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Three engagements that citizen voters may participate in on election day #juanvote

news — Sun, 12 May 2013 16:47:05 +0000

Blog Watch is composed of independent-minded bloggers and social media users who leverage new technology tools to advocate social change and serve as a citizens’ watchdog and collective conscience for transparency and good governance.

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Ms. Corazon de la Paz-Bernardo, Chairperson of the National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) urges the Filipino voters to go the extra mile when they vote tomorrow, May 13 by being citizen-observers for a free, honest and orderly elections. The first order of the day for every qualified voter of course is to go to the precinct to exercise his/her right (and duty) to vote.

After he has voted, there are three engagements that ordinary voters may participate in, without having to be a member or volunteer of any citizens’ arm or media watch team and without training on pollwatching.

Firstly, the voter will observe the poll center environment to note unusual or irregular situations like vote buying, very long queues, hakot of voters by a candidate, campaigning by candidates inside the poll center, the PCOS machine in any precinct breaking down, etc.

Secondly, the voter is requested to go back to his precinct at 7:00 PM to observe the closing of the polls until transmission of the results to the COMELEC server. If the transmission in the precinct is successful, the voter goes home with assurance that his vote has been counted among the rest. If the transmission fails, he is advised to observe succeeding efforts like retrying to transmit in the same PCOS machines or detaching the CF cards to bring this to the COMELEC Office. If necessary, the citizen- observer will accompany the CF cards until this is transmitted successfully. In the May 2010 elections, some 8 % of the precincts failed to transmit electronically and some CF cards were reported to have landed in private persons’ hands.

The last and final act of citizen participation is to observe the Random Manual Audit (RMA) if the precinct or municipality in one’s area has been selected as an RMA site. It is simply making a manual count of the votes similar to vote tallying in the pre- automated system of elections by a new team called the Random Manual Audit Team. The result of the manual count is recorded at the end to compare this with the count of the machine. One precinct is identified as an RMA subject in every congressional district.

For any observation on any of the three engagements above, the citizen-observer may call NAMFREL at (02)9420918 or send an SMS to this NAMFREL number with information on his name, precinct number, voting center, town and province: 09984582009. These numbers will be in operation starting at 6:00 a.m. tomorrow, May 13, 2013, until 6:00 a.m. on May 15, 2013.

Want to be part of our Blog Watch Community? Share your perspectives on current issues and contribute to the conversation. Look at it as an op-ed with links. Just register or if you just want to submit a guest post , submit your story. at email address contact at blogwatch dot tv

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Anti-Epal Intensifies Campaign Through Change Family Political Dynasty #phpoliticaldynasty

Noemi Lardizabal-Dado — Thu, 09 May 2013 00:29:07 +0000

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Be part of citizen power. Register here in Blog Watch at http://blogwatch.tv/wp-register.php. or send me an email contact at blogwatch dot tv . Aimed at educating the public on the problems of Philippine politics, the Anti-Epal campaign created a fictional political dynasty led by Rep. Juana Change and the Epaliticians Party List, hailing from the province of Nueva Change Occidental Sur. The Change Family believes in “political destiny, not dynasty.”

“Mula pa noong panahon ng himagsikan laban sa mga Kastila, hanggang sa paglaban sa mga Hapon, sa pagtutol sa Batas Militar at hanggang sa paglaban kay Little Lady, tatak CHANGE ang kilala. Ito ang legacy ng CHANGE. Gusto nyo ba ng reporma? Eh di CHANGE nalang tayo ulit!,” Rep. Juana Change said.

“Sigaw daw ng iba, ‘Wala na bang iba?’ Wala syempre! ‘Yan ang demokrasyang tatak Pinoy!,” Rep. Juana Change added.

Other members of the Change Family includes Don Juan Change III, Juan Change IV, Yoko Change, Pansy ‘Bida’ Change, Tita Sen Change, Datung Change, Lola Change, and Lolo Change.

“Epalism is only a symptom of deeper problems in Philippine politics, which each character in the Change Family personifies. The characters reflect real politicians and their campaigns and the public has seen these parallelisms. The Change Family is an exaggeration of what is happening in Philippine politics, so a lot of times people are entertained. But more than entertainment, we want them to see that these are real problems we are facing as a nation,” Ayeen Karunungan, spokesperson of Dakila, an organization part of the No More Epal Movement, said.

The Change Family filed their certificates of candidacy (COC) last October 1, the first day of filing of COC’s at the Commission on Elections. The campaign is a new phase of the Anti-Epal campaign and is organized by the No More Epal Movement, composed of Dakila, People Power Institute, Center for Youth Advocacy and Networking and individuals such as Vince Lazatin, Executive Director of Transparency and Accountability Network, Mae Paner, Betty Romero, Gabriel Mercado, and Atty. Eirene Aguila

The CHANGE Family

“The More Things Change, the More They Stay the Same”

Nueva Change Occidental Sur (NCOS)

Check Wikipedia of NCOS

The province of Nueva Change Occidental Sur was split into two congressional districts to accommodate the political ambitions of the son of Don Juan Change III and Juana Change, Don Juan Change IV. Although not qualified as a stand-alone congressional district, District 2 of Nueva Change Occidental Sur (with a voting population of only 75,000) was created by a law that was sponsored by Don Juan Change III, and co-sponsored by Juana Change. The creation of District 2 survived a legal challenge when the Supreme Court, headed by Chief Justice Tirso Change ruled that the creation of congressional districts is the sole prerogative of the legislature, and who best to determine the need for new districts, but the congressmen themselves. CJ Tirso Change, the first cousin of Don Juan Change III, was two-time governor of Nueva Change Occidental Sur before being named as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

JUANA CHANGE:
CONGRESSWOMAN, Epaliticians Party List (“EPaL”)

See Juana Change on Facebook

Juana used to be the district congresswoman of Nueva Change Occidental Sur but when her 3rd term ended, she created the EPaL party list group so she could continue to serve in the House of Representatives. EPaL represents the maligned and marginalized epaliticians who have been at the center of the anti-epal movement sweeping the country. She vows to author legislation that would legalize the practice of credit-grabbing by public officials. “How else will the voters know of our benevolence?” she once remarked.

She served her 3 terms after her husband, Don Juan Change III finished 3 terms as well. Believes that there are good political dynasties and that theirs is destiny, not dynasty. Juana Change resents being told to remove her wang-wang from her SUVs because she has much important work to do and spends congressional recess in Paris, New York, Zurich, among other cities.

DON JUAN CHANGE III:
CONGRESSMAN, 1st District of Nueva Change Occidental Sur

Don Juan Change on FB
Don Juan Change, also known as DJ, is now the family patriarch. He is CEO of the CHANGE business conglomerate which interests span from mining, logging, manufacturing, lands, construction, manpower agencies and agriculture.

He is the husband of Juana Change and is running for Congressman of the 1st District, Nueva Change Occidental Sur. Don Juan wants to continue the legacy of his father, his grandfather, and his great-grandfather. Don Juan III believes that only the Change family knows what’s best for the province of Nueva Change Occidental Sur.

He sponsored the bill to carve out a new congressional district from NCOS, the newly formed Second District of Nueva Change Occidental, for his son, Don Juan IV.
JUAN CHANGE IV:
CONGRESSMAN, newly formed 2nd District of Nueva Change Occidental Sur

Be a fan of JC IV in FB

Popularly known as JC IV, he is the son of Juana and Don Juan III. He has learned the business of politics from his father. He has mastered the art of patronage politics. Not a spot of free space in Nueva Change Occidental Sur is safe from his numerous tarps, signs, announcements claiming credit for everything from vaccination programs, libreng tuli/libing/cell load/etc., footbridges, and road asphalting to the cool January weather and the soon to be proclaimed 8th wonder of the world, the NCOS buwaya, which has a voracious appetite and breeds only with relatives; it has a bullet proof, thick skin that is impenetrable to any kind of criticism.

JCIV is often seen passing out school bags (with his name and face embroidered on it) to schoolchildren, who many times, have to wait hours on end for the congressman to arrive, usually 3 or 4 hours late. He can also be seen performing circumcisions for his Libreng Tuli program, even if he isn’t a licensed medical practitioner. His PR people make sure that all his activities are photographed and printed in the Nueva Change Occidental Sur organ, the Change Times.

JC is a part time model and commercial endorser. He is a sports enthusiast and a gym buff. He is often seen with his celebrity friends either partying or attending to social charities. His rumored girlfriend is actress Fart Evangelista. JC is often called the “Nueva Gwapo” as he is the most handsome guy in NCOS.
YOKO CHANGE
GOVERNOR, Nueva Change Occidental Sur

Yoko for Change FB

Yoko is the daughter of Juana and Don Juan III. She is running for her first term as governor of NCOS. She was going to run as Board Member of the Province but was pulled in last minute for the gubernatorial race to replace Lolong Change, when her niece, Munting Change (daughter of Pansy Bida Change) wisely asked, “Paano tatakbo si Lolong? Eh, patay na siya!”

