Freemedia Philippines 2010

LP bandwagon ‘weeping’ in Zambosur

noreply@blogger.com (MASTERMIND) — Tue, 11 May 2010 19:07:47 PDT

BY MICHAEL MEDINA, ONLINE EDITOR

DESPITE of the winning streak of their standard bearer Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” Aquino III as the country’s new president, the Liberals in Zamboanga del Sur all suffered defeat against the incumbents from the ruling party and its coalition.

It seems that both the black and white propaganda from the brightest spin doctors of the provincial LP headed by last-termed Vice-Gov. Roseller “Roy” Ariosa failed to convince people to vote them into their desired positions.

Ariosa is a former Cerilles ally before he had a falling out after his boss, 2nd District Rep. Antonio Cerilles, accordingly reneged on his promise to let him run for the May 2010 polls as governor because Cerilles himself will be running.

Hobbled with limited campaign funds and odd running mates, who are previously his political adversaries, Ariosa and his team of liberals ran against Cerilles and his powerful lineup of state politicians while keeping his fingers crossed but eventually lost, ending his not-so-colorful political career.

In his Facebook wall, the vice-governor wrote: “The people of the Republic of the Philippines and Zamboanga del Sur needs and want change, but that CHANGES when money is involved,” alluding to the reported rampant vote-buying activity during last Monday’s elections.

Ariosa and other LP candidates have been complaining of vote-buying in the province where money is enclosed in folded and stapled sample ballots and usually left for distribution in the houses of barangay officials.

Ariosa had hoped that if he won the polls and if the other liberals were successful in there campaign, Zambosur will have transformation and they will bring in the needed replacements of people in the Capitol.

But the people’s voice is more deafening and they chose to place their confidence to Cerilles’ slate after claims cropped up that Ariosa has sided with controversial politicians and the so-called hunted men of the government who are suspected drug lords and gun-runners.

Based on the tally of the Provincial Board of Canvassers as of Tuesday, Ariosa got 115,505 against Cerilles’ 229,307. For vice-governorship, Lakewood mayor Domingo Mirar settled only with 73,194 while outgoing board member Juan Regala got 233,350.

For the congressional race, incumbent 1st District Rep. Victor Yu is a high pointer with 154,452 as against Romeo Vera Cruz’s 50,719 while Gov. Aurora Cerilles got a wide margin of 107,884 votes in contrast to Tirsendo Poloyapoy’s 23,029.

Auring blitzes her way into Congress

noreply@blogger.com (MASTERMIND) — Tue, 11 May 2010 19:20:10 PDT

BY MICHAEL MEDINA, ONLINE EDITOR
(FOR ZAMPENEWS)

AT last, Gov. Aurora “Auring” Cerilles will be crossing the bridge towards the hallowed halls of Congress after Zambosurians gave her the landslide victory instead of her contender, lawyer Tirsendo Poloyapoy.

Cerilles, as of Tuesday, garnered 107,884 votes compared to Poloyapoy’s 23, 029 with only 12 percent of the election returns still left to be tabulated.

Referred to by her constituents as a champion in public service because of her success in implementing her 7-Point Executive Agenda especially in improved road networks and other important infrastructure projects, Cerilles will represent the 375,761 residents of Zambosur’s second district when the 15th Congress opens.

Cerilles, in one interview, once said that after being elected she will concentrate on improving and rehabilitating farm-to-market road projects in her district because these are essential components for agricultural development.

She added that since Zambosur dominantly produces agricultural products such as rice, corn, coconut and other high-value fruits, mobility and transport of these should be taken into consideration.

Cerilles is not new to her position having had served as a representative of the second district for one term in the 11th Congress, from 1998 to 2001, under the leadership of then Speaker Manny Villar Jr. where she held the tourism committee as vice chairperson and as deputy speaker of the appropriations committee.

In her term, Cerilles filed 28 local measures and seven were acted into law, which included those that established the national high schools in Dimataling, Dinas, Vincenzo Sagun, and the law converting the JH Cerilles Polytechnic College in San Miguel into a state college and that which created a separate engineering district in the second district.

Auring’s vacated position will be taken by husband, Rep. Antonio “Tony” Cerilles, who was elected as this province’s new governor.

Auring ran under the Lakas-Kampi CMD coalition while Tony is from the Nationalists People’s Coalition of Danding Cojuangco, chairman of San Miguel Corp. and NPC's chairman emeritus.

Meanwhile, Tony Cerilles said there will be a continuation of honest and conscientious service to Zambosurians in his term where he will continue to provide the needed access to support infrastructures to remote villages and maintain the established linkage with other government and non-government groups for smooth implementation of projects in the province.

As an environmentalist and former secretary of the DENR, the congressman added that he will strongly support the national government’s programs on agriculture and provide livelihood projects and employment opportunities for young professionals.

Zambosur’s provincial board of canvassers is yet to declare the Cerilles couple as official winners of the just-concluded congressional and gubernatorial race in the province.

Fist-fight staged to ease voter queues

noreply@blogger.com (MASTERMIND) — Tue, 11 May 2010 04:00:38 PDT

BY RYAN ROSAURO, CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

MARAWI CITY—A family here whose members were lining for ballots on May 10 amid the sweltering heat found an odd way of getting through the situation: stage a fist-fight.

According to Gabriel, volunteer for a local poll monitoring group who is their neighbor, one family elder instructed his two nephews to slug it out in the grounds of the Marawi Pilot Laboratory School where hundreds were waiting their turn inside clustered precincts.

As the fist-fight turned supposedly violent and uncontrollable, the people left the voters line to avoid being dragged into the scene.

This gave the family opportunity to line closest their assigned precinct and have the chance to vote early.

Gabriel said his neighbors numbered some 50 who were seeking to prop up the vote tallies of candidate-relatives.

Voters have been bedeviled by the long queues before having the chance at casting their votes during Monday’s first elections under an automated vote-counting system.

Fr. Joey Evangelista of the Missionary of Jesus, a member of the Peoples International Observer Mission (PIOM), said a number of violent incidents that attended Monday’s balloting exercise in many Lanao del Sur towns appear to be staged to disrupt the process, or direct public attention away from ongoing fraud maneuvers.

The PIOM delegates were in Tugaya Elementary School when shooting broke out just outside the polling centers that sent people scampering away for safety.

Evangelista noted that the gunshots were aimed up, which means there was no definite target.

When the incident subsided, Evangelista said they saw a PCOS machine being hauled away from the clustered precinct along with the ballots.

He said this could be the one used in an alleged balloting which occurred inside a house as related to them by a number of people.

Evangelista related further that several more witnesses told the mission that amid the bursts of gunfire, ballots are being filled in another room by only a few people.

Sometime later, someone drove by the school and strafed the line of voters, injuring three, one of whom later died.

It was just unfortunate that several persons have to suffer physical injuries or even get killed in these games, Evangelista lamented.

Maj. Ferdinand Cacas, head of the Philippine Army’s 103rd Brigade Election Monitoring and Action Center (BEMAC), said the attack appeared to be meant to disrupt the balloting process.

Voting in the area was immediately stopped after the incident, although it was later resumed.

SERIOUS DISRUPTIONS

But seemingly more serious games attended to the balloting exercise on Monday in Marawi.

Improvised explosive devices (IED) were blown near the Mindanao State University Gym around 7:45am just as people were waiting for precincts to accommodate voters.

The heavily guarded gym supposedly hosts several clustered precincts covering six barangays in the city.

But after the succession of explosions, the balloting was transferred to classrooms in a nearby school where operators identified with a local politician had the comfort to dominate the running of the poll centers.

By mid-day, another IED exploded under a car parked near the Saduc Elementary School. At least two sources from the area told the Inquirer it seemed meant to scare away voters who come from communities known to be bailiwicks of a mayoral bet.

But balloting continued unimpeded amid the scare show.

It was also in this school where poll monitors observed a number of alleged flying voters who came in droves aboard air-conditioned private vans.

Also in the same school, voting in a clustered precinct for voters in Lilud-Saduc was stopped after its ballots were spoiled by ink.

According to Ahmad Matao, a PPCRV volunteer, the precinct officials failed to catch and identify the person who splashed ink on the ballots amid the crowding inside the polling center towards noontime.

A low turnout happened also with only 26 of some 800 voters casting their ballots in the said precinct.

Mothers protecting Mother Gaia

noreply@blogger.com (MASTERMIND) — Tue, 11 May 2010 03:30:07 PDT

BY LEONARDO VICENTE CORRALES, NEWS CONTRIBUTOR

"Nothing can drown out a voice, not even the bursts of gunfire, if the voice speaks the truth." Nicole Kidman in the motion picture "The Interpreter"

WOMEN—mothers mostly—are etching their place in history by taking the cudgels for Mother Nature, who has nurtured their families in a quaint albeit serene agricultural community they have called their home—Anislagan of Placer town in the province of Surigao del Norte.

Nine years ago, however, a dark cloud threatened their piece of Eden. Anglo American Plc., one of the largest mining conglomerates in the world, entered their community with plans of exploring it for minerals.

The mothers in the community, courageously with their arms linked held a 24-hour picket line.

