This is going to be a big down fall, not to mention discouragement, to Mindanao blogospshere.. NO I did not make this post because I am BITTER but what I would like to emphasize here is that we should exercise fairness, transparency, honesty and setting politics aside. "LET THE BEST BLOG WIN" Sadly I didn’t see that implemented..I do not blame the blog owners either as they are not the ones deciding which blogs will make it to the finals. We hope that next year PHILIPPINE BLOG AWARDS will really ensure that every blog nominated are really well screened, judged and are reviewed properly if not meticulously. Let someone who is deserving receive the award...There are a LOT of MINDANAO BLOGS of different niches who deserve such recognition and probably bragging rights. Thank you and hope you are proud...

Court junks Katrina's case against Hayden

2010-12-14T01:12:00.000-08:00

(UPDATE) Katrina Halili suffered a big legal setback Tuesday after the Pasig Regional Trial Court junked her case against Hayden Kho over the sex video scandal last year.
Katrina charged Hayden of violations to Republic Act 9262 or the Anti-Violence Against Women And Children Act for secretly filming their private intimate encounters without her consent. These videos found its way to the Internet in early 2009 that spurred public outcry that led to a Senate investigation and the eventual revocation of Hayden's professional medical license.
According to the resolution written by Judge Rodolfo R. Bonifacio, the case was dismissed due to the insufficiency of evidence presented against Hayden.
Hayden is accused with two criminal acts: taking a video of the sexual encounter without the knowledge of Katrina and uploading the video on the Internet.
The court resolution stated that the prosecution failed to provide any evidence that Hayden uploaded the videos illegally. It further stated the mere taking of the sex video is not yet a violation of the Anti-Violence against Women and Their Children Act.
As for the recording of the sexual act, the decision states that "the Court itself saw during the ocular inspection that the video camera was situated in an open and unconcealed place which cannot escape unnoticed." This proves that the "camera was never hidden" and that "it was in plain view."
"The video camera was there visible to both of them, it was aimed at the direction of the bed, and it was already the fourth occasion when their libidinous activities were recorded in video," the resolution stated, adding that these instances made it hard to believe that Katrina was unaware of the video taking.
Hayden said in the interview with Yahoo! Southeast Asia that he hopes the case's dismissal will help in his motion for reconsideration regarding the revocation of his medical license.

The quote article is taken from yahoo site.

In short BULOK ang Justice system ng ating bansa. Anong walang sapat na ebidensya??bulag bah sya at di nya nakita ang video..??Sana tama ang naging decision ni Judge Rodolfo R. Bonifacio na ibasura ang kasong ito,sabagay hinde naman natin alam kong ano ang basihan nya sa kasong ito. Sana hinde sya isa sa mga trapo sa pamahala-an natin na nagbulag-bulagan para sa pansariling kapanan..Sana hinde sya nabayan para sa paghatol nya sa kasong ito..

Cabinet Members of P-Noy Administration

2010-06-30T07:30:00.000-07:00

This are the list:

• Paquito Ochoa Jr., executive secretary;

• Alberto Romulo, Department of Foreign Affairs;

• Edwin Lacierda, presidential spokesman;

• Jose de Jesus, Department of Transportation and Communications;

• Engr. Mario Montejo of the UP College of Engineering, Department of Science and Technology;

• Corazon Soliman, Department of Social Welfare and Development;

• Gregory Domingo, Department of Trade and Industry;

• Ramon Paje, Department of Environment and Natural
Resources;

• Alberto Lim, Department of Tourism;

• Jose Rene Almendras, Department of Energy;

• Proceso Alcala, Department of Agriculture;

• Kim Jacinto Henares, Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR);

• Florencio Abad, Department of Budget and Management;

• Julia Abad, Presidential Management Staff;

• Voltaire Gazmin, Department of National Defense;

• Cesar Purisima, Department of Finance;

• Guillermo Parayno, Bureau of Customs commissioner;

• Leila de Lima, Department of Justice;

• Rosalinda Baldoz, Department of Labor and Employment;

• Rogelio Singson, Department of Public Works and Highways;

• Dr. Enrique Ona, Department of Health;

• Armin Luistro, Department of Education;

• Cayetano Paderanga, National Economic and Development Authority;

• Virgilio de los Reyes, Department of Agrarian Reform;

• Teresita Deles, presidential adviser on the peace process;

• Eduardo de Mesa, presidential legal counsel; amd

• Patricia Licuanan, Commission on Higher Education.
Maj. Gen. Ricardo David is reportedly going to be the next Armed Forces chief.

Nograles says goodbye to 14th Congress

2010-06-29T23:03:00.000-07:00

Speaker Prospero Nograles on Wednesday bade the 14th Congress goodbye, laying claim to a host of accomplishments that he said the next batch of lawmakers should continue pursuing.

“Our time has come to an end. I think we did our part in the task of nation-building. I have no personal regrets. But all good things must come to pass,” he said.

“The 15th Congress will build from where we left off and our hope is that the new House members will respond to the challenges facing the nation and the new administration. I wish them all and the new Speaker of the House all the best and I pray they will have a successful House of the people,” Nograles said in a text message when asked for his parting message.

Nograles said improvements in the physical structure of the chamber have “restored the dignity of the House.” He cited as among the accomplishment of the 14th Congress the infrastructure projects such as the construction of a new building, “most extensive rehabilitation of the complex in 33 years,” provision of new facilities, scholarship grants to deserving staff, and additional compensation and benefits to employees.

Notwithstanding the flak he got from some colleagues and various groups when the chamber failed to ratify the Freedom of Information bill, Nograles said the House has made headway in passing bills to empower women, improve the banking system, and exempting minimum wage earners from paying income tax.

He also took pride in the passage of the cheaper medicines bill that cut by half the prices of some medicines, the extended rent control bill, additional retirement benefits to members of the judiciary and prosecutors, and the senior citizens bill.

“(The) most extensive upgrading and rehabilitation of buildings and facilities in 33 years, (the) highest record in legislative performance both in quantity and quality, brought the House closer to the people,” he said.

Nograles ran for the mayoralty race in Davao City but lost in the May 10 elections.

In the running for the next Speaker of the House are Quezon City Representative Feliciano “Sonny” Belmonte Jr. and Albay Representative Edcel Lagman.

Aquino vows to give life to ensure democracy

2010-06-29T23:00:00.000-07:00

President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III has vowed to give his life to ensure that every Filipino will benefit from the democracy that his parents had fought for.

"Ilalaan ko ang aking buhay para siguraduhin ang ating demokradsya ay magiging kapki-pakinabang sa bawat isa [I will give my life to ensure that our democracy will benefit everyone]," Aquino said in his speech after he was sworn in as the 15th president of the country.

Aquino said that he never dreamt that he would become the defender of hope of Filipinos as he only wanted to become a good son to his parents, a good brother to his sisters and a good citizen.

"Hindi ko inakala na darating ang puntong ito... [I never thought that this day would come]" He said.

"Ang pagtayo ko ngayon ay patunay na kayo ang aking lakas [My presence here is proof that you are my strength]," he said.

While he wanted to put an end to the problems of the country, Aquino said he never imagined that he would be the one to take his burden.

"...Ito naman po ang umpisa ng aking kalbaryo [This is the start of my calvary]," he said.

Despite this, Aquino promised to be a good example to everyone.

"Sisikapin ko pong maging mabuting ehemplo [I will try to be a good example]. Hindi ko sasayangin ang tiwalaang pinakaloob [I will not waste the trust that has been given to me]," Aquino said.

Aquino also said that he had forgiven those who have hurt him but was not offering reconciliation without justice.

"Sa mga nang api sa akin, kaya ko kayang patawarin at pinapatawad ko na kayo [To those who belittled me, I can forgive you and I have forgiven you]," Aquino said in his speech.

"Sa mga nang api sa sambayanan, wala akong karapatan na limutin ang inyong kasalanan [To those who oppressed the country, I have no right to forget your sins]," he said.

Aquino added, "There can be no reconciliation without justice."

Under his administration, Aquino said he would put an end to red tape and abuse of power.

"Walang wang-wang. Walang counter-flow. Walang tong [There will be no sirens. There will be no counterflow. There will be no bribes]," he added.

Possible Same People Of Aquino Administration

2010-05-20T17:59:00.000-07:00

Well, election 2010 is just over last May 10, 2010 and we the people of the Philippines choice our best candidates especially in Presidential candidates. We have different bit with different reasons why we choice this person to lead our country but in the end their is only one will stand and win this race and that was Benigno Simon Aquino III even though he did not proclaim yet but we already assure that he is the next President in the Republic of the Philippines. Hopefully by next week Noynoy will be proclaiming as our new President in our country. There are lots of issues already that Noynoy facing in fact he did not in the position yet. One of the controversial that catch my attention is when I saw that Aquino have same people in his administration. I think the image is edited or there are people could not stop given issues to Aquino. I’m not a supporter of Noynoy but I think it’s time that people in the Philippines will grow. Let’s stop the issues and controversial that can destroy the image of our new President instead let’s support him so that he can bring us to the right path as he was promised before.

He said that I will stop the corruption in my administration he will win this race and now the people choice him as a new leader and hopefully he will do an action on what he was promised to the people. I have one (1) challenge to Noynoy in administration, if you would like to stop the corruption in your administration I challenge you to cut off the PORK BARREL. This is one of the reasons why candidates willing to expense Millions during their candidacy because there is a PORK BARREL.

Election Results As Of May 10, 2010 11:10Pm

2010-05-10T08:12:00.000-07:00

note: 54.27% of ERs
as of 11:10pm

Presidentiables
1 AQUINO, Benigno Simeon III C. 8,502,178
2 ESTRADA EJERCITO, Joseph M. 5,395,850
3 VILLAR, Manuel Jr B. 2,908,915
4 TEODORO, Gilberto Jr. C. 2,224,704
5 VILLANUEVA, Eduardo C. 651,667
6 GORDON, Richard J. 324,860
7 ACOSTA, Vetellano S. 90,801
8 PERLAS, Jesus Nicanor P. 28,303
9 MADRIGAL, Jamby A. 25,662
10 DE LOS REYES, John Carlos G. 23,341

Vice Presidentiables
1 BINAY, Jejomar C. 8,495,657
2 ROXAS, Manuel A. 7,734,188
3 LEGARDA, Loren B. 2,186,574
4 FERNANDO, Bayani F. 609,707
5 MANZANO, Eduardo B. 369,717
6 YASAY, Perfecto R. 209,961
7 SONZA, Jose Y. 35,301
8 CHIPECO, Dominador Jr F. 26,186

Senatoriables
1 BONG REVILLA, Ramon, Jr. B. 10,605,235
2 ESTRADA, Jinggoy E. 10569411
3 DEFENSOR SANTIAGO, Miriam P. 9,732,467
4 DRILON, Franklin M. 8,914,314
5 ENRILE, Juan Ponce -. 8,835,074
6 CAYETANO, Pilar Juliana S. 7,752,137
7 MARCOS, Ferdinand, Jr. R. 7,646,757
8 RECTO, Ralph G. 6,925,155
9 SOTTO , Vicente III C. 6,796237
10 OSMEÃ‘A, Sergio III D. 6,412,498
11 LAPID, Manuel M. 5,980,573
12 GUINGONA , Teofisto III D. 5,785,503
13 HONTIVEROS-BARAQUEL, Ana 5237549
14 BIAZON, Rozzano Rufino B. 4899080
15 DE VENECIA, Jose III P. 4719310
16 REMULLA, Gilbert Cesar C. 4283926
17 LIM, Danilo D. 4190421
18 ROCO, Sonia M. 3771873
19 QUERUBIN, Ariel O. 3729820
20 PIMENTEL, Gwendolyn D. 3429303
21 ACOSTA, Jr. Nereus O. 3251461
22 LACSON, Alexander L. 2836794
23 TAMANO, Adel A. 2255281
24 MAZA, Liza L. 2155536
25 OCAMPO, Saturnino C. 2002132
26 OSMEÃ‘A, Emilio Mario R. 1993623
27 TATAD, Francisco S. 1873741
28 LOZADA, Jose Apolinario Jr L. 1517278
29 LANGIT, Rey M. 1509044
30 MITRA, Ramon B. 1483714
31 BELLO, Silvestre III H. 1326405
32 OPLE, Susan V. 1124075
33 LAO, Yasmin B. 1061124
34 PAPIN, Imelda A. 1029220
35 BAUTISTA, Martin D. 1010313
36 PLAZA, Rodolfo G. 771564
37 BAUTISTA, J.V. L. 735525
38 GUICO, Ramon, Jr. N. 607892
39 LAMBINO, Raul L. 580449
40 INOCENCIO, Ma. Katherine L. R. 511881
41 VILLANUEVA, Hector L. 489785
42 OCAMPO, Ramoncito P. 489657
43 PALPARAN, Jovito Jr S. 444229
44 TINSAY, Alexander B. 415978
45 TAMAYO, Reginald B. 354997
46 ALONTO, Zafrullah M. 328864
47 ESPINOSA, Nanette M. 291937
48 MAAMBONG, Regalado E. 252732
49 DAVID, Rizalito Y. 244544
50 VIRGINES, Israel N. 243779
51 PAREDES, Zosimo Jesus II M. 233524
52 ALBANI, Shariff Ibrahim H. 218037
53 SISON, Adrian O. 216687
54 PRINCESA, Reynaldo R. 193774
55 NIKABULIN, Adz G. 181227
56 IMBONG, Jo Aurea M. 175912
57 CAUNAN, Henry B. 117814
58 VALDEHUESA, Manuel Jr E. 101560
59 TARRAZONA, Hector M. 81798
60 RIÃ‘OZA-PLAZO, Maria Gracia D. 81107
61 LOOD, Alma A. 61676

