Blue Ballot '07: The GUIDON Election Special

What should the Comelec do to improve its operations?

2007-05-24T05:10:00.000-07:00

Interviews by Martin Dante L. del Rosario, Katrina B. Paredes, and Margaret Michelle C. Tan

“Trust talaga yung problema ngayon ng Comelec, malaki yung naging impact nung Hello Garci na issue, so feeling ko kung maayos ‘yun, kung maayos ‘yung system ng Comelec, pati maging transparent sila sa mga [tao], feeling ko magiging maayos ‘yung mga susunod na elections.” – Marlon Jose Ibabao (III BS Ch:MSE)

“Dapat ‘yung mga Comelec official maging transparent. Kung gusto nila ng change, dapat sa kanila magsimula.” – Erik Lawrence Dy (II BS Mgt)

“Electronic yung pagvo-vote. Para electronic na lahat tapos para mas mabilis ang pagka-count, tapos baka maiwasan din ‘yung pandaraya.” – Paul William Mayuyu (III BS ME)

“Kung may hint of cheating lang man, dapat i-disqualify na agad. Stricter punishments.” – Jan Joseph Abolino (II BS ECE)

“Younger people ang dapat mag-man ng booth. Twenty-plus kami na Chua na sunud-sunod nagboto, tapos mali-mali ang name na sinulat. Dapat magkaroon rin ng mga signboards sa school para mas madali hanapin ang mga voting stations.” – Sherleen Rose Chua (II BS MCT)

“Siguro dapat aprubahan na lang ‘yung computerized na vote-counting para malinis, walang dayaan.” – Arvin Pajarillo, Loyola Schools (LS) Maintenance

“I think the Comelec should embrace technology, like computerized counting or voting, to ensure accuracy, and they should also assign credible people to manage the operations. Finally, dapat may transparency.” – Ysabella Kristina Poblete (III BS Mgt)

“Computerized [operations], kasi we can’t get stuck forever in the stone age. If improved operations means faster operations, computerization is what is needed about the honesty issue. About the honest operations... ‘di ko sure kung paano pa maaayos ‘yun. We need new people in there to regain the trust of the people.” – Kristoffer Ryan Velarde (IV BS ME)

“Wala[ng] naging problema sa voting center namin sa Marikina eh. Even ‘yung counting, walang problema. Tahimik siya. More or less okay na ‘yung system. Okay rin siguro kung computerized na, pero pag-aralan muna dapat nila. Dapat din mag-consider sila ng paraan na mas maging madali ang pagboto sa mga matatanda, tulad ng paglagay ng mga voting booths sa ground floor lang lahat.” – Dhea Santos, Rizal Library Staff

“Fix ‘yung designations of precincts where people should vote.” – Ma. Kristina Dumo (III BS ME)

WHAT SHOULD THE COMELEC DO TO IMPROVE ITS OPERATIONS? Comment and share your views with the rest of the Ateneo community!

Blue Balloting

2007-05-24T05:03:00.000-07:00

Blue Balloting. Namfrel QC Vice Chair for Tabulation Boyet Dy (AB DS '06) surfs this website while on the job at Bantay Bilang.

Photo by Henson Tyler T. Wongaiham

A salute to Bantay Bilang volunteers

2007-05-23T21:42:00.000-07:00

The GUIDON dedicates this special update to all those who volunteered to be part of Bantay Bilang. Helping out in projects such as this proves that not all Ateneans are indifferent after all.

Photos by Jake R. Nallas

What do you think of political dynasties?

2007-05-23T01:15:00.000-07:00

Interviews by Cyril Fermin

“Political dynasties are here to stay. Despite the constitutional provision requiring the creation of a legislation, there is no way it could be done considering that most of the Congress people are members of political dynasties themselves.” – Nestonel Estrada (IV AB PoS)

“Okay lang naman siguro ang pagkakaroon ng political dynasties, as long as magaling ‘yung dynasty nila at hindi corrupt and stuff. I don’t think it depends on what your last name is eh. Basta if magaling ka na politician okay lang.” – Mark Daryll Tan (II BS Mgt-H)

“Political dynasties are greatly responsible for the triangle system in the Philippines, in which two percent of the population monopolizes everything. Still, it is their right to run for office—given the damn rule that anyone who is of Filipino citizenship can run which disregards political dynasties or education—and it is the people who vote for them still. I myself do not conform with political dynasties, but find nothing, under law or religion, that contradicts it. As long as the leader is a just and honest one, political dynasties would not matter to me. But since many are not, I believe a law must be issued regarding this to minimize or stop political dynasties.” – Randolph Keane Cobankiat (II BS LM)

“I think it depends if ‘yung talagang purpose lang nila is to serve the country and not to keep the power to themselves. Or that they are just doing that to prevent others from taking their positions.” – Monika Lara Guballa (II BS LM)

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF POLITICAL DYNASTIES? Comment and share your views with the rest of the Ateneo community!

Namfrel QC to finish operations today

2007-05-22T15:53:00.000-07:00

1PM - Namfrel Quezon City (QC) has again extended its operations from 12PM of today to midnight. It first extended the quick count from May 20 to 12PM of today.

Vice Chair for Tabulation Boyet Dy (AB DS '06) said that Namfrel QC will finish checking and encoding all its election returns (ERs) by today. The core group will also arrange all the rooms used for the quick count by today.

The Manuel V. Pangilinan Center for Student Leadership (MVP-CSL) is the headquarters of the Namfrel QC operation quick count.

Dy said that Namfrel QC's results are not just accurate but also representative. "Everything is really accurate kasi mabusisi talaga sa pag-check (because the checking is really done meticulously)."

There are two layers for checking. The first involves checking whether the data in the ERs are complete and readable. The second entails trying to decipher the data labeled as unreadable in the first checking.

"We really save [the ERs] that we can," said Dy.

Dy added that the percentage of ERs tabulated this year was higher than that for 2004. The Loyola Schools (LS) also headed the Namfrel QC quick count in 2004.

Responding to complaints that Namfrel QC has taken too long to tabulate its ERs, Dy said that QC has a big voting population. He also cited the errors encountered with Namfrel National's computer program as a reason for the delay.

Dy also said that they have enough volunteers to finish the tabulation since many parish youth groups have arrived to help in the quick count. Other volunteers also arrived.

As of press time, the volunteers have been divided into two groups, one for checking and one for encoding. Later, all volunteers will be asked to encode.

Ayee D. Macaraig

reporting from the Bantay Bilang Headquarters, Ateneo

Looking over. Namfrel QC Vice Chair for Tabulation Boyet Dy (AB DS '06) tries to clarify details in the ERs to parish youth volunteers who encoded at Faura Hall.

Photo by Henson Tyler T. Wongaiham

Namfrel QC finishes 61% of ERs, needs more volunteers

2007-05-21T21:55:00.000-07:00

1204PM – As of press time, Namfrel Quezon City (QC) has finished tabulating 3,328 or 61% of its election returns (ERs), said Miriam delos Santos, Namfrel QC finance officer.

“We are really hoping that we could reach our target of tabulating 70% of the ERs by tomorrow noon,” said delos Santos who is also the outgoing Office of Student Activities (OSA) director.

Delos Santos said that there were no ERs to encode this morning so they had to ask the volunteers to check the ERs.

“We really need more volunteers,” she added. Namfrel QC has been circulating text messages to dormers, faculty members, administrators, and students to ask them to volunteer for the quick count.

"Walk-in volunteers are very much welcome to sign-up. There will be officers who will train them,” delos Santos said.

In the next four hours, Namfrel QC hopes to finish tabulating 65% of the ERs. Delos Santos said that they are planning to encode the ERs that were checked this morning.

Nikko Carlo A. Tolentino
reporting from the Bantay Bilang Headquarters, Ateneo

Namfrel QC Quick Count Partial and Unofficial Results

2007-05-21T09:53:00.000-07:00

National Citizens' Movement for Free Elections - Quezon City Chapter
Results as of 8PM, May 21

MAYOR

Acebedo, Romeo S. - 2323
Alvarez, Florian Yani L. - 3101
Belmonte, Feliciano R. - 367280
Rosales, Andy Q. - 6034

VICE MAYOR

Bautista, Herbert Constantine N. - 362454
Bautista, Roberto B. - 5169
Jota, Rolando M. - 5036
Obsum, Rogelio P. - 1289

Namfrel QC Quick Count Partial and Unofficial Results

2007-05-20T21:15:00.000-07:00

National Citizens' Movement for Free Elections - Quezon City Chapter
Results as of May 20, 530PM

MAYOR

Acebedo, Romeo S. - 2045
Alvarez, Florian Yani L. - 2286
Belmonte, Feliciano R. - 321892
Rosales, Andy Q. - 4734

VICE MAYOR

Bautista, Herbert Constantine N. - 317054
Bautista, Roberto B. - 4327
Jota, Rolando M. - 3741
Obsum, Rogelio P. - 1153

REPRESENTATIVE
(1st District)

Abesamis, Romel R. - 14334
Crisologo, Vincent P. - 43552
Padilla, Antonio A. - 3768

REPRESENTATIVE
(2nd District)

Aban, Vicente Jr. - 238
Balosa, Esmeraldo - 123
Jimenez, Walter - 310
Liban, Dante - 22402
Mathay, Ismael - 52561
Nueva, Noima - 562
Simon, Brigido, Jr. - 17344
Susano, Maryanne - 65083

REPRESENTATIVE
(3rd District)

Calderon, Ramon - 1829
Corrioso, Benjamin - 533
Defensor, Mattias - 37767
Lope, Wendell - 527
Pumaren, Filomeno - 6993
Remoto, Danton - 4785
Soriano, Sis Lita - 719

REPRESENTATIVE
(4th District)

Daza, Nanette - 40330
Palacios, Albert Hans - 6641

COUNCILOR--1st DISTRICT Councilor

Aguas, Reynaldo S. - 5265
Belmonte, Ricardo J. - 28468
Beltran, Arturo Jr. D. - 4302
Bilaos, Fermin B. - 8708
Calalay, Francisco Jr. A. - 42418
Canseco, George Jr. A. - 8398
Delarmente, Dorothy A. - 35131
Diño, Martin Baduiis - 7660
Ferrer, Victor Jr. V. - 34807
Herrera-Dy, Bernadette - 42629
Jacinto, Senen Jr. A. - 4897
Juico, Joseph Emile H. - 33316
Mondejar, Jon B. - 3166
Nacpil, Edwin M. - 3869
Pleyto, Salvador Jr. G. - 13494
Samson, Moises S. - 23206
Santos, Eddie M. - 2569
Sarino, Henry Vincent A. - 18442
Soberano, Gregorio P. - 2020
Zamora, Alejo C. - 2117

COUNCILOR--2nd DISTRICT Councilor

Acol, Glenn - 2435
Alegarbes, Mocario - 1019
Arias, Joseph - 3637
Berzabal, Raymond - 1883
Buscayno, Jamil - 2825
Castelo, Winston - 121599
Cayobit, Pastor - 2031
Dela Cruz, Alberto - 2602
Dela Cruz, Teresita - 4699
Denosita, Tony - 3782
Dy, Andres - 3383
Francisco, Allan Butch - 101024
Jacob, Gerald - 6514
Jickain, Aiko - 76887
Liban, Voltaire - 98978
Medalla, Ramon - 105583
Medina, Eden - 91135
Pilar, Ma.Victoria - 70902
Rocapok, Quentin - 1705
Rodriguez, Samuel - 9217
Saludes, Louie John - 21230
Valmocina, Felecito - 75792

COUNCILOR--3rd DISTRICT Councilor

Banal, Jorge - 46049
Borres, Jaime - 33392
Carios, Raymundo - 10290
De Guzman, Dante - 39349
Dela Luna, Charlotte - 2972
Escober, Rodrigo - 5755
Gonzales, Amadeo - 9688
Lagumbay, Wencerom - 41225
Pumaren,.Franz - 42638
Reyes, Allan - 20782
Sotto-De Leon, Diorella Maria - 35114
Torrecampo, Beda - 19463

COUNCILOR--4th DISTRICT Councilor

Battung, Luciano B. - 1566
Belmonte, Vicente Eric Jr. - 29412
Delfinado, Edgar - 12908
Hipol, Bayani - 28158
Inton, Ariel - 36313
Lagman, Edcel - 32728
Malangen, Restituto - 29465
Malaya, Janet - 35158
Montillo, Armando - 23373
Suntay, Jesus - 34875
Timtiman, Bonifacio - 2190

Namfrel QC to finish most ERs by Tuesday

2007-05-20T18:24:00.000-07:00

5PM – Namfrel Quezon City (QC) aims to finish tabulating at least 90% of its election returns (ERs) by May 22 at 12PM.

Wen Batocabe (IV AB-MA PoS), a member of Namfrel QC's Media Relations team, said that Namfrel QC had to extend its operations because it started encoding on Wednesday instead of Tuesday due to system problems. Namfrel QC is now using a system developed by a team of Management Information Systems (MIS) teachers and students from the Loyola Schools (LS).

This new system automatically consolidates the results from QC’s four districts. Operations are smooth with the new system, said Batocabe.

Batocabe, however, said that they can only tabulate readable ERs. Data in some ERs are no longer visible because Namfrel gets the sixth copy of the ERs.

In the latest count, Namfrel QC has tabulated data from 594 ERs for the local candidates, 541 for the national, and 2,513 for both local and national.

Batocabe said that they will be needing many volunteers in the coming days as they no longer have pre-enlisted volunteers. Volunteers may drop by the Manuel V. Pangilinan Center for Student Leadership (MVP-CSL) at 3AM, 7AM, 11AM, 3PM, 7PM, or 11PM so that they can be trained and fed before their shifts.

Volunteers are most needed for the 12AM to 4AM shift.

There will be a mass today at 630PM at the MVP-CSL lobby for Namfrel QC officers and volunteers. Jesuit Provincial Fr. Daniel Patrick Huang, SJ, will be the celebrant.

Ayee D. Macaraig
reporting from the Bantay Bilang Headquarters, Ateneo

Namfrel QC extends operations until Tuesday

2007-05-20T12:48:00.000-07:00

12PM – To reach its target of tabulating 70% of the election returns (ERs), Namfrel Quezon City (QC) will extend its operations until 12PM of May 22.

As of 8AM, only 48% of the ERs have been tabulated.

Namfrel QC Vice Chair for Tabulation Boyet Dy (AB DS '06) said that the volunteers for the 8AM to 12PM shift were asked to check the ERs. No new ERs have arrived.

Volunteers are to finish checking by 12PM or by the end of this day so that Namfrel QC can focus on encoding in the next days.

Karl Louie B. Fajardo
reporting from the Bantay Bilang Headquarters, Ateneo

What are your views on the high number of election-related crimes?

2007-05-20T00:45:00.000-07:00

Interviews by Karen Marie J. Cunanan, Maria Francesca Coreen T. Frias, and Edwin Lawrence B. Joyas

“The sad part about it is that it isn't an unusual occurrence during elections. I believe that election-related violence is reflective of a culture of impunity and political immaturity. This issue is passé for most countries so our elections, being notoriously violent, can hurt the Philippines' international image and cause the Filipino people to lose faith in its elections, if that isn't the case already.” – Margaret Anne Garcia (II BS MCT)

“Siyempre, it’s depressing dahil mababa ang credibility ng government. It pains my heart and I’m very disappointed in the people of the Philippines.” – Phillip Ian Maverick Layno (II AB PoS)

“I think it is a very alarming reflection of our country’s corrupted political system. These crimes further prove how most people are willing to resort to killings just to secure their selfish political agenda. The saddest thing, I think, is that come election day, the casualties of these crimes are forgotten, and we, Filipinos, elect the very people responsible for the victims’ loss.” – Dorothy Ann Lopez-Dee (II AB DS)

“Philippine politics is still dirty. It just shows the lack of respect in the election process.” – Charlene Tiu (II BS MCT)

“Iyong mga tumatakbo… karamahin sa kanila ay mga buwaya. Unang habol lamang nila ang makukuha nilang pera ‘pag nasa gobyerno na sila. Nakokonsenya lamang sila bago gumawa nang maganda para sa bansa. Habol lang talaga nila ang pera.” – Emmanuel Concepcion, Technical Assistant, Rizal Library

“Well, I think it just goes to show where too much thirst for money and power can take you. From merely being corrupt, politicians now use horribly violent measures just to take hold of a position that will enable them to quench this thirst.” – Charmaine Fatima Gomez (II BS ME)

“Personally, ako, dedma ako ngayon sa eleksyon. I mean, it's always the same thing that's happening from the voting process, tabulation, the candidates who get elected… For example, there's always the case of missing ballots, or flying voters, or voters who sell their votes. During tabulation, definitely may dagdag-bawas, and [for] sure, may matsutsugi on account of election-related violence. Then there's bound to be stupid candidates that the masses will vote into the Congress, Senate, presidency… Like in this year's election, in my opinion, si Trillanes at Honasan… Kaya 'yon. Dedma ako.” – Jon Derrick Lee (II BS MAC)

“Ganoon din naman noong nakaraang eleksyon. Hindi naman na nakakagulat iyon. Mas grabe nga lang ngayon, kahit mas tahimik yung eleksiyon mismo, maraming patagong nangyayari.” – Name withheld, Loyola Schools (LS) Maintenance

“I think it’s all nonsense. It’s chaos! Politicians killing each other for a seat in the local and national government. It’s even more painful because surely, they’re doing this for all the wrong reasons—money and power—not because they sincerely wish to help our country. It’s disheartening to think that there is no political stability in the government and thus we just can’t help but question our leaders’ intentions. Our future rests in their hands. All we can do is hope for the best.” – Ma. Agnes Surop (II AB IS)

“Actually, I think it’s very childish. I mean, you have people who go out there. They campaign. They talk to the people. They see. But they’re never sure of themselves…They go out there and do all these things just to make sure they win. They can’t seem to stand the idea of losing to someone else. So I think it’s really, really childish.” – Julius Alfie Barcelona (II BS HS)

“Sa tingin ko, hindi na siya nakakagulat, pero nakakalungkot na rin kasi maraming mga tao na [namamatay]… Hindi sila dapat nagiging part ‘nung selfish objectives ng mga politicians.” – Joanah April Hermano (IV BSM AMF)

“Bale sa puwesto kasi ‘yan. Kumbaga, talagang nagpapatayan [sila] makuha lang ‘yung kanilang minimithing puwesto. Kaya ayun, siguro dahil sa kasakiman na rin sa puwesto, nagagawa nila ‘yung hindi dapat gawin. Siyempre kumbaga, pera-pera [ang] labanan diyan kaya ayun ... Kaya siguro ‘yung krimen talagang hindi maiiwasan.” – Mannex Varona, Cashier, Ateneo Multi-Purpose Cooperative (AMPC)

“If you compare it with other countries, ‘di ba it doesn’t really happen frequently? And because there are a lot of crimes, I don’t get why people would want to go into politics. It’s just stupid. I don’t like the politics here in our country.” – Denise Joanna Tan (II AB Comm)

“Para sa akin… ‘di ba gagastos nang marami ‘yung mga candidates para makapasok sa Senado? [Sa] tingin ko, dahil kasi malaki ‘yung nakukuha nilang pera sa loob kaysa sa ginagastos nila, kaya gagawin nila lahat para lang makapasok as senators or other kind of officials. Tapos siyempre kung natatalo sila, siyempre baka magha-hire sila ng mga men para mag-assassinate or pumatay ng ibang tao.” – Jose Carlo Magsino (II BS Bio-A)

WHAT ARE YOUR VIEWS ON THE HIGH NUMBER OF ELECTION-RELATED CRIMES? Comment and share your views with the rest of the Ateneo community!

Namfrel QC to resume encoding by 8AM

2007-05-19T07:15:00.000-07:00

4AM - Namfrel Quezon City (QC) chapter or Bantay Bilang will come up with a more efficient system of encoding by 8AM.

The Management of Information Systems (MIS) team, composed of personnel and students from the Loyola Schools (LS), will help develop this system.

The current program is slow, a problem similar to those that Namfrel National encountered.

The volunteers for the 12AM to 4AM shift were asked to work also for the 4AM to 8AM shift. As of press time, almost all volunteers are checking the election returns (ERs) so that encoding can resume by 8AM.

Walk-in volunteers are highly encouraged to come after midnight as there are usually a few volunteers by this time.

Hannah S. Varilla

reporting from the Bantay Bilang Headquarters, Ateneo

How was your experience as a voter?

