PRES. ARROYO SCORED FOR DESTROYING PARTY LIST SYSTEM

PRES. ARROYO SCORED FOR DESTROYING PARTY LIST SYSTEM:
Voters should remember those who will vote for her speakership bid

NOW IT IS VERY CLEAR. Pres. Gloria Arroyo’s attempt to dominate Congress has practically destroyed the party list system, exploiting the erroneous Supreme Court formula in Banat vs Comelec, to field GMA proxy party list groups in the recent elections. Bayan Muna estimates that more than twenty GMA backed party list groups will get seats in Congress. “Pres. Arroyo focused her resources and funding on allies running in the party list and district congressional elections to ensure her speakership in the House of Representatives” said Rep. Teddy Casino. “ She made sure that her party list groups with her dummies as nominees have more than enough funds to top the party list vote through the support of her LGU allies and TV ads which marginalized and underrepresented party list groups like Bayan Muna does not have.”

“People should remember in the next party list elections all the party list groups that will vote for Pres. Arroyo as speaker. There are two numbers that she wants to achieve here. She needs at least 96 votes to impeach the new president and a total of 144 members to become speaker of the House. With her party list proxies, she could achieve both numbers” said Rep. Neri Colmenares. “The Supreme Court should review its Banat decision now that its erroneously unproportional formula has been abused by politicians and big business wanting a cheap way to get into congress.”

Despite the speed with which the results were reported in the 2010 elections, Bayan Muna remains concerned with the uncanvassed votes especially in the ARMM region. “The canvassing in the ARMM is always delayed, without exception. This will allow national politicians including party list groups to buy votes in the area during the delay. We ask the Comelec to immediately intervene and arrest this delay”, said Rep. Teddy Casino.

“The 2010 election should be assessed on the basis of two factors, internal fraud which pertains to fraud in the operations of the PCOs and external fraud which is committed whether or not the elections are automated such as vote buying, terrorism, and illegal campaigning” said Rep. Colmenares. “While internal fraud is still subject to the random manual audit, it is clear that there was widespread external fraud putting into question the capacity of the Comelec to ensure that the will of the voters are credibly reflected in the ballots. Comelec has failed to act on complaints filed by Bayan Muna against military officers illegally using government resources to campaign against Bayan Muna and other progressive candidates. This is surely a major black eye as far as the party list elections are concerned”, he added.

“It is only through the perseverance and determination of the voters, teachers and poll watchdogs and the vigilance of the Filipino people that we managed to preempt a failure of election”, said Rep. Casino. “While we condemn the massive vote buying, threats and illegal campaigning that took place during the elections, Bayan Muna hails the Filipino people and the teachers who manned the polls for their heroic acts to ensure that Pres. Arroyo will not have the justification to perpetuate herself in power,” he concluded.

Comelec and PPCRV urged to publicly tally party list results

DELAY IN CANVASSING IN ARMM DEPLORED:
Comelec and PPCRV urged to publicly tally party list results

BAYAN MUNA is seriously concerned about the failure of the Comelec and the PPCRV to publicly tally the results of the party list elections. “Second rate public officials ba ang tingin ng Comelec at PPCRV sa party list? They must note that it is the progressive party list groups that was in the forefront of exposing and opposing the graft and corruption cases and anti-people policies of President Arroyo”, said Bayan Muna representative Teddy Casino. “This is marginalization of the marginalized.” We demand that PPCRV perform their function as an election watchdog and also cover the party list results. When they applied for accreditation, they are bound to also publicly tally the party list votes,” he concluded.

Bayan Muna representative Neri Javier Colmenares also condemned the serious omission because it will encourage fraud in the party list election. “This absence of information only makes it possible for fraud to be committed especially since there are rich pro Arroyo nominees running in the party list. Many party list groups got a lot of votes in the ARMM areas in 2007. Now that the ARMM results are delayed, it will not surprise us if fraud is again being committed there. We heard that national results for senators and party list are not being canvassed in these areas. We will file charges against board of canvassers refusing to canvass these national posts,” said Rep. Colmenares. “We are calling on the Comelec and leaders of concerned political parties to go to the ARMM areas and guard their votes,” he added.

Progressive party list groups like Bayan Muna and progressive candidates Satur Ocampo and Liza Maza were victims of massive black propaganda during the campaign. “Our posters were defaced, and large streamers saying people shouldn’t vote for us because we are NPAs littered streets all over the country. Public officials received letters threatening them if they support us. This campaign against Bayan Muna cost millions only to ensure a decrease in our votes,” said Rep. Colmenares. “Vote buying and huge campaign spending by rich party list groups also marred the election. Bayan Muna votes may have suffered because of these attacks but we are still happy that the people's vigilance and determination to vote managed to preempt a possible failure of election which will only play into the hands of Pres. Arroyo.”

Clean Up

Bayan Muna also announced that it will help clean up the garbage resulting from the election campaign. “We will focus in helping clean up schools. Bayan Muna will also study a proposed bill that will only allow bio degradable materials for election propaganda. Maybe we can minimize solid waste pollution during campaign periods,” said Rep. Teddy Casino.

Used tarpaulin streamers may also be donated to Bayan Muna (# 45 K-7 Street, West Kamias, Quezon City) for recycling into tarp-bags, as demonstrated by Bayan Muna Payatas Chapter's tarp-bag making activity last April 21 in celebration of Earth Day.

APPOINTMENT OF CHIEF JUSTICE DESPITE LACK OF URGENCY CONDEMNED

APPOINTMENT OF CHIEF JUSTICE DESPITE LACK OF URGENCY CONDEMNED:

Constitutional crisis feared

BAYAN MUNA condemns Pres. Gloria Arroyo’s appointment of a Chief Justice despite the constitutional prohibition and the absence of urgency to appoint a Chief Justice. This is nothing more than an attempt by Pres. Arroyo to load the dice in her favor once plunder charges are filed against her when her presidential immunity ceases on June 30, 2010.

“Sen. Noynoy Aquino is clearly the next president of the Philippines. There is no constitutional crisis that urgently requires the appointment, thanks to the people’s vigilance to ensure that there is no failure of election” said Bayan Muna representative Neri Javier Colmenares. “In fact, it is possible that this appointment could lead to a constitutional crisis if Sen. Aquino will challenge the constitutionality of the appointment as he promised during the campaign. Paalis na lang si Pangulong Arroyo, nag iwan pa ng problema” he added.

Rep. Colmenares, who is also a human rights lawyer, said that the Supreme Court decision in De Castro vs. JBC only discusses the submission by the JBC of the list to Malacanang and cannot therefore be used to justify the appointment of the Chief Justice. “Bayan Muna intends to file many cases not only against Pres. Arroyo but also her subordinates for graft and corruption, extra judicial killings and electoral fraud. The judicial system must be perceived as impartial when trying these cases” Rep. Colmenares declared.

Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

Hope for the best, prepare for the worst.
H.O.P.E., not OPLAN R.A.FA.EL!

Bayan Muna Partylist calls on the public to vote but stay on their highest alert to ensure that their votes will be properly counted.

In the picket rally held today at Comelec, Bayan Muna Partylist Rep. Teddy Casiño said "We hope Comelec can fix all the glitches with the memory cards and PCOS machines, that the May 10 elections will not be delayed or sabotaged. If there is failure of elections, only the Arroyo regime will benefit from it."

Casiño reminded that the elements for Oplan RAFAEL (Retain Arroyo through Failure of Elections) are in place. "We are hoping for the best, of course, but we must also prepare for worst-case scenarios. On May 10, we must exercise our rights to elect leaders, protect the vote and defend our rights in any eventuality. Bantayan natin ang PCOS (Presidential Cheating Operating System) at tutulan ang Oplan RAFAEL!" Casiño said.

Bayan Muna Partylist is very concerned about possible cheating, violence and election failure. Previous elections show massive fraud through dagdag-bawas and other manipulations, especially in the 2004 elections from which Hello Garci and military election fraud were exposed, and the first automated polls still appear very vulnerable to such.

"We will continue our campaign for 'HOPE (Honest, Orderly and Peaceful Elections) for Change' in our walk-for-HOPE tomorrow 7a.m. at Luneta Park, to culminate in front of the Comelec building. People from all walks of life are invited," concluded Casiño. ###

Comelec and Smartmatic treat 2010 elections as a joke

UNSEALED PASSWORD COULD WREAK HAVOC
IN THE PRESIDENTIAL CANVASSING:
Comelec and Smartmatic treat 2010 elections as a joke

Bayan Muna Partylist representatives Teddy Casiño and Neri Colmenares were shocked at the cavalier fashion with which Comelec and Smartmatic treated the installation of the Consolidation Server for the Presidential Canvassing in the House of Representatives. “Comelec and Smartmatic did not send a representative in the installation, giving the House Secretary General the thankless job of explaining on their behalf. Their absence is a major insult to the House. They think our questions do not matter” said Bayan Muna representative Teddy Casiño. “Worse, the very important security tokens and their passwords were placed in an unsealed ordinary white envelope normally used in soliciting donations in barangay beauty contests. Magulo ang pag turn over ng Comelec at Smartmatic sa House. Can you imagine, they were using the guidelines for provincial canvassing as they were installing the CCS for the presidential canvassing. Parang joke lang sa Comelec ito”, added Rep. Casiño.

House Secretary General Marilyn Yap explained that those results that were not electronically transmitted will be entered in the CCS manually by entering the physically transmitted memory or CF cards. When asked if this will expose the CCS to fraudulent manipulation, she explained that only those who know the password can open the CCS to enter the physically transmitted results. “This exposes the presidential canvassing to fraud. Anyone who could have accessed the security tokens in the unsealed envelop and read the passwords written in a piece of paper, could now enter fake results in the CCS” said Bayan Muna Representative Neri Javier Colmenares. “Any losing presidential candidate can now question these results creating havoc in the presidential canvassing. The fact that the envelopes were open is a major fiasco for the presidential canvassing.”

Members of the House were also informed that results of the Overseas Absentee Voting will not be electronically transmitted but will be transmitted physically through its memory card. “Waiting for the results from countries abroad will surely cause delay in the canvassing. It is possible that we will be canvassing the results for more than 48 hours” said Rep. Colmenares. “Moreover, it is difficult for the watchers of poor party list candidates like Bayan Muna who cannot afford watchers to guard the memory cards all the way to the Philippines."

