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Kaya Yan! Yes We Can! Präsidentschaftswahlen 2010 in den Philippinen

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Kaya Yan! Yes We Can! Präsidentschaftswahlen

2010 in den Philippinen

20.-21.März 2010, Jugendherberge Bonn-Venusberg

Materialien zur weiterführenden Lektüre:

Background of the Philippine Electoral System (page 2)

Overview of the Party-List System in the Philippines (p. 3)

A Summary of the Programs and Platforms of Government of all Candidates for

the Presidency (p. 6)

Automated System for the 2010 Philippine Elections (p. 15)

Philippines fears electoral Chaos (p. 17)

Foreign Observers says RP vote lacks Transparency (p. 20)

Pre-Election Survey 24.-28.02.2010 (p. 20)

Weitere Informationen (p. 24)

Zusammengestellt von: Jolita Atienza, Katharina Wilkin

Bullmannaue 11 D-45327 Essen Tel.: (++49) 0201 830 38-28 Fax : (++49) 0201 830 38-30

Email: philippinenbuero@ asienhaus.de Web: www.philippinenbuero.de


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Background on the Philippine Electoral System, by Jolita AtienzaOne of the many salient changes that

the 1987 Philippine Constitution

brought was the establishment of a

new system of elections. The 1972

charter, which the current one

modified, was used by Ferdinand

Marcos to extend and prolong his grip

on power. Thus, certain provisions

were altered in order clip the length of

the President and Vice-President’s

terms, those serving in both House

Chambers (Congress) and those

running for local or regional posts like

governors, mayors, barangay

chairman and so on.

Like most countries in the world, those

who are eligible to vote in the

Philippines should be 18 years of age

or above on the day of voting.

Likewise the system of voting is

through popular vote, meaning the

candidate who garners the most

number of votes wins. The COMELEC

(Commission on Elections)

meanwhile, is mandated by the

Constitution to administer the

elections and campaigns. Said

constitution likewise gives the

COMELEC the power to accredit

private or citizen backed groups (like

the National Movement for Free

Elections), which are tasked to help

oversee the elections.

Things to remember:

The president and vice president are

elected for six year terms. They are

forbidden to run again after their term

ends.

The House of Chambers is bicameral,

with the Senate and House of

Representatives. The 24 member

Senate has senators elected for six

year terms, half of which are elected

every three years. Representatives or

Congressmen are limited to three

terms, senators to two.

Local government officials are elected

to three year terms, with a three term

limit.

Senators, congressmen and local

government officials are elected in

mid-term elections, but during the

presidential election, they all can be

elected at the same time

For the party-list in Congress, the

group must win 2% of the vote. No

party-list party may have more than 3

seats (see section on Party-list).

References:

http://countrystudies.us/philippines/86.ht

m

http://aceproject.org/regions-en/countries-

and-territories/PH

http://www.philsol.nl/pir/JR-98a.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Politics_of_the

_Philippines


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Overview of the Party-List System in the Philippines, Jolita Atienza

As an effort to provide ample

representation for the voiceless and

under-represented, the party-list

system in the Philippines was

institutionalized after its inclusion in

the 1987 Philippine Constitution under

Section 5 Article 6.

The party-list was later strengthened

with the passage of Republic Act

7941, which in some ways provided a

definition of the system, its

proportional representation in the

House of Representatives and,

appropriation of funds. As stipulated in

the said law, those included in the

party-list system are “parties,

association, sectoral groups that

represent Filipino citizens belonging to

the marginalized or under-represented

sector.”

With regards to the proportional

representation, it was stated that: “Of

the total membership of the House of

Representatives, 20 percent is

allocated for party list representatives

including those under the party list”.

Likewise, parties or groups that are

running should at least garner two

percent of the total votes for the party-

list to obtain one seat.

The maximum number of seats, on the

other hand, is three.

Party-List Groups running in the

2010 Elections

To date, there are 187 groups vying

for at least one seat per group in the

House of Representatives. Of the 187,

five are considered to have substantial

chances of garnering the maximum

number of seats. These are as

follows:

1. Bayan Muna (8.03%)

2. Aangat Pilipino (6.34%)

3. Anak Pawis (5.88 %)

4. Gabriela Women’s Party

(5.55%)

5. Akbayan (5.07%)

The above figures are taken from the

latest survey conducted by Pulse Asia

and from 22-26 of January and

subsequently published in national

broadsheets like the Philippine Daily

Inquirer.

For the 2007 elections, 13 party-lists

were proclaimed winners, with the top

five namely:

1. Buhay (Buhay hayaan humabong)

- 1,163,218 votes

2. Bayan Muna – 927,730 votes

3. Cibac (Citizens Battle against

corruption) – 760,260 v.

4. Gabriela – 610,451 v.

5. APEC (Association of Philippine

Electric Cooperatives) – 538,971 v.

The above groups, reported by the

Philippine Daily Inquirer dated 10 July

2007 were able to capture more than

1 or 2 seats each.

Bayan Muna

Often accused as a front of the

CPP/NPA, Bayan Muna is a highly

progressive political party which has

been three times elected into the

House of Representatives. Founded in

September 1999, the objective of the


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group is to represent the ordinary

Filipinos (common tao or masa), such

as those considered part of the

peasantry, the downtrodden,

indigenous people and urban poor by

providing them with a genuine and

likewise new style of politics.

With its solid grass roots support,

Bayan Muna now has offices in 13

regions and 57 chapters scattered in

various cities, municipalities and

towns.

For this year, the group is again vying

for a party-list slot, and widely

expected to capture the maximum

number of seats. Its president and

founding member Satur Ocampo, is

running for a senate seat, along with

Liza Maza as guest candidates of the

Nacionalista Party under Senator

Manuel Villar.

Aangat Pinoy

Apart from being reported as coming

in as close second in the surveys right

after Bayan Muna, not much is known

about Aangat Pilipino (or Pinoy). It is

however said that the group is

supported by Agusan Congressman

Rodolfo Ompong Plaza, who is vying

for a senate seat under former

President Estrada’s Puwersa ng Masa

political Party.

Anak Pawis

The electoral representative of the

militant group Kilusang Mayo Uno,

Anak Pawis is a progressive party

which touts itself as the voice of the

working masses, peasants and other

marginalized sectors of society. The

group believes that by participating in

Congress, “it can inject its influence,

thus putting forward policies and

programs that would strengthen

programs for the toiling masses.”