2007-05-18T09:10:00.000-07:00

Interviews by Martin Dante L. del Rosario, Katrina B. Paredes, and Margaret Michelle C. Tan

“Voting wasn't as big a hassle as I thought it would be. We got our precinct numbers without much delay, and there wasn't a long line where we were supposed to vote, so we got our ballots quickly. However, the poll watchers were hanging around the area, and so I couldn't really concentrate on casting my votes. It wasn't exactly comfortable to write down names and then worry about the poll watchers standing right behind me.” – Angelica Elise Lim (II BS Mgt)

“Di ko alam sino boboto ko, pero okay naman, kahit tinatamad ako, it was a different experience kasi first time ko.” – Genevieve Lim (III AB MEco)

“It was okay. I was annoyed at a lot of things like trying to find the precinct number. But maybe that’s just me. I found it quite slow…but then again, there were a lot of people, and I don’t know the whole voting process. ‘Cause my friends and I were talking about it. Shouldn’t it be computerized na and all? So there, parang waiting in line, then, they’re trying to find pa your voter’s ID or something. So parang it's slow.” – Erin Victoria Montenejo (II BS MCT)

“It was actually organized. I already knew my precinct, so I didn’t have to look for my name on the list which would’ve been a big hassle.” – Melinda Gayle Limlengco (II BS ME)

“Surprisingly, I felt very much unprepared when I was actually there. All the technicals went smoothly—finding my precinct, blah blah. Pero nung nakuha ko na ‘yung ballot, parang, ‘Uh…’ Despite having ample time to come up with a list of candidates etc., ang dami ko pa ring blanks. I suppose it's a lack of personal preparation.” – Gabrielle Ann Agarrado (III BS Ch:MSE)

“Okay naman po. Hindi naman po kami masyado tense kasi alam na namin iboboto namin.” – Allan Oliva, security guard

“It was actually very chaotic. It took some time to find my name in the voters’ list. There were others whose names were not there or others moved to a different voting center. Two precincts lost their indelible inks arousing suspicion of fraud and cheating. But still, it was worth the wait and the frustration to be able to contribute to change.” – Joseph Gideon Sarreal (III BS MCT)

“I voted in the province (Tarlac). It was short and sweet. People came early eh. Basta it really wasn’t as much of a hassle as people expect it to be.” – Raem Puno (IV AB IS)

“Okay lang, mainit, pero obvious na madaming violation. Pagpasok mo pa lang sa school may nagbibigay ng sample ballots with candidates’ names. The posters of candidates are right outside the school, hanging pa sa electric wires. May pumasok sa loob ng polling room nagbubulong ng person na dapat i-vote for mayor pero pinalabas din agad ng poll watchers.” – Hannah Stephanie Ang (III BS MCT)

“Well, it was easy for me because it was in my village and I came early. I had fun.” – Lourdes Ramona Victoria Farrales (II BS LM)

“Okay naman. Wala naman [gulo]… maayos naman eh. Maluwag naman dun sa amin sa Marikina.” – Alma Fermano, photocopying lady

“Well, the voting system nowadays, I think, is more orderly. Kasi, as a first-time voter, ‘yung places where I should go was given to me properly. May mga directions on where to place this paper and that. It’s written already there and stuff so… Ayun, I think it’s more orderly as a whole.” – Moses Cantillon (III AB Eu)

“Pagpunta ko ‘dun, di pa bukas ‘yung presinto. Kung ‘di ako nagreklamo, ‘di pa sana bubuksan. ‘di pa raw kasi preparado, e diba dapat one day before naka-prepare na ‘yun? Bakit may delay? ‘Di nila inisip na may pasok ‘yung ibang mga tao, gaya ko. ‘yung sa paghanap ng pangalan, ako pa nagturo para ‘yung number na lang ang hanapin, ‘di yung apilyedo, para mas mabilis. Kaya ‘yun, medyo matagal.” – Joseph Banhao, security guard

“I have no idea what the ballot looks like, so when I saw sample ballots being given out, there was a part where I didn’t know who to vote for. I wasn’t able to vote anyway because I can’t find my name in the voters’ list. I spent an hour going up and down the building designated for our barangay and the people handling the ballots were so unhelpful.” – Sophia Kho (III BS LM)

HOW WAS YOUR EXPERIENCE AS A VOTER? Comment and share your views with the rest of the Ateneo community!

Namfrel QC Quick Count Partial and Unofficial Results

2007-05-18T05:10:00.000-07:00

National Citizens' Movement for Free Elections - Quezon City Chapter
Results as of May 18, 1201AM

No. of Precincts: 1,601

MAYOR

Acebedo, Romeo S. - 855
Alvarez, Florian Yani L. - 943
Belmonte, Feliciano R. - 128,636
Rosales, Andy Q. - 2,162

VICE MAYOR

Bautista, Herbert Constantine N. - 125,965
Bautista, Roberto B. - 1,737
Jota, Rolando M - 1,732
Obsum, Rogelio P. - 504

REPRESENTATIVE
(1st District)

Abesamis, Romel R. - 6,394
Crisologo, Vincent P. - 20,315
Padilla, Antonio A. - 3,205

REPRESENTATIVE
(2nd District)

Aban, Vicente Jr. - 59
Balosa, Esmeraldo - 30
Jimenez, Walter - 65
Liban, Dante - 6,421
Mathay, Ismael- 14,938
Nueva, Noima - 183
Simon, Brigido, Jr. - 5,695
Susano, Maryanne - 20,409

REPRESENTATIVE
(3rd District)

Calderon, Ramon - 925
Corrioso, Benjamin - 311
Defensor, Mattias - 20,223
Lope, Wendell - 296
Pumaren, Filomeno - 3,454
Remoto, Danton - 2,438
Soriano, Sis Lita - 357

REPRESENTATIVE
(4th District)

Daza, Nanette - 19,203
Palacios, Albert Hans - 3,237

COUNCILOR--1st DISTRICT Councilor

Aguas, Reynaldo S. - 2,407
Belmonte, Ricardo J. - 13,098
Beltran, Arturo Jr. D. - 2,865
Bilaos, Fermin B. - 3,804
Calalay, Francisco Jr. A. - 19,754
Canseco, George Jr. A. - 5,330
Delarmente, Dorothy A. - 15,776
Diño, Martin Baduiis - 4,609
Ferrer, Victor Jr. V. - 15,497
Herrera-Dy, Bernadette - 20,649
Jacinto, Senen Jr. A. - 3,622
Juico, Joseph Emile H. - 15,261
Mondejar, Jon B. - 2,677
Nacpil, Edwin M. - 1,639
Pleyto, Salvador Jr. G. - 6,063
Samson, Moises S. - 10,851
Santos, Eddie M. - 1,939
Sarino, Henry Vincent A. - 8,642
Soberano, Gregorio P. - 1,508
Zamora, Alejo C. - 1,009

COUNCILOR--2nd DISTRICT Councilor

Acol, Glenn - 714
Alegarbes, Mocario - 304
Arias, Joseph - 1,131
Berzabal, Raymond - 575
Buscayno, Jamil - 812
Castelo, Winston - 37,089
Cayobit, Pastor - 620
Dela Cruz, Alberto - 703
Dela Cruz, Teresita - 1,464
Denosita, Tony - 969
Dy, Andres - 1,107
Francisco, Allan Butch - 30,614
Jacob, Gerald - 2,019
Jickain, Aiko - 22,310
Liban, Voltaire - 30,396
Medalla, Ramon - 31,874
Medina, Eden - 27,610
Pilar, Ma.Victoria - 20,442
Rocapok, Quentin - 456
Rodriguez, Samuel - 2,878
Saludes, Louie John - 6,430
Valmocina, Felecito - 23,216

COUNCILOR--3rd DISTRICT Councilor

Banal, Jorge - 24,311
Borres, Jaime - 17,650
Carios, Raymundo - 5,383
De Guzman, Dante - 20,779
Dela Luna, Charlotte - 1,498
Escober, Rodrigo - 2,929
Gonzales, Amadeo - 4,888
Lagumbay, Wencerom - 21,810
Pumaren,.Franz - 22,380
Reyes, Allan - 10,877
Sotto-De

Leon

, Diorella Maria - 18,685
Torrecampo, Beda - 11,089

COUNCILOR--4th DISTRICT Councilor
Battung, Luciano B. - 690
Belmonte, Vicente Eric Jr. - 14,068
Delfinado, Edgar - 6,169
Hipol, Bayani - 13,251
Inton, Ariel - 17,212
Lagman, Edcel - 15,705
Malangen, Restituto - 13,859
Malaya, Janet - 17,050
Montilla, Armando - 11,330
Suntay, Jesus - 17,087
Timtiman, Bonifacio - 1,064

Manang's Vote

2007-05-17T19:47:00.000-07:00

Purisima Rentosa, the manang behind “Manang’s” carinderia, takes her Manong’s orders when it comes to voting.

Bumoto po ba kayo?
Hindi ako masyadong ano diyan. Basta binigay ni Manong, isusulat ko, tapos na. Bumoto kami, dito sa Miriam.

Ano po ba yung naging experience niyo?
Mainit, tapos maraming tao, siksikan. Pero ‘yung mahirap hanapin ‘yung pangalan, eh lagi kami diyan bumoboto, hindi naman kami nahirapan maghanap ng pangalan namin. Kasi yung iba, nandun sa mga pangalan pagpasok mo, pero pagpunta na nila din sa prisinto nila, hindi na nila makita yung mga number, kaya hahanapin pa nila. Pero kami, hindi naman kami nahirapan. Maayos naman.

Diba sabi niyo po si Manong po yung may alam sa pulitiko, paano po kayo pumipili ng iboboto?
Kasi siyempre nagtatrabaho siya sa barangay, marami siyang nakakasalamuhang tao sa city hall, ganyan, nakakapagkuwento-kuwento, pero ako sa bahay lang. Basta binigay niya yung mga pangalan na iboboto, yun na hindi na ako nagtatanong-tanong. Alam mo naman ako diyan lang sa bahay, sa palengke, sa bahay, ganyan lang.

Ano pong masasabi niyo sa pagkakaiba ng dating eleksyon tsaka sa ngayon?
Wala naman akong ma-anong iba. Ang ano ko lang ngayon, parang tahimik at tsaka malinis. Dati-rati sa Maryknoll naku, ang daming kalat-kalat! Punta ka sa labas may nagbibigay ng sample ballot, gastos pa yun at madumi pa. Ngayon parang tahimik tapos malinis, wala kang makitang mga posters, mga kalat diyan sa semento. Ang linis.

Catherine N. Dellosa and Erik S. Fajardo

Namfrel QC Quick Count Partial and Unofficial Results

2007-05-17T19:25:00.000-07:00

National Citizens' Movement for Free Elections - Quezon City Chapter
Results as of May 17, 4PM

MAYOR

Acebedo, Romeo S. - 633
Alvarez, Florian Yani L. - 697
Belmonte, Feliciano R. - 89485
Rosales, Andy Q. - 1825

VICE MAYOR

Bautista, Herbert Constantine N. - 87481
Bautista, Roberto B. - 1305
Jota, Rolando M - 1460
Obsum, Rogelio P. - 357

REPRESENTATIVE
(1st District)

Abesamis, Romel R. - 3624
Crisologo, Vincent P. - 12160
Padilla, Antonio A. - 3048

REPRESENTATIVE
(2nd District)

Aban, Vicente Jr. - 40
Balosa, Esmeraldo - 18
Jimenez, Walter - 47
Liban, Dante - 3963
Mathay, Ismael- 9230
Nueva, Noima - 128
Simon, Brigido, Jr. - 3786
Susano, Maryanne - 13154

REPRESENTATIVE
(3rd District)

Calderon, Ramon - 742
Corrioso, Benjamin - 181
Defensor, Mattias - 16291
Lope, Wendell - 253
Pumaren, Filomeno - 2796
Remoto, Danton - 1982
Soriano, Sis Lita - 301

REPRESENTATIVE
(4th District)

Daza, Nanette - 14979
Palacios, Albert Hans - 2494

COUNCILOR--1st DISTRICT Councilor

Aguas, Reynaldo S. - 1441
Belmonte, Ricardo J. - 7692
Beltran, Arturo Jr. D. - 2437
Bilaos, Fermin B. - 2365
Calalay, Francisco Jr. A. - 11583
Canseco, George Jr. A. - 4286
Delarmente, Dorothy A. - 9257
Diño, Martin Baduiis - 3442
Ferrer, Victor Jr. V. - 8980
Herrera-Dy, Bernadette - 12667
Jacinto, Senen Jr. A. - 3166
Juico, Joseph Emile H. - 8951
Mondejar, Jon B. - 2539
Nacpil, Edwin M. - 936
Pleyto, Salvador Jr. G. - 3707
Samson, Moises S. - 6655
Santos, Eddie M. - 1769
Sarino, Henry Vincent A. - 4882
Soberano, Gregorio P. - 1370
Zamora, Alejo C. - 613

COUNCILOR--2nd DISTRICT Councilor

Acol, Glenn - 447
Alegarbes, Mocario - 183
Arias, Joseph - 729
Berzabal, Raymond - 342
Buscayno, Jamil - 519
Castelo, Winston - 23600
Cayobit, Pastor - 380
Dela Cruz, Alberto - 419
Dela Cruz, Teresita - 900
Denosita, Tony - 510
Dy, Andres - 555
Francisco, Allan Butch - 19741
Jacob, Gerald - 1215
Jickain, Aiko - 13891
Liban, Voltaire - 19394
Medalla, Ramon - 20390
Medina, Eden - 17736
Pilar, Ma.Victoria - 12954
Rocapok, Quentin - 265
Rodriguez, Samuel - 1833
Saludes, Louie John - 4130
Valmocina, Felecito - 14711

COUNCILOR--3rd DISTRICT Councilor

Banal, Jorge - 19671
Borres, Jaime - 14487
Carios, Raymundo - 4263
De Guzman, Dante - 16809
Dela Luna, Charlotte - 1203
Escober, Rodrigo - 2274
Gonzales, Amadeo - 3925
Lagumbay, Wencerom - 17588
Pumaren,.Franz - 18224
Reyes, Allan - 8736
Sotto-De

Leon

, Diorella Maria - 15086
Torrecampo, Beda - 8895

COUNCILOR--4th DISTRICT Councilor

Battung, Luciano B. - 549
Belmonte, Vicente Eric Jr. - 11031
Delfinado, Edgar - 4937
Hipol, Bayani - 10288
Inton, Ariel - 13340
Lagman, Edcel - 12283
Malangen, Restituto - 10792
Malaya, Janet - 13277
Montilla, Armando - 8665
Suntay, Jesus - 13330
Timtiman, Bonifacio - 758

More volunteers sign up for Namfrel QC quick count

2007-05-17T17:48:00.000-07:00

405PM - Bantay Bilang, Namfrel Quezon City's operation quick count, is already picking up its pace.

As of press time, 35 new volunteers have signed up today. Bantay Bilang Head for Media Relations Gita Luz (AB IS '07) expects that they would be able to reach their target of tabulating 70% of the city's election returns (ERs) by Sunday.

Luz said that the number of volunteers increased due to the boost in their efforts to promote the project through text messaging. The message emphasized the urgency of having more volunteers to speed up the tabulation.

Luz hopes that they would be able to contribute to hastening Namfrel's region-wide quick count. “The transmission [now] from the NCR is actually slow. [If] Quezon City, being a big city [in itself] has its votes tabulated faster, I think we would be able to help a lot in speeding up the quick count.”

In the next eight hours, officers are anticipating more walk-in volunteers, as they consider the 4PM to 8PM and the 8PM to 12AM shifts as the peak of volunteer sign-ups.

Xianne S. Arcangel
reporting from the Bantay Bilang Headquarters, Ateneo

Whom did you vote for, and what do you expect from them?

2007-05-17T16:45:00.000-07:00

Interviews by Jodel Pierre P. Ampil, Keila Marii C. Chavez, and Edgar B. Concepcion Jr.

“Noynoy Aquino. Parang he would be able to do what his father [had] left for him [to do]. Tsaka let’s do something unusual. Tingnan natin kung mananalo siya.” – Lauren Michelle Santos (II BS HS)

“Chiz Escudero, kasi he’s a man of dignity and courage. I believe that [by] voting for him, the Philippines will have a just lawmaker who will voice out any anomalies that may affect [the] society’s welfare. His campaign against graft and corruption leads me to think that he will be one of the pioneers of a better and more transparent Senate.” – Maria Janela Herrera (III BS MCT)

“Si Kiko Pangilinan, kasi may paninindigan siya at [sa tingin ko ay] magiging maayos siya.” – Leah Robes (II AB IS)

“Rolando Tigas ng Samal, Bataan, kasi nung naging mayor siya, nakita ko ‘yung pagbabago. Mas gumanda ‘yung plaza, at ‘yung palengke [ay] lumaki. Gusto ko[ng] ipagpatuloy niya ‘yung pagpapaganda sa lugar namin.” – Ana Liza Chacon, photocopying lady, Rizal Library

“Kiram for senator, kasi kahit na hindi ako Muslim, malaki ang pagbabago kung may representasyon ang mga Muslim sa Senado kasi for the longest time [ay] wala eh. Kahit na hindi naging matunog ‘yung pangalan niya nu’ng kampanya, sinigurado ko na malalagay ko ‘yung pangalan niya.” – Jethro Niño Tenorio, Instructor, Department of Filipino

“Binoto ko si Manny Villar kasi ever since bata pa lang ako, sabi ng parents ko, sobrang hindi siya mangurakot. Masipag at matiyaga siya.” – Martin Molina (IV AB Eco)

“Binoto ko si Chiz Escudero. Binoto ko siya dahil magaling siyang politician, tapos marami siyang kino-contest sa Congress. Gusto ko ng ganu’n. Ayoko [nang] nangbu-bully lang yung administration. Mas gusto ko yung may lumalaban sa kanila para may different view na pine-present.” – Roberto Ramon Sangalang (IV BS Mgt)

"Lacson. [I expect that he will promote] peace and order." – Kendrick Share (III BS CS)

“My main choices for senator are the people from Ang Kapatiran—Paredes, Sison, and Bautista. I voted for them because I want to make a stand and they were the only three candidates that were non-partisan and that did not rely on popularity. They had a legitimate platform and they were the only ones who really had a clear-cut way of changing.” – Patrick Gerard Simon-King, Instructor, Department of Economics

“Si Chiz Escudero. He looks promising. He has a good track record, and he’s a man of principle.” – Kezia Kariana Montemayor (III BS MIS)

"Kapatiran, because they’re God-centered… so the Senate will not be solely working, solely political… important kasi [that they’re] God-fearing.” – Angela Francisca del Rosario (AB Psy ’07)

“Si Chiz Escudero. Ine-expect ko sa kanya yung project niya raw sa pabahay. May narinig ako na maganda explanation niya. Kunwari daw yung tao, ilagay mo sa parang pigpen, mag-aasal-baboy. Pero ‘pag linagay mo raw sa bahay, titino raw yung mga tao. Nakita ko yung mga tao na nangangailangan ng bahay. So ‘yun [‘yung] ine-expect ko sa kanya.” – Paolo Gayod (III AB Eco)

“I voted for Kiram, the only Muslim candidate. I think [that] for the longest time, Muslims did not have any representative in the Senate and I think the Catholics were very controlling. I think it is about time that a Muslim represent[s] people from Mindanao.” – Nina Monica Cariaga (II AB MEco)

"Chiz Escudero. [Sana ay] huwag [siyang] maging [traditional politician (trapo)]." – Edralyn Baisa, Staff, Office of the Associate Dean for Student Affairs (ADSA)

“Escudero. Ine-expect ko na lalo pa niyang lalabanan yung administrasyong Arroyo gaya nang ginagawa niya nung congressman pa lang siya. Ngayon, ‘pag naging senador siya, mas mailabas niya sana ang kabulukan ng gobyerno para sa ikakabubuti ng lahat.” – Sairry Sandoval, Secretary, Department of Economics

WHOM DID YOU VOTE FOR, AND WHAT DO YOU EXPECT FROM THEM? Comment and share your views with the rest of the Ateneo community!

Namfrel QC expects surge of volunteers this weekend

2007-05-17T14:45:00.000-07:00

1227PM – The Namfrel Quezon City (QC) operation quick count, Bantay Bilang, is expecting a surge of volunteers from May 18 to 20, said Gita Luz (AB IS ’07), Bantay Bilang Head for Media Relations.

Luz said that Bantay Bilang is already welcoming people in between shifts, and that there is no need to pre-enlist. Training for shifts is also done on the spot to accommodate the need for more volunteers. “The priority is to streamline the system. We’re still moving at a very slow rate.”

“Hopefully, Bantay Bilang can encode faster during the weekends, where we expect a surge of volunteers because it’s the students’ or workers’ free time,” she added.

As of last night, 12% of the election returns (ERs) were encoded. Namfrel QC’s target is to tabulate 70% of the ERs by Sunday.

For the next four hours, Namfrel QC will try to coordinate with Ateneo de Zamboanga University (ADZU) to help collate the tally of the ERs, Luz said.