The installation was a failure according to Rep. Casiño. “Marami pang ibang palpak sa installation. The card or flash reader was not tested if it can read information,or if it will accept CF cards physically transmitted. There was even no testing of electronic transmission. Bayan Muna will submit a protest with the Comelec on these dangerous developments,” declared Rep. Casiño.

Bayan Muna calls on public to be vigilant in protecting their votes

Garbage in, garbage out

Bayan Muna warns vs. electronic cheating,
calls on public to be vigilant in protecting their votes

Witnessing the installation of the CCS machine at the House of Representatives which would receive electronic returns for the national canvass for president and vice president on election day, Bayan Muna representatives Teddy Casiño and Neri Colmenares today reiterated their call for the Comelec to implement new safeguards, "otherwise, the CCS machines will be susceptible to that basic rule in computer technology - garbage in, garbage out."

Bayan Muna is opposing proposals to postpone the May 10 elections and wants Comelec to implement remedial measures to all technical problems to ensure credible polls. "While we agree that some form of parallel and expanded random manual count is warranted given the defects of the PCOS, we also warn against a return to full manual counting since there will be higher risks of cheating to be done by experts and veterans of the rigged 2004 elections."

"But whether there will be full automation, partial, parallel, or random manual counting, the people will now have to take it upon themselves to prevent cheating. Comelec and Smartmatic are part of the problem. The solution is the people's vigilance," he said.

"At this point, automation can not guarantee clean, credible elections. We call on our people to be ready to be sleepless for two or three days just to guard the votes. Let us be involved in the checking and sealing process. We must be involved in the counting process. Let people power be alive on May 10," stressed Casiño.

"We must stop Oplan RAFAEL (the scheme to retain Arroyo through failure of elections). Bayan Muna appeals to the public not to be deceived into thinking everything's okay. We are raising our voices to alert the citizenry, to foil the plans of those who wish to control every democratic institution for their own selfish interests. Let's be vigilant in protecting the sanctity of the ballot as our means for instituting reforms beneficial to the people," Casiño urged.

Bayan Muna Partylist Rep. Neri Colmenares illustrated how problematic the situation could be if "defective" CF memory cards are replaced by another batch of defective cards. "There will be delays, a failure or postponement where the machine or program malfunctions. Some will be forced to do manual counting. This is where expert cheaters can manipulate the results through dagdag-bawas. Or it could be a high-tech, electronic cheating like card switching or transmission of fake results," Colmenares said.

"Generals Bangit, Mapagu and Sec. Gonzales, with their vast network of spies, know some things they are not telling us. They know exactly who stands to benefit from an Arroyo term extension. Instead, they have been lying and deflecting the issue of military involvement in cheating! If these three are not involved in electoral fraud, they should have immediately investigated their subordinates whom we have complained for conducting threats and harassment against progressive candidates and members," Colmenares added.

A protest action is also being held simultaneously at the Comelec central office in Manila.###

H.O.P.E. for change!

H.O.P.E. for change!
No to election failure, fraud or violence!

Bayan Muna, Task Force on Urban Conscientization, and concerned leaders and organizations across sectors join hands at the National Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help (Baclaran Church) today, 4:30 p.m., as a community of faithful imploring Divine guidance and HOPE for the sake of the entire nation, and especially for the future generations of Filipinos.

Amid threats of nationwide fraud, confusion, violence and technical failures plaguing the country's first automated polls, we come together to pray, draw inspiration, and work hand in hand for an Honest, Orderly, and Peaceful Elections (HOPE) for change.

The recent PCOS machine test failures that require the recall, recalibration and replacement of 76,000 compact flash (CF) cards added to the ever-growing fears that there might be failure of elections thus prolonging Pres. Gloria Arroyo's reign in Malacanang. But in spite of these threats, we will pursue honest, orderly, peaceful and credible elections. We continue to HOPE for change!

The 2010 elections give us an opportunity to catalyze change for the country through HOPE. We enjoin every Filipino to seek HOPE for change, to help ensure that no fraud or violence or confusion will prevail, to prevent any scheme that will curtail the democratic rights of the people, to be aware of political developments, to be vigilant, and to be responsive in safeguarding the sanctity of votes.

In the people's unity, determination and concerted actions during politically dark times depend the survival of this country's democratic institutions.

Long live the Filipino people!

Bayan Muna - Task Force on Urban Conscientization - Concerned leaders and organizations
(5 May 2010)

PCOS glitches part of plot? Stop Oplan RAFAEL

PCOS glitches part of plot?

Stop Oplan RAFAEL (Retain Arroyo through Failure of Elections)!

In the light of the PCOS machines failure just 4 days away from the first ever automated national elections, Bayan Muna Partylist is raising the alarm bells for the near completion of a sinister plot to retain Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as president through a failure or postponement of elections.

“Everything is falling into place. As much as we want the elections to push through smoothly, five out of at least eight conditions have already been met for President Arroyo to be retained through failure of elections. Oplan RAFAEL (Retain Arroyo through Failure of Elections) must be stopped now by a united citizenry,” exclaimed Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño.

The militant legislator revealed eight stages of what he termed Oplan RAFAEL. “First, Arroyo appointed the Hello Garci generals in key positions as her loyal praetorian guards. Second, she increased the AFP's role in the electoral process. Third, we now have 'technical glitches' in the AES,” Casiño bared.

“Fourth, Arroyo's own lawyers have now floated the idea of postponing the elections as an option. Fifth, no sitting Senate president will succeed GMA since Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile has refused to vacate his post. The sixth condition will be Arroyo's midnight appointment of the Supreme Court Chief Justice to ensure a pro-Arroyo Court,” Casiño added.

“The seventh stage would be the failure of elections itself due to systemic failures, massive fraud, chaos or violence, which then completes stage eight of Oplan RAFAEL, wherein Arroyo remains as president in a holdover capacity."

"After nine years in Malacanang, Mrs. Arroyo is still hell-bent in stealing the presidency for the third time!” Casiño said. "She became president in 2001 after Joseph Estrada was ousted. She stayed in power through massive electoral fraud in 2004 with the help of the likes of 'Garci' and nationwide political operators including military officials. And now this."

“Given the configuration problems of the PCOS machines, we in Bayan Muna demand two things from the Comelec: 1) Turn on the feature that shows the voter, through the machine's LCD screen, how his ballot was counted; and 2) Conduct a parallel manual verification count,” Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares said.

“In the face of poll automation failure, various groups and Bayan Muna will hold a Mass for HOPE (Honest, Orderly and Peaceful Elections) at the Baclaran Church today at 4:30 p.m. A candle lighting ceremony follows at 6 p.m. The public, known personalities and leaders are invited,” concluded Colmenares.###

BAYAN MUNA ASKS COMELEC TO IDENTIFY AND PROSECUTE PLOTTERS TO SABOTAGE THE ELECTION

BAYAN MUNA ASKS COMELEC TO IDENTIFY AND PROSECUTE PLOTTERS TO SABOTAGE THE ELECTION: Release of Mayuga Report also demanded

BAYAN MUNA Party List, concerned over the announcement of a plot to delay voting in the precincts, today submitted to Chairman Jose Melo an Urgent Appeal to petition the COMELEC to expose the plotters.

“Comelec should name names as this act of electoral sabotage is a serious electoral offense punishable with life imprisonment. Comelec has previously warned critics that they are committing an election offense if they make announcements without backing it with evidence. Now, the Comelec will not only be guilty of an election offense but will also not be setting a good example if it refuses to identify and prosecute candidates out to sabotage the polls. It is an impeachable offense if Comelec will not prosecute” said Bayan Muna Partylist Representative Neri Colmenares. “Otherwise, we will treat the Comelec announcement as a mere attempt to prepare the people for a failure of elections and point to a scapegoat other than the Comelec. This is outrageous.”

Parallel count, Transparent printing of Manual Ballots, Release of Mayuga Report

Bayan Muna also asked COMELEC to reconsider its decision on the parallel manual count by expanding its random manual audit to cover more precincts. “With more kinks found in the system by the Comelec itself when it tested the PCOs machines, the more reason why an expanded random manual audit should be undertaken that should cover at 10% of the polls or at least 6,000 precincts” said Bayan Muna Partylist Representative Teddy Casino. The kinks found by Comelec ranged from failed transmission, untested PCOs machines, servers and websites, misaligned ovals and this recent revelation of procedural delay.

In the same appeal, Bayan Muna asked that parties be allowed to witness the printing of election paraphernalia for manual counting. “We have not receive notice for our pollwatchers to witness the printing of manual election returns and other paraphernalia. These are accountable forms and may be the source of electoral fraud if the Comelec admission that 30% of the polls may be manual takes place. Why is it being printed without watchers is unacceptable” said Rep. Casino.

In the same Urgent Appeal, Bayan Muna also asked the COMELEC to subpoena the Mayuga Report which Pres. Gloria Arroyo refused to make public in 2006. “With the revelation by DND Sec. Norberto Gonzalez that fraud using the military is taking place, the COMELEC must find out which military unit and officers have been previously identified in order for the poll body to take remedial measures. The Comelec should not deputize a military or police officer identified by the Mayuga Report as having been involved in electoral fraud in 2004” said Rep. Colmenares. “We demand that Pres. Arroyo release the report and for Comelec to subpoena said report. During election period, Comelec has the plenary powers to subpoena the report and should take this opportunity to pry from the deathly grip of Pres. Arroyo a report that has eluded public scrutiny for years” Colmenares demanded. ###

ARROYO APPOINTED CHIEF JUSTICE MAY FUEL FURTHER INSTABILITY AMIDST FEARS OF FAILURE OF ELECTIONS: Bayan Muna asks JBC not to submit list to Malcanang

ARROYO APPOINTED CHIEF JUSTICE MAY FUEL FURTHER INSTABILITY AMIDST FEARS OF FAILURE OF ELECTIONS: Bayan Muna asks JBC not to submit list to Malcanang

BAYAN MUNA Party List, alarmed by the decision of the Judicial Bar Council (JBC) to submit its list of nominees to Pres. Gloria Arroyo and give her the luxury of appointing the next Supreme Court Chief Justice, urgently asks the JBC to reconsider its decision. Bayan Muna is afraid of a major upheaval if Pres. Arroyo appoints the next chief justice instead of allowing the new president to appoint the replacement of Chief Justice Reynato Puno.

