Manila, June 7 – As the government raises its stakes in the peace process, it constantly seeks the support of stakeholders in moving forward the negotiations with the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front of the Philippines (CPP-NPA-NDFP).
In a recent dialogue with Catholic bishops, priests and lay leaders from the cities of Davao, Digos, Tagum and Mati, Government of the Philippines (GPH) panel member Ednar Dayanghirang urged the religious sector to back the decades-old peace talks and continuously engage the community by providing information on the substantive agenda of the talks. The religious sector can also offer spiritual and moral guidance particularly with regard to lowering levels of tension, violence and atrocities.
During the monthly Presbyterium Meeting of the Diocesan Clergy of Tagum at the Clergy Development Center in Tagum City, Davao del Norte, the panel member delivered updates on the peace process between the GPH and the CPP-NPA-NDFP. The meeting was attended by Bishop Wilfredo D. Manlapaz D.D. and more than 50 priests.
Fr. Ulysses Perandos said Dayanghirang's inputs were “very informative and comprehensive," and pledged, on behalf of his fellow clergy, “to do our share as we’ve always been doing and to encourage other people to participate in the government's peace initiatives.”
The Tagum diocese covers the provinces of Davao del Norte and Compostela Valley, among the top NPA hotspots in the country. Abundant in mineral resources, these provinces are home to banana plantations which dominate agribusiness investments in the area. These provinces also share borders with other NPA hotspots in Mindanao--Surigao del Sur, Davao Oriental and Agusan del Sur.
Dayanghirang graced a bigger gathering of Catholic religious and lay leaders at the Benedictine Sisters Monastery in Digos City, Davao Del Sur. The meeting was led by Archbishop Fernando Capalla, Bishop Manlapaz, Bishop Patricio H. Alo of Mati City and Bishop Jimmy Afable of Digos City.
Dayanghirang appealed for the support of the Catholic leaders in sharing the information with their respective parishioners. He also stressed that engaging the people in a meaningful peace dialogue will bring their voice to the negotiating table, crucial to the success of the peace talks.
Dayanghirang observed that the call for reduced levels of violence was a common sentiment. Best expressed by one bishop: “What is most important is the urgent need for violence to stop so that the people can continue living normal lives while negotiations are pursued.”
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
LET THE PEACE TALKS PROCEED
PEOPLE POWER VOLUNTEERS
for REFORM – CARAGA
LD Apartment, Santan St., Butuan city
We, members of the People Power Volunteers for Reform – Caraga (PPVR-Caraga), read the news on the proposition of the National Democratic Front (NDF) “to postpone the scheduled resumption of the peace talks this month until the imprisoned rebels have been freed” with fear that the fresh round of the peace negotiations may end up, like those in the past, a failure. We see in such tit-for-tat scheme a pattern of the ways that preceded withdrawals of the NDF’s peace panels from the negotiation table in past. And we dread the thoughts of having this another chance at forging peace go down the drain because of just one unmet demand that for us is far from the substantive issues that have to be resolved in the negotiations.
A multi-sectoral organization that takes peace building as one of its advocacies to help make the quality of life in the region better, PPVR-Caraga is among those active in promoting the current round of peace talks as a way to peace. We have initiated the conduct of peace forums in the past weeks and more activities are lined up to keep the people in the region at pace with the progress of the peace talks and in some ways have their voices and positions on the issues that surround the 42-year old insurgency be considered in resolving the conflict.
We are doing all these fully aware that we have gone so far in the ways of war. We live in a region where the armed conflict between the government forces and elements of the New People’s Army (NPA) has been more pronounced than the other regions in the country and been there for decades.
Of course we understand if the NDF would ask for the release of detained comrades and other requests in the course of the negotiation. We would also welcome if in the process the government side would give way to those requests. They could be all parts of the process. But we hate it if at this very early stage conditions that could be hollow for us and the public to appreciate are dangled as conditions for the talks to proceed. After all it is us, the public, who suffer most in this armed conflict.
We, therefore, appeal to the NDF panel not to postpone the scheduled resumption of the talks this month just because of the non-release of the arrested comrades. We are expressing this appeal in the same breath that we also ask the government to consider the merits of such request in the light of what is best to attain a lasting peace in the land.
