patlang

Yellow for bananas

2010-10-20T02:29:00.000-07:00

I WILL GIVE Pres. Benigno “PNoy” Aquino III’s First 100 Days speech an excellent ‘A’ – an ‘A’ for acting.

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.

The whole report appeared very conceited and full of ironies.

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’?

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.

“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.

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.

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.

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.

There is no tinge of humility in his speech.

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.

“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.
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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Eliza

2010-10-20T02:28:00.000-07:00

SHE 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.

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.

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.

But she does not realize that yet.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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”?

She would question the government’s true intent in extending the murderous counterinsurgency program “Oplan Bantay Laya.”

She would point out that there is no significant change under this government and the previous one.

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.

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.

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.

Student orgs strongly oppose mandatory ROTC revival

2010-09-08T08:03:00.000-07:00

Various 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.

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.

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.

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.

Heightened military presence and repression

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 .

“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.

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).

“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.

“Do we want another Mark Chua to make us realize that the ROTC should be rightfully abolished?” , Ulpindo added.

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.

“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.

Revival will reverse students’ gains

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”.

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”.

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.

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.

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.

ROTC is not needed to teach patriotism to students

Palatino also disputed the bill’s claim that the AFP-ran program would teach the students how to be patriotic.

“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.

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.

Moreover he said that ROTC will teach the contrary to students citing the AFP’s human right records

“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.

Focus on strengthening NSTP instead

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).

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).

“The youth should appreciate volunteerism and love of country without the unnecessary initiation to fascistic military tradition,” says the youth solon.

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.

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.

“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.

“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.

Youth solon scores P-Noy’s budget cut to higher ed

2010-09-03T08:03:00.001-07:00

Kabataan 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.”

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.

“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.

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.”

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.”

“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.

P1.1B or 28.16% was cut from the maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE) from SCUs.

Seven SCUs’ MOOE were slashed by more than 50% namely:

* Southern Philippines Agri-Business & Marine and Aquatic School (-66.27%)
* Southern Leyte State University (-64.03%
* Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (-57.96%)
* Partido State University (-56.83%)
* Nueva Vizcaya State University (-53.65%)
* University of the Philippines (-51.85%)
* Aurora State College of Technology (-51.84%).

Among the SCUs with the worst budget cuts by percentage are:

* Philippine Normal University (-23.59%)
* Aurora State College of Technology (-22.21%)
* Cerilles State College (-21.95%)
* University of the Philippines (-20.11%)
* University of Southeastern Philippines (-20.03%)

While the SCUs with the worst budget cuts by nominal value are:

* University of the Philippines (-P1.39 billion)
* Philippine Normal University (-P91.35 million)
* Bicol University (-P88.81 million)
* University of Southeastern Philippines (-P44.39 million)
* Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (-P31.65 million).

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.

“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.”

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.

“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. ###

Gloria, bye-bye! Hello, Noynoy!

2010-06-16T07:26:00.000-07:00

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.

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.

Here is a great article on Noynoy Aquino.

First day of school, first post since forever

2010-06-14T21:52:00.000-07:00

It 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.

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:

Primary and secondary

* Out-of-school youth (6-15 y/o) – 8 M
* Enrollment for Prep, Elementary and HS – 23 M
* % enrolled in public schools – 86

Shortages and deteriorating quality

* Classroom size – 1:85 up to 100
* Ideal classroom size – 1:25
* Classroom shortage – 71,325
* Teacher shortage – 49,699
* Armchair shortage – 4M
* Textbook shortage – 34.7M

* % of schools w/o science labs – 22
* w/o ventilation – 20
* w/o lighting – 27
* w/o electricity – 55
* w/o ceiling – 25

Budget

* Gov’t budget for 2010-2011 – P159 B
* Gov’t budget per day per school age Filipino – P6.85

* % of educ budget of GDP
* 2001 – 3.3
* 2008 – 2.19
* UN recommendation – 6

* Est expenses per child per year in public school – P25,000

* Add’l budget needed to cover shortages – P91.54 billion

Drop outs

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.

College

* Enrollment – 2.7 M
* Public Institutions – 1,494
* State colleges and universities – 522

Tuition hikes

* Schools to increase tuition 2010 – 382
* Schools increased tuition 2009 – 258
* % of average increase – 8.71%
* Natl average tuition rate per unit 2010 – P501.22
* Natl average tuition rate per unit 2001 – P257.41
* NCR average tuition rate per unit 2010 – P980.54
* NCR average tuition rate per unit 2001 – P439.59
* Average 20 units plus other fees – P25-40,000
* Revenue of country’s top 5 school earners for the past 6 yrs – P15.43 billion
* University of the Philippines (UP) tuition per unit – P1,000
* No. of newly approved UP lab fees for SY 2010 – 36
* Amount of newly approved UP lab fees – P500-1,500

Sources:
Education in crisis: A challenge to Noynoy, Kabataan Partylist
Education 2010 briefer discussion guide, NUSP
Alliance of concerned Teachers

This is lifted from Vencer Crisostomo's new blog.Please visit his site. Also, this is a good read on the Philippine education crisis.

Bigyan natin sila ng Tsinelas

2009-10-20T05:54:00.000-07:00

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.

We are still conducting relief missions. Please donate to TULONG KABATAAN. Contact me at 09151166791.

STOP CON ASS

2009-07-01T17:49:00.000-07:00

SIGN THE ONLINE PETITION @ WWW.KABATAANPARTYLIST.COM

Kabataan Kontra-Con Ass

2009-07-01T17:37:00.000-07:00

We 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

We oppose the convening of a constituent assembly and Arroyo’s charter change on the following grounds:

* 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;
* 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;
* 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;
* Charter change will aggravate the colonial, corrupt and commercial characteristics of Philippine culture, education and mass media; and
* Charter change can allow further foreign intervention and exploitation by allowing one-sided treaties detrimental to national development and progress.

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.

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.

LIST OF CONGRESSMEN WHO APPROVED THE CON ASS

2009-06-09T14:31:00.000-07:00

I RECEIVED AN EMAIL CONTAINING THE NAMES OF THE CONGRESSMEN WHO VOTED FOR CON-ASS.
FYI. List of CONGRESSMEN WHO APPROVED THE CON ASS. REMEMBER THEIR NAMES AND DO NOT VOTE FOR THEM IN THE NET ELECTIONS.

