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.###

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. ###

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.###

FAILURE OF ELECTION NOW A DISTINCT POSSIBILITY WITH THE FAILURE OF CONGRESS TO PASS LAWS ON SUCCESSION

March 11, 2010


Reference: Rep. Neri Colmenares
www.bayanmuna.net

FAILURE OF ELECTION NOW A DISTINCT POSSIBILITY WITH THE FAILURE OF CONGRESS TO PASS LAWS ON SUCCESSION

Bayan Muna Party List Representative Neri Javier Colmenares lamented the failure of Congress to pass bills aimed at providing for orderly succession should there be failure of election. “With the appointment of the Lt. Gen. Delfin Bangit, a fierce Arroyo loyalist as AFP Chief of Staff, the widespread brownouts, and Comelec’s admission that it may not finish printing the ballots in time for the 2010 elections, the threat of failure of election is now a very distinct possibility” Rep. Colmenares declared. “The scenario painted by Sen. Enrile about a military takeover once the election fails is a serious cause for concern that should have been addressed by Congress” he added. Bayan Muna has filed a bill designating the Chief Justice as acting president in case no president, vice president, senators and congressmen are elected due to the breakdown of the automated election.

“The failure of Speaker Nograles to lead the House of Representatives into passing a succession law and preempt a national catastrophe only favors Pres. Gloria Arroyo who may hold over as president if the 2010 election fails” said the Bayan Muna representative. “His justification that members of the majority cannot muster quorum should a special session be called because they are campaigning is certainly shocking. Speaker Nograles has practically admitted that majority congressmen from Lakas-Kampi, NPC and the Liberal Party are conducting the illegal act of campaigning even before the start of the campaign period on March 26” he added.

“Comelec’s contingency plan of resorting to manual elections should the PCOS machines fail due to brownouts and other problem will not save the country from a failure of election but will, on the contrary, only make things worse”, Bayan Muna warned. “It is easy to cheat in a manual election using the automated ballots. Ballots containing votes for opposition candidates may be surreptitiously shaded by “Garcis” in the Comelec in order to void it for overvoting. Ballot switching in the precincts will also be very easy to do under this mixed system” he added.