VOTING STRAIGHT MEANS FASTER DEVELOPMENT FOR MINDANAO: MACAPAGAL-ARROYO
Inquirer News Service, March 30, 2001
(PAGADIAN CITY) -- Voting 13-0 for the administration’s People Power
Coalition in the May senatorial elections would lead to faster development
of Mindanao, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in a speech here said.
In today’s rally at the Zamboanga del Sur Parents-Teachers Association
Gymnasium, Ms Macapagal said the victory of PPC candidates would mean better
governance, higher moral standards and faster development for the entire
Mindanao island.
"We would like the development of your province (Zamboanga del Sur) and the
rest of Mindanao at a greater speed. So come election time, do not forget
our 13 senatorial candidates running under the PPC," the President said.
The coalition’s senatorial line-up includes Las Piñas Rep. Manny Villar
Gov. Obet Pagdanganan, Quezon Rep. Wigberto Tañada, Sen. Juan Flavier, Sen.
Sergio Osmeña III, Batangas Rep. Ralph Recto, Sen. Franklin Drilon, former
BIR chief Liwayway Vinzons-Chato, Bohol Rep. Ernesto Herrera, Makati Rep.
Joker Arroyo, Sen. Ramon Magsaysay, Jr., former NEDA head and television
personality Solita Monsod, and lawyer Francis Pangilinan.
"They (candidates) bring with them untainted integrity, good governance
high moral ascendancy, and high quality of service to our people," the
President said.
Earlier, President Macapagal-Arroyo had a breakfast meeting with the top
officials and members of the Lakas-NUCD Party at Casa Emsa here.
Party leaders assured her that they would exert their best efforts to make
the administration candidates win.
"We will campaign hard. We will protect the ballots," party officials
declared. They also pledged to work for honest, orderly, and peaceful
election.
PPC MAINTAINS 8-5 LEAD: The administration's People Power Coalition
continued to take the lead in the race for 13 Senate seats as eight PPC
candidates paced four bets of the opposition's Puwersa ng Masa (PM)
coalition but behind independent candidate Noli de Castro.
Meanwhile, President Arroyo assured the opposition that there will be no
cheating at the polls, and shrugged off deposed President Joseph Estrada's
threat to lead the masses in a revolt if the PPC manages to sweep the
Senate race.
According to the latest uncommisioned survey of the Social Weather Stations
Inc. (SWS), De Castro, a popular news broadcaster, continued to lead with
59 percent of respondents.
Following De Castro were PPC re-electionist senators Juan Flavier (46
percent), Ramon Magsaysay Jr. (44 percent), Franklin Drilon (44 percent)
and Sergio Osmena III (43 percent).
Dropping from third place is Makati Rep. Joker Arroyo (41 percent), who the
opposition claimed lost points for continuing to expose the alleged abuses
of Estrada.
On his way up, on the other hand, is former Speaker Manuel Villar (40
percent) who was tied with former defense secretary Orlando Mercado (40
percent), the leading PM candidate.
Behind Mercado were lawyer Francis Pangilinan (39 percent) and Batangas
Rep. Ralph Recto (35 percent), both of the PPC.
Other PM candidates in the "Magic 13" are former executive secretary
Edgardo Angara (33 percent) and re-electionist Senators Gregorio Honasan
and Miriam Defensor-Santiago, both with 31 percent.
The SWS survey was conducted March 5 to 18. It tapped 1,500 respondents who
are registered voters who intend to vote in the May 14 congressional and
local elections.
According to the survey, the PPC led in both Luzon (8-5) and the Visayas
(9-4) but was still behind PM in Mindanao (6-7). Metro Manilans would vote
9-4 for PPC.
Angara maintained his ranking in previous surveys while Honasan and
Santiago both lost ground.
Honasan dropped by one rank and Santiago was at her lowest position since
the SWS began its election tracking survey in March last year.
Behind Santiago were re-electionist Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile (30 percent),
former national police chief Panfilo Lacson (28 percent) and former press
secretary Ricardo Puno (26 percent).
Lacson, who maintained his position at the tailend of the Magic 13,
insisted PM candidates have better chances of getting to the Senate than
the administration bets. Phil. Star, 03/25/2001
VOTE FOR MORALLY UPRIGHT BETS, CATHOLICS URGED: An influential Catholic
Church group has urged the people to learn from the mistakes of the past
and vote for "morally upright" candidates in the May 14 elections.
The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, through its president
Archbishop Orlando Quevedo, said the electorate should reject candidates
who traded their principles for "power, wealth or friendship" and vote for
"morally qualified" people.
In the statement meant for voters' education, Quevedo said, "If we choose
leaders without the necessary moral qualities, they shall prove to be a
curse to justice, peace and true development. But if we choose leaders who
are morally qualified, then we choose blessings for our country.
While he stressed the CBCP would not recommend candidates to the voters,
his statement reminded readers of what transpired during the impeachment
trial of deposed President Joseph Estrada.
Estrada's party mates in the Senate voted not to open an envelope believed
to contain strong evidence against him.
Three of those senators allied with the ousted president are running for
reelection under the Estrada-led Puwersa ng Masa. They are Juan Ponce
Enrile, Miriam Defensor-Santiago and Gregorio Honasan.
Quevedo said the issues in the coming elections are the same moral issues
that People Power 2001 brought to the streets in various parts of the
country. Quevedo said the electorate should vote for candidates with
programs that will address the basic problems of the country "namely peace,
justice and development."
The party-list group Bayan Muna, meantime, dared the Catholic Church to
name the "immoral and corrupt" candidates the people should not vote for in
the coming polls.
Satur Ocampo, Bayan Muna leader, said the Church should display the same
courage it showed during Edsa I and II and name names. Inquirer, 03/25/2001
TRIBUNAL TACKLES FATE OF 4.5 NEW VOTERS: The Supreme Court advanced its
regular en banc session day, stoking speculations it would rule in favor of
petitions seeking a special registration of some 4.5 million first-time
voters.
Fourteen SC justices are set to meet in a special session at noon today in
Baguio City to take up two petitions seeking to compel the Commission on
Elections (Comelec) to hold a special registration.
Legal analysts said the move to take up the petitions one day ahead of its
usual Tuesday en banc session day was an indication the high court would
rule in favor of the appellants.
Appellants Akbayan Youth and University of the Philippines coed Michelle
Betito are asking the SC to order the Comelec to register some 4.5 million
disenfranchised youth and allow them to vote in the May 14 congressional
and local elections.
Highly reliable sources said "a majority of the justices are in favor of a
special registration" that would allow first-time voters who failed to
register during the continuing registration last year to list up before the
May elections.
Youth groups claimed they failed to register because the Comelec failed to
implement a public information drive despite a P50-million fund for the
purpose provided by law.
The sources said most of the jurists are convinced there is no legal
impediment in conducting a special registration but many of the justices
also expressed doubts on the physical possibility of a list-up.
The Comelec, headed by Chairman Alfredo Benipayo, holds that a special
registration would be unlawful because there is a provision in Republic Act
8189, or the Voters Registration Act of 1996, prohibiting registration of
voters within 120 days of any election.
The Comelec also maintains that even if Congress had been able to pass an
enabling law during its failed special session last week, the special
list-up would be operationally impossible unless the May 14 polls were
postponed.