Yoko is said to be the apple of Don Juan’s eyes. She was trained to be a leader since birth. The Change Family enrolled her in the finest schools and even sent her abroad at age 5 to undergo leadership camps with children of politicians. She served as SK Chairperson for 6 years, Student Council President from Prep to 4th year College, and won several leadership awards most notably the Youth Outstanding Winner of the Nation (YOWN) and the Women on Top Award.

Yoko is a youth role model. She has started several social entrepreneurship projects that help the youth of NCOS under her youth movement Yoko for Change (YFC). Yoko is also a social media sensation having many twitter followers. She contributes to a lot of publications as an expert on youth affairs and hosts a cool youth oriented show – YOK On Radio.

DADO FORTUNATO “DATUNG” CHANGE:
MAYOR, San Buwaya City, Capital of Nueva Change Occidental Sur

Datung FB Page

Datung Change is the nephew of Juana and Don Juan III. He is the only child of celebrity turned politician, Tita Sen Change.

Dado Forunato, also known as “Datung”, is the perennial mayor of San Buwaya City and has been mayor for eight terms, broken only by his placeholder grandfather, Juan Jr. “Lolong”, who ran the city from his urn (he’s been dead since 1986). Mayor Datung also is the campaign manager for the Change family.

He is also responsible for raising money for everyone’s campaigns. He is rumored to be the local jueteng lord and has a private army. Allegedly, his business interests in San Buwaya City include smuggling, drug trafficking, gunrunning and money laundering.

Despite his tough stance, the masses of San Buwaya are affectionate of Datung as his “the end justifies the means” motto brings peace to San Buwaya.

TITA SEN CHANGE
SENATOR

Follow Tita Sen

Tita Sen is the sister of Don Juan III. She is an iconic movie star. She is well known as a comedienne and a TV personality. She tried to shun politics but after an overwhelming clamor from her family, the Change family, she gave in and parlayed her popularity as a TV personality and comedienne into a successful sentorial bid. She is in her second term.

However, from time to time, Tita Sen finds it hard to refuse her showbiz life so she still dabbles in acting, hosting and commercial endorsements. Her Hot Pink movement – the name she calls her Fans Club, is with her everywhere she goes – from Charity projects to awards night. Tita Sen also has a penchant for social media like twitter and instagram, which leaves her vulnerable to criticism and malicious attacks. This is why one of her strongest advocacy is internet censorship.

She continues her work on TV and was recently accused of plagiarizing one of her episodes of “The Tita Sen Hour” from a Korean sitcom. In her defense, she said, “Eh, paano sasabihin plagiarism yan? Ang show ko ay Tagalog, yung isa ay Koreano. Copying is the sincerest form of flattery. Chos!”.

PANSY “BIDA” CHANGE
VICE GOVERNOR

Pansy on FB

Pansy is the eldest daughter of Juan III and Juana. Pansy “Bida” has stayed away from politics, content to be the personal assistant to her mother, Juana; and a secretary to her father Don Juan. A college graduate, Pansy is the quietest among the Change siblings. With the busy life her siblings live, Pansy attends to all their needs – taking care of the clothes of brother JC and seeing to it that Yoko’s hair and make up are done well.

At the last minute she was asked to file her certificate of candidacy as Vice Governor of NCOS, when Lola Change decided to run against Yoko for the governorship.

Pansy, criticized for her inexperience in public service – well for her lack of experience of in anything, shot back to her critics saying, “Who needs experience when you have the family name, ‘Change’? My experience as being my mom’s alalay had prepared me well for the role as Vice Governor.”
LOLA CHANGE
VICE GOVERNOR

Lola & Lolong Forever FB
Lola Change is the surviving spouse of Lolo Change. Lola Change was all set to run as Vice Governor and running-mate to her late husband, Juan Jr. When the decision was made to field Yoko Change for the governorship instead of her husband, Lola decided to run against her, in the memory of her deceased husband, who is also her running-mate.

Lola Change hails from one of the elite haciendero family of NCOS. She speaks fluent Spanish, Latin, French and Italian. A devout religious, she is member of the exclusive “Order of Morals”. At the same time, she runs the vast family hacienda, which employs thousands of farm workers and manages the 10 ancestral houses of the family with the help of her 200 domestic workers which includes her loyal servants.

DON JUAN, JR. “LOLONG” CHANGE (Deceased):
VICE GOVERNOR

Don Juan is the Change Family Patriarch who died in 1986. Although dead for 27 years, has been filing his certificate of candidacy for every election since he died. Lolong filed his first certificate of candidacy at 14 with a fake birth certificate indicating he was 18 years old. He died in 1986 after the People Power Revolution from a heart attack while in captivity.

Lolong, known for ruthlessly ordering the assassinations of his political opponents, was captured swimming inside the carcass of a crocodile in the Nueva Change Occidental Sur river trying to escape capture from law enforcement officials. The crocodile carcass was certified by the Guiness Book of World Records as the largest crocodile carcass used for escape. He was wanted in connection to several killings of prominent political oppositionists. His remains are incarcerated at the NCOS Maximum Security Prison, serving out seven consecutive life terms, reclusion perpetua, for the murders. From his urn in jail, Lolong is often used by his family members as a placeholder so they can run again after 3 consecutive terms.

Lolong was supposed to run as governor, but the decision was made by the family to bypass Lolong and field Yoko instead. This decision was made when the 5 year old granddaughter of Don Juan III and Juana, Munting Change (daughter of Juan IV) pointed out, “Paano tatakbo si Lolong? Eh, patay na siya!” After 20 minutes of stunned silence, Juana and Don Juan III decided that Yoko should run instead.

His campaign slogan is “Patay na patay makapagsilbi!”

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Join the May 8 #juanvote Blog Action Day: “Dear Candidate/s: Time to listen, time to answer questions”

news — Mon, 06 May 2013 06:26:57 +0000

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Be part of citizen power. Register here in Blog Watch at http://blogwatch.tv/wp-register.php. or send me an email contact at blogwatch dot tv . by Tonyo Cruz and Noemi Lardizabal-Dado

More than 80 days have passed since senatorial and partylist candidates started their campaign. But they have yet to answer important questions and present their campaign pledges.

On May 8, days before the elections, bloggers and netizens across the Philippines will hold a Blog Action Day with the theme “Dear Candidate/s: Time to listen, time to answer questions”.

We in #juanvote, a citizen media and netizen campaign to cover the elections, ask bloggers and netizens to join this Blog Action Day to make our voices heard, to trumpet issues that are important to us, and to seize this opportunity to make politics work for us.

Blog Action Day gives bloggers and netizens – individually and collectively – to ask the hard questions to candidates. In so doing, we help other citizens make their choices. For sure, some candidates would feel attacked or hurt by the questions that we will raise. But they should not take anything personally. It is part of the territory. Candidates should earn each and every vote in order to win.

How do we do this? How do we participate in the Blog Action Day

1. Write an open letter to any candidate of your choice. You may write to as many candidates you deem important. Whethey they run for partylist or senator, or even local positions, it doesn’t matter.

2. In your blog post, ask your candidate/s questions and explain to them why their responses are important to you. Your questions may be personal, or may affect you personally, or your work or your education, or maybe your kids.

You can also phrase the Dear Candidate post in the form of a memo, following the President’s statement that we are his boss. It is like a memo from the boss to an employee or to a prospective applicant. Such a memo emphasizes accountability, their role of providing service to us and not the other way around. It also underscores the fact that they are accountable to us and that they are serving us and that they owe their election to office to us, the voters.

3. If you candidate has a blog, website or Facebook Page, link that post to him and to the #juanvote page over at Blog Watch so we could track your post.

4. If you don’t blog, you could still participate using your Facebook, Tumblr, and Twitter. Just don’t forget to link to #juanvote page over at Blog Watch.

5. On Twitter, share your posts and use the hashtag #juanvote. Mention your candidate’s username too.

If you notice, this Blog Action Day seems all about the candidates. Frankly, this is a conscious choice because we think candidates should practice and honor accountability and transparency starting during this campaign season. And in so doing, we educate ourselves and fellow citizens that we are indeed the real boss, the sovereign, in his supposed democratic system that we have.

If you are in, you could start by tweeting and posting an announcement on your blog to say that you’re part of the #juanvote Blog Action Day.

