Zamora's Editorial Cartoons

2nd COCOLINK Internat’l Coconut Confab set this June 2017

2017-05-16T04:00:00.000-07:00

The COCOLINK ‘s 2nd International Coconut Conference and Expo is set on June 28-30, 2017 at SMX Convention Center Davao, 3rd level, SM Lanang Premier, Lanang, Davao City.

COCOLINK is a platform for convergence coconut industry stakeholders where technologies, best practices, research findings, market demands and opportunities for farmers, suppliers, processors and entrepreneurs are discussed.

Themed “Expanding Possibilities… Ensuring Productivity, Sustaining Industries,” the event will gather aabout 500-800 participants of various coconut-related fields and expertise and policy-makers. Delegates from Mexico, USA, India, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, among others, are expected to join the event.

“We have increased the number of exhibitors from 50 last year to 100 this year to cater more international partners,” sources told the Mindanao Espesyal.

A program, a Business-to-Business (B2B) meeting, will provide local and international buyers, processors and suppliers a venue where they can discuss business opportunities with local suppliers and processors.

This event is jointly organized by the Davao Region Coconut Industry Cluster, Inc. (DRCICI), ACDI/VOCA supported by the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Department of Agriculture (DA).

women's participation in ‪‎peace‬ and ‪‎democratic‬ ‪‎governance‬ in Myanmar‬/Burma‬

2015-09-14T22:22:00.000-07:00

ASEAN Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Gender Expression (SOGIE) Caucus stands in solidarity with the women of Myanmar/Burma as they call and assert for a free, inclusive and meaningful political participation. ASEAN SOGIE Caucus upholds the belief that a legitimate form of governance requires that people, the rights-holders, have access to all spaces and processes of decision-making especially on matters affecting their lives.

We express deep concern that the Myanmar government has imposed restrictions to political participation, including the curtailment of freedom of speech and expression, which limits opportunities to hold the military and others in authority accountable. We also express concern over the increasing state sanctioned discriminatory measures on the basis of a person’s SOGIE, which has resulted to arrests and stigmatization of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons[1].

ASEAN SOGIE Caucus hope that as all people stand side-by-side with the call for gender equality in peacebuilding and democratization, we also continue to challenge and work towards the eradication of social beliefs, customs and practices that disadvantage people on the basis of their actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity and expression.

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Pnoy and BBL

2015-04-02T20:15:00.000-07:00

Pres. Benigno C. Aquino III or Pnoy for short is performing badly in social surveys since the Mamasapano debacle where 44 members of Special Action Force (SAF) were killed in what was believed to be a misencounter between the elements of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) on January 25.

Members of the SAF were on a mission to get Marwan and Basit Usman who were tipped to be hiding in the area controlled by MILF. Although MILF leaders denied having information of the two terrorists, some quarters doubted the claim of the group.

The incident occurred at a time when the government and MILF were in the process of working for a long and lasting peace for Mindanao through the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law or BBL. Sadly, the "miscounter" which also claimed lives of some MILF members and civilians in the area plunged the nation into a hated debate on the BBL as a supposed roadmap to peace for Mindanao, long-battered with ill-effects of armed conflict with the moro rebels.

Many quarters questioned the integrity of the MILF on claims that they hid the high-profile terrorists - Marwan who got killed by SAF members. Usman was able to escape.

Social surveys claimed that Pnoy's popularity significantly nose-dived which could be translated as waning support from the public. Politically, these issues will have negative impact on Pnoy who is on his last lap of his term as the nation will hold another presidential election in May 2016. With the remaining time, we don't know how BBL will fare with the critical issues faced by the president who is pressured to get peace work done. So the second editorial cartoon I drew depicts how Pnoy deals with the question on how to address peace problem in Mindanao.

The third editorial cartoon depicts the issue on maternal deaths in Davao Region.

Mike 1, Bingo!

2015-02-05T18:54:00.000-08:00

"Mike1, Bingo!" members of the assault team belonging to the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) excitedly informed their comrades awaiting developments of their operations to get Zulkifli Abdhir last January 25 in Mamasapano, Maguindanao. Marwan had been tagged as Osama Bin Laden of Southeast Asia for bombing incidents which were attributed to him by local authorities and the US.

