Monday, July 26, 2010

State of the Nation Address by President Benigno S. Aquino III


State of the Nation Address of His Excellency Benigno S. Aquino III, President of the Philippines to the Congress of the Philippines at the Session Hall of the House of Representatives on July 26, 2010
[Batasan Pambansa Complex, Quezon City]

Speaker Feliciano Belmonte; Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile; Vice President Jejomar Binay; Chief Justice Renato Corona; Former Presidents Fidel Valdez Ramos and Joseph Ejercito Estrada; members of the House of Representatives and the Senate; distinguished members of the diplomatic corps; my fellow workers in government;

Mga minamahal kong kababayan:

Sa bawat sandali po ng pamamahala ay nahaharap tayo sa isang sangandaan.

Sa isang banda po ay ang pagpili para sa ikabubuti ng taumbayan. Ang pagtanaw sa interes ng nakakarami; ang pagkapit sa prinsipyo; at ang pagiging tapat sa sinumpaan nating tungkulin bilang lingkod-bayan. Ito po ang tuwid na daan.

Sa kabilang banda ay ang pag-una sa pansariling interes. Ang pagpapaalipin sa pulitikal na konsiderasyon, at pagsasakripisyo ng kapakanan ng taumbayan. Ito po ang baluktot na daan.

Matagal pong naligaw ang pamahalaan sa daang baluktot. Araw-araw po, lalong lumilinaw sa akin ang lawak ng problemang ating namana. Damang-dama ko ang bigat ng aking responsibilidad.

Sa unang tatlong linggo ng aming panunungkulan, marami po kaming natuklasan. Nais ko pong ipahayag sa inyo ang iilan lamang sa mga namana nating suliranin at ang ginagawa naming hakbang para lutasin ang mga ito.

Sulyap lamang po ito; hindi pa ito ang lahat ng problemang haharapin natin. Inilihim at sadyang iniligaw ang sambayanan sa totoong kalagayan ng ating bansa.

Sa unang anim na buwan ng taon, mas malaki ang ginastos ng gobyerno kaysa sa pumasok na kita. Lalong lumaki ang deficit natin, na umakyat na sa 196.7 billion pesos. Sa target na kuleksyon, kinapos tayo ng 23.8 billion pesos; ang tinataya namang gastos, nalagpasan natin ng 45.1 billion pesos.

Ang budget po sa 2010 ay 1.54 trillion pesos.

Nasa isandaang bilyong piso o anim at kalahating porsyento na lang ng kabuuan ang malaya nating magagamit para sa nalalabing anim na buwan ng taong ito.

Halos isang porsyento na lang po ng kabuuang budget ang natitira para sa bawat buwan.

Saan naman po dinala ang pera?

Naglaan ng dalawang bilyong piso na Calamity Fund bilang paghahanda para sa mga kalamidad na hindi pa nangyayari. Napakaliit na nga po ng pondong ito, ngunit kapapasok pa lang natin sa panahon ng baha at bagyo, 1.4 billion pesos o sitenta porsyento na ang nagastos.

Sa kabuuan ng 108 million pesos para sa lalawigan ng Pampanga, 105 million pesos nito ay napunta sa iisang distrito lamang. Samantala, ang lalawigan ng Pangasinan na sinalanta ng Pepeng ay nakatanggap ng limang milyong piso lamang para sa pinsalang idinulot ng bagyong Cosme, na nangyari noong 2008 pa.

Ibinigay po ang pondo ng Pampanga sa buwan ng eleksyon, pitong buwan pagkatapos ng Ondoy at Pepeng. Paano kung bumagyo bukas? Inubos na ang pondo nito para sa bagyong nangyari noong isang taon pa. Pagbabayaran ng kinabukasan ang kasakiman ng nakaraan.

Ganyan din po ang nangyari sa pondo ng MWSS. Kamakailan lamang, pumipila ang mga tao para lang makakuha ng tubig. Sa kabila nito, minabuti pa ng liderato ng MWSS na magbigay ng gantimpala sa sarili kahit hindi pa nababayaran ang pensyon ng mga retiradong empleyado.

Noong 2009, ang buong payroll ng MWSS ay 51.4 million pesos. Pero hindi lang naman po ito ang sahod nila; may mga additional allowances at benefits pa sila na aabot sa 160.1 million pesos. Sa madaling sabi, nakatanggap sila ng 211.5 million pesos noong nakaraang taon. Beinte-kuwatro porsyento lang nito ang normal na sahod, at sitenta’y sais porsyento ang dagdag.

Ang karaniwang manggagawa hanggang 13th month pay plus cash gift lang ang nakukuha. Sa MWSS, aabot sa katumbas ng mahigit sa tatlumpung buwan ang sahod kasama na ang lahat ng mga bonuses at allowances na nakuha nila.

Mas matindi po ang natuklasan natin sa pasahod ng kanilang Board of Trustees. Tingnan po natin ang mga allowances na tinatanggap nila:

Umupo ka lang sa Board of Trustees at Board Committee meeting, katorse mil na. Aabot ng nobenta’y otso mil ito kada buwan. May grocery incentive pa sila na otsenta mil kada taon.

Hindi lang iyon: may mid-year bonus, productivity bonus, anniversary bonus, year-end bonus, at Financial Assistance. May Christmas bonus na, may Additional Christmas Package pa. Kada isa sa mga ito, nobenta’y otso mil.

Sa suma total po, aabot ang lahat ng dalawa’t kalahating milyong piso kada taon sa bawat miyembro ng Board maliban sa pakotse, technical assistance, at pautang. Uulitin ko po. Lahat ng ito ay ibinibigay nila sa kanilang mga sarili habang hindi pa nababayaran ang mga pensyon ng kanilang mga retirees.

Pati po ang La Mesa Watershed ay hindi nila pinatawad. Para magkaroon ng tamang supply ng tubig, kailangang alagaan ang mga watershed. Sa watershed, puno ang kailangan. Pati po iyon na dapat puno ang nakatayo, tinayuan nila ng bahay para sa matataas na opisyal ng MWSS.

Hindi naman sila agad maaalis sa puwesto dahil kabilang sila sa mga Midnight Appointees ni dating Pangulong Arroyo. Iniimbestigahan na natin ang lahat nang ito. Kung mayroon pa silang kahit kaunting hiya na natitira – sana kusa na lang silang magbitiw sa puwesto.

Pag-usapan naman po natin ang pondo para sa imprastruktura. Tumukoy ang DPWH ng dalawandaan apatnapu’t anim na priority safety projects na popondohan ng Motor Vehicle Users Charge. Mangangailangan po ito ng budget na 425 million pesos.

Ang pinondohan po, dalawampu’t walong proyekto lang. Kinalimutan po ang dalawandaan at labing walong proyekto at pinalitan ng pitumpung proyekto na wala naman sa plano. Ang hininging 425 million pesos, naging 480 million pesos pa, lumaki lalo dahil sa mga proyektong sa piling-piling mga benepisyaryo lang napunta.

Mga proyekto po itong walang saysay, hindi pinag-aralan at hindi pinaghandaan, kaya parang kabuteng sumusulpot.