We urge both panels to let the peace talks proceed. June 7, 2011
CONCEPCION C. ASIS
CHAIRPERSON
PEOPLE POWER VOLUNTERS
FOR REFORM - CARAGA
for REFORM – CARAGA
LD Apartment, Santan St., Butuan city
We, members of the People Power Volunteers for Reform – Caraga (PPVR-Caraga), read the news on the proposition of the National Democratic Front (NDF) “to postpone the scheduled resumption of the peace talks this month until the imprisoned rebels have been freed” with fear that the fresh round of the peace negotiations may end up, like those in the past, a failure. We see in such tit-for-tat scheme a pattern of the ways that preceded withdrawals of the NDF’s peace panels from the negotiation table in past. And we dread the thoughts of having this another chance at forging peace go down the drain because of just one unmet demand that for us is far from the substantive issues that have to be resolved in the negotiations.
A multi-sectoral organization that takes peace building as one of its advocacies to help make the quality of life in the region better, PPVR-Caraga is among those active in promoting the current round of peace talks as a way to peace. We have initiated the conduct of peace forums in the past weeks and more activities are lined up to keep the people in the region at pace with the progress of the peace talks and in some ways have their voices and positions on the issues that surround the 42-year old insurgency be considered in resolving the conflict.
We are doing all these fully aware that we have gone so far in the ways of war. We live in a region where the armed conflict between the government forces and elements of the New People’s Army (NPA) has been more pronounced than the other regions in the country and been there for decades.
Of course we understand if the NDF would ask for the release of detained comrades and other requests in the course of the negotiation. We would also welcome if in the process the government side would give way to those requests. They could be all parts of the process. But we hate it if at this very early stage conditions that could be hollow for us and the public to appreciate are dangled as conditions for the talks to proceed. After all it is us, the public, who suffer most in this armed conflict.
We, therefore, appeal to the NDF panel not to postpone the scheduled resumption of the talks this month just because of the non-release of the arrested comrades. We are expressing this appeal in the same breath that we also ask the government to consider the merits of such request in the light of what is best to attain a lasting peace in the land.
We urge both panels to let the peace talks proceed. June 7, 2011
CONCEPCION C. ASIS
CHAIRPERSON
PEOPLE POWER VOLUNTERS
FOR REFORM - CARAGA
WE WANT PEACE
(A Call by Civil Society Organizations in Caraga in Support of the Ongoing Peace Process. Issued on the occasion of the conduct of a Peace Forum on 19 February 2011 at the regional capital of Butuan City)
We want peace and we welcome the resumptions of the peace talks between the government and the National Democratic Front (GPH – NDF) and the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (GPH – MILF) this month.
We want peace and we call on everyone to initiate or support activities that would lead to the successful conclusion of the peace negotiations.
We are making this call fully aware that we have gone so far in the ways of war. We live in a region where the armed conflict between the government forces and elements of the New People’s Army (NPA) has been more pronounced than the other regions in the country and been there for decades.
We respect those who take up arms as an option to correct what could actually be said as injustices in our midst in the same way that we understand the government’s armed forces in unleashing the machines of war. But we hate seeing in the process so much blood spilled, disruptions and destructions, lost lives, insecurities and missed opportunities to improve our well being.
We will work for the necessary transformation in the same way that we will defend a threatened state. But let that be done in the ways of peace. The resumptions of the peace talks therefore deserve all the support we can extend. Along this line we commit to take the following activities as support to the peace process:
Initiate or join a peace forum or discussions in our localities
Initiate a peace wall signing in the offices or coordination centers of our organizations or schools
Conduct signature campaign in our offices, schools or communities
Initiate candle lighting for peace in front of houses, along the streets
Call on other organizations to also take the initiatives to support the peace process
Support activities of other entities that support the peace process
We want peace and we place our stake into it in the ongoing peace process.
We want peace and we welcome the resumptions of the peace talks between the government and the National Democratic Front (GPH – NDF) and the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (GPH – MILF) this month.
We want peace and we call on everyone to initiate or support activities that would lead to the successful conclusion of the peace negotiations.
We are making this call fully aware that we have gone so far in the ways of war. We live in a region where the armed conflict between the government forces and elements of the New People’s Army (NPA) has been more pronounced than the other regions in the country and been there for decades.
We respect those who take up arms as an option to correct what could actually be said as injustices in our midst in the same way that we understand the government’s armed forces in unleashing the machines of war. But we hate seeing in the process so much blood spilled, disruptions and destructions, lost lives, insecurities and missed opportunities to improve our well being.