Mamasapano is an area in Maguindanao (Maguindanao hogged headlines due to the infamous Maguindanao massacre occurred about 5 years ago) believed to be controlled by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the MILF-split group Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF). The sample finger of Marwan matched to the DNA of the most-wanted terrorist in Southeast Asia, as announced later by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

While it succeeded in killing Marwan who accordingly put a fight before he was neutralized in his own den, some quarters belived the operation was catastrophic in that 44 elite forces of the government were wasted when they were engaged by armed men allegedly belonging to the combined forces of MILF and BIFF. milf or moro islamic liberation front while biff is the isone of the many rebel groups in mindanao which is also waging a separatist war. while thebiff or bangsamoro islamic freedom fighters is a break away armed group is an Islamist militant organization based in Mindanao, second largest island of the the Philippines, a smaller player in the overall Moro insurgency here and is mostly active in Maguindanao and other places in central Mindanao. a breakaway group from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front founded by Ameril Umbra Kato. Following Kato's death, the group split into three factions, one of which aligned with the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), note from wikipedia. while the other two are said to be less radical..
the elite group saf was trying to regroup with their comrades when they were fired upon from various directions by armed men. A commando who survived the clash told reporters that there were many shots coming from high l ground so that the commandos were hit on the head and through their kevlar helmets.a very lopsided fire-fight some analysts claimed. Interviewed MILF members who took part in the clash claimed that they were surprised of the attack knowing that a ceasefire between the Philippine Government and the MILF was in effect.
PNP officials said that the Operation Plan Wolverine was well-planned. But it wasnot true that there were serious blunders at the very start. PNP-SAF commandos were in a very disadvantage position when they became easy targets of their enemies. They were in the middle of a cornfield where solid covers could not be had . The area is also surrounded by a river with a muddy and sticky bank. This is the same river that the commandos traversed to get near the lairs of Marwan by crawling.

If proper coordination was planned, casualties could have been minimized. also Reports claimed the Philippine Army failed to respond as they could not determine the exact battleground. sadly, More than 300 PNP-SAF who were around also, reports claimed, refused to help the embattled commandos. A survivor told media he wondered why they did not reinforce.

The MILF has been at war for over 40 years. The recent development includes an agreement with the administration of Benigno Aquino III to pass the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) which is hoped will be Mindanao's seed for a lasting peace. At the moment, we are not sure how the authorities would handle the situation. We don't doubt the sincerity of the MILF leadership's commitment to the peace accord being farmed out, but the incident in Mamasapano raises questions which demand answers. For one, what Marwan was doing in the area they control? It really is hard to look elsewhere and forget the fate of the fallen 44. But war is not always the answer towards building a long and lasting peace. The fallen 44 were a big loss for the people of this country. There were costly blunders in an mission which started planning in April 2014. The death of Marwan and his bounty of USD5million could not compensate the precious lives of our fallen heroes it could not healthe bleeding hearts oftheir families . hope justice will be served soon..

disclaimer: photo was lifted from inquirer

Some Editorial Cartoons

2015-01-11T05:02:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year! Three editorial cartoons for 2015 after taking a break from regular blog posting since my last post. When was that? Lol. Surely I miss this thing. Since the last post I made on this site, there were already countless hot issues which hogged the headlines but failed to land here. These editorial cartoons were in for 2015. The first drawing tackled one of the craziest scandals in the Philippines. Probably you heard or read about the news - how some big-time druglord inmates in the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) lived in their so-called cells packed with the amenities of life. It appeared that they still continued with illegal activities even when they were locked up. The scandal was only uncovered when Department of Justice Sec. Leila Delima, raided the cells last year. Obviously, those anomalies were not possible without the knowledge of the people in the management of the NBP.

The second editorial cartoon dealt with the 2015 national budget of the Philippines. The portion on debt servicing was our concern. With its lion's share, the government has to make "both ends meet" through exacting more tax collection.

The third drawing tackled the possible political sabotage on the continuing effort to effect a sustained peace process in Mindanao. In a bid to end the armed conflict in Mindanao, the Government of the Philippines entered into a peace process arrangement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), giving them the chance to govern their own affairs. While this is being worked out, there were incidents of bombing which to my mind, acts which could possibly disrupt the peace efforts.

Editorial Cartoons on Partisan Politics in Tacloban

2013-12-12T15:48:00.003-08:00

Typhoon Yolanda or Typhoon Haiyan was one of the strongest typhoons to ever hit the Philippines. We know how it wilfully lambasted Tacloban City and other areas in the Central Visayas region. The damage was heart-rending. Countess lives were lost as many people caught up in a storm surge. Homes and buildings were destroyed as typhoon plowed through the defenseless region.

As we focused on providing immediate relief support for the hapless victims of Typhoon Yolanda, partisan politics also cropped up to our dismay. Such issues are uncalled for in time of calamity, hence the topic of the editorial cartoons.

