tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89913000564720480242024-03-13T01:39:34.569-07:00patlangMay mga bagay na hindi kaagad naiintindihan. May mga salita na sa katahimikan lang naririnig. May mga damdamin sa katahimikan lang nagagagap.
May mga bulong na sumisigaw at mga palahaw na binubulong.May unos sa mga sulyap at may himagsik sa mga luha.
May dahilan ang kawalan at may kahulugan ang mga patlang.Louie Santoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13439262481246435992noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991300056472048024.post-70811434862222155222010-10-20T02:29:00.000-07:002010-10-20T06:39:35.876-07:00Yellow for bananasI WILL GIVE Pres. Benigno “PNoy” Aquino III’s First 100 Days speech an excellent ‘A’ – an ‘A’ for acting. <br /><br />It always seems to me that whenever PNoy delivers a speech it is as if he is in some kind of drama show. His speech seemed well rehearsed complete even with humorous quips. Even the town hall meeting style question and answer segment appeared too scripted like that of a talk-show to help PNoy highlight and underscore his so-called accomplishments. <br /><br />The whole report appeared very conceited and full of ironies. <br /><br />At the end of his speech, PNoy said “Kung mayroon po tayong pagkukulang, ito marahil ay ang hindi natin naging kaugalian na ipamalita ang mga tagumpay na atin pong nakamit.” Well, isn’t that what he just did exactly in his “Report kay Boss” speech, brag about his administration’s so-called ‘accomplishments’? <br /><br />In his speech he bragged about strengthening the fight against corruption and leading a frugal government in his First 100 days in office. Aquino mentioned his administration’s unearthing of irregular benefits of officials of Government Owned and Controlled Corporations (GOCCs). He also boasted an improved Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), with weather forecasting now done hourly.<br /><br />“Ngayon, mayroon na po kayong gobyernong handang makipag-usap at magsabi ng totoo; handang makinig sa makabuluhang usapan; handang iangat ang antas ng pampublikong diskurso ukol sa mga isyung makaaapekto sa ating lahat, at maging sa mga darating na henerasyon,” PNoy said.<br /><br />However, PNoy failed to mention about more important issues like that of Hacienda Luisita and genuine land reform, reproductive health, jueteng , the Quirino Grandstand bloodbath, a legislated wage increase, the worsening human rights situation, the budget cut on state universities and colleges, etc. <br /><br />He boasted an increase in the Department of Education’s budget without mentioning that the true cause of the increase of the DepEd budget is the mandatory increase of salaries of DepEd employees and not due to conscious prioritization by the government. Not to mention that while the budget for SUCs will have a gargantuan cut, the budget for military spending will increase doubling that of the budget for education.<br /><br />He stressed that the creation of jobs is the focus of his government while one of his priority project is the conditional cash transfer program called Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or 4P program (a program from PGMA’s administration) which does not generate sustainable livelihood for the poor but promotes patronage politics.<br /><br />There is no tinge of humility in his speech.<br /><br />The president boasted the approval of the government’s application to the Millenium Challenge Corporation Grant which granted the government 430 million dollars. He stressed that two past administrations failed to achieve what he has done in only 3 months. <br /><br />“Ididiin ko lang po: dalawang beses nag-apply, ni-reject sa loob nang hindi bababa sa siyam na taon, tayo po sa tatlong buwan, inaprubahan,” he said.<br />What is wrong here is that PNoy is bragging of begging for money from other countries. I can’t see how anyone can be proud of being given dole outs in exchange of policies that will not benefit the Filipino people.<br /><br />Listening to his ‘bosses’ – the people was what he promised in his first “Kayo ang boss ko” speech, however, it is quickly becoming clear who is PNoy’s real bosses are.<br /><br />It appears that PNoy’s priority is the same as the past administration - to lure more foreign investors here and even strengthen their grip on our economy evidenced by his recent trips to the US.<br /><br />The Philippines do not need more foreign investors controlling the economy. We need to focus in building our own independent economy based on modernized agriculture. We must stop depending on foreign investments creating jobs for the Filipino people but rather begin focusing on creating jobs and industries of our own.<br /><br />PNoy compared the previous administration to “Tatlong Matsing,” for being deaf, blind, and for lying. Well, after a hundred days of PNoy’s administration and seeing not much difference, I now know what PNoy’s yellow color stands for.Louie Santoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13439262481246435992noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991300056472048024.post-34825363056204883872010-10-20T02:28:00.000-07:002010-10-20T02:29:24.566-07:00ElizaSHE PLAYS ON HER MOTHER’S LAP. Occasionally, twisting and turning to look at the unfamiliar faces that surround her and her mother. She gives up a frown while examining each face that she sees and then retreats to a smile returning to her playful demeanor.<br /><br />Someone calls her name, she turns and quickly a camera captures her image, smiling, unaware of the events that lead to that moment. For an instance, she was taken aback by the camera flash. The photographer tries to get her attention a second time but this time she was too embarrassed to sport the usual beam.<br /><br />Eliza, only one year old will never again experience how it is to grow up with a father. His father will not be able to send and fetch her from school and buy her ‘baon’. There will be no ‘pasalubong’ or kisses. No fatherly advice or tight embrace. No father to carry her on his shoulders. No father to tell her stories of ‘mangkukulam’ and ‘aswangs’. No father to reprimand her for staying up late with friends or on going on dates. No father to walk her on the isle when she gets married. No father to see her own children grow up.<br /><br />But she does not realize that yet.<br /><br />Today she is still oblivious to the grim reality that she is a victim of human rights violation. That her father, Elmer Valdez, was allegedly mistaken by elements of the military and killed on the hills where her father makes a living by making furniture out of bamboo. That they are today before a human rights commission seeking justice.<br /><br />She is still oblivious to the state her father’s body was found – decomposing, almost beyond recognition because of the extent of the damage it sustained but mostly because it was missing a large portion of the head.<br /><br />She does not know yet that she has become one of the thousands of victims of human rights atrocities. She does not know that the same has happened to countless others and the peril that many more will suffer the same tragedies still persist.<br /><br />If she did know, she wouldn’t be smiling. She would be the one protesting against the injustices that thousands have suffered under numerous regimes.<br /><br />She would protest that under a so-called democratic country, how could anyone suffer such gruesome fate as her father? How could a one-year old be left fatherless under a government that has promised reforms under its slogan of “tuwid na daan”? How could she and her mother be left as victims seeking justice against the same government that promises “pagbabago”?<br /><br />She would question the government’s true intent in extending the murderous counterinsurgency program “Oplan Bantay Laya.”<br /><br />She would point out that there is no significant change under this government and the previous one.<br /><br />She would say that despite the bright yellow color of PNoy’s campaign his first one hundred days are stained red with the blood of victims of state terrorism.<br /><br />Eliza is only one of the thousands of children stolen of a complete and normal childhood. It will not take long until she will wonder why she no longer sees her father and probably it will take many years before she realize why so.<br /><br />Until the government makes a true stand for the interest of the people and against the perpetration of human rights violations, until programs such as Oplan Bantay Laya is continued by the government, until the government stands for genuine social change, more Elizas will emerge.Louie Santoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13439262481246435992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991300056472048024.post-66097075161245992082010-09-08T08:03:00.000-07:002010-09-08T08:05:42.713-07:00Student orgs strongly oppose mandatory ROTC revivalVarious student organizations have expressed their strong oppositions against the reinstitution of the mandatory Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program in tertiary schools. The College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP)-La Union Chapter, the National Union of Students of the Philippines (NUSP) and Kabataan Partylist said that the students are better off without the revival of the mandatory ROTC program.<br /><br />The different organizations asserted that there were valid reasons why the program was replaced by the National Service Training Program (NSTP) which made it optional and those reasons remain true up to this time. <br /><br />Kabataan Partylist and other student organizations believes that Rep. Eduardo Gullas’ House Bill 737, which aims to reinstate the mandatory ROTC program for male college students and optional for female students and abolish the National Service Training Program (NSTP) will only mean more problems to students rather than solutions. <br /><br />The youth sectoral partylist asserts that there is no real reason why the ROTC program should be reinstated as a mandatory program other than to increase the militarization in colleges and universities. <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />Heightened military presence and repression</span><br /><br />In an interview with Lovely Ulpindo, the chairperson of CEGP-La Union Chapter, she said that the revival of the ROTC program may very well lead to the heightened repression against student organizations and bring back the irregularities that ultimately lead to its abolition . <br /><br />“We have to remember that the ROTC was made optional after the death of Mark Welson Chua way back in 2001 and because of the irregularities in the ROTC implementation. The government is trying to bring a failed and unjust program, “Ulpindo said. <br /><br />Ulpindo also believes that the revival of the ROTC program will mean intensified military presence in the campuses. Ulpindo alleged that the ROTC program was and is being used by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in their Student Intelligence Network (SIN). <br /> <br />“The College Editors Guild strongly opposes its revival because it will mean greater military presence in the campuses. I am afraid that it may also result to repression of student leaders because of the possibility of the reactivation of the Student Intelligence Network (SIN) as a necessary force for surveillances and other illegal activities.