We will work for the necessary transformation in the same way that we will defend a threatened state. But let that be done in the ways of peace. The resumptions of the peace talks therefore deserve all the support we can extend. Along this line we commit to take the following activities as support to the peace process:
Initiate or join a peace forum or discussions in our localities
Initiate a peace wall signing in the offices or coordination centers of our organizations or schools
Conduct signature campaign in our offices, schools or communities
Initiate candle lighting for peace in front of houses, along the streets
Call on other organizations to also take the initiatives to support the peace process
Support activities of other entities that support the peace process
We want peace and we place our stake into it in the ongoing peace process.
Friday, June 3, 2011
Statement of Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos-Deles Regarding the NDFP’s proposal to defer peace talks and demand to release consultants
The statements made by National Democratic Front of the Philippines' (NDFP) chief negotiator Luis Jalandoni and NDF panel member Fidel Agcaoili are most unfortunate.
I would like to refer to the statements made in January of this year, of government chief negotiator Alexander Padilla, after the preliminary negotiations between the government and the NDFP. I quote negotiator Padilla, who said in his statement that “the government agreed to work, on best effort basis, for the release of NDFP consultants and personalities who are qualified under the JASIG so they may meaningfully participate in the negotiations."
"The resumption of the formal negotiations with the NDFP will focus on the remaining substantive agenda on: socio-economic reforms, political and constitutional reforms and end of hostilities and disposition of forces. To avoid unwarranted disruptions of the negotiations, the Parties also established sidetable mechanisms to review and address procedural and non-substantive issues such as JASIG implementation, the release of alleged political prisoners (APOs), and confidence-building and goodwill measures."
In line with this, the Government reiterates its sincerity and commitment to this process. In fact, in February of this year, before the start of the formal talks in Oslo, Norway, we facilitated provision of travel documents for NDFP Reciprocal Working Committee on Socio Economic Reform (RWC-SER) members Rafael Baylosis and Randall Echanis and NDFP consultant Angelina Bisuna Ipong. Likewise, the GPH took effective remedies to ensure the participation in the February talks of NDFP consultants Vicente Ladlad and Elizabeth Principe.
As far as I know, there has not been any changes on the agreements between the government and the NDFP. Preparations for the substantive agenda are moving forward. The Panel is fully aware of the developments brought about by the statements issued by Jalandoni and Agcaoili. I am confident that the Panel will manage this issue well and shall release its own official statement soon.
I am also confident that given the opportunity, the mechanisms set-up by both Parties to address the non-substantive issues will work towards the resolution of this issue. We enjoin the NDFP to continue having faith in this mechanism. The government remains committed to stay the course and discuss whatever it takes to bring a just and lasting peace for the country.
I would like to refer to the statements made in January of this year, of government chief negotiator Alexander Padilla, after the preliminary negotiations between the government and the NDFP. I quote negotiator Padilla, who said in his statement that “the government agreed to work, on best effort basis, for the release of NDFP consultants and personalities who are qualified under the JASIG so they may meaningfully participate in the negotiations."
"The resumption of the formal negotiations with the NDFP will focus on the remaining substantive agenda on: socio-economic reforms, political and constitutional reforms and end of hostilities and disposition of forces. To avoid unwarranted disruptions of the negotiations, the Parties also established sidetable mechanisms to review and address procedural and non-substantive issues such as JASIG implementation, the release of alleged political prisoners (APOs), and confidence-building and goodwill measures."
In line with this, the Government reiterates its sincerity and commitment to this process. In fact, in February of this year, before the start of the formal talks in Oslo, Norway, we facilitated provision of travel documents for NDFP Reciprocal Working Committee on Socio Economic Reform (RWC-SER) members Rafael Baylosis and Randall Echanis and NDFP consultant Angelina Bisuna Ipong. Likewise, the GPH took effective remedies to ensure the participation in the February talks of NDFP consultants Vicente Ladlad and Elizabeth Principe.
As far as I know, there has not been any changes on the agreements between the government and the NDFP. Preparations for the substantive agenda are moving forward. The Panel is fully aware of the developments brought about by the statements issued by Jalandoni and Agcaoili. I am confident that the Panel will manage this issue well and shall release its own official statement soon.
I am also confident that given the opportunity, the mechanisms set-up by both Parties to address the non-substantive issues will work towards the resolution of this issue. We enjoin the NDFP to continue having faith in this mechanism. The government remains committed to stay the course and discuss whatever it takes to bring a just and lasting peace for the country.