Election Results As Of May 10, 2010 10:47Pm

2010-05-10T07:59:00.000-07:00

note: 49.38% of ERs
as of 10:47pm

Presidentiables
1 AQUINO, Benigno Simeon III C. 7,680,525
2 ESTRADA EJERCITO, Joseph M. 4,893,266
3 VILLAR, Manuel Jr B. 2,633,205
4 TEODORO, Gilberto Jr. C. 2,011,048
5 VILLANUEVA, Eduardo C. 591,167
6 GORDON, Richard J. 296,986
7 ACOSTA, Vetellano S. 81,712
8 PERLAS, Jesus Nicanor P. 25,519
9 MADRIGAL, Jamby A. 23,279
10 DE LOS REYES, John Carlos G. 21,046

Vice Presidentiables
1 BINAY, Jejomar C. 7,701,554
2 ROXAS, Manuel A. 6,980,679
3 LEGARDA, Loren B. 1,989,178
4 FERNANDO, Bayani F. 552,388
5 MANZANO, Eduardo B. 330,443
6 YASAY, Perfecto R. 189,627
7 SONZA, Jose Y. 31,944
8 CHIPECO, Dominador Jr F. 23,732

Senatoriables
1 BONG REVILLA, Ramon, Jr. B. 9,489,032
2 ESTRADA, Jinggoy E. 9,464,744
3 DEFENSOR SANTIAGO, Miriam P. 8,703,431
4 DRILON, Franklin M. 7962074
5 ENRILE, Juan Ponce -. 7914997
6 CAYETANO, Pilar Juliana S. 6930721
7 MARCOS, Ferdinand, Jr. R. 6883870
8 RECTO, Ralph G. 6191178
9 SOTTO , Vicente III C. 6096034
10 OSMEÃ‘A, Sergio III D. 5706050
11 LAPID, Manuel M. 5361195
12 GUINGONA , Teofisto III D. 5159190
13 HONTIVEROS-BARAQUEL, Ana 4677333
14 BIAZON, Rozzano Rufino B. 4378926
15 DE VENECIA, Jose III P. 4222825
16 REMULLA, Gilbert Cesar C. 3836546
17 LIM, Danilo D. 3748506
18 ROCO, Sonia M. 3354916
19 QUERUBIN, Ariel O. 3339067
20 PIMENTEL, Gwendolyn D. 3046711
21 ACOSTA, Jr. Nereus O. 2889988
22 LACSON, Alexander L. 2529337
23 TAMANO, Adel A. 2017987
24 MAZA, Liza L. 1923705
25 OCAMPO, Saturnino C. 1790826
26 OSMEÃ‘A, Emilio Mario R. 1754096
27 TATAD, Francisco S. 1669627
28 LOZADA, Jose Apolinario Jr L. 1352069
29 LANGIT, Rey M. 1349575
30 MITRA, Ramon B. 1320260
31 BELLO, Silvestre III H. 1187927
32 OPLE, Susan V. 1007042
33 LAO, Yasmin B. 943743
34 PAPIN, Imelda A. 914942
35 BAUTISTA, Martin D. 900668
36 PLAZA, Rodolfo G. 680286
37 BAUTISTA, J.V. L. 655042
38 GUICO, Ramon, Jr. N. 542373
39 LAMBINO, Raul L. 519628
40 INOCENCIO, Ma. Katherine L. R. 457854
41 OCAMPO, Ramoncito P. 435052
42 VILLANUEVA, Hector L. 434618
43 PALPARAN, Jovito Jr S. 397164
44 TINSAY, Alexander B. 372681
45 TAMAYO, Reginald B. 315199
46 ALONTO, Zafrullah M. 292186
47 ESPINOSA, Nanette M. 259314
48 MAAMBONG, Regalado E. 220139
49 VIRGINES, Israel N. 217285
50 DAVID, Rizalito Y. 217062
51 PAREDES, Zosimo Jesus II M. 208269
52 ALBANI, Shariff Ibrahim H. 193449
53 SISON, Adrian O. 192987
54 PRINCESA, Reynaldo R. 171284
55 NIKABULIN, Adz G. 160578
56 IMBONG, Jo Aurea M. 155557
57 CAUNAN, Henry B. 104642
58 VALDEHUESA, Manuel Jr E. 89757
59 RIÃ‘OZA-PLAZO, Maria Gracia D. 73268
60 TARRAZONA, Hector M. 71906
61 LOOD, Alma A. 54552

Loren Legarda Must Know How To Follow The Rules

2010-05-09T22:59:00.000-07:00

MANILA, Philippines - Some registered voters in Malabon got irritated when Nacionalista Party (NP) vice-presidential guest candidate Loren Legarda went ahead of the queue at the precinct when polls opened on Monday.

Some supporters in Potrero, Malabon cheered "Loren, Loren, Loren" when she arrived, while other voters reminded Legarda that she should fall in line.

"Ma'am, pila po kayo," some voters said.

"Ay pila ba to, ay sorry ha? Gusto nyo akong pumila, balik ako sa pila? Sobrang bagal ba?" replied Legarda.

Despite the appeal of those who were in line, Legarda still proceeded to vote ahead of them.

Meanwhile, Liberal Party presidential candidate Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino II chose to fall in line in his designated polling precinct in Tarlac.

As of posting time, Aquino was still waiting to cast his vote since the PCOS machine deployed in his precinct malfunctioned.

Aquino said that they were informed that 2 hours since his precinct opened, only 100 people had been able to cast their votes.

He said they were told that there was no spare PCOS machine, and voters have to wait for a Smartmatic-TIM technician to fix the problem before they can actually vote.

Due to the automated election system, the Commission on Elections clustered 5 to 7 precincts into one. As a result of having more voters per precinct, the poll body prolonged voting hours from 7 am to 3 pm to 7 am to 6 pm.

Under the manual system, there were 300,000 precincts; now, there are 76,347 precincts. The number of registered voters, meanwhile, rose from around 45 million to an all-time high of 50 million. -- With reports from Marie Lozano, ABS-CBN News and Ina Reformina, ABS-CBN News

Cagayan de Oro Vote Buying Is On Public

2010-05-09T22:21:00.000-07:00

I just finished voting to the people who I think they have the power to run our country and lead us to the right path. When I'm on the area where I'm voting I observed that vote buying is happening in the area. I did not get any pictures or video co'z I forgot to bring my phone (sayang)...

I think vote buying is already part of the every election happened in our country and it is already the traditions of Filipino that if election is coming we expect money from the candidates, what ever is that election is, Local, National or even SK election is already learn on how to buy votes. This election is the first automated election and their are lots of problem that this automated election encounter. In Cagayan de Oro I saw and witness some vote buying happened in our city from Congressman, Mayor candidates down to councilors are all buying votes.

There is congressman or congresswoman who buy votes for 200-500 pesos so that her/his name will be vote.
For Mayor candidates they buy votes for 500-800 pesos each person who will vote for them.
and for candidates who run for a councilors they buy votes for 50-150 pesos per person.

We could not say that this election will consider a clean election. If we will vote this people for there position that they are running our country will become poorer because of this politicians where in they run for the personal interest. So hopefully to the person who will win and become our nest President please do your job because Filipinos is now more and more smarter when it comes to choice the next leader in this country.

5 Reasons why People Won't Vote For Noynoy

2010-05-08T21:55:00.000-07:00

1. Noynoy is incompetent, has a very poor track record and has no leadership qualities.

* Why I Won't Vote for Noynoy - a serious look at his resume
* Side-by-Side Comparison of the 2010 Presidential Candidates

2. Noynoy called the Luisita farm workers' strike illegal, defended military and police action during the Luisita Massacre, gave the media two conflicting accounts of the massacre on the same day, and told congressmen not to investigate what had happened.

* How a workers' strike became the Luisita Massacre

3. Noynoy's supporters, the corrupt Kamag-anak Inc. would be back in power.

* Aquino Administration Corruption
* Greed and Betrayal

4. Noynoy has refused to reveal where he used his pork barrel. He didn't do anything at all for Tarlac in the 9 years(!) he was congressman.

5. Noynoy has claimed that the only way he could lose was through cheating, and has threatened to lead a People Power revolt should he lose. What was the basis for his claim? Surveys? Did you know that some of the prominent members of the board and stockholders of Pulse Asia are Noynoy's relatives? And the corporate records of both firms show interlocking directorship with several personalities appearing as stockholders of both SWS and Pulse Asia? The fact that they have never fully disclosed their connection to Noynoy makes their surveys very suspicious.

* The Maturation of Philippine Democracy
* The Pulse Asia/SWS-Noynoy Connection

Survey Reasons why they don't Vote For Noynoy

1. Pangit na Cojuangco
2. Kalbong Pinoy
3. Bobong Atenista
4. Matabang Haciendero
5. Tuliro sa Pagiisip

Ano ang "5 reasons mo Bakit di Iboto si Noynoy" hehehe

1. Walang napatunayan/Walang Nagawa
2. Kulang pa/Hilaw na Dilaw
3. Mediocre/Walang track record
4. Wala akong tiwala sa pamamlakad niya/Ututo
5. Ang pagbabalik ng KAmag Anak Inc. et al

"Wala hong tatalo sa record ko dyan."
- Noynoy Aquino, on his legislative track record

VILLAR: Bills authored & passed into law
* Barangay Microbusiness Enterprises Act
* Overseas Absentee Voting Act
* Anti-Trafficking of Persons Act
* Granting Additional Benefits & Privileges to Senior Citizens Act
* Anti-Violence Against Women & Children Act
* Cheaper & Quality Medicines Act
* Anti-Money Laundering Act
* New Balikbayan Act
* Strengthening Promotion, Devt & Assistance to Small & Medium Enterprises Act
* Rabies Control & Elimination Act
* General Appropriations Act
* Anti-Smoking Act
* Citizenship Retention & Reacquisition Act
* Clean Water Act
* and 30 others

TEODORO: Bills authored & passed into law
* Granting Provincial Airways Corp. a Franchise Act
* Granting Radio Maria Foundation a Franchise Act
* various road conversion laws

MADRIGAL: Bills authored & passed into law
* Anti-Child Pornography Act

GORDON: Bills authored & passed into law
* Holiday Economics Act
* Automated Elections System Act
* Sin Tax Act
* Abolition of Death Penalty Act
* WW II Veterans Pensions & Benefits Act
* Tourism Act, formation & promotion of Tourism Enterprise Zones
* Act Penalizing Violations Against International Humanitarian Law
* Biofuels Act
* Fixing Regular Elections in ARMM Act
* Fixing Tax Regime in Special Economic Zones and Freeports Act
* Food Donation Act

ESTRADA: Bills authored & passed into law
* Construction of Irrigation Projects Act
* Protection and Propagation of Carabaos Act

AQUINO: Bills authored & passed into law
* NONE
The decision is yours..We could not blame you if you are one of the Noynoy Loyalist..:-)

Possible Reasons Why Election Will Fail

2010-05-06T01:13:00.000-07:00

(The 2010 presidential candidates, minus Erap Estrada and Acosta. Image source: http://www.asiasociety.org/.)

"The skeptic does not mean him who doubts, but him who investigates or researches, as opposed to him who asserts and thinks that he has found” --- Miguel de Unamuno. That being said, here are nine reasons for democracy to fail:

1. Lack of voting machines. Some precincts share only a single PCOS machine (clustered precincts). If by any chance the unit breaks the local election there will be deadlocked.

2. Dubious voters. Last week Smartmatic reported 17 ghost precincts and a 79% increase in voter population in ARMM, Malfeasance Capital of the Philippines. It was there PGMA allegedly rigged the 2004 elections with the aid of former COMELEC official Virgilio Garcillano. Maguindanao, a region in ARMM, is also such place for the politically-motivated Ampatuan Massacre to occur.

3. Incompetent operators. During a dry-run of the voting process, several media men cited some misses in the operating procedure of the PCOS machine. When the USB was inserted, particularly, the operators did not inform the voting public and the routine went on unbeknown. It is alarming, some of them thought, because it only takes 3 seconds to insert a USB. If the operators don't announce the switch, it could be an opportune moment for cheating and the public won't even know.

4. Power shortage. There may be an increasing insistence on the side of government --- and its overly-trusting supporters --- that power rotations will not affect the electoral process, but it doesn't help with the paranoia one bit. Note that power companies keep on reiterating their dependence on natural events. This can doubly act as an alibi for who can blame CEPALCO, for example, if there's just too less water running in Maria Cristina?

5. Easy hack. The COMELEC software system isn't really what you would consider a prime technology. In fact, many computer specialists already express their concern over its vulnerability to programming vandals.

6. Corrupt COMELEC officials. Even before the election, questionable spendings are already plaguing the COMELEC camp. But these are not just ordinary men with the usual bribes, mind you; these are big-wigs with access to a multi-billion government funding. Remember the ballot folders (secrecy folders) which cost 380 pesos each?

7. No parallel voting. Ironically, those who are against the idea fear it would only cause confusion: "what if the results from the automated poll won't match the manual count?" Well, that's simple: the automated poll failed and cheating occurred. Still, COMELEC slammed parallel voting irregardless.

8. Defective equipments/ballots. On countless occasions the PCOS machine have proved its liabilities. Fact: when your ballot gets even the slightest ink stain or simply defective from production, no dice, the machine will reject it. Will your votes be counted? Maybe. The operators will take your defective ballot and place it inside a [mystery] "folder" where it will be "investigated" afterward. Will you ever get to see your ballot again? COMELEC can't answer.