Tapos na po ang panahon para dito. Sa administrasyon po natin, walang kota-kota, walang tongpats, ang pera ng taumbayan ay gagastusin para sa taumbayan lamang.

Meron pa po tayong natuklasan. Limang araw bago matapos ang termino ng nakaraang administrasyon, nagpautos silang maglabas ng 3.5 billion pesos para sa rehabilitasyon ng mga nasalanta nina Ondoy at Pepeng.

Walumpu’t anim na proyekto ang paglalaanan dapat nito na hindi na sana idadaan sa public bidding. Labingsiyam sa mga ito na nagkakahalaga ng 981 million pesos ang muntik nang makalusot. Hindi pa nailalabas ang Special Allotment Release Order ay pirmado na ang mga kontrata.

Buti na lang po ay natuklasan at pinigilan ito ni Secretary Rogelio Singson ng DPWH. Ngayon po ay dadaan na ang kabuuan ng 3.5 billion pesos sa tapat na bidding, at magagamit na ang pondo na ito sa pagbibigay ng lingap sa mga nawalan ng tahanan dahil kina Ondoy at Pepeng.

Pag-usapan naman natin ang nangyari sa NAPOCOR. Noong 2001 hanggang 2004, pinilit ng gobyerno ang NAPOCOR na magbenta ng kuryente nang palugi para hindi tumaas ang presyo. Tila ang dahilan: pinaghahandaan na nila ang eleksyon.

Dahil dito, noong 2004, sumagad ang pagkakabaon sa utang ng NAPOCOR. Napilitan ang pambansang gobyerno na sagutin ang dalawandaang bilyong pisong utang nito.

Ang inakala ng taumbayan na natipid nila sa kuryente ay binabayaran din natin mula sa kaban ng bayan. May gastos na tayo sa kuryente, binabayaran pa natin ang dagdag na pagkakautang ng gobyerno.

Kung naging matino ang pag-utang, sana’y nadagdagan ang ating kasiguruhan sa supply ng kuryente. Pero ang desisyon ay ibinatay sa maling pulitika, at hindi sa pangangailangan ng taumbayan. Ang taumbayan, matapos pinagsakripisyo ay lalo pang pinahirapan.

Ganito rin po ang nangyari sa MRT. Sinubukan na namang bilhin ang ating pagmamahal. Pinilit ang operator na panatilihing mababa ang pamasahe.

Hindi tuloy nagampanan ang garantiyang ibinigay sa operator na mababawi nila ang kanilang puhunan. Dahil dito, inutusan ang Landbank at Development Bank of the Philippines na bilhin ang MRT.

Ang pera ng taumbayan, ipinagpalit sa isang naluluging operasyon.

Dumako naman po tayo sa pondo ng NFA.

Noong 2004: 117,000 metric tons ang pagkukulang ng supply ng Pilipinas. Ang binili nila, 900,000 metric tons. Kahit ulitin mo pa ng mahigit pitong beses ang pagkukulang, sobra pa rin ang binili nila.

Noong 2007: 589,000 metric tons ang pagkukulang ng supply sa Pilipinas. Ang binili nila, 1.827 million metric tons. Kahit ulitin mo pa ng mahigit tatlong beses ang pagkukulang, sobra na naman ang binili nila.

Ang masakit nito, dahil sobra-sobra ang binibili nila taun-taon, nabubulok lang pala sa mga kamalig ang bigas, kagaya ng nangyari noong 2008.

Hindi po ba krimen ito, na hinahayaan nilang mabulok ang bigas, sa kabila ng apat na milyong Pilipinong hindi kumakain ng tatlong beses sa isang araw?

Ang resulta nito, umabot na sa 171.6 billion pesos ang utang ng NFA noong Mayo ng taong ito.

Ang tinapon na ito, halos puwede na sanang pondohan ang mga sumusunod:

Ang budget ng buong Hudikatura, na 12.7 billion pesos sa taong ito.

Ang Conditional Cash Transfers para sa susunod na taon, na nagkakahalaga ng 29.6 billion pesos.

Ang lahat ng classroom na kailangan ng ating bansa, na nagkakahalaga ng 130 billion pesos.

Kasuklam-suklam ang kalakarang ito. Pera na, naging bato pa.

Narinig po ninyo kung paano nilustay ang kaban ng bayan. Ang malinaw po sa ngayon: ang anumang pagbabago ay magmumula sa pagsiguro natin na magwawakas na ang pagiging maluho at pagwawaldas.

Kaya nga po mula ngayon: ititigil na natin ang paglulustay sa salapi ng bayan. Tatanggalin natin ang mga proyektong mali.

Ito po ang punto ng tinatawag nating zero-based approach sa ating budget. Ang naging kalakaran po, taun-taon ay inuulit lamang ang budget na puno ng tagas. Dadagdagan lang nang konti, puwede na.

Sa susunod na buwan ay maghahain tayo ng budget na kumikilala nang tama sa mga problema, at magtutuon din ng pansin sa tamang solusyon.

Ilan lang ito sa mga natuklasan nating problema. Heto naman po ang ilang halimbawa ng mga hakbang na ginagawa natin.

Nandiyan po ang kaso ng isang may-ari ng sanglaan. Bumili siya ng sasakyang tinatayang nasa dalawampu’t anim na milyong piso ang halaga.

Kung kaya mong bumili ng Lamborghini, bakit hindi mo kayang magbayad ng buwis?

Nasampahan na po ito ng kaso. Sa pangunguna nina Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, BIR Commissioner Kim Henares at Customs Commissioner Lito Alvarez, bawat linggo po ay may bago tayong kasong isinasampa kontra sa mga smuggler at sa mga hindi nagbabayad ng tamang buwis.

Natukoy na rin po ang salarin sa mga kaso nina Francisco Baldomero, Jose Daguio at Miguel Belen, tatlo sa anim na insidente ng extralegal killings mula nang umupo tayo.

Singkuwenta porsyento po ng mga insidente ng extralegal killings ang patungo na sa kanilang resolusyon.

Ang natitira pong kalahati ay hindi natin tatantanan ang pag-usig hanggang makamit ang katarungan.

Pananagutin natin ang mga mamamatay-tao. Pananagutin din natin ang mga corrupt sa gobyerno.

Nagsimula nang mabuo ang ating Truth Commission, sa pangunguna ni dating Chief Justice Hilario Davide. Hahanapin natin ang katotohanan sa mga nangyari diumanong katiwalian noong nakaraang siyam na taon.

Sa loob ng linggong ito, pipirmahan ko ang kauna-unahang Executive Order na nagtatalaga sa pagbuo nitong Truth Commission.

Kung ang sagot sa kawalan ng katarungan ay pananagutan, ang sagot naman sa kakulangan natin sa pondo ay mga makabago at malikhaing paraan para tugunan ang mga pagkatagal-tagal nang problema.

Napakarami po ng ating pangangailangan: mula sa edukasyon, imprastruktura, pangkalusugan, pangangailangan ng militar at kapulisan, at marami pang iba. Hindi kakasya ang pondo para mapunan ang lahat ng ito.