Thousands walk, race against hunger in Mindanao conflict areas
Manila, June 2 – More than 3,000 hunger advocates from different sectors walked and raced as they took a stand to fight hunger in conflict-laden southern Philippines.
Some participants walked two kilometers while others ran five and 10 km in the United Nations World Food Programme’s (UNWFP) annual campaign against child hunger and malnutrition dubbed “Walk the World – Pilipinas,” which was held over the weekend at the SM Mall of Asia grounds in Pasay City.
Initiated by WFP along with corporate giants TNT, Unilever and DSM, the event aims to raise awareness and funds to feed hungry and malnourished children in Mindanao. Proceeds will support more than 80,000 school children in 300 schools in the provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur.
The campaign, which is a global effort, was also held in 79 countries.
Attending the affair were WFP Country Representative Stephen Anderson, UN Development Programme Resident Coordinator Jacqueline Badcock, UN Food and Agriculture Organization Representative Kazuyuki Tsurumi, actress and WFP Philippines Ambassador against Hunger KC Concepcion, actor Richard Gomez, TNT Country General Manager Celtin Yalcin, Unilever Philippines Managing Director for Foods Carl Cruz, Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) Assistant Secretary Jehanne Mutin, and Department of Social Welfare and Development Asst. Sec. Camilo Gudmalin, among others.
OPAPP sponsored the event together with various organizations.
Walking the talk
Police Senior Inspector Lyra Valera, who joined the race in her own capacity as a peace advocate, said that she hopes to contribute to ending hunger among Filipino children even in her own little way.
"Dapat maging layunin ng ating henerasyon na wala nang batang Pilipino sa susunod na henerasyon ang kailangan pang magutom (It should be the goal of our generation that no Filipino child in the next generation will go hungry),” she stated.
Valera, who is also a lawyer, believes that hunger drives conflict. “In the years to come, widespread hunger due to prevalent poverty is predicted to pose a grave threat to our security as a state. It will become a serious source of conflict if not immediately addressed.
Kailangan din ng gobyerno ng tulong para matugunan ang problemang ito (The government also needs help to address this).”
Melinda Severo from Pizza Hut Philippines, one of the largest pizza chains in the country and among the sponsors of this year’s “Walk the World – Pilipinas,” lauded the organizers for their effort to “somehow lessen the problem of hunger” particularly in conflict communities.
Pizza Hut, she said, has always been supportive of WFP’s feeding programs. “Actually, some of the managers and staff in the company visited a conflict-affected area in Mindanao to see for themselves the plight of children and how WFP is alleviating their situation.”
“I hope that the communities will be able to rise above poverty and be given opportunities to help themselves so as not to become dependent of external aid,” added Severo.
Battle against apathy
Anderson stressed that the Filipinos’ lack of concern in the hunger dilemma that hounds not only Mindanao, but the rest of the country, has been a constant challenge.
“The biggest battle is against apathy. This is what really hurts us,” he said. “Without proactive, unified efforts from all of us, it would not get better.”
Anderson noted that everybody always looks at the government to solve the problem. “But I think it comes from all of us to complement these efforts, to further the cause, to make a tangible, visible impact.”
He added that anybody can make a difference with a few pesos. “With just P 10, you can provide a nutritious meal to every child in conflict-affected areas in Mindanao.”
Congratulating the participants, Anderson called all of them winners in the fight against hunger.
“Because all of us are here, representing the Philippines, from all walks of life. We have a common vision – to have a healthy, strong and vibrant Philippines,” he stated. #
Some participants walked two kilometers while others ran five and 10 km in the United Nations World Food Programme’s (UNWFP) annual campaign against child hunger and malnutrition dubbed “Walk the World – Pilipinas,” which was held over the weekend at the SM Mall of Asia grounds in Pasay City.
Initiated by WFP along with corporate giants TNT, Unilever and DSM, the event aims to raise awareness and funds to feed hungry and malnourished children in Mindanao. Proceeds will support more than 80,000 school children in 300 schools in the provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur.
The campaign, which is a global effort, was also held in 79 countries.
Attending the affair were WFP Country Representative Stephen Anderson, UN Development Programme Resident Coordinator Jacqueline Badcock, UN Food and Agriculture Organization Representative Kazuyuki Tsurumi, actress and WFP Philippines Ambassador against Hunger KC Concepcion, actor Richard Gomez, TNT Country General Manager Celtin Yalcin, Unilever Philippines Managing Director for Foods Carl Cruz, Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) Assistant Secretary Jehanne Mutin, and Department of Social Welfare and Development Asst. Sec. Camilo Gudmalin, among others.