However, Solicitor General Simeon Marcelo said the Comelec has the legal
authority to conduct a special list-up under the Electoral Reform Law of
1987, (RA 6646), Omnibus Election Code (Presidential Decree 881) and the
1987 Constitution.
Marcelo, together with presidential chief legal counsel Avelino Cruz, is
supporting the youth petition on order of President Arroyo.
Some lawyers believe that PD 881 has not been repealed and may be used to
legally justify a special registration.
Even Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr., himself a former Comelec chairman,
said during a hearing on March 16 that RA 8189 can be "harmonized" with PD
881.
Comelec Commissioner Resurreccion Borra, a career Comelec official, also
contradicted Benipayo when he told the SC that a special registration is
still possible "with the proper mobilization." Phil. Star, 03/26/2001
ARROYO PREDICTS COLLAPSE OF ESTRADA'S SENATE BETS: ROXAS CITY - Makati Rep.
Joker Arroyo predicted here yesterday that the opposition coalition Puwersa
ng Masa (PnM) would collapse the moment plunder charges are filed against
deposed President Joseph Estrada.
Arroyo, who is seeking a Senate seat under the banner of the ruling People
Power Coalition (PPC), said the formal filing of cases would deny the PnM
of any issue they could raise on the campaign trail to muster support and
win votes.
Arroyo pressed his verbal attacks against Estrada even as political
analysts said it pulled him down in the survey rankings of the Social
Weather Stations (SWS) from number three to number six .
Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino spokesman Makati Rep. Agapito "Butz" Aquino
said earlier the filing of the plunder charges and subsequent imprisonment
of Estrada would bring about a 13-0 victory for the opposition in the
senatorial race.
Arroyo countered, however, that it will work the other way around.
The PPC is currently leading in the SWS polls by 8-4-1 with independent
candidate Kabayan Noli de Castro comfortably leading the 33-way senatorial
derby by a clear margin of 59 percent as against 40 percent of his closest
rival, re-electionist Sen. Juan Flavier.
Arroyo also downplayed reports that the disgraced leader will lead another
people power in a bid to return to Malacanang, saying Estrada has proven
himself to be a "coward" when he abandoned Malacanang at the climax of
people power II last January.
Arroyo claimed Estrada was afraid that he would be bodily thrown out of the
Palace and lynched by an irate mob of protesters on Jan. 20.
The PPC senatorial bets are currently on a swing of Aklan, Capiz and Iloilo
provinces.
The Supreme Court has indefinitely extended its restraining order on the
Office of the Ombudsman from filing a host of criminal cases, including
graft and plunder, against Estrada pending resolution of his motion for
reconsideration of a ruling by the court upholding the legitimacy of the
Arroyo administration. Phil. Star, 03/26/2001
HOPES DIM FOR YOUTH VOTERS IN SC: All Appears lost for many new voters
whose hopes of participating in the May 14 elections were dashed by
Congress' failure to pass a bill allowing a special registration.
Senate President Aquilino Pimentel Jr. says the petitions filed by youth
groups asking the Supreme Court to compel the Commission on Elections
(Comelec) to hold the special registration may not prosper.
The registration is for the 18-year-olds who did not make it to the voter's
list on Dec. 27.
A Malacanang official advised the youth to instead direct their energies to
ensuring honest and orderly election should they fail to vote in the May 14
elections.
Gabriel Claudio, head of the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office, said
the millions of young voters, who failed to register, could volunteer in
poll groups, like the National Movement for Free Elections.
Justices of the Supreme Court will meet en banc on March 27 to resolve
petitions asking the tribunal to force the Comelec to hold the special
registration.
Akbayan-Youth, Bayan Muna-Youth and four other groups, along with
19-year-old Michelle Betito, filed separate petitions with the high
tribunal.
Akbayan also considers slim the chances that the Supreme Court will approve
its petition for the special registration.
"I'm not that optimistic," said Ruben Carranza, legal counsel of Akbayan.
"The Supreme Court might not want to be seen as making a judicial
legislation or doing what Congress failed to do," Carranza said.
If the Supreme Court shoots down the petition, Carranza said Akbayan would
mobilize some 2.5 million new voters and the youth sector to campaign
against the candidates who worked against the holding of the special
registration.
Pimentel said the high court could order the poll body to hold the special
registration for new voters. If Comelec complied, the registration would go
beyond the May 14 elections.
He said the Supreme Court "will have to consider that very seriously."
Congress ended its three-day special session without approving the bill
seeking a special registration after Comelec Chair Alfredo Benipayo admitted
that his office would be "physically unable to cope" with the preparations.
Benipayo is not keen on conducting the special registration citing legal
and operational obstacles which he says bars the poll body from
accommodating unregistered voters.
In Lucena City, Fr. Raul Enriquez, vice chair of Gomburza, an association
of priests and pastors, chided the Macapagal administration for not having
a strong political will in pushing for the registration.
In Digos City, text messages purportedly coming from the disenfranchised
youth urged voters to reject politicians who blocked the passage of the
special registration law. A text message read: "D DNT WNT US 2 VOT. RJK
DEM."
Erwin Saraob, Akbayan-Youth Davao City coordinator, said they would take to
the streets to push the Supreme Court to immediately act favorably on their
petition. Inquirer, 03/23/2001
NAMFREL GETS TOP BILLING IN QUICK COUNT(Manila) Although both the National
Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel) and the National Press Club (NPC)
have been authorized by the Commission on Elections to conduct separate
quick counts in the May 14 polls, it is the Namfrel tally that would be
given more weight.
Comelec chair Alfredo Benipayo told a Philippine Bar Association luncheon
yesterday that Namfrel will get the sixth copy of the election returns. The
NPC will be given the seventh copy of the certificate of votes which, he
said, "is not an accountable form" compared to the election returns.
Election returns contain the complete tabulation of the voting results
while certificates of votes contain only the final vote tally.
"The difference is that (in terms of) probative value mas mabigat ang (more
weight) election returns because it is an accountable form. That is what
will be used in tabulating," Benipayo explained.
Even as Benipayo made the announcement, the Comelec still had to give media
a copy of its resolution. Benipayo said the Comelec arrived at the decision
to authorize both Namfrel and NPC during an en banc session last week.
Copies of the draft resolution, however, were circulated only yesterday.
The Inquirer got hold of a photocopy of the 17-page resolution from an NPC
member who said the document was sent by an anonymous source.
That draft resolution, whose first and last pages were missing, said that
while Namfrel "possessed the track record, logistics, manpower and machinery
to conduct an unofficial count," its drawback was its inability to
immediately relay to the Comelec the system and basis of its tabulation.
This opened Namfrel to charges of count manipulation, although the Comelec
admitted that Namfrel’s detractors were unable to provide convincing proof
that Namfrel and its officials had deliberately engaged in such manipulation.
As for the NPC, the Comelec said the media group did not have any track
record in the conduct of an unofficial count. It said it could not rely on
the NPC’s proposed Internet-based quick count system.
However, if the systems of Namfrel and NPC are made to complement each other
the Comelec said this could improve the existing system.
"Ideally, (Namfrel and NPC) should find ways and means to cooperate and
coordinate with each other by complementing each others’ efforts in areas
where one is strong and the other is weak," the draft resolution said.
The Comelec, however, did not force the two groups to work with each other
saying their separate unofficial counts are "always subject to a
reconciliation of the figures where they differ."
According to the Comelec draft resolution, both Namfrel and NPC must conduct
a dry-run of their count systems covering 30 percent of the proposed area
of coverage 30 days before election day.