9. "Hello Garci Boys". The same people who worked close with the disgraced Virgilio Garcillano during the 2004 election fraud still control much of Mindanao today, a region which by itself has 10 million voters. Save Lintang Bedol --- who has gone into hiding --- the rest of the shady "Hello Garci Boys" are proud and happy as Regional Election Directors and Provincial Election Supervisors.

The issue here is not pessimism, it's organization. 4 days before election and still COMELEC is facing issues with it's procedures. Given that they actually had 6 years to prepare for this single event, of course the public will be worried. They're not really what you might consider a beacon of honesty are they? (See: Hello Garci scandal). To be fair nonetheless, COMELEC did lay out contingency tactics (See: Comelec lays out plans in case of poll disruptions) so that when the house does come burning down we'll know who to blame.
Source:glennpaoloagoopioblogspotcom

Promises and Quotes of the 2010 Presidential Candidates

2010-05-05T17:05:00.000-07:00

Days have been counts for the 2010 Presidential Election before it will happen. There are lots of promises that they give to the people of the Philippines so that people will get their trust. If you not decided yet on who is your President for this coming 2010 Presidential Election then maybe this post can help to you. Just read below on what are the promises and quotes of the Presidential candidates.

1. Aquino, Benigno Simeon III Cojuangco “Noynoy” Liberal

“I will not steal.”

2. Villar, Manuel Jr Bamba “Manny” Nacionalista

“I did not steal.”

3. Teodoro, Gilberto Jr. Cojuangco “Gibo”

Lakas Kampi – CMD

“I don’t need to steal.”

4. Gordon, Richard Juico “Dick” Bagumbayan-VNP

“We should not steal”.

5. Perlas, Jesus Nicanor Pineda “Nick” Independent

“It’s not humane to steal.”

6. De Los Reyes, John Carlos Gordon “JC” Ang Kapatiran

“It’s against God’s will to steal”.

7. Villanueva, Eduardo Cruz “Bro. Eddie” Bangon Pilipinas

“It’s not godly to steal”.

8. Estrada Ejercito, Joseph Marcelo “Erap” PMP

“I need to steal again”.

Incumbent President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo

(she is running for Congress)

“You have nothing to steal anymore!”

Now, I wonder why Independent presidential candidate Jamby Madrigal is not included in the list?

Thanks for arkhilario.com

12 Reasons Why Filipino Won't Vote NOYNOY For President

2010-05-02T17:45:00.000-07:00

1st reason why Noynoy is clueless: he thinks that if there is no corruption there will be no poverty.

Reality check:

Corruption certainly contributes to poverty, but corruption is everywhere, even in the greatest democracy and the richest country in the world, the USA. President Obama has surrounded himself with many senior appointees who have been proven to be tax evaders. Large US MNCs give out bribes as a regular way of doing business. Corruption is a way of life in the USA, but it is a very rich nation. While reducing corruption certainly is important, economic progress comes when those at the helm of government know what they are doing and have political will, like Lee Kuan Yew of Singapore.

Noynoy has no experience and will be quickly overwhelmed by the complexity of governance.

2nd reason why Noynoy is clueless: he thinks that since he is not corrupt, then there will be no corruption.

Reality check:

Corruption is unfortunately deeply ingrained in the Philippine political system. That is not to say that we should not do something about it. But it is to recognize that it is not only the President but those around him/her who matter. Cory was quite saintly, but Kamaganak Inc. rampaged through her Presidency. Frank Drilon, the President of the Liberal Party, is himself known as corrupt.

Noynoy has no governance experience, whether in business or politics, and those close to him can easily run circles around him.

3rd reason why Noynoy is clueless: he believes that poverty would be eliminated if only there is clean governance.

Reality check:

There is widespread poverty in the Philippines not because of corruption, but because of social injustice. That is, the rich grow richer, and so the poor grow poorer. There are enough resources in the nation for everyone to have a decent life. But the rich elite, a very small part of the population, has taken a very large and disproportionate share of the nation’s wealth.

How do we eliminate poverty? By sharing. This is what the first Christians did. The rich shared their wealth with the poor, and the result was that there was no one in need (Acts 4:34). This is not just about giving handouts. Part of sharing is sharing the opportunities to make money, giving just compensation to employees, giving land to the landless.

The social injustice is perpetrated by the entrenched elite economic and political families, such as the Cojuangcos, Roxases, Aranetas, Madrigals, etc. A prime example is the case of Hacienda Luisita, where the farmers have been deprived of what is rightfully theirs. In fact, they have been killed for asking for what is due them.

Noynoy is part of this social and economic elite, and cannot be expected to stand against them in favor of the poor. He has already shown this in the case of Hacienda Luisita.

4th reason why Noynoy is clueless: he does not understand the poor.

Reality check:

The poor make up the overwhelming majority of our people. They make up the greater part of a President’s national constituency. Thus care for the poor should be a primary concern of any President.

Perhaps we cannot judge Noynoy harshly, because he has not experienced deep material poverty. If you have not been poor, you cannot truly empathize with the poor. That is why social workers at times live with the poor, to somehow become one of them, to experience what they experience.. He does not understand how the poor care for their relatives, even to the point of going into debt, or perhaps, even stealing. He does not understand the nobility of the poor. As with many who are rich and elite, perhaps he looks on the poor with disdain, considering them lazy, dirty, of no good to society. This might be unfair to Noynoy, but did he not in fact show no concern for the farmers of Hacienda Luisita? He even accused them of being communists when they rallied for their rights.

The most urgent need for our nation is the eradication of poverty. Noynoy cannot accomplish this because his heart is not with the poor. In fact, in desiring to eliminate corruption, would that not benefit the rich businessmen most? Then they will only grow richer, and the poor poorer.

5th reason why Noynoy is clueless: he does not understand that reproductive health means abortion.

Reality check:

Hillary Clinton, the US Secretary of State, said it again quite clearly: “You cannot have maternal health without reproductive health. And reproductive health includes contraception and family planning and access to legal, safe abortion.” It is the goal of the US government, together with powerful forces such as the European Union, elements of the United Nations, billionaire philanthropists, liberal media, homosexualist forces, to force abortion on the whole world as a human right.

If Noynoy claims to be against abortion but for the RH bill, then he is either being naive or deceptive. Reproductive health promotes condoms, condoms fail and result in unwanted pregnancies, then women procure abortions. That is how it has happened in the US and elsewhere. It is a clever step-by-step process that the anti-life forces promote. If we accept the RH bill, abortion will not be far behind.

6th reason why Noynoy is clueless: he believes that EDSA is his birthright.

Reality check:

EDSA was a miracle of God. It belongs to all of us. It was a work of the Spirit that resulted in the dismantling of the Marcos dictatorship. God used Ninoy and Cory, but the glory belongs to God and the honor to the whole Filipino nation.

But Noynoy has appropriated the EDSA spirit for himself and his campaign. He is using the Laban sign, the color yellow (this is not the color of the Liberal Party), the songs, the slogans, even what his parents had done. What a blatant theft of what belongs to us! Now many Filipinos are distancing themselves from EDSA symbols simply because they are automatically looked on as pro-Noynoy. What a shame! What a disservice to the nation. Noynoy is destroying that most loved Filipino treasure that is EDSA.

Further, Noynoy is clueless in thinking that because his parents are revered, he now deserves to be President.

7th reason why Noynoy is clueless: he thinks his good intentions are enough to govern the country.

Reality check:

To be an effective President, one needs experience, political will, intelligence. One cannot just have good intentions. One cannot just be uncorrupt. One must be prepared, with a working platform of governance. One must hit the ground running on Day One, and not have to learn the ropes while in office. One must not just rely on subordinates and hangers on, but must have a clear vision and know what to do.

Noynoy has no executive experience. His legislative experience includes not passing any bill at all. He has no performance to speak of. As Congressman and Senator, he has not made any positive impact on behalf of his constituencies or the nation. Simply put, he is a non-performer.

8th reason why Noynoy is clueless: he does not understand that to be effective as President, he has to work with other powers-that- be, and so he should show respect.

Reality check:

The Presidency does not exist by itself in the political system. In fact, the legislature and the judiciary are equal partners in governance. Then there are other economic and social forces.

Noynoy belittled the Church when Cardinal Vidal took him to task for being pro-RH bill. He threatened the Supreme Court justices with impeachment if they accepted the appointment of a Chief Justice. He attacks President Arroyo even if she is not a candidate for President (and blatantly claims that he is the only real opposition). He maligns his main political opponent, making wild and unfounded claims, with half-truths and outright lies. He ridiculed a political pollster when the findings showed Villar closing in on him. He accuses the Comelec of imagined irregularities. He stokes conflict between the chiefs of the Philippine Army and the Philippine National Police. He makes it his priority to prosecute GMA.

Noynoy is a divisive person. He attacks and maligns, often without good basis. He creates enemies instead of trying to win them over. He is disrespectful, of good people and important institutions. In a political system as we have in the Philippines, that is a sure way to division and disunity.

9th reason why Noynoy is clueless: he still has the EDSA hangover and has no qualms about not following the rule of law.

Reality check:

The rule of law, flawed as it might be at times, is crucial to a democracy. EDSA is an extraordinary experience, perhaps never to be repeated again.

Noynoy has no qualms about not following the rule of law. In his disagreement with the appointment by GMA of a Chief Justice, he has resorted to threats and demonstrations, instigating his followers in the latter. He has threatened the justices with impeachment. In contrast, the Nationalista Party, also disagreeing with GMA’s potential action, took the issue to the Supreme Court as an appeal to its decision.

Noynoy does not see that an extraordinary extra-judicial move is not a first option, but the last. When we discard the rule of law, we are well on our way to chaos.

10th reason why Noynoy is clueless: he does not know what is good for the economy or the nation.

Reality check:

Taxes are the lifeblood of the nation. Without adequate taxes, there would be no resources with which to run government and serve the people.

Noynoy immediately announced that he would not raise taxes (he later backtracked) . He was either playing up to the businessmen and the people, or he was totally naive. After GMA, the coffers would be empty. He would first enforce collection, and cut down on tax evasion and corruption. But if these were not enough, he would have to raise taxes. Now that is being open, sincere and wise.

Noynoy either does not know how to run the government, or is impulsive and does not think issues through well enough, or practices the old politics of making promises that cannot be kept. In any way, he is not fit to be President.

11th reason why Noynoy is clueless: he does not know what the Presidency entails, how awesome a task it is.

Reality check:

Being President is an awesome responsibility. While many are legally qualified to run for President, only a few can really do well as President. Part of being qualified is the actual experience of governance, preferably from the bottom up.

Let us look at Hacienda Luisita. It is a large piece of land, it has economic activity, it has poor people working (or out of work), it has a social system, it has the entrenched elite (the owners), it has management-labor problems. It could be a microcosm of the Philippines. Now what good has Noynoy done, as one of the owners and as the scion of the Cojuangco clan? He claims he owns only 1%, but that is evading the moral responsibility that would be expected of someone who aspires to be President of the Philippines. And in fact, was he not head of their security agency when there was the killing of farmers? Did he not malign and fault the farmers as being communists? Did he not oppose the granting of land to the farmers as was the original agreement of the Cojuangcos with the government?

Now he says that if elected President, he would look to distributing the land. What? Elect you first before you act? Why not do it now? This is just another empty promise, playing up to the gallery, just like the vow not to raise taxes.

Noynoy looks to his own and his family/clan’s well-being, not to that of the poor farmers. He looks to the interest of the small minority rather than the greater majority. He cannot be trusted to be able to run the nation, or to do justice to its poor.

12th reason why Noynoy is clueless: he does not realize that in resorting to half-truths and lies in his effort to malign his major political opponent, he is acting in a very unchristian way.

Reality check:

The Philippines is a Christian nation. Noynoy professes to be a Christian Catholic. As Christians we are all children of God. But one who lies becomes a child not of God but of Satan, who is the father of lies.

It is wrong to say that anything goes when it comes to politics. That is what makes politics dirty, which it should not be.

Noynoy’s political opponents has kept the high ground in this campaign. He sticks to issues, not malicious attacks. He does not retaliate, even in the most blatant lies thrown against him, but just patiently and calmly explains. It can be done! Even in disagreement, there should always be respect.

Senator Francis Escudero Promoting Noy-Bi or Noy Noy - Binay

2010-04-22T06:47:00.000-07:00

The Liberal Party is not taking Senator Francis Escudero's reported impending endorsement of Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay against him, the party's top two candidates said Wednesday.

At a press conference in Cagayan de Oro City, LP standard bearer Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III said there is no problem with Escudero backing up his candidacy and Binay's instead of the candidacy of Aquino's running-mate Senator Manuel "Mar" Roxas II.

"He is endorsing in a personal capacity. He has endorsed me. I cleared this with my partner [Roxas] and there is no issue between my partner and me with regards the endorsement of Senator Escudero," Aquino said.

The LP standard bearer also welcomed the reported endorsement by Ang Ladlad, a partylist representing the gay-lesbian-bisexual-transgender sector, of him and Binay.

Roxas said in a separate statement that he was happy with Escudero's endorsement of Aquino.

"Magkaibigan kami ni Senator Chiz. Magkaiba ang pananaw namin sa pulitika. Natutuwa ako na sinusuportahan nya ang kandidato ko sa pagkapangulo, at para sa akin, ok na yun (I am friends with Senator Chiz. We have different views on politics. I am happy he is supporting my candidate for president and for me, that is okay)," Roxas said.

Escudero is reported to be coming out with an ad endorsing Binay. Although this has yet to come out, a GMA News report aired on Wednesday night showed a glimpse of the ad showing Escudero tell the public, "Ang bise-presidente ko, di pinanganak na mayaman. Di rin ilustrado (My vice-president was not born rich. He's not an ilustrado too)," in a seeming jab at Roxas who is a member of a wealthy landed family.