“Should failure of elections happen, it will be difficult for the people to follow a decision favorable to Pres. Arroyo issued by a Supreme Court under an Arroyo appointed Chief Justice” said Bayan Muna Representative Teddy Casino. “Whether true or not, the Chief Justice will be perceived as beholden to Pres. Arroyo. A presidential appointment by Arroyo is a kiss of death”. Bayan Muna believes that Associate Justice Renato Corona will be appointed and Pres. Arroyo is just pretending to go through the motions. “There is no chance that the other justices will get selected. Justice Corona who was the Presidential Legal Counsel is the closest to the President. It will be a tough life for Justice Corona”, added Rep. Casino.

“There is no reason why Pres. Arroyo should rush the appointment of a Chief Justice. A collegial body like the Supreme Court has survived without a chief justice before. The only reason why she is moving heaven and earth to appoint one is because she intends to have a friendly Supreme Court once plunder cases are filed against her” said Bayan Muna Representative Neri Javier Colmenares.

Bayan Muna previously filed a House Bill 7109 entitled “An Act Prohibiting the President from Making Appointments to Judicial Positions, including that of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, During the Period Provided Under Section 15 Article VII of the Constitution and for Other Purposes” with the hope of precisely preventing this dangerous situation for the Court. Pres. Arroyo’s majority in the House however made sure that the bill will not pass. The bill provides that in case of a vacancy in the office of Chief Justice during the period when the President is prohibited from appointing the Chief Justice, the most senior Associate Justice shall act as Interim Chief Justice until another Chief Justice is appointed by the incoming President. This procedure is in fact already provided under Republic Act 296 or the Judiciary Act of 1948.

Bayan Muna whose two nominees. Atty. Neri Colmenares and Atty. Joven Laura are human rights lawyers in the Visayas and Bicol regions respectively, urges the JBC not to submit its list to Malacanang. “Pres. Arroyo may still be forced not to appoint a chief justice if the people will show outrage over this brazen lack of delicadeza. We hope, however, that the JBC will not to submit the list to Pres. Arroyo as planned since Pres. Arroyo does not know the word delicadeza” concluded Rep. Colmenares.###

BAYAN MUNA CHARGES GONZALES, BANGIT WITH ELECTION OFFENSES

BAYAN MUNA CHARGES GONZALES, BANGIT WITH ELECTION OFFENSES, CALLS FOR INVESTIGATION OF MISUSE OF INTELLIGENCE FUNDS FOR ELECTORAL FRAUD AND PARTISAN POLITICAL ACTIVITY

Bayan Muna representative and senatorial candidate Satur Ocampo will file a complaint at the COMELEC today against generals Delfin Bangit and Reynaldo Mapagu, and Department of National Defense Ssecretary Norberto Gonzales for partisan political activity and harassment conducted by the Armed Forces of the Philippines against supporters of Bayan Muna, senatorial candidate Satur Ocampo and other progressive candidates.

Bayan Muna wants COMELEC to prosecute Bangit, Gonzales, and Mapagu for misusing their official powers and functions, by ordering military personnel to conduct nationwide, organized, and systematic attacks against Bayan Muna's candidates and supporters, including the use of public funds to fund these activities.

Bayan Muna is also asking COMELEC to subpoena the military’s intelligence funds expenditure to investigate if these were spent on electoral intervention and fraud.

These acts of the military are partisan political activity and a clear violation of the Omnibus Election Code. The complaint is part of a series of complaints already filed against military officers in Sorsogon, South Cotabato and Davao.

“We have officials in the military and in the government especially Bangit, Mapagu, and Gonzales who have turned deaf despite the glaring evidence of violations committed by their subordinates. We will make sure that the perpetrators of these attacks are seriously prosecuted to hammer the message that the military should not interfere in the elections," Bayan Muna representative and legal counsel Neri Colmenares said. "We hope this will serve as a warning to those who persist in harassing us that we will not take this sitting down.”

“We are now asking the Commission on Elections to act with speed on this complaint and they should not, unlike the military, be numb to these violations,” he said.###

Bayan Muna: Foil ‘Oplan RAFAEL’

From no election to failure of election

Bayan Muna: Foil ‘Oplan RAFAEL’

In a picket-protest at the gates of the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) Camp Aguinaldo today, Bayan Muna Partylist warned against efforts by certain quarters in the defense department and the AFP to replace "Oplan No-El" (No Elections) with "Oplan RAFAEL" (Retain Arroyo through FAilure of ELections).

“The game plan of election operators within the Department of National Defense and the AFP has already changed from ‘NOEL’ to 'RAFAEL’ ,” Casiño said, noting how DND Sec. Norberto Gonzales himself had been repeatedly hammering at the possibility of poll failure due to defects in the automation system or other cheating mechanisms.

"Rather than a postponement of the elections, the scenario builders and planners including Gonzales are now looking at a failure of elections to ensure Arroyo's stay in power. These are creative and cunning minds who will exploit every opportunity to retain the status quo," he warned.

Casiño reiterated their call for Gonzales to resign or be fired for cooking up such scenarios.

“Sec. Gonzales himself, a staunch Arroyo loyalist, said there’s already fraud and cheating involving the military. That is true in the case of the AFP and its adjuncts actively campaigning against Bayan Muna, Satur Ocampo and Liza Maza. In fact, we are filing a complaint against Gonzales and Gen. Bangit later at the Comelec for election offenses,” Casiño added.

“The people should always be on guard and immediately report any military involvement in partisan electoral activities, which include campaigning for or against a candidate. We already have evidence of a nationwide smear and harassment campaign that military agents are doing against progressive candidates. We fear that the military’s attacks and electoral fraud against us will intensify in the coming days unless the AFP leadership seriously orders and sanctions all those involved in electioneering,” said Casiño.###

Comelec should disqualify ANAD, a military-backed pseudo-party-list group

Comelec should disqualify ANAD, a military-backed pseudo-party-list group

Bayan Muna filed with Comelec a petition to disqualify the Alliance for Nationalism and Democracy (ANAD) party-list group from participating in the 2010 party-list election for violating the Party-list System Act (Republic Act 7941).

Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño asserts that ANAD violated the standards set by the Party-list Law and jurisprudence because it failed to reach the 2% required votes in the 2001 and 2004 elections (and even in the 2007 elections) and that ANAD itself admits its non-representation of the marginalized and underrepresented sectors.

The petition states: "In the 2001 party-list elections, the National Alliance for Democracy (hereinafter referred to as NAD), founded and led by Pastor Alcover Jr. ran and lost its bid in the party-list election garnering only 49,147 votes or 0.3251% according to Comelec canvass records. Failing in its first bid for the party list election and mindful that they will be disqualified if they ran and lost as NAD in the 2004 elections, NAD and its leaders renamed the group the Alliance for Nationalism and Democracy or ANAD. ANAD though retained the same anti-communist advocacy as NAD, and the same leadership, that of Pastor Alcover. For all intents and purposes, ANAD was NAD, albeit parading in a pretty new dress. Not surprisingly, since it was merely NAD in costume, ANAD again failed to garner the required two percent vote in the 2004 elections garnering 1.91 % of the votes according to the Comelec Canvass of the 2004 elections. In fact, it managed to surreptitiously run in 2007, and again dismally failed to get the required 2% party list votes when it garnered a mere 1.1% according to the Comelec Canvass of the 2007 elections for a 3 election losing streak."

Casiño said "the Comelec has jurisdiction to disqualify ANAD as a candidate in the party list elections not only in the exercise of its plenary constitutional powers to implement clean and credible elections in the country, but also in the exercise of its moto proprio powers under Section 6 of RA 7941 or the Party list System Act."

Casiño added that "ANAD belongs to the military and the government and does not represent any of the marginalized sectors as provided by law and must therefore be disqualified." He explained that ANAD's main intention in Congress is not to represent the marginalized and under represented but merely to harass progressive party list groups.

A Philippine studies paper in the US Library of Congress points to ANAD as a vigilante group and a front of the military. Not only did its founder Pastor Alcover admit to founding, Alsa Masa, the dreaded armed vigilante group organized military, but he even traced ANAD to that vigilante group in an article by ANAD Mindanao Bureau.

The petition filed by Bayan Muna further states: "Not only was NAD, and later ANAD, an armed vigilante group, but it is a government concoction in violation of the Supreme Court doctrine in BAYAN MUNA vs Comelec which disqualified government organized party list organizations like “Mamamayan Ayaw sa Droga” (MAD). Worse, it is alleged to be funded by “large business” which makes it impossible for ANAD to represent the poor."

"Pastor Alcover owns a large security agency with 700 security guards. He also owns a placement agency which provided 3,000 workers for the Century Canning plant in General Santos city. These are not only large businesses, but the nature of his business shows that ANAD’s number 1 nominee can never pretend to represent the workers and the other marginalized sectors."

"Both ANAD and its nominees, particularly, Pastor Alcover should be disqualified because they do not represent nor do they belong to the marginalized and underrepresented."

Bayan Muna is working on its petition to disqualify another fake, military-backed party-list group known as Bantay party-list.###

BAYAN MUNA FILES CRIMINAL COMPLAINT AGAINST MILITARY OFFICERS: OMBUDSMAN ASKED TO ACT WITH SPEED AND FAIRNESS

BAYAN MUNA, represented by Rep. Neri Javier Colmenares, filed another complaint before the Ombudsman against the officers of the 27th Infantry Battalion in South Cotabato for illegal acts against Bayan Muna, Rep. Satur Ocampo and Liza Maza. This complaint is part of a series of complaints that will be filed before the courts asking that military officers be held criminally and administratively liable for partisan campaigning against progressive candidates, misuse of public funds and threats and intimidation. If found guilty, the accused military officers namely Lt. Col. Joshua Santiago, Lt. Lodge Pavillar and members of the 27th IB could spend at least six years in prison aside from being dishonorably discharged from the service.

The complaint stemmed from the illegal campaigning conducted by the military through the public film showing and seminars maligning progressive candidates and urging voters not to vote for them. The military also conducted a house to house vilification of Bayan Muna in the guise of a “census” particularly centered on members of these groups.