"The system must be satisfactory, not only to the Comelec, but also to major
political parties . . . and non-compliance with these parameters can be
ground for revocation of the accreditation," it said.
The Philippine Press Institute had distanced itself from the NPC quick count
project. The PPI in a recent statement said, "the primary function of the
press is to report accurately events of public concern, including elections
and to serve as the watchdog of the people."
"It is not the function of the press to participate in the counting of votes
in the elections," it said, adding that the press cannot be a participant
and a watchdog at the same time.
PPI is the national association of newspapers.3/22/01 inquirer
SENATE KILLS BILL FOR NEW VOTERS LISTING (Manila) The Plan in Congress to
hold a special registration for first-time voters before the May 14
elections is dead.
The Senate and the House of Representatives ended yesterday its three-day
special session without approving the measure seeking to allow the 18-year-
olds, who failed to sign onto the electoral roll in their respective
precincts last year.
The death of the proposal came after Commission on Elections chair Alfredo
Benipayo admitted to the Senate that the poll body would be "physically
unable to cope" with the preparations for the special registration.
Benipayo told the senators in a closed-door meeting and later on the Senate
floor that the special registration could still be held if the country
postponed the May 14 polls to June 4, something that senators all rejected.
"We had to scrap it in light of the admission of the Comelec that it just
couldn't do it within the time limit set out in the bill. And the
alternative of postponing the (May 14) elections is to our mind a worse
cure than the disease," Senate President Aquilino Pimentel Jr. told
reporters shortly after the Senate adjourned the session.
House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte did not hide his disappointment with
Benipayo, who he said gave Congress "false hopes" at the start of the
special session.
"Pinaasa pa niya kami," he said before proceeding to plenary hall at 6:20
last night to relay Pimentel’s decision to adjourn the special session.
The House special session was formally adjourned at 6:50 p.m.
Malacañang is also disappointed with the turn of events in Congress.
"But we did our best and President Macapagal-Arroyo gave her full support
to it," Presidential Spokesperson Renato Corona said.
Corona said the Palace could still pin its hopes on the Supreme Court.
Youth groups have filed petitions with the high court asking it to compel
the Comelec to hold the special registration. They claim there are laws
providing for continuing registration.
While leaders of the two chambers of Congress and the presidential
spokesperson were disappointed, opposition legislators in the House had
reason to celebrate.
"I am vindicated--again. I’m happy that it is adjourned. From the very
start I’ve been saying that what we’re doing is wrong," Maguindanao
Rep. Didagen Dilangalen said.
It was mainly due to the Maguindanao congressman’s filibustering that
plenary deliberations on the list-up bills had a rough sailing in the first
two special session days.
Dilangalen, who told reporters that Joseph Estrada "is still my President"
said President Macapagal-Arroyo pushed for the special registration because
she was "under pressure from the Left."
On the Senate floor, Senate Minority Leader Renato Cayetano, who sponsored
Senate Bill No. 2278, expressed disappointment over Benipayo's admission.
The bill had proposed the holding of the special registration on April 7.
But Benipayo stood by his statement that the elections would have to be
reset for June 4 to complete all activities for the special registration.
Cayetano estimated that the Comelec would need 50 days to prepare for the
special registration, way beyond the May 14 polls.
In his speech before the Senate, Benipayo made it clear that Comelec was
not against the special registration for the disenfranchised first-time
voters. But he said that after reviewing the Comelec's timetable for the
May 14 polls and the proposed Senate measure he found out that the Comelec
could not meet the deadline.
He said that all the processes and steps for the registration would be
completed by April 27 and that the election paraphernalia would be delivered
by May 21, way beyond the May 14 polls.
He disclosed that the Comelec was already 25 days behind schedule in
preparing for the May 14 polls. Benipayo admitted that the bill did not
have enough safeguards due to the small amount of time given to the Senate.
He also noted that it would be difficult to implement some of the Senate
bill’s provisions like those involving excluded voters. Benipayo said not
enough lawyers could help the voters because the bill gave them only a day
to file a petition before the municipal trial court.
He noted that one-third of the 1,000 municipal trial courts in the country
had no judges and other personnel.
Failure of elections
"We will be risking failure of elections," he said. "I have to be candid
about it or else the country will suffer," he said.
Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile commended Benipayo for his "candor in telling us the
reality besetting his commission."
"It is easy to go along with what is perceived to be popular but it takes
moral courage to accept the truth and tell it in public," Enrile said.
He said other officials "would have succumbed to political pressure and
allow the country to be buffeted by a greater problem." Enrile told
reporters that the attempt to craft the measure was in the first place an
"impossible effort to accomplish because of the time constraint."
Sen. Vicente Sotto, chair of the Senate committee on electoral reform, said
a lesson could be learned from yesterday's events--people must follow
deadlines set by the government.
Pimentel said "this was a good learning process for all of us." "We got to
discuss the matter and our knowledge has been enriched," he said.
But Sen. John Osmeña said that what the Senate had done in the past three
days was a "waste of time."
He said that what the session achieved was the approval of the Public Works
Act of Sen. Ramon Revilla.
Frustrating
In the House, Belmonte said the adjournment of Congress without approving
the measure on special registration was "frustrating because we were able
to muster a big quorum (during the three session days)."
"But this is a case in which Congress cannot impose its will on the
Comelec," he said. Akbayan Rep. Loretta Ann Rosales, said "both the Senate
and the House were willing, but the Comelec should have had more will power."
But Makati City Rep. Agapito Aquino said forcing the Comelec to the job in
a haphazard way would result in a failure of elections. "We don’t want
anybody to doubt our electoral process. Right now in the middle of the
campaign, the fifth week, it’s very difficult to change the rules in the
middle of the ballgame," he said.
Aquino congratulated the Senate on "making a wise decision." Some lawmakers
from different political parties opposed Benipayo’s proposal to move the
elections to June 4.
Former Speaker Manuel Villar, now a senatorial candidate under the People
Power Coalition, said postponing the elections would be "very destabilizing."
Opposition Rep. Benasing Macarambon said Benipayo’s suggestion would even
entail "amending the Constitution."
Estrada, who is against a special registration, said the youth were taught
a lesson on their political responsibilities. "It's not because we want to
disenfranchise them. We want to teach them a lesson," he said at a dinner
with Palace reporters Tuesday.
He recalled that when he was 18, registrations were only held Fridays and
not everyday and yet the youth did well to do their duty of registering.
"Why did they fail to register? They are not responsible citizens so you
must teach them a lesson, do we not?" he asked. 3/22/01, inquirer
NAMFREL GETS COMELEC NOD: Voting 6-0, the Commission on Elections (Comelec)
en banc decided yesterday to accredit the National Movement for Free
Elections (Namfrel) to conduct a quick count of the May 14 midterm
elections.
Comelec Commissioner Luzviminda Tancangco, who inhibited herself from the
vote, said the commission voted unanimously in favor of Namfrel. The formal
resolution will be announced and made available today. Comelec Chairman
Alfredo Benipayo, who was supposed to release the formal resolution, and
Commissioner Resurreccion Borra were in Congress the whole day yesterday to
attend consultations with House leaders for the holding of the special
registration of voters.
Tancangco did not vote in the en banc meeting after Namfrel filed a
petition asking that she inhibit herself for previously claiming that the
poll watchdog was involved in "vote-padding" in the 1987 senatorial
elections that went in favor of the Aquino administration, 22-2.