Last Sunday—Mothers' Day—they displayed true grit as they remind a corporate mining behemoth, Kalayaan Copper Gold Resource (KCGR)—a joint venture between Great Britain's Anglo American and Manila Mining Company (a subsidiary of Lepanto Group of Companies)—their community is free from plunder.

They hoisted a 15-foot "mother" scarecrow to symbolize their opposition to mining on the same land they have cultivated, sowed and harvested corn, rice and a variety of vegetables, with their own hands. It will pair up with the “father” scarecrow they installed in December 2008.

"Pila man ka beses namo ingnan kinging mga tawhana nga hiniusa namong desisyon nga among komunidad magpabilin nga para sa uma? Pero, magpadayon gihapon kami, among panalipdan ug magpadayon pakigbisogan ang among katungod nga protektahan ang yutang nagabuhi kanamo sa dugay ng panahan. Neneth Gamus, a mother of two and one of the very first mothers' who, in 2001, held the lines to keep the mining exploration at bay said while looking intently over the other side of their picket fence.

Gamus said the pair of giant scarecrows they installed serve as their “manifesto” that they do not want any form of mineral extraction, especially in their village—Anislagan.

Aside from being a productive agricultural land, Anislagan also hosts a large spring water aquifers where neighboring communities fetch their water.

Now, all these are endangered yet again with the encroachment of large-scale mining corporations. Recently, Philex Mining—which is currently operating in Tubod, just adjacent to Anislagan, Silangan Mindanao Mining Corp (SMMC)—bought Anglo American’s shares in KCGR. SMMC bought a land within Anislagan, a stones-throw away from Abakataf’s picket base, inexplicably intended for a "livelihood training center" for the people in the community and other neighboring villages.

"Kabalo mi nga mao kining gitawag nila nga ‘bahinon arun harian.’ Ang uban namo nga silinga basin mangasilaw sa ilang mga pasikat apan makaya namo kini. Ang among mga panginabuhian maoy nagabuhi kanamo diri. Ila unta i-tukod kanang ilang center didto sa mga lugar nga ilang gimina na kay nangaguba naman nila to. Wala nay panginabuhian ang mga tao didto nga mga erya. Tanang ilang masudlan, ilang gub-on," a fuming Rizalina T. Lisbos—a long time member of Abakataf—averred.

Collectively calling themselves as members of Anislagan Bantay Kalikasan Task Force (Abakataf)—a multi-sectoral environmental watchdog organization that includes women, village councilors, peasants, youth and laity of different local churches—they have struggled for their town to be free from the disastrous effects of mining.

"Among ginapanalipdan ang among kaugmaon ug mao kana ang kamatuoran. Wala’y laing butang o salapi ang mahimong bugti niining among komunidad, nga among langit diri sa yuta. Andam kami sa unsay kapadulngan niini," said Mrs. Lisbos citing what she claims of large-scale mining corporations’ propensity to employ coercive brute force when their "carrot-approach" fails.

Comelec proclaims Ozamiz City poll winners

noreply@blogger.com (MASTERMIND) — Tue, 11 May 2010 03:22:20 PDT

BY MICHAEL MEDINA, ONLINE EDITOR

THE city office of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) headed by city election officer Atty. Anna Liza Barredo has proclaimed all the local slate winners of the May 10 elections, Tuesday morning.

First councilor Nova Princess Echavez won the mayoralty race with a total of 29,153 votes against fellow councilwoman Ma. Constancia Lim of the Liberal Party (LP) who got 22,948 votes, Barredo announced.

Echavez, who led other Lakas-CMD bets, dominated the elections in the city level with only one candidate from the LP in the ninth slot, in the person of former councilor Mario Ferraren.

But the LP-Ozamiz City candidates led by Lim garnered the vice mayoralty seat with ex-councilor and incumbent board member Roland Romero getting 27,748 votes against Taryn Mecaros’ 14,844 of Lakas-Kampi.

In the order of their position, those who actually secured places in the council are Tinago punong barangay Michael Tagal, Simplicia Neri, Cecilia Mabanag, Irene Embuscado, Rico Auman, Roberto Cantago Jr., July Go, Fortunato Saquin, Mario Ferraren and Romeo Jimenez Sr.

Neri, Mabanag, Saquin and Jimenez are incumbent councilors while Embuscado is the former SK federated chair.

Ozamiz City has a total of 71, 735 voters in 51 barangays and 48 polling centers. Some 55,574 or about 55 percent voted in last Monday’s national and local automated elections.

Barredo, in a huddle at the Comelec’s makeshift desk inside this city’s Legislative Hall, said that the election and canvassing was quick, peaceful and already completed by early Tuesday morning that they have no recourse but to proclaim the local winners amid an expectant crowd outside the hall.

A source from the LP camp, however, informed this paper that an election protest will be filed in the coming days against the Lakas-Kampi camp for alleged poll cheating.

As of press time, counting of votes for the congressional seat in the second district is still on-going with scores between incumbent Gov. Loreto Leo Ocampos and Ozamiz City mayor Reynaldo Parojinog Sr. in close fight.

It was learned that Parojinog’s ally, incumbent Rep. Herminia Ramiro has prevailed in the poll race for governorship against incumbents Vice mayor Carlos Patricio Bernad and Vice governor Francisco Paylaga Jr.

For the Provincial Board in the second district, incumbent Ricardo Parojinog is first, followed by Ozamiz councilors Matronillo Catajenas and Irene Girlet Luansing, Christopher Ramayrat and former board member Morpheus Agot.

Last Monday’s common sight in the polling precincts were long lines of irritated voters waiting for hours for their turns to get inside their respective precincts to cast their votes, including confusions regarding the voting procedures and complaints concerning names of voters de-listed from the masterlist and some of the PCOS machines conking out.

Lanao del Sur polls delayed after PCOS show glitches

noreply@blogger.com (MASTERMIND) — Mon, 10 May 2010 19:18:21 PDT

BY RYAN ROSAURO, CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

MARAWI CITY—The PCOS machines deployed in at least three towns in Lanao del Sur experienced errors as members of the board of election inspectors (BEIs) were preparing the polling centers, hindering the timely start or even dooming its being pushed through today

According to poll watchdog Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV), as of 10am, their monitors reported that balloting has not yet kicked off in the towns of Lumba-Bayabao, Lumbaca-Unayan, and Madalum because of non-functional PCOs machines.

In Lumbaca-Unayan, no testing was done on the machines prior to the opening of the precincts this morning. Amid the defective machines, the BEIs packed their bags, along with the election officer.

There is also 50 percent odd of starting the balloting in Bayang town; as of Sunday evening, the PCOS machines deployed there continue to be non-functional.

In the areas where PCOS machines were in good condition, voting has not started because of security and administrative concerns.

In Marawi’s Banggolo district, only two of six clusters were able to accommodate voters as of 9:30am because of undelivered election paraphernalia which were still being dispatched from the City Hall.

Some precincts also took more time to do the PCOS machine initializing, delaying the actual start of balloting.

In Tubaran town, mayoral bets quarreled over who should be assigned as BEIs in precinct clusters, alleging that some of them are partial to particular candidates.

The confrontation threatens to slide into a formal declaration of a failure of election in the town.

In Masiu, the BEIs have failed to mobilize because of the non-appearance of the election officer as of 8:45am.

Voting proceeded in the towns of Ramain at 8:25am, 3 of 4 clusters in Poona-Bayabao at 8:25am, Binidayan at 9:30am, Malabang at 7:45am, Marawi’s Saduc cluster at 8:50am, Balabagan at 9:29am.

Poor techs

In Ramain town, one technician is overseeing an average of three PCOS machines when supposedly it is one personnel for every machine because many technicians never reported to work.

Apart from personnel lack, there is also observed lack of competence among the technicians manning each PCOS machine.

In one district of Marawi, technicians are not able to take care of some PCOS machine concerns, hence, voting had to wait.

During the testing and sealing activities in Bayang town on Sunday, poll monitors said the assigned technicians are having a hard time going through the process they have to dig through their notes again.

The precincts clustering created longer queues of people waiting for their turn inside the polling center. Those who were able to line up for ballots as early as 7am were done by 10am.

Security

The Philippine Army has deployed troops and two armored vehicles to patrol around Marawi city to keep peace and order. Based on a Comelec resolution, the entire Lanao del Sur is placed under its direct control.

In Saguiaran town, which is on the border of Lanao del Sur with Lanao del Norte, the Philippine Army’s 64th Infantry Battalion set up a lock-up cell “for flying voters” marked as such..

With a hammock inside, the cell is located along the road which is very visible to passersby.

On Saturday, two buses and a jeepney full of passengers coming from Cagayan de Oro was temporarily held by Army troopers on suspicion of being flying voters.

When asked, the passengers said they were bound for Marawi where jobs awaited them.

But Brigadier Gen. Rey Ardo, commander of the Army’s 103rd brigade, said they have to eventually let the travelers pass because there was no reason to block or to disallow them into Lanao del Sur.

Ardo explained that the suspicion is only rendered speculative because there was never any proof of them being flying voters.

But the passengers were all asked to write their names and were each taken photographs.

“We were up to advocating to them against being flying voters,” said Ardo.

VOTER GUIDANCE

Even as balloting officially started 7am, many voters appear clueless about the way voting is done under the automated election system.