OPAPP sponsored the event together with various organizations.
Walking the talk
Police Senior Inspector Lyra Valera, who joined the race in her own capacity as a peace advocate, said that she hopes to contribute to ending hunger among Filipino children even in her own little way.
"Dapat maging layunin ng ating henerasyon na wala nang batang Pilipino sa susunod na henerasyon ang kailangan pang magutom (It should be the goal of our generation that no Filipino child in the next generation will go hungry),” she stated.
Valera, who is also a lawyer, believes that hunger drives conflict. “In the years to come, widespread hunger due to prevalent poverty is predicted to pose a grave threat to our security as a state. It will become a serious source of conflict if not immediately addressed.
Kailangan din ng gobyerno ng tulong para matugunan ang problemang ito (The government also needs help to address this).”
Melinda Severo from Pizza Hut Philippines, one of the largest pizza chains in the country and among the sponsors of this year’s “Walk the World – Pilipinas,” lauded the organizers for their effort to “somehow lessen the problem of hunger” particularly in conflict communities.
Pizza Hut, she said, has always been supportive of WFP’s feeding programs. “Actually, some of the managers and staff in the company visited a conflict-affected area in Mindanao to see for themselves the plight of children and how WFP is alleviating their situation.”
“I hope that the communities will be able to rise above poverty and be given opportunities to help themselves so as not to become dependent of external aid,” added Severo.
Battle against apathy
Anderson stressed that the Filipinos’ lack of concern in the hunger dilemma that hounds not only Mindanao, but the rest of the country, has been a constant challenge.
“The biggest battle is against apathy. This is what really hurts us,” he said. “Without proactive, unified efforts from all of us, it would not get better.”
Anderson noted that everybody always looks at the government to solve the problem. “But I think it comes from all of us to complement these efforts, to further the cause, to make a tangible, visible impact.”
He added that anybody can make a difference with a few pesos. “With just P 10, you can provide a nutritious meal to every child in conflict-affected areas in Mindanao.”
Congratulating the participants, Anderson called all of them winners in the fight against hunger.
“Because all of us are here, representing the Philippines, from all walks of life. We have a common vision – to have a healthy, strong and vibrant Philippines,” he stated. #
Bike for Peace signifies collective action, determination, imagination to stay the course - Deles
Upi, Maguindanao, June 2 – More than a show of support to the Mindanao peace process, the “Bike for Peace” event is a symbolic act and a reminder that the work for peace involves collective action, determination and imagination to stay the course to achieve a just and lasting peace in southern Philippines, according to Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos-Deles.
“This exercise as envisioned is meant to simulate our own collective experience of making and waging peace, in addition to getting a wider public interest and support for the Mindanao peace process. It is a symbolic act and a reminder to us all of what the work for peace entails: peace is action, peace is effort, peace is community, peace is reaching out, peace is going the extra mile,” Deles stressed during the bikefest held recently from Cotabato City to Upi, Maguindanao.
With the theme “Going the Extra Mile for Peace in Mindanao,” the Bike for Peace was initiated by the Government of the Philippines (GPH) peace panel for talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to gain heightened public support on the peace process. More than 600 participants from various sectors pedaled the 36-kilometer route from Cotabato City Hall to Upi Municipal Gymnasium.
Deles also said that the bikefest is a reminder of what it takes to achieve the goal of peace. “If it is not your training that will help you to stay the course, it will be your determination that will. If it is not your determination, it will be your companion who will. And if this would still not be enough, it will be your imagination that will help to bring you to the end of the journey.”
‘Walang iwanan’
In her message, the peace adviser likewise underscored the “promise of faithful accompaniment that riders make to each other before embarking on a long and difficult journey,” which means nobody will be left behind.
“And this, in the peace process, is the appeal I want to make to all of you – walang iwanan. Magkakasama tayo hindi lang sa mga panahon ng tagumpay, kundi lalo na sa mga panahon na malubak ang kalsada at may mga kasamang nadadapa (Nobody shall be left behind. We shall be together not only in times of triumph, but especially in times when the road is rough and our companions stumble),” she said.
