A member of the Army, in fatigues, speaks out in Davao City purportedly against partylist groups. Photo grabbed from ABS-CBN's Boto Mo Ipatrol Mo/Ako Ang Simula website.

A volunteer citizen journalist posted on Saturday at ABS-CBN’s Boto Mo Ipatrol Mo/Ako Ang Simula website photos of a soldier purportedly from the 69th Infantry Batallion of the Philippine Army as he was speaking out against certain partylist groups.

Armed with a presentation on a digital projector, the soldier, who was in Army uniform, was said to be railing against Bayan Muna, Gabriela, Kabataan and Anakpawis.

Pong Garcia, the citizen journalist who submitted the report and the photos questioned the wisdom and legality of the military’s active involvement in the partylist campaign.

Last Jan. 6, 2010, the Commission on Elections approved Resolution No. 8741 deputizing the AFP “deputized to ensure free, honest, orderly, peaceful and credible conduct of the May 10, 2010 national and local elections.”

The Comelec said that the resolution fulfills the ” need to clearly define the role of the AFP during national and local elections in assisting the Commission in protecting the electoral process while ensuring that its officers and personnel are insulated from partisan politics and are protected from unwarranted accusations of engaging in partisan political activities.”

Ironically, the soldier caught in the citizen’s report (as well as his commanding officer) may be violating this resolution, specifically this portion on “duties and functions”:

Look into the existence of any armed group organized to commit, or which is committing or attempting to commit, acts of terrorism, or threats to intimidate or coerce any person to vote for or against a candidate, and to suppress or prevent said acts of terrorism or threats

Just last week, Philippine Army chief Reynaldo Mapagu vowed non-partisanship in the run-up to the May 10 elections.

The last time the Philippine military interfered in elections was in 2007, when it filed trumped-up charges of multiple murder against Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo, and used proxies to disqualify Bayan Muna, Anakpawis and Gabriela from the partylist elections. Both efforts failed but the military got away with their brazen politicking.

Citing weak evidence, the Supreme Court ordered Ocampo’s release about a month before the May 2007 elections.

In 2004, generals were mentioned in the controversial Hello Garci recordings of telephone conversations purportedly between President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and then-Comelec Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano.

Results of the latest Pulse Asia survey on the partylist race

Gabriela and Bayan Muna topped the latest partylist survey by Pulse Asia, but the polling firm notes that the number of Filipinos who remain unaware of the partylist system is still at a high of 60 percent.

Among the ten which garnered at least two-percent in the survey, only Gabriela and Bayan Muna would get the maximum three seats, if elections were held today.

But according to Pulse Asia:

Despite the fact that the election for party-list representatives has been taking place since 1998, almost six in ten registered voters (58%) still have not heard or read anything about the party-list system. Majorities in all geographic areas (51% to 61%) and practically every socio-economic class (58% to 60%) are not aware of the party-list system.

Ironically, the Pulse Asia added that:

It is only in the best-off Class ABC that a majority awareness level is recorded (55%).

Find out how many are aware and unaware of the partylist elections here.

In related news, media watchdog Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility has observed that media coverage on the partylist elections has remained miniscule, with presidential candidates hogging news coverage by the country’s biggest television networks.

Leading the list is Ang Galing Pinoy, formerly named “Guardians Anti-Crime Pro-People Organization”, whose first nominee is presidential son and Pampanga Representative Mikey Arroyo.

Activist partylist Bayan Muna yesterday accused Ang Galing Pinoy of copying its constitution “word-for-word”.

Here is the list from Kontra Daya:

Initial List of Party Lists With Links to the Arroyo Admin Strati on 1

3,958 UP students participated in the mock polls done online and using the Halalan opensource voting system. 995 of the total respondents said they were not registered to vote.