On Election Day, we will take action, using our gadgets and social media capital, to help fight fraud and expose anomalies. #juanvote will release a short memo soon on what we could do, one way or another, to contribute to a successful democratic process.

If your post is up, please link your post to this page so we can share your post.

Here are what social media users shared about their voting criteria during two tweetups:

May 1 #juanvote tweetup

May 4 #juanvote Miting de Avance

The campaign is backed by Smart Communications , the technology partner of BlogWatch #juanvote social media coverage.

Here are the other posts.

Thanks to Smart Communications for the internet connection and livestreaming video support.

Here are the 33 candidates for the Senate position and their twitter accounts

AKBAYAN
1. Hontiveros, Ana Theresia N. @risahontiveros

ANG KAPATIRAN
1. De Los Reyes, John Carlos G. @jc_delosreyes
2. Llasos, Marwil N. @iluvmarwilop
3. David, Rizalito Y. @LitoYapDavid

DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF THE PHILIPPINES
1. Belgica, Greco Antonious Beda B. @greco_belgica
2. Falcone, Baldomero C. @BalFalcone
3. Señeres, Christian M. @Seneres2013

LABAN NG DEMOKRATIKONG PILIPINO (LABAN)
1. Angara, Juan Edgardo M. @sonnyangara

LIBERAL PARTY
1. Aquino, Paolo Benigno IV A. @bamaquino
2. Madrigal, Maria Ana Consuelo A. @TheRealJamby
3. Magsaysay, Ramon Jr., B. @rmagsaysayjr

MAKABAYAN
1. Casiño, Teodoro A. @teddycasino

NACIONALISTA PARTY
1. Cayetano, Alan Peter S. @alanpcayetano
2. Trillanes, Antonio IV F. @TrillanesSonny
3. Villar, Cynthia A. @Cynthia_Villar

NATIONALIST PEOPLES COALITION
1. Enrile, Juan Ponce Jr., C. @jackenrile
2. Legarda, Lorna Regina B. @loren_legarda

PDP- LABAN
1. Pimentel, Aquilino Martin III D. @Koko_Pimentel

SOCIAL JUSTICE SOCIETY
1. Alcantara, Samson S. @SamsonAlcantara

UNITED NATIONALIST ALLIANCE (UNA)
1. Binay, Maria Lourdes Nancy S. @nancybinay
2. Cojuangco, Margarita R. @TingCojuangco
3. Ejercito, Joseph Victor G. @jvejercito
4. Gordon, Richard J. @Aksyon_Gordon
5. Honasan, Gregorio B. @gringo_honasan
6. Maceda, Ernesto M. @SenMaceda
7. Magsaysay, Maria Milagros Esperanza H. @mitosmagsaysay
8. Zubiri, Juan Miguel F. @migzzubiri

INDEPENDENT CANDIDATES
1. Escudero, Francis Joseph G. @saychiz
2. Llamanzares, Mary Grace P. @GracePoe2013
3. Hagedorn, Edward S. @EdwardHagedorn
4. Montaño, Ramon E.
5. Penson, Richard L.

–
6. Bro Ed Villanueva @Bro_Eddie

We also accept interns.

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Netizens’ miting de avance relaunch #juanvote ahead of elections

Noemi Lardizabal-Dado — Fri, 03 May 2013 09:38:55 +0000

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Be part of citizen power. Register here in Blog Watch at http://blogwatch.tv/wp-register.php. or send me an email contact at blogwatch dot tv . Netizens across the country are revving up a bigger #juanvote campaign in the run-up to the May 13, 2013 elections, promising to direct social efforts towards greater citizen participation in the democratic process.

Here is the audio version

#juanvote is an offline and online community efforts led by Blogwatch, with support from various individuals and groups across the country.

Scores of Metro Manila-based bloggers and other netizens are gathering on Saturday (May 4) at Commune in Makati City for the #juanvote Miting de Avance to finalize and announce citizen media plans in the last few days of the campaign and on Election Day.

Commune Café is located at Dela Costa cor Valero streets, Salcedo Village, Makati City, across Trafalgar Plaza and a stone’s throw away from the BDO Towers in Makati Avenue. (see map)

“We call on bloggers and all netizens to tweet using the #juanvote hashtag. Tweet your questions to candidates. Tweet that you have voted. Tweet if you see law violations and problems during the voting,” said Blogwatch editor and #juanvote convenor Noemi Lardizabal Dado.

Dado said that she expects Filipino netizens to step up before and on Election Day. “As netizens, we have the social media capital and channels to make our votes count, to help educate both candidates and voters, and help expand the coverage of the elections beyond what we see on TV and hear on the radio.”

Dado said #juanvote will release a #juanvote memo during the Miting de Avance outlining what netizens could do in support of the democratic process.

The campaign is backed by the country’s biggest telco: Smart Communications is the technology partner of BlogWatch #juanvote social media coverage.

Miting de Avance

“During the Miting de Avance and the following days, netizens will press national and local candidates to take a stand on issues such as the Cybercrime Law and the Data Privacy Law which badly need repeal, and the immediate passage of the Freedom of Information Bill,” said blogger Tonyo Cruz a #juanvote convenor.

“These elections are very important. We have to make sure that the candidates know that netizens and other citizens want changes and reforms to keep the internet free, to improve and expand internet access, check telco abuses, and make government more transparent and accountable. These issues could be addressed by candidates who have a clear stand on the laws we want repealed or bills we want passed into law,” Cruz explained.

Checklist

According to Dado and Cruz, bloggers and netizens could use blogs, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, Pinterest to help raise the awarenss of candidates and voters as they make up their minds prior to voting.

“Next week is crucial. People would be making their final choices. We in #juanvote will try to remind everyone of the issues that are dear to netizens so voters could help resolve those issues at the ballot box. For example, we hope they also vote for the repeal of the Cybercrime Law by voting for those who are really for trashing that law,” said Dado.

And on Election Day, Cruz hopes that blogger and netizens would help cover the conduct of the elections in their respective precincts. “While taking photos inside the precincts is prohibited by law, we ask everyone to use their camera phones safely and discreetly to capture vote-buying, illegal campaigning, and similar incidents.”

You are part of #juanvote.

#juanvote challenges all Filipino netizens to be champions of Honest, Orderly and Peaceful Elections by taking action on the 2013 elections.

We must not just vote: We must use all our powers as social media users to help others vote and to guard the vote. Armed with our cellphones, digital cameras, and social media tools, we can make a difference.

This simple guide aims to empower us with knowledge on what, when and how to report.

Where to report

#juanvote welcomes all types of reports through the following:

Twitter Use hashtag #juanvote
Email contact at blogwatch. tv
Download the #juanvote mobile android app at Google Play store via Instapatrol

When to report

Timing is important: Immediately report incidents to #juanvote and our partners.

What to report

REPORT ANY INCIDENT THAT VIOLATES THIS GENERAL RULE: All eligible voters have a right to vote freely and to have those votes counted quickly and accurately to determine the winners in the electoral contests.

Online political campaigning

Here is the primer of COMELEC Resolution 9615, the implementing rules and regulations for Republic Act 9006 – the Fair Elections Act – ushers in major innovations in the area of regulating online campaign activities.

Voting Issues

Delays in opening of precincts
Preventing any registered voter to cast a vote
Missing names of registered voters in List of Voters
Receiving a ballot that has already been pre-marked or with shading
Any person checking out how a voter is casting a vote (violation of privacy and secrecy)
Precinct runs out of ballots (If precinct runs out of ballots, a voter should be allowed to cast votes in next precinct)
Precinct runs out of markers
Precinct has wrong ballot
Suspension of voting for whatever purpose
Non-use or unavailability of indelible ink to mark voters who have already voted
Premature closing of precincts

Automated Election System Issues

No PCOS machine in precinct
PCOS machine malfunctions
PCOS machine rejects ballots
CF card (memory card) malfunctions
Brownouts at any time on Election Day at the precincts
Unauthorized personnel (non-COMELEC) accessing the PCOS machine
Stealing or destruction of the PCOS machine

Election Violence

Unauthorized presence of armed military or police personnel
Unauthorized presence of unidentifiable armed persons (private armies, militias)
Fighting in precincts, polling centers and canvassing centers
Any physical attack or threat of physical attack against any teacher or official authorized by the COMELEC, or against any voter, any group of voters, any candidate, or supporters of any candidate or party

COMELEC: Prohibited acts on Election Day

Campaigning
Selling, furnishing, offering, buying, serving or taking intoxicating liquor
Giving, accepting free transportation, food, drinks and things of value
Soliciting votes or undertaking any propaganda for or against any candidate or any political party within the polling place or within thirty (30) meters thereof
Voting more than once or in substitution of another
Holding of fairs, cockfights, boxing, horse races or other any other similar sports
Opening of booths or stalls for the sale, etc., of merchandise, or refreshments within a radius of thirty meters from the polling place

The campaign is backed by Smart Communications , the technology partner of BlogWatch #juanvote social media coverage.