> CONGRESSMEN WHO APPROVED THE CON ASS
>
> ABANTE, BIENVENIDO M. "BENNY" 6TH District Pandacan
> ABLAN, ROQUE R. JR, Ilocos Norte, 1st District
> AGBAYANI, VICTOR AGUEDO E.. Pangasinan, 2nd District
> AGYAO, MANUEL, S Kalinga Province
> ALBANO (III), RODOLFO T. Isabela, 1st District
> ALFELOR, FELIX R. JR. 4th District, Camarines Sur
> ALMARIO, THELMA Z. Davao Oriental, 2nd District
> ALVAREZ, ANTONIO C. Palawan 1st District
> ALVAREZ, GENARO RAFAEL M. JR. Negros Occidental, 6th District
> AMANTE, EDELMIRO A. Agusan Del Norte, 2nd District
> AMATONG, ROMMEL C. Compostela Valley, 2nd District
> ANGPING, MARIA ZENAIDA B. Manila, 3rd District
> ANTONINO, RODOLFO W. Nueva Ecija, 4th District
> APOSTOL, TRINIDAD G. Leyte, 2nd District
> AQUINO, JOSE S. (II) 1st District Agusan del Norte
> ARAGO, MARIA EVITA R. 3rd district, Laguna
> ARBISON, A MUNIR M. Sulu 2nd District
> ARENAS, MA. RACHEL J. Pangasinan, 3rd District
> ARROYO, DIOSDADO M. Camarines Sur, 1st District
> ARROYO, IGNACIO T. 5th district Negros Occidental
> ARROYO, JUAN MIGUEL M. 2nd District of Pampanga
> BAGATSING, AMADO S. Manila 5th district
> BALINDONG, PANGALIAN M. Lanao del Sur, 2nd District
> BARZAGA, ELPIDIO F. JR. Cavite, 2nd District
> BAUTISTA, FRANKLIN P. Davao Del Sur, 2nd District
> BELMONTE, VICENTE F. JR. Lanao del Norte, 1st District
> BICHARA, AL FRANCIS C. Albay, 2nd District
> BIRON, FERJENEL G. Iloilo, 4th District
> BONDOC, ANNA YORK P. Pampanga 4th District
> BONOAN-DAVID, MA. THERESA B. Manila, 4th District
> BRAVO, NARCISO R. JR. Masbate, 1st District
> BRIONES, NICANOR M.. AGAP Party list
> BUHAIN, EILEEN ERMITA Batangas, 1st District
> BULUT, ELIAS C. JR. Apayao Lone District
> CAGAS (IV), MARC DOUGLAS C. Davao Del Sur, 1st District
> CAJAYON, MARY MITZI L. Caloocan, 2nd District
> CAJES, ROBERTO C. Bohol, 2nd District
> CARI, CARMEN L. Leyte, 5th District
> CASTRO, FREDENIL H. Capiz, 2nd District
> CELESTE, ARTHUR F. Pangasinan, 1st District
> CERILLES, ANTONIO H. Zamboanga Del Sur, 2nd District
> CHATTO, EDGARDO M. Bohol, 1st District
> CHONG, GLENN A. Biliran, Lone District
> CHUNG-LAO, SOLOMON R. Ifugao, Lone District
> CLARETE, MARINA C. Misamis Occidental, 1st District
> CODILLA, EUFROCINO M. SR. Leyte, 4th District
> COJUANCO, MARK O. Pangasinan, 5th District
> COQUILA, TEODULO M. Eastern Samar, Lone District
> CRISOLOGO, VINCENT P. Quezon City, 1st District
> CUA, JUNIE E. Quirino, Lone District
> CUENCO, ANTONIO V. Cebu City, 2nd District
> DANGWA, SAMUEL M. Benguet, Lone District
> DATUMANONG, SIMEON A. Maguindanao, Lone District
> Dayanghirang, Nelson L. Davao Oriental, 1st District
> DAZA, NANETTE C. Quezon City, 4th District
> DAZA, PAUL R. Northern Samar, 1st District
> DE GUZMAN, DEL R. Marikina City, 2nd District
> DEFENSOR, ARTHUR D. SR. Iloilo, 3rd District
> DEFENSOR, MATIAS V. JR. Quezon City, 3rd District
> DEL MAR, RAUL V. Cebu City, 1st District
> DIASNES, CARLO OLIVER D. (MD) Batanes, Lone District
> DIMAPORO, ABDULLAH D. Lanao Del Norte, 2nd District
> DOMOGAN, MAURICIO G. Baguio, Lone District
> DUAVIT, MICHAEL JOHN R. Rizal, 1st District
> DUENAS, HENRY M. JR. Taguig, 2nd District (2nd Councilor District)
> DUMARPA, FAYSAH MRP. Lanao del Sur, 1st District
> DUMPIT, THOMAS L. JR. La Union, 2nd District
> DURANO (IV), RAMON H. 5th District, Cebu
> ECLEO, GLENDA B. Dinagat Islands, Lone District
> EMANO, YEVGENY VICENTE B. Misamis Oriental, 2nd District
> ENVERGA, WILFRIDO MARK M. Quezon, 1st District
> ESTRELLA, CONRADO M. (III) Pangasinan, 6th District
> ESTRELLA, ROBERT RAYMUND M. ABONO Party List
> FERRER, JEFFREY P. Negros Occidental, 4th District
> GARAY, FLORENCIO C. Surigao Del Sur, 2nd District
> GARCIA, ALBERT S. Bataan, 2nd District.
> GARCIA, PABLO JOHN F. Cebu, 3rd District
> GARCIA, PABLO P. Cebu, 2nd District
> GARCIA, VINCENT J. Davao City, 2nd District
> GARIN, JANETTE L. Iloilo, 1st District
> GATCHALIAN, REXLON T. Valenzuela City, 1st District
> GATLABAYAN, ANGELITO C. Antipolo City, 2nd District
> GO, ARNULFO F. Sultan Kudarat, 2nd District
> GONZALES, AURELIO D. JR. Pampanga 3rd District
> GONZALES, RAUL T. JR. Ilo ilo City
> GULLAS, EDUARDO R. Cebu, 1st District
> GUNIGUNDO, MAGTANGGOL T. Valenzuela City 2nd District
> HOFER, DULCE ANN K. Zamboanga Sibugay, 2nd District
> JAAFAR, NUR G. Tawi-Tawi, Lone District
> JALA, ADAM RELSON L. Bohol, 3rd District
> JALOSJOS, CESAR G. Zamboanga del Norte, 3rd District
> JALOSJOS-CARREON, CECILIA G. Zamboanga del Norte, 1st District
> JIKIRI, YUSOP H. Sulu, 1st District
> KHO, ANTONIO T. Masbate, 2nd District
> LABADLABAD, ROSENDO S. Zamboanga del Norte, 2nd District
> LACSON, JOSE CARLOS V. Negros Occidental, 3rd District
> LAGDAMEO, ANTONIO F. JR. Davao del Norte, 2nd District
> LAPUS, JECI A. Tarlac, 3rd District
> LAZATIN, CARMELO F. Pampanga, 1st District
> LIM, RENO G. Albay, 3rd District
> LOPEZ, JAIME C. Manila, 2nd District
> MADRONA, ELEANORA JESUS F. Romblon, Lone District
> MAGSAYSAY, MARIA MILAGROS H. Zambales, 1st District
> MALAPITAN, OSCAR G. Caloocan, 1st District
> MAMBA, MANUEL N. Cagayan, 3rd District
> MANGUDADATU, DATU PAKUNG S. Sultan Kudarat,
> MARANON, ALFREDO D. III Negros Occidental, 2nd District
> MATUGAS, FRANCISCO T. Surigao del Norte, 1st District
> MENDOZA, MARK LEANDRO L. Batangas, 4th District
> MERCADO, ROGER G. Southern Leyte, Lone District
> MIRAFLORES, FLORENCIO T. Aklan, Lone District
> NAVA, JOAQUIN CARLOS RAHMAN A. (MD) Guimaras, Lone District
> NICOLAS, REYLINA G. Bulacan, 4th District
> NOGRALES, PROSPERO C. Davao City, 1st District
> OLAÃ±O, ARREL R. Davao Del Norte, 1st District
> ONG, EMIL L. Northern Samar, 2nd District
> ORTEGA, VICTOR FRANCISCO C. La Union, 1st District
> PABLO, ERNESTO C. APEC Party List
> PANCHO, PEDRO M. Bulacan, 2nd District
> PANCRUDO, CANDIDO P. JR. Bukidnon, 1st District
> PICHAY, PHILIP A. Surigao Del Sur, 1st District
> PIÃ±OL, BERNARDO F. JR. North Cotabato, 2nd District
> PUNO, ROBERTO V. Antipolo City, 1st District
> RAMIRO, HERMINIA M. Misamis Occidental, 2nd District
> REMULLA, JESUS CRISPIN C. Cavite, 3rd District
> REYES, CARMELITA O. Marinduque, Lone District
> REYES, VICTORIA H. Batangas, 3rd District
> ROBES, ARTURO G. San Jose Del Monte City, Lone District
> Rodriguez-Zaldarria ga, Adelina Rizal, 2nd District
> ROMAN, HERMINIA B. Bataan, 1st District
> ROMARATE, GUILLERMO A. JR. Surigao del Norte, 2nd District
> ROMUALDEZ, FERDINAND MARTIN G. Leyte, 1st District
> ROMUALDO, PEDRO Camiguin, Lone District
> ROMULO, ROMAN T. Pasig City, Lone District
> ROXAS, JOSE ANTONIO F. Pasay City
> SALIMBANGON, BENHUR L. Cebu, 4th District
> SALVACION JR., ANDRES D. Leyte, 3rd District
> SAN LUIS, EDGAR S. Laguna, 4th District
> SANDOVAL, ALVIN S. Malabon-Navotas, Lone District
> SANTIAGO, JOSEPH A. Catanduanes, Lone District
> SANTIAGO, NARCISO D. (III) ARC Party List
> SEACHON-LANETE, RIZALINA L. 3rd district of Masbate
> SEARES-LUNA, CECILIA M. Abra, Lone District
> SILVERIO, LORNA C. Bulacan, 3rd District
> SINGSON, ERIC D. Ilocos Sur, 2nd District
> SINGSON, RONALD V. Ilocos Sur, 1st District
> SOLIS, JOSE G. Sorsogon, 2nd District
> SOON-RUIZ, NERISSA CORAZON Cebu, 6th District
> SUAREZ, DANILO E. Quezon, 3rd District
> SUSANO, MARY ANN L. Quezon City, 2nd District
> SY-ALVARADO, MA. VICTORIA R. Bulacan, 1st District
> SYJUCO, JUDY J. 2nd Dsitrict, Iloilo
> TALINO-MENDOZA, EMMYLOU J. North Cotabato, 1st District
> TAN, SHAREE ANN T. Samar, 2nd District
> TEODORO, MARCELINO R. Marikina City, 1st District
> TEODORO, MONICA LOUISSE PRIETO Tarlac, 1st District
> TEVES, PRYDE HENRY A. Negros Oriental, 3rd District
> TUPAS, NEIL C. JR. Iloilo, 5th District
> UNGAB, ISIDRO T. Davao City, 3rd District
> UY, EDWIN C. Isabela, 2nd District
> UY, REYNALDO S. Samar, 1st District
> UY, ROLANDO A. Cagayan De Oro City, Lone District
> VALDEZ, EDGAR L. APEC Party List
> VALENCIA, RODOLFO G. Oriental Mindoro, 1st District
> VARGAS, FLORENCIO L. Cagayan, 2nd District
> VILLAFUERTE, LUIS R. Camarines Sur, 2nd District
> VILLAROSA, MA. AMELITA C. Occidental Mindoro, Lone District
> VIOLAGO, JOSEPH GILBERT F. Nueva Ecija, 2nd District
> YAP, JOSE V.. Tarlac, 2nd District
> YU, VICTOR J. Zamboanga Del Sur, 1st District
> ZAMORA, MANUEL E. 1st District, Compostela Valley
> ZIALCITA, EDUARDO C. ParaÃ±aque, 1st District

Ayaw ko sa buwaya at baboy!

2009-06-04T23:17:00.000-07:00

Ilan sa mga posters ng kabataan partylist sa ilocos region.

Erap for President? Again?

2009-05-19T09:51:00.000-07:00

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.

Section 4 of the Article VII of the Constitution clearly states " 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."

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Kabataan, tayo ang pagbabago!

2009-05-14T02:22:00.000-07:00

Check out the latest website of Kabataan Partylist. It is not quite finished yet (I think) but just keep updated. Hopefully, it will be fully functional soon.

Listen to this

2009-05-13T18:01:00.000-07:00

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 here.

Maligayang Araw ng mga Ina

2009-05-10T10:13:00.000-07:00

Ito 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.

INA

Pumailanglang sa katahimikan
ng gabi ang iyong pagtangis.
muli, ginambala ng iyong kalungkutan
ang aking pagkakahimbing.

Pinuno ng iyong luha ang aking puso
at tuluyang nilunod ang aking isipan,
tinangay ng alon ng iyong damdamin
at itinaboy ng nagpupuyos na
hangin ng iyong poot.

(Kung alam mo lamang na sa tuwing
dumadalaw sa iyo ang bagyo ng dalamhati,
ako'y nasasalanta rin...)

Malaman mo sana na dama ko
ang iyong kalungkutan.
Walang hiwaga ang ating pagkakaugnay.
Hindi ba't noong una'y magkarugtong
ang ating sikmura't katawan?
Utang ko sa iyo ang aking buhay
at ako'y nagmula sa inyo.

Dati-rati, noong ako'y nasa iyo
pang sinapupunan, ay pinagsasaluhan
natin ang pagkain na iyong sinusubo.
Tila ngayon, pagdaan ng maraming taon,
mula nang mapatid ang lubid na laman
na nagdurugtong sa atin, nabigong putdin nun
ang kaugnayan ng ating puso't damdamin.
Ngayon, ‘di na pagkain ang ating pinagsasaluhan
kundi ang dalamhati ng iyong puso't kaluluwa.

Malaman mo sana na ang bawat
patak ng luha na gumuguhit sa iyong pisngi
ay may katapat na sugat sa aking puso.
Kung dati-rati’y ikaw ang pumapawi
sa mga luha sa aking mga mata,
hayaan mong ako naman ang magsabing
“Ina, tahan na, tahan na…”

August 12, 2006

YOUTH FINALLY HAS A SECTORAL REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS

2009-04-23T05:47:00.000-07:00

Finally, the youth sector will have a genuine representative in Congress. As per Supreme Court ruling promulgated last April 21, Kabataan Partylist first nominee Raymond "Mong" Palatino together with 31 other additional partylist representatives will have a seat in the House of Rrepresentatives. The SC decision overturns the First Party Rule also known as the Panganiban Formula in allocating partylist seats.

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.

Image by Isip-bata for Kabataan Party La Union

Right of Reply: Banta sa kalayaan sa pamamahayag

2009-04-22T23:52:00.000-07:00

Isa na namang banta sa kalayaan sa pamamahayag ang nagbabadyang rumagasa sa hanay ng media sa pamamagitan ng Right of Reply Bill. Ayon sa Primer sa Right of Reply Bill ng NUJP ang naturang panukalang batas ay unconstitutional at mangangahulugan ng prior restraint sa mga media.

Tinututulan din ito ng mga mamamahayag pangkampus sa pangunguna ng CEGP sa dahilang palulubhain lamang nito ang nagaganap na represyon sa mga pahayagan ng mga estudyante.