<br /><br />“Do we want another Mark Chua to make us realize that the ROTC should be rightfully abolished?” , Ulpindo added.<br /><br />Kabataan Partylist Representative Raymond Palatino said through a press statement that the ROTC must instead be scrapped as it is being used to harass progressive student groups critical of the government.<br /><br />“The AFP uses the program in its red-baiting campaign against progressive student groups. In many ROTC lectures, soldier-instructors conveniently tagged student activist groups as affiliated with the New People’s Army. The ROTC is clearly a threat to academic freedom,” he said.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Revival will reverse students’ gains</span><br /><br />Kabataan Partylist. Rep. Palatino said that proposed revival would “reverse and disregard the gains of the students in their fight against an unjust military training”.<br /><br />The ROTC was abolished in 2001 as a result of nationwide protests from students and victims of harassment and extortion following the death of University of Santo Tomas student and ROTC cadet Mark Welson Chua from alleged ROTC “hazing”.<br /><br />In December 2000, COCC cadets Mark Welson Chua and Romulo Yumul filed a complaint before the Department of National Defense alleging corruption, extortion and hazing in the University of Santo Tomas (UST)-ROTC unit. <br /><br />On March 16, Mark Welson Chua was reported missing and on March 18 his body wrapped in big red carpet was discovered floating in the Pasig River near Jones Bridge. His head was reportedly wrapped with silver packaging tape, his hands tied with shoestring while his legs bound by packaging tape. <br /><br />On April 30, then AFP Chief of Staff General Diomedio Villanueva and then DECS Secretary Raul Roco vow to work for the immediate abolition of the ROTC.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"> <br />ROTC is not needed to teach patriotism to students</span><br /><br />Palatino also disputed the bill’s claim that the AFP-ran program would teach the students how to be patriotic.<br /><br />“The ROTC has taught its cadets how to become blind and docile servants. With its grim and bloody human rights record, the AFP has no right to meddle with the academic affairs of our youth. A war-mongering and mercenary institution must not be allowed to infiltrate schools and teach students,” he said.<br /><br />Einstein Recedes, national chairperson of the National Union of Students in the Philippines (NUSP) in an interview also rejected the argument that a mandatory ROTC program is needed to teach students patriotism and discipline. He said that the AFP through the ROTC program will only teach students blind obedience and will not necessary teach them patriotism. <br /><br />Moreover he said that ROTC will teach the contrary to students citing the AFP’s human right records<br /><br />“A quick glance at the human rights violations of the military and the corrupt practices within it is enough to negate the claim that ROTC will cultivate good citizenry among the youth. The youth who practice good citizenry by asserting the democratic rights of the people are surveilled and harassed in schools. Countless others have already been killed by reported military members,” he said.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />Focus on strengthening NSTP instead</span><br /><br />Kabataan Partylist Rep. Raymond Palatino said he intends to file a bill against the mandatory ROTC proposal which will instead focus on the strengthening of the community service components of the National Service Training Program (NSTP).<br /><br />According to Palatino, the proposal to make ROTC mandatory under the pretext of the need for an active citizenry and nation service ignores the fact that there is a current NSTP program with service components: Literacy Training Service (LTS) and Community Welfare Training Service (CWTS).<br /><br />“The youth should appreciate volunteerism and love of country without the unnecessary initiation to fascistic military tradition,” says the youth solon. <br /><br />Under the LTS, the youth are trained to be literacy and numeracy teachers to younger students, out-of-school youths in communities, indigenous people and other sectors in the society who needs their instructional assistance while the CWTS implements programs that address the social services of the people in the community such as the enhancement of facilities intended for improving health, education, environment, entrepreneurship, safety, recreation and morals of the citizenry.<br /><br />Palatino’s proposal will contain specifications which will include in the NSTP curriculum disaster preparedness trainings, hands-on teaching in communities, medical missions, and livelihood trainings among others.<br /><br />“If the AFP urges that we need more machinery for disaster response and relief operations, then we should make that as a major component of the NSTP, in fact, some schools at present teach disaster preparedness trainings under NSTP,” said Palatino.<br /><br />“Ultimately, the service training program should be an enlightening and empowering experience which will breed nationalism among our youth and genuine intent to serve the poor and oppressed. The ROTC obviously failed in that aspect during the time of its implementation; it bred hatred, corruption, violence and docility. There is no reason to revive it,” he said.Louie Santoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13439262481246435992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991300056472048024.post-89860606412235393612010-09-03T08:03:00.001-07:002010-09-03T08:09:53.302-07:00Youth solon scores P-Noy’s budget cut to higher edKabataan Partylist Representative Raymond Palatino today scored President Noynoy Aquino’s move to reduce subsidies for state college and universities (SCU) in his proposed 2011 budget, stating that his proposition was an “abandonment of government’s responsibility to provide the Filipino youth with quality and affordable education.”<br /><br />Based on the proposed 2011 budget, the PNoy administration allocated P 23.4 billion to the country’s 112 SCUs, 1.7 percent lower than this year’s budget.<br /><br />“Aquino and his budget team should refrain from issuing statements that education is a major priority in the current administration when in fact, he is slowly abandoning the youth. State abandonment of higher education is a trademark of Arroyo’s administration. If the Aquino administration really intends to correct the mistakes of the past, then it should seriously review and overhaul the longstanding policy of reducing subsidy to public tertiary education,” the youth solon said.<br /><br />In his budget message, Aquino said reducing the subsidy to SUCs will “push them toward becoming self-sufficient and financially independent, given their ability to raise their income and to utilize it for their programs and projects.”<br /><br />Palatino said an imposed policy of “self-sufficiency and financial independence” in SCUs through tie-ups with private corporations and tuition and other fee increases places the burden of financing tertiary education to the Filipino students themselves, many of whom will be unable to afford it.”<br /><br />“Allowing SCUs to generate their income and enter into partnerships with the private sector would only mean higher tuition, and consequently, higher drop-out rates and decreased access to tertiary education. This diminishes the public character of SCUs, which are supposed to provide quality and accessible education to those who cannot afford it,” he said.<br /><br />P1.1B or 28.16% was cut from the maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE) from SCUs.<br /><br />Seven SCUs’ MOOE were slashed by more than 50% namely:<br /><br /> * Southern Philippines Agri-Business & Marine and Aquatic School (-66.27%)<br /> * Southern Leyte State University (-64.03%<br /> * Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (-57.96%)<br /> * Partido State University (-56.83%)<br /> * Nueva Vizcaya State University (-53.65%)<br /> * University of the Philippines (-51.85%)<br /> * Aurora State College of Technology (-51.84%).<br /><br />Among the SCUs with the worst budget cuts by percentage are:<br /><br /> * Philippine Normal University (-23.59%)<br /> * Aurora State College of Technology (-22.21%)<br /> * Cerilles State College (-21.95%)<br /> * University of the Philippines (-20.11%)<br /> * University of Southeastern Philippines (-20.03%)<br /><br />While the SCUs with the worst budget cuts by nominal value are:<br /><br /> * University of the Philippines (-P1.39 billion)<br /> * Philippine Normal University (-P91.35 million)<br /> * Bicol University (-P88.81 million)<br /> * University of Southeastern Philippines (-P44.39 million)<br /> * Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (-P31.65 million).<br /><br />Palatino said the reduced subsidy to tertiary education comes at a time when Filipino youth are actually flocking to SCUs because of the increasing cost of studying in private universities and colleges. Based on the latest available data from CHED, 35 percent of tertiary students were studying in SCUs in 2008 as compared to 21 percent in 1994 and 10 percent in 1980.<br /><br />“Such budget cuts will only urge SCUs to follow the footsteps of the 300% increase in UP. With continuous slash in budgets, we fear that tuition and other fees increase will be rampant in the years to come. Sooner or later, the 112 SCUs will be semi-privatized.”