Kahit gaano po kalaki ang kakulangan para mapunan ang mga listahan ng ating pangangailangan, ganado pa rin ako dahil marami nang nagpakita ng panibagong interes at kumpyansa sa Pilipinas.

Ito ang magiging solusyon: mga Public-Private Partnerships. Kahit wala pa pong pirmahang nangyayari dito, masasabi kong maganda ang magiging bunga ng maraming usapin ukol dito.

May mga nagpakita na po ng interes, gustong magtayo ng expressway na mula Maynila, tatahak ng Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, hanggang sa dulo ng Cagayan Valley nang hindi gugugol ang estado kahit na po piso.

Sa larangan ng ating Sandatahang Lakas:

Mayroon po tayong 36,000 nautical miles ng baybayin. Ang mayroon lamang tayo: tatlumpu’t dalawang barko. Itong mga barkong ito, panahon pa ni MacArthur.

May nagmungkahi sa atin, ito ang proposisyon: uupahan po nila ang headquarters ng Navy sa Roxas Boulevard at ang Naval Station sa Fort Bonifacio.

Sagot po nila ang paglipat ng Navy Headquarters sa Camp Aguinaldo. Agaran, bibigyan tayo ng isandaang milyong dolyar. At dagdag pa sa lahat nang iyan, magsusubi pa sila sa atin ng kita mula sa mga negosyong itatayo nila sa uupahan nilang lupa.

Sa madali pong sabi: Makukuha natin ang kailangan natin, hindi tatayo gagastos, kikita pa tayo.

Marami na pong nag-alok at nagmungkahi sa atin, mula lokal hanggang dayuhang negosyante, na magpuno ng iba’t ibang pangangailangan.

Mula sa mga public-private partnerships na ito, lalago ang ating ekonomiya, at bawat Pilipino makikinabang. Napakaraming sektor na matutulungan nito.

Maipapatayo na po ang imprastrukturang kailangan natin para palaguin ang turismo.

Sa agrikultura, makapagtatayo na tayo ng mga grains terminals, refrigeration facilities, maayos na road networks at post-harvest facilities.

Kung maisasaayos natin ang ating food supply chain sa tulong ng pribadong sektor, sa halip na mag-angkat tayo ay maari na sana tayong mangarap na mag-supply sa pandaigdigang merkado.

Kung maitatayo ang minumungkahi sa ating railway system, bababa ang presyo ng bilihin. Mas mura, mas mabilis, mas maginhawa, at makakaiwas pa sa kotong cops at mga kumokotong na rebelde ang mga bumibiyahe.

Paalala lang po: una sa ating plataporma ang paglikha ng mga trabaho, at nanggagaling ang trabaho sa paglago ng industriya. Lalago lamang ang industriya kung gagawin nating mas malinis, mas mabilis, at mas maginhawa ang proseso para sa mga gustong magnegosyo.

Pabibilisin natin ang proseso ng mga proyektong sumasailalim sa Build-Operate- Transfer. Sa tulong ng lahat ng sangay ng gobyerno at ng mga mamamayan, pabababain natin sa anim na buwan ang proseso na noon ay inaabot ng taon kung hindi dekada.

May mga hakbang na rin pong sinisimulan ang DTI, sa pamumuno ni Secretary Gregory Domingo:

Ang walang-katapusang pabalik-balik sa proseso ng pagrehistro ng pangalan ng kumpanya, na kada dalaw ay umaabot ng apat hanggang walong oras, ibababa na natin sa labinlimang minuto.

Ang dating listahan ng tatlumpu’t anim na dokumento, ibababa natin sa anim. Ang dating walong pahinang application form, ibababa natin sa isang pahina.

Nananawagan ako sa ating mga LGUs. Habang naghahanap tayo ng paraan para gawing mas mabilis ang pagbubukas ng mga negosyo, pag-aralan din sana nila ang kanilang mga proseso. Kailangan itong gawing mas mabilis, at kailangan itong itugma sa mga sinisumulan nating reporma.

Negosyante, sundalo, rebelde, at karaniwang Pilipino, lahat po makikinabang dito. Basta po hindi dehado ang Pilipino, papasukin po natin lahat iyan. Kailangan na po nating simulan ang pagtutulungan para makamit ito. Huwag nating pahirapan ang isa’t isa.

Parating na po ang panahon na hindi na natin kailangang mamili sa pagitan ng seguridad ng ating mamamayan o sa kinabukasan ng inyong mga anak.

Oras na maipatupad ang public-private partnerships na ito, mapopondohan ang mga serbisyong panlipunan, alinsunod sa ating plataporma.

Magkakapondo na po para maipatupad ang mga plano natin sa edukasyon.

Mapapalawak natin ang basic education cycle mula sa napakaikling sampung taon tungo sa global standard na labindalawang taon.

Madadagdagan natin ang mga classroom. Mapopondohan natin ang service contracting sa ilalim ng GASTPE.

Pati ang conditional cash transfers, na magbabawas ng pabigat sa bulsa ng mga pamilya, madadagdan na rin ng pondo.

Maipapatupad ang plano natin sa PhilHealth.

Una, tutukuyin natin ang tunay na bilang ng mga nangangailangan nito. Sa ngayon, hindi magkakatugma ang datos. Sabi ng PhilHealth sa isang bibig, walumpu’t pitong porsyento na raw ang merong coverage. Sa kabilang bibig naman, singkuwenta’y tres porsyento naman. Ayon naman sa National Statistics Office, tatlumpu’t walong porsyento ang may coverage.

Ngayon pa lang, kumikilos na si Secretary Dinky Soliman at ang DSWD upang ipatupad ang National Household Targetting System, na magtutukoy sa mga pamilyang higit na nagangailangan ng tulong. Tinatayang siyam na bilyon ang kailangan para mabigyan ng PhilHealth ang limang milyong pinakamaralitang pamilyang Pilipino.

Napakaganda po ng hinaharap natin. Kasama na po natin ang pribadong sektor, at kasama na rin natin ang League of Provinces, sa pangunguna nina Governor Alfonso Umali kasama sina Governor L-Ray Villafuerte at Governor Icot Petilla. Handa na pong makipagtulungan para makibahagi sa pagtustos ng mga gastusin. Alam ko rin pong hindi magpapahuli ang League of Cities sa pangunguna ni Mayor Oscar Rodriguez.

Kung ang mga gobyernong lokal ay nakikiramay na sa ating mga adhikain, ang Kongreso namang pinanggalingan ko, siguro naman maasahan ko din.

Nagpakitang- gilas na po ang gabinete sa pagtukoy ng ating mga problema at sa paglulunsad ng mga solusyon sa loob lamang ng tatlong linggo.

Nang bagyo pong Basyang, ang sabi sa atin ng mga may prangkisa sa kuryente, apat na araw na walang kuryente. Dahil sa mabilis na pagkilos ni Secretary Rene Almendras at ng Department of Energy, naibalik ang kuryente sa halos lahat sa loob lamang ng beinte-kwatro oras.

Ito pong sinasabing kakulangan sa tubig sa Metro Manila, kinilusan agad ni Secretary Rogelio Singson at ng DPWH. Hindi na siya naghintay ng utos, kaya nabawasan ang perwisyo.