Mga larawan kuha sa piket-protesta ng NUJP at CEGP sa harap ng main gates ng House of representatives.

Vector Design

2009-04-03T07:36:00.001-07:00

Logo na pinagawa ng tatay ni Paola na nasa U.S. para sa kanyang tennis club. Hehe

My First Vector Image

2009-04-02T08:36:00.000-07:00

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.

Earth Hour

2009-03-31T21:12:00.000-07:00

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.

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.

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.

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 Edward Norton ay nagsabi na isa lang itong symbolic na pakikisangkot.

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.

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 electric car 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Remember the Hello Garci Scandal

2009-03-29T22:15:00.000-07:00

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.

Poll Automation may equal to Fraud Automation.

2009-03-29T21:18:00.000-07:00

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.

ISSUE ANALYSIS No. 05
Series of 2009

Comelec’s poll automation will make fraud more dangerous

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.

By the Policy Study, Publication, and Advocacy (PSPA)
Center for People Empowerment in Governance (CenPEG)
March 25, 2009

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.

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.

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.

Machine vulnerability

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.

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.

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.

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.

Lacks transparency

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.

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.
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.”

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.

Reference:

Bobby Tuazon
Director, Policy Study, Publication and Advocacy (PSPA)
Center for People Empowerment in Governance (CenPEG)
TelFax +63-2 9299526; mobile phone: 0915-6418055
E-mail: issueanalysis2009@ cenpeg.org, cenpeg.info@gmail.com
http://www.cenpeg. org

Thai 'spider-man' rescues autistic boy

2009-03-29T20:37:00.000-07:00

Natuwa lang ako. hahaha. I am a fan of spiderman and of true stories of heroism kaya reading this news just made me smile.

Thai 'spider-man' rescues autistic boy

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.

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.

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.

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.

"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.

The young boy immediately stood up and walked into his rescuer's arms, police said.

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.

Obama, Where is the change?

2009-03-28T08:08:00.000-07:00

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.

Alejandro Licaucho has written an analysis on the the news that Obama directed the World Bank to extend a $3 billion 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".

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.

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.

Special Children?

2009-03-23T05:53:00.000-07:00

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.

Ayon sa aking research sa pamamagitan ng Google, ang special children o kilala din sa terminong "Special Needs Children" 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.

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.

Ang definition naman ng Special Education ay maaaring:

n.

Classroom or private instruction involving techniques, exercises, and subject matter designed for students whose learning needs cannot be met by a standard school curriculum.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Photo credits: First and third photos by Louie Santos, second photo lifted from www.stolenchildhood.net.

More for others! Less for ourselves!

2009-03-23T03:26:00.000-07:00

Naimbitahan kami bilang bahagi ng KARATULA sa isang pagtitipon ng isang organisasyon, ang SPEDers Care o Special Educators Care, dalawang araw na ang nakakaraan. Ang imbitasyon ay para magbigay kami ng ilang team-building at reflectionary exercises para sa kanila. Ang aktibidad mismo ay inihanda bilang tribute sa mga Fourth Years na kaka-graduate lang noong March 17, 2009 bilang mga pioneers ng nasabing organisasyon.

Sa katotohanan, noon ko lang talaga naintindihan kung ano ang organisasyon na SPEDers Care. Lubos ang kasiyahan ko ngayon at naikilala ko ang isang organisasyon na katulad ng SPEDer's Care kasabay ng pagkakakilala ko sa mga taong bumuo at kasalukuyang bumubuo doon.

Kahanga-hanga ang organisasyon na SPEDers Care dahil, kaiba sa ibang mga organisasyon ng isang department, ang organisasyon ay may malalim na layunin na tulungan ang seksyon ng lipunan na pinili nilang pagsilbihan na higit pa sa mga pang-ibabaw na pamamaraan lamang. Ang mas kahanga-hanga pa ay ang mga tao na bumubuo o sa organisasyon ito.

Kung susuriin, ang pagpili pa lamang ng kanilang specialization sa pagtuturo ay kahanga-hanga na. Alam na natin na mahirap magturo lalo pa ang magturo sa mga "special children". Sa henerasyon ngayon na mas pinipili ng mga mag-aaral ang kursong Nursing at nangangarap na mag-abroad, hindi palagian para sa akin ang makakilala ng mga mag-aaral na pipiliin ang napakahirap na propesiyon. Marami sa kanila, siyempre, ang may layuning makatulong talaga sa mga "special children" na kadalasan ay napapabayaan o pilit na iniiwasan ng ating lipunan.

Sa lipunan na palagian ang krisis, ang mga "special children" ay kasama sa mga unang tinatamaan, napapabayaan o kinakalimutan. Sa aking opinyon, may isang lebel ng commitment at sense of purpose ang isang estudyante na pipili na maglingkod sa seksyong ito ng ating lipunan. Marami na akong nakilala na mga mag-aaral na ang pangarap ay ang makapag-abroad, mga mag-aaral na motivated ng kulay na green. Ang makakilala sa mga mag-aaral na pumili ng isang propesyon para magsilbi ay isang 'breath of fresh air' para sa akin.

Bukod dito, ang kapansin-pansin din para sa akin ay ang pagiging malapit ng grupo sa isa't-isa. Siyempre, hindi lubos pero, kumpara sa maraming class o department, medyo bukod-tangi na ang kanilang bonding. Tingin ko, malaking dahilan ang pagkakaroon nila ng isang mentor-adviser na mahusay ang ginagawang pagtuturo sa kanila, hindi lang ng mga edukasyon sa kanilang propesyon, kundi ng tunay na pag-unawa sa salitang paglilingkod at pagtutulungan.

Na-realize ko tuloy na malaki talaga ang impluwensiya ng mga teachers o instructors natin at, sa mas malawak, ng mga eskuwelahan natin sa ating development bilang tao. Naalala ko tuloy kung paano ikinuwento sa akin ang pagdidiin ng isang C.I. sa motivation ng Nursing students sa pamamagitan ng pag-dodrowing nito ng dollar sign (euro na ngayon) sa white board. Na-imagine ko na berde ang tanging kulay na nakikita ng C.I. na yun. Nakakatuwang isipin na may mga guro pa rin talagang nagiging mabisang instrumento upang hubugin ang kabataan na maging mapagpahalaga sa kanilang propesyon at pagkatao para sa layunin na tumulong at maglingkod sa sambayanan at baguhin ang lipunan.

Ang pagkakakilala ko sa SPEDers Care at sa mga miyembro nito ay nagbigay sa akin muli ng marami pang dahilan upang magpatuloy sa aking ginagawa. Tunay ngang sa paglubog sa masa makakakuha ng panibagong lakas kung ikaw ay naghihina. Tumanaw lang ako sa kanila at makikita ko na ang dahilan at aking layunin.

Sa motto ng SPEDers Care makikita ang ubod na karakter ng grupo at ng miyembro nito: "More for others! Less for ourselves!" Malinaw na paglilingkod ang nasa puso ng grupong ito kaiba sa diwa ng pagpapaunlad sa sarili at pagkamakasarili na itinuturo ng ibang mga eskuwelahan.

Sa mga graduates ng SPED batch '09, sana maging guro kayo agad, siguradong marami kayong matutulungan! Sa mga naiwan, ipagpatuloy niyo ang pagtataguyod s SPEDer's Care. Ipagpatuloy ang paglilingkod sa sambayanan!

The rape never ended

2009-03-18T07:54:00.000-07:00

I was really surprised or partly shocked when the news came out that "Nicole" did recant her statements saying that she now has doubts whether shes have indeed been raped by LCP Daniel Smith. Partly because it is really hard to believe. Her former lawyer does not believe that it is her own words that is on the affidavit. The judge who originally decided on the case also says that her newest statement draws more questions than answers.

Amidst the haze brought by Nicole's statements is the variety of people's response to the news. Sadly, some say that Nicole has ruined the Filipinos and her recantation doesn't undo the wrong she has already done. Others say their sympathy for her when she was staunchly fighting for justice has now turned into disgust for letting the people believe that she was a victim and now telling them she was not.

For all she have gone through and still going through, it seems to me, that for Nicole the rape never did stop that unfortunate night in the van. She have continuously been victimized not only by Smith who raped her but by the Arroyo government who never did genuinely believed and supported her. They are, of course, more concerned about the government's relationship with the US and the efficacy of the VFA. In fact, the government lead by the DOJ Secretary often criticized her and until now has find ways to discredit her and those who support her.

It is not proper to judge her because of what she did. She did fought but being a victim under the present ruling system in our country is not an easy situation to be in. You will not find favor if you are victim here in our country. It is too easy for victims to succumb to the constant pressures and yes possibly she did succumb.

Possibly in her mind the rape never did end because the government perpetuated it by favoring the US and Smith.

Also, the rape has not ended for us Filipinos who continue to live under the present conditions of our country and under subservience to the US.

The Filipinos like Nicole are a continuing victim.

Iba't-ibang Sagot ng Kabataan sa Krisis

2009-03-17T10:15:00.000-07:00

We were off to pay a High School friend of mine a visit this afternoon when a unexpected thing happened. We were to drop at the Partas sub-station at San Fernando City, La Union before going to my friends house. Para makatipid ng pamasahe naglalakad lang kami, when suddenly, we saw Julius who we first met last national election campaigns for Kabataan Party and in fact he is member of Kabataan Party. We were supposed to only exchange numbers with him but he pulled us upstairs. We did not know what to expect, but knowing him as a young business-minded person, we expected that i got to be somewhat related to one of his endeavors of making money.

We were surprised to find ourselves in a casually nice office of UNO, a networking/pyramiding? company of some sorts. For politeness' sake, we stayed to listen to the lecture - an orientation of their products and how the business works. Possibly you are somewhat aware of how it works - you join them via a contract and an investment of P7,400 and pledged yourself to recruit more of you. In doing so, you make money, they make money, all of the company makes money. According to them as much as P140,000 a month or a week (or was it 240,000?). Of course, you also will have to sell their products, etc.

I would have joined them if not for the P7,400 investment.

What struck me most is almost all of the people who are there for the seminar and those who is conducting the seminar for their target recruits are young college students. The members are really passionate and have a degree of talent and trained skills in convincing those who are there. I believe that most of those who were there have been at least convinced that the business is profitable and their product works.

May parang reheased reply pa yung mga members para supportahan yung lecturer sa harapan. For example:

Lecturer: 240,000 pesos. Malaki o maliit?

Members sa audience: Malaki!

Lecuturer: 7,400 pesos, malaki o maliit?

Members sa audience: Maliit!

Lecturer: 240,000 a week, gusto?

Members: gusto!

Lecturer: 7,4000 pesos kaya?

Members: Kayang kaya!

Lecturer: chehe, chene...

Members: wow!

Lecturer: chene, chene...

Members: huhuu!

hehehe! angsaya!

