Comelec and Smartmatic treat 2010 elections as a joke

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

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

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

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

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

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 CHARGES GONZALES, BANGIT WITH ELECTION OFFENSES

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bayan Muna: Foil ‘Oplan RAFAEL’

From no election to failure of election

Bayan Muna: Foil ‘Oplan RAFAEL’

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.###

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.)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

itakwil ang mga bogus na partylist

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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. ###

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.