A radio in Iligan city has been providing voters guidance on how to vote, as well as entertaining a host of questions sent in through text messages relating to very basic information like over-voting, under-voting, what happens when not voting for any bet in a contested position.

‘Mindanaoan vote’ tested on May 10

noreply@blogger.com (MASTERMIND) — Mon, 10 May 2010 19:14:44 PDT

BY RYAN ROSAURO, CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

The low winning chances of Mindanawon bets in the senatorial race is raising questions about whether a ‘Mindanao vote’ is political myth or reality.

The latest Social Weather Station (SWS) survey on the senatorial race showed only two Mindanawons, lawyer Gwendolyn Pimentel and outgoing Bukidnon Rep. Teofisto Guingona III, as having a fighting chance for a berth in the top 12.

Even as both are within the winning circle, not one of them belonged to the top 11 bets who consistently showed very high ratings.

Based on the May 2-3 survey, Pimentel and Guingona have to contend with six other bets for the 12th slot. If ever they are able to improve further their respective chances, and the ratings of the top 11 bets remain, there would be a possible repeat of the 2007 race when two Mindanawons—Pimentel’s brother Koko and now Senator Miguel Zubiri battled for the 12th berth.

Of the current crop of 61 senatorial candidates, eight are born in Mindanao, although not all are residents in Mindanao at this time.

The result of the latest SWS survey on the senatorial race reflects almost mirrored a survey done by the Radio Mindanao Network (RMN) last March on the choice of Mindanawons for senator.

Seventeen of the 19 senatorial bets SWS found to be in the running for the 12 Senate seats up for grabs on Monday comprise the Mindanawons; senatorial choice.

The RMN survey was conducted in the 12 Mindanao cities where it has stations, with 120 respondents per area. The sampling areas are Cagayan de oro, Cotabato, Dipolog, Pagadian, General Santos, Iligan, Zamboanga, Davao, Butuan, Koronadal, Malaybalay, and Surigao.

In the survey, Guingona ranked 11th while Pimentel ranked 15th. No other Mindanawon entered the top 20 bets which showed statistical chances of winning Senate seats.

In the recent SWS survey, Guingona is 12th while Pimentel is 19th.

The Mindanawons’ choice for senators, in the order of priority, are: Jinggoy Estrada, Pia Cayetano, Bong Revilla, Miriam Defensor-Santiago, Franklin Drilon, Juan Ponce Enrile, Tito Sotto, Ralph Recto, Lito Lapid, Serge Osmeña, TG Guingona, Ruffy Biazon, Bongbong Marcos, Joey De Venecia, Gwen Pimentel, Gilbert Remulla, Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel, Alexander Lacson, Lito Osmeña, and Satur Ocampo.

For the May 10 political exercise, Mindanao has about 11.35 million voters, accounting for some 24 percent of the national total of which some 56 percent are in Luzon, and the rest in the Visayas.

The idea of a Mindanao vote largely hinged on the assertion of the island’s peoples getting a fair share of the resources, and participation and voice in the decision-making of the national government.

Oft-cited premises are statistics on the share of Mindanao in the wealth-creation process of the country, its being the food basket, and its contribution to the needs for extractive resources amid the crumbs its localities are getting in terms of development funds.

Although highly based on such issues, its shape-up is loosely understood by ordinary folks in the fashion as Marcos’ ‘Solid North’ which is highly based on ethnic and regionalistic sympathies.

Still, this ‘Mindanao consciousness’ is able to catapult Mindanawons into national political importance. In the post-EDSA 1 Revolt, four elected senators were Mindanawons, although it was a phenomenon that also owed to the backing of the widely popular Corazon Aquino.

But the numbers have seen fallen. The reason for being of a Mindanao vote seemed to have faded through time. The shape-up of the Mindanao vote among Mindanawons for the past nine years was not given impetus by the existing political discourse attendant to the four elections within the period.

The discourse of the past three elections plus the present one is largely a plebiscite on the legitimacy and public acceptability of current power-holders.

The 2001 mid-term and 2004 general elections was an unfinished tussle between EDSA Dos and pro-Estrada forces.

The 2007 mid-term polls and the 2010 general elections are a referendum on the leadership of President Macapagal-Arroyo who has been suffering very low public trust ratings because of numerous scandals hounding her administration.

Also, beyond the common sentiment of neglect by the central govt, there has not been a consistently articulated common agenda encompassing the varying interests of Mindanao’s peoples.

Because of gracious multi-lateral development aid and loans, Mindanao has been awash with funds for jump-starting local economic development. Hence, simply crying national government neglect no longer holds water.

Another potential consolidating element is the tri-people perspective which has been a very common discourse among civil society groups. But it appears to have failed to seethe into the consciousness of the common folks.

This could be mirrored in the deep divisions arising from the controversial MOA-AD and the assertions of the indigenous peoples over their ancestral domain and cultural integrity.

While this may be the hindering factor for now, but this may well provide a roadmap for consolidating a Mindanao polity based on the concrete needs and social interests of its various peoples which also come from the various regions of the country.

International observers in RP for Monday’s polls

noreply@blogger.com (MASTERMIND) — Mon, 10 May 2010 19:11:41 PDT

BY RYAN ROSAURO, CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

AS the country holds its first election using an automated system of vote-counting, international interest in its conduct is high as seen from several multinational missions seeking to observe the May 10 political exercise.

At least two of the missions will have delegations visiting Mindanao many of which provinces have been rocked by conflict between the national government and a Moro secessionist group.

One mission, the Kapamagompong 2010, will focus on Lanao del Sur, which has earned the moniker ‘cheating capital’ of the country because of a history of rigged poll results.

Another mission will have a delegation visit Maguindanao where the infamous massacre of 57 people, including 32 journalists, happened November 29 last year in what was the country’s worst election-related violence.

In a news release, the Network of Social Democracy in Asia said it is sending five delegates to join other international observers for the upcoming general elections in which some 48 million voters will choose officials who will fill seats from the local legislative council up to the president of the republic.

“There has been serious concern of electoral fraud, violence and intimidation of voters,” said Steven Sim Chee Keong, the Network’s executive secretary.

Chee Keong added that the international observers “will be deployed to hotspots or areas with history of political violence, entrenched political families and election cheating.”

These are Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Pasig City, Maguindanao and Negros Occidental.

“The presence of the International Observers is hoped to be a strong deterrent against the use of violence and fraud,” Chee Keong stressed.

He said the Network’s delegation is comprised of individuals “experienced in election campaigning and monitoring.”

They are the Hon. Charles Santiago, a member of the Malaysian parliament; David Marshel, also from Malaysia; Erna Andriyani, Indonesia; Billy Franata, Indonesia; and Luduvina Gomes Pinto Fernandes, Timor Leste.

The delegates from the Network will be joining 21 other delegates from Europe, USA and other delegations from Asia, said Chee Keong.

In its website, the Network describes itself as “a group of political parties, pre-party formations, progressive politicians, scholars and activists in the region who share social democratic values and perspectives.”

The Kapamagompong 2010 seeks to bring to the attention of the interfaith communities, both locally and internationally, the extent of election-related fraud and violence in Lanao del Sur in order to combat what a Peoples International Observer Mission in 2007 saw as “a culture of indifference” on practices that degrade the “value of the ballot.”

The mission also seeks to “muster pressures on the candidates against committing fraud and violence and support people’s efforts to protect their votes.”

The mission team is composed of some 10 international observers from Australia, Canada, US, Malaysia and Japan, along with local participants coming from various faith-based groups such as the National Council of Churches in the Philippines, Sisters Association in Mindanao, Rural Missionaries of the Philippines, Ethnic Groups Development Resource Center, Moro-Christian People’s Alliance, and Ecumenical Bishop’s Forum.

They are expected to visiting polling places and interview various people in a five-day monitoring that starts Sunday.

Pols rediscover old cheating tricks amid automated vote counting process

noreply@blogger.com (MASTERMIND) — Mon, 10 May 2010 19:00:20 PDT

BY RYAN ROSAURO, CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

BARRING ANY OPPORTUNITY for wholesale fraud through the machine-generated vote-tallies, the electoral exercise on May 10 promises to be a “Goodbye Garci” moment for the country by making the ‘vote-shaving, vote-padding’ scheme, more known as dagdag-bawas, a thing of the past.

By eliminating this chance for massive cheating inherent in a manual system of vote counting, experienced poll monitors predict that the political contests especially for local seats will be, at the very least, a saber-rattling show among competing camps.

Garci is the disgraced former Elections Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano of the infamous “Hello, Garci” scandal whereby President Macapagal-Arroyo was wiretapped conversing with him about rigging the 2004 presidential vote to her favor.

Believed to be presided by Garcillano, the rigging employed dagdag-bawas during the canvassing of votes at the provincial level.

The vote total for Arroyo’s opponent was reduced and the same figure was added to hers. The new results appear clean as the transfer of vote counts did not affect the overall total of votes cast.

Although still hounded by a host of technical questions, the automated election system (AES) adopted for the current election shifts the space for viable poll machination to the upstream of the electoral process-voter registration and voting, explained Hadji Abdullah Dalidig, chair of the Islamic Movement for Electoral Reform and Good Government (IMERGG).