Sa dami ng mga kabataan doon, naisip ko tuloy kung paano naapektuhan ng krisis ang mga kabataan at paano sila humahanap ng paraan para harapin ang mga kahirapan ng krisis sa Pilipinas.

Palagi kong nakikita yung mga kabataan na aprang walang paki-alam. Palaging nasa computer shops, nagdo-DOTA. Naiinis ako minsan hindi lang dahil hindi ako marunong nung laro nugnit pati rin dahil sa parang wala nga silang paki-alam.

Pero hindi lang puro ganun ang mga kabataan ngayon. Napatunayan ko iyon nung kinaladkad kami ni Julius sa UNO. Marami talagang mga kabataan ang naghahanap ng pagkakakitaan sa pinakamabisang paraan.

Ang nakita ko sa UNO ay kung paano nila mistulagn ginagamit ang pagkakaroon ng mga kabataan ng malawak na network of friends. Kasi parang friendster na business ang dating sa akin nung business mas marami kang friends, mas marami kang puwedeng mainvite, posiblng makumbinsi at mapasali. Mas marami kang maakay, mas dadami kita mo. habang dumadami rin ang nakukumbinsi ng mga recruits mo, kumikita ka pa rin.

Mistulang target talaga ng UNO ang mga kabataan at mina-maximize ang mga katangian ng kabataan na member upang palwakin at palaguin ang kanilang business.

Sa ating bansa ngayon, na mahirap makauha ng diploma, kahit may diploma ka ay mahirap pa ring makahanap ngtrabaho, at kung may trabaho ka na ay kakarampot ang suweldo, ang prospect na kumita ng 15,000 pesos a week or up 240,000 a month kapalit ng 7,400 pesos na puhunan ay mabisang pangumbinsi. Sino ang ayaw sa 240,000?

Ako lang ata.

Sa walang katiyakang buhay sa Pilipinas, para sa mga estudyante, graduates at iba pang kabataan, marami ang nakukumbinsing mag-BUS (MagBenta, MangUtang, MagSanla) upang makabuo ng 7,400 para ipuhunan sa negosyong ito.

Si Julius mismo ng-sanla ng alahs ng nanay upang makabuo ng 7,400 dahil hindi talaga siya napatulog diumano ng prospect ng 240,000 kada week o month na kita.

Ang nakakalungkot lang dito, walang katiyakan din ang kita sa mga networking business na ito. Angtiyak lang dahil ang bawat member ay magbabayad ng 7,400 bago makapasok, tiyak na may kita na ang korposayon mismo at ang may-ari nito.

Saka anong klaseng hanapbuhay ang networking? Hindi ko makita ang isang tao na gagawing negosyo buong buhay niya ang ang networking ng kagaya ng UNO. walang security ang hanap-buhay doon.

Anyways, isa lang naman ang punto ko dito: ang krisis ng lipunan natin ay nagluluwal ng mga wirdong mga paraan para diumano makahon sa kahirapan at maamraming mga kabataan na gustong makahanap ng solusyon sa kahirapan ang napapadpad sa mga ito.

Nicole says she has now doubt of being raped

2009-03-17T09:21:00.000-07:00

I've just watched on TV a very saddening and curious development on the "Nicole" rape case. "Nicole" has terminated the services of her lawyer Atty. Evalyn Ursua yesterday afternoon. She have also signed an affidavit stating that she now has doubts that she indeed have been raped by Lance Corporal Daniel Smith. "Nicole" is now, according to her mother, has left the country for the US.

This is a very saddening development especially for the Junk VFA Movement. The Subic Rape Case is considered as somewhat a banner case to hammer the call for the junking of the VFA. The Subic Rape case along with other case proves for a fact how lopsided, unjust and immoral the agreement is.

Ngunit gumuguhit ng isang malaking question mark ang pinakapanibagong statement ni "Nicole". It seems curious how she just have suddenly changed her mind out of the blue after fighting staunchly for her right and asserting that indeed she has been raped. She have endured the media, the grueling task of testifying and recounting the events in court. And suddenly, she just calls it quits. It really boggles my mind. My mind is right now saying "nabayaran na ito o kaya natakot". Nakakalungkot lang talaga. But it is not that surprising. It is the US after all who's got Daniel Smith's back and it has it s VFA to protect. Pwede nila at gagawin talaga nila ang lahat para maprotektahan sariling interes. And possibly this have been done as an attempt to derail or keep the Junk VFA Movement off-balanced.

Nakakagalit pa itong si Raul Gonzales, ngingisi-ngisi pa habang nagkokomento na noon pa paiba-iba na ng statement si "Nicole". Parang natutuwa pa talaga ito na binawi ni "Nicole" ang dating statement niya. Gonzales never did supported Nicole. In fact the government in general never did supported "Nicole's" case from the very start.

Rape of Philippine Sovereignty

2009-03-15T23:21:00.000-07:00

Below: Senator Kiko Pangilinan during a Junk VFA forum at UP Diliman. Photo lifted from www.senate.gov.ph.

If there is an incident that clearly shows our relationship with the US, one would clearly be the case of Nicole vs. Daniel Smith. An American soldier rapes a Filipina, gets convicted but remains out of the reach of our justice system and we cannot do anything about it. Or, more accurately, our government refuses to do something about it because they are master and we are servant.

This is an actual case of rape, but not only of Nicole but also and even worst, of our national sovereignty. The case of Nicole and the continuous existence of the VFA has the US spitting on our Philippine sovereignty (if we indeed have it in the first place), treating the Philippine Constitution, the highest law of the land, as mere rug at their dirty feet. Photo lifted from www.daylife.com.

Here is a copy of the Junk VFA petition:

Stand for sovereignty. Junk the VFA!

Our country is once again at a crossroads. We are compelled to choose between rightfully asserting national sovereignty or surrendering it once more in the name of so-called "special relations."

The continuing detention of convicted rapist Lance Corporal Daniel Smith at the US embassy in Manila is clear proof of the grossly unequal character of the Visiting Forces Agreement or VFA. And despite the Philippine Supreme Court ruling declaring the Romulo-Kenney Agreement illegal and that Smith should be returned to the custody of Philippine authorities, the Arroyo government has not sought to regain custody of Smith. Instead, the Arroyo government continues to insist that Smith should remain in the US embassy until the highest court finally decides on his appeal. There is also every indication that the US will not surrender Smith to Philippine authorities at all.

The Smith case is only the most recent example of how grossly lopsided the VFA is in favor of the US. The VFA also falls short of the Philippine constitutional requirements for a valid treaty. It was ratified by the Philippine Senate but not by the US Senate and was merely recognized as a treaty by the US State Department.

While the Philippine government enforces the VFA in the country, it is not so in the US. With the recent US Supreme Court ruling in Medellin vs. Texas, treaties entered into by the US are deemed unenforceable in the US unless there is an implementing law or if the treaty is self-executory. The RP-US VFA falls short of these requirements set by the US Supreme Court.

With the unequal standards in the ratification and implementation of the agreement, no less than the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines in his dissenting opinion has called the VFA unconstitutional and a "slur on our sovereignty".

The complementary agreement VFA 2 further underscores the gross inequality and double-standards applied to US and Filipino troops. Filipino soldiers who are accused or convicted of crimes in the US will not have the same privileges that Daniel Smith enjoys today.VFA 2 highlights the utter absence of mutuality and reciprocity in the agreements.

Apart from being unconstitutional on its face, the VFA is also unconstitutional in its application. It allows the entry of an unlimited number of foreign troops for an indefinite period of time sans any basing treaty. Since 2002, US troops have been stationed in the Philippines under various pretexts and engaged in various questionable military operations.

For being patently unequal, unconstitutional and an affront to our national sovereignty, the VFA must be abrogated. The Executive branch, through President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, should exercise the right to terminate the agreement. With the abrogation of the VFA, the Arroyo government will have no other recourse but to impose Philippine laws and regain custody over Daniel Smith.

Our choice is simple and clear. We must choose sovereignty over supposed benefits from the VFA. We must choose national dignity over so-called "special relations" with the United States. The Philippines must conduct its foreign relations based on mutual respect, mutual benefit and non-intervention in each country’s internal affairs.

Junk the VFA now!

SIGNED:

GLOBAMA

2009-03-15T22:43:00.000-07:00

The Obama-Gloria Connection: Parehas sumikat ang mga logo ng mukha nila, parehas sumisigaw ng pagbabago. Ang kaibahan: Iyong isa symbolizes hope, yung isa hopeless. Oust Gloria Icon made by Isip and Obama is hope icon by Shepard Fairy.

Gloria: Hello Obama!

2009-03-15T21:55:00.000-07:00

Nagka-usap nga raw si Gloria Macapagal Arroyo at si Barrack Obama. Ipinagmalaki ng Malacanang ang pagtawag ni Obama kay Gloria sa wakas, pagkatapos ng medyo effort na paghahabol ni Gloria sa presidente ng Amerika. We could only imagine how their conversation went despite the media releases. Marami ang bumatikos sa nangyaring pag-uusap. Sabi ng ilan sa mga anti-VFA politicians and critics ay isang magandang oportunidad sana yun para sa isulong ang pambansang interes ng bansa. Pero ano ang maaasahan natin kay Gloria? Ilan nga raw sa mga pinag-usapan ng dalawa ay ang tungkol sa VFA. Ini-imadyin ko pa rin kung ano ang sinabi nila sa isa't-isa. Iniimadyin ko kung paano nangako si Gloria ng patuloy na pagsuporta sa Amerika at sa VFA at malamang hiniling nito ang pagpapatuloy ng nasabing kasunduan sa kabila ng mga pagtuligsa at clamor na ibasura na ito. Napag-usapan din nila ang tunkol kay Daniel Smith. Ano kaya ang inimungkahi niya para sa convicted rapist ng isang Filipina? Siguro in-assure niya na mananatili si Smith sa custody ng US kahit na malakas na binabatikos ito ng kanyang sariling mamamayan.

Kung susuportahan ni Obama ang pananatili ng VFA at ang kasalukuyang Foreign relation policy ng US sa Pilipinas tiyak ko maraming madidismaya kay Obama.

Para sa kaunting kaalaman natin sa isyu ng VFA, ito ang link mula sa League of Filipino Students click here.

Right to Reply Bill

2009-03-08T19:46:00.000-07:00

I'm reposting this primer on the right to reply bill prepared by CEGP:

Prepared by the College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP)
February 2009

This primer seeks to shed analysis and explain in detail why the College Editors Guild of the Philippines is steadfastly rejecting the Right of Reply Bill.

What is the Right of Reply Bill?

In June 2004, Senate Bill (SB) 1178 was filed by Senator Aquilino Pimentel during the 13th Congress. The said bill, however, passed the third reading but failed to get approved due to lack of time. When Congress resumed sessions in June 2007, Pimentel immediately re-filed his bill and gained Senate approval by June 2008. SB 1178 was then effectively substituted by SB 2150.