Nikko Carlo A. Tolentino
reporting from the Bantay Bilang Headquarters, Ateneo

Namfrel QC Quick Count Partial and Unofficial Results

2007-05-17T12:00:00.000-07:00

National Citizens' Movement for Free Elections - Quezon City Chapter
Results as of May 17, 12AM

MAYOR

Acebedo, Romeo S. - 469
Alvarez, Florian Yani L. - 491
Belmonte, Feliciano R. - 63,892
Rosales, Andy Q. - 1,467

VICE MAYOR

Bautista, Herbert Constantine N. - 62,151
Bautista, Roberto B. - 989
Jota, Rolando M. - 1,234
Obsum, Rogelio P. - 256

REPRESENTATIVE
(1st District)

Abesamis, Romel R. - 2,242
Crisologo, Vincent P. - 7,557
Padilla, Antonio A. - 2,918

REPRESENTATIVE
(2nd District)

Aban, Vicente Jr. - 24
Balosa, Esmeraldo - 11
Jimenez, Walter - 34
Liban, Dante - 2,681
Mathay, Ismael - 6,113
Nueva, Noima - 86
Simon, Brigido, Jr. - 2,591
Susano, Maryanne - 9,130

REPRESENTATIVE
(3rd District)

Calderon, Ramon - 567
Corrioso, Benjamin - 121
Defensor, Mattias - 12,129
Lope, Wendell - 204
Pumaren, Filomeno - 2,025
Remoto, Danton - 1,387
Soriano, Sis Lita - 217

REPRESENTATIVE
(4th District)

Daza, Nanette - 11,850
Palacios, Albert Hans - 1,942

COUNCILOR (1st DISTRICT)

Aguas, Reynaldo S. - 837
Belmonte, Ricardo J. - 4,692
Beltran, Arturo Jr. D. - 2,132
Bilaos, Fermin B. - 1,341
Calalay, Francisco Jr. A. - 7,141
Canseco, George Jr. A. - 3,418
Delarmente, Dorothy A. - 5,598
Diño, Martin Baduiis - 2,882
Ferrer, Victor Jr. V. - 5,361
Herrera-Dy, Bernadette - 8,453
Jacinto, Senen Jr. A. - 2,945
Juico, Joseph Emile H. - 5,432
Mondejar, Jon B. - 2,436
Nacpil, Edwin M. - 542
Pleyto, Salvador Jr. G. - 2,357
Samson, Moises S. - 4,326
Santos, Eddie M. - 1,659
Sarino, Henry Vincent A. - 3,021
Soberano, Gregorio P. - 1,292
Zamora, Alejo C. - 331

COUNCILOR (2nd DISTRICT)

Acol, Glenn - 312
Alegarbes, Mocario - 124
Arias, Joseph - 504
Berzabal, Raymond - 219
Buscayno, Jamil - 361
Castelo, Winston - 16,201
Cayobit, Pastor - 265
Dela Cruz, Alberto - 286
Dela Cruz, Teresita - 595
Denosita, Tony - 328
Dy, Andres - 408
Francisco, Allan Butch - 13,557
Jacob, Gerald - 762
Jickain, Aiko - 9,192
Liban, Voltaire - 13,335
Medalla, Ramon - 13,911
Medina, Eden - 12,201
Pilar, Ma.Victoria - 8,557
Rocapok, Quentin - 169
Rodriguez, Samuel - 1,197
Saludes, Louie John - 2,682
Valmocina, Felecito - 10,220

COUNCILOR (3rd DISTRICT)

Banal, Jorge - 14,556
Borres, Jaime - 10,570
Carios, Raymundo - 3,278
De Guzman, Dante - 12,361
Dela Luna, Charlotte - 871
Escober, Rodrigo - 1,607
Gonzales, Amadeo - 2,906
Lagumbay, Wencerom - 12,882
Pumaren, Franz - 13,174
Reyes, Allan - 6,350
Sotto-De Leon, Diorella Maria - 11,271
Torrecampo, Beda - 6,818

COUNCILOR (4th DISTRICT)

Battung, Luciano B. - 463
Belmonte, Vicente Eric Jr. - 8,649
Delfinado, Edgar - 3,867
Hipol, Bayani - 8,106
Inton, Ariel - 10,454
Lagman, Edcel - 9,726
Malangen, Restituto - 8,409
Malaya, Janet - 10,441
Montilla, Armando - 6,795
Suntay, Jesus - 10,485
Timtiman, Bonifacio - 647

Namfrel QC aims to speed up operations

2007-05-17T08:36:00.000-07:00

1213AM – The Namfrel QC quick count, Bantay Bilang, core group is trying to figure out ways of organizing operations to make tabulations faster and more efficient, said Gita Luz (AB IS ’07), Bantay Bilang Head for Media Relations.

Luz said that they are trying to change the protocols for checking so they can use manpower and time more efficiently. They are still trying to improve the program so that it runs better.

Luz said that as of press time, they are doing better than when they started. However, they need to speed up operations and recruit more volunteers so that Bantay Bilang can reach its target of 70% of the election returns (ERs) by this week.

For the next four hours, Luz said that they will try to adjust operations so that change can be implemented by today's 8AM shift.

Henson Tyler T. Wongaiham

reporting from the Bantay Bilang Headquarters, Ateneo

Namfrel QC to update results by 4AM tomorrow

2007-05-16T21:27:00.000-07:00

8PM - Namfrel Quezon City Chapter will not be releasing updated election results until about 4AM of May 17.

Namfrel QC's operation quick count is also called Bantay Bilang.

Kris Suarez (BS ES ’07), a point person for Bantay Bilang media relations, said that the results from today's 2PM to 12PM shifts and those from tomorrow's 12AM to 4AM shift will be consolidated to avoid further software problems.

According to Suarez, the Excel program that Namfrel uses for tabulations has been running smoothly so far. Volunteers did not encounter any software-related problems during the 4PM to 8PM shift. The flow of volunteers was also very smooth.

Suarez said that Bantay Bilang was more efficient this time since volunteers did not have to wait for a long time before their shift. There were also no extensions in the shifts. Excess volunteers, especially the walk-ins, were all given tasks.

Suarez added that Bantay Bilang also needs more volunteers for the morning shifts as these are the “dry shifts.” Students, who form bulk of the volunteers, have classes in the morning.

Katherine Marie M. Cadeliña
reporting from the Bantay Bilang Headquarters, Ateneo

Namfrel QC Quick Count Partial and Unofficial Results

2007-05-16T20:50:00.000-07:00

National Citizens' Movement for Free Elections - Quezon City Chapter
Results as of May 16, 12PM

No. of Precincts: 417

MAYOR

Acebedo, Romeo S. - 315
Alvarez, Florian Yani L. - 302
Belmonte, Feliciano R. - 35,185
Rosales, Andy Q. - 1,248

VICE MAYOR

Bautista, Herbert Constantine N. - 35,193
Bautista, Roberto B. - 519
Jota, Rolando M. - 983
Obsum, Rogelio P. - 166

REPRESENTATIVE (1st District)

Abesamis, Romel R. - 1,047
Crisologo, Vincent P. - 3,388
Padilla, Antonio A. - 867

REPRESENTATIVE (2nd District)

Aban, Vicente Jr. - 14
Balosa, Esmeraldo - 8
Jimenez, Walter - 22
Liban, Dante - 1,565
Mathay, Ismael - 3,347
Nueva, Noima - 74
Simon, Brigido, Jr. - 1,364
Susano, Maryanne - 4,000

REPRESENTATIVE
(3rd District)

Calderon, Ramon - 303
Corrioso, Benjamin - 72
Defensor, Mattias - 6,647
Lope, Wendell - 65
Pumaren, Filomeno - 1,156
Remoto, Danton - 794
Soriano, Sis Lita - 118

REPRESENTATIVE
(4th District)

Daza, Nanette - 9,000
Palacios, Albert Hans - 1,769

COUNCILOR (1st DISTRICT)

Aguas, Reynaldo S. - 380
Belmonte, Ricardo J. - 2,069
Beltran, Arturo Jr. D. - 688
Bilaos, Fermin B. - 640
Calalay, Francisco Jr. A. - 3,075
Canseco, George Jr. A. - 1,085
Delarmente, Dorothy A. - 2,447
Diño, Martin Baduiis - 919
Ferrer, Victor Jr. V. - 2,387
Herrera-Dy, Bernadette - 3,454
Jacinto, Senen Jr. A. - 949
Juico, Joseph Emile H. - 2,438
Mondejar, Jon B. - 716
Nacpil, Edwin M. - 256
Pleyto, Salvador Jr. G. - 1,088
Samson, Moises S. - 1,837
Santos, Eddie M. - 546
Sarino, Henry Vincent A. - 1,398
Soberano, Gregorio P. - 379
Zamora, Alejo C. - 166

COUNCILOR (2nd DISTRICT)

Acol, Glenn - 175
Alegarbes, Mocario - 75
Arias, Joseph - 311
Berzabal, Raymond - 149
Buscayno, Jamil - 204
Castelo, Winston - 7,993
Cayobit, Pastor - 143
Dela Cruz, Alberto - 156
Dela Cruz, Teresita - 332
Denosita, Tony - 182
Dy, Andres - 255
Francisco, Allan Butch - 6,516
Jacob, Gerald - 410
Jickain, Aiko - 4,639
Liban, Voltaire - 6,603
Medalla, Ramon - 6,674
Medina, Eden - 5,841
Pilar, Ma.Victoria - 4,481
Rocapok, Quentin - 103
Rodriguez, Samuel - 637
Saludes, Louie John - 1,479
Valmocina, Felecito - 4,877

COUNCILOR (3rd DISTRICT)

Banal, Jorge - 8,081
Borres, Jaime - 5,774
Carios, Raymundo - 1,792
De Guzman, Dante - 6,820
Dela Luna, Charlotte - 478
Escober, Rodrigo - 889
Gonzales, Amadeo - 1,646
Lagumbay, Wencerom - 7,218
Pumaren, Franz - 7,426
Reyes, Allan - 3,556
Sotto-De Leon, Diorella Maria - 6,145
Torrecampo, Beda - 3,480

COUNCILOR (4th DISTRICT)

Battung, Luciano B. - 437
Belmonte, Vicente Eric Jr. - 6,729
Delfinado, Edgar - 2,750
Hipol, Bayani - 6,033
Inton, Ariel - 8,018
Lagman, Edcel - 7,503
Malangen, Restituto - 6,216
Malaya, Janet - 7,873
Montillo, Armando - 5,303
Suntay, Jesus - 8,216
Timtiman, Bonifacio - 460

Namfrel QC quick count calls for more volunteers

2007-05-16T20:05:00.000-07:00

by Ayee D. Macaraig

737PM – Namfrel Quezon City (QC)chapter once again sent invitations via e-mail to invite people to volunteer for the project.

Namfrel QC's operation quick count is also called Bantay Bilang.

“A lot have already responded to the call of volunteerism but Bantay Bilang needs more people to help out,” said the invitation.

In earlier reports of The GUIDON, Bantay Bilang officers said that they still need more volunteers especially for May 17 onwards and for night shifts.

Walk-in volunteers are asked to be at the Manuel V. Pangilinan Center for Student Leadership (MVP-CSL) one hour before the four-hour shifts for training and instructions. This means that they must come at 3AM, 7AM, 11AM, 3PM, 7PM or 11PM.

Interested volunteers may text Sanggunian ng mga Mag-aaral (Sanggu) President Karl Satinitigan (IV BS LM) at 0915-7882132, call 4266001 local 5061-65, or drop by at the MVP-CSL.

Namfrel QC close to getting 90% target ERs

2007-05-16T19:45:00.000-07:00

12PM – Namfrel Quezon City (QC) chapter has already collected 4,480 election returns (ERs), which is close to its 90% target or 4,534 ERs out of 5,037, said Gita Luz (AB IS ’07), Namfrel QCHead for Media Relations.

Namfrel QC's operation quick count is also called Bantay Bilang.

Recovering from software problems last night, Bantay Bilang’s encoding and collating process has resumed at 8AM. Operations are back to normal.

Officers, however, said that the collating process for local elections needs to quicken. To achieve this, Luz said that they have asked the help of Management Information Systems (MIS) personnel. Volunteer Training Head Aaron Palabyab (AB Comm ’07) added that MIS students and technicians have served as consultants since operations started.

Bantay Bilang officers also said that they expect volunteers to work faster as they get more used to their tasks.

There has been a steady number of volunteers throughout the day, with 4PM to 8PM being the peak time for walk-in volunteers. Five to 10 walk-in volunteers are estimated to come per shift.

Stephanie O. Chan
reporting from the Bantay Bilang Headquarters, Ateneo

Bantay Pangako: Monitoring Promises

2007-05-16T19:40:00.001-07:00

by Randy Tuaño
Lecturer, Department of Economics

To help communities monitor the promises of candidates after they win in the elections, the Bantay Pangako project was formed in January by several Ateneo professors and civil society groups. The group requested the Pugadlawin political reform network, headed by Dr. Benjie Tolosa, then chair of the Department of Political Science, to spearhead the project.

Models

Bantay Pangako modeled itself after what has been undertaken by other civil society groups.

One of these is the “Silingan Ka!” (You Are My Neighbor!) project in Zamboanga Sibugay in 2001, which aimed to raise consciousness on issues that should be at the forefront of local elections. A covenant-signing process was then held between Silingan Ka’s representatives and the elected politicians, on the programs to be implemented after the elections.

Meanwhile, in Cebu City, there was the “Kaabag sa Sugbu” project in 1992, which aimed to increase the influence of non-government and people’s organizations in the city government’s policy-making process. The coalition was able to elect into office the Cebu City mayor and several councilors, who agreed to implement policies that this group suggested.

Objectives

In the mold of the said models, Bantay Pangako aims (1) to help poor communities in developing their own electoral agenda based on their needs, and (2) to present these agenda to candidates who can agree to undertake these if they win the elections.

An integral part of this is a covenant-signing process between the candidates and the community leaders. The communities, after the elections, are expected to monitor the winning candidates’ performance based on the agenda they signed. This process is closely linked with the Pinoy Voters’ Academy, a training program of the Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan (SLB), which aims to deepen the electorate’s political consciousness.

Dreams come true

So far, Bantay Pangako has been making progress:

In February, Pugadlawin held dialogues with the leaders of Ateneo de Naga University, and made contacts with leaders of social action offices in Xavier University, so that similar efforts can be made in their respective areas. It also tasked its members who were working for the Ateneo School of Government (ASG) and the SLB to start conceptualizing the issue.

In turn, a training manual was developed to help communities who want to undertake a Bantay Pangako process. The manual was developed at the end of March by the staff of ASG, the SLB, and the Office for Social Concern and Involvement (OSCI), and the leaders of the Ateneo Student Catholic Action (AtSCA), the Society of Jesus Social Apostolate (SJSA), and the Caucus of Development NGO Networks.

Similar efforts were undertaken in Naga City and in Cagayan de Oro City, where leaders in Xavier University and NGOs organized a movement called "Managsilingan Kita!" (similar to “Silingan Ka!”) in Iloilo and Tacloban.

In Quezon City last April 28, the AtSCA organized a Bantay Pangako process for its areas in Marytown, Park 7 and Kaingin. There, the AtSCA was able to help the communities develop their own agenda and present these to selected candidates for Quezon City councilor, who promised to implement substantial parts of the program.

We hope that Bantay Pangako will not end with the May 14 elections, and that communities will continue to monitor the winning candidates’ promises. We also expect the Bantay Pangako process to be expanded before the elections in 2010.

Namfrel QC Quick Count Partial and Unofficial Results

2007-05-16T12:30:00.000-07:00

National Citizens' Movement for Free Elections - Quezon City Chapter
Results as of May 16, 6AM

MAYOR

Acebedo, Romeo S. - 205
Alvarez, Florian Yani L. - 218
Belmonte, Feliciano R. - 26057
Rosales, Andy Q. - 1082

VICE MAYOR

Bautista, Herbert Constantine N. - 26080
Bautista, Roberto B. - 372
Jota, Rolando M. - 912
Obsum, Rogelio P. - 123

REPRESENTATIVE (1st District)

Abesamis, Romel R. - 746
Crisologo, Vincent P. - 2450
Padilla, Antonio A. - 847

REPRESENTATIVE (2nd District)

Aban, Vicente Jr. - 13
Balosa, Esmeraldo - 5
Jimenez, Walter - 22
Liban, Dante - 1479
Mathay, Ismael - 3118
Nueva, Noima - 73
Simon, Brigido, Jr. - 1234
Susano, Maryanne - 3754

REPRESENTATIVE
(3rd District)

Calderon, Ramon - 266
Corrioso, Benjamin - 69
Defensor, Mattias - 5924
Lope, Wendell - 56
Pumaren, Filomeno - 1067
Remoto, Danton - 705
Soriano, Sis Lita - 108

REPRESENTATIVE
(4th District)

Daza, Nanette - 3959
Palacios, Albert Hans - 686

COUNCILOR (1st DISTRICT)

Aguas, Reynaldo S. - 262
Belmonte, Ricardo J. - 1474
Beltran, Arturo Jr. D. - 618
Bilaos, Fermin B. - 519
Calalay, Francisco Jr. A. - 2247
Canseco, George Jr. A. - 948
Delarmente, Dorothy A. - 1783
Diño, Martin Baduiis - 790
Ferrer, Victor Jr. V. - 1688
Herrera-Dy, Bernadette - 2565
Jacinto, Senen Jr. A. - 882
Juico, Joseph Emile H. - 1740
Mondejar, Jon B. - 690
Nacpil, Edwin M. - 183
Pleyto, Salvador Jr. G. - 854
Samson, Moises S. - 1304
Santos, Eddie M. - 524
Sarino, Henry Vincent A. - 1002
Soberano, Gregorio P. - 367
Zamora, Alejo C. - 95

COUNCILOR (2nd DISTRICT)

Acol, Glenn - 160
Alegarbes, Mocario - 68
Arias, Joseph - 296
Berzabal, Raymond - 133
Buscayno, Jamil - 189
Castelo, Winston - 7451
Cayobit, Pastor - 130
Dela Cruz, Alberto - 140
Dela Cruz, Teresita - 308
Denosita, Tony - 175
Dy, Andres - 234
Francisco, Allan Butch - 6070
Jacob, Gerald - 377
Jickain, Aiko - 4304
Liban, Voltaire - 6155
Medalla, Ramon - 6184
Medina, Eden - 5435
Pilar, Ma.Victoria - 4170
Rocapok, Quentin - 96
Rodriguez, Samuel - 577
Saludes, Louie John - 1336
Valmocina, Felecito - 4622

COUNCILOR (3rd DISTRICT)

Banal, Jorge - 7268
Borres, Jaime - 5197
Carios, Raymundo - 1512
De Guzman, Dante - 6115
Dela Luna, Charlotte - 448
Escober, Rodrigo - 792
Gonzales, Amadeo - 1480
Lagumbay, Wencerom - 6454
Pumaren, Franz - 6621
Reyes, Allan - 3141
Sotto-De Leon, Diorella Maria - 5522
Torrecampo, Beda - 3110

COUNCILOR (4th DISTRICT)

Battung, Luciano B. - 196
Belmonte, Vicente Eric Jr. - 2980
Delfinado, Edgar - 1360
Hipol, Bayani - 2522
Inton, Ariel - 3440
Lagman, Edcel - 3295
Malangen, Restituto - 2725
Malaya, Janet - 3406
Montillo, Armando - 2402
Suntay, Jesus - 3514
Timtiman, Bonifacio - 202

Replenishment

2007-05-16T11:30:00.000-07:00

Replenishment. At 1130AM, volunteers help carry food donations for Bantay Bilang volunteers at their headquarters at the Manuel V. Pangilinan Center for Student Leadership (MVP-CSL).

Photo by CK W. Chua

Namfrel QC resumes encoding after system problems

2007-05-16T10:30:00.000-07:00

8AM – Namfrel Quezon City (QC) Chapter has resumed its encoding process now at Faura Hall after halting encoding operations last night.

Namfrel QC's operation quick count is also called Bantay Bilang.

Namfrel QC and other Namfrel chapters experienced software problems yesterday, which caused delays in their expected quick count.

The Philippine Daily Inquirer quoted Namfrel Chairman Edward Go as having said that he remains optimistic despite the slow count that Namfrel is encountering. “I'm still hopeful that by the end of Friday, we shall have covered 60 percent.”

Namfrel QC said that its system problems have already been fixed. It has submitted results to La Salle Greenhills, Namfrel’s national headquarters. Results for the senatorial race, however, have not been submitted as these can be obtained online.

Namfrel QC will release updated results at noon today. It first released results at 7PM yesterday.