<br /><br />Palatino further stated that instead of abandoning its responsibility one by one to the people, the Aquino should rechannel debt servicing funds to education. The youth solon earlier filed House Bill 1962 which repeals automatic debt servicing while institutionalizing the appropriation of six percent of the country’s gross domestic product to the public education sector.<br /><br />“We must implement, at the minimum, the six (6) percent prescription by the United Nations in order to address the tragic condition of our education sector. And when we say education, we are talking about all levels of learning. In implementing this automatic appropriation for education, we are securing not only the future of our youth, but the future of our dear nation,” said Palatino. ###Louie Santoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13439262481246435992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991300056472048024.post-59749932176320912312010-06-16T07:26:00.000-07:002010-06-16T07:46:08.121-07:00Gloria, bye-bye! Hello, Noynoy!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB_3Pp_pmnvFB5zhdNZCqJrjos70HuKL0c5gca-ZzO5cefwQdDW2SERuR_PCviA8ZE0FfRGYN1P7kgd6FgvkrrojtCAUeDQCEgEIDmzndvckQ2Kcls1hv0QZYat1by9CtY3S_qRweDcUA/s1600/noynoy1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 304px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB_3Pp_pmnvFB5zhdNZCqJrjos70HuKL0c5gca-ZzO5cefwQdDW2SERuR_PCviA8ZE0FfRGYN1P7kgd6FgvkrrojtCAUeDQCEgEIDmzndvckQ2Kcls1hv0QZYat1by9CtY3S_qRweDcUA/s400/noynoy1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483382139848851746" /></a><br />After nine punishing years of the Arroyo administration, I can only breathe a sigh of relief even it may only be very temporary. Although I am not an avid Noynoy fanatic unlike many of Filipinos today, his incoming administration is a much welcomed development even just for the sole reason that it means one thing - Gloria Arroyo's reign of terror is coming to an end. <br /><br />However, I am not inclined just yet to be encouraged to think that this second Aquino administration will bring much needed change for us Filipinos. One can only hope that he will indeed bring us what he promised during the campaign period. But I certainly doubt it. Campaign slogans oftentimes mean just that - mere slogans.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.bulatlat.com/main/2010/06/13/benjie-oliveros-the-second-aquino-administration/">Here</a> is a great article on Noynoy Aquino.Louie Santoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13439262481246435992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991300056472048024.post-55552502993590546632010-06-14T21:52:00.000-07:002010-06-14T22:03:23.158-07:00First day of school, first post since foreverIt has been long since I last posted something here. Many things have happened in between this post and the last one before this. Well, hopefully I will be posting something here more often from now on. I hope so.<br /><br />Well, it is the first day of classes in many schools in the Philippines. The past ills of the education system are still here. Here are some hard facts about the dismal state of our education system:<br /><br /><br />Primary and secondary<br /><br /> * Out-of-school youth (6-15 y/o) – 8 M<br /> * Enrollment for Prep, Elementary and HS – 23 M<br /> * % enrolled in public schools – 86<br /><br />Shortages and deteriorating quality<br /><br /> * Classroom size – 1:85 up to 100<br /> * Ideal classroom size – 1:25<br /> * Classroom shortage – 71,325<br /> * Teacher shortage – 49,699<br /> * Armchair shortage – 4M<br /> * Textbook shortage – 34.7M<br /><br /> * % of schools w/o science labs – 22<br /> * w/o ventilation – 20<br /> * w/o lighting – 27<br /> * w/o electricity – 55<br /> * w/o ceiling – 25<br /><br />Budget<br /><br /> * Gov’t budget for 2010-2011 – P159 B<br /> * Gov’t budget per day per school age Filipino – P6.85<br /><br /> * % of educ budget of GDP<br /> * 2001 – 3.3<br /> * 2008 – 2.19<br /> * UN recommendation – 6<br /><br /> * Est expenses per child per year in public school – P25,000<br /><br /> * Add’l budget needed to cover shortages – P91.54 billion<br /><br />Drop outs<br /><br />Out of 10 students entering grade 1, only 6 will finish grade 6. 5 will enter high school and only 4 will finish 4th year. 2 will enter college and only 1 will be able to finish.<br /><br />College<br /><br /> * Enrollment – 2.7 M<br /> * Public Institutions – 1,494<br /> * State colleges and universities – 522<br /><br />Tuition hikes<br /><br /> * Schools to increase tuition 2010 – 382<br /> * Schools increased tuition 2009 – 258<br /> * % of average increase – 8.71%<br /> * Natl average tuition rate per unit 2010 – P501.22<br /> * Natl average tuition rate per unit 2001 – P257.41<br /> * NCR average tuition rate per unit 2010 – P980.54<br /> * NCR average tuition rate per unit 2001 – P439.59<br /> * Average 20 units plus other fees – P25-40,000<br /> * Revenue of country’s top 5 school earners for the past 6 yrs – P15.43 billion<br /> * University of the Philippines (UP) tuition per unit – P1,000<br /> * No. of newly approved UP lab fees for SY 2010 – 36<br /> * Amount of newly approved UP lab fees – P500-1,500<br /><br />Sources:<br />Education in crisis: A challenge to Noynoy, Kabataan Partylist<br />Education 2010 briefer discussion guide, NUSP<br />Alliance of concerned Teachers<br /><br />This is lifted from <a href="http://www.vencercrisostomo.com/the-philippine-education-crisis-in-numbers/">Vencer Crisostomo's</a> new blog.Please visit his site. Also, <a href="http://www.vencercrisostomo.com/the-philippine-education-crisis-in-numbers/">this</a> is a good read on the Philippine education crisis.Louie Santoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13439262481246435992noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991300056472048024.post-79860898969854691152009-10-20T05:54:00.000-07:002009-10-20T06:13:18.293-07:00Bigyan natin sila ng Tsinelas<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9HneSMxYwYRdmEETFWA0os6euSdskFIFY0nvuPjhcrK_p7nBNHswGzLXdaa48yyrFeGBxAtQThH-tsOYCMIimNLRxel5L45XdeI1g0oUkUsVCXyzbAFrhH3rWVgqJh81XPAHD9_yKu1Y/s1600-h/Bigyan+natin+sila+ng+tsinelas.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9HneSMxYwYRdmEETFWA0os6euSdskFIFY0nvuPjhcrK_p7nBNHswGzLXdaa48yyrFeGBxAtQThH-tsOYCMIimNLRxel5L45XdeI1g0oUkUsVCXyzbAFrhH3rWVgqJh81XPAHD9_yKu1Y/s400/Bigyan+natin+sila+ng+tsinelas.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394664984159298914" /></a><br />We recently went to Santa Cecilia, Aringay, La Union for a relief mission headed by Tulong Kabataan. We gave out food packs, clothes and some slippers and shoes that we have collected from kind-hearted stall owners around La Union. Knowing that we have only a few items to gave out, we let them fall in line including the children who needs slippers or shoes. We left with heavy hearts knowing not everyone received an item given the limited number of goods in our disposal. And upon seeing this particular photo taken from our missions, I wished we had more.<br /><br />We are still conducting relief missions. Please donate to TULONG KABATAAN. Contact me at 09151166791.Louie Santoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13439262481246435992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991300056472048024.post-14390618618990325282009-07-01T17:49:00.000-07:002009-07-01T17:52:15.073-07:00STOP CON ASS<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYZQMScxtnCs-sQS-_cYz-_AOGiTplO6xCYNi3Nw49ieFz84yj748aQEAKa5FZkP8WfnAr5-ra5btonrfdLrT0NKoqkufhGmsI5xoEqQlMKS8EEkVxL8j7kuuolOPcLZ_0LVEbJPEHs6c/s1600-h/sca.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 198px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYZQMScxtnCs-sQS-_cYz-_AOGiTplO6xCYNi3Nw49ieFz84yj748aQEAKa5FZkP8WfnAr5-ra5btonrfdLrT0NKoqkufhGmsI5xoEqQlMKS8EEkVxL8j7kuuolOPcLZ_0LVEbJPEHs6c/s400/sca.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353658966918895266" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-5EWf1D3vtLLkZVJzss9Sqi_wbEfV2Evqxvcm9TBlmTqxbC7HjhyF2YpbrmfKnBX3Ew4t64rzwKDOuVFGci6AFoPosrx953u58HBHYn13K6HaIyhF4-TM5GpyoVS3QxfdyRMreXHWK9U/s1600-h/conass-1281.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 283px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-5EWf1D3vtLLkZVJzss9Sqi_wbEfV2Evqxvcm9TBlmTqxbC7HjhyF2YpbrmfKnBX3Ew4t64rzwKDOuVFGci6AFoPosrx953u58HBHYn13K6HaIyhF4-TM5GpyoVS3QxfdyRMreXHWK9U/s400/conass-1281.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353658693880852914" /></a><br /><br />SIGN THE ONLINE PETITION @ WWW.KABATAANPARTYLIST.COMLouie Santoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13439262481246435992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991300056472048024.post-54123456690706286262009-07-01T17:37:00.000-07:002009-07-01T17:38:22.518-07:00Kabataan Kontra-Con AssWe are today’s generation of Filipino youth, young, vibrant and spirited, transcending professions, cultures and boundaries, and to whom the hopes and aspirations for the nation’s future is bequeathed.<br /><br />Together, we vehemently oppose all attempts by the ruling Arroyo clique and its cronies in Congress to tamper with the Constitution and perpetuate itself in power. We denounce in the strongest possible terms the blatant abuse of power and treachery that have come to characterize this regime.<br /><br />The shameless display of arrogance and callousness of the Arroyo government sends for all patriotic and freedom-loving young Filipinos to dissent. The signs of times are rallying us to lives of involvement and action.<br /><br />The youth have always played a pivotal role in ushering in significant changes and junctures in history. We have always been at the forefront of uprisings and revolutions every time the social, political and economic conditions in society become too intolerable for Filipinos to endure.<br /><br />Today, we have a moral and sacred duty to perform. We cannot remain silent or with our arms crossed. We cannot remain indifferent while our own future as a people and a nation are being compromised for selfish political ambitions. The stakes are too high for us to take a pass.<br /><br />The Filipino youth are awake and are answering the urgent call of our time. Once again, we reaffirm the youth’s historic role as catalyst of change and renew our resolve to put an end to the tyranny of the Arroyo regime.<br /><br />We express our solidarity with various church groups, the business sector, people’s organizations and concerned Filipino citizens who have similarly expressed opposition against any attempts of the Arroyo administration to extend her term.