“The military has been doing these campaigns against us every election, but have been unsuccessful because voters trust Bayan Muna. Their fake Malacanang party list groups could not muster the support of the people despite the partisan support of the military.” said Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casino. “Most of the votes of Bayan Muna came from cities and urban areas like Metro Manila, and Comelec records will attest to this. The military who claims that we won because of NPA support is certainly misleading the people. Pres. Arroyo has withheld our PDAF since 2005, and not a single centavo has been given us since we signed the impeachment complaint against her. The allegation that we give our PDAF to the NPA is not merely faulty intelligence on the part of the military but pure malicious lies,” he added.

“We urge the Ombudsman to act immediately without delay as we fear these attacks against us will escalate before May 10. The house of a Bayan Muna officer in Aklan was bombed barely two days after I stayed in the place campaigning for Rep. Satur Ocampo, Rep. Liza Maza and Sen. Manny Villar. Many other acts of harassment are being conducted nationwide, and we were able to gather enough evidence to convict the perpetrators if only the Ombudsman will act seriously and fairly,” said Rep. Neri Colmenares, who represented Bayan Muna in the complaint. “With Pres. Arroyo on the way out, we are hoping for the investigation and imprisonment of those responsible for these attacks,” he added.

Bayan Muna is currently gathering evidence and preparing cases against military officials in 14 cities and provinces including Iloilo, La Union, Davao, Cagayan Valley, Cebu, Negros and Ilocos Sur. It has already filed criminal cases against a Major Arnaldo Manjares in Sorsogon. “We will continue to press for the arrest and imprisonment of these abusive military personnel. Just like the military officers sent to prison in many Latin American countries, many of these military men will face the courts and prison in a not-so-distant future,” vowed Rep. Colmenares. ###

pre- Earth Day activities

Here are some of Bayan Muna Partylist's pre- Earth Day activities. Photos show (a) Rep. Teddy Casino in the "2010 People's Electoral Agenda for the Environment" held at the QC Memorial Circle and (b) the participants of the "Recycling for New Politics..." campaign which featured a recycled tarpaulin bag-making demo held at Payatas, QC.

Instead of mud slinging, let's save the Earth - Bayan Muna

Instead of mud slinging, let's save the Earth - Bayan Muna

On the eve of worldwide Earth Day celebrations, leading party list Bayan Muna called on candidates for the 2010 elections to "stop the mud slinging frenzy and instead discuss and debate on substantial issues most especially how to protect and rehabilitate the environment."

During yesterday's launch of the "2010 People's Electoral Agenda for the Environment" drafted by several environmental groups under the EnviVote 2010 Alliance, Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño said it was disheartening that environmental issues have taken a back seat to political intrigues and personal attacks among politicians.

"We call on all candidates to stop throwing mud at each other and instead debate on how best to preserve the Earth," he said.

Casiño said his party is adopting "in whole, word for word, the 'People's Agenda for the Environment'.

The said environment platform includes:

1. social justice programs including genuine agricultural reform which aims “to stem upland migration to our fragile ecosystem, as well as urban migration to congested cities, by providing food and livelihood opportunities to our growing rural population;”
2. an independent and self-reliant economy, which aims to capitalize on the country's resources as means for production, “to develop native agricultural varieties and indigenous agricultural practices in attempting to break away from the dependence on and control of foreign corporations;”
3. programs for national progress and industrialization, aims to utilize the country’s geothermal, wind, solar, and hydro which is enough to supply electricity instead of relying on fossil fuels and foreign corporations for the energy needs;
4. a genuine program to protect and rehabilitate the environment, calls for responsibility and liability to extractive industries and private corporations for the management and of their toxic and industrial wastes, and other activities that pose threats to health and safety must be addressed;
5. programs for peace and justice, addresses the repressive legal tactics of corporations, such as filing of SLAPPS, also, it addresses the entry of weapons of mass destruction in the country;
6. lastly, towards a clean governance, which seeks to reorient government agencies in implementing laws on the environment and strengthening of its implementations.

“Bayan Muna is one with Envivote Alliance in pursuing its electoral agenda for the environment. We believe that this is an urgent matter and every candidate should carry this and include it in their platform. Issues on the environment should be addressed immediately by the legislature by passing laws that protect the Philippines and its resources. Together with the people, we should act now,” Rep. Teddy Casiño said.###

Bayan Muna launches "Recycling for New Politics and Junking of Poll Cheaters" Campaign

Bayan Muna launches "Recycling for New Politics
and Junking of Poll Cheaters" Campaign

In celebration of Earth Day this April 22, Bayan Muna will launch its "Recycling for New Politics and Junking of Poll Cheaters" Campaign on Wednesday April 21 at the Bayan Muna - Payatas Chapter in Quezon City.

Bayan Muna is a pro-environment organization

Since its founding, Bayan Muna’s track record proves it to be a pro-people and pro-environment partylist. The KALIKASAN People's Network for the Environment works closely with Bayan Muna. Scientists’ organization AGHAM also supports Bayan Muna. “It has militantly stood against the plunder of our national patrimony and advocated bills and resolutions for the development of domestic industries which will spur genuine science and technology development in the country. It has called for the scrapping of the Mining Act of 1995 to stop the plunder of our national resources and stood with the farmers against the onslaught of foreign agrochemical transnationals.”—AGHAM (Advocates of Science and Technology for the People) http://www.agham.org/cms/content/agham-we-support-bayan-muna-0

Bayan Muna offices re-use or sell recyclable materials such as used bond paper and old newspapers in daily functions and political campaigns. Also, Bayan Muna Representative and Makabayan senatorial candidate Satur Ocampo was recently voted as the League of Youth for the Environment's (LYFE) most environmental-friendly candidate.

Bayan Muna supports environment-friendly candidates and calls for the junking of ‘recycled’ politicians

“Bayan Muna junks ‘recycled’ politicians who stay in office through poll fraud or those who keep on making promises but always fail to deliver," Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño said.

"Election cheaters, such as traditional politicians involved in fraud, vote-buying or Arroyo-backed bogus partylists, are the ones we are calling on the public to junk once and for all. There's no gain for the country in having them recycled and back into power through the May polls," Casiño added.

Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares said, "We are also appealing to the public to support and guard the votes for environmentalist senatorial candidates Satur Ocampo and Liza Maza. We are anticipating that some groups connected with the Arroyo regime or fascist groups will operate to shave or neutralize votes for Ocampo, Maza and progressive partylists, like what happened to Bayan Muna and Anak ng Bayan partylist in past elections under the Arroyo regime."

"The automated elections, mixed manual and computerized canvassing of votes, and the possibility of poll failure in some areas all present a frightening scenario that complicate the probability of massive election fraud. At this stage, the last few days before May 10, we do not feel reassured that all the safeguards for a successfully clean polls are in place. A high-tech Hello Garci sequel haunts the country until now," Colmenares warned.###

Some of Bayan Muna Partylist’s pro-environment
legislations and resolutions:

HB01793
AN ACT REPEALING REPUBLIC ACT 7942, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE MINING ACT OF 1995

HB05840
AN ACT DEFINING STRATEGIC LAWSUITS AGAINST PUBLIC PARTICIPATION, PROHIBITING THE FILING THEREOF, PROVIDING MEASURES FOR ITS DISMISSAL, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

HR00797
RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES TO CONDUCT AN INQUIRY, IN AID OF LEGISLATION, ON THE APPARENT FAILURE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO EFFECTIVELY IMPLEMENT RELEVANT ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS AND EXECUTE MEASURES TO PREVENT IRRESPONSIBLE LARGE SCALE AND SMALL SCALE MINING OPERATIONS THAT LED TO THE LOSS OF LIVES IN LANDSLIDE-PRONE MACO, COMPOSTELA VALLEY

HR00800
RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES TO CONDUCT AN INQUIRY, IN AID OF LEGISLATION, ON THE FAILURE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO CONSERVE THE UNIQUE BIO DIVERSITY OF PALAWAN AND PREVENT THE EXTINCTION OF IMPORTANT ENDEMIC ANIMAL SPECIES ON THE ISLAND

HR00155
RESOLUTION URGENTLY DIRECTING THE COMMITTEES ON NATURAL RESOURCES AND ECOLOGY TO CONDUCT A JOINT INQUIRY, IN AID OF LEGISLATION, ON THE APPROVAL OF OIL EXPLORATION ACTIVITIES IN TANON STRAIT IN THE VISAYAS REGION, A PROTECTED AREA UNDER REPUBLIC ACT 7686 OR THE NATIONAL INTEGRATED PROTECTED AREAS SYSTEM LAW, AND THE DANGERS TO THE ENVIRONMENT AND LOCAL FISHERFOLK SUCH EXPLORATION POSES

HR00212
A RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES TO INVESTIGATE THE IMPACT OF OFFSHORE MINING IN THE VISAYAN SEA

HR00291
RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE COMMITTEE ON ECOLOGY TO CONDUCT AN INQUIRY, IN AID OF LEGISLATION, ON THE APPARENT FAILURE OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9003 OR THE ECOLOGICAL SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT ACT OF 2000 AS VIVIDLY SHOWN BY THE PERENNIAL DILEMMA OF GARBAGE DISPOSAL IN METRO MANILA

HR00412
RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES TO CONDUCT AN INQUIRY ON THE APPARENTLY HASTY AND QUESTIONABLE DECISION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO CLEAR LAFAYETTE MINING LIMITED OF ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THE FISH KILLS THAT HIT AT LEAST FIVE BARANGAYS IN MINING-AFFECTED RAPU-RAPU ISLAND, ALBAY IN OCTOBER 2007

HR00496
RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE COMMITTEES ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS, NATIONAL DEFENSE AND SECURITY, NATURAL RESOURCES AND ECOLOGY TO INVESTIGATE, IN AID OF LEGISLATION, THE SUPPOSED "SPRATLY DEAL" PURPORTEDLY ENTERED INTO BY THE ARROYO GOVERNMENT WITH CHINA THAT REPORTEDLY SELLS OUT PHILIPPINE INTERESTS AND PHILIPPINE SOVEREIGNTY IN EXCHANGE FOR OVERPRICED LOANS FOR CONTROVERSIAL PROJECTS WHICH INCLUDE THE NBN-ZTE DEAL, THE NORTH RAIL AND SOUTH RAIL PROJECTS, AND THE CYBER EDUCATION PROJECT, AMONG OTHERS