Sara Mae D. Mawis
reporting from the Bantay Bilang Headquarters, Ateneo

Namfrel QC Quick Count Partial and Unofficial Results

2007-05-15T23:20:00.000-07:00

National Citizens' Movement for Free Elections - Quezon City Chapter
Results as of May 15, 7PM

MAYOR

Acebedo, Romeo S. - 47
Alvarez, Florian Yani L. - 66
Belmonte, Feliciano R. - 7281
Rosales, Andy Q. - 101

VICE MAYOR

Bautista, Herbert Constantine N. - 7273
Bautista, Roberto B. - 86
Jota, Rolando M. - 69
Obsum, Rogelio P. - 32

REPRESENTATIVE
(1st District)

Abesamis, Romel R. - 236
Crisologo, Vincent P. - 912
Padilla, Antonio A. - 9

REPRESENTATIVE
(2nd District)

Aban, Vicente Jr. - 2
Balosa, Esmeraldo - 2
Jimenez, Walter - 6
Liban, Dante - 283
Mathay, Ismael - 561
Nueva, Noima - 5
Simon, Brigido, Jr. - 137
Susano, Maryanne - 628

REPRESENTATIVE
(3rd District)

Calderon, Ramon - 107
Corrioso, Benjamin - 27
Defensor, Mattias - 1995
Lope, Wendell - 26
Pumaren, Filomeno - 360
Remoto, Danton - 194
Soriano, Sis Lita - 40

REPRESENTATIVE
(4th District)

Daza, Nanette - 1384
Palacios, Albert Hans - 178

COUNCILOR--1st DISTRICT

Aguas, Reynaldo S. - 119
Belmonte, Ricardo J. - 612
Beltran, Arturo Jr. D. - 50
Bilaos, Fermin B. - 194
Calalay, Francisco Jr. A. - 793
Canseco, George Jr. A. - 94
Delarmente, Dorothy A. - 667
Diño, Martin Baduiis - 88
Ferrer, Victor Jr. V. - 694
Herrera-Dy, Bernadette - 813
Jacinto, Senen Jr. A. - 32
Juico, Joseph Emile H. - 704
Mondejar, Jon B. - 10
Nacpil, Edwin M. - 54
Pleyto, Salvador Jr. G. - 294
Samson, Moises S. - 469
Santos, Eddie M. - 19
Sarino, Henry Vincent A. - 351
Soberano, Gregorio P. - 11
Zamora, Alejo C. - 44

COUNCILOR--2nd DISTRICT

Acol, Glenn - 37
Alegarbes, Mocario - 16
Arias, Joseph - 69
Berzabal, Raymond - 32
Buscayno, Jamil - 44
Castelo, Winston - 1293
Cayobit, Pastor - 16
Dela Cruz, Alberto - 30
Dela Cruz, Teresita - 43
Denosita, Tony - 31
Dy, Andres - 29
Francisco, Allan Butch - 1009
Jacob, Gerald - 94
Jickain, Aiko - 676
Liban, Voltaire - 1078
Medalla, Ramon - 1020
Medina, Eden - 861
Pilar, Ma.Victoria - 571
Rocapok, Quentin - 13
Rodriguez, Samuel - 95
Saludes, Louie John - 209
Valmocina, Felecito - 906

COUNCILOR--3rd DISTRICT

Banal, Jorge - 2431
Borres, Jaime - 1699
Carios, Raymundo - 471
De Guzman, Dante - 2008
Dela Luna, Charlotte - 151
Escober, Rodrigo - 247
Gonzales, Amadeo - 405
Lagumbay, Wencerom - 2158
Pumaren, Franz - 2223
Reyes, Allan - 1073
Sotto-De Leon, Diorella Maria - 1887
Torrecampo, Beda - 1131

COUNCILOR--4th DISTRICT

Battung, Luciano B. - 54
Belmonte, Vicente Eric Jr. - 994
Delfinado, Edgar - 540
Hipol, Bayani - 738
Inton, Ariel - 1101
Lagman, Edcel - 1134
Malangen, Restituto - 932
Malaya, Janet - 1051
Montillo, Armando - 874
Suntay, Jesus - 1181
Timtiman, Bonifacio - 56

What are your views on the accuracy of election surveys?

2007-05-15T20:13:00.000-07:00

Interviews by Kirk Chester C. Damasco, Cyril Isabelle A. Fermin, and Earl Christopher M. Segales

“It's pretty accurate because voters answer based on what they see. These are good indicators of [the] performance, image and popularity of candidates.” – Christian Domingo (IV BS Mgt)

”Hindi kailanman maaaring tingnan ang sagot ng iilan bilang kumakatawan sa pulso ng lahat ng mamamayan. Itigil na ang mga survey na yan.” – Jonathan Ibañez (IV AB MEco)

“Surveys can be corrupted, too, so [they] can have bias. [They] may really lack accuracy because [the] sample size is not enough to be representative of [the] actual population. Also, if paid for, survey makers by human nature might want to feed the ego of the paying party.” – Anna Cristina Rojas, Lecturer, Department of Leadership and Strategy

“I think they're not accurate and I believe they lean towards specific candidates. Well, to tell you the truth, it's something we discussed sa table over breakfast type of thing. That the officials in this country are so corrupt now that even such polls are probably backed by powerful people who are leaning towards particular people.” – Brian Marco Chanyungco (III BS Mgt-H)

“I'm not sure if one should believe in surveys because most of the surveys are biased kasi politicians pay for these surveys. Sometimes they use their own people in conducting the surveys. So most probably, the results will be in their favor. And ‘di ba there's this thing with self-fulfilling prophecy? Like if lumabas sa survey na you’re going to win, most probably you will ‘cause people will think na, ‘He's going to win, so siya na lang ivo-vote ko.’ And pag lumabas naman na the politician's not going to win, most probably, he will not kasi people will think na why vote pa for this person if he's gonna lose din naman.” – Micaela Kristina Galvez (II AB PoS)

“I don’t know how they get their data so I'm not in a position to say. But I'd say ‘not accurate’ given the inaccuracy of the elections themselves.” – Jerome Emil Villanueva (IV BS MAC)

“I believe that these surveys are pretty misguiding. Accurate or inaccurate, voters should know the platforms of each candidate and decide from there. [They should not] be overwhelmed by surveys which [have] a bandwagon effect on their mentality. Surveys [do] not even provide majority of the voices which [have] to be heard, and [surveys] can easily be handpicked to benefit certain candidates. So all in all, no to surveys in general.” – Kevin Gonzales (II AB IS)

WHAT ARE YOUR VIEWS ON THE ACCURACY OF ELECTION SURVEYS? Comment and share your views with the rest of the Ateneo community!

Still no election results from Namfrel QC

2007-05-15T13:05:00.000-07:00

Bantay Bilang needs more volunteers

449PM (2nd Update) - Bantay Bilang has not yet posted partial and unofficial results at its headquarters at the Manuel V. Pangilinan Center for Student Leadership (MVP-CSL).

Bantay Bilang is the quick count operations of the National Citizens' Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel) Quezon City (QC) chapter.

According to a report broadcasted in ABS-CBN News Channel (ANC), the Palace asked Namfrel to speed up its quick count and said that this is more credible than the quick counts conducted by TV networks.

As of press time, only a few Namfrel chapters in NCR have released partial and unofficial results from the quick count.

Joy Triño (IV AB Eco), a member of the media relations team of Namfrel QC, said that Namfrel QC has not yet finished encoding the results written in the election returns (ERs).

System delays prevented the posting of the results. Constant checking and rechecking of the ERs, which are parts of the quick count process, also slowed down their progress.

Namfrel QC officers are posting partial and unofficial results in MVP-CSL, however, from what they monitor in news stations such as ABS-CBN.

Namfrel QC Head for Media Relations Gita Luz (AB IS '07) said that results will probably be posted by midnight.

Triño, meanwhile, said that Namfrel QC needs more volunteers for May 17 onwards. "Many people volunteer for the first two days of counting, but we begin to lack people after those two days."

Bantay Bilang also needs more volunteers for night shifts. Interested volunteers may text 0927-2295792, call 4266001 loc 5061-65, or drop by at the MVP-CSL.

Ma. Anna Margarita V. Bueno and Ayee D. Macaraig

reporting from the Bantay Bilang Headquarters, Ateneo

Blank. As of 420PM, the white boards at the Bantay Bilang headquarters at the Manuel V. Pangilinan Center for Student Leadership (MVP-CSL) contained no partial and unofficial results.

Photo by Patricia S. de la Paz

Namfrel volunteers start encoding QC results

2007-05-15T09:48:00.000-07:00

8AM - Namfrel Quezon City (QC) chapter received election returns (ERs) from 10PM to 12AM yesterday, said Wen Batocabe (IV AB-MA PoS), a point person for Namfrel QC media relations.

Namfrel QC's operation quick count is also called Bantay Bilang.

The ERs came from different voting precincts in QC and were delivered to the Manuel V. Pangilinan Center for Student Leadership (MVP-CSL) for Bantay Bilang or the quick count operations.

According to Batocabe, the Bantay Bilang volunteers have checked the ERs and have started to encode them.

System delays prevented the ERs from being checked and encoded faster, Batocabe said. Because of these delays, they started encoding at 8AM instead of 12AM.

By noon, Namfrel QC will be releasing updates. As of press time, they have not yet given partial and unofficial election results because these are still being encoded.

Ma. Anna Margarita V. Bueno
reporting from the Bantay Bilang Headquarters, Ateneo

First batch of ERs arrive in Ateneo

2007-05-15T02:19:00.000-07:00

1204AM - Bantay Bilang is yet to release its partial and unofficial results, said Gita Luz (AB IS '07), media head for the National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel) Quezon City (QC) chapter.

Bantay Bilang is Namfrel QC's operation quick count.

It was only at 1130PM of May 14 that election returns began to trickle down from different precincts — usually the smaller ones since they finished faster. At the same time, the election returns (ERs) were stuck in a bottleneck in the reception area, because they had to be checked for possible tampering.

In the next four hours, the plan is to start the tabulations once the ERs have been verified.

Luz said that the quick count has enough volunteers for the day shifts of the first two days. More volunteers are needed, however, for the night shifts.

She said that walk-in volunteers will be needed in the next few days.

They are advised to walk in an hour before their desired shift, so that they can be trained. Those who have undergone training, on the other hand, may walk in 30 minutes before their desired shift.

Interested volunteers may text 0927-2295792, call 4266001 loc 5061-65, or drop by the Bantay Bilang Headquarters at the Manuel V. Pangilinan Center for Student Leadership (MVP-CSL).

Henson Tyler T. Wongaiham

reporting from the Bantay Bilang Headquarters, Ateneo

Heavy trickles. Election returns started trickling down from different precincts at almost midnight.

Photo by Henson Tyler T. Wongaiham

After a long day

2007-05-15T00:50:00.000-07:00

After a long day. Volunteers, Ateneans included, are still counting votes at 1250AM inside Miriam College.

Photo by Henson Tyler T. Wongaiham

Pillars of the Ateneo face election day

2007-05-14T18:40:00.000-07:00

Photos by Paterno R. Esmaquel II

Casting their ballots are Jesuit Provincial Fr. Daniel Patrick Huang, SJ (right), former Jesuit Provincial Fr. Romeo Intengan, SJ (left), and Jesuit Communications Director Fr. Aristotle Dy, SJ (center).

Malyn Lim (right) and Ateneo High School's Mel Siega (left) wait for their shift as volunteers for the National Citizens' Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel).

Benjamin Tolosa, Ph.D., of the Department of Political Science is about to enter the voting precinct.

Emily Escalera, a photocopy lady at Kostka Hall, serves as an election watcher at the Balara Elementary School.

Fr. Adolfo Dacanay, SJ, chair of the Department of Theology, gets his ballot.

Associate Dean for Academic Affairs (ADAA) Fr. Jose Cecilio Magadia, SJ, a political scientist, lists the persons he has chosen to be the country's leaders.

Danton Remoto of the Department of English, now a congressional candidate, chats with Patricia Licuanan, Ph.D., president of Miriam College and lecturer at the Department of Psychology.

Close-up: Remoto and Licuanan.

Carmela Siojo, assistant to the vice president for the Loyola Schools, endures the heat as she lines up to vote at Balara Elementary School

Fr. Nicasio Cruz, SJ, of the Department of Communication joins the crowd in waiting in line.

Carmela Siojo (left), her husband Manolet from the Department of Leadership and Strategy (right), and their daughter show off the indelible ink on their fingers.

Close-up: The Siojos pose with their fingers stained with indelible ink.

Each was just a face in the crowd on election day, but still bore the marks of the Atenean -- responsible, nation-loving, Filipino.

GETTING READY

2007-05-14T00:01:00.000-07:00

May 14: A day to heal, to conquer fears, to hope again

by Ryan Edward L. Chua

It was noontime when I joined a huge crowd rushing to beat the deadline of the voters’ registration in my hometown in Laguna last December. Sighs and shouts of people who had been waiting there since early morning filled the jampacked municipal hall, and it certainly wasn’t a sight to behold for a first-time voter like me.

The very long line was enough proof that I was about to begin a long wait. One hour passed, then two, then three, then eternity. I left the place already at midnight, leaving hundreds of other registrants still waiting. After almost 12 hours, I officially became a registered voter, holding my voter’s stub, tired and sleepy.

It was an energy-draining experience, much like auditioning for a talent search because of the long hours I spent for waiting. But while I chose to “audition,” many people my age did not.

According to a Pulse Asia survey, more than 20% of eligible first-time voters did not register for the May 2007 elections. Most of them, according to the survey, said that they are simply not interested to vote. In a country where politics is often seen as a dirty game, this is no longer surprising.

This could mean that politics in our country has gone to such a sorry state that even our most potent force, the youth, no longer sees it relevant. Maybe lining up for hours to register is not worth the effort for many young people like me, even if it is a crucial first step in exercising the right and responsibility to vote. Maybe it’s better to audition for a talent search.

For many, it may appear a waste of time to register just to be able to cast a single vote that would be combined with millions of other votes anyway, and that can be stolen any time with a simple phone call. And what a waste that single vote would indeed be without enough good candidates to choose from.

What do we really get after voting? If what we always see in the news are politicians involved in this scandal and that, or one candidate vilifying another, then what’s the use of writing on the ballot and dirtying our nails with indelible ink? We would just be placing the same breed of people in the same old system that our elders have always been complaining about. Would a single vote make any difference?

As sad as it sounds, this is probably how many of today’s youth think about the elections and Philippine politics in general. That is, if they even still think about these things at all.

Many young people today are perhaps clouded with fear, a fear to go beyond themselves and step into a bigger world where they have a big responsibility. It is a fear that is not always noticed, but is constantly being heightened by the realities we face each day. It’s not that the youth today are selfish or apathetic, as they are often accused to be, but that they are afraid to engage in concerns they consider not their own.

What is frightening is that even during the elections, an event that supposedly promises new life and reform for our country, this fear persists, and even gets worse.

Seeing this fear frightens me personally. It scared me, for instance, to see many students ignore the Sanggunian’s Reg2Vote campaign last year, where they would have been transported for free to register as voters. It also scared me to hear my brother joke that he will register when he turns 18 so he will be able to sell his vote.

The way I see it, we as a nation are like a broken-hearted lover who, having experienced the same hurt many times, already finds it hard to trust and love again. She fears even a new suitor who promises to revive her, love her so much more, and bring back what she had lost. She’s afraid to risk it all again, and thus chooses to be indifferent.

She, however, can never grow that way. We as a nation can never grow that way. She needs to heal. We need to heal. And the best way to heal is to come face to face with the wound, to strike at the heart of the fear, to risk failing and experiencing hurt. Only then can we conquer this fear and move forward.

We, the youth, are the strongest force that can help our country heal. This is why it is disheartening to know that many of us did not register for the elections, and more disheartening that a lot are simply uninterested to vote. Many of us would often say, “Those candidates are all crap, and this country is hopeless. My vote will be wasted." I say this is evading and worsening the fear instead of healing it.

Today, May 14, we are given yet another chance to heal our country's wounds, to conquer our fears, and to hope again. The precincts are waiting for us.

Ryan is the Inquiry Editor of The GUIDON. He won second place in the Kabataan Essay Category of last year's Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature.

VforCE prays for honest and clean elections

2007-05-13T10:55:00.000-07:00

Namfrel QC gathers for final preparations

by Ayee D. Macaraig

WITH TWO days left to prepare for the polls, hundreds of election volunteers gathered on Saturday not to train as usual, but to pray for honest and peaceful elections.

“We are here because we are committed [as volunteers] in doing what we can to make sure that these elections are honest, responsible, and peaceful,” said Jesuit Provincial Fr. Daniel Patrick Huang, SJ, during the mass organized by the Volunteers for Clean Elections (VforCE).

The mass, which invitations said was for “peace, vigilance, and commitment,” was held at the Ateneo High School (AHS) Covered Courts.

Volunteers from various VforCE groups such as the National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel) and the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) attended the mass.

Also present were volunteers from the National Secretariat for Social Action, Justice and Peace (NASSA), Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan (SLB), and the Legal Network for Truthful Elections (LENTE).

The mass was intended to collectively “send forth” the VforCE volunteers in their mission of civic engagement for Philippine democracy.

VforCE is a nationwide movement that aims to gather one million volunteers to protect the integrity of the elections, to fight fraud and violence, and to work for long-term change.

“Inspirited volunteers”

Huang said that although there are forces ready to cheat, deceive, and exploit Filipinos in the elections, there is also a spirit that moves against darkness. This, he said, is the Holy Spirit.

“Our volunteers are inspiring, or perhaps better, ‘inspirited’ volunteers, men and women filled with God’s spirit to commit, love, and serve our country,” he said.

“Kailangan tayo ng bayan. Kailangan ng mga taong haharap sa puwersa ng kabuktutan. Kailangan ng mga Pilipinong handang magbantay at maglingkod upang ang demokrasya ay maitaguyod (The nation needs us. The nation needs people to face the force of evil. Filipinos who are ready to guard and serve to pursue democracy are needed),” Huang added.

Huang also said that the candles lit at the end of the mass symbolize light in the darkness, and the flame of love for nation.

“[The peace that Jesus gives] does not mean that things will be well without much effort, dedication, [and] sacrifice from us. Much will be demanded of us in the coming days, indeed, in the coming years as we prepare for 2010,” Huang said.

“Better to light a candle”

Namfrel Quezon City (QC) Chairman Don Rapadas also explained the meaning of the candle-lighting during the Namfrel QC final general assembly (GA), which was held before the VforCE mass.

Rapadas said that people see the May 14 elections as bitter and heavily contested, and is predicted to be marred by massive cheating. “[Yet], instead of complaining, we choose to see what is positive.”

The motto of Namfrel since its creation in 1984 is, “It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.”

In the GA, volunteers for both poll-watching and the quick count were reminded of their tasks and the protocols to be followed.

Namfrel QC district chairpersons Angela Ferreria (AB Eu ’05), Leah Andal, Japs Simpas, and Joseph Quesada (AB MEco ’02) gave final reminders. Quesada is the executive director of the Ateneo Alumni Association (AAA).

The chairpersons said that they are still in need of volunteers for poll-watching and the quick count. They will accept volunteers until May 13.

Vice Chair for Tabulation Boyet Dy (AB DS ’06), meanwhile, explained the transmission of election returns from the precincts to the Ateneo, and the tabulation of votes.

Ateneo is the venue for Namfrel QC’s operation quick count.

Love for country

Sr. Annabelle Diaz, OP, mother superior of the Congregation of the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Sienna, attended the GA. Every elections, she volunteers for poll-watching in QC District 1.

“We have to safeguard our votes because [they are] the will of the people. If we don’t protect [them], that is against our conscience. And as [Filipinos], we are responsible for our votes,” she said.

Sr. Fe Suberon, OP, who is also a poll-watching volunteer, said that she volunteered because she loves her country and has to protect it.

“We are the [largest] Catholic country in Asia [but we still have a very] negative image. [Even if I have lots of work to do], I will forego it because of my country,” she said.

Zenaida Toicino from the Gawad Kalinga (GK)-Licad community in QC said that she also volunteered for poll-watching in District 2 to help avoid cheating in the elections, and to ensure that the elections will be peaceful.