Assorted Editorial Cartoons

2013-06-25T16:59:00.002-07:00

Joint Statement of Malaysian-Philippine CSOs

2013-03-09T18:44:00.000-08:00

Standoff in Lahad Datu: Engage in Dialogue Now with all stakeholders to resolve the crisis peacefully

We the undersigned Civil Society organisations (CSOs) from Malaysia and Philippines are extremely concerned over the on-going standoff between the Malaysian security forces and followers of the Sultanate of Sulu’s heirs, Jamalul Kiram III at Lahad Datu, Sabah. We the CSOs, together with all individuals, organizations and networks, urgently call upon President Benigno S. Aquino III of the Philippines, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak of Malaysia and Sultan Jamalul Kiram III, to disavow all forms of violence, and instead supports dialogue as the primary mechanism for a resolution to the siege.

We are very concerned and worried about the security of civilians in Lahad Datu, Semporna and the surrounding villages and we would like to see a peaceful solution to resolve this ongoing problem. According to media reports, at least sixty (60) people have been killed in Lahad Datu, Semporna and Kampung Tanduo, Sabah.

We believe the situation in Lahad Datu requires swift and peaceful intervention. We urge all parties to resist from using force while remaining committed to dialogue and negotiation throughout this process.

We are also very concerned with the lack of real-time information with respect to what has actually taken place so far in Lahad Datu. Up to this point the information received through the Malaysian news media lacked transparency and created unnecessary rumours and assumptions about the situation. The people has rights to get the information on on-going issues in Sabah.

In this context, we call on the governments of Malaysia and Philippines and the Sultanate of Sulu to:

Immediately declare a HUMANITARIAN CEASEFIRE so that agencies concerned can take immediate measures to ensure the safety of women, children, elderly and other vulnerable persons in the affected area. And provide “safe zones” where humanitarian organizations and relevant agencies can install facilities to be accessed by those who are injured and require immediate medical care;

Take immediate steps to end the use of violence and to engage in dialogue with all stakeholders to resolve the crisis peacefully.

Take proper measures to ensure that in the process of resolving the crisis, the human rights of everyone involved are respected and protected especially civilians from Lahad Datu, Semporna and nearby villages;

Take immediate measures to secure the safety of journalists who chose to access the area at all times to ensure fair reporting and dissemination of information to the general public;

Cease and desist from using excessive force and armed violence to end the prevailing conflict;

Initiate an independent and impartial investigation into the killings that has taken place and make the findings of the investigation public.

We fervently dissuade all the principals involved from brinkmanship by instead living up to your respective legacies as genuine leaders of your people with honor and dignity.

We urge you to come to terms with the unfolding of events that has serious implications on many lives and social institutions. We all can’t afford that this will escalate into a grave humanitarian crisis spilling over into other nearby villages aside from Lahad Datu and Semporna, Sabah.

Time is of the essence. The world is looking at you, now.

Sgd.

Civil Society of Malaysia and Philippines

March 8, 2013

Please sign this joint statement to show your concern, support and commitment to resolve the issue in Sabah in a peaceful manner.

Signatories:

MALAYSIA

Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM)

Tenaganita

Women's Centre for Change (WCC)

JUMP

ALIRAN (Persatuan Aliran Kesedaran Negara)

Malaysian Physicians for Social Responsibility

Center for Orang Asli Concerns (COAC)

Jaringan Rakyat Tertindas (JERIT)

Justice for Sisters

Seksualiti Merdeka

Pusat KOMAS

Persatuan Masyarakat Selangor dan Wilayah Persekutuan (PERMAS)

Community Action Network (CAN)

Persatuan Sahabat wanita Selangor

Community Development Centre (CDC)

Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM)

Malaysia Youth & Students Democratic Movement (DEMA)

All Women's Action Society (AWAM)

Persatuan Kesedaran Komuniti Selangor (EMPOWER)

PHILIPPINES

Mindanao PeaceWeavers (MPW)

Initiatives for International Dialogue (IID)

Philippine Center for Islam and Democracy (PCID)

Free Burma Coalition – Philippines (FBCP)

Active Citizenship Foundation (ACF)

Agri-Aqua Development Coalition, Mindanao

AGONG Peace Network, Mindanao

Akbayan Citizens Action Party

Alliance of Progressive Labor (APL)

Alternate Forum for Research in Mindanao (AFRIM)

Balay Mindanaw Foundation, Inc

Banwaon One Tribe, One Territory, Mindanao

Center for Peace Education – Miriam College

Citizen’s Peace Watch

Civil Peace Service Program – Southern Christian College

Coalition of Social Development Organizations

Coalition for the Development of Sibuguey – Western Mindanao

Concerned Citizens of Abra for Good Governance

Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society

Council of Organized Social Service Agencies in Mindanao

Derepa te Erumanen ne Menuvu, Mindanao

Focus on the Global South -Philippines

Gitib Inc., Mindanao

GZO Peace Institute

Human Rights Defenders-Pilipinas (HRDP)

Institute for Comparative and Advanced Studies (ICAS Phils)