HR00513
RESOLUTION EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FOR A STOP TO THE ALARMING ENCROACHMENT OF MINING COMPANIES INTO THE REMAINING FRAGILE HABITAT OF THE ENDANGERED PHILIPPINE EAGLE, OUR NATIONAL BIRD

HR00620
RESOLUTION URGING THE COMMITTEE ON ECOLOGY TO CONDUCT AN INQUIRY, IN AID OF LEGISLATION, INTO THE ENTRY OF THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL OIL COMPANY-ENERGY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (PNOC-EDC) GEOTHERMAL PROJECT INTO THE MOUNT KANLAON NATURAL PARK THAT WILL IRREVERSIBLY DAMAGE THE REMAINING FRAGILE BIODIVERSITY OF NEGROS AND ADVERSELY IMPACT THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IN NEGROS OCCIDENTAL

HR00656
RESOLUTION URGING THE COMMITTEE ON NATIONAL CULTURAL COMMUNITIES TO CONDUCT AN INQUIRY, IN AID OF LEGISLATION, INTO THE ALLEGED ENVIRONMENTAL DESTRUCTION AND HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS COMMITTED BY METALS EXPLORATION PLC, A BRITISH MINING FIRM, AGAINST TRIBAL RESIDENTS OF BARANGAY RUNRUNO, QUEZON, NUEVA VIZCAYA WHO OPPOSE THE SAID COMPANY'S MINING EXPLORATION ACTIVITIES

HR00657
A RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON ECOLOGY TO CONDUCT AN INVESTIGATION, IN AID OF LEGISLATION, ON THE IMPACT OF THE OPERATIONS OF EXXON MOBIL EXPLORATION CORPORATION IN THE VAST AND FRAGILE MARINE ECOSYSTEMS OF THE SULU SEA

HR00703
RESOLUTION URGING THE COMMITTEES ON NATIONAL CULTURAL COMMUNITIES AND ECOLOGY TO CONDUCT AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE ALLEGED INTRUSION OF AUSTRALIAN FIRM BHP BILLITON, THE WORLD'S LARGEST DIVERSIFIED MINING COMPANY, AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES INTO THE ANCESTRAL LANDS OF THE MANDAYA TRIBE LOCATED IN BETWEEN THE MOUNT HAMIGUITAN RANGE WILDLIFE SANCTUARY PROTECTED AREA AND THE PUJADA BAY PROTECTED SEASCAPE IN MATI, DAVAO ORIENTAL

HR00736
RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES TO CONDUCT AN INQUIRY, IN AID OF LEGISLATION, ON THE INVOLVEMENT OF HIGH GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS IN THE APPARENTLY IRREGULAR ENDORSEMENT AND GRANTING OF MINING CONTRACTS AND PERMITS TO NIHAO MINERAL RESOURCES INTERNATIONAL INCORPORATED AND GEOGRACE PHILIPPINES, BOTH HEADED BY FORMER ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES SECRETARY MICHAEL DEFENSOR, AFTER PRESIDENT GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO AND CURRENT ENVIRONMENT SECRETARY LITO ATIENZA ORDERED ZAMBALES GOVERNOR AMOR DELOSO TO CANCEL ALL MINERAL EXTRACTION PERMITS IN THE PROVINCE

HR01278
A RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES TO CONDUCT AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE CONTROVERSIAL CONTRACT BETWEEN THE METROPOLITAN WATERWORKS AND SEWERAGE SYSTEM (MWSS) AND SAN MIGUEL BULK WATER COMPANY, INC. (SMBWCI) TO REVIVE THE LAIBAN DAM PROJECT

HR00830
RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES TO CONDUCT AN INVESTIGATION, IN AID OF LEGISLATION ON THE INADEQUATE ACTION OF THE GOVERNMENT ON THE GROSSLY INSUFFICIENT AND CONFUSING REPARATIONS OF THE INTERNATIONAL OIL POLLUTION COMPENSATION FUND (IOPCF) TO THE VICTIMS BY THE GUIMARAS OIL SPILL OF AUGUST 11, 2006 THAT EXONERATED PETRON FROM ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL DISASTER

HR00882
RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE COMMITTEES ON HEALTH AND ECOLOGY JOINTLY OR SEPARATELY TO CONDUCT AN INQUIRY, IN AID OF LEGISLATION, ON THE POTENTIAL NEGATIVE EFFECTS ON PUBLIC HEALTH AND THE ENVIRONMENT IN LIGHT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES' GRANTING OF AN ENVIRONMENT CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE (ECC) TO A COAL PLANT PROJECT IN THE HEART OF ILOILO CITY DESPITE OPPOSITION OF THE LOCAL PEOPLE, THE CATHOLIC CHURCH AND VARIOUS ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS

HR00922
RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN RIGHTS TO CONDUCT AN INQUIRY, IN AID OF LEGISLATION, ON THE EXTRAJUDICIAL KILLING OF ANTI-LARGE SCALE MINING ACTIVIST FERNANDO "DODONG" SARMIENTO, ALLEGEDLY PERPETRATED BY ARMED MEN WITH THE BACKING OF THE 10TH INFANTRY DIVISION THE PHILIPPINE ARMY IN NEW BATAAN, COMPOSTELA VALLEY

HR00948
RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE COMMITTEE ON ECOLOGY TO CONDUCT AN INQUIRY, IN AID OF LEGISLATION, ON THE ONGOING CONSTRUCTION OF A DUMPSITE PROJECT IN BARANGAYS MALY AND GUINAYANG, SAN MATEO, RIZAL THAT APPEARS TO ENDANGER THE LIVES AND LIVELIHOOD OF THE PEOPLE OF THE TOWN AND THE MARIKINA WATERSHED RESERVATION

HR00997
RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE COMMITTEE ON ECOLOGY TO CONDUCT AN INVESTIGATION, IN AID OF LEGISLATION, ON THE EFFECTS OF LARGE-SCALE MINING ACTIVITIES ON THE ENVIRONMENT AND PEOPLE'S LIVELIHOOD IN ORIENTAL MINDORO

HR01332
RESOLUTION URGING THE COMMITTEE ON ECOLOGY TO INVESTIGATE, IN AID OF LEGISLATION, THE SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL COST OF THE DECADES-LONG LARGE-SCALE CORPORATE MINING OF THE LEPANTO CONSOLIDATED MINING COMPANY THAT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MASSIVE SINKING AND LANDSLIDES IN THE PROVINCE OF BENGUET

HR01355
RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES TO CONDUCT AN INVESTIGATION, IN AID OF LEGISLATION, ON THE CONTROVERSIAL AWARD OF COAL OPERATING CONTRACTS TO MONTE ORO RESOURCES ENERGY INC. THAT WILL LIKELY RESULT IN THE PERMANENT DAMAGE TO AT LEAST THREE TOWNS IN THE PROVINCE OF CATANDUANES

Bayan Muna Partylist Campaign Sortie in Bacolod & Negros Occ.

Rep. Neri Colmenares and campaigners conduct house-to-house, market, plaza and town motorcades to listen to residents and introduce Bayan Muna and AES voting.

Bayan Muna supports State Prosecutors vs. Agra decision

Bayan Muna third nominee and peasant lawyer Joven Laura is backing up the state prosecutors’ defiance of the resolution by Department of Justice Secretary Alberto Agra to absolve the two Ampatuans from the Maguindanao Massacre.

“The State prosecutor led by Chief State Prosecutor Claro Arellano showed firmness when they challenged Agra’s decision to release Zaldy and Akmad Ampatuan. In these times of widespread injustice in our society, we all know how desperately we need people who are principled and resolute in serving justice. These state prosecutors give us hope there are still such people in this government,” Laura explained.

He also says that “We should trust the state prosecutors when they say that they have all the evidence to prove there is a case against the two Ampatuans. After openly resisting Agra, the more reason there is to let them prove their point.”

He urges Agra to listen to the people, change his decision and save his face while it’s still early.

Bayan Muna condemns the DoJ move to release the Ampatuans, Joins the family and friends of victims in seeking justice

Bayan Muna condemns the DoJ move to release the Ampatuans,
Joins the family and friends of victims in seeking justice

Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño, a leading human rights and press freedom advocate himself, marched with the family, friends and members of the National Press Club (NPC) in the rally held today. Casiño condemned the move to release Zaldy and Akmad Ampatuan by Arroyo's Dept. of Justice (DoJ) as a reward for the Ampatuans' support for the Arroyos and a mockery of the criminal justice system.

"The move to release Zaldy and Akmad Ampatuan clearly proves that the victims and families of the Ampatuan Massacre cannot get justice under the Arroyo administration. We are outraged over the Arroyo DoJ's move to drop murder charges against the two Ampatuans. We suspect that these favorable decisions are rewards for their close ties with the Arroyos," Casiño said.

Casiño called on the public to be vigilant and warned that Arroyo and the Ampatuans could be plotting another round of election fraud in Maguindanao like what happened in previous elections.

"Bayan Muna has been saying all along that the charge of rebellion dismissed earlier was only intended to justify martial law, as Arroyo was testing the waters for a nationwide declaration. It was destined to be dismissed because no judge would believe that Arroyo's allies, who were armed by the government, would rebel against her. We demand that the fiscals who filed the weak rebellion case be charged for the fiasco. Let us join hands with the media, friends and families of the victims of the massacre in seeking justice," Casiño added.

"We are alarmed over the possibility of Arroyo using the Ampatuans again in committing massive election fraud and violence this May elections. How can justice be served if this government keeps rewarding, instead of making accountable, those accused of heinous crimes just because they are allied with the Arroyos?" concluded Casiño.

Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares said "the Ampatuans' lawyers ought to be the ones filing the motions to dismiss. It's not Arroyo's nor Sec. Agra's job to do the lawyering for nor adjudge the Ampatuans' innocence."

"While the Arroyo government persists in filing criminal charges against the legitimate opposition like Satur Ocampo and Bayan Muna members despite absence of evidence, it is quick to whitewash cases for its allies like the Ampatuans. The handling judge should preempt this injustice and should not allow the charges to be dropped," Colmenares added.