Functions and Powers of Your Public Officials

2007-05-13T10:35:00.000-07:00

Compiled by the Web Staff

Congress (Senate, House of Representatives, Party-lists)

to create new laws and amend or repeal old ones
to amend the Constitution by convening as a Constitutional Assembly
to propose the annual national budget, as well as taxes and other measures to generate revenue
to conduct investigations in aid of legislation
for Senators, to attend to the needs of the entire Philippine population
for members of the House of Representatives, to attend to the needs of the people in their respective congressional districts
for the party-list representatives, to familiarize the electorate with the platforms and programs for the marginalized sectors of society

Provincial Governor

to exercise general supervision and control over all programs, projects, services and activities of the provincial government including:

initiating and proposing legislative measures to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan,

representing the province in all its business transactions,

determining the time, manner and place of payment of salaries or wages of the officials and employees of the province,

visiting component cities and municipalities of the province at least once every 6 months, and

authorizing payment for medical cares, necessary transportation, subsistence, hospital or medical fees of provincial officials and employees.

a) to enforce all laws and ordinances relative to the governance of the province,

b) to enforce the exercise of the appropriate corporate powers, and

c) to implement all approved policies, programs, projects, services and activities of the province such as:

calling conventions, conferences, seminars or meetings of all officials of the province,

formulating the peace and order plan of the province including its implementation upon approval, and

calling upon the appropriate national law enforcement agencies to suppress disorder, riot, lawless violence, rebellion or sedition or to apprehend violators of the law.

to initiate and maximize the generation of resources and revenues particularly those programmed for agro-industrial development and country-wide growth and progress

to ensure the delivery of basic services and the provision of adequate facilities

Provincial Vice-Governor

to be the presiding officer of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan and to sign all warrants drawn on the provincial treasury for all the expenditures appropriated for the operation of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan

to subject to civil service law and rules and regulations as well as to appoint all officials and employees of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan

to assume the office of the governor for the unexpired term of the latter in the event of permanent vacancy

to exercise the powers and to perform the duties and functions of the governor in cases of temporary vacancy

Mayor

to hold office in the city hall during his incumbency
to exercise general supervision and control over all programs, projects, services, and activities of the provincial government (e.g., determining guidelines, directing the formulation of plans, proposing laws, directing programs, appoint officials and employees, carry out emergency measures, etc. )

a. to work closely with the Sangguniang Panlalawigan

b. to be responsible for determining the salaries of the city’s officials, as well as allocating and assigning their offices, ensuring that they faithfully discharge their duties with respect to the law, examining their books, records, and documents and authorizing their official trips outside the city,

c. to work closely with the barangay officials and to make it a point to visit the barangays in the city at least once every six months in order to understand their problems and present conditions,

d. to authorize payment for medical care and for other fees of the city officials and employees if they are injured while in the performance of their official duties (subject to the availability of funds

to enforce all laws and ordinances relative to the governance of the city and in the exercise of the appropriate corporate powers and implementation of all policies, projects, etc.

a. to ensure that the acts of the city’s barangay officials are done accordingly,

b. to call conventions, meetings, seminars in order to discuss the city’s current condition,

c. to issue orders for the appropriate enforcement and execution of laws and ordinances,

d. to act as a representative of the National Police Commission, formulating peace and order in the realm of the city by calling upon enforcement agencies in case riots break out, etc.

to initiate and maximize resources and revenues, as well as the implementation of development plans, program objectives and priorities as provided for the agro-industrial development and countryside
to ensure the delivery of basic services and the provision of adequate facilities

Vice-Mayor

to be the presiding officer of the Sangguniang Panlungsod and to sign all warrants drawn on the city treasury
to be subject to civil service law, rules, and regulations and to appoint all officials and employees of the Sangguniang Panlungsod
to exercise the powers and perform the duties and functions of the city mayor in cases of temporary vacancy

Councilor

to enact ordinances, approve resolutions and appropriate funds for the general welfare of the city and its inhabitants as member of the legislative body of the city, the Sangguniang Panlungsod

to approve ordinances and pass resolutions necessary for an efficient and effective city government

to generate and maximize the use of resources and revenues for the development plans, program objectives and priorities of the city with particular attention to agro-industrial development of city-wide growth and progress

to enact ordinances granting franchises and authorizing the issuance of permits or licenses, upon such conditions and for such purposes intended to promote the general welfare of the inhabitants of the city

to regulate activities relative to the use of land, buildings and structures within the city in order to promote general welfare

to approve ordinances which shall ensure the efficient and effective delivery of the basic services and facilities

Sources:

Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan. “Powers, Duties and Functions of your Local Government Officials: An Overview” (http://simbahanglingkod.multiply.com/journal/item/27)

Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan. “Know more about the party-list system.” (http://simbahanglingkod.multiply.com/journal/item/30)

Republic Act No. 7160

“Deciding tomorrow’s leaders”. The GUIDON. March 2007. p. 9.

What do you think of the candidates' advertisements? (BATCH 2)

2007-05-12T09:23:00.000-07:00

Interviews by Karen Marie J. Cunanan, Maria Francesca Coreen T. Frias, and Edwin Lawrence B. Joyas

BATCH 2

“Well, the candidates’ political advertisements mean that they really have a lot of money since all those advertisements cost so much.” – Rex Karlo Español (II BS Mgt)

“They don’t talk about their platform[s] and what they are planning to do. Mapapansin na talagang nagsasalita lang iyong mga famous …. It’s just a popularity thing.” – Ray Bastien Mayol (IV BSM AMF)

“I think the problem with the political advertisement[s] is that they’re trying to seduce the people to let them know that they’re doing the right thing. But in a way they’re not really that kind of person, in such a way that they’re creating an illusion that they’re like this and they do good deeds … So [regarding] political advertisements, I think the government should ban them.” – Mark Bryan Magno (III BS LM)

“Nakakatuwa iyong mga advertisements. Iyong ibang ads sa TV, maganda— lalung-lalo na sa bata.” – Lisa Agbay, Staff, Department of Information Systems and Computer Science (DISCS)

“Hindi sila sumusunod sa Comelec. In TV, they exceed their number of minutes. Napaka-superficial naman iyong mga commercials. They won’t even be able to address the problems, basing on their previous performances. Why would they waste money kung hindi naman nila mababalik iyon?” – Maria Sophia Clarisa de la Paz (III BS Mgt)

“Siguro masasabi ko lang… masyadong nag-fo-focus sila ‘dun sa [advertisements]… masyadong nilang pinapaganda yung [advertisements]. Magastos masyado yung mga adverstisements ng mga pulitiko ngayon. Kumbaga, imbes na sa iba ilaan yung pera para ‘dun sa political advertisement, mas [iginugugol pa nila ang] pera ‘dun sa advertisement na ginagawa nila.” – Rafael Papelleras, Office Assistant, Office for Social Concern and Involvement (OSCI)

”It’s very mass-oriented and it doesn’t have anything to do with what they plan to do to the country. It [doesn’t] target any intelligent audience. It also [doesn’t] show their credibility. ” – Jaime Marquez (II BS Bio-A)

“Para sa akin, ‘yang mga ganyang mga ginagawa ng mga pulitiko … parang ipinapakita lang nila na mayayaman talaga sila. Kaya nilang i-announce ‘yung pagkatao nila sa pamamagitan ng mga ads. Kaya dapat hindi ganun, kasi mas lamang yung mapepera eh. Paano naman yung mga kandidato na simple lang—mayaman din—kaya lang hindi kayang ano? Magkano ba ang ginagastos sa bawat show ng kandidato? Kaya para sa akin, hindi maganda ‘yang ganyang [advertisements].” – Reynaldo Guevarra, Laboratory Technician, Department of Biology

“Karamihan sa kanila, hindi dini-discuss iyong platform nila. They create this illusion to the people na kaya nila i-resolba ang mga problema na binanggit nila. Parang ‘substanceless’ lahat ng mga advertisements, pure spectacle.” – Erika Joy Ticong (IV BS CoE)

“They are expensive. The quality is not well thought out, I think. They just want to flash their faces with motherhood statements. They are insulting the public. They think that the public does not think. They think that it is enough to have their faces seen and the public is going to vote for them.” – Emanuel de Guzman, Lecturer, Department of Sociology and Anthropology

“They are violating a lot of rules. Because, when I watched TV Patrol, it showed that a lot of them violate public property rights and they fail to follow Comelec rules, like [on] where to put their posters.” – Jose Miguel Imperio (II BS HS)

Laws on Election Offenses

2007-05-12T06:21:00.000-07:00

Here is Article XXII of the Omnibus Election Code of the Philippines. Citizens are encouraged to be vigilant in observing and reporting any violation of the provisions stated below. Relevant parts are emphasized.

Omnibus Election Code
ARTICLE XXII
Election Offenses

Sec. 261. Prohibited Acts. - The following shall be guilty of an election offense:

a. Vote-buying and vote-selling.
1. Any person who gives, offers or promises money or anything of value, gives or promises any office or employment, franchise or grant, public or private, or makes or offers to make an expenditure, directly or indirectly, or cause an expenditure to be made to any person, association, corporation, entity, or community in order to induce anyone or the public in general to vote for or against any candidate or withhold his vote in the election, or to vote for or against any aspirant for the nomination or choice of a candidate in a convention or similar selection process of a political party.

2. Any person, association, corporation, group or community who solicits or receives, directly or indirectly, any expenditure or promise of any office or employment, public or private, for any of the foregoing considerations.

b. Conspiracy to bribe voters. - Two or more persons, whether candidates or not, who come to an agreement concerning the commission of any violation of paragraph (a) of this section and decide to commit it.

c. Wagering upon result of election. - Any person who bets or wagers upon the outcome of, or any contingency connected with an election. Any money or thing of value or deposit of money or thing of value situated anywhere in the Philippines put as such bet or wager shall be forfeited to the government.

d. Coercion of subordinates.

1. Any public officer, or any officer of any public or private corporation or association, or any head, superior, or administrator of any religious organization, or any employer or land-owner who coerces or intimidates or compels, or in any manner influence, directly or indirectly, any of his subordinates or members or parishioners or employees or house helpers, tenants, overseers, farm helpers, tillers, or lease holders to aid, campaign or vote for or against any candidate or any aspirant for the nomination or selection of candidates.

2. Any public officer or any officer of any commercial, industrial, agricultural, economic or social enterprise or public or private corporation or association, or any head, superior or administrator of any religious organization, or any employer or landowner who dismisses or threatens to dismiss, punishes or threatens to punish be reducing his salary, wage or compensation, or by demotion, transfer, suspension, separation, excommunication, ejectment, or causing him annoyance in the performance of his job or in his membership, any subordinate member or affiliate, parishioner, employee or house helper, tenant, overseer, farm helper, tiller, or lease holder, for disobeying or not complying with any of the acts ordered by the former to aid, campaign or vote for or against any candidate, or any aspirant for the nomination or selection of candidates.

e. Threats, intimidation, terrorism, use of fraudulent device or other forms of coercion. - Any person who, directly or indirectly, threatens, intimidates or actually causes, inflicts or produces any violence, injury, punishment, damage, loss or disadvantage upon any person or persons or that of the immediate members of his family, his honor or property, or uses any fraudulent device or scheme to compel or induce the registration or refraining from registration of any voter, or the participation in a campaign or refraining or desistance from any campaign, or the casting of any vote or omission to vote, or any promise of such registration, campaign, vote, or omission therefrom.

f. Coercion of election officials and employees. - Any person who, directly or indirectly, threatens, intimidates, terrorizes or coerces any election official or employee in the performance of his election functions or duties.

g. Appointment of new employees, creation of new position, promotion, or giving salary increases. - During the period of forty-five days before a regular election and thirty days before a special election,

1. any head, official or appointing officer of a government office, agency or instrumentality, whether national or local, including government-owned or controlled corporations, who appoints or hires any new employee, whether provisional, temporary or casual, or creates and fills any new position, except upon prior authority of the Commission. The Commission shall not grant the authority sought unless, it is satisfied that the position to be filled is essential to the proper functioning of the office or agency concerned, and that the position shall not be filled in a manner that may influence the election.

As an exception to the foregoing provisions, a new employee may be appointed in case of urgent need: Provided, however, That notice of the appointment shall be given to the Commission within three days from the date of the appointment. Any appointment or hiring in violation of this provision shall be null and void.

2. Any government official who promotes, or gives any increase of salary or remuneration or privilege to any government official or employee, including those in government-owned or controlled corporations.

h. Transfer of officers and employees in the civil service. - Any public official who makes or causes any transfer or detail whatever of any officer or employee in the civil service including public school teachers, within the election period except upon prior approval of the Commission.

i. Intervention of public officers and employees. - Any officer or employee in the civil service, except those holding political offices; any officer, employee, or member or the Armed Forces of the Philippines, or any police force, special forces, home defense forces, barangay self-defense units and all other para-military units that now exist or which may hereafter be organized who, directly or indirectly, intervenes in any election campaign or engages in any partisan political activity, except to vote or to preserve public order, if he is a peace officer.

j. Undue influence. - It is unlawful for any person to promise any office or employment, public or private, or to make or offer to make an expenditure, directly or indirectly, or to cause an expenditure to be made to any person, association, corporation or entity, which may induce anyone or the public in general either to vote or withhold his vote, or to vote for or against any candidate in any election or any aspirant for the nomination or selection of an official candidate in a convention of a political party. It is likewise unlawful for any person, association, corporation or community, to solicit or receive, directly or indirectly, any expenditure or promise or any office, or employment, public or private, for any of the foregoing considerations.

k. Unlawful electioneering. - It is unlawful to solicit votes or undertake any propaganda on the day of registration before the board of election inspectors and on the day of election, for or against any candidate or any political party within the polling place and with a radius of thirty meters thereof.

l. Prohibition against dismissal of employees, laborers, or tenants. - No employee or laborer shall be dismissed, nor a tenant be ejected from his landholdings for refusing or failing to vote for any candidate of his employer or landowner. Any employee, laborer or tenant so dismissed or ejected shall be reinstated and the salary or wage of the employee or laborer, or the share of the harvest of the tenant, shall be restored to the aggrieved party upon application to the proper court.

m. Appointment or use of special policemen, special agents, confidential agents or the like. - During the campaign period, on the day before and on election day, any appointing authority who appoints or any person who utilizes the services of special policemen, special agents, confidential agents or persons performing similar functions; persons previously appointed as special policemen, special agents, confidential agents or persons performing similar functions who continue acting as such, and those who fail to turn over their firearms, uniforms, insignias and other badges of authority to the proper officer who issued the same. At the start of the aforementioned period, the barangay chairman, municipal mayor, city mayor, provincial governor, or any appointing authority shall submit to the Commission a complete list of all special policemen, special agents, confidential agents or persons performing similar functions in the employ of their respective political subdivisions, with such particulars as the Commission may require.

n. Illegal release of prisoners before and after election. - The Director of the Bureau of Prisons, any provincial warden, the keeper of the jail or the person or persons required by law to keep prisoners in their custody who illegally orders or allows any prisoner detained in the national penitentiary, or the provincial, city or municipal jail to leave the premises thereof sixty days before and thirty days after the election. The municipal or city warden, the provincial warden, the keeper of the jail or the person or persons required by law to keep prisoners in their custody shall post in three conspicuous public places a list of the prisoners or detention prisoners under their care. Detention prisoners must be categorized as such.

o. Use of public funds, money deposited in trust, equipment, facilities owned or controlled by the government for an election campaign. - Any person who uses under any guise whatsoever, directly or indirectly, (1) public funds or money deposited with, or held in trust by, public financing institutions or by government offices, banks, or agencies; (2) any printing press, radio, or television station or audio-visual equipment operated by the Government or by its divisions, sub-divisions, agencies or instrumentalities, including government-owned or controlled corporations, or by the Armed Forces of the Philippines; or (3) any equipment, vehicle, facility, apparatus, or paraphernalia owned by the government or by its political subdivisions, agencies including government-owned or controlled corporations, or by the Armed Forces of the Philippines for any election campaign or for any partisan political activity.

p. Deadly weapons. - Any person who carries any deadly weapon in the polling place and within a radius of one hundred meters thereof during the days and hours fixed by law for the registration of voters in the polling place, voting, counting of votes, or preparation of the election returns. However, in cases of affray, turmoil, or disorder, any peace officer or public officer authorized by the Commission to supervise the election is entitled to carry firearms or any other weapon for the purpose of preserving order and enforcing the law.

q. Carrying firearms outside residence or place of business. - Any person who, although possessing a permit to carry firearms, carries any firearms outside his residence or place of business during the election period, unless authorized in writing by the Commission: Provided, That a motor vehicle, water or air craft shall not be considered a residence or place of business or extension hereof.

This prohibition shall not apply to cashiers and disbursing officers while in the performance of their duties or to persons who by nature of their official duties, profession, business or occupation habitually carry large sums of money or valuables.

r. Use of armored land, water or air craft. - Any person who uses during the campaign period, on the day before and on election day, any armored land, water or air craft, provided with any temporary or permanent equipment or any other device or contraption for the mounting or installation of cannons, machine guns and other similar high caliber firearms, including military type tanks, half trucks, scout trucks, armored trucks, of any make or model, whether new, reconditioned, rebuilt or remodelled: Provided, That banking or financial institutions and all business firms may use not more than two armored vehicles strictly for, and limited to, the purpose of transporting cash, gold bullion or other valuables in connection with their business from and to their place of business, upon previous authority of the Commission.

s. Wearing of uniforms and bearing arms. - During the campaign period, on the day before and on election day, any member of security or police organization of government agencies, commissions, councils, bureaus, offices, or government-owned or controlled corporations, or privately-owned or operated security, investigative, protective or intelligence agencies, who wears his uniform or uses his insignia, decorations or regalia, or bears arms outside the immediate vicinity of his place of work: Provided, That this prohibition shall not apply when said member is in pursuit of a person who has committed or is committing a crime in the premises he is guarding; or when escorting or providing security for the transport of payrolls, deposits, or other valuables; or when guarding the residence of private persons or when guarding private residences, buildings or offices: Provided, further, That in the last case prior written approval of the Commission shall be obtained. The Commission shall decide all applications for authority under this paragraph within fifteen days from the date of the filing of such application.

During the same period, and ending thirty days thereafter any member of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, special, forces, home defense forces, barangay self-defense units and all other para-military units that now exist or which may hereafter be organized who wears his uniform or bears arms outside the camp, garrison or barracks to which he is assigned or detailed or outside their homes, in case of members of para-military units, unless:

1. the President of the Philippines shall have given previous authority therefor, and the Commission notified thereof in writing, or

2. the Commission authorizes him to do so, which authority it shall give only when necessary to assist it in maintaining free, orderly and honest elections, and only after notice and hearing. All personnel of the Armed Forces authorized by the President or the Commission to bear arms or wear their uniforms outside their camps and all police and peace officers shall bear their true name, rank and serial number, if any, stitched in block letters on a white background on the left breast of their uniform, in letters and numbers of a clearly legible design at least two centimeters tall, which shall at all times remain visible and uncovered.

During the election period, whenever the Commission finds it necessary for the promotion of free, orderly, honest and peaceful elections in a specific area, it shall confiscate or order the confiscation of firearms of any member or members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, police forces, home defense forces, barangay self-defense units, and all other para-military units that now exist, or which may hereafter be organized, or any member or members of the security or police organization, government ministries, commissions, councils, bureaus, offices, instrumentalities, or government-owned or controlled corporations and other subsidiaries, or of any member or members of privately owned or operated security, investigative, protective or intelligence agencies performing identical or similar functions.

t. Policemen and provincial guards acting as bodyguards or security guards. - During the campaign period, on the day before and on election day, any member of the city or municipal police force, any provincial or sub-provincial guard, any member of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, special forces, home defense forces, barangay self-defense units and all other para-military units that now exist or which may hereafter be organized who acts as bodyguard or security guard of any public official, candidate or any other person, and any of the latter who utilizes the services of the former as bodyguard or security guard: Provided, That, after due notice and hearing, when the life and security of a candidate is in jeopardy, the Commission is empowered to assign at the candidate's choice, any member of the Philippine Constabulary or the police force of any municipality within the province to act as his bodyguard or security guard in a number to be determined by the Commission but not to exceed three per candidate: Provided, however, That when the circumstances require immediate action, the Commission may issue a temporary order allowing the assignment of any member of the Philippine Constabulary or the local police force to act as bodyguard or security guard of the candidate, subject to confirmation or revocation.

u. Organization or maintenance of reaction forces, strike forces, or other similar forces. - Any person who organizes or maintains a reaction force, strike force or similar force during the election period.

The heads of all reaction forces, strike forces, or similar forces shall, not later than forty-five days before the election, submit to the Commission a complete list of all members thereof with such particulars as the Commission may require.

v. Prohibition against release, disbursement or expenditure of public funds. - Any public official or employee including barangay officials and those of government-owned or controlled corporations and their subsidiaries, who, during forty-five days before a regular election and thirty days before a special election, releases, disburses or expends any public funds for:

1. Any and all kinds of public works, except the following:

a. Maintenance of existing and/or completed public works project: Provided, That not more than the average number of laborers or employees already employed therein during the six-month period immediately prior to the beginning of the forty-five day period before election day shall be permitted to work during such time: Provided, further, That no additional laborers shall be employed for maintenance work within the said period of forty-five days;

b. Work undertaken by contract through public bidding held, or by negotiated contract awarded, before the forty-five day period before election: Provided, That work for the purpose of this section undertaken under the so-called "takay" or "paquiao" system shall not be considered as work by contract;

c. Payment for the usual cost of preparation for working drawings, specifications, bills of materials, estimates, and other procedures preparatory to actual construction including the purchase of materials and equipment, and all incidental expenses for wages of watchmen and other laborers employed for such work in the central office and field storehouses before the beginning of such period: Provided, That the number of such laborers shall not be increased over the number hired when the project or projects were commenced; and

d. Emergency work necessitated by the occurrence of a public calamity, but such work shall be limited to the restoration of the damaged facility.

No payment shall be made within five days before the date of election to laborers who have rendered services in projects or works except those falling under subparagraphs (a), (b), (c), and (d), of this paragraph.

This prohibition shall not apply to ongoing public works projects commenced before the campaign period or similar projects under foreign agreements. For purposes of this provision, it shall be the duty of the government officials or agencies concerned to report to the Commission the list of all such projects being undertaken by them.