Dalidig observes that the various political camps have tailored their strategies along this thinking.

In Lanao del Sur for one, the electorate is allegedly oversized by more than 100,000 registered voters.

In the run-up to Monday when the country’s more than 48 million voters troop to the polling centers, another set of machinations are being unleashed by politicians in a last-ditch effort to sway the outcome of the balloting exercise.

Dalidig warns that poll machinations in the election upstream are the ones highly fraught with head-on confrontations against opposing camps, hence the likelihood of more violent scuffle among political rivals looms.

“Marami talaga ang nagka-girian, pero wala pa o konti lang ang umabot sa banatan,” he related, describing the current political weather in Lanao del Sur.

IMERGG have noted various incidents of harassments in almost all towns of the province since the start of campaigning. These were meant to drive away opponents from areas they compete for establishing foothold or developing bailiwicks. These are expected to turn more violent as political camps prepare their respective bases to turn candidacy support into actual votes on balloting day.

HISTORIC FIGHT
The change in ballot design and voting mechanism has made passé the methods of checking the actual preference of paid voters, hence vote-buying operators will compensate this with greater intimidating presence in the precincts to ensure compliance.

Another likely area of confrontation among opposing camps concerns the entry of flying voters in a locality.

Dalidig said poll monitors in Lanao del Sur will be particularly guarding against the influx of flying voters into the province, “which will constitute the single biggest fraud operation” in the upcoming election.

“We hope to make May 10 a historic fight against poll fraud, and of using our province to manipulate results in national level votes,” said an emotional Dalidig, who was whistle-blower of the 2004 operation to rig the presidential vote.

Together with several non-government groups, IMERGG convened the Ranao Task Force HOPE (honest, orderly and peaceful election) with some 500 volunteers throughout Lanao del Sur to document and report about irregularities in the poll conduct.

This will boost existing efforts by groups like the Citizens Coalition for Electoral Reform in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (C-CARE).

Dalidig said the volunteers would be in the position to identify flying voters “because they come from the place and knows who the real residents are.”

“We are emboldened to do this because the military is with us,” he stressed.

The Task Force is hoping the constant Army patrols in various towns where political rivalry is intense would bring down tension among groups and prevent the outbreak of violence.

Poll monitors are also hoping the peace covenant executed last February by close to 200 of some 471 candidates for various provincial-level and mayoral and vice-mayoral posts will hold amid continuing interest over the Maranaos’ electoral behavior.

FRAUD METHODS
Fraud can be instituted during voter registration, balloting, and vote counting and canvassing. Apart from fat bribes, threat of or actual physical harm is a principal component in effectively carrying out or deterring these.

VOTER LIST-UP
During voter list-up, individuals who are not eligible to vote in a certain locality are able to register, usually upon behest of politicians to whom they committed political support. They could be non-residents, minors, or voters already registered in other precincts.

In Lanao del Sur in 2007, the flying voters are a mix of Maranaos and non-Maranaos who came nearby localities like Iligan City and Misamis Oriental towns, and as far as Ozamiz City. Their politician-sponsors paid each P1,000 to register in Lanao del Sur, and another P50 for each of them to the local Election Registration Boards (ERB) for facilitating the list-up, according to poll monitors.

In October 2009, a grenade exploded near a line of would-be voter registrants in Marawi City, killing at least one and injuring more than 10 people. Many of the victims were from Lanao del Norte attempting to become registered voters in Lanao del Sur; some were still minors. Each person was reportedly brought into Marawi by a political camp and promised a four-digit sum.

Comprising some 459,012 registered voters, the size of the Lanao del Sur electorate is estimated to be padded by more than 100,000, according to some estimates.

VOTING
Payoff has become a general requirement for priming voters to translate their political loyalty into actual votes during balloting day. Those who are identified and listed as a candidate’s supporter receive cash payouts.

The process of coming up with the list, which is drawn per purok or sub-village, starts when campaigning began, and is checked and revalidated towards the homestretch. The initial list-up, therefore, constitutes an offer to buy one’s vote; the seller’s nod obtained by confirming one’s inclusion in the list; and the cash delivery a perfection of the sale transaction.

To further ensure vote conversion, voters are herded into precincts and guarded from the vote-buying operations of opponents. Mechanisms are also developed to validate that one’s choice in the ballot is the candidate who gave the payoff.

Vote buying ‘ambuscades’ are meant to convince undecided voters into one side, or to sway voters away from an opponent. For the latter goal, the price offer must be a sum larger than the basic payoff.

Oftentimes, ambuscade buys are done whereby one is given down payment and the balance paid after showing proof of voting for the paying bet.

Election Day is field day for multiple and flying voters. Cooperation of members of the board of election inspectors (BEIs) is a key element in having multiple voters operate. This includes not marking with indelible ink the right point-finger of a person who just voted, or if at all, a non-indelible ink is used; or more brazenly, simply allowing those who are known to have voted, to vote as many times as they would like to.

Coaching and dictation on who to vote for while already inside the polling center are fairly common practice. With a new voting system to follow, it is expected that voter ‘coaches’ will be there for vote ‘guidance.’

In precincts were voter turnout is low, several persons are allowed to stand-in or substitute for others. This is largely true in precincts which disenfranchised voters were not able to locate.

In a larger scale, substitution takes the form of home-worked ballots whereby only one to five persons do the voting for the entire list of voters, or the targeted turnout, in a given precinct. This can still happen under the AES.

If rivalry is so intense whereby every vote is crucial for victory, deterrence tactics are employed to prevent supporters of opponents from casting their ballots. One is the pay-to-boycott offer which is usually targeted on blocs of voters like a family, or a specific group or community. This operation requires more intense intimidation on the targets.

Other means of preventing voting is to disenfranchise voters by removing their names in the official lists in their assigned precincts, transfer their names to other precincts without their knowledge, and not distributing the Voter Information Sheet (VIS) which official details one’s precinct assignment.

For political camps wanting to buy time for fraud maneuvers or for consolidating supporters, display of violence is resorted, usually stage-managed, to create a situation for a declaration of failure of election.

Raps filed against mother, son in Bayog

noreply@blogger.com (MASTERMIND) — Thu, 06 May 2010 17:13:37 PDT

BY THE PROVINCIAL PRESS BUREAU, POSTED AS IS

Mother and son were arrested for alleged violation of Presidential Decree 1866 (PD 1866) in an operation conducted last April 27, 2010 around 6:30 pm at the Municipality of Bayog, Zamboanga del Sur.

PD 1866 entitled “Codifying the Laws on Illega/Unlawful Possession, Manufacture, Dealing In, Acquisition or Disposition of Firearms, Ammunition or Explosives” is further amended by Republic Act 8294

The joint operation was performed by operatives of the National Bureau of Investigation – Pagadian District Office (NBI – PAGDO), Philippine National Police – Zamboanga del Sur Police Provincial Service Command (PNP – ZSPPSC), and 5th Infantry Brigade, Philippine Army (5th IB PA).

The suspects, identified as Lydia Elumbaring and her son Arnel Elumbaring, were said to possess and store several firearms and ammunitions based on an intelligence report received by NBI – PAGDO. Surveillance was then conducted by Investigator Edgardo Kawada and confirmed the said allegation.

The Philippine National Police – Firearms and Explosives Division (PNP – FED) verified that the said suspects had “no license to possess or had permit to carry firearms.”

Search warrants were applied and then were granted by Presiding Judge Alandrex Betoya of Municipal Trial Court in Cities (MTCC), 9th Judicial Region, Branch 01 in Pagadian City.

In the search and operation done at the premises of the suspects, a .38 revolver was found at the office of the mother and obtained inside the room of her son were a .45 caliber pistol, assorted cartridges, assorted ammos, and three pieces of M203 High Explosive Grenades.

The son admitted that he owned the .45 caliber pistol. However, he was not able to present any certification or license when the authorities asked him.

Proper disposition and filing of appropriate charges are now being readied by the authorities.

PCOS machines arriving today in Zambosur

noreply@blogger.com (MASTERMIND) — Thu, 06 May 2010 17:15:54 PDT

BY MICHAEL MEDINA, ONLINE EDITOR & JONG CADION, SENIOR WRITER

WE’RE all set and ready to go, Provincial Comelec Supervisor Ignacio Baya said of the 924 precinct count optical scan (PCOS) machines being deployed for Zamboanga del Sur and halted by the national office after glitches in local configuration for various positions showed up in testing procedures.

Some 11 vans containing the PCOS machines for Zambosur were parked outside the Argo Forwarder warehouse in Ozamiz last Sunday ready for distribution when its pertinent travel papers were canceled for no apparent reason.

Pending further instructions, Baya said he, along with several policemen and media personalities from Pagadian City, postponed the deployment and returned Tuesday, May 4, to continue.

But the Comelec finally deferred the deployment of PCOS machines nationwide as well as the testing and sealing of ballots on Tuesday after the machines met several glitches in its testing due to the wrong configuration of the compact flash (CF) cards.

The Comelec also hinted that testing and sealing of the PCOS will likely be postponed to May 8 to ensure a fully functional and operational voting machines.