“When one of our companions in the peace process falls, I hope we will be like the bikeriders who faithfully provide accompaniment to their fallen fellow riders, instead of breaking away to get ahead of the pack. More than the experience of camaraderie is the experience of faithful accompaniment that I know we will truly experience today,” added Deles.
Public support to peace process
The Bike for Peace culminated at the Upi Municipal Gymnasium where Upians also held a program in celebration of their 11th anniversary of “Day of Peace.”
Deles attended the unveiling of the Tree of Peace marker that symbolizes the desire of the Upians to attain lasting peace in Mindanao.
“I hope the public will continually be involved in the peace process,” she stated. “Peace constituency is needed and this event has shown us how ordinary people can go the extra mile for peace.”
GPH panel chair Marvic Leonen called on the participants and the people of Upi to “spread the word: The government is resolute in achieving peace in Mindanao with the principled and pragmatic cooperation of the MILF and with the help of the people.” #
“This exercise as envisioned is meant to simulate our own collective experience of making and waging peace, in addition to getting a wider public interest and support for the Mindanao peace process. It is a symbolic act and a reminder to us all of what the work for peace entails: peace is action, peace is effort, peace is community, peace is reaching out, peace is going the extra mile,” Deles stressed during the bikefest held recently from Cotabato City to Upi, Maguindanao.
With the theme “Going the Extra Mile for Peace in Mindanao,” the Bike for Peace was initiated by the Government of the Philippines (GPH) peace panel for talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to gain heightened public support on the peace process. More than 600 participants from various sectors pedaled the 36-kilometer route from Cotabato City Hall to Upi Municipal Gymnasium.
Deles also said that the bikefest is a reminder of what it takes to achieve the goal of peace. “If it is not your training that will help you to stay the course, it will be your determination that will. If it is not your determination, it will be your companion who will. And if this would still not be enough, it will be your imagination that will help to bring you to the end of the journey.”
‘Walang iwanan’
In her message, the peace adviser likewise underscored the “promise of faithful accompaniment that riders make to each other before embarking on a long and difficult journey,” which means nobody will be left behind.
“And this, in the peace process, is the appeal I want to make to all of you – walang iwanan. Magkakasama tayo hindi lang sa mga panahon ng tagumpay, kundi lalo na sa mga panahon na malubak ang kalsada at may mga kasamang nadadapa (Nobody shall be left behind. We shall be together not only in times of triumph, but especially in times when the road is rough and our companions stumble),” she said.
“When one of our companions in the peace process falls, I hope we will be like the bikeriders who faithfully provide accompaniment to their fallen fellow riders, instead of breaking away to get ahead of the pack. More than the experience of camaraderie is the experience of faithful accompaniment that I know we will truly experience today,” added Deles.
Public support to peace process
The Bike for Peace culminated at the Upi Municipal Gymnasium where Upians also held a program in celebration of their 11th anniversary of “Day of Peace.”
Deles attended the unveiling of the Tree of Peace marker that symbolizes the desire of the Upians to attain lasting peace in Mindanao.
“I hope the public will continually be involved in the peace process,” she stated. “Peace constituency is needed and this event has shown us how ordinary people can go the extra mile for peace.”
GPH panel chair Marvic Leonen called on the participants and the people of Upi to “spread the word: The government is resolute in achieving peace in Mindanao with the principled and pragmatic cooperation of the MILF and with the help of the people.” #
Poll watchdog pushes automation of ARMM election
ROMY ELUSFA
COTABATO CITY—An election watchdog, which earlier pushed for the postponement of the election in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao to facilitate electoral reforms, has strongly suggested an automation in the coming political exercise if the voting pushes through in August.
The call for the automation of election was called by the Citizens Coalition for ARMM Electoral Reform (C-CARE), an election watchdog, following published reports of a plan to revert to manual voting the August 8 political exercise in the so-called “cheating capital in the Philippines.”
Earlier, it was reported that the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) was contemplating of reverting to manual voting the election in ARMM, citing deficiencies of the PCOS machines used in the last presidential election.
The Citizen’s CARE had wanted to move the voting in ARMM and synchronize it with the national elections to give the Comelec ample time to implement electoral reforms like the cleansing of the voters’ list in the region.
But if the government is bent on pursuing the ARMM election in August, the Citizen’s CARE said that the “matuwid na daan (right path) to do it is to still use the PCOS machines used in the last presidential elections.”