Thanks to Smart Communications for the internet connection and livestreaming video support.
Want to be part of our Blog Watch Community? Share your perspectives on current issues and contribute to the conversation. Look at it as an op-ed with links. Just register or if you just want to submit a guest post , submit your story. at email address contact at blogwatch dot tv

We also accept interns.

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Top senatorial candidates based on social media

Noemi Lardizabal-Dado — Fri, 03 May 2013 03:29:36 +0000

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Be part of citizen power. Register here in Blog Watch at http://blogwatch.tv/wp-register.php. or send me an email contact at blogwatch dot tv . It is interesting to see how our senatorial candidates fare in social media discussion. Here are two studies that show how some candidates fared out in social media.

Acee Vitangcol of ABS CBN presents their social media tracker. He explains: “Need a survey that is raw, organic, unfiltered, and transparent? Check out our social media tracker, in partnership with IBM. With this litte tool right here, we aim to provide another layer of information to existing national surveys (Pulse Asia and SWS) in the hopes that it could provide insight into how the online world might (or might not) mirror that of what’s happening offline.”

View results here at ABS CBN Halalan 2013 and also here

Click to enlarge.And here Senator Loren Legarda, Antonio “Sonny” Trillanes IV, Bam Aquino, Nancy Binay, Risa Hontiveros, Bro. Eddie C. Villanueva, Cynthia Villar, Grace Poe, JV Ejercito and Francis Chiz Escudero.

On the other hand, Astrolabe International, a Risk, Issues and Crisis Mitigation Think -Tank have their own Top 12 “according to the Internet” who should win. It also shows the risks and issues that might jeopardize their chances and how they could strategically mitigate those risks.

If netizens are to be believed, ” Bro. Eddie Villanueva, Grace Poe, Bam Aquino, Chiz Escudero, Risa Hontiveros and Sonny Angara should win in the senatorial race in the May 13 elections.”

According to data culled by C18 Research and analyzed by Astrolabe, these candidates were perceived positively by Filipinos of voting age both here and abroad as evidenced by postings on social networking sites.

Positive mention

The responses that were not hidden behind firewalls or data protection were tracked from Feb. 7, before the start of the campaign period for senators and party-list candidates on Feb. 12, until April 30. The research noted 183,000 mentions or conversations on the elections. From Feb. 7 to April 1, a total of 9,326 mentions that reflected positive mentions of the candidates were coded and became the basis for the Top 12 listing.

Astrolabe data also showed that these candidates likewise generated the most negative comments, but to a lesser degree.

Senatorial candidates Nancy Binay and Jack Enrile, however, appeared on the list of candidates with the most negative mentions on social media.

Here is the large version at the Astrolabe International.

As you can see, Koko Pimentel is not listed in the ABS CBN. Instead Jack Enrile is shown. The Astrolabe infographic shows that Koko Pimentel “should win”.

Here are the top 12 negative mentions.

Please note that those on the negative list also appeared on the positive list. The reason for this is that the popular candidates tend to have both a lot of supporters and dissenters. Highlighting in bold those who appear on both lists.

1. Villar, Cynthia	52.34%
2. Poe, Grace	34.29%
3. Binay, Nancy	4.37%
4. Hontiveros, Risa	2.75%
5. Aquino, Bam	1.79%
6. Enrile, Jack	0.68%
7. Pimentel, Aquilino	0.68%
8. Gordon, Richard	0.65%
9. Villanueva, Eddie	0.64%
10. Escudero, Francis	0.62%
11. Casino, Teodoro	0.61%
12. Ejercito, JV	0.57%

Screencap from Halalan 2013. Want to be part of our Blog Watch Community? Share your perspectives on current issues and contribute to the conversation. Look at it as an op-ed with links. Just register or if you just want to submit a guest post , submit your story. at email address contact at blogwatch dot tv

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Comelec launches ‘e-Leksyon 2013’ website and mobile app via @bitoopi & @SmartDevnet community!

news — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 06:22:21 +0000

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Be part of citizen power. Register here in Blog Watch at http://blogwatch.tv/wp-register.php. or send me an email contact at blogwatch dot tv . This is a press release from Smart Communications.

The Office of the Spokesperson of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) launched today a website and mobile application to help inform, educate, and empower voters for the coming May national and local elections.

Both dubbed e-Leksyon 2013, the free website and mobile application were developed jointly by Comelec and Bitoopi, a group of young programmers from Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart). The team voluntarily developed and donated the service for Comelec’s use. The initiative is supported by the Smart Developer Network, Smart¹s developer community program.

The highlight of the features of the mobile app is the simulation of filling out of a sample ballot as this will help voters know and practice the proper way of shading the forms.

The web interface also allows users to learn more about Comelec campaign rules, find the nearest precinct, and report election campaign violations through sending of reports and photos.

Users who submit reports are sent a validation code by Comelec for verification of identity. Only verified reports are published online by Comelec.

The website can be accessed through report.mycomelec.tv by anyone with an Internet connection through various devices such as desktop, tablets, and mobile phones via web browsing.

The mobile app version allows the same functionalities. At the same time, users can also use the app even in areas without mobile Internet signal by allowing saving of the report in the user’s device and sending it at a later time once mobile Internet signal is available.

Photos and reports are stored in the web server for access by proper authorities from Comelec for further appropriate action. Both website and mobile app are administered and maintained by Comelec with technical assistance from Bitoopi.

The Comelec’s e-Leksyon 2013 mobile app is now initially available for iOS devices through the Apple iTunes app store. Availability for the Android version for smartphones will be announced soon.

“As we move closer to the May 13 elections, we see the informational and educational features such as the practice sample ballot will be important in making sure that your vote will count. We hope that this can be an additional channel for voters education,” said Director James Jimenez, Spokesperson for Comelec.

“The team behind Bitoopi who generously gave their time and effort to make the official e-Leksyon services for Comelec are young voters and quite representative of a new generation of ‘apptivist’ developers who make apps and services for social good. We’re happy to support this spirit of volunteerism in Smart,” said Ramon R. Isberto, Smart public affairs group head.

The service was born out of social media interactions. Paul Pajo, Smart DevNet evangelist, responded to a Twitter post by Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez about the need of Comelec for such services for the public. Pajo shared this information to the Smart DevNet community.

The team from Smart made a prototype and presented to Comelec, and both groups refined the service according to Comelec requirements. Smart management allowed the employees to work on the project and provided technical development support and resources through Smart DevNet.

“It’s a great example of mobile developers lending their skills to help the country. We’d like to encourage more examples of volunteerism and public service among members of our developer community. If software developers want to apply their skills to help solve national problems, the community is here to help them,” said Jim Ayson, senior manager for partner management and developer relations at Smart.

As part of its advocacy of enabling citizen participation and good governance for the elections, Smart has also stepped up its support as technology partner for various media and citizen groups. It has existing partnerships with Interaksyon and the Student Council Alliance of the Philippines for first time voters through #YouthVote2013; blogwatch.ph for #juanvote, a call for citizen and social media advocates; Sunstar Cebu; and Rappler’s #votesmart campaign.

Smart, as part of the PLDT group, also provided connectivity and technology support to ABS-CBN and GMA 7. Arrangements are also being made for electoral watch groups such as the Philippine Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV).

The Comelec aims to promote e-Leksyon during the run-up to the elections as a crucial voter education tool that will ensure a more meaningful voting experience for the Filipino electorate.Want to be part of our Blog Watch Community? Share your perspectives on current issues and contribute to the conversation. Look at it as an op-ed with links. Just register or if you just want to submit a guest post , submit your story. at email address contact at blogwatch dot tv

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Video and Audio Podcast : Livestream chat with @RisaHontiveros

Noemi Lardizabal-Dado — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 13:16:19 +0000

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Follow @blogwatchdotph in twitter or facebook.com/blogwatchph

Be part of citizen power. Register here in Blog Watch at http://blogwatch.tv/wp-register.php. or send me an email contact at blogwatch dot tv . Know more about her profile and legislative platforms at Wikipilipinas #knowyourcandidate and the Philippine Online Chronicles feature article The beautiful fighter: Risa Hontiveros.

Our livestream chat is broken down as Part 1 and Part 2 .