On July 29, 2008, the Senate passed SB 2150, otherwise known as: “An Act Granting the Right of Reply and Providing Penalties for Violation Thereof,” on its third reading. It was supported by Senators Ramon Bong Revilla Jr., Francis “Chiz” Escudero, Mar Roxas, Loren Legarda and Pimentel, among others.

Meanwhile, Bacolod City Representative Monico Puentevella filed House Bill (HB) 1001 and Aurora Congressman Juan Edgardo Angara filed HB 162 as counterparts of SB 2150 in the Lower House. These two bills were combined and were substituted by HB 3306. HB 3306 is currently being heard in the Lower House, with Congressmen Bienvenido Abante, Angara and Puentevella as main sponsors.

It is interesting to note that although SB 2150 and HB 3306 were filed in different houses, they bear identical titles and has a hair strand difference.

The Right of Reply Bill would mandate media companies, outfits and entities to provide “equal space or airtime” to anyone who is a subject of critical reports, to reply or react as form of the latter’s freedom of expression, thus, the right to reply. The bill, furthermore, stipulates that this be done within three (3) days of a news item’s publication or airing.

The House measure furthermore seeks to punish the publisher and editor-in-chief of a publication or the owner and station manager of a broadcast outfit if they fail to comply or give “equal treatment” to a complainant’s reply to a specific report.

The Senate approved the passage of the bill by a vote of 21-0. Congress, on the other hand, has delayed the hearing of the bill following strong opposition from media organizations and civil society groups. Supporters of the bill in the House of Representatives, however, are preparing a so-called ‘watered down’ version of the said bill following strong opposition from various media organizations.

Senators Escudero, Legarda and Roxas have also retracted their signatures on the Senate version, while Malacanang has vowed to veto the bill if and when Congress approves it.

This initial triumph of exposing the Right of Reply Bill can only be attributed to the overwhelming unity of campus press, media practitioners and concerned groups over the bill’s threat to press freedom and freedom of expression.

Why reject the Right of Reply Bill?

1. The Bill is unconstitutional. It violates Article III, Section 4 of the 1987 Constitution, “No law shall be passed abridging the freedom of speech, of expression, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and petition the government for redress of grievances,” as well as several principles of criminal law.

National Union of People’s Lawyers (NUPL) secretary general Neri Colmenares cited the overly broad and vague provision in the bill mandating the right of reply of all persons “who are criticized by innuendo, suggestion, or rumor for any lapse in behavior in public or private life” in saying that the elements of a supposed crime are “not clear.” “Who decides what is ‘innuendo, suggestion, rumor or lapse in behavior’?” Colmenares said.

Moreover, once the bill is signed into law, Filipinos will also, directly or indirectly, be denied of their right to information which is the building block of any sound judgment that will lead to actions meant to preserve the rights and welfare of the citizenry.

2. The Bill is repressive. Should the bill pass into law, many journalists and/or media outfits will be hindered from performing their prime tasks as watchdogs of society out of fear of paying sums of pesos as punishment for not printing the reply of a “ridiculed or maligned” person.

The Guild believes the bill, which requires or mandates media outfits to publish or air replies in the same space, be it front page or inside story, encroaches on the right of the editorial board to determine the content of publications according to the relevance of issues.

With this bill, the prerogative of the press to determine what to publish or broadcast is undermined for it compels the media to print or air the reply of the “aggrieved” person who does not even have the burden to prove that he has been affected by a report.

Prof. Danilo Arao of the University of the Philippines College of Mass Communications states, “As it is, the bill has negative repercussions on the workings of the press. Editors, normally referred to as the gatekeepers of information, should be allowed to choose which stories get published, aired or uploaded and which stories are given due prominence based on the time-tested elements of news. Instead of coming up with bills that seek to legislate how the media should function, it would do well for legislators to help strengthen self-regulation in media by creating an environment conducive for the effective practice of the media profession.”

Consequently, Section 3 of the Right of Reply Bill is sure to undermine especially the campus press. Due to lack of resources and its common operations, it is impossible for majority of campus publications to comply “not later than one day” as prescribed by HB 3306 or “not later than three days” according to SB 2150. Never has there been a daily student publication in the entire history of campus press.

Also, advocacy press, which includes student gazettes, would certainly fall victim to this bill due to the nature of their writings. It does not appease at all that the status quo of politics and press freedom in the country has been known to favor politicians and other prominent individuals in legal venues. Suffice to say, under such conditions that press people are working in, the Right of Reply Bill is not democratic at all, it is ultra democracy at the expense of press freedom and freedom of expression.

3. The Bill is pointless. There is no need for the Right of Reply Bill at all. The “aggrieved” person/s that the bill claims to protect has long been valued by the media in its practice of always getting two sides of the story.

While the Guild relents that media’s record is not entirely spotless, it echoes the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) sentiment that “we cannot allow the sins of the few to be an excuse for the wholesale muzzling of a free press and the suppression of free expression. To do so would to allow bad governance to triumph.”

There are, also, inevitable reasons why sometimes only one side is aired or published: the person either refuses interview and/or the person is out-of-reach.

Moreover, as a practice, the media accommodates not just replies but even criticisms and statements through spaces such as the letter to the editor and opinion sections.

Furthermore, if the claim that this bill seeks to mitigate journalist killings in the country is to be believed, there is no reason, still, to discuss the bill at all. In resolving the culture of impunity, what the Philippine press needs is political will, not a mere bill.

What can we do?

1. Publish opposition to the Right of Reply Bill in campus papers, blogs and websites, emails and forum threads, or you may re-post this material. Write letters to the editors and opinion columns.

2. Organize fora and/or small group discussions in campus publication offices and other venues on the Right of Reply Bill. This primer may be reproduced or reprinted.

3. Email or send a letter rejecting the bill to offices of congressmen and senators, especially the bill’s sponsors.

4. Sign the petition against the Right of Reply Bill. (will update link soon).

5. Join protest actions against the Right of Reply Bill.

Gag us NOT! Reject the Right of Reply Bill! Defend Press Freedom! Uphold Campus Press Freedom!

Justice for Rachelle!

2008-09-26T21:45:00.001-07:00

The College Editors Guild of the Philippines, in behalf of its National Office, regional formations and chapters, all member publications and affiliate organizations nationwide and across the globe, expresses its most heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Rachelle Mae Palang (1986-2008).

Rachelle, or Mae-Mae to her closest friends and colleagues, was beloved to the Guild for her bubbly, tongue-in-cheek demeanor. She graced the Guild's gatherings with her easy banter and infectious smile, but was always brisk and business-like in her leadership. She has served as a valuable pillar and driving force in all of the conventions and gatherings she has attended and helped organize. To most Guilders, she was not only a colleague but a precious friend and confidante.

Shock for her untimely demise is evident in her Friendster and Multiply accounts, riddled with comments ranging from disbelief, grief, and even anger – all directed at her, as if to attest that even at the time of her death her friends and colleagues still go to her for conciliation.

Such was Mae-Mae's legacy and brand of leadership. She has always been easy to approach, a rational adviser and generous in her time and efforts.

Mae-Mae was also an outstanding student at the Velez College in Cebu City where she took up and finished her nursing degree. She became editor-in-chief of Vital Signs, the official campus publication. As campus journalist and student leader, she exemplified deep commitment to uphold press freedom, freedom of speech and students' democratic rights and welfare. She is respected by her fellow campus journalists nationwide for her wit, intelligence and sharp grasp of issues.

She was elected as Vice President for the Visayas during CEGP's 67th National Student Press Convention and 33rd Biennial Student Press Congress held in Albay, Bicol in 2005. She served her term for three consecutive years before she finally relinquished her post May of this year. The CEGP will without end be honored and grateful to have had someone as dedicated as Mae-Mae as one of its leading officers.

Mae-Mae worked hard to help re-open closed campus publications, establish student papers in universities who had none, and expose and fight campus press freedom violations as well as other forms of campus repression nationwide. She led, organized and participated in countless poetry readings, cultural nights, Writers' Trips, journalist skills workshops and protest actions and activities. Even after her stint as VP for the Visayas, she proved instrumental in gathering and collating cases of campus press freedom violations in the region for CEGP's quarterly digest.

Mae-Mae had to cut short her attendance in CEGPs' 68th National Student Press Convention and 34th Biennial Student Press Congress in Davao City for her scheduled nursing licensure exams in May 2008. She passed with flying colors and eventually became a registered nurse. Even before she left, she announced to the Guild her desire to pursue an alternative medical career, one that she would devote to the less-privileged. Mae-Mae also took and passed the National Medical Admission Test. She dreamt of becoming a doctor.

It therefore did not come as a surprise to the Guild to learn that upon achieving her nursing license Mae-Mae immediately volunteered for a three-month medical mission to the hinterlands of Negros. Mae-Mae barely finished her volunteer work in Negros when her dreams died with her.

Mae-Mae was killed by elements of the Armed Forces of the Philippines on September 18, 2008 in an alleged encounter with New People's Army rebels. Her face was barely recognizable; she was shot at point-blank range. Her feet and legs were black and bruised, signs of torture evident elsewhere in her beaten body.

Mae-Mae's untimely demise reminds the Guild all too painfully of the same fate that another CEGP alumna suffered under the hands of the AFP.

In April 2002, Benjaline 'Beng' Hernandez, former CEGP Vice-President for Mindanao and a human rights volunteer, was murdered by the military while conducting a fact-finding mission in Cotabato province. Investigations revealed that the AFP, after wounding Beng, raped and shot her at close range. The AFP later on insisted that Beng was an NPA rebel.

Beng, like Mae-Mae, was also only 22 years old when she died.

The CEGP condemns in strongest terms accusations and insinuations by the AFP that Mae-Mae was armed and a combatant. She was in Negros in her capacity as a registered nurse and circumstances surrounding her brutal killing should be independently investigated.

The CEGP, in this regard, welcomes initiatives by the Commission on Human Rights Regional Office to conduct an investigation on Mae-Mae's case.

The CEGP is also reviled at the AFP's gall to celebrate Mae-Mae's death by bestowing incentives and acclaim to her killers. It is an awful and terrible reminder of the state and characteristic of our security forces. They who are supposed to protect civilians are the main enemies of human rights defenders and social workers.

The CEGP also condemns in strongest terms the AFP's malicious attempts to malign the Guild's name through red-tagging and nasty insinuations. It is precisely this kind of twisted mentality that gives license to the military to repress, harass, silence and kill with impunity. Journalists are easily treated and branded as rebels simply because they are exposed to the ills of society.

The CEGP calls on all its member publications and fellow journalist organizations nationwide and abroad to collectively wield their pens and raise their voices to denounce Mae-Mae's killers.

The CEGP regards the likes of Beng and Mae-Mae as heroes of the present generation, young martyrs who have chosen to exchange their lives of comfort for their noble convictions.

Highest tribute to Rachelle Mae Palang!
Justice for Beng and Mae-Mae!