Tancangco said the National Press Club (NPC) was also accredited by the
poll body but it will get only the certificate of votes from the precincts.
Now that it is accredited, the Namfrel will get the sixth copy of election
returns for the unofficial quick count. Phil. Star, 03/20/2001
REJECT 'ESTRADA-LIKE BETS, BISHOPS URGE': Four Mindanao bishops have issued
a joint pastoral exhortation asking the Catholic faithful to reject
candidates who exhibit traits which caused the Catholic Bishops Conference
of the Philippines to criticize deposed President Joseph Estrada before
People Power II.
The pastoral exhortation for the 2001 elections, issued by the four bishops
of the Davao provinces, asked the people to reject candidates who seek the
interest of their family and friends and instead vote for candidates who
are "God fearing and truthful to marriage and family commitments."
The document was signed by Archbishop Fernando Capalla of Davao, Bishops
Wilfredo Manlapaz of Tagum, Generoso Camina of Digos, and Patricio Alo of
Mati.
The bishops said a competent candidate is a good leader who can set
directions and does not totally depend on advisers and consultants.
The bishops added that the candidates Mindanaoans should vote for should be
pro-Mindanao, i.e., those who would promote peace and development in the
regions in southern Philippines. Inquirer, 03/21/2001
SPECIAL REGISTRATION OF VOTERS MOVED TO APRIL 7: The Senate committees on
suffrage and electoral reforms and on finance approved yesterday a joint
report calling for a special registration of voters on April 7.
The two committees decided against holding the registration on April 10 and
11 after a computation of the days involved in various registration-related
activities showed the need for an earlier date.
The bill allows all persons aged 18 to 21 and those who failed to register
under the Voter Registration Act to register on April 7.
The original proposal called for the registration only of those aged 18 to
21, but there were concerns that this would be discriminatory. A maximum of
three million, including non-youth registrants, are expected to list up in
the special registration.
Senate Minority Leader Renato Cayetano, principal author and sponsor of the
Senate bill, allayed fears that the special registration would be used to
pad the list with "flying" voters, or criminal elements who vote more than
once.
Cayetano said an April 7 registration would give ample time for the
Commission on Elections (Comelec) to print and ship the registration and
ballots to the 230,000 electoral precincts nationwide and for courts to
rule on inclusion and exclusion proceedings before election day on May 14.
Under the Senate version, the special registration would be conducted at
the barangay level through a board of election inspectors.
Meanwhile, the House of Representatives was on its way last night to
approving a bill that would allow the special registration of voters but no
details were finalized as of press time, aside from the previously agreed
registration on April 10 and 11.
Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. assured the nation that enough safeguards
will be embodied in the voter registration bill that Congress is tackling
in the ongoing special session.
Militant youth organizations blamed the Comelec for its failure to launch a
massive information drive to ensure that more than four million new voters
would be able to enlist for the congressional and local elections on May
14.
The youth groups also threatened to file charges against opposition
lawmakers who would block the Arroyo administration's initiative to allow
the disenfranchised youth to vote. Phil. Star, 03/21/2001
CBCP SEEN URGING VOTERS TO REJECT IMMORAL, CORRUPT BETS: The Catholic
Bishops' Conference of the Philippine is set to issue guidelines for voters
to consider when they go to the polls on May 11.
"The results of the coming elections will show whether or not we are about
to enter a new era in politics," Archbishop Orlando Quevedo, president of
the CBCP, told reporters.
The CBCP is expected to draw inspiration from the experience of People
Power II in framing the set of guidelines.
Observers say that Quevedo is expected to deliver an unequivocal stand
against popular but ineffectual leaders among the candidates.
He is also expected to deliver a strong message against "immoral" leaders
and those associated with corruption. Inquirer, 03/18/2001
CONGRESS TACKLES YOUTH LISTING: The fate of 4.5 million first-time voters
whose failure to register last year means their certain disenfranchisement
in the May 14 elections will be known at the end of a three-day Congress
session to pass a special registration law, which opens today.
Despite boycott threats from some opposition senators, Senate President
Aquilino Pimentel Jr. has said that he has been assured of the attendance
of at least 12 senators--more than the number required to make up a quorum.
The vexed question of a special registration has quickly turned into a
partisan issue.
Reelectionist Sen. Miriam Santiago, who chairs the Senate electoral reform
committee, says she will boycott the session and accuse the administration
of "preparing for the registration of flying voters."
Youth groups affiliated with the Bayan Muna and Akbayan party list groups
petitioning for the special registration yesterday demanded the resignation
of Commission on Elections chair Alfredo Benipayo for alleged incompetence
and inefficiency.
Benipayo has been pessimistic about the feasibility of holding a special
registration, citing possible election law violations and lack of time.
Sen. Blas Ople said last Friday Santiago's boycotting the special session
would create a problem because there would be no one to head the Senate
electoral reform committee, the body that is supposed to endorse the
special registration law.
He said Pimentel would have to talk to Santiago who was the "majority
choice" to head the committee.
Pimentel expressed optimism that the special registration law could be
immediately tackled by converting the Senate into a committee of the whole.
But Ople said he was not sure all the senators would agree to such a
proposal.
He noted the Senate had only twice before converted itself into a committee
of the whole--to pass the World Trade Organization and the Visiting Forces
Agreement. Inquirer, 03/19/2001
COMELEC WON'T BOW TO PALACE ON SPECIAL REGISTRATION: The Commission on
Elections (Comelec) asserted yesterday its independence as a constitutional
body, saying it would not give in to pressures from Malacanang for a
special registration to accommodate an estimated 4.5 million new voters who
want to cast their votes in the May 14 polls.
This developed as the controversy on the proposed special registration
continued to rage with the influential Catholic Bishops' Conference of the
Philippines (CBCP) batting for allowing the unregistered voters to take
part in the forthcoming elections.
In related developments yesterday:
-- President Arroyo hailed leaders of both chambers of Congress for
supporting her call for a special session to amend the Omnibus Election
Code, paving the way for the special registration of voters.
-- Makati Rep. Agapito "Butz" Aquino warned that postponing the polls just
to allow 4.5 million new voters to register would trigger nationwide chaos
and possibly social unrest.
-- Isabela Rep. Heherson Alvarez, secretary general of the ruling
Lakas-NUCD, branded as baseless allegations that the Arroyo administration
has a hidden agenda in pushing for the special registration despite a law
disallowing the listup within 120 days of the polls.
-- The People Power Coalition (PPC) hit back at opposition Sen. John Osmena
for accusing the Arroyo administration of dangling P3.8 billion in pork
barrel funds to congressmen to ensure the passage of the special voters'
registration bill.
-- The militant Bayan Muna youth sector also lashed out at Osmena for
calling their colleagues who want to vote as "flying voters."
Comelec Chairman Alfredo Benipayo said, however, that they would abide by
any decision of the Supreme Court or Congress on the issue.
The SC has ordered the Comelec to submit tomorrow its comments on the
consolidated petitions filed by the Akbayan Youth and other petitioners for
the holding of the special registration.
Meanwhile, the Comelec has wrapped up deliberations on the applications of
the National Citizen's Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel) and the
National Press Club (NPC) to conduct a quick count of votes in the May 14
elections.