Conceptualized in 2002 under the

tutelage of the late Rep. Crispin

Beltran, Anak Pawis is also working

hand in hand with other genuine

progressive political parties to provide

a legitimate voice for the struggle of

the masses.To date, the party has

established offices and chapters in 15

regions in the country. From the latest

surveys, it is expected to capture three

party list seats.

Gabriela Women’s Party

An outcome of the militant women’s

movement Gabriela, the GWP has

been part of the electoral process

since it first fielded its representative

in 2001. During that time however,

Rep. Liza Maza run under the Bayan

Muna Party, but was later fielded by

the GWP in 2004 after her successful

foray in Congress. Since becoming

part of the House of Congress,

Gabriela Women’s Party was able to

author two significant bills that

empowered women and promoted

their rights: The Anti-Trafficking

Person Act and, the Anti-Violence

Against Women and Children Act.

Formally established in 2000, GWP is

one of the 5 top party-list groups

running in the 2010 elections. Liza

Maza, its Secretary General, on the

other hand is vying for a senate seat


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under Manuel Villar’s Nacionalista

Party. As the name suggests, Gabriela

Women’s Party’s key thrust is to fight

for the rights and welfare of Filipino

women “through participation in the

country’s electoral system and organs

of governance.”

Akbayan Citizen’s Action Party

Akbayan, also known as the Akbayan

Citizen’s Action Party was conceived

by broad based social movement

groups, clamouring for political

transformation. The clamour for

change was brought about by the

growing frustration over the type of

democracy in the country, wherein

only the interests of the elite and

powerful are heard. People Power

came and went, but sadly the very

people and groups who took part were

“never included in the decision making

and policy implementation.”

So to provide an alternative way of

governance, which encourages

participation from all sectors of

society, the party was formally

established in 1998 - a result of four

years of holding consultations and

synchronizing the grievances and

aspirations of those representing

labour, the peasantry, urban poor,

homosexuals, professionals and

overseas workers.

Since 1998, Akbayan has participated

in the electoral system and has won

seats in Congress. For the 2010

elections, it is expected to garner 3

party list seats. Riza Hontiveros

Baranquel, one of two member who

garnered a slot in the 2007 elections –

the other one was Walden Bello – will

be running for a senate seat as a

guest candidate of the Liberal Party.

BANTAY or Bantay Katarungan

Foundation1

Earning a bit of notoriety for its

association with retired General Jovito

Palparan, this party-list group

captured a seat in Congress when the

Supreme Court came out with a ruling

in 2009, increasing the number of

party-list seats by adding 55 more.

Bantay, which garnered only 169, 869

votes was not eligible in 2007,

benefited from this ruling. Thus,

Bantay was able to gain one seat, with

Palparan as its first representative.

Aside from gaining quite a reputation

for having Palparan, touted by the left

and progressives as “the Butcher”, this

party-list group is said to represent

rebel and CAFGU returnees and, men

and women whose main task is to

provide security such as security

guards. The group's mission, as stated

in its website is to support those who

are in the frontline of defense and

security by providing them with ample

economic and social empowerment.

References:

http://library.fes.de/pdf-

files/bueros/philippinen/50074.pdf

http://www.chanrobles.com/republicactno

7941.htm

1 Was not included in the top 5 party-

list groups of 2007. However, this group

has earned the ire and some say even

admiration from some sectors because of

Palparan's reputation.


A Summary of the Programs and Platforms of Government of all

Candidates for the Presidency; by Jolita Atienza

Benigno Noynoy Aquino

(key programs: Lowering of taxes,

development over patronage, coding

the existing laws, running after tax

evaders, continuing successful tax

policies such as RATE, investing in

infrastructure)

With the objective of shifting the status

quo of economic survival to that of

robust economic growth, Aquino’s

platform for government is to

“transform the country from that of a

poor Philippines to middle class

Philippines.” Doing this, as Aquino

purports would mean repairing the

damage on the democratic institutions,

improving the situation of the people,

giving the youth ample opportunities to

improve and, making government leap

from patronage to that of

development. From these aims, he

enumerated several programmes that

would meet his platform and targets.

Recodifiying existing laws. While the

legislative and executive branches of

government are not wanting in laws,

Aquino stresses that legislating new

laws is not his priority, but rather

recodifying the ones that are in

existence so as to put everything in

order. This he said would help ease

the burden on legislators or members

of the legal community who are often

dumbfounded at times with

overlapping regulations or laws that

have had been amended or repealed.

Fully enforcing workable laws that are

already in place, but were not

implemented due to lack of political

will is likewise Aquino’s proposal.

Bringing the bloated deficit down. With

the country facing a looming crisis

over the budget deficit, Aquino

proposes to trim it, by not executing

new laws that would only increase or

impose new taxes but rather, run after

tax evaders and big-time smugglers.

Catching these two would entail

supporting the BIR’s (Bureau of

Internal Revenue) tax collection and

continuing the bureau’s effective

programs like the RATE (Run after

Tax Evaders). Measures would also

be introduced in the Bureau of

Customs so as smugglers would not

go unscathed. Aside from these,

Aquino furthermore proposes lowering

tax rates so as to encourage the

people to save or spend on local

commodities. Tax exemptions on the

priviledged few would be ended.

“With these measures and effective

tax administration, Aquino hopes to

bring the deficit to a 15 percent level,

up from the current 13 percent, which

would hopefully translate to P150

billion additional revenues.”

Levelling the playing field. Previous

governments have always been

accused of fostering crony capitalism,

to the detriment of over-all economic

development. In order to change this

perception, Aquino plans to level the

playing field by not cultivating close


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relationships with businessmen or

business groups who only have self-

serving interests. “His government

would also not use regulatory powers

to harass or intimidate”. Those who

would wish to do business in the

country would not anymore be

grappled with endless bureaucracy as

he plans to “streamline the approval

process in both national and local

levels.”

Improving infrastructure. With regards

to infrastructure programmes, in order

to ensure that projects are not bloated

and wastes are minimized, he would

set up cooperative committees

composed not only of concerned

agencies and Local Government

Units, but also, members of the private

sector. “This cooperative venture will

then come up with a viable and

comprehensive plan that optimizes the

value of the entire network.”