To recall, last March, Baya has already confided to this paper his fear that the PCOS machines will not be delivered on time for the synchronized testing and sealing on May 7.

Accordingly, the much vaunted malfunction of PCOS machines has been happening nationwide since Tuesday where hundreds of PCOS machines were already delivered.

The 924 PCOS machines intended for Zambosur should have been arriving in Pagadian City last May 2 had Baya been given clearance to proceed where it will be distributed to the different selected sub-hubs.

Ten sub-hubs have been designated by Comelec in Zambosur: one in Molave, which will be the starting point for PCOS distribution for Mahayag, Dumingag, Josefina and Tambulig; two in Ramon Magsaysay for Aurora distribution; three in Sominot for distribution in Midsalip, and four in Pagadian, which will allocate the PCOS to Labangan, Tukuran and the rest of the towns.

The PCOS machines stored in a warehouse along Don Anselmo Bernad Avenue is for Lanao del Norte and Sur, Zamboanga del Sur, Misamis Occidental and the cities of Pagadian and Ozamiz.

As of today, Baya has said that the CF cards have arrived and the PCOS will be delivered sometime this afternoon.

“We have already established our revised plans for the distribution of PCOS so we need not to worry because we are trying our best for everything to be in place before Monday,” Baya assured.

Zambosur PNP now ready for May 10: Ochotorena

noreply@blogger.com (MASTERMIND) — Mon, 03 May 2010 23:57:45 PDT

BY MICHAEL MEDINA, ONLINE EDITOR

THE Zamboanga del Sur Police Provincial Office (ZSPPO) said it is now primed up for next Monday’s polls and all the more prepared to ensure an Honest, Orderly and Peaceful Election (HOPE).

In a conversation inside his office, Police Provincial Director P/Supt. Ramon Ochotorena explained he has met with local chiefs of police in the province and instructed them to be wary and monitor all instruments of election violence through their respective mobile checkpoints .

It is a guarantee that Zambosur will have HOPE, said the police director, as he revealed that he was one of the 489 top PNP leaders from Mindanao that Director General Jesus Verzosa summoned in Camp Crame early this month in a command conference which discussed the latest directive regarding the May 10 elections.

Ochotorena relayed to this paper that Versoza wanted to level out the necessary security preparations for all police stations including the handouts of the PNP’s 10-point guidelines.

Matters discussed in Camp Crame include intelligence briefings on the election watch list areas (EWAs) and updates on PNP matters. Likewise, a National Prayer for HOPE 2010 was held at the beginning of the activity at the Heritage Park in Camp Crame, he said.

Ochotorena added that part of Versoza’s reminder was for policemen to stay non-partisan and neutral while ensuring the holding of clean and credible elections this May 10 and pave the way for a smooth and orderly transition of power to the next administration.

The police official added that ensuring the success of PNP operations is the support and cooperation of the public in their campaign, stressing this as important in dealing with probable and untoward incidents that may happen next week.

Asked on his own response, Ochotorena said he also instructed his local chiefs of police to lead police operations on the ground for election duties and monitor domestic threats like local insurgents and partisan armed groups.

He added that all throughout the province, the PNP will establish a Joint Security Control Centers (JSCC) or assistance desks outside all polling centers on Monday.

Two policemen will be assigned in each JSCC, which will be identified with a signage and who will assist board of election inspectors and voters in their security concerns.

According to the PNP and Comelec, there are 181 so-called consistent election hotspots in the country and eight of these are in Zamboanga Peninsula Region.

Half of the eight are in Zamboanga del Sur: Dimataling, Josefina, Kumalarang and Tabina. Ochotorena informed this paper that he has already augmented police manpower in these areas while continuously monitoring others in his list.

In concluding, Ochotorena expressed optimism May 10 polls will go on smoothly, orderly and peacefully.

“The elections will go as scheduled. It was emphasized that the PNP. AFP and Comelec will maximize the deployment of their personnel and come out with a tight security plan so that there will be no disruption on May 10,” he said.

‘Panaw Alang sa Kalinaw 2’ successful

noreply@blogger.com (MASTERMIND) — Mon, 03 May 2010 23:14:53 PDT

BY JONG CADION, SENIOR WRITER

THE second “Panaw alang sa Kalinaw” organized by the Inter-religious Solidarity for Peace (ISP) came successful with so many advocates participating for an honest, orderly and peaceful elections (HOPE).

Held last Sunday, April 25, some 5,000 residents assembled in front of athe Hangop Kabataan grounds along Aquino and Urro streets and toured around the city streets.

This second “Panaw” was participated by the tri-people of Zambosur, known as the Muslims, Christians and Lumads.

Other religious groups like the Seventh-day Adventist and other organizations including the members of Zamboanga del Sur Police Provincial Office (ZSPPO) and the Armys’ 53rd IB likewise participated.

After the “Panaw,” a program was held at the Taklobo stage of Plaza Luz where ecumenical prayers were conducted by the different religious congregations.

The highlight of the activity was when Bishop Emmanuel Cabajar led the “Panumpa” which specified the promise of “No to Vote Selling” and “Vote with Dignity.”

Cabajar also said that the second “Panaw” is “a pilgrimage towards Clean, Honest, Accurate, Meaningful and Peaceful Elections (CHAMP) on May 10.”

The first “Panaw” was held last March 26 where more or less 4,000 people from various religious organization and civic society groups participated.

The “Panaw” came about after Cabajar expressed his concern on the daily gatherings inside City Hall, called as “Operation Hakot,” where people are hauled in groups, supposedly upon orders of Mayor Samuel Co and meant for voter’s education.

Later, Co stopped the “hakot” after receiving Cabajar’s letter last April 11 requesting them to stop the said activity.

OCD announces ‘Gawad KALASAG’ search

noreply@blogger.com (MASTERMIND) — Mon, 03 May 2010 23:04:07 PDT

BY NOEMI EDAGA, PIA-9

THE annual search for excellence on Disaster Risk Management (DDR) and Humanitarian Assistance dubbed as “Gawad KALASAG” is now open, Office of the Civil Defense-9 regional director Adriano Fuego announced.

KALASAG stands for KAlamidad at Sakuna LAbanan SAriling Galing ang Kaligtasan, an award given to individuals, NGOs, private sector and government organizations, in recognition of their initiative in helping the Filipino government uplift the standard of disaster management in the country.

The National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) through OCD and in partnership with the DILG compose “Gawad KALASAG”’s National Selection Committee (NSC) that will evaluate nominees from all regions in the country.

The NSC validating team will visit the nominee areas and check performance and output in management and preparedness in responding calamities and disaster that may occur as well as best practices, efficient management and functionality of the council before, during and after the onset of disaster.

The NSC will evaluate the nominees from all the regions and after selecting the top three in all categories, field validation will be conducted to come up with the best in each category.

The awarding ceremony will be in Malacañang with the President as guest of honor who will personally do the presentation.

Interested individuals and groups in Zamboanga del Sur and Pagadian City who are active in disaster risk management (DRR) and human assistance undertakings and are interested to join the search are invited to submit their entries by calling OCD-9’s office at Telephone No. (062) 9916361.

Last year, the province of Albay bagged the “Gawad Kalasag” Award for Best Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council while Legazpi City won the “Gawad Kalasag” Award for Indpendent or Component city category along with the cities of Dagupan, Bayawan and Tagum.

One of Albay's successful programs in the field of disaster risk management is the Albay Public Safety and Emergency Management Office (APSEMO), the first of its kind in the country.

Zamsureco-I collects 9 NEA-EC Lumens awards

noreply@blogger.com (MASTERMIND) — Mon, 03 May 2010 22:47:06 PDT

BY JONG CADION, SENIOR WRITER & MICHAEL MEDINA, ONLINE EDITOR

THE Zamboanga del Sur Electric Cooperative (Zamsureco-I) unfolds its own historic annals as one of the most awarded electric cooperatives in the country by bagging nine major awards during the NEA-EC Lumens Awarding Ceremony last April 9, Jose Raul Saniel, general manager said.

Among Zamsureco-I’s awards were Electric Cooperative (EC) of the year Award (Mega Large), Best in Collections Performance Award, Special Citation for ECs with Best Financial Performance in Year 2009, Special Citation for Excellent Rating in SCORECARD on EC Corporate Governance, Secretary Francisco G. Silva Award for Best Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Grant People’s Development Academy (PDA) Champion and Special Citation for undertaking Live Line Maintenance Program.

Saniel, himself, received two awards: General Manager of the Year Award (Mega Large EC) and Secretary Francisco G. Silva Grand Leadership Award.

The first award recognized the general manager’s “outstanding performance in managing Zamsureco-I’s affairs, prudent leadership an undisputable competence that led to the Cooperative’s ascension to the roster of elite ECs” while the second one acclaimed his “consistent manifestation of a seasoned manager-leader; and for his relentless efforts in sharing his talents, learning and experiences to other ECs wanting improvement in their operations.”

As EC of the year, Zamsureco is cited for its outstanding performance in all areas of its operations. As Best in Collections Performance, the said power coop was able to attain 100 percent collection efficiency, thereby, sustaining its financial viability.

It’s Special Citation for ECs with Best Financial Performance last year, Zamsureco’s effort in having sustained its financial performance for the past year, manifesting sound financial management decisions and strategies and its financial viability in anticipation to new challenges of the electric power industry was recognized.