This page requires a higher version browser

Early this month, brief tension gripped the LP campaign after staff members of Escudero working for the LP during the election period were relieved of their duties as media coordinators allegedly due to Escudero's support for Binay. Escudero's staff were brought back as media coordinators one day later, after journalists covering the campaign complained of the pull-out. (See: Brief tension in LP after change in media staffers)—JV, GMANews.TV

MAX’S Restaurant Cagayan de Oro SUCKS!!!

2010-04-19T19:11:00.000-07:00

Well, supposed to be, I will not make a post regarding this restaurant because in the first place they have international branches but I think all restaurant services have weaknesses. I admit that the food of MAX’s Restaurant tastes good because they have lots of customers who eat in their restaurant particularly during Holidays and Occasions.

This is my first time to write a negative feedback about a restaurant. Why write a negative feed back to this Max’s restaurant in Cagayan de Oro? This is what happened…

Last Sunday April 18, 2010 CDO BLOGGERS used their function room for the SEO Mini Forum event and the cost of the function room is 2500 pesos and that was consumable. The function room of Max’s Restaurant Cagayan de Oro doesn’t have, or did not provide, any equipment we could use except for the speaker box and microphone which CDO BLOGGERS did not use. Since the event is a Mini Forum, we needed a projector for the presentations which the group provided for their own. When one of Max’s Restaurant Cagayan de Oro personnel saw that the group was using a projector they informed us that they will charge 500 pesos for using the projector where in fact the projector is not theirs! The group just agreed so that we could push thru with the event but in our minds we needed to argue with it.

While the event was ongoing the participants ordered food.

After the event we asked the waiter for our bill in function room only (not including the projector charge), the bill was only 2,258 pesos and we need to order additional food so that we will reach 2,500 pesos as the worth of the function room.

After paying the 2,500 pesos, officers of CDO BLOGGERS argued with them that they should not give us a charge for the projector because in the first place the projector is owned by the group and not Max’s and aside from that they didn’t give some info regarding this matter during reservation the previous day. We use our own materials and they will charge us? According to one staff of Max’s Restaurant Cagayan de Oro SUCKS, it’s our fault because we did not inform them that we will be using a projector. The worst thing during the argumentation was that the supervisor or I think their BULLSH!T area manager did not go between to settle the problem instead he or she (shamale actually) was just stuck in the office! Shemale only gave us a calling card (BULLSH!T AREA MANAGER). What the heck are we gonna do with this calling card..?? Because we wanted to leave early, we decided to pay the bill which is a total of 2,800 pesos including the charge of the projector. Another worst thing that happened was that, when we asked them for an Official Receipt it took almost an HOUR to give as a receipt! I think Max’s Restaurant Cagayan de Oro SUCKS has something wrong with their system, don’t you think?? I don’t think it would take an hour or so to get a receipt because their system is computerized or I think there is something wrong with the management or there is malicious thing happening inside this Max’s Restaurant SUCKS. In short guys, the problem with this restaurant is the way they handle their costumers and I think the management of this restaurant need some seminar on how to provide a good costumer service.

Let me ask you guys, whose fault is this? the group who used the function room that did not inform the management that they will use a projector, and bring their own for that matter, or the management that should have informed, US, their costumers regarding the rules of their function room?? What I can say?? Max’s Restaurant Cagayan de Oro SUCKS..!!!!

Momoy Palaboy With Dick Gordon Video

2010-03-25T17:18:00.000-07:00

Moymoy Palaboy Dick Gordon Video - Because the Philippine 2010 Election is nearing its date, a video from Youtube of Moymoy Palaboy with Dick Gordon is now spreading on the internet. It's really entertaining to watch! hehee! You can check the video below. I think it is part of his campaign strategies and he use the Moymoy Palaboy brothers.

What a candidate, they well do everything to get the trust of the people and vote them during election. I admit that I was entertain by this video but is this the kind of President are we looking to serve our country? Lets think and vote wisely for this coming 2010 Presidential Election.

Until Now Politics In The Philippines Did Not Change

2010-02-25T00:01:00.000-08:00

I don't have any intension today to post in my politics blog but when I hear this video I decided to post it to this blog because it is the right also of the people of the Philippines will know what our government do in their positions and what plans do they have.

I have seen this posted on Facebook probably four times today. I listened to it and I couldn’t believe it. Whether this is true or not, it’s something to be concerned about. The voice sounds so much like Senator Bong Revilla Jr. voice and I am unsure who’s behind the persona who uploaded it on Youtube but this is BIG.

Are the threats for real? Blatant cheating still around? And the cops? “Sa ‘ten ang pulis!” ?? What the heck is going on? Listen in and find out. Is this a credible recording? You decide.

Noynoy: I Won't Let My Parents Down

2010-02-24T18:09:00.000-08:00

Liberal Party (LP) presidential bet Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III vowed not to squander the opportunity to lead the country on the road to development. Aquino, the only son of the late former President Corazon Aquino and martyred former senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr., also said he would not destroy the legacy of his revered parents. Aquino said he would want to face his parents one day and tell them that he continued their fight for democracy that led to the first EDSA people power revolution in 1986. Aquino will lead the commemoration of the event today with thousands of his supporters at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

Aquino said the LP organized today’s rally as a showcase of the real strength of its campaign – the thousands who demonstrate the true spirit of volunteerism. “That is the idea of people power. We want to demonstrate it,” he said. Top entertainers including Ogie Alcasid, Regine Velasquez, Christian Bautista, Erik Santos, Sponge Cola, Brownman revival and others will enliven the gathering.

Aquino said President Arroyo, who was a product of the second people power revolt, had failed to live up to the spirit of EDSA. He said Mrs. Arroyo allowed corruption in government and denied the people their due.

Aquino said that if he is elected president, this would be his last campaign and he would retire from politics after his term. He said he wanted to be able to tell himself at that time that the country was better off when he left than when he came in. “And once God tells me, finished or not finished pass your paper, I can face my parents - looking up, not looking down to be hit on the head - proud to be able to tell them that I continued their fight and finished it, through the help of the people,” Aquino said.

Aquino’s “Yellow Army” of supporters and various groups will gather at Araneta Center today to celebrate the first EDSA revolution, which the senator said was a defining moment in the country’s history.

The event will have the theme “People Power is Equal to Vote Power, learning from the past, fighting for the future,” according to LP spokesman Sen. Francis Pangilinan. Not to be left behind, the Nacionalista Party (NP) of presidential candidate Sen. Manuel Villar Jr. said they would match Aquino’s yellow army rally by holding a rock concert at the SM Mall of Asia tonight. Television host Willie Revillame of “Wowowee” will lead the Rockatropa concert and “will paint the town orange,” Villar’s campaign color, the NP said. -With Christina Mendez

Pulse Asia: Filipinos still distrust GMA

2010-02-24T17:51:00.000-08:00

Public distrust in President Arroyo remains the most dominant sentiment toward her, according to the latest survey by independent polling group Pulse Asia. Survey results showed that nearly seven in ten Filipinos (68 percent) distrust Mrs. Arroyo, while only about one in ten (11 percent) trusts her. Pulse Asia said the chief executive’s overall trust rating is the same as that in December 2009, adding that it is the lowest she has attained since March 2001.

Mrs. Arroyo’s nine-year administration, which had been hounded by accusations of election fraud, corruption and extra-judicial killings, ends this year. Meanwhile, the pollster said that among aspirants battling to succeed Mrs. Arroyo in the May polls, Senators Manuel Villar and Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III enjoyed majority trust ratings at 70 and 64 percent, respectively. Aquino and Villar are the closest rivals in the presidential race, recent surveys showed. Former President Joseph Estrada, out to reclaim his thrown, registered practically the same trust and distrust ratings (33 percent versus 37 percent).
For administration bet Gilberto Teodoro, public assessment of his trustworthiness is divided, with 36 percent of Filipinos ambivalent on the matter, 32 percent trusting him, and 31 percent distrusting him. Compounding the situation for Teodoro was the fact that a small majority of Filipinos (52 percent) will certainly not elect a presidential candidate endorsed by President Arroyo, survey results added.

Meanwhile, among those running for vice president, Senators Manuel Roxas II and Loren Legarda are trusted by most Filipinos with ratings of 73 and 61 percent, respectively. Makati City mayor Jejomar Binay, Estrada’s running mate, enjoyed a 44 percent trust rating, while former Optical Media Board chairman and actor Eduardo Manzano scored 45 percent. Pulse Asia’s survey was conducted from January 22 to 26, 2010 using face-to-face interviews of 1,800 representative adults 18 years old and above. It has a ± 2 percent error margin at the 95 percent confidence level.

“The next president after me will be lucky!” PGMA Said, Is She Kidding..??

2010-02-01T14:53:00.000-08:00

Last 2 weeks ago, the Arroyo Administration came up with a two-page advertisements in newspapers titled, “Ganito Tayo Noon, Ganito Tayo Ngayon” trumpeting their achievements. Now, I don’t have a copy of the ad because my secretary was busy with her Farmville. I do not want to disturb her, lest I’d be voted out as the cutest boss to work for.

Now, the other day, Noynoy Aquino’s speech at the Makati Business Club’s Event was very well received by the business community. In that speech, he talked about the looming fiscal crisis. He was talking about the budget deficit.

“In 2010, our next President will inherit a continually bloating deficit. As of November 2009, the deficit of the national government already reached P272.5 billion, or 4.1% of GDP. In addressing the looming fiscal crisis, good governance and the drive against corruption are critical components in our strategy. We will refrain from imposing new taxes or increasing tax rates.” (Source: A PHILIPPINES THAT WORKS: ECONOMIC VISION AND PLATFORM)

Actually, Noynoy’s number are lower. Although I lost the link, the projected budget deficit for 2009 is $320 billion.

Now, what is budget deficit? It simply means that the government spent more than what it was allowed to spend. Bottom line? Purdoy.

When there is huge budget deficit, who suffers? Us. The population, for the social programs due us evaporates. Here’s a very simple example. Have you seen those pictures coming out of Maguindanao that showed how decrepit the schools were? The teacher that was interviewed said that there was no budget.

Then maybe you’d ask, if the government does not have any money with that budget deficit, how are they able to operate?

UTANG.

Yes, utang in the form of bonds. What are bonds? It’s just a piece of paper telling you that you’d be paid x amount of money for say 10 years at this x rate. Like this one: here, they’re trying to sell Samurai Bonds to help fill in the budget gap. See?

Where in the world have they been spending the monies? Oh, I don’t know. All I know is that, the Bicol corridor to this day does not have any decent superhighway that spans from Manila all the way to Matnog, Sorsogon. Pwe!

Ok. You’d ask. Who’s going to pay all these then?

No worries. In all these bond issues, there is a Sovereign Guarantee. And what shit is this? Well, I thought I’d share you what CBCP thought about Sovereign Guarantee. According to them, “Sovereign Guarantee” is in reality nothing more than an exploitative government doing the following:

- First, it is the government that officially seeks and gets one big loan after another from this or that foreign or local sources.

- Second, it is the same government that gives the solemn promise and assurance that the Filipinos are the ones who shall make full payments for all the loans made plus the interests incurred.

- Third, it is precisely the same government that thereafter directly gets the money and gleefully spends it according to its design and desire.

- Fourth is precisely the same government that imposes and collects heavy and continuous direct and indirect taxes from the people, young and old, rich and poor, oligarchs and beggars alike to pay the borrowings made.

- Fifth is definitely the same government that again seeks and gets more loans—and the same cycle goes on and on. (Source: Sovereign Guarantee)

They went on to say:

“There would be no problem with a government that gets loans, that gives “Sovereign Guarantee”, that spends the money if those in government, especially the leading figures, are known for their honestly and integrity, and not infamous instead for the long litany of gross graft and flagrant corrupt practices.”

So that’s where we are right now. We are saddled with so many bloody Sovereign Guarantees, budget deficits and loans that our soul have already been mortgaged and sold to the world and that was part of Noynoy’s speech where it touches the budget deficit. People don’t discuss this much because we don’t have any damn shit control as to how the government spends money. Who amongst them would want transparency anyway?

And this only means one thing really – it will not be looking good for the next President and the people.

Except one person.

Gloria.

Gloria Arroyo claims that she had already laid down the groundwork for a robust economy.

“Swerte ang susunod na Pangulo sa akin [The next president after me will be lucky],” she said. Boasting of her accomplishments after nine years in office, Arroyo said the peso was stronger, tax reforms were in place, and social services available to most Filipinos.”

“Ito lang yata ang administrasyon na lumakas ang piso kaysa humina [This seems to be the only administration where the peso got stronger instead of weaker],” she said. As the country’s top leader, Arroyo said her role was to lay the foundations of the economy.

“Ang papel ko ay ihanda ang pundasyon. . . . Andyan na yan, ang pundasyon ng matatag na ekonomiya at inaasahan natin na itutuloy niya iyon para maramdaman ng mga Pilipino [My role is to lay down the foundation…It’s there, the foundation of a strong economy and we expect that this will be felt by the Filipinos],” Arroyo said. (Source: Inquirer)

What an unbelievable selfishness! I’ll make exception to Erap but not only has she discredited the past Presidents, she’s also taking away everything else for the new President! For if the economy improves way after Gloria, the glory is hers. And if the economy goes down the pit, she had already laid out her excuse slip that it won’t be her fault for she has already “laid down the foundations”.