<br /><br />We believe that national leaders should be accountable to the people and that government officials should portray the highest standards of morality and integrity to be able to propel the nation towards genuine progress, justice and peace.<br /><br /> We oppose the convening of a constituent assembly and Arroyo’s charter change on the following grounds:<br /><br /> * Any attempt at charter change by the Arroyo administration would only serve to extend President Arroyo’s regime. With her term expiration nearing, she and her allies in Congress, led by her son Pampanga Rep. Juan Miguel Arroyo, are left to resort to whatever “legal” means are possible to make sure she stays in power after 2010. Arroyo is desperate because she will inevitably have to answer to all the cases filed against her once she is removed from position;<br /> * Charter change can be used by Arroyo to perpetuate herself in power through Martial Law. No different to what Ferdinand Marcos did, charter change can be used by Arroyo to remove the 60-day limit covering the President’s declaration of martial rule and to suspend the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus thus allowing the State to arrest anybody without a warrant. Alternately, the power of Congress to revoke the President’s declaration of martial law or the power of the Supreme Court to review the bases of a declaration of martial law can be removed;<br /> * Charter Change will worsen the economic and social crises plaguing the country. All past attempts of charter change have pushed to amend economic provisions barring 100 percent foreign ownership of lands, social institutions, and basic services, industries and infrastructures in the country. This recent attempt through HR 1109 is no different as it explicitly aims to allow foreign interests and entities to dominate the country under the guise of ‘international competitiveness.’ Such a revision will only give way to further foreign exploitation and plunder of our natural resources, indigenous knowledge systems, and domestic human resources;<br /> * Charter change will aggravate the colonial, corrupt and commercial characteristics of Philippine culture, education and mass media; and<br /> * Charter change can allow further foreign intervention and exploitation by allowing one-sided treaties detrimental to national development and progress.<br /><br />We call on all democracy-loving youth and citizens to stop efforts to change the Constitution before the 2010 elections. The government’s desperate efforts to continuously cling to power have sown deep social discontent and division among the people.<br /><br />We strongly believe in the sovereign right that rests on the people to change a morally bankrupt and corrupt regime with a conscientious leadership that can genuinely unite the nation and can bring forth meaningful social change.Louie Santoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13439262481246435992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991300056472048024.post-46155923384411064472009-06-09T14:31:00.000-07:002009-06-09T14:38:43.241-07:00LIST OF CONGRESSMEN WHO APPROVED THE CON ASSI RECEIVED AN EMAIL CONTAINING THE NAMES OF THE CONGRESSMEN WHO VOTED FOR CON-ASS. <br />FYI. List of CONGRESSMEN WHO APPROVED THE CON ASS. REMEMBER THEIR NAMES AND DO NOT VOTE FOR THEM IN THE NET ELECTIONS.<br /><br /><br />> CONGRESSMEN WHO APPROVED THE CON ASS<br />><br />> ABANTE, BIENVENIDO M. "BENNY" 6TH District Pandacan<br />> ABLAN, ROQUE R. JR, Ilocos Norte, 1st District<br />> AGBAYANI, VICTOR AGUEDO E.. Pangasinan, 2nd District<br />> AGYAO, MANUEL, S Kalinga Province<br />> ALBANO (III), RODOLFO T. Isabela, 1st District<br />> ALFELOR, FELIX R. JR. 4th District, Camarines Sur<br />> ALMARIO, THELMA Z. Davao Oriental, 2nd District<br />> ALVAREZ, ANTONIO C. Palawan 1st District<br />> ALVAREZ, GENARO RAFAEL M. JR. Negros Occidental, 6th District<br />> AMANTE, EDELMIRO A. Agusan Del Norte, 2nd District<br />> AMATONG, ROMMEL C. Compostela Valley, 2nd District<br />> ANGPING, MARIA ZENAIDA B. Manila, 3rd District<br />> ANTONINO, RODOLFO W. Nueva Ecija, 4th District<br />> APOSTOL, TRINIDAD G. Leyte, 2nd District<br />> AQUINO, JOSE S. (II) 1st District Agusan del Norte<br />> ARAGO, MARIA EVITA R. 3rd district, Laguna<br />> ARBISON, A MUNIR M. Sulu 2nd District<br />> ARENAS, MA. RACHEL J. Pangasinan, 3rd District<br />> ARROYO, DIOSDADO M. Camarines Sur, 1st District<br />> ARROYO, IGNACIO T. 5th district Negros Occidental<br />> ARROYO, JUAN MIGUEL M. 2nd District of Pampanga<br />> BAGATSING, AMADO S. Manila 5th district<br />> BALINDONG, PANGALIAN M. Lanao del Sur, 2nd District<br />> BARZAGA, ELPIDIO F. JR. Cavite, 2nd District<br />> BAUTISTA, FRANKLIN P. Davao Del Sur, 2nd District<br />> BELMONTE, VICENTE F. JR. Lanao del Norte, 1st District<br />> BICHARA, AL FRANCIS C. Albay, 2nd District<br />> BIRON, FERJENEL G. Iloilo, 4th District<br />> BONDOC, ANNA YORK P. Pampanga 4th District<br />> BONOAN-DAVID, MA. THERESA B. Manila, 4th District<br />> BRAVO, NARCISO R. JR. Masbate, 1st District<br />> BRIONES, NICANOR M.. AGAP Party list<br />> BUHAIN, EILEEN ERMITA Batangas, 1st District<br />> BULUT, ELIAS C. JR. Apayao Lone District<br />> CAGAS (IV), MARC DOUGLAS C. Davao Del Sur, 1st District<br />> CAJAYON, MARY MITZI L. Caloocan, 2nd District<br />> CAJES, ROBERTO C. Bohol, 2nd District<br />> CARI, CARMEN L. Leyte, 5th District<br />> CASTRO, FREDENIL H. Capiz, 2nd District<br />> CELESTE, ARTHUR F. Pangasinan, 1st District<br />> CERILLES, ANTONIO H. Zamboanga Del Sur, 2nd District<br />> CHATTO, EDGARDO M. Bohol, 1st District<br />> CHONG, GLENN A. Biliran, Lone District<br />> CHUNG-LAO, SOLOMON R. Ifugao, Lone District<br />> CLARETE, MARINA C. Misamis Occidental, 1st District<br />> CODILLA, EUFROCINO M. SR. Leyte, 4th District<br />> COJUANCO, MARK O. Pangasinan, 5th District<br />> COQUILA, TEODULO M. Eastern Samar, Lone District<br />> CRISOLOGO, VINCENT P. Quezon City, 1st District<br />> CUA, JUNIE E. Quirino, Lone District<br />> CUENCO, ANTONIO V. Cebu City, 2nd District<br />> DANGWA, SAMUEL M. Benguet, Lone District<br />> DATUMANONG, SIMEON A. Maguindanao, Lone District<br />> Dayanghirang, Nelson L. Davao Oriental, 1st District<br />> DAZA, NANETTE C. Quezon City, 4th District<br />> DAZA, PAUL R. Northern Samar, 1st District<br />> DE GUZMAN, DEL R. Marikina City, 2nd District<br />> DEFENSOR, ARTHUR D. SR. Iloilo, 3rd District<br />> DEFENSOR, MATIAS V. JR. Quezon City, 3rd District<br />> DEL MAR, RAUL V. Cebu City, 1st District<br />> DIASNES, CARLO OLIVER D. (MD) Batanes, Lone District<br />> DIMAPORO, ABDULLAH D. Lanao Del Norte, 2nd District<br />> DOMOGAN, MAURICIO G. Baguio, Lone District<br />> DUAVIT, MICHAEL JOHN R. Rizal, 1st District<br />> DUENAS, HENRY M. JR. Taguig, 2nd District (2nd Councilor District)<br />> DUMARPA, FAYSAH MRP. Lanao del Sur, 1st District<br />> DUMPIT, THOMAS L. JR. La Union, 2nd District<br />> DURANO (IV), RAMON H. 5th District, Cebu<br />> ECLEO, GLENDA B. Dinagat Islands, Lone District<br />> EMANO, YEVGENY VICENTE B. Misamis Oriental, 2nd District<br />> ENVERGA, WILFRIDO MARK M. Quezon, 1st District<br />> ESTRELLA, CONRADO M. (III) Pangasinan, 6th District<br />> ESTRELLA, ROBERT RAYMUND M. ABONO Party List<br />> FERRER, JEFFREY P. Negros Occidental, 4th District<br />> GARAY, FLORENCIO C. Surigao Del Sur, 2nd District<br />> GARCIA, ALBERT S. Bataan, 2nd District.<br />> GARCIA, PABLO JOHN F. Cebu, 3rd District<br />> GARCIA, PABLO P. Cebu, 2nd District<br />> GARCIA, VINCENT J. Davao City, 2nd District<br />> GARIN, JANETTE L. Iloilo, 1st District<br />> GATCHALIAN, REXLON T. Valenzuela City, 1st District<br />> GATLABAYAN, ANGELITO C. Antipolo City, 2nd District<br />> GO, ARNULFO F. Sultan Kudarat, 2nd District<br />> GONZALES, AURELIO D. JR. Pampanga 3rd District<br />> GONZALES, RAUL T. JR. Ilo ilo City<br />> GULLAS, EDUARDO R. Cebu, 1st District<br />> GUNIGUNDO, MAGTANGGOL T. Valenzuela City 2nd District<br />> HOFER, DULCE ANN K. Zamboanga Sibugay, 2nd District<br />> JAAFAR, NUR G. Tawi-Tawi, Lone District<br />> JALA, ADAM RELSON L. Bohol, 3rd District<br />> JALOSJOS, CESAR G. Zamboanga del Norte, 3rd District<br />> JALOSJOS-CARREON, CECILIA G. Zamboanga del Norte, 1st District<br />> JIKIRI, YUSOP H. Sulu, 1st District<br />> KHO, ANTONIO T. Masbate, 2nd District<br />> LABADLABAD, ROSENDO S. Zamboanga del Norte, 2nd District<br />> LACSON, JOSE CARLOS V. Negros Occidental, 3rd District<br />> LAGDAMEO, ANTONIO F. JR. Davao del Norte, 2nd District<br />> LAPUS, JECI A. Tarlac, 3rd District<br />> LAZATIN, CARMELO F. Pampanga, 1st District<br />> LIM, RENO G. Albay, 3rd District<br />> LOPEZ, JAIME C. Manila, 2nd District<br />> MADRONA, ELEANORA JESUS F. Romblon, Lone District<br />> MAGSAYSAY, MARIA MILAGROS H. Zambales, 1st District<br />> MALAPITAN, OSCAR G. Caloocan, 1st District<br />> MAMBA, MANUEL N. Cagayan, 3rd District<br />> MANGUDADATU, DATU PAKUNG S. Sultan Kudarat,<br />> MARANON, ALFREDO D. III Negros Occidental, 2nd District<br />> MATUGAS, FRANCISCO T. Surigao del Norte, 1st District<br />> MENDOZA, MARK LEANDRO L. Batangas, 4th District<br />> MERCADO, ROGER G. Southern Leyte, Lone District<br />> MIRAFLORES, FLORENCIO T. Aklan, Lone District<br />> NAVA, JOAQUIN CARLOS RAHMAN A. (MD) Guimaras, Lone District<br />> NICOLAS, REYLINA G. Bulacan, 4th District<br />> NOGRALES, PROSPERO C. Davao City, 1st District<br />> OLAñO, ARREL R. Davao Del Norte, 1st District<br />> ONG, EMIL L. Northern Samar, 2nd District<br />> ORTEGA, VICTOR FRANCISCO C. La Union, 1st District<br />> PABLO, ERNESTO C. APEC Party List<br />> PANCHO, PEDRO M. Bulacan, 2nd District<br />> PANCRUDO, CANDIDO P. JR. Bukidnon, 1st District<br />> PICHAY, PHILIP A. Surigao Del Sur, 1st District<br />> PIñOL, BERNARDO F. JR. North Cotabato, 2nd District<br />> PUNO, ROBERTO V. Antipolo City, 1st District<br />> RAMIRO, HERMINIA M. Misamis Occidental, 2nd District<br />> REMULLA, JESUS CRISPIN C. Cavite, 3rd District<br />> REYES, CARMELITA O. Marinduque, Lone District<br />> REYES, VICTORIA H. Batangas, 3rd District<br />> ROBES, ARTURO G. San Jose Del Monte City, Lone District<br />> Rodriguez-Zaldarria ga, Adelina Rizal, 2nd District<br />> ROMAN, HERMINIA B. Bataan, 1st District<br />> ROMARATE, GUILLERMO A. JR. Surigao del Norte, 2nd District<br />> ROMUALDEZ, FERDINAND MARTIN G. Leyte, 1st District<br />> ROMUALDO, PEDRO Camiguin, Lone District<br />> ROMULO, ROMAN T. Pasig City, Lone District<br />> ROXAS, JOSE ANTONIO