The fourth award dealt with balanced management of all aspects of Zamsureco’s operation, as in financial, technical, institutional and information technology that redound to its viability.

Also, the Secretary Francisco G. Silva Award for Best Information and Communication Technology (ICT) was given to the electric cooperative “for having embarked in a modern information and communication technology that connects the EC to its counterparts in the electric distribution industry, thus, keeping abreast of the most recent developments that may affect [its] operation.”

The Grant People’s Development Academy (PDA) Champion recognized Zamsureco “for having sent most number of graduates to the People’s Development Academy (PDA) from year 2005 to 2009.”

“This is testimony of the Coop’s faithful partnership with the office of the Presidential Adviser on Rural Electrification (OPARE) in its vision of developing leader-advocates who are honest, efficient and in total solidarity with the ideas of rural electrification as the country’s most successful revolutionary for progress,” a Zamsureco press release said.

Lastly, the Special Citation for undertaking Live Line Maintenance Program acknowledged Zamsureco’s investments in a program considered as a new innovation in the power industry that prompts interruption free maintenance of power lines, thereby, increasing the quality and reliability of service.

Saniel received all the awards along with the members of the board of directors in Taal Vista Hotel, Tagaytay City, witnessed by NEA officials and delegates from the 119 electric cooperatives nationwide.

He then presented the awards to the general workforce during its regular employee’s assembly last April 12, at ZAMSURECO-1 Heroes’ Hall.

In his message, Saniel thanked the BODs and the entire employees for their extraordinary efforts and their solidarity rendered to the cooperative, which is the key element for its exemplary performance in 2009.

He said that without the strong commitment and unified support of the Board of Directors and employees, these awards would have not been possible.

The general manager added that awards received by Zamsureco-I marks a significant milestone in the electric cooperative’s history, considering that it is a first for the cooperative to receive numerous awards for its performance.

He further said that he was delighted over the awards considering that they came at a time when Zamsureco-I is facing tremendous operational challenges and uncertainties brought about by the Mindanao power crisis.

For four years, Zamsureco-I has been a recipient of the Best in Collection Performance Award conferred by the NEA, attributed by Saniel to the general membership for their untiring support to the electric coop through their prompt payment of their bills.

“With the same level of commitment, innovativeness, and determination towards service excellence, there is no doubt that the cooperative will be able to sustain its remarkable achievements this year,” Saniel said.

At present, Zamsureco-I has already achieved 100 percent on-grid barangay electrification level.

The Lumens Awarding Ceremony is an annual activity of the NEA, which recognizes performance of the 119 electric cooperatives nationwide in the field of rural electrification.

Recipients of Lumens Awards are chosen based on strict performance measures that are benchmarked against the standards in the industry, such as the Distribution Code, focusing on five different areas namely, Service Excellence; Operational Performance; Corporate Social Responsibility; Sustainability and Best Practices.

Freedom and Accountability: NUJP on World Press Freedom Day

noreply@blogger.com (MASTERMIND) — Mon, 03 May 2010 19:21:17 PDT

NATIONAL UNION OF JOURNALISTS OF THE PHILIPPINES OFFICIAL STATEMENT ON WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY

03 May 2010

Today, World Press Freedom Day, we the members of the Philippine press call to account this administration whose sins of omission and commission over the past nine years have resulted in the most murderous period for the media, not only in our country’s history but the world’s.

Since Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was borne to power by the people, we have seen media practitioners murdered in record numbers – 100 of the 137 killed since 1987 were slain under her watch – capped by the unprecedented slaughter of 32 journalists and media staff last November 23, the worst single attack on journalists ever.

If anyone should bear responsibility for this outrage, aside from the accused members and armed retainers of a clan that counts among Arroyo’s staunchest allies, it is Arroyo herself.

She whose apathy and even outright hostility towards that bulwark of democracy, a free press, has led to inaction on past killings, thereby emboldening those who would suppress freedom of expression and the people’s right to know into doing so with impunity.

She who nurtured warlords, allowing them to build up massive arsenals and armies and obscene wealth in their invariably poverty- and war-ridden fiefdoms, in exchange for ensuring the survival of an administration whose legitimacy had always been under question. If we are to go by the conviction record of those responsible for the murder of our colleagues – six gunmen, and no masterminds – it would not need genius to conclude that many of those who ordered these killings count among her warlord allies.

She who, the only one since the dictator Ferdinand Marcos, attempted a wholesale clampdown on the media in 2006, when she declared a state of national emergency that former allies disillusioned with her misrule confirmed was mainly intended to silence an increasingly critical press rather than contain any supposed threat to government.

She whose glaring silence as her husband brazenly abused the influence he wielded as her spouse embarked on what has aptly been described as a litigious spree of libel suits against more than 40 journalists, a silence that cannot be interpreted any other way but as tacit approval.

Yes, today, World Press Freedom Day, we call to account this president who has proven herself to be a true enemy of press freedom.

Yet today, we also call to account those who seek to govern this country after her, they who spout promises of a better future but whose voices were hardly heard in the immediate aftermath of the Ampatuan massacre or, truth to tell, the scores of other media murders over the past nine years, and who have, till now, remain deafeningly silent on the life and death issues of human rights and civil liberties, including press freedom.

We serve notice that whoever ascends to the presidency after May 10 will be held as equally accountable as the current president for ensuring that justice is done, not only for the Ampatuan massacre but for all the media murders of the past. For, lest they forget or refuse to remember, these crimes are not a matter of one administration’s accountability but of the State.

But today, even as we continue to rage against the continued efforts to suppress the freedom of the press and the people’s right to know, we also celebrate the Philippine media community, who remain fiercely independent because they choose to be so despite all efforts to stifle them.

Time and again, the Philippine media have proven that, notwithstanding the often raucous nature of professional competition, they are truly united in defense of our freedoms and liberties, and those of the people they serve.

And today, World Press Freedom Day, we, the independent Philippine press vow to remain so, in the service of the people and of the nation.

Ozamiz prelate issues pastoral for May 10

noreply@blogger.com (MASTERMIND) — Mon, 03 May 2010 19:00:58 PDT

BY MICHAEL MEDINA, ONLINE EDITOR

OZAMIZ CITY—Archbishop Jesus Dosado issued his pastoral for the May 10 polls calling on candidates, peacekeepers and voters to be vigilant for the country and vote wisely for God-fearing and honest people as leaders.

Dosado began his note on the sorry state of election campaigns happening at present where “campaign advertisements, debates and political killings fill the media.”

“Outrageous political violence has awakened us to the reality that if we do not keep watch together as a nation our electoral processes can drag us down. The existence of private armies, proliferation of loose firearms, and political dynasties are obstacles to the growth of a genuine, democratic system,” Dosado said.

“In this situation I remind once again the Catholic laity that it is their right and duty to support candidates that are qualified and have a record of striving for the common good. They should not hesitate to engage in principled partisan politics,” the bishop added.

To the candidates, Dosado urged them to start showing honesty by sincerely educating the people of the situation of the country in their campaign and refrain from manipulating people’s perception but rather help the electorate make good choices, present the platforms and conviction than attacking others.

To soldiers and the police, Dosado appealed for “extra vigilance” and not allowing themselves to be used by politicians or ideological groups but that “they should be vigorous in disarming illegally armed groups and elements.”

To the voters, the prelate said: “Ultimately the leaders that our country shall have will depend on your wise choice of candidates. Do not be swayed by survey results or political advertisements.”

“Follow the dictates of your conscience after a prayerful and collective period of discernment. ‘Winnability,’ is not at all a criterion for voting! The vote you cast will be a vote for the good of our country and your children’s future. Serve the common good with your precious vote!” the bishop concluded.

SSS-Pagadian outdo first quarter goals

noreply@blogger.com (MASTERMIND) — Mon, 03 May 2010 19:00:38 PDT

BY JONG CADION, SENIOR WRITER & MICHAEL MEDINA, ONLINE EDITOR

THE Social Security System (SSS)’s actual collection for current contributions reached P27,449,221.35 as of the first quarter of 2010, beating their target of P24,600,048.88, said Pagadian Branch Godofredo Martinez.

Martinez explained that compared to their actual collections for the same period last year, their present accomplishment is way above by P1,606,954.89.

A collection monitoring chart showed by the manager listed a total of P28,849,059.95 for both current and delinquency collections. Again, this is a 12.12 percent increase from SSS’ over-all target for the first quarter.

Including current member loans and Real Estate Loans (REL), January collections totaled P12,457,780.38 while February is P10,052,455.13 and March at P10,504,392.16, summing up at P33,014,627.67 for the first three months.

Current member loans totaled P4,129,181.74 as REL is P36,385.98.

The collection monitoring chart itemized actual contribution collections to a total of P16,952,510.65 for the first three months under current ER; P1,399,838.60 for delinquency ER; P10,496,710.70 for self-employed, voluntary members and OFW.

“SSS is in the right course,” said Martinez, stirred in the right direction by its officials in the upper level.

He added that their accomplishment has been achieved even with the power outage and rotation of brownouts which affected businesses, reduce their workdays and income thus, affecting the premium contributions of employers.