Download/Stream or listen in Itunes

Part 1

Part 2

Here are her Campaign Platforms
Hontiveros’ platforms centers on women’s rights, health care, and fight against abuse and corruption. Specifically, Risa offers the following legislative agenda:

RH Law Implementation. Being a champion of the Reproductive Health Law, she will guarantee that the programs enstablished under the law will have enough resourcess to fulfill its promise of ending maternal deaths, preventing unwanted pregnancies, and helping Filipino families plan their future.
Universal Healthcare Expansion. Hontiveros plans to expand the gains of the Aquino administration in making healthcare universal and more accessible. On top of this, she hopes to address all elements of universal health care:
- Ensuring that public hospitals are able to offer quality health services and that barriers to access to hospital services are reduced and eliminated;
- Scaling up the delivery of health services in our communities, especially for mothers and children, by improving community health facilities and by providing better incentives for local health care providers;
- Sustaining affordable price of essential medicines by strengthening oversight in the implementation of the cheaper medicines law and by developing a better procurement system for medicines; and
- Strengthening community engagement in prevention programs through the mobilization of barangay health workers and by improving their capacities.
Women’s rights. She hopes to push for the greater political participation of women in appointive and elective position and will increase protection for young women in the areas of education, employment and healthcare. She will also champion the passage of a bill that protects lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgenders from discriminatory practices and abusive behavior.
On anti-corruption. She will pursue the anti-corruption agenda of the Aquino administration, and will remain consistent in her advocacy to make the abusive public officials accountable, especially those who were complicit to the abuses and excesses of the GMA administration.

Photo via Risa Hontiveros Facebook account.

Disclosure: Blog Watch does not accept compensation or payment in kind or in cash for any of our interviews. Blog Watch interviews senatorial candidates to provide more context to platforms and election issues. For candidates that want to schedule an interview with us, you may contact us via contact(at)blogwatch(dot)tv. Want to be part of our Blog Watch Community? Share your perspectives on current issues and contribute to the conversation. Look at it as an op-ed with links. Just register or if you just want to submit a guest post , submit your story. at email address contact at blogwatch dot tv

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The Commitment Covenant: A concept paper for a new Philippine Congress

news — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 04:44:30 +0000

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Blog Watch is composed of independent-minded bloggers and social media users who leverage new technology tools to advocate social change and serve as a citizens’ watchdog and collective conscience for transparency and good governance.

Follow @blogwatchdotph in twitter or facebook.com/blogwatchph

Be part of citizen power. Register here in Blog Watch at http://blogwatch.tv/wp-register.php. or send me an email contact at blogwatch dot tv . This is a simple plan to for a new Philippine congress.

“THE COMMITMENT COVENANT”
A CONCEPT PAPER FOR A NEW PHILIPPINE CONGRESS
By: ATTY. EDUARDO V. BRINGAS

Chairman, 1-Vote Our Hope Movement

(COMELEC Accredited Citizen’s Arm for the May 13, 2013 Elections)

I. PREMISE:

There are certain traits that are common to Filipinos like having extended families; keeping the honor of the family name; and believing in GOD. These traits normally serve as deterrent for a family member to go astray. Moreover, in the hierarchy of Filipino family values, social stature and the neighbor’s impression rank among the highest. These are the primary reasons why the acquisition and maintenance of material wealth and power remains the priority of the Filipino family. By GOD’s grace, these traits and values may serve as catalysts for Philippine politics to change for the better through “Commitment Covenant.” Let us begin with the Philippine Congress.

II. MEANING

The “Commitment Covenant” is a voters’ empowerment tool designed to bind the candidates on issues or matters they want to be resolved or addressed by the former if elected to public office. The scheme requires the cooperation of candidates, accredited citizens’ arm, the media, the religious sector and Comelec.

III. CONCEPT

In general, the “Commitment” for candidates is to fulfill what the voters demand if elected and for the latter to include the committed candidate/s name/s in their short list. Upon the other hand, the “Covenant” refers to the binding agreement between the candidate/s, the voters through their representative i.e., Citizen’s Arm, the Media, COMELEC and GOD as represented by the pertinent religious group where the candidate is affiliated.

While the term “Covenant” may already include “Commitment” (e.g., obligations with suspensive condition), it is necessary to make such emphasis to immediately distinguish it from the promises and agreements being made by politicians. Thus, the term commitment should always involve the process of voters making the demand to the candidates; the candidates making the commitment to fulfill the demand within a specified period, if elected to office; and the commitment on the part of the voters to write in their short list only those who signed the commitment covenant will be placed in their short list.

The role of media is indispensable for the success of this endeavor. Before the event, media shall amplify the voters’ education activities of various NGOs and citizens’ arm of Comelec by educating the people themselves about the scheme to help the latter make their choice. Thus, for purposes of the district representative, party list and senatorial candidates, the people may narrow down their choices by having their own short lists. Remember that the commitment covenant is a demand of the people on the candidates to fulfill a certain task. It is a reciprocal obligation where the voters, in exchange for the candidates’ commitment to fulfill what they demand, shall include their names in their short list, thereby increasing their chances of winning and getting a seat. However, the final decision on who to vote shall remain with the individual voters.

The voters’ short list shall contain the names of candidates who commit to do the people’s will. The result of the commitment covenant signing shall be published with the help of media partners. The people shall find out who among those invited signed the commitment covenant. Those who did not sign the commitment covenant (i.e., those who were invited but did not attend and those who attended but did not sign) have their own personal agenda as priority over and above the people’s will and should therefore be disregarded in their list. Nevertheless, those who did not sign may still redeem themselves by signing the commitment covenant within 1 week from the first posting of the lists.

IV. PARTIES

The signatories to the Commitment Covenant are: 1. The Candidate; 2. The Citizen’s Arm authorized signatory representing the people; 3. Comelec representative; 4. Media representative; and 5. The authorized signatory of a particular religious group chosen by the candidate, representing GOD. In case the candidate is an agnostic, the same shall be indicated and his belief is respected.

Nevertheless, the same candidate is likewise expected to respect the people’s belief (i.e., as stated in the Preamble of our Constitution, we, the Filipino people, implore the aid of the Almighty GOD) through the Citizen’s Arm and the latter shall then draw lots as to the particular religious group whose representative shall sign the document in accordance with their faith.

V. ROLES

The people – to pray for the Nation and the individual candidates who made the commitment; to all voter to have their individual ticklers where they will indicate, based on evaluation, a. The list of all candidates for Congress within a particular district, b. From the list indicate who signed and who did not sign the Commitment Covenant; and to publish the results

The Comelec – Shall make sure that all election laws and the Constitution have been followed in the course of implementing the procedure herein. If necessary, provide guidelines for the exercise of the people of its power as voters

Media – a commitment to cover the activities prior to, during and after the elections, free of charge. The social media to spread truthfully updates on issues directly or indirectly involving or affecting the Commitment Covenant.

Church – To pray for the candidate, unless the latter refuses. To declare, in accordance with the will of GOD, the blessings and curses attributed to the candidates actions.

The Candidate – To make a commitment and when elected, to fulfill what has been committed. To sign the Commitment Covenant and be subject to its terms and conditions.

VI. CONTENTS

The commitment covenant shall, among others, contain the following:

A brief statement regarding the fact that all the signatories, especially the candidate have the same vision of a New Philippine Congress – that will strive to achieve the following: a. Transparent in all its activities and dealings; b. Pork barrel free; c. independently minded members without regard to party affiliation and guided only by good conscience; d. Bias in favor of justice, equality and the common good; and e. The true servants of the people.

An undertaking on the part of the candidate that if elected he or she shall strive to live a life in conformity with the standards of a true statesman and shall fulfill the demand of the people within the specified period, and should it not be provided, within such reasonable period, taking into consideration the matter or issue that needs to be resolved.

The undertaking shall contain a provision that in case he reneged or failed to do the people’s demand within the period given without any valid reason, he shall be reminded of his commitment and is given another 3 months to fulfill the task. If full compliance is not made on due date, his or her name will be place on the Shame List and shall remain therein until it is fulfilled or until his or her term ends. In this regard, he or she and his immediate family shall voluntarily give up the position and not run in the next elections.

Upon the other hand, should the candidates performed the task within the period specified, his or her name shall be placed on the List of Honorable Statesmen. These lists shall be posted on websites and other prominent areas subject to Comelec guidelines. Finally, the candidate shall declare that he or she is waiving his or her right to retaliate or respond by filling any civil, criminal and/or administrative case against those directly involved in the advocacy, unless it is clearly shown that what has been reported is false and only intended to besmirch the name of the candidate.