F. Pasay City<br />> SALIMBANGON, BENHUR L. Cebu, 4th District<br />> SALVACION JR., ANDRES D. Leyte, 3rd District<br />> SAN LUIS, EDGAR S. Laguna, 4th District<br />> SANDOVAL, ALVIN S. Malabon-Navotas, Lone District<br />> SANTIAGO, JOSEPH A. Catanduanes, Lone District<br />> SANTIAGO, NARCISO D. (III) ARC Party List<br />> SEACHON-LANETE, RIZALINA L. 3rd district of Masbate<br />> SEARES-LUNA, CECILIA M. Abra, Lone District<br />> SILVERIO, LORNA C. Bulacan, 3rd District<br />> SINGSON, ERIC D. Ilocos Sur, 2nd District<br />> SINGSON, RONALD V. Ilocos Sur, 1st District<br />> SOLIS, JOSE G. Sorsogon, 2nd District<br />> SOON-RUIZ, NERISSA CORAZON Cebu, 6th District<br />> SUAREZ, DANILO E. Quezon, 3rd District<br />> SUSANO, MARY ANN L. Quezon City, 2nd District<br />> SY-ALVARADO, MA. VICTORIA R. Bulacan, 1st District<br />> SYJUCO, JUDY J. 2nd Dsitrict, Iloilo<br />> TALINO-MENDOZA, EMMYLOU J. North Cotabato, 1st District<br />> TAN, SHAREE ANN T. Samar, 2nd District<br />> TEODORO, MARCELINO R. Marikina City, 1st District<br />> TEODORO, MONICA LOUISSE PRIETO Tarlac, 1st District<br />> TEVES, PRYDE HENRY A. Negros Oriental, 3rd District<br />> TUPAS, NEIL C. JR. Iloilo, 5th District<br />> UNGAB, ISIDRO T. Davao City, 3rd District<br />> UY, EDWIN C. Isabela, 2nd District<br />> UY, REYNALDO S. Samar, 1st District<br />> UY, ROLANDO A. Cagayan De Oro City, Lone District<br />> VALDEZ, EDGAR L. APEC Party List<br />> VALENCIA, RODOLFO G. Oriental Mindoro, 1st District<br />> VARGAS, FLORENCIO L. Cagayan, 2nd District<br />> VILLAFUERTE, LUIS R. Camarines Sur, 2nd District<br />> VILLAROSA, MA. AMELITA C. Occidental Mindoro, Lone District<br />> VIOLAGO, JOSEPH GILBERT F. Nueva Ecija, 2nd District<br />> YAP, JOSE V.. Tarlac, 2nd District<br />> YU, VICTOR J. Zamboanga Del Sur, 1st District<br />> ZAMORA, MANUEL E. 1st District, Compostela Valley<br />> ZIALCITA, EDUARDO C. Parañaque, 1st DistrictLouie Santoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13439262481246435992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991300056472048024.post-42308276236743500002009-06-04T23:17:00.000-07:002009-06-04T23:26:16.109-07:00Ayaw ko sa buwaya at baboy!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIthgfaTS8YIkfGCEWIaEUeJRrBpMxsVMAjY1AWKX9sfDZgEeDrruBVyP3QqSIsi8oNLlzm2LQ60HIlZJ1OQi2o-OK7e0Dw9vPNJX_MPmhsOpdvBvgBk7otaNt4p9gVyrC5d8-A-hrrcE/s1600-h/baboy.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 309px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIthgfaTS8YIkfGCEWIaEUeJRrBpMxsVMAjY1AWKX9sfDZgEeDrruBVyP3QqSIsi8oNLlzm2LQ60HIlZJ1OQi2o-OK7e0Dw9vPNJX_MPmhsOpdvBvgBk7otaNt4p9gVyrC5d8-A-hrrcE/s400/baboy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343725506338725074" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtyKAnQtgCKGl6dLcmn6CxMzegq9WEhG5Fc6-VhC9eTqYdOwaRQumfnjHFqzPT0q0kpGAqw7nIR7Ignye9TnLnc671Ya9FaPXs0qB_TCe51u1Gk1cbRwKGfTf1cmQ-poihyphenhyphenMBE5p78JhM/s1600-h/buwaya.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 309px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtyKAnQtgCKGl6dLcmn6CxMzegq9WEhG5Fc6-VhC9eTqYdOwaRQumfnjHFqzPT0q0kpGAqw7nIR7Ignye9TnLnc671Ya9FaPXs0qB_TCe51u1Gk1cbRwKGfTf1cmQ-poihyphenhyphenMBE5p78JhM/s400/buwaya.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343725010468620562" /></a><br />Ilan sa mga posters ng kabataan partylist sa ilocos region.Louie Santoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13439262481246435992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991300056472048024.post-1526304877577755212009-05-19T09:51:00.000-07:002009-05-19T14:29:09.824-07:00Erap for President? Again?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9riGDTxWw8CdTwXz7qrVFX5OprEOfVzOxr7xoHZb3NxBEgGOXQCSvIBE63uJLeHXtyPzA4oCFcrQ2z6sl-E-ZkrogQN5rABQIwWZk_6Gtuy4dAoH-HDUOycDBXIktZ6qlLxxY-8SlTOs/s1600-h/erap-shocked.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 338px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9riGDTxWw8CdTwXz7qrVFX5OprEOfVzOxr7xoHZb3NxBEgGOXQCSvIBE63uJLeHXtyPzA4oCFcrQ2z6sl-E-ZkrogQN5rABQIwWZk_6Gtuy4dAoH-HDUOycDBXIktZ6qlLxxY-8SlTOs/s400/erap-shocked.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337650246400013538" /></a><br />I was slightly disturbed by news that Joseph Estrada believes he is still eligible to run and indeed will run in the next presidential elections. Before this, I just laugh at the notion that Erap may still run or the question of can he still run because for me the answer is as simple and as clear as the text of 1987 Philippine Constitution say - No, he is not eligible to run for ANY re-election.<br /><br />Section 4 of the Article VII of the Constitution clearly states "<span style="font-style:italic;"> The President shall not be eligible for ANY re-election. No person who has succeeded as President and has served as such for more than four years shall be qualified for election to the same office at any time.</span>"<br /><br />The crucial phrase there is "for ANY re-election". This clearly means any form of re-election may it be immediately succeeding or after sitting a term or so. <br /><br />Estrada's lawyers and Pro-Erap supporters argue that "THE President" in the text means the incumbent president. For them, the real purpose of the provision is to bar re-election by an incumbent that may use government funds and influence. <br /><br />However, this is only laughable. If that was the only intention, I believe, the framers would have just been clear and plain and stated it as "an incumbent President" which is clearly not the intention but to bar ANY re-election of elected presidents. <br /><br />Further, the last sentence of the paragraph pertains to a person who succeeded presidency through other means other than election such as a vice-president's succession as president due to the elected president's incapacity or death.<br /><br />And lastly, Joseph Estrada is a convicted plunderer. I pray that the Filipino people do not forget this fact. Electing him again or letting him be elected or even run for presidency will be unforgivable.<br /><br />A friend told me over text that if the Supreme Court (if ever to decide on the issue) rules that he is eligible to run and/or the Filipino people elects Estrada again to presidency, he would consider migrating to another country because it would just goes to show that our country is beyond repair. I said I can't blame him but also told him that I still have faith that the Filipino people will not let that happen. I just hope my faith does not fail me.Louie Santoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13439262481246435992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991300056472048024.post-13618114283645103012009-05-14T02:22:00.000-07:002009-05-14T02:30:18.953-07:00Kabataan, tayo ang pagbabago!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr4s0nNbWViTvGO95TXK1Fl1h_XKxToCQmHMh_99OE8C53LgPVUoQm8wW0LzuudJNGxT8Sgv-zqvxpVoU-rzwfflZ0qRoTiUePwJUUiFU3DyDi43gcAeFtHgyu01RB5734yCT9lroORUw/s1600-h/kababatan-agit-copy.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 365px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr4s0nNbWViTvGO95TXK1Fl1h_XKxToCQmHMh_99OE8C53LgPVUoQm8wW0LzuudJNGxT8Sgv-zqvxpVoU-rzwfflZ0qRoTiUePwJUUiFU3DyDi43gcAeFtHgyu01RB5734yCT9lroORUw/s400/kababatan-agit-copy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335609108028508018" /></a><br />Check out the latest website of <a href="http://www.kabataanpartylist.com/">Kabataan Partylist</a>. It is not quite finished yet (I think) but just keep updated. Hopefully, it will be fully functional soon.Louie Santoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13439262481246435992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991300056472048024.post-24879968151611850202009-05-13T18:01:00.000-07:002009-05-13T18:51:14.264-07:00Listen to this<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpa4NUPit7wOr1YErv3mzknEQKyThNRzs5UsgrEYgu8LkhhE-x-hu5OCzkgMDqqBCQ9oesfraS9lcf3mqikzs5ASce7OORP6leF04raFvOWYRhajjR7k4kc3T_SDfD5kqGO7zPVWhOtPs/s1600-h/STICKERANDCOMMENTETCK.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 314px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpa4NUPit7wOr1YErv3mzknEQKyThNRzs5UsgrEYgu8LkhhE-x-hu5OCzkgMDqqBCQ9oesfraS9lcf3mqikzs5ASce7OORP6leF04raFvOWYRhajjR7k4kc3T_SDfD5kqGO7zPVWhOtPs/s400/STICKERANDCOMMENTETCK.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335486886151436258" /></a><br />This is a new composition of members of Karatula-La Union. They have now a number of original compositions. We hope to record them and release an album. If you want to listen, click <a href="http://www.myspace.com/thecompo">here</a>.Louie Santoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13439262481246435992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991300056472048024.post-50139122594479377802009-05-10T10:13:00.000-07:002009-05-10T10:17:24.820-07:00Maligayang Araw ng mga InaIto ay ang aking belated Mother's Day post. Dahil Nahuli nga ako ng isang araw gawa ng madaling-araw na. Irerepost ko itong tula ko para sa aking Inang.<br /><br />INA <br /><br />Pumailanglang sa katahimikan<br />ng gabi ang iyong pagtangis.<br />muli, ginambala ng iyong kalungkutan<br />ang aking pagkakahimbing.<br /><br />Pinuno ng iyong luha ang aking puso<br />at tuluyang nilunod ang aking isipan,<br />tinangay ng alon ng iyong damdamin<br />at itinaboy ng nagpupuyos na<br />hangin ng iyong poot.<br /><br />(Kung alam mo lamang na sa tuwing<br />dumadalaw sa iyo ang bagyo ng dalamhati,<br />ako'y nasasalanta rin...)<br /><br />Malaman mo sana na dama ko<br />ang iyong kalungkutan.<br />Walang hiwaga ang ating pagkakaugnay.<br />Hindi ba't noong una'y magkarugtong<br />ang ating sikmura't katawan?<br />Utang ko sa iyo ang aking buhay<br />at ako'y nagmula sa inyo.<br /><br />Dati-rati, noong ako'y nasa iyo<br />pang sinapupunan, ay pinagsasaluhan<br />natin ang pagkain na iyong sinusubo.<br />Tila ngayon, pagdaan ng maraming taon,<br />mula nang mapatid ang lubid na laman<br />na nagdurugtong sa atin, nabigong putdin nun<br />ang kaugnayan ng ating puso't damdamin.<br />Ngayon, ‘di na pagkain ang ating pinagsasaluhan<br />kundi ang dalamhati ng iyong puso't kaluluwa.<br /><br />Malaman mo sana na ang bawat<br />patak ng luha na gumuguhit sa iyong pisngi<br />ay may katapat na sugat sa aking puso.