Benipayo and Commissioner Resurreccion Borra refused, however, to reveal
the result of the hearings, saying they will announce it within the week.
In batting for the special registration, CBCP president Archbishop Orlando
Quevedo said; "This is a crucial time for elections. Many people should
involve themselves in the elections" to help shape the country's future.
"The country's future is at stake," Quevedo stressed. He admitted, however,
that the projected new voters' listup would pose some serious problems. He
did not elaborate.
Senatorial candidate Wigberto Tanada of the Lakas-led PPC also belied the
charges that the Arroyo administration has a hidden agenda in calling for
the special listing of voters. "The only agenda I know of is to allow our
youth to exercise their right to vote. And there are those who are afraid
of this vote." Phil. Star, 03/15/2001
SPECIAL SESSION CALLED: There's still a glimmer of hope for unregistered
youth to vote for their national and local officials this far into the
election period. President Arroyo issued late yesterday a proclamation
calling for a special session of Congress for three days next week to
authorize the holding of a special registration of voters by the Commission
on Elections (Comelec), according to Malacanang sources.
The proposed special registration, if approved by Congress in the special
session on March 19, 20 and 21, will allow some 4.5 million disenfranchised
youth as well as other qualified but unregistered voters to list up, in
time for the May 14 elections.
A Palace official confirmed last night that the President has issued the
proclamation. "This (special session) is a product of consultations of
President Arroyo with leaders of Congress, the petitioners for special
registration, as well as with the Comelec," he said on condition of
anonymity.
Mrs. Arroyo also authorized the allotment of P 200 million for the special
registration, P100 million more than earlier reported.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court (SC) will hear at 3 p.m. on Friday arguments
on a petition to compel the poll body to hold a special registration of
voters.
The SC, sitting en banc, also ordered the Comelec to submit by 10 a.m. of
March 16 its comments on the petition of party-list group Akbayan and other
youth organizations for the holding of the special registration for new
voters.
Earlier, Comelec Chairman Alfredo Benipayo said that the holding of a
special registration "would risk the credibility, stability and certainty"
of the May 14 congressional and local elections.
He explained that aside from the legal obstacles, the new list of voters
that would result from a special registration may be tainted by flying
voters since the Comelec failed to complete its precinct-mapping project.
The project was supposed to help the Comelec verify the identity and
residence of voters, reducing the illegal but common practice of paying
certain individuals to vote more than once in distant precincts.
The Comelec last year resolved to use the list of voters in the 1998
presidential elections in the May 14 elections because the Comelec failed
to complete the mapping project under the supervision of Comelec
commissioner Luzviminda Tancangco.
Critics have also blamed Tancangco for failing to undertake a public
information drive on the continuing registration of voters from July 1998
to Dec. 27 last year, supposedly resulting in the disenfranchisement of the
4.5 million new voters.
The National Movement for Free Elections has also tagged Tancangco from
blocking its bid to conduct an election quick-count for the May 14 polls, a
task Namfrel has been performing since 1986.
But lawyer Ruben Carranza, representing Akbayan, reiterated the legal
opinion of former Comelec chairman Ramon Felipe that Republic Act 6646, or
the Electoral Reforms Act of 1987, allows the Comelec to reset dates for
pre-election activities.
"There is no attempt at rationally reconciling all these laws being passed
left and right, year by year, so you end up not knowing that another law
exists," Carranza said.
"But in any event, as far as laws regarding elections are concerned, the
Comelec should be on its feet," he said, adding that there are now more
than 200 youths who are parties to the SC suit.
No less than President Arroyo has directed her chief legal counsel Avelino
Cruz and Solicitor General Simeon Marcelo to support the youth groups that
filed the suit before the SC. Phil. Star, 3/14/01
21 PROVINCES, 558 TOWNS TAGGED AS POLL 'HOT SPOTS': At least 21 provinces
and 558 cities and towns have been identified as potential "hot spots"
during the campaign period leading to the congressional and local elections
on May 14.
President Arroyo told reporters this assessment of the Philippine National
Police (PNP) was relayed to her during yesterday's Cabinet meeting.
Acting PNP chief Deputy Director General Leandro Mendoza, who had briefed
Mrs. Arroyo on the situation, said yesterday he had ordered the various
regional and provincial police directors to disband "partisan armed groups"
(PAGs), or private armies, within their jurisdictions in less than a month.
Mendoza said a total of 4,918 men carrying 3,427 firearms make up the 91
"partisan armed groups" all over the country, which are mostly deployed in
Mindanao.
Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. has urged the PNP and the Commission on
Elections (Comelec) to "neutralize" the private armies of politicians
before the elections.
Belmonte, who is a candidate for mayor of Quezon City, said the presence of
private armies discourages free debate on issues during the campaign
period.
Interior and Local Government Secretary Jose Lina Jr. told reporters
yesterday the PNP classifies a province, city or town as a "hot spot" based
on the following categories:
-- Occurrence of election-related violence.
-- Intense partisan political rivalry.
-- Fifty percent of barangays are rebel-infested.
Lina said a province is categorized as an "area of immediate concern" (AIC)
if any of these situations is present and that the province will be placed
under tight police watch.
Lina said the following provinces are categorized as AIC: Abra, Agusan del
Norte, Albay, Bulacan, Davao Oriental, Isabela, North Cotabato, Northern
Samar, Sorsogon, and Surigao del Sur.
Among the 21 cities and towns classified as AIC are Butuan City, Laoag
City, and Legazpi City, he added.
Lina said the following provinces are classified as "areas of concern":
Aklan, Cavite, Eastern Samar, Kalinga-Apayao, Maguindanao, Marinduque,
Masbate, Mindoro Occidental, Mindoro Oriental, Nueva Ecija, and Romblon.
Phil. Star, 03/14/2001
'FILIPINO VOTERS STILL IMMATURE': Most Filipino voters are immature.
In making this judgment, Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman Alfredo
Benipayo said he is disappointed in how voters make their choices on
election day.
Speaking before the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting national
conference, Benipayo said voters keep on making the wrong choices to their
regret.
Benipayo classified Filipino voters into three categories:
-- Those who have no clear grasp of the issues.
-- Those who do not know the candidates.
-- Those who are typically apathetic.
Benipayo said some voters have lost faith in the country's electoral system
on the belief that their votes would not make a difference and changes
would not take place in government.
On election day, they would choose unknown candidates, thinking that they
could always replace them in the next elections if these candidates do not
perform well in office, he added.
On the poll body's official statements, Benipayo said these can only come
from the Comelec sitting en banc , the individual commissioners, or
himself.
Benipayo said the decision was aimed at preventing conflicting statements
from Comelec officials that may give the poll body a bad image.
However, the Comelec has no official spokesman that could disseminate
information to the public and answer questions from reporters. Benipayo said
the commissioners often had to clarify statements from the poll body's
directors and subordinate officials, which can be confusing to the public.
Phil. Star, 03/12/2001
CRISIS LOOMS IF POLLS ARE DEFERRED: The country might face a constitutional
crisis on May 14 if Congress pushes through with the holding of a special
registration as the Commission on Elections (Comelec) would have to suspend
the congressional and local elections.
Comelec Chairman Alfredo Benipayo said the Constitution does not provide
for a "holdover" of elective officials after their terms expire on June 30.
Under the Constitution, the terms of congressmen and 12 senators are only
up to June 30 and there is no holdover for national elective positions.