VII. PROCEDURE

The procedures are as follows: 1. The citizens’ arm shall invite every candidate to attend a symposium.; 2. The symposium on right governance shall be attended by main 5 signatories and their constituents if any; 3. On the day of the symposium, the usual program shall be followed, and thereafter, the explanation regarding the activity and challenge to the candidates to sign the Commitment Covenant; 4. After signing, the people through media shall come up with the list of those who signed and made a commitment and those who did not. 5. From the list, the people shall jot down candidates who made the commitment; 6. The winning candidate shall – at the start of his or her term be reminded of his commitment; 7. Citizen’s arm shall monitor compliance with commitment/undertaking; 8. Citizens’ arm will put the name either in the Shame List or List of the Honorable Statesmen; 9. The winning candidate can still have time to rectify his mistake by fulfilling his commitment within the remaining period of his term. Thereafter, and consistent with his other undertaking, he and his immediate family shall not run for the next preceding elections and in return, his name shall be removed from the Shame List.

VIII. CONCLUSION:

As stated, the Filipinos in general believe in GOD, a living GOD who showers HIS blessings on those who obey HIM and hurls down curses on those who disobey. This alone is a strong deterrence for the candidate not to follow his or her promise? Nevertheless, a candidate who eventually wins a seat in Congress would have to protect the name of their family. His failure to comply with his commitment would cause him and his immediate family disgrace. His name cannot be removed in the Shame List unless he is able to fulfill his commitment within the remaining period of his term or he and his family gives up the elective position by not running in the next elections.

While it may be true that some politicians may be branded as having calloused hearts because money and power have blinded them, I believe that this is only because they know that the issues can be watered down or even used to their advantage by hiring PR firms and lawyers who twist the truth and foil the ends of justice. This cannot be done anymore with the above scheme precisely because the truth is already laid down in writing even before the candidate wins and takes his or her seat in Congress. With the cooperation of Media, the people through the Citizen’s arm, the religious sector and Comelec, the evil that has been deeply embedded in our system may be eradicated.

All things told, however, no matter what plan or scheme we can think and implement, even to the letter, its success will always be dependent on GOD. Psalm 127 states: Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain.

COMMITMENT COVENANT

I, _________________________________ , a candidate vying for a seat in the Philippine Congress this May 13, 2013 mid-term elections, am one with the Filipino people in a vision for a New Philippine Congress that will strive to achieve the following: a. Transparency in all its activities and dealings; b. Delimited Pork barrel; c. Independently minded members without regard to party affiliation and guided only by selflessness and good conscience in making decisions; d. Bias in favor of justice, equality and the common good; and e. The true servants of the people.

Towards this end, I hereby commit myself before my GOD and the Filipino people that in the event I am elected as a member of Philippine Congress, I shall:

(1) Make every effort to live a life of a true statesman;

(2) Do my best to fulfill any of the people’s demand I have chosen below during my term, within a reasonable period, to wit:

a. Enactment of a law that will ensure a consistent improvement in the standard of living of the people, especially those living below poverty line and infrastructure;

b. Enactment of a law on national land use policy;

c. Enactment of a law against political dynasties;

d. Enactment of a law the will effectively curbed graft and corruption;

e. Enactment of a law delimiting pork barrel;

f. Enactment of a law that will strengthen and improve free quality education from grade 1 up to college level; and/or

g. Others Please Specify ________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

In the event that I renege or fail to do the people’s demand I chose to fulfill within a reasonable period during my term without any valid or justifiable reason/s, I shall be reminded of my commitment and I will be given another 3 months to fulfill the task. As used herein, reasonable period in general shall be within twenty one (21) months from the time I took my oath or affirmation as an elected member of Congress.

I acknowledge and hereby agree that after the 3 month grace period, my unjustified failure to fulfill my undertaking shall have the following effect: (a) I shall suffer the wrath of my GOD; and (b) My name shall be placed on the “Shame List” and shall remain therein until I fulfill my commitment. At the end of my term, if I still have not fulfilled my undertaking without valid or justifiable reason/s (e.g., like when the commitment has become impossible to fulfill despite earnest efforts either because of force majeure or the majority is against it or such other similar circumstances), my name may only be removed from the “Shame List” if I and my immediate family (i.e., first civil degree) shall voluntarily give up the position I held and not run in the next election.

Upon the other hand, should I perform the task within the period specified, I will reap the blessings of my endeavor and have my name placed on the List of Honorable Statesmen, unless I opt to exclude my name therein.

By signing this “Commitment Covenant”, I am waiving my right to take action (i.e., whether by filing a civil, criminal and/or administrative case or any other means) against those directly involved in the advocacy, unless it is clearly shown that what has been reported is false and only intended to besmirch my reputation.

Finally, my commitment shall serve as my covenant GOD and to the Fiipino people and I shall perform my duties as an elected representative and servant in accordance with the Constitution and my faith in GOD!

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I hereby set my hand this 24^th day of April, 2013 at Manila Polo Club, Makati City.

_____________________________

Candidate

CONFORME:

________________________    ________________________ _______________________

People’s Representative       People’s Representative       People’s Representative

WITNESSED BY:

BISHOP EFRAIM TENDERO            BISHOP REUBEN ABANTE

Religious Sector  Religious Sector                       Religious Sector

________________________    ________________________ _______________________

Media Representative     Media Representative           Media RepresentativeWant to be part of our Blog Watch Community? Share your perspectives on current issues and contribute to the conversation. Look at it as an op-ed with links. Just register or if you just want to submit a guest post , submit your story. at email address contact at blogwatch dot tv

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Transcript and video: @jackenrile on food soverignty

Noemi Lardizabal-Dado — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 13:51:49 +0000

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Blog Watch is composed of independent-minded bloggers and social media users who leverage new technology tools to advocate social change and serve as a citizens’ watchdog and collective conscience for transparency and good governance.

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Mom Blogger (MB): As a Mom blogger I’m very interested in the food for Filipinos first because first of all mothers are very concerned of how, where they will get a food for their children especially majority of their children. And now I noticed in your bill it is mostly infrastructure. my first question is what inspired you to start this bill and secondly do you have a way to make sure that the farmers can strengthen their livelihood, how can they sustain this production for the long term because food sovereignty is really a nice word but how would they go about it. Specifically please just give me just one example.

Jack Enrile (JE): Perhaps what we need to do is to initially discuss is what food sovereignty is? Everybody hears about food security, food self sufficiency and that has such a broad meaning when a household has food in their pantry in the refrigerator when there is food in sari-sari store, when there is food in grocery, supermarket, public market, “bagsakan” , a country or a place or a household is considered to be food secured especially if everything is normal there is no calamity there is no turmoil there is no problem in the society we tend to give food or the availability or the access to food a something that is quite innocuous . The consideration made for a mother or even a father as a part of the leader that provides the daily sustenance of a family is really how do I meet the nutritional and dietary requirements of my family while still maintaining the ability to sustain this within the income that I am generating, and so basically the decision makers at home, basically look at one, the availability of the food and secondly, the price the eating quality comes later and the availability of the family to spend behavioral satisfaction. So the consideration is as long as it’s available everything must be okay well the issue of the food sovereignty came about in the mid or late 1990 where it started at south America, it was a group of farmers not unlike yourself who said “teka muna we are beginning to notice that what we are eating on a daily basis and one is getting more expensive and two it’s not really coming from the area it is used to come from”. Before a country like Philippines that was ones considered to be agricultural leader in South East Asia “at least”, is now became the number 1 rice importer in the world in fact if you will look at the date April 13, 2008 because of our inability to be able to sustain the demand for rice and because that we are incapable at this point to produce sufficient rice for our country on that day alone the price of rice in the world rose by 30% because of the demand probability. So it got me to the thinking that we are an agricultural country I come from an agricultural district and most of my kababayan earned their living out of tilling the land that they have or catch fish and sell it in the market. And I was wondering why a district like that survive and so to the very early on we decided to test a little bit of an experiment and we decided to plow it into infrastructure that will allow farmers to gain access to the markets, increase their productivity, and basically increase their output and it actually succeeded there was a lot of increase in production between 1998 and 2012 and if you will look at agricultural statistics they can provide you some information. But the real point of food sovereignty that I would like to address is that we as a country and slowly loss the ability to feed ourselves. The majority of the product that comes from this country is not consumed by the people that actually grew it. The reason is because we do not have a national food requirement plan in place, we never have had. We always about agricultural modernization, there was a law that was passed in 1997 that created this agriculture modernization plus the unfunded mandate between 1997 to 2012 is close in 50billion so in other words even if you have a law if you do not have a mechanism to ensure that the law is implemented, if the law is deficient in a certain aspect you will not really have the productivity that you require to be able to feed oneself. If you read the whole bill the emphasis is not only “infra” the emphasis is really creating a plan so that every provinces every year will be guaranteed that every agricultural program that will designed will be tailored for the needs of that province. If the call is irrigation then The concentration of the plan is really for irrigation, if the call is for road works then the concentration must be in the highways and road projects and if the call is for subsidies, seed subsidies, fertilizer subsidies, fuel subsidies that is where the program is tailoring to. If the call is for the lowering the production cost by providing free irrigation to the farmers directly so that they will be more competitive with foreign imports then that Is the program that will be designed for that particular year, regardless of who seats as a President, who seats budget Secretary, who is Congressman, who is DA secretary, and who is the Secretary of DPWH if you have a yearly submittal from the provinces of provincial food requirement plan to a national food requirement plan and the corresponding agriculture infrastructure support, you are guaranteed an update in agricultural output in a year to year basis and that is basically the reason for me to push the issue of concept of food sovereignty because we need to localize production, localize distribution and consumption to ensure that for this and the succeeding generation we will have food that comes from our own boarders.