Nakita na rin natin ang gilas ng mga hinirang nating makatulong sa Gabinete. Makatuwiran naman po sigurong umasa na hindi na sila padadaanin sa butas ng karayom para makumpirma ng Commission on Appointments. Kung mangyayari po ito, marami pa sa mga mahuhusay na Pilipino ang maeengganyong magsilbi sa gobyerno.

Sa lalong madaling panahon po, uupo na tayo sa LEDAC at pag-uusapan ang mga mahahalagang batas na kailangan nating ipasa. Makakaasa kayo na mananatiling bukas ang aking isipan, at ang ating ugnayan ay mananatiling tapat.

Isinusulong po natin ang Fiscal Responsibility Bill, kung saan hindi tayo magpapasa ng batas na mangangailangan ng pondo kung hindi pa natukoy ang panggagalingan nito. May 104.1 billion pesos tayong kailangan para pondohan ang mga batas na naipasa na, ngunit hindi maipatupad.

Kailangan din nating isaayos ang mga insentibong piskal na ibinigay noong nakaraan. Ngayong naghihigpit tayo ng sinturon, kailangang balikan kung alin sa mga ito ang dapat manatili at kung ano ang dapat nang itigil.

Huwag po tayong pumayag na magkaroon ng isa pang NBN-ZTE. Sa lokal man o dayuhan manggagaling ang pondo, dapat dumaan ito sa tamang proseso. Hinihingi ko po ang tulong ninyo upang amiyendahan ang ating Procurement Law.

Ayon po sa Saligang Batas, tungkulin ng estado ang siguruhing walang lamangan sa merkado. Bawal ang monopolya, bawal ang mga cartel na sasakal sa kumpetisyon. Kailangan po natin ng isang Anti-Trust Law na magbibigay-buhay sa mga prinsipyong ito. Ito ang magbibigay ng pagkakataon sa mga Small- at Medium-scale Enterprises na makilahok at tumulong sa paglago ng ating ekonomiya.

Ipasa na po natin ang National Land Use Bill.

Una rin pong naging batas ng Commonwealth ang National Defense Act, na ipinasa noon pang 1935. Kailangan nang palitan ito ng batas na tutugon sa pangangailangan ng pambansang seguridad sa kasalukuyan.

Nakikiusap po akong isulong ang Whistleblower’ s Bill upang patuloy nang iwaksi ang kultura ng takot at pananahimik.

Palalakasin pa lalo ang Witness Protection Program. Alalahanin po natin na noong taong 2009 hanggang 2010, may nahatulan sa 95% ng mga kaso kung saan may witness na sumailalim sa programang ito.

Kailangang repasuhin ang ating mga batas. Nanawagan po akong umpisahan na ang rekodipikasyon ng ating mga batas, upang siguruhing magkakatugma sila at hindi salu-salungat.

Ito pong mga batas na ito ang batayan ng kaayusan, ngunit ang pundasyon ng lahat ng ginagawa natin ay ang prinsipyong wala tayong mararating kung walang kapayapaan at katahimikan.

Dalawa ang hinaharap nating suliranin sa usapin ng kapayapaan: ang situwasyon sa Mindanao, at ang patuloy na pag-aaklas ng CPP-NPA-NDF.

Tungkol sa situwasyon sa Mindanao: Hindi po nagbabago ang ating pananaw. Mararating lamang ang kapayapaan at katahimikan kung mag-uusap ang lahat ng apektado: Moro, Lumad, at Kristiyano. Inatasan na natin si Dean Marvic Leonen na mangasiwa sa ginagawa nating pakikipag-usap sa MILF.

Iiwasan natin ang mga pagkakamaling nangyari sa nakaraang administrasyon, kung saan binulaga na lang ang mga mamamayan ng Mindanao. Hindi tayo puwedeng magbulag-bulagan sa mga dudang may kulay ng pulitika ang proseso, at hindi ang kapakanan ng taumbayan ang tanging interes.

Kinikilala natin ang mga hakbang na ginagawa ng MILF sa pamamagitan ng pagdidisplina sa kanilang hanay. Inaasahan natin na muling magsisimula ang negosasyon pagkatapos ng Ramadan.

Tungkol naman po sa CPP-NPA-NDF: handa na ba kayong maglaan ng kongkretong mungkahi, sa halip na pawang batikos lamang?

Kung kapayapaan din ang hangad ninyo, handa po kami sa malawakang tigil-putukan. Mag-usap tayo.

Mahirap magsimula ang usapan habang mayroon pang amoy ng pulbura sa hangin. Nananawagan ako: huwag po natin hayaang masayang ang napakagandang pagkakataong ito upang magtipon sa ilalim ng iisang adhikain.

Kapayapaan at katahimikan po ang pundasyon ng kaunlaran. Habang nagpapatuloy ang barilan, patuloy din ang pagkakagapos natin sa kahirapan.

Dapat din po nating mabatid: ito ay panahon ng sakripisyo. At ang sakripisyong ito ay magiging puhunan para sa ating kinabukasan. Kaakibat ng ating mga karapatan at kalayaan ay ang tungkulin natin sa kapwa at sa bayan.

Inaasahan ko po ang ating mga kaibigan sa media, lalo na sa radyo at sa print, sa mga nagbablock-time, at sa community newspapers, kayo na po mismo ang magbantay sa inyong hanay.

Mabigyang-buhay sana ang mga batayang prinsipyo ng inyong bokasyon: ang magbigay-linaw sa mahahalagang isyu; ang maging patas at makatotohanan, at ang itaas ang antas ng pampublikong diskurso.

Tungkulin po ng bawat Pilipino na tutukan ang mga pinunong tayo rin naman ang nagluklok sa puwesto. Humakbang mula sa pakikialam tungo sa pakikilahok. Dahil ang nakikialam, walang-hanggan ang reklamo. Ang nakikilahok, nakikibahagi sa solusyon.

Napakatagal na pong namamayani ang pananaw na ang susi sa asenso ay ang intindihin ang sarili kaysa intindihin ang kapwa. Malinaw po sa akin: paano tayo aasenso habang nilalamangan ang kapwa?

Ang hindi nabigyan ng pagkakataong mag-aral, paanong makakakuha ng trabaho? Kung walang trabaho, paanong magiging konsumer? Paanong mag-iimpok sa bangko?

Ngunit kung babaliktarin natin ang pananaw—kung iisipin nating “Dadagdagan ko ang kakayahan ng aking kapwa"—magbubunga po ito, at ang lahat ay magkakaroon ng pagkakataon.

Maganda na po ang nasimulan natin. At mas lalong maganda po ang mararating natin. Ngunit huwag nating kalimutan na mayroong mga nagnanasang hindi tayo magtagumpay. Dahil kapag hindi tayo nagtagumpay, makakabalik na naman sila sa kapangyarihan, at sa pagsasamantala sa taumbayan.

Akin pong paniwala na Diyos at taumbayan ang nagdala sa ating kinalalagyan ngayon. Habang nakatutok tayo sa kapakanan ng ating kapwa, bendisyon at patnubay ay tiyak na maaasahan natin sa Poong Maykapal. At kapag nanalig tayo na ang kasangga natin ay ang Diyos, mayroon ba tayong hindi kakayanin?