Here are the results:

PRESIDENT

1. Dick Gordon: 1236 votes
2. Gibo Teodoro: 923
3. Manny Villar: 698
4. Noynoy Aquino: 591
5. Abstain: 259
6. Bro. Eddie Villanueva: 100
7. Nick Perlas: 79
8. Jamby Madrigal: 32
9. Erap Estrada: 22
10. JC delos Reyes: 15

VICE PRESIDENT

1. Mar Roxas: 1,383 votes
2. Bayani Fernando: 943
3. Loren Legarda: 579
4. Abstain 281
5. Jojo Binay: 563
6. Jun Yasay: 125
7. Edu Manzano: 39
8. Jay Sonza: 30
9. Jun Chipeco: 15

SENATORS (12)

1. Miriam Defensor Santiago: 2,302 votes
2. Pia Cayetano: 2,018
3. Satur Ocampo: 1,876
4. Frank Drilon: 1,855
5. Liza Maza: 1,725
6. Gilbert Remulla: 1,601
7. Risa Hontiveros: 1,434
8. Ralph Recto: 1,411
9. Adel Tamano: 1,407
10. Juan Ponce Enrile: 1,165
11. Bongbong Marcos: 1,029
12. Serge Osmena: 914
13. Sonia Roco: 881
14. TG Guingona:761
15. Joey de Venecia: 648
16. Ruffy Biazon: 533
17. Bong Revilla: 514
18. Tito Sotto: 479
19. Jun Lozada: 464
20. Jinggoy Estrada: 405
21. Neric Acosta: 371
22. Danny Lim: 359
23. Kit Tatad: 307
24. Ariel Querubin: 294

PARTYLIST (1)

1. Kabataan: 1,322 votes
2. Bayan Muna: 241
3. Ahon: 194
4. Gabriela: 182
5. Agham: 171
6. Akbayan: 118
7. Ang Ladlad: 93
8. Anakpawis: 69
9. Cibac: 48
10. ACT Teachers: 43
11. Katribu: 42
12. A Teacher: 41
13. An Waray: 33
14. Buhay: 25
15. Green Force: 25
16. Kaakbay: 25
17. PBA: 25
18. 1-Utak: 24
19. Senior Citizens: 21
20. Ang Tsinoy: 18

At the same time, KATRIBU named partylist groups said to be fielded for or in behalf of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and her allies.

If KATRIBU wins, anyone of its five nominees would be the first from their tribes to become a Member of Congress:

1. Beverly Longid, who is of Bontok-Kankanaey ancestry and a noted human rights lawyer in the Cordilleras
2. Genasque Enriquez, a Manobo farmer, single-motor driver and community development worker from Surigao del Sur
3. Nelson Mallari, an Aeta community organizer and an indigenous rights and environmental activist from Pampanga.
4. Kerlan Fanagel, a B’laan from Sarangani Province
5. Virgelio Aniceto, an Ibaloi from Benguet

KATRIBU said that no one among its nominees is connected or related to the Arroyo administration.

At the same time, KATRIBU assailed “fakes” and “administration-backed” partylist organizations allowed by the COMELEC to join the May polls.

They are:

• Adhikain ng mga Dakilang Anak Maharlika (ADAM) partylist headed by Energy Undersecretary Zamzamin Ampatuan
• Agapay Indigenous Peoples Rights Alliance (A-IPRA) headed by Eugenio Insigne, a commissioner for the Cordillera Administrative Region and Region 1, and former chair of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), an agency under the Office of the President
• Partido ng Katutubong Pilipino, headed by Jannette Serrano-Reisland, also a commissioner for Region XII and former chairperson of the NCIP
• Abante Tribung Makabansa (ATM) which was said to be publicly endorsed by Jesus Dureza, President Arroyo’s adviser on Mindanao and chair of the newly-created Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA).

President Arroyo appointed Insigne and Serrano-Reisland to their posts in the NCIP.

KATRIBU said that ATM was “formed by the Mindanao Indigenous Peoples Conference for Peace and Development (MIPCPD), whose council of advisers reportedly include Dureza, Energy Sec. Angelo, Reyes and Army Col. Allen Capuyan.”