He said that present collections showed a “total reverse” from the past in which SSS experienced low collections.

Meanwhile, Martinez included the SSS condonation program which waives penalties on delinquent contributions fully settled prior to Feb. 1, 2010 or paid in cash or through an approved installment proposal until July 31, this year.

Employers who are delinquent in their payment of their contributions including those with pending cases involving collection of contributions and or penalties before the Social Security Commission or the courts may avail of the condonation program.

The employer must pay or remit the full amount of the delinquent contributions or submit a proposal to pay the same in installment within six months from Feb. 1 or not later than the deadline.

“Ang atong mga employers nga nagkalisud dili nila makas-a ang bayad sa ilang delinquencies kay nag-accumulate na man ang uban pero they’re given the chance to pay on installment,” Martinez said.

Envoy vows US support to justice-seekers in Maguindanao murders

noreply@blogger.com (MASTERMIND) — Mon, 03 May 2010 19:00:19 PDT

BY RYAN ROSAURO, CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

OZAMIZ CITY—US Ambassador to the Philippines Harry K. Thomas Jr. has vowed to help enliven the effort to bring perpetrators of the Maguindanao massacre before the bar of justice.

“We will continue to urge that the Philippine government aggressively and thoroughly pursue and bring to justice those responsible for the killings,” read a statement by Thomas in relation to Monday’s observance of World Press Freedom Day.

Accused for responsibility in carrying out the country’s worst election-related violence are members of the Ampatuan clan, two of which—Zaldy and Akmad—are being cleared by Justice Secretary Alberto Agra of involvement in what has become a controversy up to now.

In his message, Thomas sought to “honor the vital work of journalists who inform the public and report hidden truths.”

He said that for this year’s commemoration of World Press Freedom Day, “we remember and mourn the tragic deaths of the 57 Filipino civilians who lost their lives November 23, 2009 in Maguindanao.”

He noted that “the United States condemned that atrocity in the strongest possible terms.”

The Philippines, along with the United States, was among the nations that adopted the Universal Declaration on Human Rights in 1948.

Thomas recalled that the Declaration “included among those rights the fundamental principle that everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.”

“History has shown, however, that journalists continue to find themselves at risk,” said Thomas, pointing to the Maguindanao massacre as an example.

The massacre claimed 57 people, 32 of whom were journalists “carrying out their crucial role in Philippine democracy.”

Thomas emphasize that the role of a free press “is just as much a pillar of democracy as elections are.”

He assured that “Americans stand together with Filipinos in support of the members of the press, who labor every day to expose truth and enhance accountability.”

PCOS delivery for Zambosur sees delay

noreply@blogger.com (MASTERMIND) — Wed, 05 May 2010 18:33:21 PDT

BY JONG CADION, SENIOR WRITER

OZAMIZ CITY—The whole shipment of the Precinct Count Optical Scanner (PCOS) machines to be used in next Monday’s elections and intended for Zamboanga del Sur is already stored in its hub here but clearance for its delivery has not yet been given despite the scheduled May 2 release.

Perhaps this will confirm, on one aspect, Provincial Comelec Supervisor Ignacio Baya’s fear that the PCOS machines will not be delivered on time for the synchronized testing and sealing on May 7.

Baya, when confronted last Sunday about the delay of the release of the PCOS machines, only said that it will be out in due time before May 4 after the approval of some pertinent papers and permit to transport.

Accordingly, the much vaunted malfunction of PCOS machines has been happening in some areas in Luzon where hundreds of PCOS machines were already delivered.

Baya did not say it but again, perhaps the delay of the clearance of the release of the PCOS machines could be linked to a new Comelec order to postpone the tests on the malfunctioned voting machines in order to give Smartmatic-TIM to study the problem and fix it before the May 7 deadline.

Some 924 PCOS machines intended for Zambosur should have been arriving there last Sunday, May 2, where it will be distributed to the different selected sub-hubs.

Ten sub-hubs have been designated by Comelec in Zambosur: one in Molave, which will be the starting point for PCOS distribution for Mahayag, Dumingag, Josefina and Tambulig; two in Ramon Magsaysay for Aurora distribution; three in Sominot for distribution in Midsalip, and four in Pagadian, which will allocate the PCOS to Labangan, Tukuran and the rest of the towns.

The Comelec has said that 35,279 PCOS machines were shipped to the Visayas and Mindanao since last week and that majority of the machines are being delivered in far-flung places first because of geographical considerations.

Baya, in an earlier huddle, has disclosed to this paper that the official ballots have already been delivered to the municipalities in Zambosur and this time, they are only waiting for the PCOS machines.

It was learned that the in-charge of the official ballots delivery is the Air21 and Fedex while those of the PCOS is Argo forwarder.

A supervisor assigned in the warehouse refused to give any detail on why the PCOS machines for Zambosur has been held in abeyance but he later assured the machines will be completely released today, May 4.

Police escorts deputized by P/Supt. Ramon Ochotorena and some military men along with media personalities have been staying here for two days already, waiting for the release order of the PCOS machines.

The PCOS machines stored in a warehouse along Don Anselmo Bernad Avenue is for Lanao del Norte and del Sur, Zamboanga del Sur, Misamis Occidental and the cities of Pagadian and Ozamiz.

Concepcion mayor wants Comelec to place town under its control

noreply@blogger.com (MASTERMIND) — Mon, 03 May 2010 19:05:03 PDT

BY RYAN ROSAURO, CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

OZAMIZ CITY—A Nacionalista Party (NP) candidate for mayor in Concepcion, this province has asked the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to place the town under its direct control.

Reelectionist mayor Benjamin Pilota, a retired Army colonel, said his camp has been worried over persistent reports from their community leaders about the activities of a group of armed men roaming from village to village intimidating people.

Pilota’s request came a week before the balloting day on May 10 as he asserts the villages usually visited by these armed men are his known bailiwicks, and their activities have become more frequent as the political campaign is now at the homestretch.

“As local chief executive, I can say that these incidents bode ill for the upcoming May 10 exercise. But I would like the poll body to take the necessary security steps in order not to muddle the situation because I am a candidate,” he said.

He added that deployment of additional security forces in the town, whether Army or police, would be “highly welcome.”

But he suggested that the government forces refrain from posing a conspicuous armed presence but stay in strategic posts near villages which security situation are deemed critical.

Pilota mentioned at least “four disturbing incidents which portend to more violence” on election day unless checked.

The most recent was the killing of Barangay Layaan kagawad Dario Eleonor last April 28 as he was heading home with his wife around 4pm.

The local NP slate in Concepcion has blamed Eleonor’s killing to politics as he was “our strong supporter and campaigner in his own village.”

Another incident is the “harassment operation” done by armed men in Marugang village at daybreak of April 23.

“The men opened fire at the houses; although no one was killed, many children suffered various injuries in the rush to seek safety,” Pilota related.

Still another was the alleged attempt on the life of Barangay Upper Dapitan chair Danny Elianic last April 16. Elianic escaped death by rolling down a hillside while being shot at by men who supposedly asked him to stop campaigning for Pilota.

Elianic has filed charges against a certain Roldan Tinae for the incident.

The first known political killing in Concepcion town occurred on December 5, 2009 that claimed the life of a village chair. The suspected killer was nabbed in Oroquieta city last March and is now facing formal charges.

Pilota is presently gunning for a third and final term as mayor against incumbent vice-mayor Juanidy Viña of the administration party Lakas-Kampi-CMD.

Last month, Pilota filed disqualification charges against Viña for allegedly violating the rules limiting the number of security escorts allowed to candidates.

Peace activists closed ranks behind peace process

noreply@blogger.com (MASTERMIND) — Mon, 03 May 2010 18:59:41 PDT

BY RYAN ROSAURO, CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

ILIGAN CITY—Peace activists in Mindanao have closed ranks to defend the ongoing negotiations for a political settlement between government and the rebel group Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) amid widely held suspicions there are fresh attempts to subvert it.

“(We) call upon all peace loving Mindanaoans to unite and remain steadfast in our peace efforts…,” read a statement of grassroots-based Mindanao Peoples Caucus (MPC).

This call was issued after North Cotabato vice-governor Manny Piñol petitioned the Supreme Court last April 29 to compel government to reveal to the public a draft peace pact it is supposedly bent on signing with the Moro rebel group.

In the petition, Piñol is also asking the High Court to stop government from inking any peace deal unless this is first disclosed to the public and that consultations are duly conducted regarding its contents.

“Who is public and who should be consulted are questions that continue to bedevil the peace movement considering the thousands of community consultations and dialogues that were already conducted by the Bishops-Ulama Conference and the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) since the Supreme Court struck (down) the MOA-AD in 2008 as unconstitutional,” the MPC statement said.

“In each of these consultations, the overwhelming recommendation of the Mindanaoans is ‘to continue the peace talks.’ That is exactly what government and the MILF is heeding now--to continue with the talks and find ways and means of resolving the armed conflict through peaceful means,” it added.

The MPC consider the Supreme Court petition as a “renewed attempt by the Piñol brothers of North Cotabato to sabotage the peace negotiations.”

Manny was among the key personalities involved in blocking the controversial Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MOA-AD) from being signed in August 2008 even if it was earlier initialed by the heads of the negotiating panels.