JE: We’re trying to get responsible and get people to talk about food sovereignty, not just as a concept but as something that can actually work. There is a great example of importing in Brazil, Belo Horizonte it’s a city of about two and a half million inhabitants and most of them were poor, most of them really came from urban areas and most of them are farmers. And what the local leaders did to spur the economy and to create the environment where he agricultural products can be produce and sold locally and so that the farmers will be engage to continue in farming and fisheries. What they did was, they chose the prime areas within the city to allow the farmers to set their quotas and produce at very-very low rate and they found out that by putting them in main arteries by putting them in strategic areas; 1. The consumption of local produced went up, 2. They found out that because they did not have o export the product and import it back in, because that is basically how the free market operates and the additional cost for their transportation for fuel.
They found out that the local consumers started to enjoy a 33% deduction in their food cost. Well at the same time, protecting the profit markets of the farmers so that model can work but it takes slugging and that is basically the aim of House Bill 4626. We really need to put a national food department to amendments in the corresponding agriculture, if you need the bill the provisions are very clear cut it is setting up in a full plan to build a strategic market place allocating the necessary resources to make the programs work and basically the specific areas that will only be use for food production both on land and the coastal area.

MB: My last follow up question is yes you said something about the bill but I think father Parsyente said that, ‘’A country needs more than what is done’’. So that’s why in the next congress, who will do this if you are in the senate/ if you are within the senate who will file this bill? And why did you not go to the 15^th congress?

JE: I can’t answer why I didn’t go in the 15^th congress. I had made my representation with the committee chairman. They are free to decide what is important and what is not important. It has been filed/ submitted to the committee that we approach the chairman of the committee of agriculture in the senate and spoke to him about this bill and at one point they promise to file a senate version of the bill, it did not proceed. I even approach/ invited my father to sectoral consultations in Cebu. But I guess it’s like anything if it’s not yet time, Kung hindi pa hinog kadalasan nabibinbin yan, but the important thing is to start the discussion always. It’s relatively new; the concept of food sovereignty is not something that is taking fractionate in this country it’s in the other country.
Most of the countries in South America inembrace yung concept, some of the country in South East Asia like Thailand and Vietnam, they embrace the concept of food sovereignty in fact you will see it in their investments in agriculture. We are counted over 100 million Filipinos the total land area that is actually be living already is about 1.4 million hectare for a counted of 100 million. In Thailand of a country for 65 million inhabitants they have about 10 million hectares for this program. So they had actually invested into agriculture and they are prioritizing it. We just have to take in this country the adoption of agriculture first policy and the allocation of necessary resources to get this full. But it can’t be done we still have a lot of blood and water resources that we can utilize if the policy is correct.

MB: We should raise awareness in blogwatch in our future articles

JE: You can start asking local restaurants, where are you sourcing the food you are serving are you getting it within the 50 kilometers. Are you supporting local farmers? You can ask the manufacturers, ‘’Mr. so and so where are you getting the raw materials for your chips, chicharon specifically is it within 50-60 kilometers’’ because there is an impact. Even Raj Patel, Do you know Raj Patel? He’s an economist and he talks about the value of nothing. And I read the interesting part of his book and it talks about the actual cost of the food that we eat. He talks about a hamburger in McDonalds, it cost a couple of dollars per patty but if you were to factor in the actual impact on the deforestation, because you have to clear the land the actual impact on the emission of the trucks that had to go back and forth to raise the cattle, provide the feeds, provide the necessary water to the trucks of the cattle if you have to pay for the electricity for running the abattoir. That one patty is not actually cost 2-3 $ it’s actually closer to 200 $.
It stands to reasons that if you adopt the concept of food sovereignty. You take it to consideration also the sustainability of particular industry and you know as ordinary citizens we can start demanding our local restaurants. Where are you buying? Tinatangkilik niyo ba ang local farmers natin? How is basically your bottom line affecting the actual price of good in the market place?
Buy local eat local.

Jack Enrile on strategic agricultural zones & his absentee record

Mom Blogger: How would your food department plan address the areas which was suppose to be agricultural but are always in the path of typhoons, nasisira yung mga food…
Jack Enrile: One of the thing that we want to push that’s why we really came on this particular measures one of the provissio9ns really is the establishment on a fair province basis, hopefully if we can do it in a per municipality basis or in a per baranggay basis of strategic agricultural loans. Wherein once this bill becomes law, those strategic agricultural loans cannot be use for anything else other than food production, you cannot convert the land for residential, you cannot convert the land for industrial, you cannot convert the land for commercial and the reason we want to do that is perhaps we are not in control to the tale of our population growth but despite the pressure for settlement. We need to ensure that we still maintain those irrigable and arable lands as a resource because once those are settled there will be no way that you can’t grow anything in those lots and plots anymore but before we do that you need to establish what the provincial food requirement plan is. So that you basically have a roll back or a blueprint without the necessary data on a year to year basis you will not know what sort of development that you will need to undertake to ensure that the agricultural requirement of Cagayan or Sultan Kudarat or Negros Oriental are actually met but the provinces that directly address your concern really is the establishment of a strategic agricultural zone of the fair province basis, so that from now until that bill is passed. You cannot use that particular part of land for anything other than food production.

The typhoons, the other problem that we need to address in this country is really the best use of land we will not know the best use of land without the comprehensive land use policy in this country and final parcel of the component of comprehensive land use policy we must undertake and understood the hazard mapping survey of our entire country to mitigate the impact of climate change which we uncertainly feel now. I remember when I was a younger guy in college in the early 80’s- late 70’s we were already talking about climate change but you know we tend to be strong and suspicious I said 25 years from now-30 years from now will be time we’ll experience climate change and guess what it’s actually happening now so yah we need to undertake a land use policy in this country to identify those areas that we can prefer for agriculture development and where humans can settle taking considerations the realities of environment that we are facing now

Mom Blogger: Just one more. Sir, no holds bar? Sir this is not my observation but this is something we just picked now from twitter. I was just grossing to the tweets and some people happened to be discussing you in running again and there was somebody said ‘Bakit siya? He has one of the highest absentees and records in congress.’

Jack Enrile: I n the 15^th congress, I did not ask for a building I did not want one. The reason for that was because I really wanted to concentrate in this particular measure I wanted to be able to see it first time to another country and talk to people and ask the farmers and officials of what happening in their area. When I go on business… Unofficial leave. I’m conducting sectoral consultations and some part of the country without something wanted to sound flip. There is only a way for a congressman to be able to go around the country introducing a mission, getting impulse for the mission, time covered for the support of the mission and conducting sectoral consultations and at the same time to be in the congress on the same day.

And since I have no active role in the committee I was a member of the committee on agriculture and the reason I only joined that one committee and accounts appropriation in the basic needs way because of my desire to push for this advocacy on food sovereignty. So I have in the past 2 years actually conducted as part of my job as a congressman, sectoral consultation around the country and just conducted recently in Masbate and because of that this is the result, The House Bill 4626. If not the answer but an answer that would be able to guarantee that from down and whatever this may pass in future generation we will have a framework wherein the agriculture development can occur, So that was the reason why I’d been going out of the country.