Benipayo said if the law is amended, a two-day special registration would
be held sometime next month and the local and congressional elections could
be reset for August.
The terms of incumbent officials will end on June 30 and the new congressmen
and senators would need a fresh mandate by July 1, he added. On the other
hand Commissioner Resurreccion Borra said the Constitution requires Congress
to convene on the 4th Monday of July.
Borra said there would be "no Congress during the period of three months"
during which the Comelec prepares for the holding of elections. Borra said
Congress should consider the threat of a constitutional crisis when it
convenes for a special session to amend the law and allow a special
registration of new voters.
Benipayo said yesterday the holding of a special registration of voters as
demanded by militant groups would set a "bad and dangerous precedent" as
those who fail to meet the deadline for pre-election activities might call
for a similar action in the future.
Benipayo said the Comelec under his leadership will not be pressured or
coerced even by Malacanang to hold a special registration in violation of
the law.
However, Benipayo said it would be another matter if Congress amends the
law to allow a special registration for new voters.
At Malacanang, Mrs. Arroyo said she believes the Supreme Court will find a
solution to the impasse created by the law banning the holding of a special
registration. Phil. Star, 03/10/2001
GOV'T. PLAN FOR SPECIAL REGISTRATION DAY TO INCLUDE OTHER VOTERS
Posted: 2:01 PM (Manila Time) | March 13, 2001
By INQ7.net
THE Macapagal government wants the special registration day that it has
proposed to include not only the youth voters, but also all others who had
failed to register for the upcoming May national elections.
President Macapagal in a press briefing today said that the planned special
listing day is not only for first-time voters but also for other voters who
have not registered.
She reported that both House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte and Senate President
Aquilino Pimentel are supportive of her government’s wish to have another
registration day, which may require a special session of the two houses of
Congress in order to amend a number of electoral laws.
She added that "funds are ready" for the disposal of the Commission on
Elections to finance the special registration should it push through.
But the Comelec is strongly opposed to Ms Macapagal’s proposal. Comelec
chair Alfredo Benipayo had said that staging the special registration would
violate the Omnibus Election Code since there is "no time left" to comply
with the law in the preparation of registration forms and operational
exigencies.
But the President appears determined to find ways to push through with the
holding of the special voters listing.
The Solicitor General, she said, in three days will file a petition before
the Supreme Court calling for a special registration, in support of similar
petitions made by youth groups before the tribunal.
The President likewise denied that her call for a special registration is
part of the administration’s hidden agenda in supporting the People Power
Coalition’s bid for a 13-0 shutout in the senatorial elections.
She said her administration merely wants to avoid the disenfranchisement of
millions of voters, especially the first-time youth voters. -- INQ7.net
MILITANTS TWIT 'TRAPO MACHOS': a militant group yesterday lumped Sen.
Miriam Defensor-Santiago together with six other supposedly "trapo-machos"
-- gender jargon for macho traditional politicians -- on International
Women's Day.
The left-wing group Akbayan thumbed down Santiago, Juan Ponce Enrile,
Gregorio Honasan, Ricardo "Dong" Puno, Panfilo "Ping" Lacson, Edgardo
Angara and Orlando Mercado, saying they had shown no heart for women in
their careers as politicians or government officials.
Akbayan placed the seven senatorial candidates on the "trapo-macho"
hitlist, urging Filipino women voters to ignore them in the May 14
elections because they have allegedly failed to promote such basic issues
as the protection of women and children.
"In so many issues, these trapo-machos have shown their arrogance (by
ignoring) the basic issues affecting women, like protection from domestic
violence or the fight for reproductive rights," said Akbayan Rep. Loretta
Ann Rosales in a press conference in Quezon City.
Various women's groups in Metro Manila marked International Women's Day
with rallies and pickets.
The militant women's group Gabriela picketed at Don Chino Roces (formerly
Mendiola) Bridge near Malacanang yesterday to demand that President
Macapagal-Arroyo release all political detainees, especially women and
minors; arrest ousted President Joseph Estrada, his cronies and "crony
mistresses"; and implement measures to arrest the economic crisis.
Women members of Sanlakas, for their part, partook a lunch of rice and
dried fish, which they said was the only meal poor housewives could afford
for their families nowadays. Inquirer, 03/09/2001
SWS POLL: 8-5 FOR PPC: At least eight candidates of the administration
People Power Coalition (PPC) would win seats in the Senate if elections
were held today.
This was the result of the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey
which showed independent candidate and broadcaster Noli de Castro leading
the poll with 52 percent. De Castro was followed by re-electionist Sen.
Juan Flavier (45 percent), Rep. Joker Arroyo (45 percent) and former Senate
president Franklin Drilon (45 percent). The figures were rounded off.
Re-electionist Senators Ramon Magsaysay Jr. (44 percent) and Sergio Osmena
III (41 percent) also made it to the list while lawyer Francis Pangilinan
(38 percent), Rep. Ralph Recto (37 percent) and former Speaker Manuel
Villar Jr. (32 percent) are likely to enter the Senate for the first time.
Aside from De Castro and the PPC candidates, four pro-Estrada candidates
will likely win with the 13th and final slot being a toss-up between
re-electionist Senators Gregorio Honasan and Juan Ponce Enrile.
The leading opposition candidates are former Philippine National Police
(PNP) chief Director General Panfilo Lacson (35 percent), re-electionist
Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago (34 percent), former Executive Secretary
Edgardo Angara (32 percent), and Honasan and Enrile (31 percent).
The survey, commissioned by the PPC, was conducted among 1,500 respondents
all over the country from Feb. 22 to 25 but coalition stalwarts are still
hoping they can still pull off a 13-0 sweep. Phil. Star, 03/08/200
5M POLL WATCHDOG VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Inquirer News Service, 7 March 2001
PRESIDENT Macapagal-Arroyo yesterday urged the Commission on Elections to
allow some four million youths to take part in May’s national elections the
results of which are seen as a referendum on her new government.
"Some four million 18-year-old youth old enough to die for their country
will not be able to vote in the May election. The reasons are tragic," the
President said in a news briefing.
The 18-year-olds, who make up five percent of the national population of 76
million and 11 percent of the 40 million-strong electorate, were to have
been eligible to vote for the first time but had neglected to register in
their precincts late last year.
The Comelec has ruled out extending the deadline, citing lack of funds. The
President lamented that "the four million youths were thus disenfranchised."
She urged the politically independent commission to reconsider its ruling
saying her government would ``see to it’’ that funding requirements for a
special registration would be met.
Too much at stake
She added, "I must say that too much is at stake here. Now, therefore, is
the time to look for legal remedies and sources of funds so that never
again will the youth be disenfranchised.
"I repeat, the failure of the first-time voters to cast their vote in the
May elections will not happen again. This is a commitment to democracy
itself," she said.
It would be "tragic" if the 18-year-olds were deprived of suffrage, she
added.
A group representing the youths has asked the Supreme Court to compel the
commission to allow them to vote.
Ms Macapagal said she had ordered "Malacañang’s legal officers to study the
matter, and if necessary, assist them’’ in filing the necessary cases in
court.
She said this would ensure that the high tribunal would "rule that the
youth indeed should participate in the May elections." The President had
earlier praised the youths for playing a crucial role in January’s military-
backed popular uprising that toppled her predecessor Joseph Estrada.
Edsa spearhead
Student activists, in their hundreds of thousands, had spearheaded mass
street protests and rallies for four days leading to the ousting of Estrada
on Jan. 20.