<br />Kung dati-rati’y ikaw ang pumapawi<br />sa mga luha sa aking mga mata,<br />hayaan mong ako naman ang magsabing<br />“Ina, tahan na, tahan na…”<br /><br />August 12, 2006Louie Santoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13439262481246435992noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991300056472048024.post-89107881364207614112009-04-23T05:47:00.000-07:002009-04-24T23:17:01.651-07:00YOUTH FINALLY HAS A SECTORAL REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibKIitnRa9_T7hp26LNpDVLlGJxIDRhjgZFQwBBJbnE1bajJq7THokOVPIsarGSnRclFhOvV-GjOMlLpIOj4r4hFgN8yUognnl01rOjQTNAQTgEZjoEXTjS6MlOGECWgobTuwpLi0w51g/s1600-h/SUPPORT_KABATAAN_by_isip_bata.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 364px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibKIitnRa9_T7hp26LNpDVLlGJxIDRhjgZFQwBBJbnE1bajJq7THokOVPIsarGSnRclFhOvV-GjOMlLpIOj4r4hFgN8yUognnl01rOjQTNAQTgEZjoEXTjS6MlOGECWgobTuwpLi0w51g/s400/SUPPORT_KABATAAN_by_isip_bata.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327873214212111170" /></a><br />Finally, the youth sector will have a genuine representative in Congress. As per <a href="http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/april2009/179271.htm">Supreme Court ruling</a> promulgated last April 21, Kabataan Partylist first nominee <a href="http://mongpalatino.motime.com/">Raymond "Mong" Palatino</a> together with 31 other additional partylist representatives will have a seat in the House of Rrepresentatives. The SC decision overturns the <a href="http://www.bulatlat.com/2007/06/first-party-rule-will-make-future-party-list-elections-vicious-expensive-lawyers">First Party Rule</a> also known as the Panganiban Formula in allocating partylist seats. <br /><br />This is a clear victory for the youth sector! Congratulations to all of us who have labored hard last national elections and have been continuously working for the interest of the youth and the whole society.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Image by Isip-bata for Kabataan Party La Union</span>Louie Santoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13439262481246435992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991300056472048024.post-50700162408010354942009-04-22T23:52:00.000-07:002009-04-23T00:25:51.390-07:00Right of Reply: Banta sa kalayaan sa pamamahayag<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLIllr-q2xRfkdrwdXgJtvzpYaV3UR1jd2EBPd7KqHuLWEFEoEkE4XbZoEgkGphLHQ01Gvr7zHMwyzoDW3I0AhR4x91-fhSMkbBoG-wr_3Lq0EnnLFRT4yOj8wJxrowZv-L31bAqDQwQw/s1600-h/kabataang+pinoy+eklavu+429.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLIllr-q2xRfkdrwdXgJtvzpYaV3UR1jd2EBPd7KqHuLWEFEoEkE4XbZoEgkGphLHQ01Gvr7zHMwyzoDW3I0AhR4x91-fhSMkbBoG-wr_3Lq0EnnLFRT4yOj8wJxrowZv-L31bAqDQwQw/s400/kabataang+pinoy+eklavu+429.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327783456759359330" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhktwox0qAsxQmQsGreuGIbuh68wJFPp3xow2V6NEf_ZO08v9VEaRNvlXQWnbNlCiqaL435DaOS89p9JID1D84j2lsLYxQIKK2oDC6NRGx5BNsVHs_ZMpUZoHQd5Udo23eXor3FVEQXJec/s1600-h/kabataang+pinoy+eklavu+411.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhktwox0qAsxQmQsGreuGIbuh68wJFPp3xow2V6NEf_ZO08v9VEaRNvlXQWnbNlCiqaL435DaOS89p9JID1D84j2lsLYxQIKK2oDC6NRGx5BNsVHs_ZMpUZoHQd5Udo23eXor3FVEQXJec/s400/kabataang+pinoy+eklavu+411.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327782478925609810" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAMvbp2kUV9mYZP_ZBCwGHYns8a0HydnjbBYy1b7fnbAazOKfHGxLBzya1l1o_AGLIP7VmJcZ25UocpeIBhBSD1ncagZbo63AhXdoUShYHmIboBcW5EgyKHEhYrOGP_GL1Z7rfuDSAodU/s1600-h/kabataang+pinoy+eklavu+443.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAMvbp2kUV9mYZP_ZBCwGHYns8a0HydnjbBYy1b7fnbAazOKfHGxLBzya1l1o_AGLIP7VmJcZ25UocpeIBhBSD1ncagZbo63AhXdoUShYHmIboBcW5EgyKHEhYrOGP_GL1Z7rfuDSAodU/s400/kabataang+pinoy+eklavu+443.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327778054827300834" /></a><br />Isa na namang banta sa kalayaan sa pamamahayag ang nagbabadyang rumagasa sa hanay ng media sa pamamagitan ng Right of Reply Bill. Ayon sa <a href="http://www.pinoyweekly.org/cms/2009/03/praymer-ng-nujp-hinggil-sa-right-reply-bill">Primer</a> sa Right of Reply Bill ng <a href="http://www.nujp.org/">NUJP</a> ang naturang panukalang batas ay unconstitutional at mangangahulugan ng prior restraint sa mga media.<br /><br />Tinututulan din ito ng mga mamamahayag pangkampus sa pangunguna ng <a href="http://theilocosguilder.i.ph/blogs/theilocosguilder/">CEGP</a> sa dahilang palulubhain lamang nito ang nagaganap na represyon sa mga pahayagan ng mga estudyante.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Mga larawan kuha sa piket-protesta ng NUJP at CEGP sa harap ng main gates ng House of representatives. </span>Louie Santoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13439262481246435992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991300056472048024.post-63414884253704449212009-04-03T07:36:00.001-07:002009-04-03T07:42:56.214-07:00Vector Design<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidUpdKwiGwycVOCBQEurJfIUE6evjrj9Dx8WeLyMXky9lXaPmLsV3flcmnADu2vzs3nAgfR4RV6kqRkLHmBRnH0TsqFGPCU2u54IQ2Y_9FdOPMPH5WsholjXiL-wluTrsNtMUxXui8-iw/s1600-h/Roseville+Tennis.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 263px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidUpdKwiGwycVOCBQEurJfIUE6evjrj9Dx8WeLyMXky9lXaPmLsV3flcmnADu2vzs3nAgfR4RV6kqRkLHmBRnH0TsqFGPCU2u54IQ2Y_9FdOPMPH5WsholjXiL-wluTrsNtMUxXui8-iw/s400/Roseville+Tennis.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320474365153422130" /></a><br />Logo na pinagawa ng tatay ni <a href="http://www.inbetweencoffeebreaks.blogspot.com">Paola</a> na nasa U.S. para sa kanyang tennis club. HeheLouie Santoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13439262481246435992noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991300056472048024.post-12345075893487320892009-04-02T08:36:00.000-07:002009-04-02T08:44:00.754-07:00My First Vector Image<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb5wv5aVFGjGfwrTndZDoEE7h9QyFBfMkd-TmfLvhy0TKZ912cjbyXOlXuN88fjEiZNr6haCG2WEvOJymIqABe1Ro1oJISF7onv8oX1cklQL7EulyHYb6TnFIUljB1lGVmwRlSviCl2MQ/s1600-h/My+first+vector.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb5wv5aVFGjGfwrTndZDoEE7h9QyFBfMkd-TmfLvhy0TKZ912cjbyXOlXuN88fjEiZNr6haCG2WEvOJymIqABe1Ro1oJISF7onv8oX1cklQL7EulyHYb6TnFIUljB1lGVmwRlSviCl2MQ/s400/My+first+vector.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320119579728409442" /></a><br />I thought I would want to share my first vector image ever made. Of course, it is based of an image of me. haha. I just finished it a couple of minutes ago. Finally after years of figuring out how to do vectors I have made progress.Louie Santoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13439262481246435992noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991300056472048024.post-43682056848409897062009-03-31T21:12:00.000-07:002009-04-01T22:28:51.037-07:00Earth Hour<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjaLobaVtxUTGD3cEOIZkcHjI6aYkWbtTf9BzQTIJgMFY82SC2Z-dDeiyQskb-VxFU_QuROfsNID-xuBKlu6k7TWxK2hS8fudqjMllfYAhqDr7V0Rsg7po68ngnX_0E-Ay8WHuDvQ6Acc/s1600-h/2009-03-29T080514Z_01_NOOTR_RTRMDNP_2_India-387592-1-pic0.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 226px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjaLobaVtxUTGD3cEOIZkcHjI6aYkWbtTf9BzQTIJgMFY82SC2Z-dDeiyQskb-VxFU_QuROfsNID-xuBKlu6k7TWxK2hS8fudqjMllfYAhqDr7V0Rsg7po68ngnX_0E-Ay8WHuDvQ6Acc/s400/2009-03-29T080514Z_01_NOOTR_RTRMDNP_2_India-387592-1-pic0.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319961448817419026" /></a><br /><br />Ang kampanya para sa 'Earth Hour" noong nakaraang March 28 ay naging matagumpay lalo na sa Pilipinas kung saan pinakaraming siyudad at mga bayan ang sumali. Umaabot sa 650 na mga siyudad at bayan sa Piipinas ang nagpatay ng ilaw. Ayon sa estimasyon, sa Pilinas lamang ay nakatipid na ng aabot sa 611 Megawatts o katumbas ng pagpatay sa isang Coal-fueled Power Plant sa loob ng 60 na minuto.<br /><br />Kahanga-hanga ang nagawa ng Pilipinas hindi lang sa paglahok kundi sa pangunguna pa sa aktibidad na layuning tugunan ang problema ng mundo sa global warming. Higit sa kung ano pa man, pinapakita ng paglahok ng mga Pilipino sa Earth Hour ang kamulatan ng Pilipino sa mga kagalayan na nakakaapekto sa buong mundo at ang kahandaan na tumugon at aktibong makilahok para sa kalutasan ng problema. <br /><br />Ngunit, malayo pa sa isang kalutasan ang pagpatay ng ilaw sa buong mundo. Napakaliit lang ng impact kung tutuusin ng pagpatay ng ilaw ng mga karaniwang mamamayan para mapabagal global warming. Ang buong mundo ay nag-eemit ng, as per estimation noong 2004, 27,245,758, 000 metric tons ng carbon gas bawat taon. Ang simpleng pagpatay ng ilaw kahit ng buong mundo sa loob ng isang oras ay hindi sapat para solusyonan ito. Baka nga mas marami pang carbon gas na-emit para sa promotion ng Earth Hour kaysa sa natipid dahil dito. <br /><br />Pero hindi naman talaga isang tahasang solusyon na ang Earth Hour kundi mas awareness campaign at political statement ng lahat ng taong nais sagipin ang ating planeta. Para itong march rally o pagpipiket o paglalagay ng ribbon sa damit upang magbigay ng statement na nakikiisa ang mga tao sa isang layunin o isang panawagan. Ang panawagan ng Earth Hour ay ang paghanap ng solusyon sa global warming pangunahin na nga ang pag-reduce sa carbon emission sa buong mundo na sanhi ng masyadong mabilis na pag-init ng daigdig. Kahit si <a href="http://newsbusters.org/blogs/jeff-poor/2009/03/26/edward-norton-compares-symbolic-global-warming-event-selmas-bloody-sunday">Edward Norton</a> ay nagsabi na isa lang itong symbolic na pakikisangkot. <br /><br />Napaka-salimuot ng suliranin ng global warming at ang kalutasan ay masalimuot din. Ang usapin ay hindi lang environmental kundi political at economic. Ito ay dahil kakabit ng problema ay ang usapin ng pangunahing energy o fuel source ng buong mundo - oil, na siyempre, kakabit ng usapin ng kita ng mga korporasyon na may hawak sa source na ito. Siyempre, idagdag mo pa yung mga kumpanya na kumikita dahil sa produktong komukonsumo ng oil bilang fuel.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKbd_MesFUxMrWX2iar16Uv3Ux7P2TK8BEkkIVCQpg3R_bu_unrlP8HOGwGwwWyxY8XvP5BImbheTQFluCdEnCH86gNrXAFr0RjQ0jEGJOFVEIy7Wqmy-hH0ZhqL9CDGVZAAu4f1Jkx7I/s1600-h/furtado-earth-hour.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 248px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKbd_MesFUxMrWX2iar16Uv3Ux7P2TK8BEkkIVCQpg3R_bu_unrlP8HOGwGwwWyxY8XvP5BImbheTQFluCdEnCH86gNrXAFr0RjQ0jEGJOFVEIy7Wqmy-hH0ZhqL9CDGVZAAu4f1Jkx7I/s400/furtado-earth-hour.