Institute for Popular Democracy (IPD)

Interreligious Solidarity Movement for Peace (IRSMP)

IQRAA Islam Foundation

KAGDUMA, Incorporated, Mindanao

Kampanya para sa Makataong Pamumuhay (KAMP)

Kebager te Ked-Inged, Mindanao

Kahugpongan sa Mindanaw

KAISA

Khairul Bariyyah Youth Movement (KBYM)

Landcare Foundation of the Philippines, Inc

Lumad Mindanaw Peoples’ Federation

Mindanao Peoples Peace Movement

Mindanao Peace Advocates Conference

Mindanao Coalition of Development NGO Networks (MINCODE) Secretariat

Mindanao Alliance of Self-Help Societies – Southern Phils Educational Cooperative Center

Mindanao Congress of Development NGOs and NGIs –Mindanao

Mindanao Indigenous People Women Development

Mindanao Solidarity Network (MSN)

Network for Transformative Social Protection

Pambansang Kilusan ng mga Samahang Magsasaka (PAKISAMA)

Partnership of Philippine Support Services Agencies – Mindanao

Pakigdait, Incorporated

Paghiliusa sa Paghidaet – Negros (PsP-N)

Partido Lakas ng Masa (PLM)

Partido ng Manggagawa (PM)

Pasaday Manobo Association (PAMAAS)

Pax Christi Institute - Philippines

Peace Advocates Zamboanga (PAZ)

People’s Alternative Studies Center for Research & Education in Social Dev’t (PASCRES)

People’s Global Exchange (PGX)

Philippine Action Network to Control Arms

Philippine Coalition for the International Criminal Court

Philippine Human Rights Information Center (Philrights)

Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates (PAHRA)

Philippine Business for Social Progress - Mindanao

Philippine Partnership for the Devt of Human Resources in Rural Areas (PHILDHRRA)

Pinay Kilos

Rajah Buayan Cultural Institute (RBCI)

Redemptorist Center for Social and Ecological Concerns - Mindanao

SANLAKAS

SANLAKAS-Youth

Shariful Hashim Cultural University (SHACUS)

SOCSKSARGEN Sociological Society

SPREAD – Oblates of Notre Dame

Sulong CARHRIHL

Task Force Detainees of the Philippines (TFDP)

The Peacemakers’ Circle Foundation

Women and Gender Institute

Women Engaged in Action on 1325 (We Act 1325)

Women’s Human Rights and Legal Bureau (WLB)

World March of Women – Pilipinas

Young Moro Professionals

REGIONAL/GLOBAL

Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict – Southeast Asia (SEA-GPPAC)

Asia Pacific Solidarity Coalition (APSOC)

ALTSEAN- Burma

Asia-Pacific Movement on Debt & Development (JSAPMDD)

Coalition Against Trafficking in Women-Asia Pacific (CATW-AP)

International Peace Bureau (IPB)

ISIS International

Media Defense- Southeast Asia

BANGLADESH

Humanitywatch

NABODHARA, Bangladesh

BURMA/MYANMAR

Generation Wave Institute

CAMBODIA

Housing Rights Task Force (HRTF)

EAST TIMOR

East Timor Students Solidarity Council (ETSSC)

GERMANY

Asienstiftung (German Asia Foundation)

Philippinenbüro – Asienhaus

INDIA

Burma Centre Delhi

NEPAL

All Nepal Peasants Federation (ANPFa)

All Nepal Women Association (ANWA)

PAKISTAN

Center For Peace & Civil Society (CPCS)

INDIVIDUALS

Prof. Anuradha Chenoy, University of India

Prof. Kamal Mitra Chenoy, University of India

Mr. Ramon Casiple, IPER, Philippines

Ms. Sia Phearum, Director, HRTF Cambodia

Mmk, Tggw, Myanmar

WWF Malaysia visits this site

2013-01-29T18:01:00.000-08:00

One of the visitors of this blog is WWF Malaysia. Knowing the well-meaning work of WWF, I wanted to help it by promoting its site as linked. World Wide Fund for Nature needs our support. For you, I quoted from the site of WWF-Malaysia this sidebar explanation:

Around the world, WWF works with communities, governments and businesses to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and prepare for the impacts of climate change.

Protection of Forests
Forests play a vital role in the fight against climate change. Forests are important carbon sinks and deforestation is estimated to be responsible for about 18% of current greenhouse gas emissions. Furthermore, forests have significant economic and ecological value by supporting biodiversity, clean water supply and local livelihoods.

