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.###