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319956584860116306" /></a><br />Ang siste, matagal nng nag-iingay ang mga siyentista at nga environmentalists tungkol sa global warming ngunit ngayon lang ito sineseryoso. Dahil yun sa hindi ito pinapansin ng mga higanteng korporasyon dahil sa masasagasaan ang kanilang economic interest. Tulad ng kaso ng <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Who_Killed_the_Electric_Car%3F">electric car</a> na pagkatapos ang paglabas ay ni-recall ng General Motors para lamang sirain dahil sa babangga ito sa interes ng oil indutries. Kadalasan kasi pinipiglan ng mga kapitalista ang teknolohiya kapag ito ay threat sa kanilang interes. Mas gusto nila na kontrolin muna ang teknolihiya upang siguraduhin na kikita sila mula dito. At habang kumikita pa sila sa luma ngunit paso o nakakasama nang teknolohiya, ito ang kanilang proprotektahan. Ngayon, nangunguna na ang mga energy corporations tulad ng Chevron sa paghahanap ng bagong energy source para kontrolin kung anumang bagong fuel source ang papalit sa oil. <br /><br />Pera-pera pa rin ang usapan para sa mga kapitalista. Ang totoo niyan, sa ngayon, nasa kamay ng mga kapitalista ang hinaharap ng buong mundo dahil sa sila ang magpapasiya kung anong alternative fuel ang papalit sa oil at kung kelan ito papalitan. Hindi pa natin dinaragdag na sila rin ang may kaperahan para maghanap at magdevelop ng alternative fuel at iba pang pamamaraan para solusyonan ang global warming. <br /><br />Ngunit, sa totoo lang, hindi ko makita na mareresolba natin ang suliranin ng global warming sa kamay ng mga kapitalista. Ang ibig kung sabihin, sa tingin ko, habang kapitalismo ang sistemang pang-ekonomiya sa nuong daigdig lalala lamang ang ating mga problema kasama na diyan ang global warming. Ito ay dahil katangian na mismo ng kapitalismo ang magkaroon ng anarchic na produksyon dahil hindi interes ang nagtutulak sa mg produkto kundi kita. Mahihiharapan ang mga kapitalsitang i-reconcile ang interes ng mundo sa interes ng kanilang bank accounts. <br /><br />Isang planadong ekonomiya at paggamit ng teknolohiya at puspusang kagustuhan na maresolba ang mga isyu tulad ng global warming ang kailangan ng buong mundo ngayon. Kung saan ang interes ng mamamayan sa mundo ang nangunguna. At hindi ko nakikita yun sa isang kapitalistang sistema. <br /><br />Kung anuman, kahanga-hanga pa rin iyong pakikisangkot ng mga Pilipino sa Earth Hour. Pinapatunayan lang nito kung gaano kahanda ang mga Pilipino upang humakbang para sa kalutasan ng mga suliranin gaano ito kalalaki.Louie Santoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13439262481246435992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991300056472048024.post-30340900707723652262009-03-29T22:15:00.000-07:002009-03-30T00:19:23.063-07:00Remember the Hello Garci Scandal<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgBavF_k2d7x7TT8BqcFNVgNtyQ0pPEgx9fHyeYSIvDAWWm8aXxzTzETkYTDhAUV_w_6kT4hlraasNIlkYWRgY4kHiooZYqpL5a7CC9Ax-_e_JT9NdGKEzDLcdasF-rws_4DIdp453gP4/s1600-h/132176013_4d3c3e15f0.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 182px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgBavF_k2d7x7TT8BqcFNVgNtyQ0pPEgx9fHyeYSIvDAWWm8aXxzTzETkYTDhAUV_w_6kT4hlraasNIlkYWRgY4kHiooZYqpL5a7CC9Ax-_e_JT9NdGKEzDLcdasF-rws_4DIdp453gP4/s400/132176013_4d3c3e15f0.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318845748857909810" /></a><br />Ang pagsulpot ng Hello Garci Tapes ay nagsimula ng bagyo ng protesta laban kay Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Dahil sa kapit-tuko at tusong pamamaraan, nananatili pa rin si GMA sa puwesto. Ngunit, walang nakakalimot sa Hello Garci Scandal. Sa darating na automated election sa 2010, maaaring maulit muli ang ganun kagarapal na pandaraya. Ngayon nga lang, hindi na kailangan ang pagtawag sa isang Commissioner dahil mas mabilis na ang pandaraya.Louie Santoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13439262481246435992noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991300056472048024.post-19978367778762935992009-03-29T21:18:00.000-07:002009-03-30T00:19:55.647-07:00Poll Automation may equal to Fraud Automation.<span style="font-style:italic;">Here is CENPEG's Analysis on the COMELEC Poll Automation plan. It highlights the dangers that may come with the automation of election come 2010. Poll automation does not necessary mean cleaner, more honest election. We are in the Philippines, where politicians has master degrees in electoral fraud. For all we know, poll automation may only mean faster and more effective way of securing electoral positions for Trapos. Poll Automation may turn out to be Fraud automation.</span><br /><br /><br />ISSUE ANALYSIS No. 05<br />Series of 2009 <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Comelec’s poll automation will make fraud more dangerous<br /></span><br />OMR creates the danger of placing the fate of the elections in the hands of a profit-oriented multinational company – the winning bidder – and on the Comelec which remains ill-prepared to run an election technology let alone in checking fraud.<br /><br />By the Policy Study, Publication, and Advocacy (PSPA)<br />Center for People Empowerment in Governance (CenPEG)<br />March 25, 2009<br /><br />When at most 70 percent of some 50 million voters go to the polls on May 10, 2010, they won’t be able to track how their votes are counted or canvassed. Winners in the national and local elections led by a new president will be declared two or three days after – and the whole nation will be at a loss in knowing whether the election results are real. Protests may probably be hard to file not only because of a lack of paper trail but also for lack of time.<br /><br />The trouble with the Precinct Count Optical Sensor (PCOS) adopted by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for use in the 2010 elections is that it does not guarantee an open, transparent, and credible automated system. Under the PCOS, the voter shades a ballot which s/he then drops inside a ballot box. Because voters are unfamiliar with the new technology voting will be slow and is extended to 6 p.m. after which all ballot boxes are brought to the precinct counting center – about 80,000 of them all over the country. Here, the ballots are fed into the optical mark reader (OMR) for counting and an election return (ER) is generated. The ERs are then electronically transmitted via the OMR simultaneously to the municipal, provincial, and national canvassing centers and, voila, the winners are proclaimed. <br /><br />Engrossed with implementing RA 9369 which mandates the automation of elections, the Comelec appears to have glossed over the fact that Filipino voters have been looking for open, transparent, and credible elections. Making the counting and canvassing of election results fast may be a positive move which the poll body claims to be addressing. But unless elections are credible – which previous polls have been bereft of due to widespread fraud – then more and more voters will shy away from the polls.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Machine vulnerability</span><br /><br />Poll automation feeds the wrong impression to the public that elections will be clean and credible. Because it is a machine, it is powerless against any fraud that takes place before, during, and after the elections. And, because it is just a machine, it is vulnerable to human intervention such as software attack, glitches, and other technical problems that could result in wholesale electronic cheating. (See www.cenpeg.org for papers and powerpoints on election automation.) The high stakes in the 2010 elections, including choosing a new president, administration attempts to make sure that the next president is friendly to Gloria M. Arroyo, as well as the 17,000 national and local seats up for grabs by some 90,000 candidates will make fraud machineries sabotage the whole electoral process using both the traditional and modern technology.<br /><br />If pilot tests determine what technology makes for credible elections, then the conduct and results of the August 2008 Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) should make the OMR machine not suited for the coming polls. In that automated election, at least 23 common errors and other deficiencies were recorded in relation to the use of OMR and the Digital Recording Electronic (DRE). Based on the tests, the Comelec Advisory Council (CAC) in its October 2008 report found the poll body technically ill-equipped to meet the complexities of an automated election system (AES). Meanwhile, ARMM poll watchers conceded that open cheating was rampant in many precincts thus effectively influencing the outcome of the elections. Incidentally, multinationals Smartmatic and Avante whose technologies were tested in the ARMM polls are again making a bid for the P11.3 billion election automation equipment to be used in the May 2010 polls.<br /><br />Given the expected operations of fraud machineries in the coming elections, one way by which the present Comelec can at least minimize cheating is to make poll automation open, transparent, credible, and participatory. It does not make sense that the poll body has chosen the OMR which makes counting and canvassing of votes invisible to the eye with Comelec perhaps hoping that the poll officials, machines, vendors, software developers, electronic transmission systems, and other technical services can be trusted. <br /><br />The technology’s lack of transparent procedures and mechanisms make OMR vulnerable to fraud. Some Comelec commissioners admit that their schedule is tight thus making it inevitable that any delay in any of its calendared activities could damage the whole process. What this implies is that all the technological, human requirements and safeguards for the automated elections may not be in place on the eve of election. Serious technical and political implications are not remote.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />Lacks transparency</span><br /><br />The Comelec itself lacks transparency. Its hardline predisposition to adopt the OMR has prevented other groups not only from adequately presenting their critique of this technology but also from proposing other technologies which they believe is suitable to Philippine conditions while being compliant with RA 9369. According to sources, Comelec Chair Jose Melo has overruled the Open Election System (OES) being endorsed or supported by a former Comelec head, IT specialists, academic experts, and some political parties simply because it is not legally compliant with RA 9369 as far as full automation is concerned. <br /><br />Had any of the commissioners and advisers given the OES proponents more time, then they would have found that, compared to the PCOS, this technology is more compliant with the AES law. OES uses manual voting and open counting at the precinct level and uses tested computer technology developed by Filipino software programmers for the encoding, transmission, canvassing, and consolidation of election returns. Its added advantage is the use of a public website where election data is constantly updated and posted for public tracking and monitoring; where figures can be verified against ERs not only by voters but also poll watchers, candidates, and political parties.