WWF-Malaysia, though our conservation work on the ground, strategically addresses critical forest issues in Malaysia. Our forest work aims to:

Increase the coverage of forest protected areas (PAs) and improve the management of existing PAs, improve the management of production forests by promoting and facilitating responsible forestry and trade, restore degraded areas especially where there is need to maintain critical forest linkages and enhance the value of forests and its services via promoting financial mechanisms such as Payment for Ecosystem Services as well as Reduced Emission from Deforestation and Degradation.

Your support will enable us to continue our mission to reduce the effects of climate change and work towards conserving a living planet for our future. Thank you for pledging to Live Green!

Senate on Fire

2013-01-23T19:02:00.001-08:00

One of the issues that shook up the Senate is the question over the MOOE or Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses that the senate president is giving to the senators.

As tradition in the upper lawmaking body, MOOE is not to be accounted for or that reporting is not strict. That is ironical because MOOE is people's money afterall. It became more controversial because the senate president who had discretionary function to disburse the funds, as alleged, played politics by giving the funds to allies.

The update was that Senator Enrile resigned from the post.

Climate Change

2013-01-23T18:51:00.000-08:00

Recently, Davao Region experienced heavy rains that caused rivers to burst to their seams inundating communities nearby and some low-lying areas including Davao City. Affected residents fled to evacuation centers.

The tailend of a cold front was blamed for the natural calamity that struck the region and other parts of Mindanao, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geographical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

But we are alarmed of the "message" these recent events brought to us. The strong typhoons that lambasted some regions in Mindanao last year and the flashfloods which plowed through the economic bases and homesteads of the hapless victims are an indication that something is wrong with pattern of the climate.

Mindanao used to be typhoon-free. We were made to believe then. And I remember when I was about six years old when a strong typhoon was reported to hit Davao. This was during the early seventies. And because of that news, some of our neighbors had to stay overnight in the two-storey house of our grandparents. Also, local businessmen loved to talk about Mindanao as ideal place for agri-production because it is claimed to be typhoon-free while Luzon and the Visayas Region were/are not.

But if we look back at what happened last year - how Typhoon Sendong and Pablo wiped-out a number of communities, we are afraid to say that the phenomenon of climate change is for real as far as Mindanao is concerned.

2013

2013-01-01T17:37:00.001-08:00

It's 2013! And to start the new year right, let us be positive that this year is a great year for all of us in view of possible challenges ahead of us. For instance, the world is facing financial crisis that is maybe capable of snowballing, affecting all underdeveloped nations. We hope that our leaders will have good judgment.

The year 2012 was a great year too despite all the natural calamities that hit the country. Perhaps we needed those tragic events to remind us that we really have to rely on powers unseen - which is above all matters on Earth. And a chance to remind that we have to share and help others in time of calamity.

In fact, the reaction of the people to help the victims of typhoons was overwhelming - an indication that deep sense of humanity still lingers in our heart. This moves everyone to help.

BTW, the editorial cartoon says: Behave, 'tin. In our vernacular, the word for snake is "bitin." In Filipino or Tagalog, snake is "ahas."

Firecracker Ban

2013-01-01T17:07:00.003-08:00

The New Year's Celebration in the Philippines, as expected, was sadly greeted with firecrackers-related accidents, injuries or death as reported in the media. Not new to us. Many of the victims were children. Although the authorities were glad because the number had gone down as compared to the past celebrations, there remains a need for a drastic change in the way we celebrate the new year - a good way to start a new year. One is a total ban for all types of fireworks and firecrackers. And hopefully, it will be done soon.

I wrote this post, days before New Year.

For a long time, firecrackers were a part of tradition as far as Christmas and New Year's celebrations in the Philippines were concerned. I was five years old when I tried a small firecracker my uncle tied on the tip of a stick. It was so small that the explosion could not scare me as a tot. A candle on the ground was used to burn the wick. We called that explosive "libintador" so small that my uncle would explode it in his finger tips.

When I grew up, I became more acquainted with all types of firecrackers. From the lowly libintador, firecracker makers cameup with versions more menacing than what we used to have as small kids. The stronger version was called triangle although we could manage to explode it by holding it in the tips of our fingers. The explosion could have ripped off our nails if it was loaded more than enough. Versions later were even more menacing. We had Superlolo, Goodbye Philippines, Judas Belt, to name a few, which alarmed the authorities because of firecracker-related incidents every Christmas season and New Year's Eve celebration. Injuries could range from minor to full mayhem on the part of the victims who would cut off their fingers, whacked hands, blasted eyes, etc. During these times, hospitals would be prepared to serve the would-be victims.

I don't know with other local government units, but perhaps it was Davao City only that first implemented the total ban of firecrackers. As a result, despite violations of some hard-headed residents who would be penalized if caught by the way, Davao City would have zero firecracker-related incident. This is often cited by the media when reporting about the ban for firecrackers.