Sen. Manny Villar C-5 extension corruption scandal Issue

2010-01-31T20:08:00.000-08:00

The feeding frenzy now surrounding the involvement of Sen. Manny Villar in the alleged C-5 extension corruption scandal is taking a political toll on his campaign for presidency. Whatever the outcome, damage has been done by the issuance of a Senate Committee-of-the Whole report on the matter.

The accusers do not need the completion of the Senate processes to do it. The circumstances around the issue will have already made Villar vulnerable.

First, the decision not to face the issue in the Senate arena of formal committee investigation, I think was the initial mistake. It merely postponed the inevitable and put the political initiative in the accuser’s hand.

Second, the Villar campaign line of “mayaman na galing sa mahirap” was seriously undermined–the Senate probe results cast doubt on the source of his wealth.

Third, his maneuvers regarding the issue also put the doubt on his capability to lead and manage the affairs of government–a key campaign argument he uses effectively against Noynoy Aquino.

What all these amount to is the current Villar calvary–arriving at this crucial moment when he is trying to narrow the Aquino lead in the surveys. The latter is already a tough job considering the narrowing window for positioning before the formal campaign starts on February 9.

Sen. Villar does not need the crucification by his Senate detractors. His campaign is already in peril.

Is May 2010 Presidential Election Ready For The Automated Elections?

2010-01-31T19:29:00.000-08:00

Automation of the Election has been an issue since last year and specially these days. Comelec has made the deal and we will have a new election process this May, an Automated Election. We just now have 3 months before the election, the question is are we ready? I have read in the news that the Comelec is having a hard time implementing the new process. The time allocated is not enough to get it done. The vulnerability of the machines, time to educate the people or voters, testing, implementation and security has been an issue. What do you think, is the 2010 elections ready for the automated..??

Arroyo formalizes House bid in Pampanga

2009-12-01T16:06:00.000-08:00

Despite a barrage of criticisms hurled against her, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on Tuesday formalized her intent to seek a congressional seat for the second district of Pampanga, her home province.

Mrs. Arroyo filed her certificate of candidacy at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) office in San Fernando City. She was accompanied by her husband, First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo.

Earlier, she heard Mass at the St. Augustine Parish Church in Lubao town. She also delivered a speech before her constituents, who applauded and cheered her.

Her frequent visits to the province – she went to Pampanga at least 50 times this year – had fueled assumptions that she will run for congresswoman of Pampanga’s second district after her term expires in 2010. But Malacañang had repeatedly parried questions on whether Mrs. Arroyo was gunning for a House seat.

On Tuesday, the President ended months of speculation and said she could not completely step down from “public service."

No legal impediment

A report by GMA News' Michael Fajatin quoted constitutional expert Fr. Joaquin Bernas, SJ, as saying there is nothing in the law barring Mrs. Arroyo from pursuing a congressional seat.

University of the Philippines (UP) law professor Harry Roque agreed with Bernas, saying "Ang sabi ng probisyon ng ating Saligang Batas ang ipinagbabawal ay reelection kung ikaw ay presidente. Ang ordinary meaning niyan, reelection sa posisyong presidente muli kapag ikaw ay nakaupo (Under the provision in our Constitution, only a sitting president is barred from seeking the same position again)."

"So sa tingin ko, gaya ng walang pagbabawal kay Erap (former president Joseph Estrada) para tumakbo muli bilang isang presidente, wala ring pagbabawal para kay Mrs. Arroyo na tumakbo pagka kongresista ng Pampanga (I think, there is nothing barring Mrs. Arroyo from running for congresswoman of Pampanga in the same way that Erap is not barred from running again for president)," Roque said, adding that Estrada's case is expected to go all the way to the Supreme Court.
Critics of Mrs. Arroyo acknowledge that while she is legally eligible to run for a lower office, her decision to run for Congress was motivated by "political survival."

5 Arroyos in Congress may set a world record

2009-12-01T15:55:00.000-08:00

If President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo wins as representative of the 2nd district of Pampanga in the May 2010 elections and 4 of her relatives also get elected to the House of Representatives, the Philippines may yet set a new world record on political dynasties.

"There will be 5 Arroyos in the House. I am not sure that's happened elsewhere. It's all in the family," said Nueva Ecija Rep. Edno Joson, who, on Monday, came out with a full-page newspaper advertisement calling for new blood in politics.

“I am not aware of any such similar situation abroad," noted lawyer Carlos Medina, referring to the number of family members occupying one law-making body.

"If it happens here, it will be an abomination,” noted Medina who is with poll watchdog group Legal Network for Truthful Elections.

Rep. Joson and Medina both assailed the President's congressional plans amid recent not-so-flattering news about the Philippines.

"Perhaps she wants to make it to the Ripley's Believe it or Not or the Guinness World Records as the first President to become the Speaker of the House of Representatives, as the longest serving public servant rated as No. 1 in corruption, and No. 1 in rice importation," Rep. Joson added.

Last November 23, the Philippines landed in the record books for having the most number of journalists killed in an election-related incident when 30 died in the Maguindanao massacre. The carnage was allegedly committed by a close ally of President Arroyo--the Ampatuans of Maguindanao.

"Kailangan ng bagong dugo na mamuno at magsilbi para magsimulang maka-ahon sa pagkasadlak sa dusa ang ating bayan. Sobra na! Tama na!--ang karahasan, kahirapan, at korapsyon na patuloy na dinaranas ng ating bayan na gawa ng mga naghaharing pamilya at angkan ng ating bansa mula sa pangulo hanggang sa ating mga barangay," Rep. Joson's ad said.

Speculations that President Arroyo would run for Congress were confirmed on Monday. Her election lawyer, Romulo Macalintal, said the president wants to continue serving the people and the nation as a member of the House of Representatives.

All in the family

Relatives occupying positions in various government posts are common even in democratic governments.

Sets of father and son, mother and son, and brothers serving at the same time are common in legislatures such as in India and Botswana. (Read story on Indian parliament here and Botswana here)

Likewise, in the United States, relatives have served simultaneously in the House of Representatives.

But to have 4 family members—and possibly 5—in one law-making body all at the same time is rare.

There are 4 Arroyos in the current 14th Congress. They are

- presidential son Pampanga Rep. Juan Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo - presidential son Camarines Sur 1st District Rep. Diosdado “Dato” Macapagal Arroyo - President Arroyo’s brother-in-law Negros Occidental 5th District Rep. Ignacio “Iggy” Arroyo, - President Arroyo's sister-in-law Ang Kasangga party-list Rep. Ma. Lourdes Arroyo.

President Arroyo plans to take over the post of son Mikey. But if rumors are true, Mikey will be joining a party-list group so he can possibly stay in the House of Representatives. Abs-cbnNEWS.com/Newsbreak sent the congressman a text message to verify the rumors, but he has yet to answer our query, as of this posting.

Rep. Iggy Arroyo is on his second term and is still eligible for another 3-year term.

Reps. Dato and Lourdes are on their first terms in the lower House.

Dato has filed his certificate of candidacy in the newly created district in Camarines Sur province. President Arroyo signed the law creating the new Camarines Sur district.

However, President Arroyo is not the first to run for a lower post after serving as Philippine president. Jose P. Laurel, president from 1943 to 1945 during the Japanese Occupation, served as a senator after the war.

Service to Kabalens

In a press statement on Monday, Mrs. Arroyo said she would still be the country’s President and would only allot a short period of time for her campaign.

“I will be firmly in control of our national government until the last day I am in office,” the president said.

"As president, my first commitment is to the nation we all love. My bid for Congress will be spirited but secondary to my duties as President,” she added.

“After much contemplation, I realize that I am not ready to step down completely from public service,” she said.

The president said the clamor of her province mates to run convinced her not to retire from politics.

“So after much soul searching, I have decided to respond affirmatively to their call...To that end, I will fill my candidacy for Congress in order to serve the hard working people of my home province,” she said.

The president is expected to make a formal announcement when she visits Lubao, Pampanga on Tuesday.

Prolonging her reign?

The militant group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) was quick to condemn President Arroyo's political plans.

"This is a dark day for the Philippines. Her running for Congress is a slap on the face of the many victims of her administration. Her running for Congress is proof that she wants to somehow prolong her reign of terror," warned Bayan secretary-general Renato Reyes Jr. on Monday.

"Her attempt to get a congressional seat is not borne out of a desire to serve but by a desire to get political leverage and avoid accountability for the many crimes committed by her regime," Reyes added.

If President Arroyo becomes the next House Speaker, as feared by her critics, she will have vast powers against the elected President. If elections were held last October, the next president will likely come from the ranks of the opposition.

However, Mrs. Arroyo will need to keep the current Lakas-Kampi-CMD congressmen—most of them reelectionists—in the party so that they will continue to be the majority in the next Congress.

Charter change is next?

Retired Archbishop Oscar Cruz, a critic of Mrs. Arroyo, suspects that Charter change is on top of President Arroyo's plans.

"There are 3 observations on GMA (President Arroyo) wanting to be in Congress: She manifests addiction to power. She exhibits lack of propriety. She remains fixated to have Charter change as soon as possible to target the Office of Prime Minister," he told abs-cbnNEWS.com/Newsbreak.

Since the 13th Congress, the House of Representatives has gone against public opinion by pursuing Charter change.

Three measures on Charter change are pending in the lower House--to convene a Constituent Assembly, to convene a Constitutional Convention, and a "fourth mode" which is to pass a legislation to scrap the nationalist restrictions in the 1987 Constitution.

The House of Representatives also has the exclusive authority to initiate an impeachment complaint against the President and other impeachable officials such as the Ombudsman.

It has the power of the purse. It can launch congressional inquiries. Members are immune from arrest while Congress is in session. It also has the power to declare state of war or state of emergency.

Through the Commission on Appointments (CA), senators and congressmen can approve or reject appointments made by the President. - by Carmela Fonbuena, abs-cbnNEWS.com/Newsbreak

Source: ABS-CBN

Officials Examine Of The COMELEC

2009-10-29T10:37:00.000-07:00

COMELEC’s Director James Jimenez and Commissioner Rene Sarmiento answer the top ten questions of Filipinos all over the globe about the country’s first automated elections in 100 years on May 10, 2010, on the latest webisode of Examine!
This page requires a higher version browser

Read the interview:

EXAMINE with Director James Jimenez (COMELEC) and COMELEC Commissioner Rene Sarmiento
September 10, 2009

G: Gang Badoy
J: James Jimenez
R: Rene Sarmiento
M: Mavie Almeda-Ungco (GMANews.Tv)

Gang Badoy: Hi, I’m Gang Badoy from GMA News.TV. Welcome to Examine. With me, I have Comelec Commissioner Sarmiento and Director James Jimenez. Hello. Thanks for coming. As you know Examine, we have questions culled from the public … pinadala ang questions. Game na?

Sarmiento & Jimenez: Game.

G: From Raffy Jimenez of Quezon City, “How about the present composition of the Comelec, do you think they’ll be able to recover from the Garci, Bedol incidents? Or do you think the poll body has eradicated the Bedols and the Garcis among its organization?”

J: Well, yeah. Yung composition ng Comelec ngayon, kilala naman ng lahat ng tao ang ating Chairman, Justice Melo, came from the Supreme Court, has a very long history of integrity, so I think we’re pretty safe with the composition. As far as Garci and Bedol, what the automation does, it makes it impossible for people like that to operate. Dahil mabilis ang ating canvassing, wala nang pagkakataon na guluhin o doktorin pa yung resulta. So if we have people like that, they will not be able to affect the system anymore.

G: From Carlo Montenegro, also from Quezon City, “What if the two special felt-tip pens allotted per precinct dry up before voting ends? There are 80,000 precincts on election day, each with 1,000 voters. Will there be enough pens for them? Does that mean two voters at a time lang?”

S: Alam niyo po, sabi ng batas, sa Poll Automation Law, nakalagay po yung continuity plans in case disaster arises or contingency risks. ‘Yan po ay paghahandaan po ng Comelec. ‘Yan po ay ilalagay namin sa General Instructions.

G: So mapi-picture ko ba na meron naman po kayong felt-tip pens?

S: Ay, syempre. Ito po’y paghahandaan po ng Comelec.

G: Carlo, that was your answer. Miguel Roxas of Caloocan asks, “What’s the possibility of the counting machines getting jammed with ballots? Did Comelec test the actual 8.5 x 30 inch ballots to be used on election day?”

J: Yes. I’d like to clarify. When we accepted the bid, there was a little testing done, but that was only for the purpose of qualifying the bid. Each machine that we get, 80,000+, will be tested 100%. So hindi pa tapos yung testing. Yung makina tinest namin noon, that everyone was saying “Ah, na-test na yan, ganyan ganyan” or hindi na-test, that is just for the purpose of qualifying for the bid. Each machine that will be delivered, all 80,000 machines, will be tested for things like these. Now, will it jam? Can it jam? Yes. These machines can jam, just like any machine can. Ang importante dito siguro, meron tayong contingency plan, meron tayong replacement protocol that calls for the replacement of a unit within two hours from the time it needs to be replaced.

G: Two hours is a long time for election day…

J: Well, two hours is a long time for election day, yes, but you have to understand this is all over the country also.

G: I know that a machine, like any machine, it can jam. But it is an expensive machine.

J: Yes, it is.

G: They should at least minimize the incidence of jamming.

J: Well, yes. The machines by themselves will not jam, except under extraordinary circumstances. I mean, you stick a screwdriver there, of course it will jam.

S: That’s why, Gang, we have Field Testing 1, and if necessary, Field Testing 2. We have mock elections, we have road show. We ensure that the machines will operate very safely.
G: Homer Pangilinan from Qatar has a question. “They say that SMARTMATIC-TIM … will get to keep private keys or digital signatures. Can they make changes …”

J: No, that’s wrong.