Jack Enrile on Alfie Anido Issue

Jack Enrile: Dina Bonevie was the girlfriend of Alfie Anido, I never met Dina Bonevie. I saw Dina Bonevie was I think… I was invited to a Christmas party of the vice governor and she was the wife of the vice governor of Ilocos sur, I never met her in my life. In fact I could not met her because her neighbor was my wife…who was my girlfriend when I was 19 who became my wife. So Alfie Anido, I knew Alfie ever since grade school, he was I think a year behind me in Ateneo De Manila. He was my friend. Many years later after living in states for a while I came home for vacation nalaman ko na mag boyfriend na sila ni Katrina (senator Enrile’s sibling) I was happy… I was happy.
So I think it was around December time, I was eating here in Dusit hotel, across Dusit hotel dati dito sa corner ng Pasay road at EDSA, meron dyan isang eat all you can yung Miyako…okay…naalala mo yon? That was years probably a younger boy din but eat all you can, so syempre kain tayo ng kain. I was having dinner there with a group of friends one of them was senator Honasan parang kuya ko yan e. He was the head of security of the family at that time and there was a report in the radio that Katrina was in Antipolo and they were driving back from Antipolo to Alfie’s house in Bel air and medyo nababahala yung mga security ni Kat kasi kumakaskas si Alfie pauwi, tila yata nag aaway. So after a few minutes may nag report ulit na nakarating na si Katrina sa bahay ni Alfie sa Bel air. So we proceeded to eat, well tuloy yung catch–up namin ni Greg and nung friends namin since I was home in vacation. And then a few minutes later, tumayo si Greg I have to go, may problem yata doon sa bahay ni Alfie nandoon si Katrina ako naman komo mag kapatid kayo. Sama ako wala akong gagawin, sama ako. So dumating kami sa Bel air nakabukas yung ilaw nakabukas din yung pintuan. So ako naman lumakad ako sa loob ng bahay nila Alfie. I knew the family was friend with Alfie, I was friend with Babita and I saw Babita and I asked her where is Katrina and the door was open and Babita was tulala then I heard Katrina crying parang hysterical. Without any permission where Katrina was I just followed her voice I went upstairs and nakita ko yung pintuan nakita ko siya sa labas ng pintuan.. ‘Si Alfie , si Alfie’, sabi ni Katrina. ‘Bakit ano nangyari kay Alfie? Nasaan si Alfie?’, J.E. ‘Nandoon sa loob’, sabi ni Kat. Pagka kita ko may baril on the ground. When I look at him nakita ko there was a hole in his head. So obviously, because I guess of the lame people would think that I have anything to do with it and the finding show that he took his own life unfortunately, he took his own life.

Jack Enrile (What’s my difference to my father?)

Blogger: Everyone, they don’t know about Jack Enrile. They just know you’re the son of senator Enrile. For example for me I don’t follow politics, I only joined blog watch because I thought that I’m like most of the people we don’t follow politics but we just knew you thru what we see on t.v. what we see on radio. So, what is the difference between you and your father? How can you convince us to vote for you because for us if we don’t like your father we won’t vote for you?

Jack Enrile: I agree, well my orientation has basically in business all my life, I started my small business when I was in 18 years old and some of my ventures have been successful many have not but that’s part and partial of business life and I guess that’s also part and partial of political life . In terms of personality my father tends to be a little bit more emotional than I am I think, he certainly is more talkative than I am, his orientation has been in legal profession so if world views center about the law and how that applies to everybody else. My background was really in business and I thought I was really going to stay there but there was a calling that much later in life, I got into politics when I was in 14 and by today standards that is late, so I had basically choice if I had to choose business or give something back. And at first I was a reluctant politician I did not like you who are really engaged in it, my father was my father and I have my own thing in it until I was exposed to the politics of Cagayan, local politics. And I saw the potential of the people of Cagayan; we are district we’re very parochial we think in terms of the 10 towns of a district or the 150thousand or so people that actually inhabit that particular corner. But to make a conscious decision, to get into something you’re not at that point in life so comfortable with because of your desire to contribute I think speaks something about the person. And having basically devoted the first 40 years of my life to raising my family, providing my family, giving myself the opportunity in life that many people desire, I thought that there was a point in my life that I was going to give back, because I am comfortable in the beginning? No I’m not, I’m not that typical type of politician that basically engage within the circles of what you would consider a politician, I still consider myself as an outsider and I bring that perspective to leadership, I always try to think of what you think. Well in 1999 I wanted to do the same thing but only in terms of legislation I did not want to have a lot of it, I wanted to focus on specific bills and on the 11^th congress where I first win I was the 1^st one to file that Batas Kasambahay. It was never filed in this country before that. Was I successful? It took us 14 years to pass that bill almost the same amount of time as the RH, It was only signed into law a couple of weeks back in January 18, but I was the first, now do I take credit for that? Of course not, no one congressman, no one senator can lay clean to any piece of legislation no matter how brilliant, but you need to start it just like you guys, you started this blog watch, you started with the vision of staying there in six months, then you went a year then you add a year the same thing with me, I started one term, then perhaps another term then the third term and I rested one term and then I came back again. The food sovereignty bill is the same story it is something new, something innovative, something that I wanted to throw out there just like you to be able to engaged the other leaders of this country to look at this particular issue and come up to something that will benefit this country, that is why I’m running. I’m not saying that you vote for me I just want you to know why I am running.

Blogger: Have you ask for the help of your father?

JE: He never campaigned for me, I never campaign for him. We always have sort of differing political views on how politics should be in this country; perhaps maybe that’s why I’m not within the in gap.

Blogger: can you give some of the differences with your father?

JE: On the certain position we differ on the RH we differ, I supported the RH Bill. On the sin tax he was against it. I pushed for the sin tax. I don’t differentiate myself to be different, on the sin tax the administration needed to raise revenues, now mind you that was 60billions. I thought that was a good compromise between the needs to raise of revenues and the need for us to sort of sacrifices, the man will go down certainly but you can introduce new crops to help of the farmers and that was taken into consideration. I always ask him why he was always associated with the former president Marcos, how he could continue to serve the former president. Those are the days where father and son differ but it does not mean that if I am in the senate I will be a willing luck dog to my father and he knows that. And he will be the first one to tell you that, “yan si Jack may sariling pananaw yan.”

Want to be part of our Blog Watch Community? Share your perspectives on current issues and contribute to the conversation. Look at it as an op-ed with links. Just register or if you just want to submit a guest post , submit your story. at email address contact at blogwatch dot tv

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Video: #blogwatch livestream with @TingCojuangco

Noemi Lardizabal-Dado — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 16:07:23 +0000

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Blog Watch is composed of independent-minded bloggers and social media users who leverage new technology tools to advocate social change and serve as a citizens’ watchdog and collective conscience for transparency and good governance.

Follow @blogwatchdotph in twitter or facebook.com/blogwatchph

Be part of citizen power. Register here in Blog Watch at http://blogwatch.tv/wp-register.php. or send me an email contact at blogwatch dot tv . Tingting Cojuangco says if she wins in the coming elections, she will serve as the broomstick (walis tingting) in the Senate that would wipe out all of the country’s dirt.

Cojuangco said UNA also wanted to embrace the “Tuwid na Daan” (straight path), advocacy of the administration.

Watch our recorded video here.

And the walis tingting.

Proposed Legislation

Public Safety Reorganization & Reform Act
National Crime Surveillance and Protection Act (Otherwise known as the BIG BROTHER Act )
Disaster Risk Reduction and Environmental Management Act (Otherwise known as the DREAM Act)
Barangay Insurance for Development Associates (BIDA) Act

(Otherwise known as the BIDA ng Barangay Insurance Act)

Motorcycle Buyers Rights and Riders Safety Act
Development Incentives for Renewable Energy (DIRE) Act
Home Buyers Condonation and Protection Act
OFW Family Welfare Leave Act
Magna Carta for Barangay Volunteer Workers
Ultimate Voters Choice Act (Otherwise known as the NOTA “None of the Above” Act)
BANGSAMORO ORGANIC ACT

If elected, Margarita “Tingting” Cojuangco said she will put focus on public safety, the environment, agriculture and housing for the poor.

She will also propose to make Barangay Health Workers (BHW) regular government employees and review the criminal justice system so that jail inmates, particularly the women, do not have to spend more time behind bars than the sentence imposed by the court.

“I’m talking about this as a mother,” she said, citing risks on the road and at home due to fire.

In ensuring public safety, she raised the need for regular checks on the seaworthiness of passengers ships, and improving fire prevention measures, as well as disaster preparedness and management.

She also cited the need to improve national defense, and the possibility of tapping nuclear development.

“Ten years ago, I would have said no…but now. I’d like to think more about that (nuclear development),” Cojuangco said. But she added that nuclear development should involve weighing defense implications with the environmental risks.

Disclosure: Blog Watch does not receive any compensation or payment in cash or in kind for any of our interviews and social media coverage.Want to be part of our Blog Watch Community? Share your perspectives on current issues and contribute to the conversation. Look at it as an op-ed with links. Just register or if you just want to submit a guest post , submit your story. at email address contact at blogwatch dot tv

We also accept interns.

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