"Bayan Muna calls on independent state prosecutors in the DoJ to publicly come out and protest against the prostitution of the Justice Department to favor political allies of the president," concluded Colmenares.###

solidarity with persons w/ disabilities

April 16, 2010. Hundreds of persons with disabilities (PWD) and supporters held an indignation rally in front of the Comelec main office in Manila. Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casino listened to PWDs experiences and shared his insights on the Comelec's disqualification of Disabled People Party List. Photo credits: Jay Sunico / Jose Sales via Facebook.

Links:
PWD indignation
Disgruntled disabled folk storm Comelec
Comelec disqualifies disabled party-list

Casiño hits Comelec for disqualifying partylist of handicapped yet allowing Arroyo-backed bogus partylists to run

Casiño hits Comelec for disqualifying partylist of handicapped
yet allowing Arroyo-backed bogus partylists to run

Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño expressed solidarity with the sectoral organizations and families of handicapped Filipinos at their protest action early today in front of the Comelec central office in Manila. Casiño criticized the Comelec for not allowing the partylist of persons with disabilities (PWD) to vie for a seat in Congress while it is taking its time in disqualifying fake, Arroyo-backed partylists.

Casiño said he and fellow legislators will continue supporting organizations that genuinely represent the marginalized and underrepresented sectors. He added that senatorial candidates Reps. Satur Ocampo and Liza Maza can effectively push forward the advocacies and welfare of handicapped Pinoys through the Senate.

"We recognize your sector's woes and needs. Bayan Muna, together with the partylists of the peasants, workers, women, youth, indigenous peoples, teachers, and other progressive organizations, will strive to help persons with disabilities (PWD) through legislation and solidarity actions such as today's, since most handicapped Pinoys also inherently belong to these sectors. I am also sure our senatorial candidates Reps. Satur Ocampo and Liza Maza will serve as your top advocates once elected in the Senate," Casiño said at the gathering.

"It is a shame that Comelec has been quick in disqualifying partylists that can serve millions of Pinoys, yet Comelec has been slow in junking Arroyo's fake partylists," Casiño lamented.

Bayan Muna thanked the organizers and participants of the protest action. "We are grateful for your invitation and continued trust in progressive partylists. Never lose hope. Instead, let us work together in improving the sectors' plight, in crafting pro-Filipino legislation, and in fighting the self-serving schemes of the Arroyos and their supporters," Casiño told the protesters. Around 250 PWD, including their relatives and friends, joined the picket this morning.###

Bayan Muna to Presidential Bets: Rise Above Mudslinging

Bayan Muna 3rd Nominee and peasant lawyer Atty. Joven Laura appeals to all candidates, especially the presidential bets, to quit the personal attacks against their opponents and bring the campaign to a sensible and rational level. “Huwag nang magtirahan ng personal. Maglabas na lang ng mga programa para makita ng mga tao kung sino ang nagdadala ng kanilang mga usapin. Ang pag-usapan na lang ay yung mga problema ng lipunan at kung paano nila ito sosolusyonan,” Laura says.

Laura also thinks that the kind of campaigning we are witnessing in this period contributes to the decadence of society. “Let us be all be responsible enough. The people, especially the poor and marginalized, have been suffering under a governance that is serving only the few. The candidates should offer them a much rational basis for voting for those who are sincere and concerned about the poor majority,” Laura expounds. He recently challenged presidentiables and vice presidentiables to present their platforms for the farmers, workers, urban poor, fisherfolk, women and the youth.

Laura also reminds the people to look into the track records of candidates and their programs for the poor. He also cautions the people against fake (posing as marginalized) and Gloria Arroyo-backed partylists like the Ang Galing Pinoy and 1-UTAK where presidential son Mikey Arroyo and former Energy secretary Angelo Reyes are nominees, respectively. ###

Progressive partylist hits hard on poseur nominee

Progressive partylist hits hard on poseur nominee
in round 1 of the Macapagal-Arroyo disqualification case

At the first hearing of the disqualification cases filed with the Comelec, Bayan Muna Partylist Rep. Neri Colmenares said they will be delivering the punches to disqualify Rep. Mikey Arroyo and his Ang Galing Pinoy partylist. Arroyo is expected to come face to face with the petitioners, including Makabayan senatorial candidates Satur Ocampo and Liza Maza during the hearing.

"The Arroyos fielding bogus partylists with their relatives and allies as nominees reveal a grand plot to entrench themselves in Congress. If they are not stopped early on, they will pursue Charter change to stay in power, evade accountability, or keep undermining the next administration. Mikey Arroyo as a partylist nominee is simply outrageous and violates the very essence of the partylist system. We'll knock them out, eventually," explained Colmenares.

"Arroyo is a certified 100% poseur in pretending to represent security guards. Too bad he didn't heed our advice, just make a graceful exit and back out from the partylist that copied our organizational documents. The public is now sure Mikey's a chip off the old block, a bogus partylist nominee to aide his mother's sinister plots for Congress," remarked Colmenares.

"We will spare no punches in the Comelec hearings. We just hope Arroyo himself will show up and not hide behind his lawyers," concluded Colmenares. ###

(PS: Rep. Mikey Arroyo didn't attend the hearing.)

Activist partylists top Pulse Asia survey, Bayan Muna marks "Araw ng Kagitingan" with call to valor

Activist partylists top Pulse Asia survey,
Bayan Muna marks "Araw ng Kagitingan" with call to valor

The country's "Araw ng Kagitingan" commemorates the bravery of Filipinos who suffered and fought the oppressive colonizers in the 2nd World War. Incidentally, a recent Pulse Asia survey shows activist partylists Bayan Muna, Gabriela, and Anakpawis topping the results. The high preference/trust ratings of these three partylists somehow reflect the people's desire to fight and overcome modern-day oppression, especially grinding poverty, perpetuated by the present regime.

The three progressive partylists received 7.25%, 7.81%, and 3.91% respectively. The survey was conducted last March 21-28 with 3,000 respondents. The survey indicates that the partylists Bayan Muna and Gabriela is “assured” of three seats in Congress while Anakpawis will be receiving two seats.

Bayan Muna Partylist Rep. Neri Colmenares said "Before anything else, we thank the Filipino people for their continuing trust and support. The survey results reflect high preference ratings for activist partylists that genuinely represent the majority: the peasants, workers, and women, the partylists that work for the people's welfare."

"Pulse Asia’s survey results show that Filipinos do not trust partylists (Ang Galing Pinoy and other bogus partylists) associated with the Arroyos. It is a clear sign of discontent and distrust in the Arroyo regime, especially now that the Arroyos and their allies are trooping to claim the House of Representatives as their own," Colmenares added.

“Even without a survey, the public no longer wants the moneyed and powerful Arroyos ruling the country. Arroyo’s partylists do not deserve even a single seat in Congress. What Arroyo is doing bastardizes the Party List System and clearly indicates that she wants to proceed with Charter change and then change the form of government. The people should remain vigilant to defeat Arroyo's maneuvers,” Colmenares explained.

"On this Day of Valor, we call on every Filipino to join the struggle to overcome modern-day oppression, especially political violence and grinding poverty, perpetuated by the Arroyo regime. Support and join progressive partylists," Colmenares said. ###

Casiño asks Mikey Arroyo to "do a Pangilinan", exit now and spare the party-list system from copycat fakes

Casiño asks Mikey Arroyo to "do a Pangilinan",
exit now and spare the party-list system from copycat fakes

Bayan Muna Party-list Representative Teddy Casiño prodded Rep. Mikey Arroyo to quit the party-list race now by "doing a Pangilinan" before Comelec itself disqualifies Arroyo and the party-list where he is a nominee.

"It would be better for Mikey Arroyo to do a Pangilinan now than wait and have Comelec kick him out of the party-list race," Casiño said, referring to Manny Pangilinan's resignation as chair of Ateneo de Manila University’s board of trustees after portions of Pangilinan's address to the graduates of Ateneo's Schools of Humanities and Social Sciences were discovered copied from previous speeches by US President Barack Obama, talkshow host Oprah Winfrey and Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling.

Two weeks ago, Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares found out that Arroyo's Ang Galing Pinoy Party-list plagiarized the Constitution, 10-point program and principles of Bayan Muna. AGP also copied Bayan Muna's organizational structure and membership principles word for word, including the provisions on Intermediate Leading Bodies and Barangay chapters.

"I don't think Arroyo is so thick-skinned to fight it out and deny the obvious. Sobrang kapal naman ng mukha niya kung sakali. He would be doing us all a favor by taking the initiative to back out and sparing the party-list system from copycat fakes," Casiño added.

"Arroyo and his party-list should also issue a public apology for plagiarizing Bayan Muna," concluded Casiño.###

itakwil ang mga bogus na partylist

MIKEY’S PARTY-LIST FOUND PLAGIARIZING BAYAN MUNA PRINCIPLES: Word for Word copying of Bayan Muna Constitution decried

MIKEY’S PARTY-LIST FOUND PLAGIARIZING BAYAN MUNA PRINCIPLES:
Word for Word copying of Bayan Muna Constitution decried

Bayan Muna party-list expressed shock and disgust when it found that Rep. Mikey Arroyo’s Ang Galing Pinoy completely plagiarized the Constitution and principles of Bayan Muna when it applied for accreditation. Bayan Muna Party-list Rep. Neri Javier Colmenares found this out March 26 when he was able to get a copy of Ang Galing Pinoy’s application for registration from the Comelec.

“Rep. Arroyo’s group is so completely detached from the marginalized sectors that it doesn’t even know the issues and condition of the poor they have to copy Bayan Muna’s declaration of principles and even organizational structures and oath. Kung may konting hiya si Rep. Arroyo dapat tanggihan na niya ang nomination if only for this at talagang nakakahiya ang na-diskubre naming ito,” declared Rep. Colmenares. “I guess its about time the Melo Comelec weed out pseudo party-list groups just like in 2001,” said Rep. Colmenares who, as Bayan Muna general counsel argued before the Supreme Court for the disqualification of major political parties and non marginalized groups from the party-list system. The case of Bayan Muna vs Comelec led to the Comelec decision virtually disqualifying more than a hundred fly-by-night party-list groups in 2001.