“Instead of running to the Supreme Court, the Piñols could have easily sought audience with the peace panels to get updates and briefings on the progress of the negotiations instead of dragging the Supreme Court into what is clearly a premature controversy,” the MPC observed.

Even then, the group also called on the government peace panel to “intensify its information and advocacy drive so that people will no longer be misled and swayed by black propaganda.”

The aborted signing of the MOA-AD led to renewed outbreak of violence between government forces and Moro guerrillas the effects of which continue to be seen in more than 100,000 evacuees still languishing in cramped evacuation sites in Central Mindanao. At its height, the number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) was estimated at some 600,000.

The MPC notes that “more compelling” for the upcoming May meeting between the panels is the agenda on facilitating the safe return of the IDPs, conduct clearance operation for Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) in once battle zones, and approval of the Terms of Reference of the Civilian Protection Component of the IMT.

“These, cannot be sacrificed… by another Temporary Restraining Order,” the peace group stressed.

MPC executive director Mary Ann Arnado revealed that on May 3, Mindanao peace advocates will hold ‘Peace Power Day’ at the Provincial Capitol of North Cotabato in Kidapawan City and hold a ‘State of the Peace Talks’ rally to inform the public of the real score of the negotiations between government and the MILF.

“Let us not be dissuaded by black propaganda and emotional persuasion. Together let us find out the truth,” appealed Arnado whose work earned her the 2009 Peacemaking Award of World Vision International Peace Prize.

Arnado said organizers have invited no less than Secretary Annabelle Abaya, presidential adviser on the peace process, and members of the government peace panel to join “to provide an accurate update on the peace process… and clarify the misconceptions perpetrated by known spoilers…”

Peace activists from other Mindanao areas like Davao will hold a caravan towards Kidapawan city where thousands of “community peace movers and prayer brigades” are expected to participate, said organizers.

The MPC is worried the attacks on the peace process could be “another electoral ploy to capitalize so called anti-Moro sentiments in the run through for the May 2010 election.”

“We… appeal into the hearts of the Piñol brothers to give peace a chance in Mindanao and especially in North Cotabato whose people have been victimized over and over again by this lingering armed conflict the peace process of which has also been spoiled over and over again by politicians like them,” MPC said.

WESMINCOM chief urges soldiers to be non-partisan

noreply@blogger.com (MASTERMIND) — Mon, 03 May 2010 18:59:21 PDT

GIDEON CORGUE, PIA-9, NEWS POSTED AS IS

‘We should not get involved in politics.’

This was disclosed by Lt. Gen. Ben Dolorfino, chief Armed Forces, Western Mindanao Command (WEMINCOM) in his brief visit at the headquarters of the 1st Infantry (Tabak) Divisio, Philippine Army, Camp Major Cesar Sang-an, Pulacan, Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur on April 22.

Speaking at the 2-day workshop on Internal Secuirty Operations, Dolorfino said, he is spreading the command guidance of Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Delfín N. Bangit to have an honest, orderly and peaceful election on May 10, 2010, the first automated election in our country.

“We will be non-partisan. Le tus remain firm and desolute that we will never involve in partisan political acitivty,” Dolorfino said quoting Bangit’s statement.

“Be proud to perform your election duties in a respectable and upright way. Let us never do irregularity so that the trust and confidence accorded to us by the people will remain unchanged,” he added.

“With the upcoming first automated nacional election next week, we have a gargantuan task given to us by the government, to maintain peace and order in the polling places and safeguard the Precinct Count Optical Scanner (PCOS) machines,” he stressed.

Dolorfino also encouraged the Tabak troopers to be ‘transparent in the performance of their election duties since this has been the appeal of Atty.. Helen A. Flores, Regional Election Director-IX to them.

He said, that they (soldiers), must be knowledgeable of the pertinent provisions of the election code and get hold of a copy of the Ómnibus election code, other pertinent Comelec resolutions and policies, for all these will serve as their guide so as not to violate any provisions of the election laws.

He urged them to instill in their hearts and mind on their oath that as Filipino soldiers, they should always ‘uphold and defend the constitution of the Republic of the Philippines’

He called on the Tabak troops to strctly adhere to the order.

“Follow the legal order, and if the order is illegal, do not adhere to it.”

“Let us be constitucional. We will be non-partisan, instead we will exert our best efforts in order to have a successful, and credible election,” he finally concluded.

On the election day, the AFP will perform their duties together with their partner agencies: Comelec, PNP, Debed, SMARTMATIC, Caro Forwarder, and including the Civil Society Observers.

Zamsureco swears ample power supply on May 10

noreply@blogger.com (MASTERMIND) — Mon, 03 May 2010 18:58:34 PDT

BY MICHAEL MEDINA, ONLINE EDITOR & JONG CADION, SENIOR WRITER
(FOR ZAMPENEWS)

DEFINITELY, there will be continuous electricity on next Monday’s national and local elections, Zamboanga del Sur Electric Cooperative-I (Zamsureco) general manager Jose Raul Saniel said.

In an interview inside his office, Saniel clarified that Zamsureco-I will guarantee ample supply of power from May 9 to 11, a declaration that is in relation to the recent memo sent by the National Electrification Administration (NEA) to all electric cooperatives (ECs) in the country.

The NEA memo has advised all ECs to “undertake the necessary measures to ensure adequate electric power supply before, during and after the May 10 national and local polls.”

Among the measures recommended by NEA are the preparation of rehabilitation and maintenance programs of distribution assets, conduct routine checks of distribution networks from substations to power line ends, organize skeletal force on a 24-our basis as quick response team and coordinate with DepEd regarding the checking, inspection and upgrading of wirings of polling centers.

“It is our commitment. As much as possible brownout free gyod ta,” Saniel mused, adding the necessary load requirement will be achieved since there will be less electricity consumption for there are no classes on the said days.

“It happened during the Pacquiao fight, probably it could be replicated in again in those three days,” he said.

The Zamsureco official added that the electric cooperative has contingency plans to ensure that in case of power shortage, they would be able to immediately restore power.

As to the measures, they’re all in place and he has dispersed team assignments in all area offices of Zamsureco-I and has given a deadline this week for the submission of comprehensive reports from field offices regarding inspections in schools used as polling centers.

“We are making sure on our part dili kami ang ma-blame if ever there are grievances from the people. We are all well-prepared, materials-wise, manpower, communications equipment and the needed logistics,” Saniel stressed.

Other measures that Zamsureco adopted, according to the general manager, was the purchase of power generators and urging for voluntary load dropping of energy-intensive industries in Pagadian City.

“Our preparation is not only one day before, during and after but three days before and three days after, and we are continuously monitoring,” he said.

As this developed, a Department of Energy report said that the three-day power consumption reduction scheme will be able to generate a saving of 150 to 162 Megawatts.

Minda Tan runs in behalf of hubby

noreply@blogger.com (MASTERMIND) — Mon, 03 May 2010 19:03:45 PDT

REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA, ONLINE EDITOR

THE wife of the late Romeo Tan is making a political power in her own right and is taking the fight for the vice-mayorship of Pagadian by declaring her running in her husband’s stead as an independent.

To win, Luzminda Tan said she is banking on the people primarily loyal to her husband since he first become a politician and the support of the young electorate who trust her capability.

“Maoy pangandoy sa akong bana nga ipadayon ang iyang mga plano ug tinguha sa pagserbisyo sa katawhan,” she said over the radio.

In an earlier huddle with her daughter, Marissa, she said that her mother’s running was considered by their family as a promise to keep the dying wish of the councilor, known as a consistent winner in every election he participated in the past.

Tan was rushed to Cebu City last March 4 for a medical check up after he complained of back pains and cough.

He is into his bid for the vice mayoralty seat and in the height of the hectic campaign sortie when doctors who examined him declared that he had lung cancer at its late stage.

Accompanied by their children, the Tan couple went home last April 3 where the councilor died four days later.

Tan was formerly listed as a member of the ruling Lakas-Kampi-CMD party in 2007 but opted to run as an independent against incumbent Vice mayor Romeo Pulmones.

Section 77 of the Omnibus Election Code allows for a substitute candidate in case an official candidate “dies, withdraws, or is disqualified for any cause” even until mid-day of election day."

The Comelec has earlier said the vote for the substituted candidate will be a vote for the substitute; in this case, Romy’s will be counted in favor of Luzminda.

“Ako walay laing plataporma kondili ang pagpadayon sa nasugdan nga programa sa akong bana sama sa pagtabang sa mga kabus nga estudyante pinaagi sa educational assistance, ang patas na pagdala ug pagtagad sa nangihanglan sa atong serbisyo, ang pagkamatinud-anon ug ang paggahin sa pundo sa medisina para sa labing ubos nga mga kaigsoonan nga labing nanginahanglan ug alang sa ginagmay nila nga proyekto sa kabatan-unan,” Tan said.

“Nanghinaot ko nga ipadayon ninyo ang inyong gugma ug pagsalig ni Romy pinaagi kanako na iyang gitahasan niini karon,” she added.

Pulmones, when told about this development, only said that he welcome Luzminda in the race while he will still continue to campaign fairly and squarely to win the hearts of the people.