President Macapagal enjoys a strong backing from students and their votes
are crucial to helping the ruling party’s senatorial and congressional
candidates in May’s polls.
Also yesterday, students and youth groups in Baguio City and the Cordillera
have joined the nationwide clamor for the extension of registration for
first-time voters.
Joe Licauen, a member of the Progressive Igorots for Social Action (Pigsa),
said Igorot youths in the Cordillera failed to register last year because
they were busy helping in their families’ farms.
Licauen said the registration had been centralized in the rural centers and
urban areas which the youths rarely visit because of farm activities.
Licauen, a member of the Sadanga tribe in Sadanga, Mt. Province, said most
young Igorots in the Cordillera hinterlands were out-of-school youths busy
tilling the fields.
"With their farming activities, they would rather work to earn a living
instead of going to the Commission on Elections office and register,"
Licauen said.
Most of the time, these young farmers had to walk four to six hours just to
reach village and town centers, said Licauen.
Plight of youth
Voltaire Tupaz, chair of the National Union of Students of the Philippines
Baguio-Benguet chapter, said the government should consider the plight of
young Filipinos who have failed to register.
Jennifer Gonzales, chair of the Gabriela-Youth in the Cordillera, said most
election-related activities were limited to the central areas of towns and
provinces, resulting in the exclusion of youths in rural areas.
Records from the Comelec regional branch office here showed that 622,539
voters registered in the Cordillera on Dec.27 last year, the deadline for
the continuing registration.
New registrants increased by about 20,000 since the 1998 national
elections, records showed.
People Power Coalition senatorial candidate Wigberto Tañada supported the
clamor for a special registration, saying the huge number of unregistered
youth could make or break efforts to push for an issue-based elections and
for "new politics."
"The meaningful role of the youth in Edsa People Power II has to be given
recognition," Tañada said in a statement. "Our youth, more than any other
sector, are at the forefront of the struggle for good governance and for
politics that is based on issues and not personalities."
-- Armand Nocum and Desiree Caluza, PDI Northern Luzon Bureau
FILIPINO WOMEN STILL AT A DISADVANTAGE: Despite two people power revolutions
that ushered in a woman president, empowerment for the Filipina remains an
elusive dream as men continue to dominate the political landscape of the
country.
According to the National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women (NCRFW),
the Filipina continues to face political marginalization despite improved
standing compared to other Southeast Asian women. This was the gist of an
NCRFW report on women in power and decision-making which urged the
development of a voting bloc for the empowerment of women.
NCRFW chairperson Amelou Benitez Reyes lamented that women are not fully
harnessed as partners for peacekeeping and development.
She said that while more women turn out for elections, women voters remain
fragmented and are not inclined to support female candidates and form a
women's voting bloc.
According to the NCRFW report, the voter turnout rate was 71 percent among
women and 70.3 percent among men in the 1995 congressional and local
elections.
Despite the higher voter turnout, however, women are still poorly
represented in the top ranks of government in the country, both for elective
and appointive posts.
In the executive department, women account for only 11 of 51 undersecretaries
23 out of 64 assistant secretaries and 139 out of 411 bureau directors.
In the Senate, there were only four women among the 24 senators in the 11th
Congress.
In the House of Representatives, women make up a meager 12 percent, occupying
only 25 out of 206 congressional seats although a woman serves as one of the
deputy speakers.
In the judiciary, there are only two women in the 15-member Supreme Court –
Associate Justices Consuelo Ynares-Santiago and Minerva Gonzaga-Reyes.
In the Court of Appeals, only nine justices are women while 34 are men. At
the anti-graft Sandiganbayan, only three of the 15 justices are women. In
the lower courts, only 255 benches are occupied by women out of the 1,417
posts in regional, metropolitan and municipal trial courts.
There are no women-judges among the 21 Shari'ah courts nor in the three-
member Court of Tax Appeals.
In the bureaucracy, women account for half of the positions. Of the total
1.4 million government workers in 1997, 54 percent were women. According to
the Career Executive Service Board (CESB), the positions among low-level
positions are equally divided between men and women but more men occupy
executive and managerial positions.
There are 515 female and 636 male career executive service eligibles, but
only 242 women (47 percent) have been given ranks compared to 368 among men
(58 percent).
Reyes lamented that while women are found in the bureaucracy as
administrators and service providers, their number is disproportionately
low compared to the entire bureaucracy.
In general, women outnumber the men in the bureaucracy but only at the
second level which is the professional and technical level. Phil. Star,
03/04/2001
ACTIVISTS TOP ENDORSERS, SURVEY SAYS: The party-list group Bayan Muna enjoys
an advantage over a field of more than 200 party-list candidates in the May
2001 elections, according to results of the Feb. 3-5, 2001 nationwide survey
conducted by Pulse Asia.
While the survey grants a very favorable public awareness grade to the
leftist party-list group, its more important finding lays in the public trust
reposed on Bayan Muna.
Pulse Asia said that in the survey of 1,200 registered voters, Bayan Muna, a
party-list candidate, scored a high 76-percent public awareness rating.
Awareness rating for church groups like the Catholic Bishops’Conference of
the Philippines, Jesus is Lord and Jesus Miracle Crusade are higher compared
to Bayan Muna.
The public awareness of other groups like Makati Business Club, Akbayan and
Kompil II are ranged between 68 percent to 75 percent.
The major difference: Filipinos now see Bayan Muna as the top endorser of
candidates in the May polls.
The survey on militant political groups, church groups and civic and business
organizations indicated a possible opening of the country’s "democratic
space," and gave hopeful signs for stronger representative on politico-
ideological lines, rather than sheer personality and patronage.
Bayan Muna scored significantly higher endorsement effects compared to church
groups and the other national groups tested.
The survey said 43 percent of the respondents will vote for any candidate
Bayan Muna will recommend—compared to MBC’s and Akbayan’s 31 percent and
Kompil II’s 27 percent.
The survey showed Bayan Muna could carry candidates with a plurality rating
of more than 40 percent.
Shifting winds
Pulse Asia head Felipe Miranda, in his Philippine Star column "Chasing the
Wind", said a strong sympathetic public assessment on Bayan Muna has emerged.
He said results of polls run in the past 15 years, political endorsements
traditionally have not impressed Filipino voters much, anywhere between a big
plurality (40 percent) to a sizeable majority (60 percent to 70 percent).
In the case of Bayan Muna, Miranda said this traditional view might be
starting to change at least with the strong showing of activist party-list
group Bayan Muna.
When asked to comment about the positive image of his group, Bayan Muna
president Satur Ocampo, expressed optimism. "This is a positive beginning
for our party-list, we will pursue our politics of change and make politics
really work for ordinary folk," Ocampo said.
Ocampo said Bayan Muna would campaign hard to win seats in Congress this May
elections.
"We are dedicated to advance the issues of common folk in and out of
Congress, we will pursue the People’s Agenda in congressional floor debates
and in the streets," he said. Manila Times 3/4/01
MILF BUCKS ARMM POLL PLEBISITE (DAVAO CITY) To hold joint plebiscite and
polls for the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) on May 14 would be
"political suicide," the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) stressed
yesterday, as it warned government officials against pushing through with
the twin political exercises.
MNLF executive secretary Randolph Parcasio told THE MANILA TIMES yesterday
the former rebel group was confident that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
would honor the 1996 peace accord.