The government is introducing measures to improve the situation during celebration like providing warning to the people. But that is not a surefire to preventing injuries, for instance. Which is why many sectors are calling for the total ban of firecrackers.

Nevertheless, let me say, happy new year and hopefully 2013 is a good year for you and me. I would like to thank you also for coming to visit this blog despite inconsistency of posts. Till next issue!

Photo: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/332767/88-arrested-due-to-firecrackers

Days after Typhoon Bopha

2012-12-22T04:08:00.000-08:00

These were some photos taken days after Super Typhoon Pablo or Bopha lambasted part of Davao del Norte, Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental. My daughter took these photos when they visited their grandparents in San Vicente which was also hardly hit by Pablo.

The victims of typhoon in those areas need relief and rehabilitation support after their homes, properties and economic bases were heavily damaged.

The good news is that many well-meaning groups and institutions and government agencies ran to the rescue of the victims and support keeps flowing for the areas.

Assorted Editorial Cartoons

2012-12-21T07:34:00.001-08:00

Super Typhoon Pablo had inflicted so much misery on the people of Compostela Valley, Davao Oriental and some regions in the Visayas. The slow response to such catastrophe could be liken to the defeat Manny Pacquiao suffered from the hands of Juan Miguel Marquez.

As the Philippines prepares for the upcoming 2013 elections, brewing issues like the much-debated reproductive health haave started to emerge. The staunchly anti-RH Bill Roman Catholic Church threaten pro-RH Bill politicians with so-called Catholic Votes.

The tension between the Philippines and China is not over yet. At the backdrop were reports about the US interest to field patrol in the disputed region.

Well, this was one of the editorial cartoons I did in response to the oil price hikes.

I read that some of the party-list groups were backed up by Jueteng Lords. This was not new if we believe in the news before and now.

The controversial RH Bill is waiting for the signature of the president. That shows the defeat of anti-RH Bill groups, notably the RC.

Are were winning against the HIV/AIDS? If reports that HIV/AIDS cases had increased despite, then our fight is losing grounds.

The Philippine government has vowed to help the poor population in the country. That laudable even when we disagree with the method. But saying that the poor population comprising 26 percent of the population is anomalous. Not a few disagreed with the figure.

The RC fight against the RH Bill was long and arduous, I would say. RC's tenacity proved futile in the end. Support for the passage of the bill was overwhelming as far as lawmakers were concerned.

Death Penalty

2012-11-08T01:07:00.003-08:00

Alarmed by the occurrence of heinous crimes, not so few called for the revival of death penalty in the country. But it would seem that the call of some sectors and the Coalition Against Violence (CAV) failed to get support as yet. For instance, the powers-that-be were not talking about it. Heinous crimes pertained to cases of murder, rape, etc.

The capital punishment was reintroduced during the time of Pres. Fidel V. Ramos. It was also during the time of deposed Pres. Joseph Estrada that the lethal injection was first implemented. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, who succeeded Estrada via the so-called people power 2 eventually abolished the death penalty (infosource: Wikipedia).

It appeared that criminals are more "punitive" this time as reported in various news sources. Many agreed that these heinous crimes were related to drug abuse - a phenomenon that has refused to go despite efforts from government agencies like the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).

Comelec urges 2010 SK voters to register anew for 2013 polls

2012-10-08T17:32:00.003-07:00

This is to repost a news about SK voters from the site of GMA News:

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) reminded young people who voted in the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) polls in 2010 to register again to be able to participate in the 2013 national and local midterm polls if they are already of regular voting age.

In a statement, Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez also called on SK leaders to urge their constituents to register.

“We call on the leadership of Sangguniang Kabataan Federations nationwide and the National Youth Commission (NYC) to help us in encouraging the youth, especially the SK voters of 2010, to register,” he said.

The nationwide registration period is ongoing and set to end on October 31. Those who are planning to register must bring a valid ID, and may register from Mondays to Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at all local Comelec offices.

Jimenez noted that it has become a common misconception among youth voters that they are already registered voters in the regular elections if they have registered for the SK polls.

A total of 2,459,520 young people aged between 15 to 17 years old registered to vote in the SK polls in 2010.

The 1987 Constitution states that the right to vote in regular elections may be exercised by those who are at least 18 years old.

Last Saturday, the nationwide registration for the 2013 polls resumed after a five-day suspension to give way for the filing of Certificates of Candidacy (COCs) last week. — BM, GMA News

Note: ballot boxes image is lifted from http://www.learnnc.org

Sali Kami sa Peace Talks

2012-10-04T03:20:00.000-07:00

SALI KAMI! 1^st Music Video Peace Awards 2012

CONTEST RULES & MECHANICS

Mindanao Leg

Who May Join?

Individuals aged 13 years old and above residing anywhere in Mindanao. Filipino citizen.