“Ganun ba ang gustong ipalabas ni Rep. Mikey Arroyo? Na ang ‘Galing ng Pinoy’ ay mangopya ng gawa ng iba? Hindi man lang napansin ng Comelec ang plagiarism na ito?” said Rep. Teddy Casiño of Bayan Muna who is leading the moves to disqualify pseudo party-list organizations being used as a vehicle by hatchet-men of Pres. Gloria Arroyo to enter Congress. “We did not file petitions to disqualify in 2004 and 2007 hoping the Comelec will do its job of screening party-list organizations. It’s about time genuine party-list organizations take the initiative and help the Comelec clean up the system once again,” he added.

Ang Galing Pinoy was found to have plagiarized the following from the Bayan Muna Constitution even copying the exact number of articles and sections:
(i) Bayan Muna’s 10 point program in its Constitution, including its vision of establishing a nationalist and democratic government and the oath of its members.
(ii) A word for word copying of Bayan Muna’s organizational structure and membership principles, even copying Bayan Muna’s provisions on Intermediate Leading Bodies and Barangay chapters.
(iii) Ang Galing Pinoy also copied Bayan Muna’s Special Provisions on the formation of alliances and regional parties and even how to generate funding and resources.

“The proof that Ang Galing Pinoy is faking its supposed advocacy for the poor is overwhelming,” said Atty. Joven Laura, a human rights lawyer from Bicol and Bayan Muna’s third nominee. “Comelec should not only disqualify Mikey Arroyo but cancel the registration of the Ang Galing Pinoy itself”. ###

Bayan Muna submits Comelec Resolution 8807 requirements, readies disqualification charges against 'fake' party-lists

March 29, 2010

Bayan Muna submits Comelec Resolution 8807 requirements,
readies disqualification charges against 'fake' party-lists

Bayan Muna Party-list nominees led by Rep. Teddy Casiño, Rep. Neri Colmenares and Atty. Joven Laura, submitted to Comelec today their legislative accomplishments and other documentary evidences to show their track records as representatives and advocates of the marginalized and underrepresented sectors.

Recently in Congress, Bayan Muna Representatives authored or co-authored pro-people laws, bills and resolutions such as: Rent Control Act of 2009 (R.A. 9653), Public Attorneys Act of 2007 (R.A. 9406), Tax Relief Act of 2009 (R.A. 9504), P125 Across the Board Wage Increase and P3,000 per month Salary Hike, Genuine Agrarian Reform Bill, 50% Hospital Discount for Indigents, Whistleblower Protection and Awards (H.B. 1715), Regulation of the Oil Industry (H.B. 3029 and 3030), Regulation of Tuition and Other School Fees (H.B. 1274), Student Benefits and Entitlements (H.B. 2441), Buy Filipino, Build Filipino Policy, Inquiry into the NBN-ZTE and Cyber Ed programs (H.R. 221), and Inquiry on the Euro Generals Scandal (H.R. 843).

"The Bayan Muna nominees' personal profiles contrast sharply against those of 'bogus' party-lists', said Colmenares.

According to Colmenares, Rep. Casiño served the youth sector as president of the College Editors Guild of the Philippines in the early 1990s before joining the Kilusang Mayo Uno and becoming elected as Secretary General of the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN), the country's biggest alliance of organizations of marginalized and underrepresented sectors in Philippine society. He is part of the labor sector because he was a member of KMU in the 1990s.

Human rights lawyer Rep. Colmenares was a student activist and became a political detainee during martial law for his advocacies on student rights and welfare. He provided pro bono legal services to the marginalized sectors such as the workers, urban poor and political prisoners in various cases.

Atty. Laura came from the peasant class, worked his way to finish schooling and was also a member of the League of Filipino Students. He started out as a journalist in Sorsogon before becoming a people's lawyer. He is also a consistent advocate of human rights and of the democratic aspirations of Filipinos.

"On the other hand, the bogus party-lists and their nominees that Bayan Muna intends to disqualify all represent the super-rich and mega-powerful, and are backed by Pres. Arroyo to help her extend her reign in Congress. We are set to file our petitions for their disqualification," Colmenares said. "The Supreme Court has clearly declared that the nominee must be a member of the sector he represents, that the urban poor cannot be represented by industrialists and the youth cannot be represented by the retirees. The pseudo party-list groups represent not only the rich and powerful but also Pres. Arroyo. The public must not allow them to sit in Congress,” he added.

"Bayan Muna, a multi-sectoral party-list organization representing the workers, peasants, women, indigenous peoples, professionals, urban poor, and youth, consistently topped the past three national elections. In spite of numerous obstacles, our party-list served only the people's interests, with three Representatives in the 12th to 14th Congress. We vow to continue spearheading the fight for the marginalized sectors in the 15th Congress," concluded Colmenares. ###

90 days is never a track record – Bayan Muna

This was the reaction of Bayan Muna 3rd nominee and peasant lawyer Joven Laura to a part of the resolution by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) setting the parameters for qualified partylist nominees. “A resolution to address the issue of qualified partylist nominees is just the right thing to do. But ninety days is not enough to set the track record of a particular individual or entity,” expresses Laura. The COMELEC resolution was also aimed at preventing political opportunists from using the partylist system.

“Track record speaks of years of experience and performance, not months,” he quips. “By setting a 90-day period for a passing track record, COMELEC is helping the Arroyos and their allies, who are using the party list system to easily infiltrate Congress, to build an Arroyo stronghold in the lower house, ” Laura expounds.

Rep. Teddy Casiño meanwhile reacting to Presidential son Mikey Arroyo’s statement that he fulfilled the only two requirements governing partylist representation, says that “Mikey Arroyo is dreaming when he said that he is a true advocate of the marginalized sector he is representing. Who would ever believe a multi-millionaire feeling for security guards’ or even tricycle drivers’ plight when all he thought about in the past few years is how to amass more wealth?” He states that Mikey’s 2008 statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN) amounted to P99.2 million. The other requirement of partylist representation is that the sector being represented is truly marginalized.

Rep. Neri Colmenares on the other hand challenges the COMELEC saying that, “It should exert its hardest effort to make up for its failure to ensure that the partylist system really serves its purpose while also saving its credibility and integrity.” He furthers that by doing so the COMELEC should be quick and strict in implementing appropriate guidelines especially to prevent the party list system from losing its integrity and eventually robbing the marginalized sectors of their voice in the congress.

Bayan Muna led by the three nominees will file a disqualification case against Mikey Arroyo as a partylist nominee and against all fake and Arroyo-backed partylists. ###

Casiño leads Bayan Muna nominees, vows to protect integrity of the party-list system

Casiño leads Bayan Muna nominees,
vows to protect integrity of the party-list system

Bayan Muna Party-list nominees, led by Representatives Teddy Casiño, Neri Colmenares and peasant lawyer Joven Laura, trooped to the Comelec today to submit Bayan Muna’s list of nominees, vowing to "protect the party-list system from Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s self-serving agenda in the 15th Congress."

Rep. Colmenares said, “we caution the public that the congressional bid of Pres. Gloria Arroyo, her two in-laws and her two sons run as district and part list representatives, the accreditation of various Malacañang-backed party-lists and many of her ex-Cabinet members’ candidacy for district representatives, are all moves to support the perpetuation of GMA’s rule after her term as president.”

“Arroyo and her allies may have succeeded in exploiting the loopholes in the party-list system at this point but we cannot allow these maneuvers to prosper. We will file a disqualification case against Mikey Arroyo and also against the bogus party-lists backed by Malacañang. Sinusuportahan namin ang petisyong inihapag kahapon nina Reps. Liza Maza at Satur Ocampo at maghahanda rin kami ng mga petisyon upang ipadiskwalipika ang mga pekeng party-list na pakawala ni Arroyo,” Colmenares declared.

Bayan Muna 3rd nominee Atty. Laura lamented that “sinisira at niyuyurakan ng kampo ni Arroyo ang diwa ng sistemang party-list na para lang sana sa mga sektor na api at dehado sa pulitika. Arroyo’s camp has desecrated the party-list system.”

Laura said, “we expect the Comelec to disqualify the fake party-lists and their unworthy nominees as Comelec had issued its guidelines for the qualifications of party-list nominees. According to the Comelec en banc resolution, nominees must belong to the marginalized and underrepresented sector/s, the sectoral party, organization, political party or coalition he seeks to represent. The nominees should also prove their “active participation” in their party-list’s advocacies.”

Rep. Casiño vowed that Bayan Muna will continue protecting the party-list system from Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s agenda in the 15th Congress. “Makakaasa kayo sa Bayan Muna na patuloy naming ipagtatanggol ang sistemang party-list laban sa masasamang balakin ni Arroyo sa ika-15 Kongreso,” concluded Casiño. ###

Bayan Muna Party-list calls on COMELEC to prove its mettle, disqualify Mikey Arroyo and be strict about the party-list law

Bayan Muna Party-list calls on COMELEC to prove its mettle,
disqualify Mikey Arroyo and be strict about the party-list law

Bayan Muna Party-list Rep. Teddy Casiño today said, "Pampanga Rep. Mikey Arroyo should be disqualified as a nominee of Ang Galing Pinoy Party-list (AGP)." "Arroyo's bid as a party-list representative wantonly violates the integrity of the party-list system," said Casiño.

Casiño enumerated obvious reasons why Arroyo should be disqualified. "Rep. Mikey Arroyo is no way a member of, nor does he belong to, any marginalized or underrepresented sector. In fact, he is super-rich and mega-powerful. He is an incumbent congressional district representative, a former vice governor, and a son of the President, the most powerful official in the land. He has four relatives running for Congress: His mother Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, brother Dato Arroyo, uncle Iggy Arroyo and aunt Marilou Arroyo. He is a member of the ruling party coalition Lakas-Kampi-CMD. He could not have been a member of AGP for 90 days as required by law. Mikey is not a security guard, a tricycle driver, nor is he an advocate of such sectors. In fact, he is a multi-millionaire as attested by his 2008 statement of assets, liabilities, and net worth (SALN) totaling P99.2 million," said Casiño.

Atty. Joven Laura, 3rd nominee of Bayan Muna Party-list, emphasized that "the party-list system was introduced in our Constitution as a social justice vehicle by which the marginalized and the underrepresented will have representation in Congress. To allow the President’s son to become a party-list nominee is to blatantly disregard what has been admonished by the Supreme Court “This Court, therefore, cannot allow the party-list system to be sullied and prostituted by those who are neither marginalized nor underrepresented," exclaimed Laura.