Ang mandato nating nakuha sa huling eleksyon ay patunay na umaasa pa rin ang Pilipino sa pagbabago. Iba na talaga ang situwasyon. Puwede na muling mangarap. Tayo nang tumungo sa katuparan ng ating mga pinangarap.

Maraming salamat po.

Saturday, July 3, 2010

Gloria true to shameless form in filing Cha-cha — JV


07/04/2010






Original Story: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100704hed4.html


Former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Arroyo’s bid to revive moves to tinker with the Constitution by filing a bill for Charter change (Cha-cha) was a shameless move, San Juan City Rep. Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito said yesterday.

“It is as if her reign for nine years was not enough. GMA’s shameless move for Charter change only validates her real intention of seeking a House seat,” Ejercito said.

“She is hitting two birds with one stone with that resolution, to try and perpetuate herself in power as prime minister and to avoid prosecution from alleged corruption crimes,” he explained.

Nevertheless, Ejercito said Arroyo’s move did not come as a surprise.

“What can we expect from someone who has been avoiding conviction from corruption for nine years? GMA has shown once again how discontented and hungry for power she is,” the lone district representative added.

Instead of using her position in the House for Cha-cha, Ejercito said Arroyo should divert focus on explaining her involvement in anomalies during her term.

“She cannot hide for long behind Constitutional protection. I challenge her to face bravely her involvement in corruption issues,” he said.

Arroyo’s Cha-cha bill also came under fire from Catholic prelates.

“It is beyond common sense that on the first day of her incumbency she would file a resolution before the House of Representatives for a Charter change,” this was according to Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Emeritus Oscar Cruz.

The prelate, in an article posted on the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) Web site also said, “The only

conclusion that can be logically drawn from this audacity par excellence is that the lady simply cannot let go of power and cannot be either calmed or cooled.”

The staunch critic of Arroyo, however, noted that he was no longer surprised with the move since there were talks before that Arroyo is eyeing the prime minister post once country will have a parliamentary form of government.

“The truth of the matter is that this plan is not actually new and only strange that it would be her first act supported even by a son before the legislature,” he said.

For Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo said the filing of the resolution to amend the constitution is very untimely.

“This is not yet the time to talk about that. There is a need to bolster the trust of the people in the government first before we can talk about Cha-cha,” he said, in an interview over RadioVeritas 846.

On the other hand, constitutionalist Fr. Joaquin Bernas supported Pabillo’s statement saying that any move for charter change should be done in 2011.

“I would say that the earliest should be 2011 because involving getting a constitutional convention would mean another national election and we just had an election recently. It can be very expensive process plus people are still distracted,” he said.

On Thursday, a day after her inauguration as Pampanga Representative (2nd District), Arroyo filed a resolution seeking to amend the constitution by Cha-Cha.

Arroyo also showed her funny side when she filed the Cha-cha bill, Bernas said.

Bernas said it’s “humorous” that Arroyo herself is seeking Cha-cha just a day after she began her first day as Pampanga’s 2nd District Representative.

While he has nothing against amending the Charter, Bernas said Arroyo’s move is “too early” as process for it should not be initiated until next year.

Arroyo and her son, Camarines Sur Rep. Diosdado Arroyo, co-authored House Resolution 8 which calls for Cha-cha through a constitutional convention (Con-con).

“Not for now. Eventually, I think, we will have Charter Change. I hope it’s a Con-Con not earlier than 2011,” said Bernas.

The Jesuit priest, who is also the Dean Emeritus of the Ateneo Law School, is one of the authors of the 1987 Constitution.

According to him, amending the Charter should not be made yet especially since President Benigno Aquino III has just been sworn recently.

Bernas noted that Filipinos are still euphoric over the entry of a new administration after Arroyo’s nine-year term and thus making it impractical to hold another election.

“Getting a Con-con would mean another national election and we just had an election recently. It can be a very expensive process plus people are still distracted,” Bernas said.

“It is still a little early… I doubt very much it will prosper this year. If at all, it might get going again next year. I doubt it will get going this year,” he added.


Original Story: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100704hed4.html

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Congress final count: It’s Aquino-Binay (Proclamation set Wednesday at Batasan)


By Norman Bordadora, Leila B. Salaverria
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 00:25:00 06/09/2010



Filed Under: Inquirer Politics, Eleksyon 2010, Elections, Benigno Aquino III, Jejomar Binay, Mar Roxas


Original Story: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20100609-274628/Congress-final-count-Its-Aquino-Binay


MANILA, Philippines—It’s official. It’s final.

As widely expected, Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III of the Liberal Party won the presidential election by a landslide, results of the final tabulation by Congress show. (See tally)

Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay of PDP-Laban defeated Sen. Manuel Roxas II, ending the cliffhanger in the vice presidential race.

Aquino and Binay are scheduled to be proclaimed Wednesday at the Batasang Pambansa complex in Quezon City.

A 50-year-old bachelor and economics graduate, Aquino will officially become the country’s 15th president on June 30. He will replace President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who ran and won a House seat after a turbulent nine-year rule.

Aquino’s victory reflected the public’s longing to fill a moral vacuum in a country plagued by corruption, poverty and violence. For many voters, it’s been nearly a quarter century of disappointment since his mother President Cory Aquino helped restore democracy in the country in 1986.

Aquino’s father, Sen. Benigno Aquino Jr., was shot to death in 1983 while in military custody on the tarmac of Manila’s airport as he returned from US exile to challenge the dictator Ferdinand Marcos. The killing sparked the massive protests that led to Marcos’ downfall.

With little legislative record to speak of, Aquino has emphasized his clean public image.

His campaign was replete with poignant symbols of the 1986 revolt—yellow ribbons, pro-democracy anthems and raised hands flashing the L-sign for “Laban,” or fight in Tagalog, drawing huge crowds everywhere he barnstormed.

Campaign against corruption

Aquino has said he’ll make prosecuting corrupt officials a priority, in what would be a marked departure from the Arroyo administration, which is widely accused of turning a blind eye to graft to shield her political allies.

Ms Arroyo herself has been linked to massive corruption but has denied any wrongdoing.

“The problems I will be inheriting are still growing to this very day and, perhaps, to the last day,” Aquino told reporters on Monday, adding his incoming administration has to produce results in the first two years to meet the public’s high expectations.
For the Filipinos

The final tally on Tuesday came almost a month after the country’s first automated elections on May 10 and 12 days after the joint congressional committee started canvassing the votes manually for the top two elective posts.

“We have done this ... for the Filipino people,” Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile told a jubilant crowd before he and House Speaker Prospero Nograles banged the gavel to conclude the canvassing.

The committee did not bother to canvass the electronic results that were available on the first day it started the canvassing on May 27.

Lead of 5.7 million votes

With all the 278 certificates of canvass (CoCs) tallied, Aquino received 15,208,678 votes, a lead of more than 5.7 million over his closest rival. Former President Joseph Estrada got 9,487,837 votes.

More than 36.3 million votes for president were counted and about 35.2 million votes for vice president.