G: Ah, it’s wrong. The question is “Can they make changes in the precinct ERs without anyone knowing?”

S: They cannot.

G: It is not true that they have private keys and digital signatures. Who will have these private keys and digital signatures?

J: Comelec.

S: Comelec po, para malinaw sa kaibigan nating si Homer. Comelec will be in total control. SMARMATIC has to obey Comelec.

G: Pablo Manalastas of Ateneo. He asks “The Poll Automation Law specifies that the voter should be able to verify his or her votes after the ballot has been fed into the machine. Why has Comelec chosen to have this feature disabled in the PCOS?”

J: I don’t think that’s entirely correct. You have to understand that the law was crafted in order to fit in both a DRE model and an OMR model. A DRE model will have a touch screen – that’s an electronic ballot. The law was designed so that if you use an electronic ballot, then there would be a provision for voter verification. Whereas if you have a paper ballot, you don’t necessarily need voter verification. Hawak niyo na eh. So you just feed it into the voting machine.

G: So in a touch screen nga, it’s gonna look like parang an ATM. Parang, what’s my balance? And you’re gonna see it solely on the screen.

J: Not on the screen, but a printout. And that’s exactly what happened in the ARMM. When we used a DRE touch screen machine, it spat out a ballot. A kind of electronic receipt. That’s for you, for the voter. But that’s because it’s two systems. There’s nothing wrong with it. It’s just that for this election, we chose to use an OMR solution, where you have a paper ballot.

G: Do you have a reason for that?

S: If I may add, yeah. Nag-survey among voters globally, ang gusto ng botante ebidensya, may pinanghahawakan sila. That’s why PCOS, ‘yan po ang gagamitin natin because may paper ballot. May panghahawakan ang mga botante.

J: Just to clarify that. Even with the DRE or a touch screen system, you don’t get to take home the ballot. What we’re afraid of, and everyone’s afraid of, the minute you get out of the polling place, you show it to some operator and say “Pay me.” You can’t take it home with you.

G: Next question from Nerika of Hawaii, “What if the GPRS connection is bad and transmission of results is slow?”

J: First of all, right now, we have what we call a site survey ongoing. That’s where we go out to all of the precincts that we’ve identified already and check the signal there. If the signal doesn’t come out as expected, then we will put up our own satellite system there. Which means that on election day, we will have a very reasonable expectation that all places will be able to transmit at a certain level of efficiency. Ibig sabihin, may signal. Kung ngayon pa lang wala nang signal, tayo ang magse-set up ng sarili nating satellite.

S: Gang, gusto ko dagdagan yung sinabi ni James. Two days ago, we had a meeting with the networks, SMART, GLOBE, and others, and ‘eto po yung pinag-usapan namin. That is our concern. Ayan ay aayusin namin, and they are part of the technical working group headed by a Comelec official. They are cooperating. We want that this election be successful.

G: An admin officer from Paranaque, Victoria Garcia, said “Isn’t there disenfranchisement in the chosen system of manual input of votes and not choosing from a computer? Kasi kung mali ang pagkashade mo, or maling ballpen ang gamit mo, saying na kaagad ang boto.”

J: No. The voting instructions [are] very important. In fact, it’s only two steps. So it’s actually very simple, and kung magkamali ka, then that’s unfortunate. But we’re gonna be doing everything to make sure the level of mistakes is as minimal as possible.

S: That’s why the law, it provides for massive information drive six months into the elections. So lahat po ng mga estudyante, guro, simbahan, NGOs, GMA, helping each other to inform and instruct the people, to guide the people.

J: In fact, I’m on one of the social networks, and I monitored a recent conversation. And someone is saying, “How do you vote in an automated system?” And some person starts telling that other person how, and it was perfectly correct. The instructions being given were exactly right. But the point is, it is that simple. And we are really reaching a lot of people.

S: I think what’s important is an attitude of hope, not the attitude of gloom and doom, but one of hope. Because this is poll automation, so gamitin po natin ito for good. It should be done for change.

G: Sarah Montemayor from Puerto Princesa said “Half of the 23 towns in Palawan are island municipalities that do not have 24-hour electricity and mobile phone signals. How will the automated elections be done in such places?”

J: Well, first of all, the machines have batteries that last more than 12 hours, so we have enough power to conduct the voting. And like I said, we will have satellites set up where mobile phone signals are not available. It’s not that expensive, because the satellite is already there. All we will be introducing will be the LAN satellite, just to beam it up and send the results back. It’s a very inexpensive solution.

S: If I may add, the archipelagic character of the Philippines has been considered. 7,000 islands – ito po ay pinag-aralan, kaya the concerns with the landline, cellular, and satellite…

G: Are you excited, worried, afraid, petrified for the elections?

S: Me? I’m excited. This is something new. After 100 years gone, the last election we had was in 2007. The first election we had after the colonial regime was in 1907. A total of 100 years of manual elections. So this is the first time that we have this automated election system. I’m excited, this is something new. We seize the day, we seize the opportunity.

G: I have a fear that automation will just make it wholesale cheating…how do you assuage me? Comfort me.

S: Yeah, nagkaroon ng dagdag-bawas, which is massive wholesale cheating, because of the slow process in the voting, counting, and canvassing. Palipat-lipat yung mga dokumento, nalilipat from one place to another, nababago. Ito, speed. From the precinct to the munisipyo, two minutes. From the municipal to the central server, COMELEC, one or two minutes. So speed ang kalaban po ng massive cheating, dagdag-bawas. The problem in Pampanga, diba si Ka Among at si Baby Pineda. Because of misappreciation of ballots, Nanay Baby ba, Baby ba, Among o Ka Ed. Mawawala yan because of the shading of the oval or circle.

M: So no way po na magiging posible yung sinasabi ng critics na pwedeng ma-preprogram yung mga PCOS para mag-contain ng results.

J: No. That particular fear comes from a lot of lack of understanding. You see, the process requires that before election day, the PCOS, that’s the counting machine. The counting machine that you will use for the precinct goes through two tests to prove that it is empty, literally. And then on election day itself, before anything happens, the machine prints a zero report, which means that it will show that it has zero votes in its memory. The ballot boxes will be upturned to show that it is empty as well. So a pre-programmed PCOS would not be able to print a zero report. For the zero report, the initialization report, is key and that will be the procedure throughout the 80,000 precincts.

G: And you personally have handled these machines?

S: We have seen these machines during the bidding process. We have seen these machines in the demonstration. We have seen these machines, and people are satisfied after being educated about these machines.

G: Sir, I am not disrespectful at all, but I am almost certain you’re not a machinery expert or an IT expert. Did you consult experts about these machines?

S: We have this advisory council, Gang. Under the law, this is the contribution of NGOs and electoral reform groups in this law. It provides for private IT experts from public and private sectors. They have advised us.(G: akala ko kayo lang yung nagdecide) Ay hindi po. This is not a Comelec fruit, itong PCOS, itong automated election system. Ito po ay produkto po ng Kongreso, House and the Senate, and with the advice of these electoral reform groups.

Mavie Almeda-Ungco: Diba kasi Sir, sa dati pong sistema na manual, pag may isang kandidato po na sumigaw ng “daya,” gagawin lang, ire-recount lang po yung balota. Kung halimbawa ako kandidato tapos sasabihin ko nadaya ako, ano ang sistema para doon?

S: I can explain that. We have a protest mechanism na ilalagay po natin sa General Instructions. So ano ang gagamitin ng mga abogado as ebidensiya? The paper ballot. Hindi po ba? Na fini-fill up-an. That’s one. Number two, election returns, a total of 30 election returns. Andun yung pangalan, andun yung boto, babasahin publicly. Number three, yung digital copy of the paper ballot na kinopya po ng makina. So eto yung gagamitin na ebidensiya… in case protests are filed by lawyers and complaining candidates.

M: Would they also be faster to retrieve than let’s say, manually counting the ballots? Kasi diba before po kasi, bubuksan yung ballot boxes, bibilangin, ire-recount. Kung ganyan po, mas madali po ba siya makuha?
S: Well yung balota po nasa transparent ballot box naman, di po ba? As a matter of fact, nasa batas yung random manual audit. A few days after the elections, to check kung accurate yung proseso. It can be opened and checked by this random manual audit committee or commission. So madaling buksan po. Hindi po mahirap.

G: Parang you seem to have everything covered. Pero if ever man merong may mag cry “foul” or mag cry “cheat”, what do you think they will be complaining about? Kasi na-cover mo na yung pre-program, na-cover mo na yung digital signature, and no cloned keys, what do you think they’ll say?

J: The thing is, because this is a new system, there will be people who will challenge it. They will not be challenging it necessarily because it’s broken. They will challenge it just to prove that it’s not broken. So there will be a lot of that. So we expect that. You know, we’re not under the illusion that everyone will be singing Kumbaya at the end of it. (G: High five at the end of the day). Exactly. So we know that there will be challenges. And we would probably welcome that. If only to prove, like I said, that the system, in fact, is not broken.

G: Thank you very much, we’ll wrap up. Any last messages Sir for our viewers?

S: Well, ang sa akin lang po, this is something new, ‘no Gang? After 100 years, one century, just imagine, we’ll have this new system. So make the most out of it. I always say this is a gift, and because this is a gift, we have to treasure this gift. Pagbutihin po natin for the good of our country.

G: James?

J: Vote.

G: Thank you. This has been Examine.

Adel Tamano needs a makeover…and fast!

2009-10-15T21:58:00.000-07:00

Okey. So Attorney Adel Tamano, the former opposition spokesperson and now, one of the Nacionalista’s so-called ” Villar Honor Guards” is running for the Senate. He announced that as soon as he crossed over from Erap’s camp to Villar’s. And because he’s terribly so low in the surveys, understandable for him to do all sorts of gimmicks just to get noticed.

Like this one, agreeing to be the celebrity endorser of the Vicki Belo Group.

A big billboard stands like a sore thumb along EDSA specifically in Guadalupe. A huge photo of a smiling Adel Tamano catches your attention while you drive towards Cubao.

I have nothing against it. IN fact, that tagline which says ” Smart is the New Sexy” is just smart, not iconoclastic. Nothing spectacular, nothing out of the ordinary. We all know that term since it went vogue in the 80’s (remember the Yuppies?).

But if Adel thinks that his latest caper would propel him to the Senate pop charts, he’s wrong. Terribly wrong. In fact, he committed a political harakiri.

Adel suffers from what Prospero Pichay and Michael “Tol” Defensor and even Satur Ocampo also experience—widely known, yet widely mistrusted.

If you study what the SWS and the Pulse Asia survey says about him, it is not that people don’t know him. He has a high awareness rating. People know him.

The question is—will they support or even vote for him? That question can only be solved not by advertising or public relations, but by building an honest-to-goodness grassroots organization.

Some close to Tamano may argue that its a chicken-egg situation—which should come first—popularity or organization. In any day, I say, organization. You become popular when people talk about you. And its really about what people talk about you that’s important.

For example, what would people think about Adel now that he’s the official endorser of Belo? Some would probably think that Adel tolerates sex videos. Others would definitely think that Adel does not mind having fake boobs or plastic surgery. Or, probably, people might think that Adel does not practise his very own religion since he endorses a vanity.

That’s the problem with sons or daughters of former political heavyweights–they think that they can get everything as easy as what their fathers or mothers did.

Getting your face out there at EDSA is the fastest and the surest way to get noticed. That’s good if you’re a celebrity. But if you’re not and you are supposed to aspire for a serious political post, endorsing a very controversial vanity product is simply the most stupid thing to do.

If Adel thinks he can do a Lacson by posing for a billboard, he’s wrong. He is nowhere near the superstar status of Ping Lacson when he did those glutathione billboards along EDSA. Besides, Ping endorsed a non-controversial product; everybody loves to use glutathione. It’s different when you’re endorsing the Belo Medical Group. And I don’t want to tell Adel Tamano why.

And if Adel thinks it was a smart move, then, he definitely is not sexy at all.

One advice to Adel—political superstardom is earned not just served to you on a silver platter. For you to become like your father, you need to prove something. A Harvard law degree is impressive if you are aspiring to become a Justice of the Supreme Court. In Philippine politics, it’s nothing.

What’s a good image for Adel? One advice—BE YOURSELF. You don’t need Belo. You just need to go out there, pump as many hands as possible, grease your starched barong tagalog and just give people what they want—an honest-to-goodness public servant who will not steal big when in power.

Analysis of the 3rd Quarter 2009 SWS Survey

2009-10-15T21:53:00.000-07:00

In the latest SWS survey conducted between September 18-21, 2009, Senator Benigno Aquino III emerged as the top Pinoy choice for president. Aquino got 60% of the survey preference of 1,800 respondents. This is the first time that Aquino landed in the presidential list. Senator Manny Villar is a far second with 37%, two percentage points higher than his June survey showing. While former president Joseph Estrada remains within the 15-20% range with 18%, a 7 percentage point drop from the previous June survey.

Villar is teflon guy

What is very clear after a year of surveys that the presidential bet with the most consistent strong showing is Senator Manny Villar with an estimated mass support base of 26.7%. So, if the elections are to be held today, Villar is a sure winner. Why do I say that? Because despite all those controversies levelled against him (i.e. C-5 road controversy) and even with the entry of Senator Noynoy Aquino, Villar’s numbers remain consistently high. Meaning, his support base is at least 27% of the Filipino electorate, the same constituency we saw prior to Joseph Estrada’s ascension to the presidency.

Now, like I said in my other blog, it is very critical for Villar to get a popular running mate that will boost his political stock even more. For example, Villar has a respectable following in the ABC class, yet he is still second to Chiz Escudero, who, political observers note, has a very solid 30% class base support. To be able to win, Villar has to chip Escudero’s numbers in this class.