Open only to amateur entrants - individual or group.
Entrants must not in any way be related to the staff of the organizers and board of trustees of the Initiatives for International Dialogue (IID), Mindanao Peaceweavers (MPW), Bisayang Dako alang sa Kalinaw (BISDAK).

Awards Categories

There are two (2) major categories and one (1) online award from which an individual/group can participate upon. Namely :

1. “kaBARKADA” Category.

This category is open to solo or group entrants who have personal relations with each other (e.g. friends, barkada, classmates, workmates, club mates). Entries are judged on songwriting aspects and how these are produced as a music video materials. Actual recorded song and video interpretation should run a maximum of five (5) minutes only.

2. “kaBARANGAY” Category.

An exclusive category for entrants representing a specific community (purok, sitio, barangay, ethnic/tribal group, school or parish community) and formally endorsed by their local leaders. Entrants under this category can be individual or group. Music video entries should run a maximum of five (5) minutes only.

3. “PEOPLE'S CHOICE” Category. (Public Favorite)

A special awards category whose winners will be judged by the public. From the Top 10 Semi Finalists, one entry shall be awarded as the People's Choice in each category through online voting. The 1-month period for public voting will commence after the Semi-Final elimination round.

For details, visit: www.salikami.mindanaopeaceweavers.org

Robredo's Body in Plane Wreckage

2012-08-20T19:59:00.003-07:00

What many feared about what could have happened to DILG Jesse Robredo came true this morning when divers found him trapped inside the plane wreckage at about 7 in the morning (Tuesday). Divers found the wreckage 180 ft underneath.

In a press briefing, Department of Transportation and Communications Secretary Mar Roxas said that the body of Robredo was retrieved at about 8 in the morning. Two more dead bodies that belonged to the pilot and copilot were to be retrieved next to Robredo whose body was easily accessed.

The rescue operations ran two days. Many diver volunteers, including foreigners, turned up to help in the operations for Robredo and his companions who figured in that tragic plane crash offshore of Masbate some minutes after they left Cebu for Naga City.

The ill-fated light aircraft chartered by Robredo requested an emergency landing in Masbate airport but did not make it.

We feel sorry for this very tragic event. The loss is great not only to the families of other victims pilot Capt. Jessup Bahinting, copilot Kshitiz Chand, and Secretary Robredo. We share prayers.

Disclaimer: photo is lifted from yahoonews.

Prayers for DILG Sec. Jesse Robrebo

2012-08-20T00:20:00.001-07:00

Outpouring of prayers all wishing for the safety of Jesse Robredo, secretary of Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), and his companions, after their small plane, a piper seneca twin engine plane owned by Aviatour, crashed into Masbate sea at around 3 in the afternoon of Saturday, August 18.

There were four of them aboard: the Aviatour Air owner Capt. Jessup Bahinting who piloted the aircraft at the request of Secretary Robredo, Nepalese national Kshitiz Chand, co-pilot, the secretary and his aide chief inspector June Paolo Abrazado who was rescued by a fisherfolk at the crash site.

Secretary Robredo and group were supposedly heading to Naga City when the plane sensed engine trouble prompting them to ask for an emergency landing in Masbate. But unfortunately it crashed before reaching Masbate Airport.

To this time, rescue operations are ongoing in search for Secretary Robredo and his two companions.In addition to prayers, rescue efforts are boosted with supports from diver voluntee who responded to support via twits.

Not few considered Secretary Robredo who served Naga City as the youngest mayor of 29 years ago, as one of the best government officials in the Pnoy Cabinet.

Public Hospital Privitization

2012-08-18T01:42:00.000-07:00

Floodwater Everywhere

2012-08-08T02:27:00.001-07:00

It is unfortunate that some of our fellowmen have to suffer from tragic events like what has recently happened to Luzon areas after rain continued for days. You read it. Continuous rain did it. It was not brought about by a raging typhoon as the infamous Ondoy did in 2009 which claimed many lives. It was so tragic. Weather authorities said that the rainfall early this August 2012 almost overtook Ondoy's deadly record.

Streets and communities shared the same fate as floodwater rose to a level dangerous for everyone. Residents have to scamper towards safer grounds. Other have to be rescued.

With repeated warnings done in the past, we are not baffled why this is happening now. We are not experts but there are factors that we can cite as contributing to the tragedy. And one thing is for sure that the so-called development, if we call it, taking a different direction.

To cite a few, the denuded mountains provide fast escape for rainwater to converge to the low-lying areas like cities. It is not hard to analyze. Rivers easily overflow because they are heavily silted. Again brought about by years of soil erosion from the mountains. No wonder, floodwater is muddy and dangerous.