Vice President: Manuel Mar Roxas

Liberal Party Senatorial slate:

1. Former Bukidnon Congressman

Neric Acosta

2. Muntinlupa Congressman Ruffy

Biazon

3. Akbayan Congressman Risa

Hontiveros

4. TG Guingona

5. Former Senate President

Franklin Drilon

6. Sonia Roco

7. Former Senator Ralph Recto

8. Martin Bautista

9. Yasmin Busrao Lao

10. Danilo Danny Lim

Manuel Manny Villar

(key programs: social justice and

eradication of poverty)

Capitalizing on his humble beginnings,

Presidentiable candidate Manny Villar

is focusing his platform on issues that

he sees would not only help uplift

more than half of the Filipino

population but likewise, boost the

economic standing of the country in

the region. These programs are

anchored on two points: eradicating

poverty and having a genuine social

justice.

Under the anti-poverty agenda, Villar

listed down two ways of solving the

problem: promoting the spirit of

entrepreneurship and supporting the

country's agricultural sector. Under

entrepreneurship, he would change

the banking system so as to make

sure that small players (i.e. Small and

Medium Enterprises, SMEs) have a

chance to take part in a-levelled-

playing field. This could be done by

providing them easy access to credits

or, funds from government. By

empowering the SMEs, jobs are also

generated for Filipinos so that there

would be no need for them to leave

their loved ones in search for job

opportunities abroad. Those who are

in the agricultural sector meanwhile,

especially those who have had been

affected with the opening up of the

international markets, would be

supported by strengthening the rural

finance infrastructures and micro-

finance institutes and, providing


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technical expertise.” Furthermore, aid

would be extended to owners of small

and medium-sized lands.

With the antipoverty program on top of

his agenda, Villar envisions that the

country can achieve no less than

seven percent annual GDP (Gross

Domestic Product) Growth. Specificity

is somewhat vague with regards to his

social injustice programme. What he

did stress is that in order to solve the

injustices, those coming from all

political and social colours should be

given ample representation. Aside

from this, mechanisms that deal with

human and individual rights will be

strengthened so as to circumvent

abuses. Regarding abuses done by

government, he added that

transparency will be promoted in all

government dealings so as to avoid

graft and corruption. Dubious and

questionable transactions entered into

by previous governments will again be

scrutinized to the very last detail.

Vice-President: Loren Legarda

Nacionalista Senatorial Slate:

1. Former Marine Capt. Ramon

Mon-mon Mitra

2. Senator Pia Cayetano

3. Susan Ople

4. Ilocos Norte Congressman

Ferdinand Bongnong Marcos

5. Col. Ariel Querubin

6. Atty. Adel Tamano

7. Gwendolyn Pimentel Gano

8. Bayan Muna Representative

Satur Ocampo

9. Gabriela Party Repr. Liza Maza

Joseph Erap Ejercito Estrada

(key programs: peace and order, food

security, graft and corruption)

Continuing his platform of governance

which was abruptly ended with his

ouster in 2001, Joseph Erap Estrada

is once again focusing his agenda on

securing the country's peace and

order, improving food security and

ending graft and corruption.

Securing peace and order is his

topmost concern as he believes that

no matter how sound and investor

friendly the policies are of the

government, no business and

economic development will come if

lawlessness, terrorism and violence

permeate. Thus, it is imperative that a)

loose firearms and private armies be

dismantled; b) a just and lasting peace

agreement down South be firmly

implemented; and c) the insurgency

movement of the CPP/NPA be ended.

Dismantling private armies. Citing the

Maguindanao massacre, which

occurred in December 2009, Erap

promises to end the reign of anarchy

not only in the Mindanao region, but

likewise in areas where political and

clan rivalries are strongest.

Warlordism would then be stopped by

immediately confiscating arms and

weaponry and, setting up strict

guidelines that would not only

dismantle existing private armies but

likewise illegalize their formation in the

future.


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Just and lasting peace in Mindanao.

While firmly believing that negotiations

between the government and

secessionist should always be on the

table in order to attain relative peace,

he stresses that the country’s

territorial integrity should not be

sacrificed, referring to the

Memorandum of Agreement on

Ancestral Domain which Estrada

believes almost dismembered the

republic. Forging peace with the MILF

is inevitable as it would benefit the

country. However, an all-out war in

order to achieve permanent harmony

is a very viable option if he is again

voted into office as many times in the

past, the peace agreements were

violated by the MILF.

Ending the insurgency movement.

Another priority of his is putting an end

to the 50-year old insurgency of the

CPP/NPA as many potential investors

who wish to invest in the Philippines

are thinking twice if whether it is

practical to invest or set up vital

infrastructure facilities when there is a

possibility of being targeted or

bombed by the insurgents.

Next in his agenda is improving food

security so as to minimize the

dependency of the country on

imported staple commodities like rice,

which the country once had an

abundance of. Improving the country’s

food security would entail fully

supporting the modernization of the

agricultural sector; implementing the

Agri-Agra Law which requires the

“allocation of 25 percent of the yearly

loan portfolio of banks to small

farmers and agrarian reform

beneficiaries; and developing post-

harvest facilities and introducing

comprehensive irrigation systems” that

are cost effective. Promoting

aggressive research not only on crops

but also on livestock, poultry, fisheries

is also under his food programme.

Transparency in all government

dealings on the other hand will be his

way in dealing with the country’s

worsening graft and corruption. This

would mean combining respected

members of the populace, coming

from both the private and public

sectors, that would readily exchange

views and opinions, consult each

other regarding economic matters

and, collaborate when there is a need

to reform policies. This planned group

is akin to his Economic Coordinating

Council, which was in existence during

his presidency.

Vice-President: Jejomar Binay

Puwersa ng Masa Senatorial Slate:

1. Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada

2. Makati Congressman Teodoro

Boy Locsin Jr.

3. Brig. General Danilo Danny Lim

4. Senate President Juan Ponce

Enrile

5. Senator Miriam Santiago

6. Congressman Ompong Plaza

7. Jose De Venecia III

8. Mary Grace Poe-Llamanzares

9. Negros Occidental Congress-

man Apolinario Lozada Jr.