Check Up

2008-09-19T22:43:00.000-07:00

Noong nakaraang Huwebes sinamahan namin si Kuya Ric sa ospital upang magpa-check-up.Hapon na kami nakaalis mula sa aming tinitirhan. Akala ko sasakay kami ng jeep pero kinailangan pala naming sumakay sa tricycle papunta sa ospital dahil hindi makasakay ng jeep si Kuya at hindi siya makalakad ng malayo. Kinailangan ko tuloy na mag-abang tricycle sa labasan upang maihatid sa ospital.

Dumating kami dun mga 2pm. Akala ko saglit lang kami. nakalimutan ko ang totoong kalagayang pangkalusugan natin sa Pinas. Pinaalala lang ng itsura ng OPD ward ang masalimuot na katotohanang ito.

Noon lang ako nakarating doon sa tanang buhay ko. Siksikan ang mga taong nakaupo at naghihintay ng kanilang pagkakataon na matingnan ng mga nurse at doktor.

Inisip ko kung gaano kami katagal na maghihintay. Sakto naman na naisip ko na dalhin ang aking libro sa Special Contracts ni Paras para basahin habang naghihintay. Iniisip ko rin iyong appointment namin sa isang kaibigan ng alas-tres.

May isinagaw na numero iyong tao sa likod ng mikropono. "30-35".

"Kailangan nating kumuha ng numero", sabi ni Kuya Ric. 53 ata iyong nakuha namin. Nalaman ko na medyo matatagalan kami. Okay lang naman.

Minasdan ko iyong mga tao at mga nurse habang abala sila sa mistulang mga pang-araw-araw na ritwal. Iniisip ko habang pinagmamasdan ang pila ng mga nakaupo, "lahat na ng importante sa Pinas kelangang pilahan tulad ng bigas, tulad ng serbisyong medikal".
.
O 'di kaya ang pagpatingin sa doktor ay para na ring pagpila sa lotto, hindi sigurado ngunit nagbibigay ng kakaunting pag-asa ng kaginhawaan.

At katulad ng lahat ng importante at kailangan sa Pilipinas ang serbisyong medikal ay kailangang bayaran. 100 ata iyong kailangang bayaran ni Kuya Ric para makapila, para mabigyan ng pagkakataong matingnan ng doktor. Para ano? Para marinig iyong mga gamot na kailangang bilhin, iyong totoong kalagayan niya, para maalala niya na tinaningan na siya ng kalagayan niya sa katawan at ng kanyang kalagayang pang-ekonomiya.

"Quality service does not come cheap" ayon sa isang kaibigang estudyante habang nagdidiskusyon kami sa sitawasyong pangkalusugan.

Lagi naman ganito iyong excuse ng mga kapitalista. Dahil kailangan nilang protektahan ang kanilang interes. Dahil kumukita sila. Iniisip ko tuloy sa set-up ng mga ospital natinngayon, pinagkakakitaan lang ng mga kapitalista ang mga sakit ng tao. Biruin mo iyon may sakit ka nga nga, pagkakakitaan ka pa.

Naisip ko rin habang nasa ospital na sa kalagayan ng ospital na siksikan, maaaring mas lumala pa ang may sakit kaysa sa gumaling. Ako nga halos hindi na ako huminga dahil itsura ng ospital.

Ang ospital na ito ay isa sa mga pinaka-maunlad na pampublikong ospital sa rehiyon. Kung ganun, ano na itsura nung iba?

Nagtataka tuloy ako kung paano naiisip ng mga student nurse ang umalis pa papunta sa ibang bansa habang sila mismo ang halos araw-arw na nakakasaksi kung gaano karami sa mga kababayan natin ang nangangailangan ng serbisyong medikal.

Nakakabahala, ngunit ang aking pagsama sa check-up ni Kuya Ric ay isang exposure din sa akin sa tunay na kalagayang pangkalusugan ng ating bayan.

Kagaya ng check-up na ginagawa ng mga doktor sa mga pasyenteng nagtitiyagang pumila kailangan na rin sigurong i-check-up ang pangkabuuuang kalagayang pangkalusugan sa Pilipinas.

Poverty: A Death Sentence

2008-09-16T03:38:00.000-07:00

My friends and I have been pooling our efforts to come up with a plan to help our friend, Mariano Gonzalo, or Kuya Ric to us and those who are close to him.

Kuya Ric is suffering from Kidney failure and diabetes. He have been living alone and until last week, when my friends found him, have been living in a ran-down house with no-one to take of him. Kuya Ric was thrown out from the house of his nephew because of some feud between them ensued.

He was for some time confined in the hospital but was also forced to checked out because he couldn't afford the money to stay in the ICU of the ITRMC. According to a friend, it will cost around P15,000.00 a week for a kidney dialysis, save for the expenses for the additional medicines.

A few days ago, a friend of mine accompanied Kuya Ric to the doctor and the doctor have given Kuya Ric only a few weeks to survive. Or according to my friend who accompanied him, he could go anytime.

The irony, i thought, is that kidney diseases are now curable. This is not cancer or AIDS. But the doctor was just truthful. He have probably said the same to dozens of unfortunates several dozens of times over. Based on the economic condition of Kuya Ric, he cannot afford the procedure required to survived his ailments.

Although, his ailment has rendered him weak, ultimately poverty have given him his death sentence.

The irony is (the truth, rather) is that if you rich and you are sick, you have the right to survive longer. The procedures, the doctors and other specialists are there, more than ready and willing to give you an extra day, week, month or even years. But if you are sick and poor, in this country, you are as good as dead.

In fact, some even choose death over prolonging the agony of being poor.

Remember Janeth Ponce who poisoned her three children then committed suicide afterwards.

Basahin ang mga patlang

2008-09-15T23:34:00.000-07:00

Ito ang patlang na nais kong punuin ng aking mga akda noon, ngayon at sa hinaharap. Hindi ko pa alam kung ano ang isusulat talaga rito, kaya sa ngayon, aking inilagay ang ilan sa mga tula at maikling kuwento na aking naisulat. Sana kung sakaling magawi kayo rito sa aking sulok ng patlang, sanamagawa ninyong sulyapan.

Punuin natin ng diwa ang patlang sa isipan.

INA

2008-09-15T23:27:00.000-07:00

Pumailanglang sa katahimikan
ng gabi ang iyong pagtangis.
muli, ginambala ng iyong kalungkutan
ang aking pagkakahimbing.

Pinuno ng iyong luha ang aking puso
at tuluyang nilunod ang aking isipan,
tinangay ng alon ng iyong damdamin
at itinaboy ng nagpupuyos na
hangin ng iyong poot.

(Kung alam mo lamang na sa tuwing
dumadalaw sa iyo ang bagyo ng dalamhati,
ako'y nasasalanta rin...)

Malaman mo sana na dama ko
ang iyong kalungkutan.
Walang hiwaga ang ating pagkakaugnay.
Hindi ba't noong una'y magkarugtong
ang ating sikmura't katawan?
Utang ko sa iyo ang aking buhay
at ako'y nagmula sa inyo.

Dati-rati, noong ako'y nasa iyo
pang sinapupunan, ay pinagsasaluhan
natin ang pagkain na iyong sisubo.

Tila ngayon, pagdaan ng maraming taon,
mula nang mapatid ang lubid na laman
na nagdurugtong sa atin, nabigong putdin nun
ang kaugnayan ng ating puso't damdamin.
Ngayon, ‘di na pagkain ang ating pinagsasaluhan
kundi ang dalamhati ng iyong puso't kaluluwa.

Malaman mo sana na ang bawat
patak ng luha na gumuguhit sa iyong pisngi
ay may katapat na sugat sa aking puso.
Kung dati-rati’y ikaw ang pumapawi
sa mga luha sa aking mga mata,
hayaan mong ako naman ang magsabing
“Ina, tahan na, tahan na…”

August 12, 2006

SA MGA MARTIR AT BAYANI NG BAYAN

2008-09-15T07:45:00.000-07:00

“Ang iyong mapupugtong hininga
ay ang siyang magbibigay buhay sa ating bayan
at siyang matamis na alaala na maiiwan sa iyong kapatid”.

- Andres Bonifacio

Rumagasa ang dugo sa iyong mga ugat,
umalab ang puso mong naghihimagsik,
inalay mo sa masa ang bawat salita na namutawi
sa iyong mga labi – tanging sigaw ay paglaya.

Inalay mo ang bawat patak ng pawis at dugong
nagmumula sa iyong katawan sa tuwinang
sinusuong mo ang landas ng kalayaan
ang landas na di kailanman magiging payapa

Sapagkat bagyo ang iyong sinuong, ang bagyo
ng pasismo, ang sigwa ng dahas,
Hinaharap mo ang delubyo ng pananakot
at panlilinlang na winawasiwas ng gubyernong
lango sa kapangyarihan at lulong sa karangyaan.

Batid mong dahas ang sukli sa pagsigaw ng katarungan,
dahas ang katapat sa paghingi ng pagkain sa tiyan,
hampas at dagok, konting bali ng braso at putok sa ulo
ang kapalit paggigiit ng karapatan sa edukasyon

Batuta at truncheon ng pulis ang sagot
sa panawagan sa pagpapataas ng sahod,
watercanon kung hindi naman bala ng armalayt
ang tugon sa paghingi ng lupa para sa mga magsasaka,
at buhay naman ang kabayaran ng kalayaan ng bayan.

Batid mo ito pagkat ika’y mulat at ika’y nagbuwis.
Inalay ang sariling buhay sa dambana ng masang api.
Ikaw na ‘di natakot, ‘di nanahimik, ‘di nag-alinlangang
itaya ang buhay sa gitna ng digma para sambayanan….

Hindi kayo malilimot…

PEPE

2008-09-15T07:44:00.000-07:00

Lungkot at galit ang pumailanglang,
noong gabi ng ika-dalawampu’t walo
ng nobyembre nang ika’y pinaslang.
Anim na putok sa karimla’y umalingawngaw
kakonsyerto ang iyong pahimakas na mga sigaw.

Mga pasista’t berdugo, sila’y dumating,
Mga ahente ng gubyernong sa kapangyariha’y lasing.
Nilayon nilang isakatuparan ang madilim na hangarin,
Magsaboy ng takot at ika’y patahimikin!

Kanilang nilayon at sa wari nila, sila ay nagtagumpay
Ikaw ay pinatahimik, binawian ng buhay.
Binaon nila ang mga tingga sa iyong katawan,
Pinaslang dahil sa pagmamahal sa bayan.

Sa wari nila, sila’y nagtagumpay
Nagdiriwang ngayon ang mga berdugong kaaway!
Sila’y nagpipiyesta sa iyong kamatayan
Nalulunod sa kabalintuhanan at baliw na kasiyahan!

Para sa gubyerno, kasalanan nga ba kung ituring
ang mangarap ng isang malayang bukirin?
Kriminal, terorista bang matatatawag
Ang mga kagaya niyang tunay na demokraya ang hangad?