However, it would be difficult for Villar to gain some more mileage from this class with the sudden entry of Aquino, who has a higher than expected support from the middle class and even at the D-E level. So, even if Villar successfully carve himself a niche out of the ABC class, it will still be Noynoy who will get a sizeable share of the votes of this class. Bear in mind that in previous elections, the ABC class is the most vigilant and the most consistent in actually showing in the polling precincts to exercise their suffrage right. It is this class that we can call the “voting vanguard” since whoever they vote, their bet usually emerges as the winner, despite being statistically lower in numbers compared with the D-E classes.

Chiz hurt by Aquino’s sudden entry

So, with the entry of Aquino, who stands vulnerable? Clearly, the one being hurt is Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) net Chiz Escudero. Escudero’s numbers, contrary to the perception of his supporters, is clearly not sustainable. His mass base is just 16.9% of the electorate, lower than Villar’s. In fact, even if, say Loren Legarda’s supporters (which is clearly within the 23.6% to 25% range) transfer their votes to him, it would still be a toss-up between Villar and Aquino in the end. Why?

There is no clear indication if Legarda’s supporters would ever transfer their votes to Escudero. Okey, just say that at least half of Legarda’s supporters do transfer to Chiz, that would still be not enough for him to win. Why again?

Chiz shares the same constituency as that of Aquino’s, Legarda’s and even Mar Roxas (who has a respectable support base of 15%). Their mass bases would have difficulty transfering to Chiz because these are people within the middle age category who find in him one basic flaw–his youthfulness. The reason why these people consistently vote for Legarda and Roxas can be explained in two things: one, Legarda and Mar are perceived to be seasoned politicians already with (2) idealism. Chiz shares only one criteria with Loren and Mar–his idealism. With Roxas sliding down to the vice presidential spot, the bigger bulk of his 14.6% mass base support will transfer to Noynoy, yet, Chiz will still receive a residual share from it.

Where's the Erap Magic?

Erap’s Magic sputtering

Erap’s magic is suffering from lack of tricks. Erap’s mass base support stands at 13.2%, lower than Chiz’s. In fact, Legarda is even higher than him (23.6%), and Noli’s (25.6%). Erap’s handlers expect that a big bulk of Noli’s mass support will transfer to Erap in the event that Noli decides not to run. Surprisingly, it did not happen. In fact, Erap even lost 7 percentage points due largely (or in part) from the Dacer-Corbito revelations and Ping’s Senate performance.

Erap has just finalized his teamup with Binay, which will actually not benefit him, what with only 1.32% support base. Binay’s numbers is an effect of his association with Erap, so this team-up is actually not symbiotic or mutually benefitting. Erap’s numbers will remain within the 15-20% range, not sufficient to garner a very convincing win come 2010 elections.

Teodoro’s numbers improving

A jump from 0.8% to 4% is encouraging for Teodoro since it is still some months away from the 2010 elections. Teodoro’s numbers are still not indicative of a win–not as yet. What Teodoro needs is a dramatic causa that will convince people to get out of the Aquino-Villar-Escudero pool choices and swing towards Teodoro.

What would that instance or event be? It is the rehabilitation of Luzon.

Northern, Central, NCR and Southern Luzon are traditionally vote-rich regions comprising what is known as the winner’s corridor. Government has just announced that they will be concentrating their efforts on rehabilitating Northern Luzon.

Now, if Gilbert Teodoro plays his cards right, and Mrs. Arroyo appoints him as the head of a commission for the rehabilitation of Luzon, that will spell a very big difference in the coming elections. In fact, this rehabilitation effort would even be the catalyst for SWING VOTES.

He can relinquish his defense portfolio and serve as the Commission head without any legal impediment. No constitutional provision bars a presidential candidate from actually serving as a head of a commission while campaigning, although some might say that the commission is a government position; therefore, a presidential bet is barred from having that kind of position while campaigning.

Okey, if you look at it, it is irrelevant actually whether Arroyo appoints Gibo or not. What is clear is that government will spearhead the rehab efforts. The expected billions of pesos worth of foreign disaster aid will surely be converted to election campaign funds, serving as the administration “carrot” to local government officials of the North.

This rehab effort would be used by the administration to prop up its official bet.

Final Analysis

The political situation is still very much fluid and I subscribe to the qualitative analysis of Pulse Asia that the spot for the presidency is still up for grabs. The configurations are still quite fuzzy and the possibility of an administration win is still possible, for three (3) reasons:

1. One, the administration has the opportunity to salvage its bad rep by implementing an honest-to-goodness rehab campaign in the North.

2. The slow disintegration of the “opposition” and the lack of an emerging third force strong enough to battle with established political forces.

3. Absence of a strong Opposition figure that can stand as the unifying figure behind reform-minded groups.

Loren Legarda’s Dilemma

2009-10-15T21:48:00.000-07:00

Sen. Loren Legarda, the top brand name in the 2007 Senatorial race, must decide and act fast. Her ratings are slipping away. And I know what ails the only environmentalist Senator of the land. She knows she has a very solid and very high support base. And being second when you know you can win is an agonizing place to be in.

If you look at the SWS survey ratings from September 2008 to September 2009, she has a very high support base of 24%—higher than Senator Chiz Escudero who is being touted as the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) standard bearer and even of Erap’s (only 13.5%). Escudero has been her most ardent suitor. While Gibo Teodoro is just waiting in the wings for her to say “Yes!” (Gibo, by the way, has a dismal 1% consistent mass base support). Manny Villar is still just some few feet away, fiddling with his big bucks.

Why will I agree to run as second fiddle when my average mass support is higher than all these suitors of mine, says Legarda? Quite understandable, if I would say so.

Loren’s dilemma is actually more of a perception issue rather than a winnability issue. The perception is, Loren’s chances are slim because people would not prefer another woman president. This wrong perception affects funding support behind her candidacy. Of course, without campaign funds, how would she run?

Legarda’s mass base support is very consistent unlike those of Chiz and Estrada’s whose support bases are vascillating and probably, even of Noynoy’s whose support base is still amorphous at this point. A 2o-plus percent mass base is nothing to sneeze at. In a five or even six-cornered fight, this could win elections!

Yet, the reality on the ground runs counter to these survey findings. Political funders have their sights trained on supporting a male president.

Now, an unsolicited advice to Ms. Legarda—think STRATEGIC.

Run as vice president with someone with the machinery—regardless of party affiliation. If you run as NPC vice president, Chiz would only use your mass base to bolster his. If you run as Manny Villar’s second fiddle, the same thing. Yet, if you run under Teodoro’s party, you will still preserve your constituency PLUS enjoy using a big party machinery capable of trouncing a Mar Roxas.

It’s your call.

Travels and Tours @Philippine Blog Awards

2009-10-07T00:56:00.000-07:00

Let stop first the politics issues co'z I heard that my friend Travels and Tours is nominated at Philippine Blog Awards (PBA) for the Blogger Choice Special Award (Mindanao). Is this true..? but when I check the site yes I see his blog at the button of the Mindanao category..:-) So once again my vote goes to Travels and Tours.

Juana Change for 2010 Presidential Election

2009-09-28T12:08:00.000-07:00

As I watch the video of Juana Change Music Video I realized that how corrupt our government official is. The message of this video is the changes of our country and how the government officials grab the money of the people in this country. Because of this corrupt system, our country can not move on and improved it because we have this kind of people that they think is their own good only... Today, we already feel how difficult our country is, so before it will happened again we will choose a good leader for this coming 2010 Presidential Election. Our vote is very important for the next year Presidential Election. By the way before I forgot, watch the video so that you can relate what is the message of this video.

Tanong:

* Would you still believe the promises of the politicians..?
* Would you like to vote for the change..?
* Are you already register for the coming 2010 Election..?

Asset and Liabilities Of Congressman Mikey Arroyo

2009-09-03T14:07:00.000-07:00

As I watch this video of Congressman Mikey Arroyo during the one on one to Winnie Monsod and Igan I can say that the Arroyo was a corrupt family. If you wonder why I say that it is because Congressman Mikey Arroyo did not know where their assets came from and how it grow bigger and bigger..

Think this guys, when he is a Vice Governor in 2002 his asset is about 5 million but when he become a Congressman in 2006 his asset grow into 76.9 million. Tell me, where did he get the big money..??Watch the video so that you can judge this corrupt congressman.

1 OF 2 MIKEY ARROYO ON MEDIA SUICIDE WITH IGAN

2 OF 2 MIKEY ARROYO ON MEDIA SUICIDE WITH IGAN

Possible Candidates For 2010 Presidential Election

2009-08-18T14:16:00.000-07:00

This are the Possible Candidates For 2010 Presidential Election. Who is your man in this candidates..? I hope this people here that will run as the President in the Republic of the Philippines is same as the aim of our late President Cory Aquino where is she think what is good to our country. Not just like Gloria Macapagal Arroyo that she think only for her good not for the people who live in this country. Hope this Presidentiable Candidate will think good for our country.

I hope we can choose the best leader from this candidates to bring our country the grow and success. Let choice wise before its to late..

Arroyo Will Step Down in 2010 Election

2009-08-06T23:20:00.000-07:00

Malacañang urged critics yesterday not to use the death of former President Corazon Aquino for their political agenda.

Deputy presidential spokesman Anthony Golez and presidential economic spokesman Gary Olivar were commenting on the warning given by Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay, president of the United Opposition, that the outpouring of support at the burial of Mrs. Aquino may turn into a “political upheaval” against Mrs. Arroyo if she tries to extend her term.

Olivar said there could be no upheaval because Mrs. Arroyo would step down from office next year.

“The mayor’s warning is gratuitous, redundant and unnecessary since the President has already stated she has no agenda of extending her term beyond 2010,” Olivar said.

Presidential adviser for political affairs Gabriel Claudio also scored Binay’s warning, saying such a statement was a far cry from the gesture of Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, who courteously received the President when she visited his mother’s wake at the Manila Cathedral.

“It would do greater justice to the solemnity and dignity of President Cory’s burial to refrain from using it for partisan ends,” Claudio said.

Golez said Binay should get his cue from the outpouring of love and respect for Mrs. Aquino from Filipinos and the rest of the world.

“We saw how everybody paid their last respects to the great leader. The people went there united or were one in paying their respects to a great leader regardless of any political affiliation,” Golez said.

“Let us not use this event for anybody’s personal and political interest.”

He said the people would be “angered” if some groups would try to capitalize on the passing of Mrs. Aquino for some political agenda.

Golez said he was not sure whether Mrs. Arroyo watched the funeral on television.

He said the Palace also welcomes the statement of Kris and Noynoy Aquino that they would continue the fight begun by their mother.

“I think everybody, every Filipino should have that privilege of defending our freedom. We’ve been through the dark ages already and I think it is a shared responsibility among Filipinos to make sure that we protect the democracy that we have gained and to protect the freedom that we have attained.”

He said the Palace is also supporting moves in Congress to declare her a national hero but fell short of saying that Mrs. Arroyo would certify the bill as urgent.

“He will just wait for the proposal to come out in order for us to study that,” he said.

No upheaval

Congressmen-allies of Mrs. Arroyo declared that no upheaval against the President is necessary because she will relinquish her post on June 30, 2010,

Deputy Speaker for Mindanao Simeon Datumanong said he hopes that Binay’s statements were not meant to provoke the people by capitalizing on the outpouring of support for the late president, dubbed as an icon of Philippine democracy.

“We should adopt an attitude of supporting the country and making sure our people live a peaceful, decent and progressive life. I’m very sure that President Arroyo will follow the Constitution and step down as president when her term expires,” he said.

Quezon Rep. Danilo Suarez, chairman of the committee on oversight of the House of Representatives, said Binay’s statements were uncalled for and “should not be given relevance at all.”

“The situation in 1986 and the situation now are entirely different. We were financially disturbed then. The economy was bad in terms of financial ratings with different international credit rating firms such as Fitch, Moody’s and S&P,” he pointed out.

Neophyte Rep. Elpidio Barzaga of Cavite said politics had no place during the funeral of the former president.

“I honestly feel that the statement is uncalled for and totally unnecessary. The outpouring of grief is for the death of President Cory and also in recognition of her role in the restoration of democracy in our country,” he said.

Tarlac Rep. Jeci Lapus, brother of Education Secretary Jesli Lapus, also assured the public that no upheaval is necessary.

Other congressmen, meanwhile, said the smooth and peaceful transfer of power is one of the legacies of former President Aquino.

“President Cory’s turnover of power to her elected successor, President Ramos, was one of the greatest moments of her presidency,” Parañaque Rep. Roilo Golez told the Serye Café’ news forum in Quezon City.

“She could have considered running for president again, considering that she was swept to the highest office under a different Constitution, but that was against the democratic ideals she fought for, which included a smooth and peaceful transition from one president to another,” he said.

Rep. Satur Ocampo of the militant party-list group Bayan Muna said the late president could have stayed longer in office under her revolutionary government had she chosen to.

“But she regularized our democratic system by restoring democratic institutions and appointing the 1986 Constitutional Commission that wrote the present Constitution,” he said.

In the same forum, Quezon City Rep. Matias Defensor said Congress does not have to declare Mrs. Aquino a national hero “because she is already a hero in the hearts and minds of our people.”

He said a congressional declaration that the late president is a hero “might just politicize the acts of heroism that she had done, which transformed our nation and affected the life of every Filipino.”

Golez said politicians should not meddle in determining who is a hero and who is not and just leave the matter to the National Historical Institute.