Bayan Muna Party-list Rep. Neri Colmenares challenged the Comelec to be strict about the party-list law, not to keep a blind eye, nor fear disfavor from Malacañang. They must disqualify Mikey Arroyo or risk committing impeachable offenses-- that of culpable violation of the Constitution and betrayal of public trust," warned Colmenares.

Casiño, Laura and Colmenares also called on the Comelec to disqualify bogus party-lists and all undeserving nominees.

The Bayan Muna leaders once again appealed to the public to support party-lists that genuinely represent the interests of the farmers, workers, women, youth and the impoverished. ###

“Buy Pinoy, Build Pinoy” legislator supports Panaad Festival and trade highlights

Negros Occidental -- Bayan Muna Party-list Representative Teddy Casiño, leading proponent of the “Buy Pinoy, Build Pinoy” campaign launched in the House of Representatives in 2009, joins the celebrations of the annual Panaad sa Negros Festival. Casiño will be encouraging tourists, patrons and local traders to support the Buy Pinoy campaign.

The Panaad festival features every town and city's best cultural performances and products at the Panaad Park and Stadium. Also in line with the festival's theme “United in One Festival, One Negros Occidental,” Casiño will articulate the “Buy Pinoy, Build Pinoy” advocacy in a forum sponsored by Foundation for Sustainable Society, Inc. (FSSI), together with the Association of Negros Producers (ANP) and the The Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc (PHILEXPORT), to be attended by top enterprise leaders in the region, on March 25, 2010, 8am, at Business Inn Hotel, Bacolod City.

Members of progressive partylists and organizations will accompany Casiño in the sorties to bring the Makabayan Coalition's nationalist platform closer to the public.

Casiño emphasizes that "buying Pinoy-made products and services help local industries survive the global economic crunch."

"Patronizing local goods will help save local industries and preserve jobs. We can help the economy while being proud of our locally-made products, particularly the native items with colorful ethnic designs, at the same time develop among younger generations a sense of patriotism," he says. "By encouraging Filipino consumers to love Pinoy-made products, we may even build the foundations for the growth of local industries," Casiño adds.

"We intend to impart to manufacturers, traders, local government officials and the general public our win-win message: “Buy Pinoy, Build Pinoy” for the good of every stakeholder," concludes Casiño.

Satur is greenest senatorial candidate according to youth environmental group

Makabayan senatorial bet and Nacionalista Party guest candidate Satur Ocampo is the most environmental-friendly candidate, according to a recent survey conducted by the group League of Youth for the Environment (LYFE).

Ocampo topped the list of green senatoriables alongside the other Makabayan candidate Liza Maza.

A similar ranking for the senatoriables had Satur Ocampo, Liza Maza, Risa Hontiveros and Rizalito David in the green, while Kit Tatad, Ompong Plaza, Ralph Recto and Juan Ponce Enrile were in the mean list.

The LYFE survey questionnaire was sent by e-mail, fax and via social networking sites to the senate candidates. Background checks were also done on all candidates with available on-line records for their positions on 10 major national environmental issues.

The survey questions ranged from the re-commissioning of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant, commercial logging, the Mining Act of 1995, coal-fired power plants, the Visiting Forces Agreement, toxic wastes, aerial spraying of pesticides on plantations, among others.

For every environmental friendly answer or record, the candidate was given one green bean point.

One mean bean (black) was also awarded for every environmentally destructive answer/record that they gave. The bean counts were added for the final tally to rank the candidates.

"I am grateful to LYFE for recognizing my work to protect the environment, national patrimony, but it should be said that it's not an option to not support issues affecting the environment. Twisted economic policies and corrupt politics impact very negatively on the environment and have highly destructive effects upon implementation," Ocampo said.

"We must counter these same policies at every turn knowing full well that the repercussions of letting them continue unopposed are devastating. Killing the environment is no different from killing ourselves and future generations of Filipinos. All efforts must be made to defend the environment and expose those who seek to profit at its expense. We will continue and strengthen this advocacy in the senate," he said.

In the meantime, Ocampo said that his environmental advocacy is also tightly connected to his human rights activism.

"As we fight for the environment, we must also defend those who work hard to protect it. Many have sacrificed their lives in the struggle against environmental destruction – against mining, against commercial dams and illegal logging. It is the memory of these activists we must also keep alive in our campaigns and remember that they gave their lives for the environment and for the people," he said. Among the environment activists killed under the Macapagal-Arroyo regime is Eliezer "Boy" Billanes who was killed on March 9, 2009. Billanes is the 19th anti-mining activist killed under Arroyo.

Satur asks presidentiables: unite and mobilize supporters against SC midnight appointments

A day after joining fellow NP senatorial candidates in appealing the recent Supreme Court ruling allowing the President to appoint the next chief justice, Satur Ocampo is calling on all presidential candidates to lead mass protests against what he said was Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's "shameless abuse of power."

"It is time for all the presidential candidates to set aside their personal differences and political rivalries to unite against President Arroyo's latest ploy to consolidate her hold on the judiciary," said Ocampo.

"Let us cross party-lines and unite in a massive show of force against Macapagal-Arroyo's penchant for midnight appointments which are in blatant violation of the spirit and letter of the Constitution. Our presidential candidates and their parties can and should oppose this midnight appointment and prove that they will not tolerate this desecration of the Constitution," Ocampo said.

He said that presidential candidates should take the lead in denouncing the midnight appointment and present a united front in a symbolic protest. "All the presidentiables marching side by side with their supporters along Ayala Ave. will send the strongest signal that this nation will not allow such blatant abuses of power."

He said he will personally bring up the proposal to NP standard bearer Manny Villar when they meet in Isabela for a sortie on Thursday.

Ocampo said that at this juncture, it doesn’t matter who is appointed as long as it’s the new president who will appoint the next chief justice. "Pres. Arroyo is nearing the end of her term which many still maintain to be illegitimate, but she persists on abusing her authority. The Supreme Court is supposed to be the bastion of justice, but it's evident that nothing is sacrosanct to Macapagal-Arroyo and even the judiciary is not exempt to her self-serving, manipulative ploys," he said.

Ocampo, Bayan Muna representatives Teodoro Casiño and Neri Colmenares have already filed House Bill 7109 against midnight appointments.

BAYAN MUNA CALLS ON CONGRESS TO CONVENE, PASS SUCCESSION LAW AND ELECT NEW SENATE PRESIDENT

Media Release
23 March 2010

BAYAN MUNA CALLS ON CONGRESS TO CONVENE, PASS SUCCESSION LAW AND ELECT NEW SENATE PRESIDENT:
Challenges Pres. Arroyo to call for special session of Congress for that purpose alone

Bayan Muna partylist called on Congress today to convene before the start of the local campaign on March 26 to prevent an Arroyo hold-over government and the resulting upheaval if there will be failure of election. Bayan Muna challenges Pres. Gloria Arroyo to call for a special session of Congress for the purpose of electing a new Senate President and passing the important law on succession. Congress failed to pass the ‘failure of election’ bills filed by Bayan Muna (House Bill No. 6786: “An Act Providing for an Interim Succession in the Presidency in Case of Vacancy During the Beginning of the Term of the Said Office”) and Rep. Edno Joson (HB 6945 and HB 7108) due to lack of quorum. Bayan Muna’s bill proposes that the Chief Justice acts as acting president should there be failure of election to prevent Pres. Arroyo from extending her term.

“Congress has the time and the duty to pass these important measures. Twelve senators are not running, and local campaign has not yet started. It is illogical for Speaker Nograles to declare that there will be no quorum since congressmen are already campaigning. This is an illegal act as Congressmen are not supposed to campaign now,” said Bayan Muna partylist representative Neri Javier Colmenares. “Sen. Enrile who presided over martial law in 1972 cannot be trusted to turn over the senate presidency smoothly especially if the ‘perceived’ presidential winner is not his ally. It must be noted that he is running under the slate of a presidential candidate. The need to elect a new Senate President is obvious," Colmenares said.

"Pres. Arroyo has clearly displayed her intention to control the AFP, the Supreme Court and Congress. She is transporting her entire cabinet to Congress by ordering them to run for district congressional seats and the partylist," Colmenares revealed.

“We cannot trust Arroyo's word. Years ago, she said she will not run for president, yet she did and reigned for nine years; recently she said she had no plans of running again, but now she is running for Congress; and now Malacanang is saying there will be no failure of election. The failure of election is not idle talk. Congress must act now or suffer being closed just like what transpired during martial law, Rep. Colmenares warned. ###

Satur: firm "No" to military take over in case of poll failure

Media Release

Satur: firm "No" to military take over in case of poll failure

Makabayan senatorial bet and Nacionalista Party guest candidate Satur Ocampo today said that Malacanang has itself to blame if no one believes its assertions that there will be no hitches or delays in Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo' s exit from the presidency in June.

"Pres. Arroyo has lied before – back in 2002 she said that she would not run for the presidency but she reneged on her word. The more denials Malacanang issues regarding the matter of Arroyo's exit, the more people become skeptical. In any case, the Filipino people will remain watchful against any and all attempts to keep Arroyo in office beyond June 30, 2010," Ocampo said.

Ocampo also said he is against proposals that the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) take over in the event of a failure of elections. He said that allowing the military to assume power should not even be considered. "A military take-over is not even an option. We cannot risk handing over the reigns of government to a military junta given the AFP's record in abusing civil, political and human rights," he said.

Ocampo said that should there be a failure of elections, a civilian body comprised of church leaders, grassroots people's organizations, political parties and credible government officials can stand in and fill the vacuum. "Civilian authority must never be ceded to the military. We have learned our lessons from the dark years of martial law. This body can temporarily perform administrative functions as more comprehensive remedies are put in place to solve the problem of the vacuum in office," he said.

"But why are we even discussing such a possibility such as a military take-over? Does Malacanang know something the rest of us don't about the upcoming elections? We have the sneaking suspicion that Malacanang should actually be behind all this talk of failure of elections as a means to condition the public into accepting such a fatal possibility and so Filipinos will end up lowering their guard," Ocampo said.