Ilan na bang katulad mo na ang nabubuwal?
Naparusahan dahil sa baya’y nagmahal.
Kasalanan nga ba sa kanilang mga mata
Ang sa masa ay maglingkod at mahangad ng laya?

Hindi! Sila ay hindi nagtagumpay, sila ay nabigo.
At hinding-hindi sila magatatagumpay at patuloy na mabibigo.
Bala man ang umagaw sa iyo sa aming piling
Ang inspirasyon ng iyong buhay, prinsipyo
at diwa ay di kailanman makikitil.

Ang iyong dugo na sa bukid ay pumatak, dumilig at bumaha
Ay magsisilbing sustansya, abono at pataba
Sa matabang lupa ng ating kilusang mapagpalaya!

August 8, 2006

JOSE

2008-09-15T07:41:00.000-07:00

Napatid ang mahabang pakikipagniig sa gabi. Nabiyak ang kadiliman na bumalot sa magdamag. Sumilip ang isang silahis ng araw at unti-unting kumawala mula sa uwang sa madilim pang langit. Sa pagkalat ng liwanag, isa-isang nalalantad ang mga halaman sa parang at nilalang na kinumot ng ginaw. Isa-isang pinupukaw ng pagdampi ng dila ng haring araw.

Sa munting kubo, dumungaw sa bintana ang dilaw na sinag at sumilay ito sa isang batang natutulog na may pitong-taong gulang. Nakalumpasay ang batang ito sa papag na higaan. Dumampi ang munting silahis sa pisngi ng bata, at unti-unting hinagod ng maiinit nitong palad ang kanyang balat. Nagkabuhay ang mga pilik-mata ng bata sa pagtama ng sinag sa kanyang mga mata. Unti-unti niya itong ibunuka upang salubungin ang mainit na pagbati. Sa kanyang bahagyang pagkasilaw itinapat nito ang palad sa mga mata kasabay ang isang ngiti bilang bati sa umagang ganap nang nagsimula.

Iginala ng bata ang kanyang mga mata sa paligid ng kanilang maliit na kubo tila may hinahanap. Ngunit mistulang siya na lamang natitira sa papag na higaan. Siya na naman ang nahuli. Maagang nagigising ang kanyang mga magulang upang maagang masimulan ang mga gawain sa bahay at bukid. Gayun din ang kaniyang mga nakatatandang kapatid. Iginala niya ulit ang kanyang mata at natunton nito ang kanyang lumang mga tsinelas. Isunuot niya ang mga ito sa kanyang mumunting mga paa at saka umupo muli sa papag mistulang wala pa sa kanyang ulirat.

Bigla siyang napatalon mula sa pagkakaupo sa papag at napasigaw, tila ngayon lang nadapuan ng lumilipad na isipan mula sa pananaginip.

“Lagot!” kanyang bulalalas sabay takbo palabas. Naalala niyang nangako siyang maagang magigising upang samahan ang kanyang ama sa bukid para sa pagtatanim ng palay. Kagabi lang ay buo ang kanyang pagmamalaki na kaya na niyang tumulong sa bukid at nangakong sasama siya sa maagang pagtungo ng kanyang ama upang magsaka. Buong giliw din naman itong sinang-ayunan ng kanyang ama.

“Itay, sasama po ako sa inyo sa bukid. Tutal sabado naman po bukas, wala po kaming klase puwede ko po kayong tulungan. Para po mas maaga kayong makauwi at makapunta tayo sa perya mamayang hapon. Sige na po”, ika niya sa sa kanyang ama habang nakatuntong sa silyang kawayan.

“Hahaha!” malulutong ang mga tawa ng kanyang ama.“Jose, sigurado ka ba? Nakakatuwa ka naman. Sige papayag ako basta’t maaga kang magigising bukas.”

“Opo! Sisugraduhin ko pong magigising ako ng maaga!” Sabay yakap sa ama at pagkatapos ay kumaripas ng takbo patungo sa loob ng kanilang kwarto.

“O, ano nang nagyari sa iyo at tumakbo ka diyan?” tanong ng kanyang ama.

“Matutulog na po ako para maaga bukas.” Ang sagot ni Jose sa tanong.

Pero tila nabigo si Jose sa kanyang pangako at heto nga siya at nagmamamadali upang humabol sa amang malamang ay nasa bukid na.

Ngunit sa pagmamamdali ay nabangga niya ang kanyang ina na abala sa pagluluto sa kanilang kusina.

“O, bakit ka kumakaripas na naman, Jose? Magdahan-dahan ka nga, bata ka!” nabiglang bigkas ng kanyang Ina.

“Si, Itay po hahabulin ka sa bukid. Nahuli po ako sa paggising eh…”

“Hay naku. Oo nga pala. Eh, parang angsarap ng tulog mo kanina kaya hindi ka na namin ginising”, ika ng kanyang ina.

“Ganun po ba?” sagot ni Jose sabay kamot sa kanyang ulo.

“Hay, antukin kasi. Wala nang ginawa kundi matulog”, nang-aasar na sambit ng kanyang Ate Juana na abala sa pagluluto. Lumilipad ang mga alipato habang buong lakas nitong pinapaypayan ang kalan. Napansin din niya ang kanyang bunsong kapatid na si Tanya. Limang taon na si Tanya ngunit hanggang ngayon gumagapang pa rin ito dulot ng polyo sa kanyang mga binti. Nagpalitan ng ngiti ang dalawa. Sinulyapan din niya ang kanyang Ate. Ngunit abala pa rin ito sa kanyang ginagawa.

“Hahabol pa rin po ako... gusto ko po talagang makatulong dun sa bukid”, sambit niya sabay karipas ng takbo. Lumipad ang alikabok sa kanyang mga paa. Umalingawngaw ang kanyang paalam sa kanyang ate at ina na ngayo’y tangan-tangan si Tanya.

Patakbong tinahak ng kanyang maliliit na paa ang daan patungo sa kanilang sinasakang bukid. Kabisado niya ito. Maraming beses na niyang tinunton ang makikitid na daang minsa’y maputik tuwing tag-ulan at sa tag-init nama’y maalikabok. Ngayon magkahalong putik at alikabok ang sumalubong sa kanyang maliliit na mga yapak.

Huminto siya saglit sa sangang daan na tumutungo sa bayan at sa kanilang bukid. Natatanaw niya mula rito ang kanilang paaralan. Nagsisimula pa lamang siya sa ika-unang baitang ng elementarya. Isang buwan pa lamang pagkatapos nagsimula ang kanilang klase. Bumalik sa kanyang alaala ang unang araw niya sa paaralang iyon.

“Ano ang gusto niyong maging paglaki ninyo?” tanong ng kanilang guro na may kabataan pa. Marami ang sagot ng klase, may iba-iba minsan ay parereho – enhiyero, abogado, pulis, sundalo, marami ang gustong maging nars, maraming gustong mag-abroad. Pero may pagkakahalintulad ang kanilang mga sagot bagama’t pitong taong gulang lamang silang lahat – lahat sila ay may mga pangarap.

“Jose, ikaw anong gusto mong maging paglaki mo?” tanong sa kanya ni Miss Buena.

“Doktor po” ang kayang mabilis na sagot. “Gusto ko pong makatuklas ng gamot para makatayo na si Tanya at makalakad. Tapos maghahabulan kami”, masaya ang kaniyang sagot.

Ibinaling ni Jose ang kanyang mata sa mas malayo at tinanaw ang perya na pawang tulog pa. Wala ang mga ingay at musika na nagbibigay ng buhay dito. Wala pa ang mga ilaw na nagbibigay ng kakaibang alindog dito.

Sa kanyang isip binuksan niya ang mga ilaw na iyon at umandar unti-unti ang mga makina ng kasiyahan. Nagkatunog ang mga palaro at unti-unti niyang narinig ang mga boses at tawanan ng mg tao sa perya. Gabi na sa kanyang isip at sila ng kanyang ama, ina at mga kapatid ay masayang patungo doon.

Inihinto ni Jose ang kanyang pananaginip at itinuon ang mga mata sa daang tumutungo sa bukid na kanilang sinasaka. Batid niyang nandun na ang kanyang ama.Tinutulak na siya ng kanyang kagustuhang makita ang kanyang ama na ipagpatuloy ang kanyang pagtungo doon. Inihakbang niya ang kanyang kanang binti upang simulan muli ang kanyang matuling takbo patungo roon ngunit napigilan siya ng isang anino tumambad sa kanyang harapan.

“Bata, anak ka ni Dencio, di ba?” tanong ng lalaki nakasuot ng madilim na salamin, umuugong ang kanyang boses. “Namumukhaan kita, ikaw iyong batang laging kasama ni Dencio, di ba?” tanong muli ng lalaki habang hinithit ang sigarilyo at pagkatapos lunurin ang sarili sa usok ay ibinuga ito sa hangin. Napansin niyang hindi nag-iisa ang lalaki. May dalawa itong kasama na pawang naninigarilyo rin at kabababa lang sa isang dyip.

“Opo”, kanyang sagot dito.

“Sabi ko na nga ba eh… ah… nasan ang tatay mo?” habang nakatingin ang lalaki sa kanyang mga kasamahan.

“Nasa bukid po. Pupuntahan ko nga po siya eh” may tunog ng pagmamalaki sa kanyang sagot bakas ang kasihayan na dulot ng naaantalang pagkikita nila ng kanyang ama sa bukirin.

“Ganun ba?” sagot ng lalaki sa kanya halos walang emosyon, nakatitig sa kanya. “Salamat” ang umugong na pahabol nito habang nakatitig sa kanya. Sa kanyang isipan nakatitig sa kanyang mga mata amg lalaking iyon datapwa’t di niya makita ang mga mata nito dahil sa “sunglasses” nitong suot. May bahid ng ngiti sa mga labi ng lalaki habang binigkas ang salitang iyon.

Nanatiling nakatayo si Jose sa gitna ng daan habang tumungo ang lalaki sa kanyang mga kasamahan.

“Nasa bukid daw. Dumiretso na tayo doon”. Sumakay ang mga kalalakihan sa kanilang sasakyan. Ilang saglit pa’y nagkabuhay ang makina ng dyip at nagpalabas ng maitim na usok. Unti-unting umikot ang mga gulong at tinahak ang landas papunta sa bukid na kanilang sinasaka. Mukhang nakapunta na ang mga iyon doon. Kasabay ng pag-ikot ng mga gulong ang pag-inog nang kanyang pagtataka. Napaisip si Jose kung saan at kailan niya nakita ang mga iyon at kung bakit nila hinahanap ang kanyang ama.

Nakita na niya iyon dalawa o tatlong beses sa kanyang alaala. Minsan ito’y pumunta na ang mga ito sa kanilang bahay kasama ang isa pang lalaki na mas magarang manamit kaysa sa mga lalaking iyon. Nagkaroon ng pagtatalo ang kaniyang ama sa mga ito. Doon niya narinig na nagtaas ng boses ang kanyang ama.