Binay was ahead of Roxas by more than 727,000 votes. Binay, running-mate of Estrada, received 14,645,574 votes, while Roxas, running-mate of Aquino, got 13,918,490 votes. (See tally)

Last COC

Binay won overwhelmingly in Lanao del Sur province, the last CoC to be canvassed. He got 144,203 votes, while Roxas garnered only 29,074 votes.

After the committee tabulated the last CoC from Lanao del Sur, Speaker Prospero Nograles said: “With the permission of the Senate, the secretariat of both the Senate and the House are directed to prepare the written report to be submitted for ratification (today) when the joint session reconvenes and resumes session.”

Nograles asked members of the canvassing panel to make themselves available to sign the committee report that will be the basis of the sponsorship speech.

Lapses, failings

Just before he and Nograles wrapped up the proceedings, Enrile said: “We thank you for your forbearance with our lapses, with our failings if we have any failings.”

Deputy Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales II said the committee report and resolution to proclaim the winners would be voted on through “viva voce” in which lawmakers say “aye” or “nay.”

“(Individual members), however, can explain their votes,” Gonzales said.

He said Aquino and Binay had been advised to be in the vicinity of the Batasang Pambansa, where the House of Representatives is located, to wait for their proclamation while the joint session was tackling the committee report and the resolution.

Praise for Congress, Comelec

With their clients’ victories out there for all to see, lawyers of Aquino and Binay provided a happy note to the last day of the canvassing as they showered praise on lawmakers and the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for their roles in choosing the country’s next leaders.

Jose Anselmo Cadiz, who represented Aquino, praised Enrile and Nograles for the “discipline, authority and fairness” they showed as lawmakers canvassed votes.

Cadiz, speaking before the canvassing panels, also expressed his gratitude to the Comelec for the “fair, honest and orderly elections,” and to Smartmatic for its role in providing the technology for the automated polls.

Cadiz also noted that the system was not flawless, but Aquino was nevertheless left satisfied.

Binay’s lawyer Manuel Sanchez also lavished praise on Enrile and Nograles.

Sanchez noted that there were a lot of objections raised during the canvassing, as well as disagreements, conjectures and assumptions.

“But at the end of the day, when everything is said and done there was fair play, reason was allowed to prevail, and due process was observed,” he said.

Contrast

By contrast, the lawyer of Roxas painted a dismal picture of the polls, with several million Filipinos supposedly not having their votes counted.

Ronald Solis said Roxas had instructed his legal team to gather evidence and prepare a study on the filing of an electoral protest, which would be submitted to Roxas for consideration.

Villar

Placing third in the presidential race was Sen. Manuel Villar of the Nacionalista Party. He was followed by former Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro of the ruling Lakas-Kampi-CMD.

Eddie Villanueva of Bangon Pilipinas and Sen. Richard Gordon of the Bagumbayan party placed fifth and sixth, respectively.

They were followed by environmentalist Nicanor Perlas, Sen. Ana Consuelo “Jamby” Madrigal and Olongapo Councilor JC de los Reyes of Ang Kapatiran Party.

Legarda

In the vice presidential contest, Sen. Loren Legarda of the Nacionalista Party placed third, followed by former Metro Manila Development Authority Chair Bayani Fernando of Bagumbayan.

TV host Edu Manzano of Lakas-Kampi-CMD came in fifth and former Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Perfecto Yasay, sixth. They were followed by broadcaster Jay Sonza and Dominador Chipeco of Ang Kapatiran Party.

Even before the canvassing of votes was officially over, political parties from all over Asia had already recognized the impending victories of Aquino and Binay.

Congratulations

In a statement dated June 7, the International Conference of Asian Political Parties congratulated Aquino and Binay and wished for a stronger democracy for the Philippines.

The statement was signed by outgoing Pangasinan Rep. Jose de Venecia Jr., the group’s founding chair, and Chung Eui-yong, the co-chair and secretary general.

Aquino’s historic rise to power has been largely attributed to his family name and strong anticorruption campaign.

His late parents are deeply revered figures for their opposition to the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, who was ousted in a 1986 Edsa People Power Revolution. With a report from Associated Press


Original Story: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20100609-274628/Congress-final-count-Its-Aquino-Binay

Monday, May 31, 2010

Comelec proclaims 28 winning party-list groups


KIMBERLY JANE T. TAN, GMANews.TV





Original Story: http://www.gmanews.tv/story/192285/comelec-proclaims-28-winning-party-list-groups


(Update 6:16 PM) The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Monday proclaimed the 28 winning party-list organizations in the 2010 automated polls.

Comelec chairman Jose Melo, reading an en banc resolution, announced on Monday afternoon that the following party-list organizations will be awarded seats in the 15th House of Representatives:

* Coalition of Association of Senior Citizens in the Philippines — 1,292,182 votes (2 seats)
Nominees:
Godofredo V. Arquiza
David L. Kho
Francisco G. Datol Jr.
Remedios D. Arquiza
Linda G. David
Nelso A. Sin

* Akbayan Citizen's Action Party — 1,058,691 votes (2 seats)
Nominees:
Walden F. Bello
Arlene J. Bag-ao
Tomasita S. Villarin
Ellene A. Sana
Francis Q. Isaac
Ruperto B. Aleroza

* Gabriela Women's Party — 1,001,421 votes (2 seats)
Nominees:
Luzviminda C. Ilagan
Emerenciana A. De Jesus
Sheila A. Ferrer
Nenita L. Cherniguin
Leona M. Entena

* Cooperative Natcco Network Party — 943,529 votes (2 seats)
Nominees:
Jose R. Ping-Ay
Cresente C. Paez
Luis D. Carillo
Divina C. Quemi
Emmanuel L. Solis, Jr.

* ABONO — 766,615 votes (2 seats)
Nominees:
Robert Raymund M. Estrella
Francisco Emmanuel R. Ortega III
Jacky Rowena T. Lomibao
Ronald Allan Q. So
Ponciano V. Oria, Jr.

* Bayan Muna — 746,019 votes (2 seats)
Nominees:
Teodoro A. Casino
Neri J. Colmenares
Joven G. Laura
Carlos Isagani T. Zarate
Leovigildo A. Molon

* An Waray — 711,631 votes (2 seats)
Nominees:
Florencio G. Noel
Neil Benedict A. Montejo
Jude A. Acidre
Victoria Isabel G. Noel
Joi Bernaditt A. De Paz

* Agricultural Sector Alliance of the Philippines, Inc. (AGAP) — 515,501 votes (1 seat)
Nominees:
Nicanor M. Briones
Rico Geron
Albert Roque T. Lim Jr.
Victorino Michael I. Lescano
Benjamin A. Jaro

* Alliance for Barangay Concerns Party (ABC) — 469,093 votes (1 seat)
Nominees:
Arnulfo A. Molero
Gerardo A. Panghulan
James Marty L. Lim
Fredelino O. Tudio
Alfredito E. Forteza

* Anakpawis — 445,628 votes (1 seat)
Nominees:
Rafael V. Mariano
Joel B. Manglunsod
Randall B. Echanis
George F. San Mateo
Verleen H. Trinidad
Gloria G. Arellano
Roy G. Velez
Felix M. Paz
Jaime S. Paglinawan
Edwin B. Batac
Fernando L. Hicap
Franchiquita D. Buhayan