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10. Former Sanlakas Party

Representative Jose Virgilio

Bautista

Gilbert Gibo Teodoro

(key programs: charter change,

change to unicameral system,

liberalization of natural resources,

continuation of the Arroyo

government's fiscal policies, improving

the educational system)

One of the primary programs of

Teodoro's platform of governance is to

review and eventually change the

1987 Philippine Constitution. The only

one among the 10 presidentiables

who espouses such a proposal,

Teodoro is pushing for the

constitution's revision or overhaul as

according to him it has failed to meet

the challenges of the future, especially

with regards to economic and political

matters. As he once quipped, “the

present constitution is reactionary”

meaning the drafters only rectified the

wrongful policies and laws of the

previous Marcos regime without

providing safety nets if ever the

country is hit with economic and social

challenges.

Aligned with his espousal to revise the

constitution is liberalizing the

ownership of the country's natural

resources by partially lifting

restrictions on foreigners who wish to

own state properties as he thinks that

it would be best that these natural

resources are managed by those who

have the expertise and knowledge.

Another is transforming the bicameral

to a Unicameral Congress and,

lengthening the term of

representatives from three to four

years. Extending the term, as Teodoro

pointed out, will ensure the continuity

of the LGU's projects and programs

vis-à-vis the government's Medium-

Term Plans.

On the education front, he proposes

modernizing the education sector by

restructuring the educational system

so that students can be more

competitive. Restructuring will then

entail adding two more years in Grade

School, strengthening the curriculum

by enhancing technical skills and,

teaching English on the primary level

so as to better equip the students for

the next level. Believing that

education should be made accessible

to all, especially to those who are poor

but deserving students, he also

proposes, aside from the scholarships

and state subsidies, “that qualified

students in the tertiary level be

allowed to apply for a loan with the

Social Security System”, a programme

similar to the Study Now Pay Later

Scheme in the USA and some parts of

Europe. Pay check will then be given

to the student, which will be registered

in the system (once the Social

Security number is secured) as his or

her salary.

With regards in improving the

economy, he plans to continue the

fiscal policies of the Arroyo

administration and, to invest heavily

on infrastructure. Investing on


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infrastructures means providing “a

seamless transportation system”;

continuing previous road projects such

as the SLEX (South Luzon

Expressway), SCTEX (Subic-Clark-

Tarlac Expressway), NLEX (North

Luzon Expressway), refurbishing and

constructing new domestic and

international airports and; connecting

the islands especially those in the

Visayas by means of constructing

bridges and tunnels.

Vice-President: Actor Edu Manzano

Lakas-Kampi Senatorial Slate:

1. Senator Ramon Bong Revilla

2. Senator Lito Lapid

3. Binalonan Mayor Ramon Guico

4. Cabinet Secretary Silvestre

Bello

5. Health Secretary Francisco

Duque

6. Federation of Philippine

Industries Jesus Arranza

7. Broadcaster Rey Langit

Richard Dick Gordon

(key programs: transactional to

transformational change)

Richard Gordon came up with a

manifesto of change, which he

envisions as a way of transforming

and making into reality the dream of a

new Philippines. This manifesto

mentions 10 key declarations that can

only be achieved if each and every

Filipino is willing to change for the

better or, transform within. Most

notable of these values mentioned are

for all Filipinos to become more

disciplined, develop determination,

have more respect for the law. His

plan for improving healthcare, creation

of jobs and prioritizing education are

also mentioned in this manifesto.

While the manifesto is a form of a pact

as to how Gordon would like the

society to be when he is elected into

the highest office, he is not short in

rhetoric with regard to his plans for

government. Notable among his key

programmes are to improve the

educational system, of which his

primary target is to increase the take

home pay of teachers; “decongest

Manila by spreading business to other

urbanized areas” like those in the

Central and Northern Luzon; putting a

moratorium on debt servicing so as to

fund the basic services project of the

government; promoting areas in the

Visayas as a Tourism haven,” and

turning Mindanao as the hub for

aquaculture and agriculture.

Vice President: Bayani Fernando

No senatorial slate

Bro. Eddie Villanueva

(key programs: 7 Es)

Eddie Villanueva’s primary goal is to

make the country overtake its Asian

neighbours in 24 years. 24 years is a

long time, so as to realize his

commitment to make the Philippines a

powerhouse in the region, he is

proposing 7 goals for the first 6 years,

which basically underlies his platform.

These goals, which he calls 7 Es are

as follows: a) Empower the People, b)


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Emancipate the people, c) Educate

the people, d) Energize the economy,

e) Elevate the living standards of the

people, f) Eradicate bad governance,

g) Establish peace in the land.

Empower the People. Under this goal,

mechanisms that would insure a free

and fair election would be

strengthened so as to gain the trust of

the people, buttressing laws that

would protect press freedom and;

making sure that people who are well-

versed with the law are in place in

government agencies so as to fast

track the complaints and grievances of

the populace.

Emancipate the people. This he plans

to do by expediting cases and, those

who are in need of help but are

wanting in finances would be provided

with competent lawyers to level the

playing field.

Educate the people. With this, he

plans to reform the system by

increasing the salaries of teachers,

revising the curriculum by

emphasising more on mathematics,

science, engineering, reviewing the

legitimacy and quality of learning

centres and of textbooks and,

implementing the school feeding

programme.

Energize the economy. Energizing the

economy so as to reach his objective

of turning the country into a

powerhouse in 24 years means

investing in sound infrastructure

projects, passing new comprehensive

tax laws, revising the agrarian reform

law so that it could squarely face any

challenges that would come its way,

and providing a modern system linking

all possible modes of transportation.

Elevating the living standards. Under

this goal, basic services would be

improved by providing the populace

with better health care, effective

security, regular waste collection, safe

and clean water and affordable

housing.

Eradicate bad governance. So as to

avoid corruption, leaders of all three

branches of government would be

encouraged to sign a pact, vowing that

they would perform their duties fairly

for better governance. Aside from

these, mechanisms to avoid graft and

corruption in both public and private

sectors would be institutionalized.

Establish peace in the land. Putting

and end to the protracted war in

Mindanao by not compromising the

territory’s integrity is his first aim to

achieve a lasting but just peace.

Likewise, so that to make sure that all

grievances and wishes of the Muslim

people would be heard, secessionist

leaders would be encouraged to take

part in the negotiating process.

However, while fruitful negotiation is

the goal, it is imperative that defence

forces would be strengthened to better

protect the republic.