“Ano’ng tingin niyo sa mga sarili niyo? Pupunta kayo rito na may di hamak na papel na hawak at sasabihin sa aming hindi na sa amin ang aming bukid na sinasaka? Na di na sa amin ang lupang kinatitirikan ng aming bahay at dapat na kaming lumikas? Aagawin niyo sa bisa ng papel na inyong hawak ang lupaing minanana pa namin sa aming mga ninuno? Ang lupaing inaruga namin ng aming pawis at dugo at aagawin niyo lang gamint ang letra sa inyong papel at inyong salapi?” galit na pahayag ng kanyang ama.

“Mang Dencio, nasa amin po ang katibayan. Dapat pa nga po kayong magpasalamat at maawain po si Mr. Makapagal at nag-offer pa siya ng compensation para sa mga maapektuhang pamilya. Sa kanya nakapangalan po ang land title. Pumayag na po ang ibang pamilya. Kayo na lang po ang hinihintay. Malaki pong project ang naghihintay at marami po itong benepisyo sa bayan ng Santiago.” sagot ng lalaking may magarang kasuotan at may salaming suot.

May saglit na katahimikan na namagitan sa dalawang nagtatalo. Pinutol ito ng pagpapatauloy ng lalaking may magarang kasuotan.

“We only intend the best for your town and all the..”

“Huwag mo akong i-inglesen! Akala mo ba’y makukuha mo ako sa mga matatamis na pananalita mo? Huwag mong akalain na dahil hindi kami nakapagatapos tulad mo ay mauuto mo na kami ng ganu-ganun na lamang! Wala kaming alam sa mga batas niyo at sa mga proyekto ninyo. Isa lang alam namin at iyo ay nabuhay na kami sa lupaing nais niyong agawin at dito na rin kami mamamatay!”

Iyon ang unang pagkakakataon na nakita niya ang lalaking iyon. Ang pangalawa ay noong isinama siya ng kanyang ama sa kabesera. Nagtungo sila korte upang igiit ang kanilang pagmamay-ari sa lupa. Kung saan-saan at kung kani-kanino sila lumapit ngunit walang nangyari. Napansin niyang may lungkot sa mga mata ng kanyang ama pagkagaling nila sa kabesera kahit na pilit na pinagtatakpan ng kanyang ama ito sa pamamagitan ng mga ngiti.

Minsan nakita niya ulit ang lalaking iyon dalawang linggo nang nakalilipas, sila ay nagtungo sa kanilang bahay. Naalala pa niya ang hapon na iyon.

Haggling lang nila ng kuya niya mula sa pagpapastol ng kanilang kalabaw nang nadatnan nilang nakikipagtalo muli ang kanilang tatay sa mga kalalakihan. Nilapitan niya ang kanyang ama ngunit natigilan nang marinig niyang nagtaas muli ng boses ang kanyang ama.

“Hindi kami aalis at hindi niyo kami matatakot! Ang pag-agaw niyo ng lupa sa amin ay pagpatay na rin sa amin. Mas nanaisin pa naming mamatay!” nagpupuyos na sambit ng kanilang ama.

Napansin ng lalaki ang kayang pagdating at bahagya siya nitong tinapunan ng tingin. “Kung iyang ang gusto niyo. Binigyan na po namin kayo ng pagkakataon” sagot ng umuugong na boses ng lalaki bago sila lumisan lulan ng isang sasakyan.

Makulimlim ang hapon na iyon, may nagbabadyang ulan. Kakaiba ang katahimikan na bumalot sa kanyang ama pagkatapos nun.

Nanatiling nakatitig si Jose sa dyip habang ito’y unti-unting nawala sa kanyang paningin patungo sa kanilang sinasakang bukirin. Iniisip pa rin kung bakit hinahanap ng kalalakihan ang kanyang ama.

Naalala niya patungo rin nga pala siya doon. Bumalik sa kanyang imahinasyon ang hinihintay na pagdating ng hapon kung saan tutungo sila sa peryahan ng kanyang ama. Pinungas niya ang mga katanungan as kanyang isip at muling nagsimulang tumakbo.

“Malapit na ako”, sambit niya sa kanyang sarili. “Natatanaw ko na ang aming bukid. Nandoon si itay… at si kuya”.

Sumasabay ang tibok ng kanyang puso sa kanyang bawat hakbang. Bawat hakbang na kanyang binibitawan ay naghahatid sa kanya ng kaligayahan. Napuno ang kanyang isip ng magagandang mangyayari mamayang hapon. Binaha ng mga mukha ng kanyang mga kapatid at ina ang kanyang isipan. Lumitaw sa kanyang isipan ang nakangiting mukha ng kanyang ama. Napangiti siya sa kanyang mga naisip.

Lumitaw rin sa kanyang isip ang perya at narinig muli ang ingay nito. Naisip niya ang mga magagarang ilaw na pumapailanlang at naghahatid magagarang liwanag na sumasanib sa mga tala sa madilim na kalangitan. Tila naririnig niya rin ang mga ito.

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

Naputol ang kanyang mistulang pananaginip nang tumabad sa kanya ang kumakaripas na sasakyan. Tumalon siya sa gilid ng daan upang iwasan ang sasakyang rumaragasa. Lumapag ang kanyang katawan sa mga dawag na tumutubo sa gilid ng daan nagpaikot-ikot siya at humandusay sa mga ito. Sa gilid ng kanyang mata nakita niya ang sasakyang bumubuga ng maitim na usok. Namukhaan niya ang sasakyan at bumalik sa kanyang isipan ang mukha at ang boses ng lalaking kumausap sa kanya kani-kanina lang. Tila naririnig niya ang maugong na boses ng lalaki sa kanyang pagtawa.

Dahan-dahan iniangat ni Jose ang kanyang namamayat na katawan tila gumigising muli sa pangalawang pagkakataon sa umagang iyon. Muli siyang nasilaw ng liwanag. Mataas na ang sikat ng araw.

Nilingon niya ang sasakyan ngunit ang lumilipad na alikabok kasama ng maitim na usok ang kanya lamang natanaw.

“Tulong!” biglang humiwa sa himpapawid ng kayang isipan ang isang sigaw. Nakikilala niya ang boses na ito. Tila nahihirapan at nawawala sa sarili ang boses na iyon. Nagmadali siyang tumakbo papunta sa kanilang bukid. Tila mas malayo ang bukid sa karaniwan. Tuloy-tuloy pa rin ang paghingi ng saklolo ng lalaki.

Nakarating siya roon at nakita kung sino ang humihiyaw – ang kanyang kuya Ronnie, duguan at tumatakbo. Binilisan pa niya ang kanyang takbo upang salubungin ang duguang kapatid.

“Ano’ng nangyari? Bakit ka duguan?” nanginginig ang kanyang boses halos di makapaniwala, natatakot.

“Ang mga iyon…ang mga iyon..” putol-putol ang kanyang mga salita.

Hinintay ni Jose ang mga sumunod na mga salita ng kanyang kuya. “..pinatay nila si Itay!.. Pinatay nila si Itay!..” sigaw ng kayang kuya.

Iginala ni Jose ang kanyang mga mata. Hindi siya makapaniwala. Sa kanyang isipan hinahanap niya ang amang nakatayo, nakangiti sa kanya, hinihintay ang kanyang pagdating. Hinanap ng kanyang mga mata ang ama sa kanyang isipan ngunit hindi niya ito natagpuan bagkus natapunan ng kanyang mga paningin ang isang nakahundusay na bangkay sa gitna ng palayan. Kumaripas siya ng takbo patungo doon, sumasabay ang bawat hakbang niya sa putik sa tibok ng kanyang puso. Halos naririnig niya ang kanyang puso sa pagtibok nito.

Huminto siya sa paanan ng bangkay sa kanyang harapan. Mapula ang tubig at putik na kanyang kinatatayuan marahil dahil sa pagkalat ng tumagas na dugo. Lumuhod siya dahan-dahan, nanginginig. Tumulo ang kanyang luha sa mapulang tubig at putik at sumanib sa mga ito.

Dahan-dahan niyang inilagay ang kanyang kamay sa duguan at maputik na paa ng nakahiga at walang buhay na bangkay ng kanyang ama. Dahan-dahan niya itong hinawakan para bang nanatakot sa isang katotohanang ayaw pa ring paniwalaan. Dinama niya ito, wala nang buhay. Nagpatuloy ang pagragasa ng luha mula sa kanyang mga mata. Nagpakawala siya ng isang sigaw ng pagtangis.

Gumapang siya sa putik patungo sa gawing itaas ng bangkay. Tumambad sa kaya ang mukha ng kanyang ama. Mistula itong naliligo sa pulang likido.

Dahan-dahan niyang idinampi ang kanyang mumuting mga palad sa mukha ng kanyang ama at hinagod upang punasan ang magkahalong putik at dugong bumabalot dito. Minasdan niya ang mukha ng kanyang ama habang tumatangis, hinahanap ang ngiti na dati-rati’y laging nasa mukha nito sa tuwing siya’y nakikita. Hindi na niya ito natagpuan.Walang ngiting bumati sa kanya sa pagtatagpo nilang ito ng kanyang ama.

Nilisan na ng kaligayan ang puso ni Jose, humalili ang labis na kalungkutan.

Narinig niya na patuloy pa rin ang pagtangis ng kapatid habang tumatakbo palayo para humingi ng saklolo.

Napansin ni Jose ang isang bagay may ilang metro ang layo kung saan nakahandusay ang walang buhay na katawan ng kanyang ama. Gumapang siya patungo kung nasaan ito at ito’y sinuri. Di niya mawari kung ano iyon dahil ito’y natatakpan ng putik. Hinawakan niya ito at dinama ang malamig na bagay na ito. Ito’y kanyang inangat, pinahid ang putik upang makita ang buo nitong kaanyuan. Itinaas pa niya ito at itinapat sa araw. Kinailangan ng ilang sandali bago niya natiyak na baril ang kanyang natagpuan.

Tintigan niya iyon sa tapat ng mataas na sikat ng araw habang siya ay nakaluhod, patuloy ang kanyang pagtangis. Ang kalungktan sa kanyang puso ay nagdulot ng malaking puwang sa kanyang puso. Naalala niya ang mukha ng mga lalaking iyon. May namumuo sa kanyang kalooban. Ngayon hindi lang kalungkutan ang nadarama ng kanyang musmos na puso’t isipan. Siya ngayo’y namumuhi.

Mula sa kanyang pagkakaluhod, marahan na tumayo si Jose bitbit ang kanyang bagong sandata. Pinunasan niya ang mga luha sa kanyang mata ng maputik na mga kamay. Huminto siya sa kanyang pagtangis. Marahan siyang lumakad patungo sa walang buhay na katawan ng kanyang ama. Huminto siya at ito ay matamang tinitigan. Tila pinawan na ng emosyon ang kanyang musmos na mga mata.

Sa kanyang mga kamay, tangan-tangan niya ang kanyang poot.