* Kabataan Party-list — 417,923 votes (1 seat)
Nominees:
Raymond V. Palatino
Mark Louie T. Aquino
Kathrina R. Castillo
Renil B. Oliva
Ken Leonard B. Ramos


* Abante Mindanao, Inc. (ABAMIN) — 376,011 votes (1 seat)
Nominees:
Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.
Virginia T. Sering
Sergio C. Pascual
Raynor T. Fulgencio
Irenetta C. Montinola


* Act Teachers — 369,564 votes (1 seat)
Nominees:
Antonio L. Tinio
Francisca L. Castro
Efleda K. Bautista
Jocelyn A. Bisuna
Mae Fe G. Ancheta-Templa
Gregorio T. Fabros


* You Against Corruption and Poverty (YACAP) — 335,635 votes (1 seat)
Nominees:
Carol Jayne B. Lopez
Arnel N. Arbinson
Allen S. Ponsaran Jr.
Kyrie Dea Maia TG Montemayor
Vianney D. Garol


* Ang Kasangga sa Kaunlaran, Inc. (Ang Kasangga) — 296,368 votes (1 seat)
Nominees:
Teodorico T. Haresco
Eugenio Jose V. Lacson
Anna Maria G. Nava
Enrique V. Martin
Segundo M. Gaston


* Bagong Henerasyon (BH) — 292,875 votes (1 seat)
Nominees:
Bernadette R. Herrera-Dy
Edgar Allan D. Dy
Dan Stephen C. Palami
Alexandrea R. Cruz-Herrera
Druscella L. Medici


* Ang Galing Pinoy (AGP) — 269,009 votes (1 seat)
Nominees:
Juan Miguel M. Arroyo
Dennis G. Pineda
Romeo A. Dungca Jr.
Jerold Domonick S. David
Ryan M. Caladiao


* Agbiag! Timpuyog Ilocano, Inc. (AGBIAG) — 262,298 votes (1 seat)
Nominees:
Patricio T. Antonio
Erika Caitlin T. Dy Hansel
Joseph Michael L. Tillmann
Visitacion A. Ordoveza
Jorge A. Sales


* Puwersa ng Bayaning Atleta (PBA) — 238,675 votes (1 seat)
Nominees:
Mark Aeron H. Sambar
Miles Andrew M. Roces
Mark L. Daya
Alberto D. Pacquiao
Ernanie M. Calica


* Arts Business and Science Professionals — 257,301 votes (1 seat)
Nominees:
Catalina G. Leonen-Pizarro
Eugene Michael B. De Vera
Mary. T. Jazul
Catalina O. Lanting
Carlito B. Buentipo


* Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) — 244,623 votes (1 seat)
Nominees:
Raymond Democrito C. Mendoza
Anthony B. Sasin
Ruben D. Torres
Roland C Dela Cruz
Cecilio R. Seno Jr.
Milagros D. Ogalinda



* Alyansa ng mga Grupong Haligi ng Agham at Teknolohiya Para sa Mamayan, Inc. (AGHAM) — 241,898 votes (1 seat)
Nominees:
Angelo Palmones
Anselmo G. Adriano
Florentino O. Tesoro
Ruby Ephraim M. Rubiano
Cleotilde B. Elmedolan



* Democratic Independent Workers Association (DIWA) — 238,675 votes (1 seat)
Nominees:
Emeline Y. Aglipay
Ramon D. Bergado
Pepito M. Pico
Leopoldo A. Blanco Jr.
Federico A. Balang


* Kapatiran ng mga Nakulong na Walang Sala — 234,717 votes (1 seat)
Nominees:
Ranulfo P. Canonigo
Ma. Jesusa A. Sespene
Omar A. Rivera
Carmelito D. Tunguia
Fernando G. Mangungas Jr.


* Kalinga Advocacy for Social Empowermennt and Nation Building Through Easing Poverty, Inc. (Kalinga) — 229,198 votes (1 seat)
Nominees:
Abigail Faye C. Ferriol
Uzziel F. Caponpon
Osinando V. Quillao Jr.
Irene Gay S. Ferriol
Michael M. Cruz


* Alagad Party-list — 227,116 votes (1 seat)
Nominees:
Rodante D. Marcoleta
Diogenes S. Osabel
Ric O. Domingo
Sergio G. Manzana
Rodrigo M. Olarte Sr.
Miguel C. Malvar III
Allan M. Maasir


* 1 Ang Pamilya — 217,032 votes (1 seat)
Nominees:
Reena Concepcion G. Obillo
Protasio C. Asadon Jr.
Alex B. Billedo
Virgilio M. Rosete
David N. Ramos


* Alliance of Volunteer Educators — 214,760 (1 seat)
Nominees:
Eulogio R. Masaysay
Iris Marie D. Montes
Adelaida R. Magsaysay
Nicolas A. Brana Sr.
Alicia M. Diel


Melo has deferred the proclamation of 11 party-list groups which have pending disqualification cases filed against them or their nominees.

Following are those facing petitions for cancellation of registration:

* Ako Bicol Political Party (Ako Bicol)
* Buhay Hayaan Yumabong Party-list (Buhay)
* 1st Consumers Alliance for Rural Energy (1-CARE)
* Citizens' Battle Against Corruption (CIBAC)
* LPG Marketers Association, Inc. (LPGMA)
* Ang Asosasyon Sang Manguguma Nga Bisaya-Ow Mangunguma, Inc. (MBIS-OWA)
* Association of Philippine Electric Cooperatives (APEC)
* Alliance for Nationalism and Democracy (ANAD)


Those facing petitions for disqualification of party-list nominee:

* 1-UTAK
* Advocacy for Teacher Empowerment Through Action Cooperation and Harmony Towards Educational Reforms (A Teacher)
* Butil Farmer Party (BUTIL)



The proclamation was based on 121 certificates of canvass or 29,441,706 votes.

The Party-list System Act (Republic Act 7941) says that those who received at least two percent of the total votes cast for the party-list system shall be entitled to one congressional seat each while those who received more than two percent of the votes shall be entitled to additional seats in proportion to their total number of votes.

However, each party-list organization shall not be awarded more than three seats in Congress.

The Comelec has yet to receive all the votes cast for the party-list system, specifically from areas where failure of elections took place.

Included in these areas are seven municipalities of Lanao del Sur, two municipalities of Basilan, and one municipality of Sarangani — where special polls have been scheduled on June 3.

The 1987 Philippine Constitution provides that 20 percent of the seats in Congress or 57 seats be allotted for the sectoral representatives.

Melo admitted, however, that there are many things that must be "revisited" about the party-list system.