Vice President: Perfecto Jun Yasay

Bangon Pilipinas Senatorial Slate:

1. Kata Inocencio


Seite | 13

2. Alex Tinsay

3. Ramoncito Ocampo

4. Dr. Israel Virgines

5. Dr. Zarufflah Alonto

John Carlos JC De Los Reyes

(key programs: moral change,

renewed idealism, outlaw the use of

guns)

Running on a platform for moral

change and renewed idealism, JC de

los Reyes is the lone candidate who is

bravely espousing the social teachings

of the Catholic Church and presents

himself as a “viable alternative to

those who represent the old and

traditional politicians.” His political

party, the Kapatiran, also shares the

same stand on morality and religious

issues.

JC, is one of the candidates who firmly

opposes the passage of the RH Bill

(Reproductive Health) as it not only

goes against the teachings of the

Church, but likewise, it could become

a dangerous precedent. Aside from

the RH bill, he plans to instill faith in

God in the hearts and minds of each

and every Filipino and, strengthen

family bonds in his first 100 days.

Bringing home all Filipino OFWs is

another goal of his so as to reunite

them with their loved ones.

A staunch gunless society advocate,

he proposes to restrict or outlaw the

use of guns so as to avoid incidents

similar to what happened in

Maguindanao which led to the brutal

killing of 58 innocent lives.

Vice President: Dominador Jun

Chipeco

Ang Kapatiran Senatorial Slate:

1. Manuel Valdehuesa Jr.

2. Risalito David

3. Jo Aurea Imbong

4. Zosimo Paredes

5. Adrian Sison

6. Reginald Tamayo

7. Hector Tarrazona

Nicanor Perlas

(key programs: sustainable

development, democracy, ecology,

consensus building)

Outlined in his 24-page objectives for

governance are 6 pillars which Perlas

states would bring growth and

sustainable development to the

country. These pillars, or goals which

he envisions for the country will only

be achieved if the government would

encourage the populace, irrespective

of class or designation, to take part in

nation building.

These 6 pillars or thrusts are to

eradicate poverty and enhance the

quality of life; advance moral and

effective governance; uphold the

integrity creation; build partnerships

for social justice; mainstream visionary

initiatives; promote holistic education

and inner change.

For the first pillar, he proposes to

revitalize the economy by investing

government resources on programs

that would strengthen agriculture and

fisheries. Prioritizing agricultural


Seite | 14

policies so as to make poverty history

is also included in this thrust. One way

of doing this is for the acceleration of a

law that would bring effective plans for

the of a land use plan for the country,

enforcement of the agrarian reform

program on private lands and so on.

For social justice, peace and order, he

would renegotiate the stalled

Memorandum of Agreement on

Ancestral Domain, address the

concerns of the Muslims by appointing

them in government agencies that

strictly work for the welfare of their

brethrens and Mindanao. Forging

lasting ceasefire with the NPA is

another plan of his.

In advancing moral and effective

governance, he plans on to eradicate

corruption one his first year by

ensuring anti-corruption initiatives are

in sync with policies and programs

aimed at eradicating poverty and

enhancing the quality of life.

By building partnerships for social

justice, he proposes further

empowering and including civil society

in matters of nation-building so as to

create better and just programs for all.

And the last, Mainstream Visionary

Initiatives by coming up with modern

and workable programs that would be

beneficial to the country.

Vice President: None

No senatorial slate

Consuelo Jamby Madrigal

(key programs: Pro-Filipino,

environmental awareness, nationalist

policies)

A genuine pro-Filipino policy, ample

protection for the country’s integrity,

sound environmental programmes, a

just and fair agrarian reform are some

of the key programmes which

presidential candidate Jamby Madrigal

promises to pursue if she is elected in

the coming elections.

With her pro-Filipino stand, she

pledges to promote industries that

would strengthen home-grown and

Filipino-controlled industries and

likewise, enact laws that would give

Filipino products protection from

cheaper imported goods and

smuggled items.

Regarding her plans for a just agrarian

reform, she pledges to consult with

progressive people’s movements in

order to come up with good and

workable programmes that would

liberate the peasantry from poverty

and feudal-style bondage and, secure

their lands from wanton land-grabbing

and conversion to industrial zones.

On the side of the environment, she

promises to stop destructive practices

that destroy the forests and marine life

and halt the dumping of imported toxic

wastes. She would then promote the

use of renewable energy and organic

farming.

Pledging also to fight for the country’s

integrity, she promises to end the


Seite | 15

meddling in the internal affairs of the

country of international organizations

like the WTO, IMF, and WB on

government policies and, repeal the

one-sided JPEPA (Japan-Philippine

Economic Partnership, Mining Act and

the Anti-Deregulation Law.

Vice-President: None

No senatorial slate

References:

Business Mirror 01.01.2010

http://raissarobles.com/2009/12/01/314rul

ing-party-candidate-gilberto-teodoro/

http://newphilrevolution.blogspot.com/sea

rch/label/villar%27s%20platform%20of%2

0government

http://www.eleksyon.co.cc/manny-villars-

platform/

http://aboutmyrecovery.com/2009/07/16/g

etting-to-know-senator-manny-

villar/#ixzz0eT6Rsnak

Speech of President Joseph E.

Estrada 2010: Governance Agenda of

the Next President Forum

J.P. Laurel Freedom Hall, Lyceum of

the Philippines Campus

1 PM, 20 January 2010

http://www.scribd.com/doc/25431712/Gor

don-Fernando-Manifesto-and-Platform-of-

Government

Cebu Daily News 01.23.2010

http://www.buffetofwisdom.com/2009/06/b

ro-eddie-villanueva-his-platform-of-

government/

http://aboutmyrecovery.com/2010/01/12/j

c-de-los-reyes-ang-kapatiran/

http://www.scribd.com/doc/24748034/Ma

drigal-Platform

http://www.scribd.com/doc/23285886/Ang

-Kapatiran-Platform

http://www.scribd.com/doc/23268483/Noy

noy-Aquino-Platform-of-Government

http://www.abs-

cbnnews.com/nation/01/21/10/transcript-

noynoy-aquinos-speech-makati-business-

club

Automated System for the 2010 Philippine Elections; by Jolita Atienza

The 2010 election in May is significant

not only because it will test the

fairness and maturity of the country’s

democratic institutions, but likewise, it

is during this period when the efficacy

of the automated elections will be tried

out on a nation wide scale for the very

first time.