2. The Ministry of Social Services and Development and any other office in other ministries of the government performing functions similar to said ministry, except for salaries of personnel, and for such other routine and normal expenses, and for such other expenses as the Commission may authorize after due notice and hearing. Should a calamity or disaster occur, all releases normally or usually coursed through the said ministries and offices of other ministries shall be turned over to, and administered and disbursed by, the Philippine National Red Cross, subject to the supervision of the Commission on Audit or its representatives, and no candidate or his or her spouse or member of his family within the second civil degree of affinity or consanguinity shall participate, directly or indirectly, in the distribution of any relief or other goods to the victims of the calamity or disaster; and

3. The Ministry of Human Settlements and any other office in any other ministry of the government performing functions similar to said ministry, except for salaries of personnel and for such other necessary administrative or other expenses as the Commission may authorize after due notice and hearing.

w. Prohibition against construction of public works, delivery of materials for public works and issuance of treasury warrants and similar devices. - During the period of forty-five days preceding a regular election and thirty days before a special election, any person who:

. undertakes the construction of any public works, except for projects or works exempted in the preceding paragraph; or

a. issues, uses or avails of treasury warrants or any device undertaking future delivery of money, goods or other things of value chargeable against public funds.

x. Suspension of elective provincial, city, municipal or barangay officer. - The provisions of law to the contrary notwithstanding during the election period, any public official who suspends, without prior approval of the Commission, any elective provincial, city, municipal or barangay officer, unless said suspension will be for purposes of applying the "Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act" in relation to the suspension and removal of elective officials; in which case the provisions of this section shall be inapplicable.

y. On Registration of Voters:

1. Any person who, having all the qualifications and none of the disqualifications of a voter, fails without justifiable excuse to register as a voter in an election, plebiscite or referendum in which he is qualified to vote.

2. Any person who knowingly makes any false or untruthful statement relative to any of the data or information required in the application for registration.

3. Any person who deliberately imprints or causes the imprinting of blurred or indistinct fingerprints on any of the copies of the application for registration or on the voter's affidavit; or any person in charge of the registration of voters who deliberately or through negligence, causes or allows the imprinting of blurred or indistinct fingerprints on any of the aforementioned registration forms, or any person who tampers with the fingerprints in said registration records.

4. Any member of the board of election inspectors who approves any application which on its face shows that the applicant does not possess all the qualifications prescribed by law for a voter; or who disapproves any application which on its face shows that the applicant possesses all such qualifications.

5. Any person who, being a registered voter, registers anew without filing an application for cancellation of his previous registration.

6. Any person who registers in substitution for another whether with or without the latter's knowledge or consent.

7. Any person who tampers with or changes without authority any data or entry in any voter's application for registration.

8. Any person who delays, hinders or obstruct another from registering.

9. Any person who falsely certifies or identifies another as a bona fide resident of a particular place or locality for the purpose of securing the latter's registration as a voter.

10. Any person who uses the voter's affidavit of another for the purpose of voting, whether or not he actually succeeds in voting.

11. Any person who places, inserts or otherwise includes, as approved application for registration in the book of voters or in the provincial or national central files of registered voters, the application of any fictitious voter or any application that has not been approved; or removes from, or otherwise takes out of the book of voters or the provincial or national central files of registered voters any duly approved voter's application, except upon lawful order of the Commission, or of a competent court or after proper cancellation as provided in Sections 122, 123, 124 and 125 hereof.

12. Any person who transfers or causes the transfer of the registration record of a voter to the book of voters of another polling place, unless said transfer was due to a change of address of the voter and the voter was duly notified of his new polling place.

13. Any person who asks, demands, takes, accepts or possesses, directly or indirectly, the voter's affidavit of another, in order to induce the latter to withhold his vote, or to vote for or against any candidate in an election or any issue in a plebiscite or referendum. It shall be presumed prima facie that the asking, demanding, taking, accepting, or possessing is with such intent if done within the period beginning ten days before election day and ending ten days after election day, unless the voter's affidavit of another and the latter are both members of the same family.

14. Any person who delivers, hands over, entrusts, gives, directly or indirectly his voter's affidavit to another in consideration of money or other benefit or promises thereof, or takes or accepts such voter's affidavit directly or indirectly, by giving or causing the giving of money or other benefit or making or causing the making of a promise thereof.

15. Any person who alters in any manner, tears, defaces, removes or destroys any certified list of voters.

16. Any person who takes, carries or possesses any blank or unused registration form already issued to a city or municipality outside of said city or municipality except as otherwise provided in this Code or when directed by express order of the court or of the Commission.

17. Any person who maliciously omits, tampers or transfers to another list the name of a registered voter from the official list of voters posted outside the polling place.

On voting:

1. Any person who fails to cast his vote without justifiable excuse.

2. Any person who votes more than once in the same election, or who, not being a registered voter, votes in an election.

3. Any person who votes in substitution for another whether with or without the latter's knowledge and/or consent.

4. Any person who, not being illiterate or physically disabled, allows his ballot to be prepared by another, or any person who prepares the ballot of another who is not illiterate or physically disabled, with or without the latter's knowledge and/or consent.

5. Any person who avails himself of any means of scheme to discover the contents of the ballot of a voter who is preparing or casting his vote or who has just voted.

6. Any voter who, in the course of voting, uses a ballot other than the one given by the board of election inspectors or has in his possession more than one official ballot.

7. Any person who places under arrest or detains a voter without lawful cause, or molests him in such a manner as to obstruct or prevent him from going to the polling place to cast his vote or from returning home after casting his vote, or to compel him to reveal how he voted.

8. Any member of the board of election inspectors charged with the duty of reading the ballot during the counting of votes who deliberately omits to read the vote duly written on the ballot, or misreads the vote actually written thereon or reads the name of a candidate where no name is written on the ballot.

9. Any member of the board of election inspectors charged with the duty of tallying the votes in the tally board or sheet, election returns or other prescribed form who deliberately fails to record a vote therein or records erroneously the votes as read, or records a vote where no such vote has been read by the chairman.

10. Any member of a board of election inspectors who has made possible the casting of more votes than there are registered voters.

11. Any person who, for the purpose of disrupting or obstructing the election process or causing confusion among the voters, propagates false and alarming reports or information or transmits or circulates false orders, directives or messages regarding any matter relating to the printing of official ballots, the postponement of the election, the transfer of polling place or the general conduct of the election.

12. Any person who, without legal authority, destroys, substitutes or takes away from the possession of those having legal custody thereof, or from the place where they are legally deposited, any election form or document or ballot box which contains official ballots or other documents used in the election.

13. Any person having legal custody of the ballot box containing the official ballots used in the election who opens or destroys said box or removes or destroys its contents without or against the order of the Commission or who, through his negligence, enables any person to commit any of the aforementioned acts, or takes away said ballot box from his custody.

14. Any member of the board of election inspectors who knowingly uses ballots other than the official ballots, except in those cases where the use of emergency ballots is authorized.

15. Any public official who neglects or fails to properly preserve or account for any ballot box, documents and forms received by him and kept under his custody.

16. Any person who reveals the contents of the ballot of an illiterate or disabled voter whom he assisted in preparing a ballot.

17. Any person who, without authority, transfers the location of a polling place.

18. Any person who, without authority, prints or causes the printing of any ballot or election returns that appears as official ballots or election returns or who distributes or causes the same to be distributed for use in the election, whether or not they are actually used.

19. Any person who, without authority, keeps, uses or carries out or causes to be kept, used or carried out, any official ballot or election returns or printed proof thereof, type-form mould, electro-type printing plates and any other plate, numbering machines and other printing paraphernalia being used in connection with the printing of official ballots or election returns.

20. Any official or employee of any printing establishment or of the Commission or any member of the committee in charge of the printing of official ballots or election returns who causes official ballots or election returns to be printed in quantities exceeding those authorized by the Commission or who distributes, delivers, or in any manner disposes of or causes to be distributed, delivered, or disposed of, any official ballot or election returns to any person or persons not authorized by law or by the Commission to receive or keep official ballots or election returns or who sends or causes them to be sent to any place not designated by law or by the Commission.

21. Any person who, through any act, means or device, violates the integrity of any official ballot or election returns before or after they are used in the election.

22. Any person who removes, tears, defaces or destroys any certified list of candidates posted inside the voting booths during the hours of voting.

23. Any person who holds or causes the holding of an election on any other day than that fixed by law or by the Commission, or stops any election being legally held.

24. Any person who deliberately blurs his fingerprint in the voting record.

On Canvassing:

1. Any chairman of the board of canvassers who fails to give due notice of the date, time and place of the meeting of said board to the candidates, political parties and/or members of the board.

2. Any member of the board of canvassers who proceeds with the canvass of the votes and/or proclamation of any candidate which was suspended or annulled by the Commission.

3. Any member of the board of canvassers who proceeds with the canvass of votes and/or proclamation of any candidate in the absence of quorum, or without giving due notice of the date, time and place of the meeting of the board to the candidates, political parties, and/or other members of the board.

4. Any member of the board of canvassers who, without authority of the Commission, uses in the canvass of votes and/or proclamation of any candidate any document other than the official copy of the election returns.

bb. Common to all boards of election inspectors and boards of canvassers:

5. Any member of any board of election inspectors or board of canvassers who deliberately absents himself from the meetings of said body for the purpose of obstructing or delaying the performance of its duties or functions.

6. Any member of any board of election inspectors or board of canvassers who, without justifiable reason, refuses to sign and certify any election form required by this Code or prescribed by the Commission although he was present during the meeting of the said body.

7. Any person who, being ineligible for appointment as member of any board of election inspectors or board of canvassers, accepts an appointment to said body, assumes office, and actually serves as a member thereof, or any of public officer or any person acting in his behalf who appoints such ineligible person knowing him to be ineligible.

8. Any person who, in the presence or within the hearing of any board of election inspectors or board of canvassers during any of its meetings, conducts himself in such a disorderly manner as to interrupt or disrupt the work or proceedings to the end of preventing said body from performing its functions, either partly or totally.

9. Any public official or person acting in his behalf who relieves any member of any board of election inspectors or board of canvassers or who changes or causes the change of the assignments of any member of said board of election inspectors or board of canvassers without authority of the Commission.

cc. On candidacy and campaign:

10. Any political party which holds political conventions or meetings to nominate its official candidates earlier that the period fixed in this Code.

11. Any person who abstracts, destroys or cancels any certificate of candidacy duly filed and which has not been cancelled upon order of the Commission.

12. Any person who misleads the board of election inspectors by submitting any false or spurious certificate of candidacy or document to the prejudice of a candidate.

13. Any person who, being authorized to receive certificates of candidacy, receives any certificate of candidacy outside the period for filing the same and makes it appear that said certificate of candidacy was filed on time; or any person who, by means of fraud, threat, intimidation, terrorism or coercion, causes or compels the commission of said act.

14. Any person who, by any device or means, jams, obstructs or interferes with a radio or television broadcast of any lawful political program.

15. Any person who solicits votes or undertakes any propaganda, on the day of election, for or against any candidate or any political party within the polling place or within a radius of thirty meters thereof.

dd. Other prohibitions:

16. Any person who sells, furnishes, offers, buys, serves or takes intoxicating liquor on the days fixed by law for the registration of voters in the polling place, or on the day before the election or on election day: Provided, That hotels and other establishments duly certified by the Ministry of Tourism as tourist oriented and habitually in the business of catering to foreign tourists may be exempted for justifiable reasons upon prior authority of the Commission: Provided, further, That foreign tourists taking intoxicating liquor in said authorized hotels or establishments are exempted from the provisions of this subparagraph.

17. Any person who opens in any polling place or within a radius of thirty meters thereof on election day and during the counting of votes, booths or stalls of any kind for the sale, dispensing or display of wares, merchandise or refreshments, whether solid or liquid, or for any other purposes.

18. Any person who holds on election day, fairs, cockfights, boxing, horse races, jai-alai or any other similar sports.

19. Refusal to carry election mail matter. - Any operator or employee of a public utility or transportation company operating under a certificate of public convenience, including government-owned or controlled postal service or its employees or deputized agents who refuse to carry official election mail matters free of charge during the election period. In addition to the penalty prescribed herein, such refusal shall constitute a ground for cancellation or revocation of certificate of public convenience or franchise.

20. Prohibition against discrimination in the sale of air time. - Any person who operates a radio or television station who without justifiable cause discriminates against any political party, coalition or aggroupment of parties or any candidate in the sale of air time. In addition to the penalty prescribed herein, such refusal shall constitute a ground for cancellation or revocation of the franchise.

Sec. 262. Other election offenses. - Violation of the provisions, or pertinent portions, of the following sections of this Code shall constitute election offenses: Sections 9, 18, 74, 75, 76, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 122, 123, 127, 128, 129, 132, 134, 135, 145, 148, 150, 152, 172, 173, 174, 178, 180, 182, 184, 185, 186, 189, 190, 191, 192, 194, 195, 196, 197, 198, 202, 203, 204, 205, 206, 207, 208, 209, 210, 211, 212, 213, 214, 215, 216, 217, 218, 219, 220, 223, 229, 230, 231, 233, 234, 235, 236, 239 and 240.

Sec. 263. Persons criminally liable. - The principals, accomplices, and accessories, as defined in the Revised Penal Code, shall be criminally liable for election offenses. If the one responsible be a political party or an entity, its president or head, the officials and employees of the same, performing duties connected with the offense committed and its members who may be principals, accomplices, or accessories shall be liable, in addition to the liability of such party or entity.

Sec. 264. Penalties. - Any person found guilty of any election offense under this Code shall be punished with imprisonment of not less than one year but not more than six years and shall not be subject to probation. In addition, the guilty party shall be sentenced to suffer disqualification to hold public office and deprivation of the right of suffrage. If he is a foreigner, he shall be sentenced to deportation which shall be enforced after the prison term has been served. Any political party found guilty shall be sentenced to pay a fine of not less than ten thousand pesos, which shall be imposed upon such party after criminal action has been instituted in which their corresponding officials have been found guilty. In case of prisoner or prisoners illegally released from any penitentiary or jail during the prohibited period as provided in Section 261, paragraph (n) of this Code, the director of prisons, provincial warden, keeper of the jail or prison, or persons who are required by law to keep said prisoner in their custody shall, if convicted by a competent court, be sentenced to suffer the penalty of prision mayor in its maximum period if the prisoner or prisoners so illegally released commit any act of intimidation, terrorism of interference in the election. Any person found guilty of the offense of failure to register or failure to vote shall, upon conviction, be fined one hundred pesos. In addition, he shall suffer disqualification to run for public office in the next succeeding election following his conviction or be appointed to a public office for a period of one year following his conviction.

Sec. 265. Prosecution. - The Commission shall, through its duly authorized legal officers, have the exclusive power to conduct preliminary investigation of all election offenses punishable under this Code, and to prosecute the same. The Commission may avail of the assistance of other prosecuting arms of the government: Provided, however, That in the event that the Commission fails to act on any complaint within four months from his filing, the complainant may file the complaint with the office of the fiscal or with the Ministry of Justice for proper investigation and prosecution, if warranted.

Sec. 266. Arrest in connection with the election campaign. - No person shall be arrested and/or detained at any time for any alleged offense committed during and in connection with any election through any act or language tending to support or oppose any candidate, political party or coalition of political parties under or pursuant to any order of whatever name or nature and by whomsoever issued except only upon a warrant of arrest issued by a competent judge after all the requirements of the Constitution shall have been strictly complied with. If the offense charged is punishable under a presidential decree whether originally or by amendment of a previous law, the death penalty shall not be imposed upon the offender except where murder, rape or arson is involved. In all cases, the penalty shall not be higher than reclusion perpetua and the offender shall be entitled to reasonable bail upon sufficient sureties to be granted speedily by the competent court. Moreover, loss of the right of citizenship and confiscation of property shall not be imposed. Any officer or a person who shall violate any provision of this section shall be punished by imprisonment of not less than six (6) years and one (1) day nor more than twelve (12) years, with the accessory penalties for election offenses. The provision of Section 267 of this Code shall not apply to prosecution under this section.

Sec. 267. Prescription. - Election offenses shall prescribe after five years from the date of their commission. If the discovery of the offense be made in an election contest proceedings, the period of prescription shall commence on the date on which the judgment in such proceedings becomes final and executory.

Sec. 268. Jurisdiction of courts. - The regional trial court shall have the exclusive original jurisdiction to try and decide any criminal action or proceedings for violation of this Code, except those relating to the offense of failure to register or failure to vote which shall be under the jurisdiction of the metropolitan or municipal trial courts. From the decision of the courts, appeal will lie as in other criminal cases.

Sec. 269. Preferential disposition of election offenses. - The investigation and prosecution of cases involving violations of the election laws shall be given preference and priority by the Commission on Elections and prosecuting officials. Their investigation shall be commenced without delay, and shall be resolved by the investigating officer within five days from its submission for resolution. The courts shall likewise give preference to election offenses over all other cases, except petitions for writ of habeas corpus. Their trial shall likewise be commenced without delay, and shall be conducted continuously until terminated, and the case shall be decided within thirty days from its submission for decision.

What do you think of the candidates' advertisements? (BATCH 1)

2007-05-10T23:50:00.000-07:00

Interviews by Karen Marie J. Cunanan, Maria Francesca Coreen T. Frias, and Edwin Lawrence B. Joyas

BATCH 1

“It appeals to the masses but the message they send out for some ads [is] shallow and doesn't say much on what they can do for the country.” – Ma. Kristina Claudio (II AB Eu)

“It's good exposure for them, but we can’t be assured of their motives.” – Rose Monica Julia Munda (II BS Mgt-H)

“I believe it's just a mere show of lies for the people to vote for them.” – Justin Lawrence Tec (II BS MIS)

“Of course, having taste and being young, I think they suck, honestly. But I think that even credible candidates who have real and strong feelings to help the country need these ads to get noticed. I mean, if you have to work all day for a minimum wage, you wouldn't bother looking up their credentials and do[ing a] case study, so you'll most likely base your votes on first impressions and personal feelings.” – Julz Henriane Riddle (II AB Comm)

“Sa lahat ng napanood, nabasa, at narinig ko, one-fourth lang ng candidates ang nag-present ng platform nila. Pasikatan lang sila, kung sino ang may mas sikat na endorser.” – Kimberly Realoza (II AB DS)

“I think the ads are propaganda with a lot of subtle and often subliminal messages. They can either be informative or misleading, depending on the audience.” – Ana Maria Felisa Mayor (III AB IS)

“In my opinion, the platforms should include what the candidates did before and what they did wrong. The problem now is they are using all these jingles, and that’s not the point of [the] election.” – Jose Mari Tuason, Professor, Department of Mathematics

“Basta when it comes to ‘yung [celebrity] ads, walang kwenta ‘yun. It's all a big joke to me. Kasi aside from the fact na they'll say anything and everything to get your vote, ginagamit lang nila yung appeal ng [celebrities].” – Katherine Anne Ochoa (II BS MIS)

“Well, if the objective of the candidates is to make the people remember them, I suppose it’s quite effective if you’re talking about it, like as an ad. An example would be, you know, Pichay’s ad na everyone knows that’s an ad for Pichay. And I suppose it works, if that’s the objective.” – Finness Calacal (III AB Comm)

“I think naman they’re just trying to capitalize on mass media. I mean, you can’t get off naman with platforms or you can’t convince [people through] platforms, especially since hindi naman lahat ng nanonood educated and everything. So they’re just trying to use what’s available to them and targeting it to the context na ‘yung people na magvo-vote talaga.” – Miguel Antonio Balmaceda (IV BS Mgt)

“Iyong sa TV advertisements nila, masyadong magastos. Iyong impact ng advertisements nila halos walang sense.” – Grace Savellano, Staff, Department of Information Systems and Computer Science (DISCS)

“Well, for most of them, I think they’re medyo pilit. Well, yeah, they’re trying to attract the masses. Pero well, ‘yun nga medyo pilit and I think masyado nang fake. Masyado nang fake, or manufactured, or canned ‘yung dating ... For me, the most appealing is Sonia Roco’s ad. Kasi, you know, it’s super simple. It’s super [direct] to the point. Well, I’m not voting so I’m not biased.” – Ma. Ramona Linda Fernando (IV AB Psy)

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE CANDIDATES' ADVERTISEMENTS? Comment and share your views with the rest of the Ateneo community!

Season's greetings

2007-05-09T20:49:00.000-07:00

by Karl Satinitigan
Sanggunian President

On a bus ride here in sunny Cebu, I would hear a young couple comment on every candidate whose poster we'd pass by. This would go on until the lady concluded: “Ngano mag-elections pa man ta uy nga sila-sila ra ma'y mandaug (Why bother with the elections when it's always the same people winning anyway).”

It's almost always true, especially for Cebu. But that's not what's so disappointing. What's more sad is the fact that a lot of us would really rather not bother with the elections.

Ever since I was born in 1987, we’ve been blessed with a venue called the elections. And elections in this country is a season in itself. Maybe in other countries too, but in the Philippines, there are interesting indicators that tell you this season's here:

1. You will notice a spike in ad spending—from Mr. Kiko’s noodles to some green leafy vegetable to some congressman flaunting his biofuel bill outside the campaign period. Add to that a mountain of print ads turned into wallpapers or tree ornaments. Make that “ugly and illegal tree ornaments.”

2. You will notice that your public market is under construction, including your access road, your footbridge, your waiting shed. Make that “finally under construction.” I remember thinking that I should not be so jaded and so posit that there’s a causal relationship between the two. Besides, maybe I was not just as observant as before.

3. You will notice people dying. I mean, people die all the time but I do not think dying for political reasons is remotely acceptable. I read how election-related violence this year was not as much as before (so far) but so what? An improved statistic does not raise the dead mayoralty candidate shot within Cebu Capitol premises or discount the possibility of having to jump off a car in the middle of Pasig City traffic.

4. Yes, a lot more are dying in Iraq or of AIDS but in my own country I call home, people are dying. Again, maybe positing a causal relationship is premature since all these are still under investigation. But come on: people are dying. No, people are dead. For so many reasons that include a thirst for power.