He said he hopes the new party-list representatives will tackle these during their term. - RJAB Jr., GMANews.TV


Original Story: http://www.gmanews.tv/story/192285/comelec-proclaims-28-winning-party-list-groups

Sunday, May 23, 2010

Aquino rejects uncle’s bid to legalize ‘jueteng’


By Gil C. Cabacungan Jr.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 02:23:00 05/24/2010



Filed Under: Benigno Aquino III, Casinos & Gambling, Graft & Corruption, Crime


Original Story: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20100524-271729/Aquino-rejects-uncles-bid-to-legalize-jueteng


MANILA, Philippines—Presumptive president-elect Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III has thumbed down a proposal by his uncle to legalize “jueteng,” a numbers racket that brings in millions of pesos in cash to operators and their protectors.

“Jueteng is against the law and we will enforce the law,” Aquino told reporters.

In a radio interview, former Tarlac Rep. Jose “Peping” Cojuangco said he was all for the legalization of jueteng because his poor constituents had been complaining about the lack of a pastime unlike more affluent individuals who have cockfighting and horse racing.

Cojuangco was accused of being a big-time jueteng lord after his sister, the late President Corazon Aquino, took power in 1986.

He has denied the charges along with allegations that he and his relatives belonged to “Kamag-anak Inc.,” which benefited from corrupt deals during the Aquino years.

Cojuangco noted that no formal charges had been filed in court against him or his kin.

Instead of legalizing jueteng, Aquino said he would allocate government resources to provide job opportunities in provinces where jueteng was popular.

He said he implemented various livelihood programs in Tarlac, his home province.

“Each barangay was given quotas for the livelihood projects that it ran for five days and this meant little time for drinking or gambling,” Aquino said.

“Instead of punitive (actions against jueteng), we should provide other amusement as a long-lasting solution,” he added.

While jueteng is on the list of vices that he wants to eradicate, Aquino is seeking to prioritize the campaign against other crimes.

“We can go after jueteng but we will divert resources that could have been used to go after drugs, kidnapping and other crimes. I think the drug problem is serious. I also want to give justice to the victims of private armies,” he said.

He reckoned that gambling was a vice that forces people to sacrifice their money meant to pay electric bills and other needs of their families, leading to low productivity.


Original Story: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20100524-271729/Aquino-rejects-uncles-bid-to-legalize-jueteng

Saturday, May 22, 2010

DFA submits poll returns from OFW voters


JERRIE M. ABELLA, GMANews.TV





Original Story: http://www.gmanews.tv/story/191553/dfa-submits-poll-returns-from-ofw-voters


Save for four Embassies, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) submitted Thursday the certificates of canvass (COC) and election returns (ER) for over 150,000 Filipinos worldwide who cast their ballots for the overseas absentee voting (OAV).

In a release posted on its Web site, the DFA-OAV Secretariat said tallies from 89 foreign service posts for 153,300 Filipinos who participated in the OAV have been turned over to the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

“The tallies from the four remaining Embassies which are being verified will not have an effect on the outcome of the elections," the release added.

The number of votes tallied represents only 26 percent of the 589,830 registered Filipinos overseas.

While this is higher than the 16 percent or 81,732 overseas Filipinos who cast their ballots in the 2007 elections, this year’s OAV turnout is still very low compared to the 65 percent or 233,092 votes cast in the 2004 presidential elections.

According to the release, partial and unofficial results of the OAV as of May 19 show Sen. Benigno “Noynoy" Aquino III still leading the presidential race with 68,281 votes, followed by Bro. Eddie Villanueva with 17,702 votes, and Sen. Villar with 14,974 votes.

Trailing them are Gilberto Teodoro (11,505), Joseph Estrada (6,653), Richard Gordon (5,496), John Carlos delos Reyes and Sen. Jamby Madrigal (196), Nicanor Perlas (178) and Vetellano Acosta (128).

For vice president, Sen. Manuel Roxas likewise leads with 67,395 votes, followed by Sen. Loren Legarda with 17,136 votes and Jejomar Binay with 16,395 votes.

Following them are Perfecto Yasay (12,011), Bayani Fernando (7,933), Edu Manzano (2,462), Jay Sonza (645) and Dominador Chipeco Jr. (183).

Meanwhile, the top 12 senators are: Franklin Drilon (72,319); Miriam Defensor-Santiago (70,404); Ramon Revilla Jr. (59,606); Pilar Juliana Cayetano (55,206); Ralph Recto (54,741); Jinggoy Estrada (53,477); Juan Ponce Enrile (52,317); Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (48,038); Teofisto Guingona III (45,245); Vicente Sotto III (43,820); Sergio Osmena III (43,576); and Sonia Roco (37,801).

DFA-OAVS vice chairperson Nestor N. Padalhin personally delivered the COCs and ERs to the COMELEC’s National Board of Canvassers (NBOC) for President and Vice President.

The month-long OAV ended on May 10.

Except for Hong Kong and Singapore which used the automated election system, all other Philippine diplomatic posts employed either personal or postal voting. - RJAB Jr., GMANews.TV


Original Story: http://www.gmanews.tv/story/191553/dfa-submits-poll-returns-from-ofw-voters

Monday, May 17, 2010

Last 3 senators may be proclaimed today


By Mayen Jaymalin
The Philippine Star
Updated May 17, 2010 12:00 AM





Original Story: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=575973&publicationSubCategoryId=63


MANILA, Philippines - The Commission on Elections (Comelec) may proclaim today the last three winning candidates to complete the 12 slots in the Senate.

Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said the poll body will reconvene today as the National Board of Canvassers to complete the counting and proclamation of the last three winning senatorial candidates.

Jimenez said there are still about three million uncanvassed votes, which will determine who will be the other three Senate members.

Jimenez, however, said it may not be necessary to wait for all the three million uncanvassed votes before they can proclaim the last three winners.

“If the remaining uncanvassed votes would no longer be significant to affect the final count, then we will start proclaiming... probably by afternoon since the canvassing is continuing throughout the day,” he said.

Only seven out of the 103 provincial Certificates of Canvass or 6.8 percent remained uncanvassed as of Saturday night.

Although the National Board of Canvassers did not convene yesterday, Jimenez said the Comelec still received transmission results from the field.

“So hopefully, we can get enough numbers to proclaim senators-elect by Monday afternoon,” Jimenez said.

Based on the last updated tally of the canvassing board, those occupying the last three slots were former senator Sergio OsmeƱa III (independent) with 10,996,061 votes; Sen. Lito Lapid (Lakas-Kampi) with 10,327,121 votes, and Rep. Teofisto Guingona III (Liberal Party) with 9,686,352 votes.

In the 13th slot is sectoral Rep. Risa Hontiveros (LP) with 8,581,125 votes, while in 14th is Rep. Ruffy Biazon (LP) with 8,148,685 votes.

Last Saturday, the National Board of Canvassers proclaimed the first nine winning senators who will serve until 2016 after gaining an insurmountable number of votes in the first four days of canvassing.

Officially declared winners in the senatorial race were Sen. Ramon Revilla Jr. (Lakas-Kampi), Sen. Jinggoy Estrada (Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino), Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile (PMP), Sen. Pia Cayetano (Nacionalista Party), Sen. Ralph Recto (LP) and Sen. Vicente Sotto III (Nationalist People’s Coalition).

Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago (People’s Reform Party), Sen. Franklin Drilon (LP) and Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (NP) were also proclaimed but did not show up.


Original Story: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=575973&publicationSubCategoryId=63