PGMA State Of the Nation Address 2009 (SONA)

2009-07-27T11:03:00.000-07:00

PGMA SONA 2009 Video 1

Barely had President Arroyo started talking when the comments started pouring in: dozens of Facebook users posted updates so swiftly that they turned into a running commentary.

Many of the remarks, written in short-hand English and Filipino that wasn’t always grammatical, were testy and sarcastic.

Reacting to the President’s recital of her achievements, one visitor said: “Totohanin mo na sana yan, ilang beses ka na nagsisinungaling sa bayan?" (If only you could actually make that come true, how many times have you lied to the nation?)

“Hello Garci, ‘di ka ata kasama," wrote another visitor, referring to the 2004 scandal where President Arroyo allegedly colluded with an election commissioner to fix the votes.

Yet another dismissed the speech: “Wala naman kwenta tulad ng dati." (Worthless, just like the others before)

“GMA is bragging on the things that she has done for the Filipino people," reminded one user, adding “did she forget that is indeed her responsibility?"

The remarks streamed swiftly across the small window: “She is shameless;" “Nakakatawa siya, ‘no" (she's funny, isn't she).

When Mrs. Arroyo started to belittle her critics and political foes, there were pointed responses. Marvic Leonen, dean of the UP College of Law, said: “State of the Nation Address should be a time to tell our societies what the Office of the President sees as our collective challenge and a call for support. It should not be an occasion to divide further. This is not a boxing match."

Another user invited everyone “to compare this woman to Governor Grace (Padaca) who quietly and firmly puts violators of the law in their place and merely says she is just enforcing the law. This woman can't even follow it!"

Occasionally, some FB users expressed support for Mrs. Arroyo, the most unpopular president the country has had since 1986.

“Wag natin tingnan ang negatibo... makinig muna bago komento," (Let's not look at the negative, listen first before commenting), someone cautioned.

“I love my nation. I thank God that we have a great and brilliant president," asserted another user.

“That was really a FIERCE and BRAVE SONA," said a partisan someone.

When the speech ended, there was no lack of posters trying to evaluate it. Tony La Viña, dean of the Ateneo School of Government, said: “Overall, a defensive speech, a speech about the past, not the future. Next year, maybe we will be inspired."

Another poster said: “I wasted my time watching this SONA... Campaign Speech lang naman lahat. For the last time bagsak pa rin ang grade mo PGMA."

One FB user said: “Dapat i-congratulate... hirap nung ginawang rehearsal nun." (She should be congratulated, it must have been hard rehearsing that speech)

You can watch the full video of the SONA 2009 of PGMA below:

PGMA SONA 2009 Video 2

PGMA SONA 2009 Video 3

PGMA SONA 2009 Video 4

PGMA SONA 2009 Video 5

PGMA SONA 2009 Video 6

PGMA SONA 2009 Video 7

Source: gmanews.tv

Erap For 2010 Elections

2009-06-21T18:56:00.000-07:00

With two choppers, a King Air turboprop aircraft and at least 20 vans, there is no doubt former President Joseph "Erap" Estrada is running in next year's elections.

Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, a close ally of Estrada, on Sunday made this statement as he noted that other prospective presidential bets now placing advertisements in radio and TV would have trouble matching up with Estrada.

“[Meron siyang] dalawang chopper, isang fixed-wing 350 na King Air, 20 vans for political campaign.. Kung di pa proof yan na tatakbo, ewan ko na lang kung anong kailangang ebidensya na tatakbo. Tatakbo 'yan," he told Nimfa Ravelo in an interview on dzBB radio.

[He has two choppers, one 350 fixed-wing King Air aircraft, and 20 vans for political campaign. If that is not proof that he will run, I don’t know what other evidence you will need for him to run. He will run.]

Enrile, chairman emeritus of Estrada's Puwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) party, described the two choppers as French-made Aerospatiales.

The Aircraft Charter World Web site described the Beech King Air 350 as having a passenger capacity of up to 11, and up to 550 pounds luggage. It said the aircraft is capable of landing at 95 percent of all U.S. airports, and most others worldwide.

The Web site controller.com listed the prices of a 2009 King Air at $6.6 million; and a 2008 King Air at $5.775 million.

Estrada won the presidency in 1998 but was deposed in 2001 following a corruption scandal. He was convicted of plunder in 2007 but was later pardoned by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

Estrada, a former actor, has offered to run for president in 2010 if the opposition did not unite and field a single candidate to challenge the administration standard bearer. Enrile ran in the 2004 elections under Estrada’s Puwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) before quitting his posts as president of PMP and declaring himself an “independent" in the Senate.
This page requires a higher version browser

Tanong:
1. Can he really run as President of the Philippine Republic..?

Japan-Philippine (JPEPA) Relations

2009-06-18T17:11:00.000-07:00

Philippine President Gloria Arroyo on Thursday hailed “a new era of economic relations” with Japan after a trade deal took effect last year, and called for more Japanese investment in her country.

The trade deal is officially called Japan-Philippine Economic Partnership Agreement, or JPEPA.

President Arroyo, who arrived in Japan on Wednesday for a working visit, was to meet with Prime Minister Taro Aso later in the day to discuss economic ties, North Korea’s May nuclear test and other issues, foreign ministry officials said.

“With the entering into force of the joint paper, now we open a new era of economic relations,” the President told Japanese business leaders, referring to the bilateral free-trade deal that took effect in December 2008.

The agreement “needs adjustments for both parties, but the net result of this agreement will benefit both of our economies,” she said. “Let me say to the Japanese business community: For growth, even through the global crisis, invest in the Philippines. Trade with the Philippines.”

Mrs. Arroyo and Japan’s then-Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi agreed on the economic partnership agreement in 2006, Manila’s first bilateral free-trade deal.

The Philippine Senate did not ratify the deal until October last year, as environmentalists warned it could make the country a dumping ground for Japan’s toxic waste.

The pact removes all tariffs on about 94 percent of bilateral trade by value and allows Philippine nurses and care workers to work in Japan on a long-term basis. Remittances make up about 10 percent of the Philippine economy.

Tokyo is the largest trading partner for Manila, while Manila is the second largest destination for Japanese foreign direct investment after the United States, according to the Japanese foreign ministry.

‘Samurai’ bonds

A local media report in Japan also said the Philippines was considering selling up to $1-billion worth of yen-denominated bonds—so called samurai bonds—to help ease budget difficulties.

The details were yet to be decided, but Manila was considering issuing the bonds in two years, using a guarantee program of the Japan Bank for International Cooperation for the issuance, Kyodo News reported.

Connection with this issues their are lots of our fellow Filipino who against on this including me. With 14 Senators the JPEPA was approve and this senators are follows:
Miriam Defensor Santiago, Manuel Roxas III, Edgardo Angara, Rodolfo Biazon, Alan Peter Cayetano, Jinggoy Estrada, Juan Ponce Enrile, Gregorio Honasan, Panfilo Lacson, Loren Legarda, Ramon ‘Bong’ Revilla Jr., Miguel Zubiri, Manuel Villar Jr., and Lito Lapid.

There are only 4 senators who voted against the approval of the treaty. They were Aquilino Pimentel Jr, Ma. Consuelo ‘Jamby’ Madrigal, Francis Escudero, and Benigno ‘Noynoy’ Aquino Jr.
If you notice that most of the senators who vote for JPEPA is a candidates for the 2010 Presidential Elections.

Tanong:
1. Are you in favor of JPEPA..?
2. Is this agreement did not violate our provisions of the 1987 Constitution..?
3. How we can assure that their is no anomaly happened on this agreement..?
4. Is the purposed of JPEPA is for our country or only for the few people in our country.

Congress Woman For GMA in 2010..?

2009-06-17T18:33:00.000-07:00

May mga haka-haka na pagka tapos daw ng tirmino ni Gloria Macapagal Arroyo ay tatakbo sya bilang congresswoman sa 2010 election sa lalawigan ng Pampangga. Ayon kai Mayor Jerry Pelayo na malapit sa Pangulo ay wag daw bigyan ng malisya ang pag-bibisita ni GMA sa kanilang lugar kasi daw ay tumutulong lang sya. Pero kong si Mayor Jerry Pelayo daw ang tatanongin ay iko-kombinsi nya ang Pangulo ng tatako bilang congrisista sa kanilang distrito kasi nga daw ay magaling sya na leader at isa sya sa mga asset ng kanilang distrito at marami na syang nagawa sakanilang lugar. Ayon sa isang political analyst, tatakbo si PGMA para magka-roon daw sya ulit ng position sa goberno at para ma iwasan nya ang mga katiwali-an na ginagawa nya. At kong magiging Congresswoman man sya ay may posibilidad din na magiging Minister sya ng bansa na kong saan isa sa rispetadong tao sa pamahalan at pangatlo sa pinaka-makapangyarihang tao sa goberno.

Pero ayon naman sa Opposition na kong tatakbo bilang congrisista si GMA ay tatapatan ito ng Dating Pangulo ng Pilipinas na si Dating Pangulong Joseph Ejercito Estrada na kong saan ay nagpa hayag din sya na may posibilidad na tatakbo sya ulit bilang Pangulo ng Republika ng Pilipinas..

Tanong:

1. Kong totoo man ang haka-haka ng tatakbo si GMA bilang Congresswoman ibibigay mo ba ang iyong boto sa taong nabukan na ang kanyang kakayahan at nakikita muna ang positibo at nigatibong pamamalakad nya..?
2. Kong magka harap muli sina PGMA at Dating Pangulong Joseph Estrada saan mo ibibigay ang iyong boto sa darating na 2010 Presidential election??Bakit..??

ERAP Posibling Tatakbo sa 2010 (Presidential Election)

2009-06-02T15:59:00.000-07:00

May mga haka-haka na ang dating napatalsik na si Dating Pangulong Joseph Ejercito Estrada ay tatabo bilang pangulo sa darating na 2010 Presidential Election. Sa hanay ng mga nag daan pangulo sa ating bansa marahil isa sya sa may makulay na pinag daan sa kanyang buhay. Isa sya sa pinaka sikat na actor sa kanyang henirasyon na kilalabilang tagapag-tanggol ng ina-alipusta at ina-api at ang imahe na ito daw kong bakit naging malapit sya sa masa at sa taong bayan.

Dahil sa naging malapit nga sya sa masa ang dating actor ay naging isang politika na kong saan ay na lok-lok bilang Mayor sa loob ng labing pitong taon (17 Years), naging sinador, Bise Presidente hanggang ma halal bilang pangulo ng Pilipinas. Sya ang nagin kauna-uhanang actor na naging pangulo at kauna-unahang pangulo din na humarap sa kasong Impeachment ,nahatolan sa kasong plunder at nakulong.

Sa kabila ng nang yari kay Erap hinde parin nawala ang kanyang papularida at implowinsya sa masa. Halos lahat ng mga ini-indorso nya sa pulitika ay nahalal at kasama na ang kanyang mga kamag-anak. Pagka lipas ng maraming taon may pagbabanta kaya na babalik ng palasyo ang dating naupo at napatalsik na pangulo.? Simula ng sya'y makalaya ay nag umpisa na syang nag ikot sa bansa. Sa inteview sakanya ng Reporters NoteBook mga 90% na ang posibilidad na tatakbo sya muli bilang pangulo ng Pilipinas. Sya ang kauna-unahang pangulo na nabigyan ng Presidential Pardon na kong saan ang nakasaad dito ay "He is hereby restored his civil and political rights" kasama na dito ang bilang bumoto at iboto. Sa sinabi nya na ito marami tuloy na mga katanongan ang pumasok sakin.:

Pwedi pa kaya syang tumakbok Bilang Pangulo?
Anu-Ano ba ang mga basihan para payagan sya ulit na tumakbo.??
Buboto ka ba kong sakaling tatabo si ERAP bilang pangulo..?

2010 Election (Early Campaign)

2009-05-14T17:25:00.000-07:00

Malayo pa ang election para sa Presidential Election 2010 pero marami na tayong nakikitang nga political ads sa TV na kong saan ang iba sa kanila dito ay alam naman natin na tatabo sa daratng na election ngayon 2010. Ang kanilang mga advertisement na makikita natin sa TV ay paunay lamang na interesado sila sa darating na election. Nandyan si Senator Manny Villar na ilang buwan na syang may mga ads na lumalabas sa TV na kong saan ang kanyang mga advertisement ay tungkol sa pagtulong sa mga OFW nating kababayan sa ibang bansa. Alam naman ntin na si Senator Manny Villar ay isa sa kandidato na tatakbo sa 2010 Election bilang Pangulo nga ating bansa.
Si Senator Mar Roxas din bilang Mister Palingke ay may iilang ads din na lumalabas sa TV na kong saan ay napapabalita din na tatabo sa 2010 election bilang Bise Presidenti ng ating bayan.ig
Si Senator Chiz Escodero na may plano ding tatabo bilang Presidenti ng ating bayan at may ads na din na nagawa sa TV na nagpapahiwatig tungkol sa katiwalali-an ng goberno. Marami pang mga politician na may mga ads sa tv at ko lang mabangit lahat na kong saan ay isa lamang ang hangarin nila sa taong bayan ang makuha at makumbinsi ang taong bayan na boboto sa kanila sa darating na 2010 Presidential Elections.

Tanong Ko:

* May tiwala kapa bah sa mga Politiko ngayon or even sa ating goberno?
* Sino sa palgay mo ang karapatdapat na pweding uupo sa pwesto..?
* Magagampanan kaya nila ang kanilang mga tungkulin sa taong bayan at sating bansa..?
* Ano ang pwede nilang gawin para makuha nila ang boto mo sa darating na election???
* Ikaw ano ang magagawa mo sa darating na Election 2010..?

Yan ang nasa isip ko na mga tanong tungkol sa mga tatabo sa darating na election..