<br />Aside from being cheaper and “cost effective” (P4 billion versus the PCOS’s P11.3 billion), it conforms to RA 9369 which promotes the use of “the most suitable technology of demonstrated capacity” as well as “transparency, credibility, fairness, and accuracy of elections.” <br /><br />OMR creates the danger of placing the fate of the elections in the hands of a profit-oriented multinational company – the winning bidder – and on the Comelec which remains ill-prepared to run an election technology let alone in checking fraud. It even makes poll watching harder if not futile. Voters want to see the next polls entirely different from previous rigged elections – one that is people-participator y and where they can decide on the outcome. The open and transparent features of the OES at least make it equal to the voters’ democratic expectations.<br /><br /><br />Reference:<br /><br />Bobby Tuazon<br />Director, Policy Study, Publication and Advocacy (PSPA)<br />Center for People Empowerment in Governance (CenPEG)<br />TelFax +63-2 9299526; mobile phone: 0915-6418055<br />E-mail: issueanalysis2009@ cenpeg.org, cenpeg.info@gmail.com <br />http://www.cenpeg. orgLouie Santoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13439262481246435992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991300056472048024.post-68516272158853354162009-03-29T20:37:00.000-07:002009-03-29T20:43:45.192-07:00Thai 'spider-man' rescues autistic boy<span style="font-style:italic;">Natuwa lang ako. hahaha. I am a fan of spiderman and of true stories of heroism kaya reading this news just made me smile. </span> <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Thai 'spider-man' rescues autistic boy</span><br /><br />BANGKOK (AFP) – A Thai fireman turned superhero when he dressed up as comic-book character Spider-Man to coax a frightened eight-year-old from a balcony, police said Tuesday.<br /><br />Teachers at a special needs school in Bangkok alerted authorities on Monday when an autistic pupil, scared of attending his first day at school, sat out on the third-floor ledge and refused to come inside, a police sergeant told AFP.<br /><br />Despite teachers' efforts to beckon the boy inside, he refused to budge until his mother mentioned her son's love of superheroes, prompting fireman Sonchai Yoosabai to take a novel approach to the problem.<br /><br />The rescuer dashed back to his fire station and made a quick change into a Spider-Man costume before returning to the boy, he said.<br /><br />"I told him Spider-Man is here to rescue you, no monsters are going to attack you and I told him to walk slowly towards me as running could be dangerous," Somchai told local television.<br /><br />The young boy immediately stood up and walked into his rescuer's arms, police said.<br /><br />Somchai said he keeps the Spider-Man costume and an outfit of Japanese television character Ultraman at the station in order to liven up school fire drills.Louie Santoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13439262481246435992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991300056472048024.post-71363877684994805082009-03-28T08:08:00.000-07:002009-03-28T09:01:53.250-07:00Obama, Where is the change?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaQ6e_5Un9_9Ku5TMk8rhcwnYx1Zr9YJj_WsNXjAnQswFenLgBd2YwXLnLqKrI4QIJfwlB2RBqSmVNZo2WbPn6JA1sDg0kfb8PsU03kXIbT-h5e2BBZUK2W5Mld29_tcodZICLmYdAIy4/s1600-h/Globama.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 390px; height: 307px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaQ6e_5Un9_9Ku5TMk8rhcwnYx1Zr9YJj_WsNXjAnQswFenLgBd2YwXLnLqKrI4QIJfwlB2RBqSmVNZo2WbPn6JA1sDg0kfb8PsU03kXIbT-h5e2BBZUK2W5Mld29_tcodZICLmYdAIy4/s400/Globama.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318256200682447906" /></a><br /><br />One may be forgiven to think or hope that change would come with Barrack Obama being elected as the first Black American president of the USA even for our nation which is affected directly by its foreign policy. His campaign did centered on change and hope. However, it seems Obama has no plans of deviating from the old approach of American foreign policy. <br /><br />Alejandro Licaucho has written an analysis on the the news that <a href="http://www.tribune.net.ph/commentary/20090323com5.html">Obama directed the World Bank to extend a $3 billion</a> to the RP Government. This is despite Obamas denunciation of corruption in high places. This is came after Obama's call to GMA a couple of weeks ago and, of course, the subsequent Nicole "recantation".<br /><br />It is not a far stretched to conclude that the Obama-lead US Government has no plans in abandoning its imperialist interest in the Philippines. The US is out to protect its interest through the VFA and thus continue to maintain military presence in the Philippines.<br /><br />Critics have said that Barrack Obama, inheriting gargantuan problems and paving his way to the White House with equally gargantuan expectation would suffer because he is fated to fail to meet those expectations and fail to solve the problems. It seems to me that Obama, only months into his term, has been but a disappointment. Obama has been recently criticized because of sending more troops instead of pulling the troops out from Iraq. And now, it clearly shows that change that Obama promise and that we hoped for our country is nothing but promise.Louie Santoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13439262481246435992noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991300056472048024.post-86444403437885903142009-03-23T05:53:00.000-07:002009-03-26T03:11:52.634-07:00Special Children?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSzRrDfj1w25abro8Qc2-ZzB0lVU_3BA3X-_vYIH4mPFYNBlSNMs00oIApMckJ3foBIwk1yXQA0x6HSlSEeKFYuefCTj4Ia0lt5ohiwQv5AuW0i_pO0RVS-lVXV2kbRIfgHZsijqvvs4g/s1600-h/scan0003.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSzRrDfj1w25abro8Qc2-ZzB0lVU_3BA3X-_vYIH4mPFYNBlSNMs00oIApMckJ3foBIwk1yXQA0x6HSlSEeKFYuefCTj4Ia0lt5ohiwQv5AuW0i_pO0RVS-lVXV2kbRIfgHZsijqvvs4g/s400/scan0003.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316366233224018770" /></a><br />Oo. Ayon sa aming kaibigang instruktor, ang mga "special children" ay hindi lamang mga batang may kapansanang pisikal o sa isipan kundi maaari ring tumukoy sa mga kabataang nangangailangan ng espesyal na atensyon upang matuto dahil sa iba't-ibang kundisyon. <br /><br />Ayon sa aking research sa pamamagitan ng Google, ang special children o kilala din sa terminong "Special Needs Children" <span style="font-style:italic;">ay: Children whose emotional or physical disorders, age, race, membership in a sibling group, a history of abuse, or other factors contribute to a lengthy stay in foster care. Common special needs conditions and diagnoses include: serious medical conditions; emotional and behavioral disorders; history of abuse or neglect; medical or genetic risk due to familial mental illness or parental substance abuse.</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1XMjXe1Amnkka8CuApbkhVQ0a6AZJfiGhfMcAM5wacntDc62-FWtuFwlrFL7ulsErL5GGT4_FT7BOcqa_FfbrkDUU70inNRkcJPPu3ErL1yiKGOnoZynSxJEiGITj7xEWdyftV47E7Ns/s1600-h/phili_3868.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1XMjXe1Amnkka8CuApbkhVQ0a6AZJfiGhfMcAM5wacntDc62-FWtuFwlrFL7ulsErL5GGT4_FT7BOcqa_FfbrkDUU70inNRkcJPPu3ErL1yiKGOnoZynSxJEiGITj7xEWdyftV47E7Ns/s400/phili_3868.jpg" border="0"alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316365998030541362" /></a><br />Ibig sabihin, ang mga "special children” ay mga batang kailangan ng "espesyal na atensyon" kaysa sa karaniwan upang maturuan. Ang kahirapan o di karaniwang pangangailangan ng pagututuro ay maaring dahil sa maraming dahilan o kundisyon. Kaya hindi lang mga may kapansanan ang maaring tawaging "special children" kundi pati iyong mga biktima ng kahirapan, pang-aabuso o iba pang espesyal na sirkumstansiya.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-oFXhSpRHcpf4qO99K9KPx-M52uFBqqP3keEWLYDHJmR136KVbWpA0SSBdBU02WPXS2lqhLw_14d5A85_-0zDFwGmOwF7G7zuG9qTwDFcWhXF5P7wLKuRJlJ90dI7BYp6S6CcemDubt0/s1600-h/DC400040.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-oFXhSpRHcpf4qO99K9KPx-M52uFBqqP3keEWLYDHJmR136KVbWpA0SSBdBU02WPXS2lqhLw_14d5A85_-0zDFwGmOwF7G7zuG9qTwDFcWhXF5P7wLKuRJlJ90dI7BYp6S6CcemDubt0/s400/DC400040.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316365835209578482" /></a><br />Ang definition naman ng Special Education ay maaaring:<br /><br />n.<br /><br />Classroom or private instruction involving techniques, exercises, and subject matter designed for students whose learning needs cannot be met by a standard school curriculum.<br /><br />Maaari nating sabhin na ang malubhang krisis ng ating lipunan ay nagluluwal ng maraming mga "special children". Makikita ito sa pagdami ng mga bata sa lansangan na hindi nabibigyan ng pagkakataon ng makapag-aral o dahil sa gutom ay "pumupurol" ang ulo. <br /><br />Ayon sa aming kaibigang instruktor, kung sa mga first world countries ang majority ng mga special children ay ang may kapansanan sa pag-iisip, sa ating lipunang Pilipino, ang maituturing na primaryang "special children" ay mga bata na anak ng kahirapan.<br /><br />Bukod dito, ang mga special children ay maari ring iyong mga biktima ng mga human rights violations dahil sa militarization at iba pang mga traumatic na experiences.<br /><br />At kung ang krisis ay nangangahulugan ng pagdami ng mga "special children" na kailangan ng espesyal na atensyon, iibg sabihin, kailangan din ng mas maraming mga special educators.<br /><br />Maari ring ugatin na upang maiwasan ang pagdami ng mga "special children" kailangan di ugatin ang pang-ekonomiya, pang-politka at pang-kulturang mga dahilan nito.<br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><br />Photo credits: First and third photos by Louie Santos, second photo lifted from www.stolenchildhood.net.</span>Louie Santoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13439262481246435992noreply@blogger.com0