KATRIBU adds that Capuyan, a former head of the Intelligence Services of the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ special operations group, figured in the controversial ‘Hello Garci’ wiretapping operations.

The entry of partylist groups of President Arroyo’s supporters, including her son Mikey, has been condemned as a bastardization of the partylist system which the Constitution provided as a mechanism to provide representation in Congress to marginalized and underrepresented sectors.

The first time I saw this political ad on Facebook, I had goosebumps.

Here’s the lyrics to the song:

Awit ng Pagasa

(Bayan muna) (Country first)
Mula sa pagsikat ng bagong umaga (From the dawn of the new day)
(Bayan muna) (Country first)
Hanggang maglaho ang huling sinag ng tala (until the light of the last star disappears)
(Bayan muna) (Country first)
Upang sa puso’y mamayani ang pag-asa (So hope may reign in the heart)
(Bayan muna) (Country first)
At katarungan ang maghari sa ating mga diwa (And justice will rule in our values)
(Bayan muna) (Country first)
Bayan muna, Sigaw ng bagong politika (Country first, the cry of new politics)
Sa pangalan, sa salita, at sa gawa (In name, words, and deeds)
Bayan muna (country first)
(Bayan muna) (country first)
Makatao, makamasa, makabansa (pro-people, pro-masses, for the country)
Bayan muna, Bayan muna (country first) (country first)
Pinoy (Filipino)
(Bayan muna) (country first)
Bayan muna (country first)
(Bayan muna) (country first)
Bayan muna (country first)

***

The ad claims the following:

Nag-alay sa buhay (Gave their lives)

As of January 5, 2010, 142 members of Bayan Muna fell victim to extrajudicial killings. This includes mass leaders, church workers, health workers, the common people (Link to Satur Ocampo’s speech). They were killed not because they did something wrong or because they possessed something of value to a criminal. They were killed because they selflessly served the people. They chose to deny a bright future, they chose to make sacrifices, and eventually they died in a manner that they chose – while serving the people. They died a selfless death. True heroes. Our modern heroes.

Lumalaban para sa bayan (Fighting for the people/country)

Several times they have opposed policies that are disadvantageous to the people like the Visiting Forces Agreement, which technically justifies the presence of American troops in Philippine soil and the fight for genuine agrarian reform (GARB), which the administration junked in favor with the extension of the failed existing program (CARPER).

Senatoriable Satur Ocampo explained his No vote on CARPER:

“umaasa pa rin kami na mapasa man ang bill na ito, sana iyong aming alternative bill, ang Genuine Agrarian Reform Bill (GARB) na siyang tumutumbok doon sa mga problema para tuluyan nating mapawi ang pagkakaugat ng piyudalismo sa ating agrikultura, matulungang, maiahon ang ating mga magbubukid. (We are hoping that if this [agrarian reform] will be passed it would be our alternative bill [GARB], which addresses the problem (on agrarian reform) so that we would finally unroot feudalism in agriculture, and help raise the standard of living of our farmers)

Kailangan nating harapin ang tunay na problema sa kanayunan at sa pamamahagi sa mayorya ng mamamayan nang hindi sa bigat na hindi nila mapapakinabangan ito (We need to face the real problems in the countryside, not simply by distributing (land) which they would not have any use of).”

Pulitika ng pagbabago (Politics of change)

Since they started representing their constituents in Congress, they have consistently shown that they are genuine, true to their word. They are not just about making promises, they are not about putting up roads and all other infrastructure projects, definitely, they are not for white elephants, rather, they take advantage of their seat in Congress to genuinely represent the people. All three representatives have sponsored countless of bills and resolutions, all of which addresses the needs of the common Filipino people, like the Rent Control Act of 2009, amendments to the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995 which expands the legal services to those in distress, and such other laws.