"If the government wants to preserve its territorial integrity and
sovereignty, it must not hold the plebiscite," said Parcasio, who was with
MNLF chairman Nur Misuari at the conference of the councilors’ league here.
"Having a plebiscite is like abandoning the peace agreement," he added.
He likened the passage of the law implementing ARMM elections in September
as a hasty move by senators because of the impeachment trial against deposed
president Joseph Estrada.
The ARMM executive secretary said former rebels believe in a better chance
for permanent peace in Mindanao, because they perceive President Macapagal-
Arroyo is different from her deposed predecessor.
The MNLF, he added, has already submitted a resolution to the government and
the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) opposing the ARMM plebiscite
and elections.
"Maybe, one of the reasons why there will be no plebiscite is to give time
to the government and the MNLF to fully implement the 1996 peace agreement,"
the ARMM official opined.
Parcasio said the MNLF is also taking steps to prepare for a negative result
to their petition. Manila Times, 3/4/01
MILF READY TO JOIN POLLS, FIELDS BET (DAVAO CITY) A prominent peace adviser
of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) yesterday said he has gained
the blessings of the rebel group’s leadership to run for the Senate in the
May 14 elections, raising hopes that the group will finally enter
mainstream politics and integrate itself into mainstream society.
Moner Bajunaid, a professor at the Mindanao State University (MSU) in
General Santos City, called THE MANILA TIMES to say that MILF chairman
Hashim Salamat had given him the groups’ blessings for his senatorial bid.
“I decided to run as senator because of my desire to achieve peace and give
Muslims in Mindanao a voice in the national scene,” he said, adding that he
is confident the Islamic community from all over the country would support
his bid, especially with the support that Salamat had promised him.
The professor of Islam at MSU is the only bet of the Philippine Democratic
Socialist Party.
Bajunaid figured actively as peace adviser of the separatist rebel group
before Salamat pulled out the Moro rebels’ peace panel from the negotiation
table when ousted president Joseph Estrada declared an all-out war against
them last year.
He was also a member of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) peace
panel that successfully forged an amity accord with the Ramos government in
September 1996.
“MILF chairman Salamat told me I have nothing to fear, as the Moro people
are all behind me. He bade me good luck when I told him I have filed my
certificate of candidacy for senator,” Bajunaid told THE TIMES over the
telephone.
However, he stressed that the rebel group is not supporting him financially
as it is the “policy” of the MILF not to extend monetary support to
individuals seeking elective positions because Moro rebels are “poor.”
Bajunaid also emphasized that he is not the “official” candidate of the
MILF, saying the separatist rebel group does not lend “official” support to
candidates.
Another prominent Muslim leader, former senator Santanina Rasul, is also
eyeing a return to the Upper House under the Laban ng Demokratikong
Pilipino (LDP) of former executive secretary Edgardo Angara.
Bajunaid vowed to pursue peace in Mindanao, saying that real progress will
only be possible if peace reigns in the land.
According to the professor, the MILF was very much disappointed when
Estrada, a former movie actor, ordered an all-out war against the rebel
group that resulted to the capture of the Moro rebels’ 46 camps, including
their main camp Abubakar.
Bajunaid, who considered himself “resigned” from the MILF peace team, said
the all-out war policy declared by Estrada forced Salamat to disband the
MILF peace team, which resulted in the stalling of the peace talks.
However, Bajunaid said he is willing to again become a part of the MILF
peace panel if Salamat would tap his services, should the peace negotiations
resume as wanted by the new Arroyo administration.
Bajunaid said he is confident the MILF would respond positively to the call
of Mrs. Macapagal-Arroyo to resume the negotiations.
He disclosed that the MILF is in the process of constituting members of its
peace panel that would resume negotiation with the government.
However, Bajunaid refused to provide the names of those being considered to
the peace panel, saying: “I am not privy nor authorized to name those that
are being eyed to compose the MILF peace panel.”
Mindanao News Bureau, Manila Times 3/2/01
NAMFREL GOES TO SUPREME COURT: The National Movement for Free Elections
(Namfrel) yesterday asked the Supreme Court to compel Comelec Commissioner
Luzviminda Tancangco to inhibit herself from deliberations on the poll
body's accreditation for the upcoming elections.
Claiming Tancangco had shown partiality and prejudice toward it, Namfrel
filed a 47-page petition for certiorari and prohibition with urgent prayer
for issuance of a temporary restraining order with the high court
yesterday.
In the petition, Namfrel lawyer Jose Bernas sought to annul Tancangco's
decision not to inhibit herself from the proceedings involving the poll
body.
However, he continued, "Having previously published and announced
conclusions on Namfrel's competence and integrity to conduct a quick count,
she cannot be expected to act in an impartial and unbiased manner. Her
refusal to inhibit betrays her intention to ensure that her prejudgments
prevail in Namfrel's petition for accreditation."
For this reason, Bernas said, Tancangco must be restrained from further
participating in the accreditation proceedings for both Namfrel and the
National Press Club, which has also applied for accreditation to conduct
its own quick count in May.
On Jan. 29, Namfrel filed before the Comelec an Urgent Motion to Inhibit,
which was aimed at Tancangco, while on Feb. 8 and 28 it filed a Supplement
to Motion to Inhibit with Motion to Restrain and a Motion to Disqualify,
respectively.
Despite the motions, Tancangco did not inhibit herself, according to
Comelec chair Alfredo Benipayo. A Comelec order dated Feb. 20 had asked
Tancangco to file a written response to the motions to inhibit and
disqualify. Inquirer, 03/02/2001
BAYAN MUNA FIELDS PARTY BETS (DAVAO CITY) Party-list hopeful Bayan Muna is
fielding at least four candidates for local polls here, Cagayan de Oro City
and Caloocan City as the group’s leaders expressed optimism of better
chances of winning seats in the local government units.
Crispin Beltran, Bayan Muna vice chair, said his group could have fielded
more, especially in Cebu, the Bicol provinces, Samar, and in other areas in
Mindanao but it did not have enough time to prepare.
He said Teddy Casiño, secretary general of the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan,
is also considering running for congressman of Makati City.
Yesterday was the last day of filing of certificates of candidacy for local
elective posts and seats in the House of Representatives.
Beltran said Bayan Muna had not intended to field candidates for elective
posts this May since it had planned to concentrate on winning all three seats
for party-list groups in the House.
But he said it was encouraged to field candidates after the Commission on
Elections allowed it to install poll watchers and granted it rights enjoyed
by registered political parties.
Robinson Montalba, chair of Bayan Muna in Davao City, said "favorable"
acceptance of the public to militant leaders and the party also prompted its
leaders to field candidates for local posts.
The Bayan Muna chapter here is fielding Alvin Luque, Bayan-Davao City
secretary general, and lawyer Angela Librado of the Public Attorney’s
Office, as candidates for the 26-member city council.
Luque and Librado are also running as "guest candidates" of the local
political party Hugpong sa mga Tawong Lungsod, which established an
alliance with the PDP-Laban of Senate President Aquilino Pimentel Jr.
Montalba said Bayan Muna was also fielding non-government organization
worker Lalay Garcia of the Mindanao Partnership for Human Development
for city councilor in Cagayan de Oro.
Nathanael Santiago, Bayan Muna secretary general, is running for a council
post in Caloocan City. Inquirer, Mindanao Bureau 3/1/01
