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 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. ###

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. ###

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”. ###

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.