Worse, all these are not new, far older than us and they persist, and like the lady who notes how the same people keep on winning, we note how the same problems keep on coming back. We never learn to learn. Elections remain dirty, short-term and deadly violent. Elections remain as seasons all to themselves.

Maybe we can change that. Just maybe.

I remember telling myself how I should not look at Christmas as a season of love but as a reminder that it’s always, even after Christmas, the season of love. Maybe that’s too mushy an analogy but hey, I don’t think this election be a mere season in itself too.

It ought to be a reminder of a democracy we’re all counting on day by day. In fact, it is a reminder:

1. that anything illegal, those tree ornaments included, should not be tolerated;

2. that doing projects, lampposts included, is not a means to buy votes;

3. that people need not be dead to make sure who he believes in wins; and

4. that for every Serbisyo Eusebio I see in this city where I temporarily reside that I be humiliated of the fact that I allowed someone to label as his what is all ours.

This election too is ours and maybe we can start by admitting how nasty and gruesome it is. Then maybe we can all build on and figure out together a way to make this democracy work. Then maybe the conversations I hear while riding buses won’t be too much of a downer.

One on One: Harvey Keh

2007-05-09T08:34:00.000-07:00

by Katherine Marie M. Cadeliña

Read about the thoughts of the man behind the controversial e-mail titled "What will make me leave the Philippines: An open letter to every Filipino."

Harvey Keh is the Director for Youth Leadership and Social Entrepreneurship at the Ateneo School of Government (ASG). He is also the Executive Director of AHON Foundation, an organization that helps promote literacy by building public elementary school libraries.

Harvey was also chosen as one of the 20 Young Leaders of Asia by the Asia Society, an organization based in New York that aims to strengthen relationships and deepen understanding among the peoples of Asia and the United States of America. He was also the founder and former Director of Pathways.

What is the importance of the 2007 elections?
I believe that this coming May elections is important for several reasons. First, this is our opportunity to select the kind of leaders that we need for our country right now. An election is always very critical in a democratic country since this is one of the few times where the rich and the poor are actually equal. Regardless of their social status, they just have one vote each. Second, this coming elections can also serve as a referendum to whether or not we approve of the Arroyo administration. We have seen this in last year's US Midterm elections wherein the people voted against most of the Republicans since they did not agree with President Bush's actions in Iraq. Third, this election is very important since this will set the tone on whether or not we will do a charter change. If we elect more pro-administration senators then we can be sure that Malacañang will definitely push for Cha-Cha. Finally, this elections is important since this will set the tone for the Presidential elections of 2010, if the likes of Villar and Legarda do well then we can expect them to make a push for the Presidency by 2010.

Can we count on the May elections to be credible?
Yes, there is always hope that the elections will be credible as long as each and every Filipino remains vigilant and does his own share in ensuring the credibility and honesty of the elections.

What qualities are you looking for in a candidate?
I think a candidate should first be God-fearing and should always put the interest of the people over his or her own interests. Moreover, I sincerely believe that a good leader should be able to lead by example. Many of our current batch of public sector leaders only know how to speak well but they do not put actions to the words that they speak. Finally, a good leader is one who is able share his vision to every Filipino. His vision must be able to inspire Filipinos to work together to achieve our goals as a people.

What is the status of the citizen effort / volunteer groups?
There are currently many citizen efforts or volunteer groups that are being run right now and most of them are working under VforCE or the Volunteers for Clean Elections. VforCE is currently raising one million volunteers all over the Philippines who are working to ensure honest and clean elections.

How can each of us contribute to that effort?
Volunteer and share your time with VforCE. We need all the help that we can get. Remember the saying that the only way for evil to prevail is for good men and women to do nothing.

What role can students play in the upcoming elections?
I think the first role of Ateneo students in the coming elections is to exercise their right to vote. After voting, volunteer for election-monitoring work or the quick count. If you don't have the time to volunteer then maybe you can share your resources to the existing efforts that are being done such as the Bantay Bilang that is being hosted by Ateneo. After the elections, I think Ateneans should continue to work towards nation building by joining organizations such as ANI, Hope or Gawad Kalinga. We can’t just let our government leaders work to make our nation great again. We all need to work together if we want to achieve a better and brighter future for our nation.

What issues are important to you as a voter?

2007-05-08T05:33:00.000-07:00

Interviews by Jodel Pierre P. Ampil, Keila Marii C. Chavez, and Edgar B. Concepcion Jr.

“Platforms, because you have to know where they stand. Also, the automated voting thing, because it is there [where] you will get the credibility of your vote. Nuisance candidates [are also an issue] because they are irritating. It’s because some of them are obviously political strategies to mess the elections.” – Ma. Teresa Gromia (III BS MCT)

“I guess the platforms of the candidates and their competence and passion to serve the people.” – Cherilyn Sy (II BS ME)

“Women’s issues, children’s rights, education.” – Margarita Orendain, Ph.D., Chair, Department of English

“Siguro yung political background ng candidates. Like Manny Pacquiao, wala siyang political background. Importante yun kasi nawawala yung red tape sa trabaho. So if may political background, tingin ko mas competent sila for their position.” – Phillip Andrew Ruby (II BS ME)

“[Ang] importante sa akin [ay] kung ano ba yung, kunwari re-electionist, ano ba yung performance niya nung nakaraan niyang [termino]?” – Ma. Theresa Villanueva, Head, Filipiniana Section of the Rizal Library

“For me, I believe that the two issues that should be focused on are the political killings, how each candidate actually responds to the problem of political killings today and how each candidate also responds to the problems with the environment and how they can make businesses more eco-friendly to give a better environment to the Philippines.” – John Jeremiah Rimando (III AB Eco)

“First of all, yung platform, tapos kailangan makita mo yung dedication nila to help the people, hindi lang alam mong gusto lang nilang makapasok sa politics. Personally, ayoko ng artista.” – Bianca Marie Agustin (II BS ME)

“Issues as a voter? If there’s actually someone to vote for. Because I really am not interested in voting for anybody I don’t believe in. So in these elections, I don’t think I’m going to vote… Although I can vote. I’m registered. There’s no one to vote for so that’s a big, big issue. Why vote if there’s no one to vote for?” – Conrado Nicolas Atienza (II AB Comm)

“I suppose yung economic issue and corruption in the government. We have the top position as the most corrupt country in Asia. And whatever they say about the increase in [Gross National Product (GNP)]… pwede mong doktorin yun. At education issues, which ha[ve] never been addressed since the time of Martial Law.” – Name withheld, Associate Professor, Department of Theology

“Gusto ko para sa eleksyon ‘yung walang dayaan. Parehas kung sino talaga ang dapat manalo… At saka dapat piliin ang talagang mapapagkatiwalaan ng bayan.” – Ruben Yanson, security guard

“Kelangan mo yung ano magagawa niya sa kabataan. Second, kung ano yung sa economy kasi tumataas na ‘yung economy. Okay na yun sa tingin ko… So paano ime-maintain at paano yun mate-take advantage ng mga businessmen and government officials. Third, yung sa culture. Sa akin kasi, mas important yung pagpapanatili ng culture ng Pilipino at ‘di ‘pag-ano sa Western thoughts.” – Al Agassiz dela Torre (III BSM AMF)

“Dapat meron silang care for the taxpayers dahil [taxpayers] yung nagdudusa. Pati na rin ‘yung education and their street smartness or their common sense, how they live the real life.” – Claudia Camille Fernandez (II BS ME)

“[Sana] mapayapa ‘yung election sa Lunes tapos… mawala yung vote-buying and then maging matalino sa pagpili ng ibobotong tao para iluklok sa posisyon bilang senador.” – Rogelio Alabat, Ateneo maintenance, Office of Administrative Services (OAS)

“Well, [one of] the issues that are important to me as a voter is … especially focused on education because education tackles mostly … [how] … the children of today, not just children but adolescents and adults today, can evolve in terms of intellectual ability and the skills that can be honed in order to lift up the situation of the country.” – Mario Lorenzo Cuyegkeng (II BS HS)

WHAT ISSUES ARE IMPORTANT TO YOU AS A VOTER? Comment and share your views with the rest of the Ateneo community!

Guidelines on Voting Wisely: PART II

2007-05-08T03:54:00.000-07:00

by Rizsa Rose S. Baer (IV AB PoS)
Head, Issue and Policy Analysis Cluster
Council of Organizations of the Ateneo (COA)

1. Vote right.
Vote for the person who is right for the position, not just because they're a relative or an acquaintance. Elections may be, in part, a popularity contest, but let it not stop there. Personally, I am more weary of the flashy candidates than the quiet ones. Silent water runs deep (although we have to remember that politicians can NOT be forever silent).

2. Information is key.
Gather and study the candidates' credentials well. Be aware of the bias of the source and know how to balance the two sides. Listen to jingles and campaign ads but KNOW that it is possibly only half true. Don't take any info at face value. Corroborating evidence usually never fails.

3. Be sensitive.
Action speaks louder than words. There are always documents or statistics or studies that candidates can use to back their claims to greatness but be aware and conscious. When in power did they do something? If they did, what did they do? How did their constituents benefit? Flashy projects may be just that, flashy. What was the trade-off that happened? The most beautiful park for a lot of starving and uneducated children?
Or another simple telling factor: if they can't follow the simple rules that the Comelec has about posters and whatnots, will you risk putting them in a position where they can ensure no law touches them?

4. Discuss.
Discuss who you'll vote for with your family or your friends. Ask the opinion of the people you share the same interests and views or principles with and share your ideas with them as well. Chances are, you not only get to have an intelligent conversation with your peers but you will also gain their respect for having such well-informed opinions (you might even have a complete senatorial slate without breaking a sweat, to boot). Just don't forget that, in the end, it is YOU who will still make the final decision.

5. Don't be a cynic.
A healthy dose of cynicism is always good, but if you always look at the glass half-empty, it will be. Nobody's perfect but a good question to ask is, who will most likely try to be?

6. Pursue accountability.
The problem with citizens is that they don't hold their incumbents accountable. This apathy allows the rotten politicians to get re-elected and therefore adds more fuel to the corruption and inefficiency in the government. We have to remember that the election is the FIRST step, not the last. Keep track of the candidates that you voted. Before writing down a name, be sure that in the end you will not be ashamed to show everyone who you entrusted your future to.

7. Be an active stakeholder.
Politics affects everyone. Regardless of your main interest, whether it is in arts or science or business, you are a Filipino and whatever happens to the Philippines WILL reflect on you. I don't want to sound crude but most of the candidates are, frankly, old. They will not be the ones who will suffer the consequences of their actions, we are. The youth will be the ones who will bear the full brunt of the outcome of this election. So guard your vote. Vote wisely and report any anomalies or fraud that you see.

Young voters praise, criticize Senate bets in debate

2007-05-07T22:04:00.000-07:00

by Paterno R. Esmaquel II

THE BUZZ outside Irwin Theater on April 25 was proof enough—more than the senatorial debate there earlier that day—that the youth vote is a thinking vote.

The debate, titled “DB8 2007,” aimed to educate first-time voters as a response to Chief Justice Reynato Puno’s call for the youth to “make a decisive difference on the outcome of the coming elections.”

The senatoriables who attended the debate were Ang Kapatiran’s Martin Bautista, Jesus Paredes, and Adrian Sison, and the Genuine Opposition’s (GO) Alan Cayetano and Sonia Roco. Team Unity (TU) candidates were a no-show.

The event was organized by the Jaycees International Senate, the University of the Philippines Debate Society (UPDS), and the Ateneo Debate Society (ADS).

Knowing candidates

Lilia Seelin, former Jaycees president and one of the organizers, was glad that the young audience had their own opinions on the debate, which touched on issues like globalization and birth control.

The topics even found their way into the students’ conversations after the event.

Leloy Claudio (AB Comm ’07), a former student debater, said that he wanted to react the most to Paredes’s opinion on birth control. Running under a platform of “God-fearing leadership,” Paredes said that Ang Kapatiran is against artificial family planning, and goes for the Church-endorsed natural methods.

Claudio, the valedictorian of his graduating class, said that in a secular context, such a Church view cannot be imposed. “I was pretty upset at the way Kapatiran dealt with family planning, although I have to admit that they’re still a better alternative compared to most of the politicians out there.”

Meanwhile, students from the University of St. Paul praised Cayetano for his take on political dynasties. Cayetano answered a question from Inquirer columnist Rina Jimenez-David, one of the moderators, who noted that two Cayetanos—Alan and his sister, Pia—will be in the Senate if Alan wins.

“There’s a thing about having public service in your blood,” Cayetano said. “The question is whether the public official serves the country or only himself.”

UP education

Roco, a teacher by profession, was asked by UP student debater Maria Theresa Grajo, another moderator, if the State should continue funding tertiary education.

Roco answered, “Subsidies should not stand forever; people should be able to stand on their own.” While noting that UP’s funding is different from that of other state colleges and universities—UP gets a bigger budget, for example—Roco said that the Senate should look more deeply into how UP is being managed.

Addressing the budget problem, Bautista called for the repeal of the Automatic Appropriations Act, which automatically allots a large chunk of the national budget for debt payment.

“We put 1% to health care, 11% to education, 28% to interest payments alone. I find this totally immoral,” he said.

Team Unity’s absence

Notable was how the Ang Kapatiran trio, who have performed poorly in surveys, caught the students’ attention.

“After the debate, I got to know Ang Kapatiran,” said Linette Arreola, a junior from UP-Diliman. “They would certainly have a spot in my ballot.”

Clark Cue (IV BS ME), president of the Council of Organizations of the Ateneo (COA), had a similar opinion, noting that he didn’t even consider the Kapatiran candidates in the mock elections before the debate. “After hearing them, I think I would consider the three of them. Maganda ang mga sinabi nila (Their speeches were good)."

On the other hand, many were disappointed with the absence of administration bets.

Seelin explained that whereas with GO candidates, the problem was only with conflicting schedules, “with Team Unity, we really had a problem getting them.”

Claudio added, “I think it just shows the lack of transparency or accountability of this government to the most critical sector of society, which is the youth.”

with reports from Ryan Edward L. Chua and Lionel D. Lopez-Dee

Party-lists

2007-05-07T21:00:00.000-07:00

Source: http://www.comelec.gov.ph

CERTIFIED LIST OF SECTORAL PARTIES/ORGANIZATIONS/POLITICAL PARTIES/COALITIONS PARTICIPATING IN THE PARTY-LIST SYSTEM FOR THE MAY 14, 2007 ELECTIONS
*No.*	NAME	ACRONYM
1.	1- UNITED TRANSPORT KOALISYON	1-UTAK
2.	AA-KASOSYO PARTY	AA-KASOSYO
3.	AANGAT TAYO	AT
4.	ABAKADA GURO formerly Advocates and Adherents of Social Justice for School Teachers and Allied Workers	ABAKADA
5.	ABANSE!PINAY	ABANSE! PINAY
6.	ABANTE ILONGGO, INC	ABA ILONGGO
7.	ABONO	ABONO
8.	ACTION FOR DEMOCRACY AND DEVELOPMENT FOR THE TRIBAL PEOPLE	ADD-TRIBAL
9.	ACTION FOR DYNAMIC DEVELOPMENT, INC.	ADD
10.	ADVOCACY FOR TEACHER EMPOWERMENT THROUGH ACTION, COOPERATION, AND HARMONY TOWARDS EDUCATIONAL REFORMS, INC	A TEACHER
11.	ADVOCATES FOR SPECIAL CHILDREN AND THE HANDICAPPED MOVEMENT*	ASAHAN MO
12.	AGBIAG!TIMPUYOG ILOCANO, INC	AGBIAG
13.	AGING FILIPINO ORGANIZATION, INC	AGING PINOY
14.	AGRICULTURAL SECTOR ALLIANCE OF THE PHILIPPINES, INC	AGAP
15.	AHON PINOY	AHON
16.	AHONBAYAN**	AHONBAYAN
17.	AKBAY PINOY OFW-NATIONAL, INC	APO!
18.	AKBAYAN!CITIZEN'S ACTION PARTY	AKBAYAN
19.	AKSYON SAMBAYANAN	AKSA
20.	ALAGAD	ALAGAD
21.	ALAY SA BAYAN NG MALAYANG PROPESYONAL AT REPORMANG KALAKAL	ABAY PARAK
22.	ALLIANCE FOR BARANGAY CONCERNS	ABC
23.	ALLIANCE FOR NATIONALISM AND DEMOCRACY	ANAD
24.	ALLIANCE OF ASSOCIATIONS OF ACCREDITED WORKERS IN THE WATER SECTOR, INC.	AAWAS
25.	ALLIANCE OF NEO-CONSERVATIVES	ANC
26.	ALLIANCE OF PEOPLE'S ORGANIZATIONS	APO
27.	ALLIANCE OF RURAL CONCERNS	ARC
28.	ALLIANCE OF VENDORS AND TRADERS OF THE PHILIPPINES	VENDORS
29.	ALLIANCE OF VOLUNTEER EDUCATORS	AVE
30.	ALLIANCE TRANSPORT SECTOR	ATS
31.	ALYANSA NG MAMAMAYANG NAGHIHIRAP	ALMANA
32.	ALYANSA NG MAY KAPANSANANG PINOY	AKAPIN
33.	ALYANSA NG MGA GRUPONG HALIGI NG AGHAM AT TEKNOLOHIYA PARA SA MAMAMAYAN, INC	AGHAM
34.	ALYANSA NG SAMBAYANAN PARA SA PAGBABABAGO	ASAP
35.	ALYANSANG BAYANIHAN NG MAGSASAKA, MANGGAGAWANG BUKID AT MANGINGISDA-ADHIKAIN AT KILUSAN NG ORDINARYONG TAO	ABA-AKO
36.	AN WARAY	AN WARAY
37.	ANAK MINDANO	AMIN
38.	ANAK PAWIS***	ANAKPAWIS
39.	ANG BAGONG BAYAN NA NAGTATAGUYOD NG DEMOKRATIKONG IDEOLOGIYA AT LAYUNIN	BANDILA
40.	ANG GALING PINOY	AG
41.	ANG LABAN NG INDIGINONG FILIPINO	ALIF
42.	ANG SAMAHAN NG MGA MANGANGALAKAL PARA SA IKAUUNLAD NG LOKAL NA EKONOMIYA (A SMILE) formerly Samahan ng mga Mangangalakal Para sa Ikauunlad ng Lokal na Ekonomiya	A SMILE

43.	ANGAT ANTAS KABUHAYAN PILIPINO MOVEMENT	AANGAT KA PILIPINO
44.	ANGAT ATING KABUHAYAN PILIPINAS, INC	ANAK
45.	ARTS BUSINESS AND SCIENCE PROFESSIONALS	ABS
46.	ASOSASYON NG MGA MALILIIT NA NEGOSYANTENG GUMAGANAP	AMANG
47.	ASSALAM BANGSAMORO PEOPLE'S PARTY	ASSALAM
48.	ASSOCIATION OF ADMINISTRATORS, PROFESSIONALS AND SENIORS	AAPS
49.	ASSOCIATION OF PHILIPPINE ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES	APEC
50.	BABAE PARA SA KAUNLARAN	BABAE KA
51.	BAGO NATIONAL CULTURAL SOCIETY OF THE PHILIPPINES	BAGO
52.	BAGONG ALYANSANG TAGAPAGTAGUYOD NG ADHIKAING SAMBAYANAN	BATAS
53.	BAGONG TAO MOVEMENT	BTM
54.	BAHANDI SA KAUMAHAN UG KADAGATAN	BAHANDI
55.	BARANGAY ASSOCIATION FOR NATIONAL ADVANCEMENT OF TRANSPARENCY	BANAT
56.	BAYAN MUNA***	BAYAN MUNA
57.	BIGKIS PINOY MOVEMENT	BIGKIS
58.	BIYAHENG PINOY	BP
59.	BIYAYANG BUKID	BIYAYANG BUKID
60.	BUHAY HAYAAN YUMABONG	BUHAY
61.	CITIZENS BATTLE AGAINST CORRUPTION	CIBAC
62.	COALITION OF ASSOCIATIONS OF SENIOR CITIZENS IN THE PHILIPPINES, INC	SENIOR CITIZENS
63.	COCOFED-PHILIPPINE COCONUT PRODUCERS FEDERATION, INC.	COCOFED
64.	CONFEDERATION OF GRAINS RETAILERS ASSOCIATION OF THE PHILIPPINES	GRECON
65.	COOPERATIVE-NATCO NETWORK PARTY	COOP-NATCCO
66.	DEMOCRATIC INDEPENDENT WORKERS ASSOCIATION, INC	DIWA
67.	FILIPINOS FOR PEACE, JUSTICE AND PROGRESS MOVEMENT ****	PFJPM
68.	GABRIELA WOMEN'S PARTY ***	GABRIELA
69.	HANAY NG APING PINOY	HAPI
70.	KABATAAN	KABATAAN
71.	KABUKLURAN NG MGA KABABAIHANG FILIPINA SA TIMOG KATAGALUGAN	BUKLOD FILIPINA
72.	KALAHI- ADVOCATES FOR OVERSEAS FILIPINOS	KALAHI
73.	KAPATIRAN NG MGA NAKULONG NA WALANG SALA	KAKUSA
74.	KASANGGA SA KAUNLARAN, INC	ANG KASANGGA
75.	KOALISYON NG KATUTUBONG SAMAHAN NG PILIPINAS	KASAPI
76.	LUZON FARMERS PARTY	BUTIL
77.	NOVELTY ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND LIVELIHOOD FOR FOOD, INC	NELFFI
78.	PARENTS ENABLING PARENTS COALITION PARTY *****	PEP
79.	PARTIDO NG MANGGAGAWA	PM
80.	PEOPLE'S MOVEMENT AGAINST POVERTY	PMAP
81.	PWERSA NG BAYANING ATLETA	PBA
82.	SANDIGANG MARALITA	SM
83.	SANLAKAS	SANLAKAS
84.	SEAMAN'S PARTY INC.	SPI
85.	SUARA BANGSAMORO	SUARA
86.	SULONG! BARANGAY MOVEMENT	SB
87.	THE TRUE MARCOS LOYALIST (FOR GOD, COUNTRY AND PEOPLE) ASSOCIATION OF THE PHILIPPINES, INC	BANTAY
88.	TRADE UNION CONGRESS PARTY	TUCP
89.	UNION OF THE MASSES FOR DEMOCRACY AND JUSTICE ******	UMDJ
90.	UNITED MOVEMENT AGAINST DRUGS	UNI-MAD
91.	VETERANS FREEDOM PARTY	VFP
92.	YOU AGAINST CORRUPTION AND POVERTY	YACAP
93.	YOUTH LEAGUE FOR PEACE ADVANCEMENT	LYPAD
* Subject to pending case docketed as SPA 07-012. Subject to pending case docketed as SPA 07-021. Subject to pending case docketed as SPP 07-013 * Subject to pending case docketed as SPP 07-015 &SPP 07-016 ***Subject to pending case docketed as SPP 07-010 **** Subject to pending case docketed as SPP 06-065 (PL)

Why we should still care

2007-05-06T23:59:00.000-07:00

by Leloy Claudio

Ateneo Debate Society (ADS)

Batch 2007 Valedictorian

I dislike a lot of things in Ang Kapatiran’s platform and a lot of what they stand for. For one, I think their conservative insistence on imposing Natural Family Planning on everyone is abhorrent – a blanket imposition of questionable religious beliefs (many Christian theologians approve of artificial family planning) to a secular public. I’m also not very impressed with the way they talk about issues. They moralize instead of analyze and abstract instead of engage. To be fair, there are issues they talk about with precision and clarity (i.e. when Dr. Martin Bautista talks about our debt problem), but, by and large, they have the tendency to sound like the trapos they love to criticize. In a debate which my organization, the Ateneo Debate Society, hosted, I saw the Kapatiran members get outshined by the intelligence and precision of Rep. Alan Cayetano (someone people should definitely vote for).