No one can claim that Bayan Muna have misused their pork barrel because the fact is, they barely get their share of the pork barrel. And if they would have infrastructure projects they are obviously of use to the community, like bridges where it is needed and multipurpose centers for communities requiring them.

Tapat at mahusay na serbisyo (Genuine and quality service)

This can be seen in the assets and liabilities of the three Representatives of Bayan Muna. In fact, Teddy Casiño is the second poorest Congressman with a net worth of P118 thousand (as of May 2009), while Satur Ocampo ranks fourth with a net worth of P895 thousand (as of May 2009). These amounts are dwarfed by the net worth of the richest Congressman at P1.05 billion, Rep. Cynthia Villar, wife of presidential aspirant Sen. Manny Villar.

This shows that they are not serving their own asses in Congress. Rather they are burning their asses to ensure that the common Filipino people have genuine representation in Congress. Aside from that they don’t hesitate to take their battles to the streets, a practice of which they are used to, starting their career in politics as street parliamentarians.

They march with the people, they eat with the people, they work for the people.

May paninindigan (Principled)

Despite criticisms of having been bought by Villar for allowing its top nominee to run as Senator under the Nacionalista Party slate, it can’t be denied that Ocampo and the rest of Bayan Muna representatives are steadfast in their principle of putting the interest of the people, their constituents, above their own.

They are true to their pledge of Serve the People. For this, we can say that their principles are NOT bought by Villar, rather, they have forged an alliance that will ensure that they be given a fair playing field in a game that is as dirty as a pigs den.

Ocampo could not play dirty, that he has proven time and again. But he can take advantage of the help being offered to him. I am sure that the deal does not include Ocampo sacrificing his principles for an endorsement. It just means being adopted in exchange for the PR that such a partnership could produce in favor of Villar, and maybe for Ocampo as well.

Their principle remains steadfast. And the bottomline is, its people first. That’s what Bayan Muna is all about. And perhaps, that is the reason why they will remain number one. Four elections and counting.

[First published on author's weblog.]

The survey said that Bayan Muna leads eight other partylist groups with the minimum two-percent required by the Constitution to win a seat in the House of Representatives.

Pulse Asia said the Jan. 22-26 partylist poll had 1,800 respondents and a two-percent margin of error.

Sad news

The survey also showed that as many as seven out of every ten Filipino do not know the partylist system, which Pulse Asia said was the lowest result since it started its partylist polling in 2004.

Bayan Muna topped the 2001 and 2004 partylist races, and emerged a strong second place in the 2007 elections even after the Arroyo government ordered the arrest of its leading representative Satur Ocampo.

[The graphic/table shown above was grabbed from the Pulse Asia website.]

The Comelec’s initial decision denying Ang Ladlad the chance at party list representation did a great disservice to the country’s gay community. It’s a good thing that the poll body changed its decision.

More and more parts of the world consider LGBTs as accepted parts of their societies. More and more states in the US are now allowing same-sex marriage. Archaic laws singling them out are being overturned worldwide.

But not here.

Is there any question that gays and lesbians are still a marginalized sector in the Philippines? They are generally ostracized and deprived of their basic human right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Worst of all, they are still subject to countless forms of harassment and humiliation, which begin in their youth and last throughout their lifetime.

Party list representation will give them the voice they need to counteract the negative image of gays reinforced in countless ways by so-called “normal” society. Without such venues as Congress to air their side and to allow them the means to right the wrongs foisted on them,  countless gays and lesbians prefer to remain in hiding, or “in the closet.”

To allow them to seek a seat in the House of Representatives is a morally correct decision. When the gay and lesbian rights organization sought inclusion in the ballot for the May elections, their bid had been previously rejected on such odd grounds that they would bring “immorality” to the House.

In the end, Comelec’s decision denying the Filipino gay community the right to be part of our legislature was reversed. Their name will now be in the ballot for the voters to decide.

Gays and lesbians can and should be part of the greater task of nation-building. They should be given every opportunity to do their share.