The plan for the computerization of the

voting system took shape back in

1997 when Congress signed RA

(Republic Act) 8436 or the Poll


Seite | 16

Modernization Law. This edict

basically stated the necessity to

change from manual voting and

counting to computerized tabulating

and, for COMELEC (Commission on

Elections) to “prescribe the adoption

and the use of the most suitable

technology of demonstrated

capability.” However, by 2007, certain

provisions of the law were amended

with the passage of RA 9396. While

the rhetoric is still the same, changes

were made particularly with respect to

the availability of the system’s source

code to any interested political parties

and, added authority given to

COMELEC and Congress regarding

pre-proclaiming winners for the

presidency, vice-presidency and 12

senatoriables. These two changes and

other new stipulations were hotly

debated, as some sectors questioned

the constitutionality and whether,

these amendments would pave the

way for more poll cheating.

In July of last year, the COMELEC

signed a contract with the wining

bidder, the multinational company

Smartmatic and its local partner Total

Information Management for the

automation of the 2010 elections.

Worth 7.2 Billion pesos, the company

was given the go-signal to

immediately begin supplying the

PCOS or Precint Count Optical Scan

Machines. As the name suggests, the

machines are a form of Optical

Reader Mark, reading and tabulating

the markings on the ballot made by

the voters are two of its functions.

Although the new system is seen as a

milestone or groundbreaking event,

computerized voting was in fact first

tested in the 2008 ARMM

(Autonomous Region of Muslim

Mindanao) election. However, during

that time, two electronic voting

systems were utilized: the DRE (Direct

Recording Electronic) and, Optical

Mark Reader. The former, which

allowed voters to select on-screen

their preferred candidates, was used

in Maguindanao, while the latter was

for the areas of Sulu, Basilan and

Tawi-Tawi, Sharif Kabunsuan and

Lanao del Norte.

For the upcoming May elections,

voters from around the country can

cast their ballots at 27,062 voting

centers and 74, 427 clustered

precincts. All of these precincts will be

supplied with one PCOS machine.

2010 Automated Elections:

Guidelines on how to vote

1. Registered voters, with proper

identification cards, should

proceed to their designated

precincts.

2. Once inside the voting center,

registrants should present

themselves to the Board of

Election Inspectors for their ballots

and instructions on how to fill up

the form and use the counting

machine.

3. Before going to the voting area or

booths, voters should make sure

that the ballots are unmarked.


Seite | 17

Only one ballot is given to each

voter.

4. Once filled-up, the voter should

take his or her ballot to the

counting machine for validation.

5. As a last step before leaving, the

voter should again present himself

or herself to the Board of Election

Inspector for indelible inking.

Things to remember:

For the computerized voting, it is

imperative for the voters to completely

shade the oval-shaped marks next to

the name of the candidates. Check or

x signs will be invalidated.

For easy reading, the “ballot form will

be divided into sections, which will

then be marked out by a colored

border.” The blue demarcation will be

for the “president, vice-president,

congressmen, provincial governors

and councillors. The green color on

the other hand will be for the senators,

party-list groups, provincial board

members and mayors.”

References:

http://foolawecon.wordpress.com/tag/ra-

9369/

http://www.zdnetasia.com/news/business/

0,39044229,62044793,00.htm

http://philippines.suite101.com/article.cfm/

computerized_elections_in_the_philippine

s

http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/2757

21

http://www.thepoc.net/automated-

elections/2858-how-to-vote-in-an-

automated-election.html

http://www.chanrobles.com/republictactno

9369.html

Philippines fears electoral chaos; by Al Labita

MANILA - President Gloria Arroyo's

appointment of a loyal army general

as the new head of the 120,000-strong

military has exacerbated political

tensions in the run-up to the May 10

national elections. Speculation has

mounted that Arroyo, whose preferred

candidate at the polls is barely

registering in opinion polls, won't step

down and a military cabal would

perpetuate her stay in power.

Though Arroyo has pledged a smooth

transition for her would-be successor,

opposition leaders are not taking the

threat lightly. They have branded her

run for congress in her hometown

district of Pampanga province, north of

Manila, as a "smokescreen" to hide

her real agenda: remaining in power

by all means and at all costs beyond

2010.

Prior to the 2004 elections, Arroyo

announced she would not run for

office. On the contrary, she did run

and her re-election bid was marked by

alleged anomalies. She was caught on

tape instructing a senior election

official to ensure her victory by over

one million votes against opposition

rival Fernando Poe Jr.

The opposition sees a new threat in

the appointment of armed forces chief

Lieutenant General Delfin Bangit, one


Seite | 18

of the army generals implicated in the

rigging of votes favoring Arroyo in the

2004 elections. Bangit has

consistently denied the allegations.

Beginning as a senior aide-de-camp

with the rank of colonel when Arroyo

was vice president, Bangit was

promoted to a star rank and made the

chief of the presidential security group

when Arroyo succeeded then

president Joseph Estrada in 2002. He

later headed the intelligence service of

the Armed Forces of the Philippines

and the army. Subordinates reportedly

often addressed him as "emperor".

Like most army generals, Bangit is a

graduate of the elite state-run

Philippine Military Academy (PMA),

class 1978, which adopted Arroyo as

an honorary member. What arouses

the opposition's suspicion of a

potential repeat of the 2004 election

scandal is that Arroyo's other PMA

"classmates" are also commanders of

the army, navy and air force - a

practice the late dictator Ferdinand

Marcos used to keep himself in power

for nearly 20 years.

Bangit has vowed that as a

"professional organization" the military

will be neutral and non-partisan in the

elections, currently led in opinion polls

by opposition senator Benigno

"Noynoy" Aquino, saying that "only

God can make me commit illegal

orders". Its unclear if Aquino would

open probes into the various scandals

that have plagued Arroyo's

government if he were elected.

Manila is currently abuzz with rumors

about the so-called "Oplan August

Moon" plot - an alleged military plan to

sabotage the political exercise and

justify the continued presidency of

Arroyo. A number of lawmakers have

expressed alarm about the rumor,

noting that it could spark a

constitutional crisis on the rule of

succession.