Despite all my misgivings, however, I don’t think it would be wrong to vote for Kapatiran. In fact, they might actually be good for the Senate. They seem honest, well-intentioned, and selfless. They’ve achieved a bare minimum that people like Mike Defensor, Butch Pichay, Richard Gomez, Tito Sotto, or Chavit Singson haven’t.

Voting for people based on a bare minimum standard is something we do in a country like the Philippines. This is simply because, as everybody knows, most politicians suck. One of the reasons why it’s so hard to focus on platforms is because, half the time, we’re trying to make sure the candidate we’re considering is not a jueteng lord.

Certainly, there’s something wrong. And we get a greater sense of how wrong things are when we compare ourselves to other countries. Many times, I entertain a sense of colonial mentality and compare the Philippine political system to the one in the U.S. In America, there are two parties, and it is easy to differentiate them based on issues. The Democrats are more socially liberal and more predisposed to a welfare/nanny economics, while the Republicans are more socially conservative and tend to love the free market more. If one were to place Kapatiran in the American political spectrum, they’d probably be Republican. And if I were an American, I’d be a card-carrying Democrat and would never dream of voting in Republicans. But, since I’m in the Philippines, I’m willing to vote for people on the other side of the political spectrum simply because they’re honest.

No wonder many of us become jaded and decide to withdraw. We don’t pick up the papers, we don’t lobby, we don’t vote, etc. We just stop caring. Or, we care, but we care in other ways. At the end of the day, however, I think our frustration with the way things are should not get in the way of the bigger picture. National politics is important, and we cannot give up on it no matter how bad it gets.

We have the power to change things, so it is incumbent upon us to respond. The system is not bad because there are stupid poor voters who don’t know what’s best for the country. This bigotry must be ended in favor a view that recognizes our (the middle and upper classes) complicity in the creation and maintenance of this system. Upon recognizing this complicity, we should also recognize that it is within our capacity to reverse what we have done. Trapos are trapos because our own families, schools, fraternities, etc. have bred them. If we seek culture changes in these institutions and if we ourselves imbibe these changes, the system will give. Trapos are also trapos because we have let them get away with pillaging the country, and, at times, even benefited from their pilferage. If we are vigilant against them and if we communicate this vigilance, they will eventually give. Trapos are trapos because some of us opt to join their ranks. If we are vigilant about ourselves, we will also give.

Change can happen, and change is already happening. People like our own Danton Remoto, parties like Kapatiran, and civil society networks like Volunteers for Clean Elections (VforCE) are evidence of this. They are part of a broader process of reworking the system.

The change in this system is happening through a large-scale culture change. Culture changes, however, accrue gradually and one can neither directly see nor measure these changes. This is very different from the wonderful community work which a lot of us have been used to. Building houses for poor people, for instance, is immediate gratification because you get to see how communities get uplifted rather quickly. Changing the political system, however, is a different ball game.

But this doesn’t mean it won’t have effects. A more transparent national government, for example, would be one which people could more easily hold accountable for acts of corruption (this is why the ADS, for example, will lobby for a freedom of information act). And, as many of you know, the Philippines would be a lot richer if our money didn’t go to our “public servants.” To rephrase this in the form of a challenge: people are stealing your money, are we just going to sit there and let them?

Hopefully we don’t. So what can you do? Allow me to close with a couple of concrete suggestions:
1) Vote.
2) Inform yourselves about candidates and tell people about those who you think should make it and should not make it to office. As I mentioned, I’m a Cayetano fan (please write his complete name, Alan Cayetano, on the ballot).
3) Find ways to guard yours and other people’s votes. Join VforCE (http://vforce.multiply.com).
4) Know about political issues even when it’s not election time. Just because it’s not voting time, doesn’t mean you can’t lobby.
5) Demand that television networks educate people about political issues through writing them. Watch and support the smart ones; boycott and complain about the dumb ones.
6) Love your country. Okay, that’s not concrete, but it’s what’s most important.

Ateneo heads Namfrel QC quick count

2007-05-06T22:03:00.000-07:00

by Ayee D. Macaraig INSTEAD OF eating out with friends or partying, Justin Victor de la Cruz (BS Mgt ’07) will be tabulating votes on his birthday, May 14, which is also national elections day.

De la Cruz is one of over 1,000 volunteers for Bantay Bilang, an election quick count that the Loyola Schools (LS) has volunteered to head.

Bantay Bilang is the Operation Quick Count of the National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel) for the Quezon City (QC) chapter.

Accredited by the Commission on Elections (Comelec), Namfrel will conduct the quick count for the May 14 elections.

To check against cheating

The quick count aims to be an alternative to the official Comelec vote count and is therefore a check against the manipulation of results.

The tabulation of votes will be conducted non-stop from May 14 to 20 at the Manuel V. Pangilinan Center for Student Leadership (MVP-CSL) and at Faura Hall.

Sanggunian ng mga Mag-aaral (Sanggu) President Karl Satinitigan (IV BS LM) said that the Ateneo has been volunteering to help in the QC quick count since 1987.

The chairpersons of this year’s quick count are outgoing Office of Student Activities (OSA) Director Miriam Delos Santos, former Sanggu President Boyet Dy (AB DS ’06), and Office for Social Concern and Involvement (OSCI) Director Mary Ann Manapat.

As of press time, the chairpersons could not be reached for comment.
Restoring belief in elections

Satinitigan and former Sanggu Vice President Pao Abarcar (AB Eco-H ’07) are also leaders of the quick count.

“[The quick count] aims to restore belief and hope in the [electoral] system. It combats that powerlessness we often feel and shows us that we can help make [the electoral system] better,” said Abarcar.

Satinitigan said that the Ateneo volunteered for the quick count to serve the QC community and to help ensure that the country’s democracy-in-progress works.

Despite the enormity of the task, volunteer de la Cruz is looking forward to helping out in the quick count. “I think May 14, [my birthday], will be a lot more special and meaningful by giving my efforts and my time to our country. It’s worth it.”

“[These] elections [are] our elections. No matter how we hate [the candidates] or this government or the politics in this country, it is our government and our politics and our country,” Satinitigan added.

Namfrel QC Chairman Don Rapadas said that since the Ateneo is an institution that is very much aware of social issues and realities, “it’s very easy for [it] to take up a good cause. It’s not something that you need to hard sell.”

“One person, one vote”

Benjamin Tolosa Jr., Ph.D., associate professor of the Department of Political Science, emphasized the importance of the quick count.

“One person, one vote. That’s something that’s sacred that you have to protect and therefore you have to make sure that it’s counted and counted right,” said Tolosa.

The actual counting of individual ballots is not part of the quick count, as this is done in the precinct level by Comelec-mandated teachers. Rather, the quick count involves checking if the votes are correctly tallied and if the number of votes equals the number of actual voters.

To do this, volunteers will use the sixth copy of the election return (ER), a document containing the number of registered and actual voters in a precinct and the number of votes cast in that precinct.

Rapadas said that even if the Namfrel quick count is unofficial, it is still credible because the ER is an official document.

Going beyond elections

Tolosa said that the quick count must be seen as part of a larger effort that the Ateneo is involved in—the nationwide movement called 1 Million Volunteers for Clean Elections (VforCE).

He added that about 85% of Filipinos vote but their participation must go beyond the elections to attain long-term political and social change.

Such change is one of the goals of VforCE together with protecting the integrity of the elections, and fighting fraud and violence.

The VforCE projects tackle voters’ education (Pinoy Voters’ Academy), campaign finance checking (Bantay Kampanya), poll watching (Bantay Presinto), canvass monitoring (Bantay Canvass), and an accountability mechanism (Bantay Pangako).

The Ateneo is involved in VforCE through the Sanggu and LS orgs, Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan (SLB), the Ateneo Professional Schools (APS), and the Ateneo Human Rights Center (AHRC).

with reports from Stephanie O. Chan and Karl Louie B. Fajardo

Attendance in quick count GA higher than expected

2007-05-06T22:02:00.000-07:00

by Ojie L. Ocampo

“OVERWHELMING” WAS how Don Rapadas, Quezon City (QC) chairman of the National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel), described the volunteer turnout for the first quick count general assembly (GA).

The 680 volunteers who attended the GA on April 16 filled all of the seats in Escaler Hall, with some people having to sit on the floor and outside the hall.

The GA briefed volunteers on the quick count of the QC votes, a project that the Loyola Schools (LS) heads in cooperation with Namfrel to check the accuracy of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) vote count.

The quick count, also known as Bantay Bilang, will be held from May 14 to 20 at the Manuel V. Pangilinan Center for Student Leadership (MVP-CSL) and at Faura Hall.

Joanna Beatrice Gomez (III BS Psy), volunteer support head for the quick count, said that the GA attendance was double the expected 250 to 300 people.

“Stepping up”

Gomez said that she is grateful to the volunteers for stepping up. She added that it is enlightening to know that the youth, the future of the country, still have a drive for volunteering.

Rapadas also said, “I think [that the turnout] is a manifestation that [the volunteers] still have hope and that they still believe that they can still make a difference, and make their vote make a difference in the coming elections.”

Having the chance to make a difference is the main reason Gomez cited to explain the GA attendance. “I think the thought that nandiyan iyong opportunity na makakatulong ka (there is an opportunity to help) to the bigger nation is very enticing.”

Alexandra Filipina Orosa (IV AB IS) said that even if she is not a registered voter, she volunteered for the quick count to help in some way.

Eryn Gayle De Leon (II BS ES), another volunteer, said that the quick count is a step to ending the corruption and dishonesty in the country’s electoral system. “It especially empowers the youth with the ability to change the society which they constantly lambast.”

De Leon also said that the efforts of the Sanggunian ng mga Mag-aaral (Sanggu) to organize the quick count have been successful. “It’s great to see a socially active student council.”

The Sanggu started organizing election-related projects last school year with its “Reg2Vote” campaign, which encouraged students to register to vote in the elections. Reg2Vote won the Most Outstanding Project Award in the 2007 LS Awards for Leadership and Service (LSALS).

“Still not enough”

Gomez said that as of press time, there are over 1,000 volunteers listed in the quick count’s database, 661 of which already have shifts. She also said that the volunteers are mostly Ateneans.

Rapadas and Gomez added that despite the good attendance in the GA, the volunteer turnout is still not enough to reach the target 2,736 tabulation volunteers. This number is needed if each volunteer is to have only one shift.

“[But] I know that Ateneans are very eager [and] zealous about these things so I’m sure they will commit to more than one shift [to] make up for the lack in number,” said Rapadas.

When asked regarding probable reasons for just an average response, Gomez said that vacation and summer classes hinder people from volunteering.

Rapadas, meanwhile, said that practicality is a factor affecting volunteerism for the entire QC chapter. “Some people have become more practical as to choose kung ano iyong may bayad (whatever it is that has pay).”

Both Gomez and Rapadas agreed that the existence of other organizations divides the volunteer base and therefore lessens the potential quick count volunteers.

Rallying for more

“[Volunteers must] see the work that they are doing as something that will contribute to the history of Ateneo—that once in 2007, we have made sure that we value so much our right to suffrage, and truth and honesty,” said Rapadas.

People can still volunteer for the quick count by sending their contact information and desired shifts to bantaybilang@yahoo.com or by joining bantaybilang_home@yahoogroups.com. Gomez said that walk-in volunteers are also welcome.

with a report from Yeni C. Raboca

Bantay Bilang volunteers train for tasks

2007-05-06T22:01:00.001-07:00

by Stephanie O. ChanTO ORIENT volunteers and to remind them about the significance of their tasks, training sessions for Bantay Bilang, an election quick count headed by the Loyola Schools (LS), were held on April 21 and 22 at Escaler Hall.

Quick count Volunteer Training Head Aaron Palabyab (AB Comm ’07) conducted the training sessions with quick count Chairperson Boyet Dy (AB DS ’06).

Palabyab is a former 4th year Sanggunian ng mga Mag-aaral (Sanggu) executive officer for the School of Social Sciences (SOSS) Board, while Dy is a former Sanggu president.

Bantay Bilang is the National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel) Operation Quick Count for the Quezon City (QC) chapter. Now with over 1,000 volunteers, this project aims to conduct a quick count of QC votes to validate the Commission on Elections (Comelec) vote count.

Over 2,000 volunteers needed

Namfrel QC Chairman Don Rapadas said that QC volunteers have an enormous task.

As of January 2007, QC has one of the country’s largest voting populations, which is 1,043,229.

For the quick count, 2,736 volunteers are needed to man the non-stop operations from May 14 to 20 at the Manuel V. Pangilinan Center for Student Leadership (MVP-CSL) and at Faura Hall.

Each day will have six shifts, with each shift consisting of four hours. There should be 76 people per shift to maintain operations.

How the quick count works

In the training sessions, Palabyab explained the tasks that volunteers may sign up for: checkers, runners, readers, encoders, and filers.

The process begins when the administration staff receives the sixth copy of the election return (ER), the official document containing the number of registered and actual voters in a precinct, and the number of votes cast in that precinct.

At the Colayco Pavilion, the admin staff will sort and process the ERs. These will then be given to runners, who will hand the ERs to the storage area at the second floor of MVP-CSL.

Palabyab said that checkers will then make sure that the information in the ERs is complete, especially the number of registered and actual voters. The tallies of votes at the end of the ERs also have to match the stick figures.

ERs with incomplete or incorrect information will be set aside and the admin staff will contact the precinct in question to clarify the matter. Otherwise, checkers will give them to runners, who will bring them to the tabulating center in Faura Hall.

At Faura, readers will dictate the contents of the ERs to the encoder, who will input the data into a program designed to tabulate and automatically consolidate the votes.

The runners will then bring the ERs to the post-storage area at the second floor of MVP-CSL. Filers will do final checks and then file the ERs according to district.

Meanwhile, the system administrator will send the updated results to the secure site of Namfrel National every half-hour or every hour by uploading a special file with all the consolidated results.

Namfrel National will then do the final consolidation and prepare the reports for the media, political parties and candidates.

“Helpful training”

For volunteer Ma. Larissa Rachelle Espiritu (II BS Mgt), the training was helpful. “I was able to understand the different aspects of the system that I am sure will help me execute the [task] I signed up [for] properly.”

Palabyab said that only 325 volunteers attended the training sessions. The rest of the volunteers would have to go through walk-in training.

Palabyab added that volunteers must be alert, responsible, and focused. “While [the work] will be fun because [volunteers] get to work with their friends while doing something for the country, they shouldn’t forget that what they’re doing is actually serious business.”

with a report from Nikko Carlo A. Tolentino

GLIMPSES SPECIAL EDITION: Ateneo's Involvement in VforCE Projects

2007-05-06T22:01:00.000-07:00

by Jan Lane G. Canseko

SLB and Sanggu contribute to voters’ education

FROM MAY 1 to 14, Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan’s (SLB) Bantay Call Center project will be open to answer election-related inquiries. Callers anywhere from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao can dial 10-149 from a PLDT landline to talk to a tele-educator for free.

Geared towards people who cannot read or who have limited access to the Internet, the two-week activity aims to help people make educated votes. It will also be made available to OFWs.

For those who have easy access to the Internet, various institutions like the De La Salle University (DLSU) and the Makati Business Club (MBC) have provided Web sites that present information on candidates’ profiles.

With the importance of political education among voters, especially the youth, candidates’ forums were also held. The Union of Catholic Student Councils (UCSC) and the Sanggunian ng mga Mag-aaral (Sanggu), under the leadership of former President Luis Abad (AB Eco-H ’07), sponsored a senatorial candidates’ forum at St. Scholastica’s College (SSC) last March 9.

Ateneo orgs handle VforCE communications

WITH THE elections fast approaching, several organizations have pushed for political consciousness and volunteerism through communications and resource-generation.

For the Ateneo effort, the Ateneo Debate Society (ADS), the Harvard Project for Asian and International Relations (HPAIR), and the Association of Communication Majors (AComm) are leading the communications work. Batch 2007 valedictorian Leloy Claudio (AB Comm ’07) and former HPAIR President Sharmila Parmanand (AB PoS ’07) are heading this initiative.

Parmanand said that they are working for the visibility of VForCE in mainstream media to reach a bigger audience. In partnership with advertising company Campaigns and Grey, they conceptualized a media campaign which is set to be broadcasted soon.

The Makati Business Club (MBC), meanwhile, is handling logistical support for the Democracy Fund. Key leaders of One Voice, a non-partisan movement calling for social and electoral reforms, are also undertaking the overall effort in coordination.

AHRC and Law School Student Council to help monitor canvassing

TO ENSURE the effectiveness of election monitoring, the group 1 Million Volunteers for Clean Elections (VforCE) has launched three projects: Poll Watch 2007 or Bantay Presinto, Operation Quick Count or Bantay Bilang, and canvass monitoring or Bantay Canvass.

The Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) will lead the poll watch, the National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel) will conduct the quick count, and the Legal Network for Truthful Elections (LENTE) is in charge of canvass monitoring.

LENTE is a nationwide network of lawyers, law students, and paralegals. The Ateneo Human Rights Center (AHRC) and the Ateneo Law School (ALS) Student Council are part of LENTE. Atty. Carlos Medina Jr., executive director of the AHRC, is also a LENTE co-convenor.

Bantay Presinto, meanwhile, aims to ensure clean and fair elections by designating trained poll-watchers to monitor counting activities, while Bantay Canvass will watch over the aggregation of votes at the municipal, city and provincial levels and respond to calls for legal assistance.

Ateneo groups help communities develop agenda

TO HEIGHTEN political awareness and responsibility among Filipinos, the group 1 Million Volunteers for Clean Elections (VforCE) developed Pinoy Voters’ Academy. VforCE also came up with Bantay Pangako, a project that allows communities to set their agenda, choose their candidates, and hold these candidates accountable. It also involves monitoring the fulfillment of campaign promises after the elections.

Bantay Pangako is concerned with direct community development work, which involves various social involvement offices such as former members of the now-defunct Socially-oriented Organizations of the Ateneo (SOA), Gawad Kalinga (GK), and the Office for Social Concern and Involvement (OSCI).

Department of Economics Lecturer Philip Tuano and Benjamin Barretto, special project assistant for development of the Ateneo School of Government (ASG), are coordinating Bantay Pangako.

with a report from Xianne S. Arcangel