Flawed urban planning and perhaps weak environment law enforcement complicated the matter. Many supposedly natural water channels were no longer capable of receiving volume of floodwater because most of them are clogged or obstructed. What can you expect from this situation? All kinds of garbage clogged water ways, for instance, while illegal structures sit on esteros as reported many times in the past.

Floodwater during typhoon or heavy rain should be led to water channels and empty to the sea easily. Urban planning has to fully consider this strategy. But this will cost us a lot. If we want to remodel our cities to become flood-free, we will probably starve to death. This is not in the priority list. So as food is what we need now, residents have to learn the trick by heart to always vacate their places and abodes when it rains heavily and continuously.

Disclaimer: Photos is lifted from newsinfo.inquirer.net

Mang Dolphy

2012-07-10T16:39:00.001-07:00

The nation is mourning over the death of Mang Dolphy or Pidol. Known as the King of Comedy in the Philippine cinema or movie industry, Pidol to some had a movie career that spanned 60 fruitful years.

Mang Dolphy passed away in the evening of Tuesday, July 10, after he succumbed to "multiple organ failure secondary to complications brought about by severe pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and acute renal failure," according to news sources, at the Makati Medical Center where he was confined for these past days. He was 83 yo.

In all the years he spent in showbiz, Mang Dolphy had become part of the lives of many Filipinos. Including myself who was a big fan of him. I saw only few of his movies but his comedy sitcoms like the longest-running John en Marsha (1970/1980) and the Home Along the Riles (1992-2003) with the media network ABS-CBN (since 1963), never failed to entertain us viewers.

The icon of Philippine comedy was a good dancer, stage/film actor and singer. I missed the antics in those tv sitcoms that to me came out naturally. In fact, I did not see the scripts there. What I saw was Dolphy with his knack or brand of comedy unequaled to this day. His tv sitcoms lightened up the weary hearts and souls of many Filipino fans. It is evident when the nation is grieving now for the loss of an icon.

I missed the laughter Mang Dolphy brought us when we sat there before the television set before we hit the hay.

We would miss him forever. RIP, Mang Dolphy.

Philippine Foreign Debt in Trillion

2012-06-28T23:21:00.000-07:00

Hogging the headlines the Philippine government extended loan assistance to other countries via the International Monetary Fund or IMF. As an ordinary citizen of this nation majority of its population has long been troubled by grinding poverty, this update put me in limbo. Right away, I don’t know what to say. It was like I was in a state of shock. Mildly, disbelief.

While the loan scheme assures financial benefits to the grantor in a form of interest, I believe that the act is “wrongfully correct.” Correct in a way that we have moral obligation to help other countries which are in financial distress and wrong for its form and timing.

The Philippines is not a rich country to be able to financially help other nations. We can probably help in other forms. But financially even though loans? This is outrageous because more especially that the Philippines is wallowing in a debt crisis to the tune of, sources claimed, P2.44 trillion. Obviously, the Philippines failed to recover. The strategies which all past administrations were saying before failed. I believe that, unless new ways are taken, we will not improve. Foreign debt will continue to accumulate which will reduce all development efforts of the current administration to nothing. As to the new ways, this is the puzzle that the government has to solve in consultation with the people. Problems of lack or absence of consistent social services for the people are recurring. Priority is the right term. We have to prioritize or people. We have to prioritize to fund our own strategies.

Another thing, helping countries for returns (like interest) is immoral. That is my opinion. You cannot be morally upright if you help a needy person, for instance, to get interests. In fact, this is not helping. This will backfire. If you really want to help, don’t expect for returns.

Oil Price Rollback

2012-06-22T13:18:00.000-07:00

The oil companies have recently conducted a ten-series oil price rollback that analysts said resulted from the movement of oil price in Asia, according to news reports by GMA News. But while the rollback is supposed to ease off the economic hardship felt by of the people, teh reverse is true. Prices of basic commodities have ironically increased.

As prices of oil products dictated by how they behave in the world oil trade, there is no way that it will stay that way. This is temporary. What has come down must come up in the case of fuel. :-) This is the point of the editorial cartoon I drew. So, even when this is the current situation now, there is really a need for the government to prepare for the worst, that is, when prices of oil products will hike again.

Sideline. The World Boxing Organization (WBO) recently ruled in favor to Manny Pacquaio as the one winning against Timothy Bradley. But experts said that this is immaterial a far as claiming back the WBO belt for Pacman. The decision in the ring was and is final. Bradley won. Be that as it may, in the eyes the boxing fans worldwide, Pacman won. Based on the review made by WBO, Pacman won. And I truly believe this is an overwhelming observation that the Pambansang Kamao won over Bradley whom Pacmom or Mommy Dionesia Pacquiao called as "Wheelchair Champion."