The unexpected and sudden electricity

crisis in Mindanao has given rise to

doomsday scenarios for the elections.

In response to appeals by

businessmen, Arroyo has declared a

state of calamity in Mindanao to

stabilize power supplies and check the

unabated rise of basic commodity

prices.

The opposition fears the power

outages, which have caused 12-hour

daily blackouts in the region, may form

part of a grand conspiracy to steal

votes or subvert the electoral process

altogether. Coupled with the power

crisis is the widespread apprehension

that the automated counting machines

that voters will use for the first time on

election day might fail to deliver the

results within 24 hours. These will be

the country's first-ever automated

elections.

A Venezuelan-led consortium,

Smartmatic, clinched a whopping 7.2

billion pesos (US$157 million)

government contract to supply 82,200

precinct count optical scan (PCOS)

machines to be distributed to all

polling precincts throughout the


Seite | 19

country. While the PCOS replace the

manual voting whose results often

take months to tally, there are fears

that the machines may be

manipulated to favor certain

candidates.

Any power vacuum created by a

botched or highly contentious election

could tempt the military to seize

power. Senator Rodolfo Biazon, a

former military chief who fought

several coup attempts during Corazon

Aquino's tumultuous presidency, has

suggested that Congress appoint a

"caretaker president" in the event of a

failure of elections and that no new

leaders are sworn in by June 30 this

year.

Such apprehension is not without

basis. Under the succession rule of

the Constitution, Arroyo's vice

president, Noli de Castro, would be

mandated to succeed her. But like

Arroyo, his six-year term also lapses

on June 30. De Castro, a former

broadcast journalist, has not sought

reelection.

Juan Ponce Enrile, president of the

senate, would be next in line. Unless

reelected as a senator at the May 10

elections, he would not be qualified to

succeed Arroyo. The same is true with

House of Representatives speaker

Prospero Nograles, who has aspired

for the mayoralty post in Davao City.

Another possible successor, Supreme

Court chief justice Reynato Puno, is

set to retire next month.

Like other candidates, presidential

contender Aquino is wary of the

danger looming on the electoral

horizon. He has threatened to unleash

waves of street protests should he be

cheated of a highly anticipated victory

in the elections.

Aquino, the Liberal Party's standard

bearer, has mobilized the "yellow

army" identified with his late mother

Corazon Aquino to lead mass actions

should there be a failure of the

electoral process. The umbrella group

comprises civil society groups, non-

governmental organizations, volunteer

lawyers, students and other loyal

followers of the Aquino family.

Aquino's veiled threat recalls a similar

move by his late mother in the 1986

"snap" presidential polls, when then

dictator Marcos proclaimed himself the

winner under murky circumstances.

The then plain housewife Aquino

launched a civil disobedience

campaign that eventually led to

Marcos' ouster.

But the senator Aquino's similar plan,

viewed with disdain by many sectors

weary of the country's tumultuous

street politics, appears to have

backfired on his popularity rating,

which has been dramatically falling in

opinion surveys since January.

Filipino voters generally don't want

another "people power" revolution,

which brought Arroyo to power and

has miserably failed to live up to

expectations. Indeed the problems


Seite | 20

that the most recent revolt sought to

get rid of remain the same - graft and

corruption, abject poverty, an inept

bureaucracy, festering communist and

Muslim insurgencies and massive

unemployment - and many hope for a

genuinely democratic new start with a

newly elected government in May.

Al Labita has worked as a journalist

for over 30 years, including as a

regional bureau chief and foreign

editor for the Philippine News Agency.

He has worked as a Manila

correspondent for several major local

publications and wire agencies in

Australia, Hong Kong, Malaysia,

Singapore and the United Kingdom.

Reference:

www.atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/

LC16Ae01.html

Foreign Observers say RP Vote lacks Transparency; by AFP

MANILA, Philippines – (UPDATE)

Western election observers on

Saturday criticized the Philippine

government for "insufficient" openness

as the country prepares to choose its

next president with a new automated

voting system. While it recognized that

"substantial efforts" were being made

to improve on previous elections, the

US-based National Democratic

Institute mission still urged the state

poll watchdog Commission on

Elections (Comelec) to do more to

ensure that machines are fraud-proof

and have adequate backup.The

Philippines, for the first time, will use

the machines to count ballots and pool

and transmit results from more than

350,000 precincts."The perception,

whether fair or not, is that the

Comelec has not done so. When it

concerns elections, perceptions can

be as important as reality," it said after

it concluded a weeklong visit in the

country.This perception has "inhibited

public confidence in the elections and

generated anxiety about the

automated election system, " it added.

Fifty million voters are set to go to the

polls on May 10, when 17,000 posts

from president down to municipal

council seats will be contested.The

report said the Comelec has yet to

reveal to candidates and voters what

backup plan they have in place in the

event the automated system fails.

"The biggest challenge and

contribution that the Comelec can

make is to communicate openly and

frankly," Thomas Barry, NDI's deputy

regional director for Asia, told a news

conference.

Reference:

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/

nation/view/20100313-

258419/Foreign_observers_say_RP_vote

_lacks_transparency


Pre-Election Survey 24.-28.02.2010; by Business World and SWS

The BusinessWorld-

SWS Pre-Election

Survey of February

24-28, 2010 has the

following new

national scores in

the Presidential

race[Table 1].

Compared to the

previous BW-SWS

survey of January

21-24, 2010, Aquino

lost 6 points and

Villar lost 1 point,

whereas Estrada

and Teodoro gained

2 points each, and

Villanueva gained 1

point. As a result,

Aquino's lead over

Villar fell from 7 to 2,

his lead over Estrada

fell from 29 to 21,

and his lead over

Teodoro fell from 38

to 30. Thus both Estrada and Teodoro

inched closer to Aquino and Villar.

Vice-Presidential race

Compared to the previous BW-SWS

survey of the vice-presidential race,

Roxas lost 4 points, Legarda and

Manzano were steady, and Binay and

Fernando gained 1 point each. As a

result, Roxas's lead over Legarda fell

from 21 to 17, and his lead over Binay

fell from 33 to 28.

Senatorial race

In the Senate race, Ramon Bong

Revilla, Jr. (54%), Pilar Juliana

Cayetano (51%), Jinggoy Estrada

(47%) continue to be the leaders.

They are followed by 4. Miriam

Defensor Santiago (46%), 5. Franklin

Drilon (45%), 6. Ralph Recto (41%), 7.

Juan Ponce Enrile (40%), 8. Vicente

Sotto III (39%), 9. Ferdinand Marcos,

Jr. (32%), 10-11. Manuel Lapid and

Sergio Osmeña III (both 31%), and 12.

Gwendolyn Pimentel (27%) [Table 3].


Seite | 22

Presidential trends by

area

The SWS February 24-

28 survey shows Aquino

still ahead in Metro

Manila, Visayas and

Mindanao, and Villar now

ahead in the Balance of

Luzon.

[…]

Presidential trends by

class

The SWS February 24-

28 survey shows Aquino

as still ahead among the

masa or D class, but

Villar as now ahead in

both the ABC and the E

classes.

The key change from the

January 21-24 survey in

class ABC was that both

Villar and Aquino lost 7

points, while Estrada

gained 4 points and

Teodoro gained 2 points.

Vote percentages for

other candidates did not

change by more than 1

point. Thus Villar's 3

point lead over Aquino in

class ABC in January

21-24 stayed the same,

but his lead over Estrada

fell to 19 points, from 30

points previously [Table 8].


Seite | 23

In class D or the masa, Aquino lost 7

points while Villar was steady, and

thus Aquino's lead fell from 11 points

to only 4. Estrada gained 1 point, and

Teodoro gained 2 points. The vote

percentages of other candidates did

not change significantly from January

21-24 [Table 9].

In class E, Aquino lost 6 points and

Villar lost 2 points, while Teodoro

gained 3 points and Estrada gained 2

points. As a result the class E lead

shifted from Aquino to Villar. There

were no significant changes in the

vote percentages of other candidates,

compared to January 21-24 [Table

10].

Vice-presidential trends

Compared to the January 21-24, 2009

survey, Roxas lost 4 points while

Legarda held steady, and thus the

lead of Roxas over Legarda gap fell

from 21 to 17 points [Table 2]. Binay

and Fernando gained 1 point each.

The vote percentages of Manzano,

Sonza, Yasay, and Chipeco did not

change significantly from January 21-

24.

Senatorial trends

The twelve leaders in the Senatorial

race include two each from Lakas-

Kampi-CMD, the Nacionalista Party,

Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino, and the

Liberal Party, one each from the

People's Reform Party, the Nationalist

People's Coalition, and PDP-Laban,

and one independent.

From a BusinessWorld-approved list

of 61 names shown to the

respondents, nine candidates are

statistically above the 13th place,

namely 1. Revilla, 2. Cayetano, 3.

Jinggoy Estrada, 4. Defensor

Santiago, 5. Drilon, 6. Recto, 7. Ponce

Enrile, 8. Sotto, and 9. Marcos [Table

3].

The last three seats are being

statistically contended by 10-11. Lapid

and Osmeña III, 12. Gwendolyn

Pimentel (27%), and 13. Teofisto

Guingona III (25%).Close behind are

14-15. Jose De Venecia III and

Rozzano Rufino Biazon (both 23%).

Much farther away away are 16. Sonia

Roco (18%), 17. Alexander Lacson

(16%), and 18-20. Gilbert Cesar

Remulla, Francisco Tatad, and Ana

Theresia Hontiveros-Baraquel (14%

each). Compared to January 21-24,

the new survey of February 24-28

found Lapid (formerly 13th) and

Pimentel (formerly 14th) displacing

Guingona (formerly 11th) and De

Venecia (formerly 12th).

Survey Background

The February 2010 Social Weather

Survey was conducted from February

24-28, 2010 using face-to-face

interviews of 2,100 registered voters,

divided into random samples of 300 in

Metro Manila and 600 each in Balance

Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao

(sampling error margins of ±2.2% for

national percentages, ±6% for Metro

Manila, and ±4% for Balance Luzon,

Visayas and Mindanao). The area

estimates were weighted using

Comelec data on registered voters as


Seite | 24

of January 2010 to obtain the national

estimates.

The status of the three races for

President, Vice-President, and

Senator are commissioned items by

BusinessWorld under the BW-SWS

Partnership in 2010 Pre-Election

Surveys, and released with exclusive

first-print right to BusinessWorld. SWS

employs its own staff for questionnaire

design, sampling, fieldwork, data-

processing, and analysis, and does

not outsource any of its survey

operations.

Weitere Informationen

philippinenbüro e.V. im Asienhaus:

www.philippinenbuero.de

Asienhaus-Blog: blog.asienhaus.de

Infos zur Wahl:

Comelec: www.comelec.gov.ph

Elections 2010:

http://2010elections.blogspot.com

SWS: www.sws.org.ph

AsiaPulse: www.asiapulse.com

Kandidaten und Parteien:

Manuel Villar:

www.mannyvillar .com.ph;

www.eleksyon.co.cc/manny-villars-

platform/

Beningo Noynoy Aquino:

http://www.noynoy.ph;

http://www.scribd.com/doc/23268483/No

ynoyAquino-platform-of-Governmenty

Gilberto Teodoro: http://75.125.2.19/

Dick Gordon:

http://www.dickgordon2010.com

http://www.scribd.com/doc/25431712/G

ordon_Fernando-Manifesto-and-

Platform-of-Government

Bro. Eddie Vilanueva: http://broeddie.ph/ http://www.buffetofwisdom.com/2009/06/bro-eddie-villanueva-his-platform-of-government/

Consuelo Jamby Madrigal: http://www.jambymadrigal.com/ http://www.scribd.com/doc/24748034/Madrigal-Platform

Nicanor Perlas:

http://www.nicanor-perlas.com/

http://www.scribd.com/doc/23285886/Ang-Kapatiran-Platform

Zeitungen/Nachrichten:

Inquirer: www.inquirer.net

PhilStar: www.philstar.com

MindaNews: www.mindanews.com

The Manila Times: www.manilatimes.net

Bulatlat: www.bulatlat.com

Bildernachweis:

Titelbild:

http://farm3.static.fickr.com/2425/36145

31290_c47935981f.jpg

Vereidigung Prospero Nograles:

http://professionalheckler.wordpress.co

m/2008/02/

POCS:

http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art

_id=7158

kaya yan! yes we can! - asienhaus · kaya yan! yes we can! ... comelec the power to accredit...

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