Frustrated that their earlier call for the postponement of the ARMM elections was unheeded, Jumda Sabaani, chair of C-CARE, said: “If the government could no longer buy a bit of time to institutionalize electoral reform before conducting any election in the autonomous region, then it should not even entertain reverting back to the manual voting.”
Sabaani said if ever some of the PCOS machines malfunctioned in the last Presidential election, “still the result of that political exercise was far better from any of the manual voting that we have had in the past. So, I could not understand why we should revert back to manual voting, especially in the ARMM, which everyone knows is the cheating capital in the Philippines.”
The C-CARE claimed that many Filipinos, “especially the residents of this so-called cheating capital of the country, have enliven hopes for meaningful change under the present administration, but if this government allows a reversal to manual election in the ARMM, that will simply make the pronouncement of taking the matuwid na daan a lip service—a moro-moro.”
“Let this set the record straight: We were for the postponement of the ARMM election because we know a lot of electoral reforms need to be set in place and it would be best for this government to see these reforms initially realized before any election could be again done in the country. For one, there is a need to clean the voters list in ARMM. But since government is entertaining to pursue with the election in August, the more that it should use the PCOS machines despite real defects that the machines have,” said Sabaani.
Sabaani’s group, which bragged of more than 20 member organizations in ARMM, reminded the government that “the scale of election fraud and violence in the ARMM remains high and requires citizen’s active vigilance to ensure transparent, credible, honest, safe and clean polls. But if government itself will allow reversal to manual election, all efforts of the people will be rendered futile.”
The Citizen’s CARE said that while manual election may cost lesser than an automated one, “the savings from the difference could not compensate for the fraud, manipulation, tampering of votes and even manufacturing election returns that we all know have always happen in ARMM.”
Sabaani also noted that an automated voting could save a lot of time for the entire election process, citing the fact that transporting election returns from many areas in ARMM could take even two days due to some villages’ inaccessibility to land transportation.
She stressed that “transporting of ballot boxes and election returns has already been proven very vulnerable to all sorts of election frauds and violence, hence, we could not really understand why government should even consider reverting to manual election in ARMM.”
The Board of Election Inspectors, in an automated election, need not extend time in manning polling places that actually exposes them all the more to fraud and violence,” Sabaani said.
She suggested for government to instead “immediately fix the defective machines, which they could have done a long time ago.”
She said that the Senate and the Comelec should instead “use all means to protect the integrity of votes of the electorate in ARMM. The lawmakers must appropriate and approved sufficient budget to allow the election body to purchase “much better and more reliable election machines.” ###
COTABATO CITY—An election watchdog, which earlier pushed for the postponement of the election in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao to facilitate electoral reforms, has strongly suggested an automation in the coming political exercise if the voting pushes through in August.
The call for the automation of election was called by the Citizens Coalition for ARMM Electoral Reform (C-CARE), an election watchdog, following published reports of a plan to revert to manual voting the August 8 political exercise in the so-called “cheating capital in the Philippines.”
Earlier, it was reported that the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) was contemplating of reverting to manual voting the election in ARMM, citing deficiencies of the PCOS machines used in the last presidential election.
The Citizen’s CARE had wanted to move the voting in ARMM and synchronize it with the national elections to give the Comelec ample time to implement electoral reforms like the cleansing of the voters’ list in the region.
But if the government is bent on pursuing the ARMM election in August, the Citizen’s CARE said that the “matuwid na daan (right path) to do it is to still use the PCOS machines used in the last presidential elections.”
Frustrated that their earlier call for the postponement of the ARMM elections was unheeded, Jumda Sabaani, chair of C-CARE, said: “If the government could no longer buy a bit of time to institutionalize electoral reform before conducting any election in the autonomous region, then it should not even entertain reverting back to the manual voting.”
Sabaani said if ever some of the PCOS machines malfunctioned in the last Presidential election, “still the result of that political exercise was far better from any of the manual voting that we have had in the past. So, I could not understand why we should revert back to manual voting, especially in the ARMM, which everyone knows is the cheating capital in the Philippines.”
The C-CARE claimed that many Filipinos, “especially the residents of this so-called cheating capital of the country, have enliven hopes for meaningful change under the present administration, but if this government allows a reversal to manual election in the ARMM, that will simply make the pronouncement of taking the matuwid na daan a lip service—a moro-moro.”
“Let this set the record straight: We were for the postponement of the ARMM election because we know a lot of electoral reforms need to be set in place and it would be best for this government to see these reforms initially realized before any election could be again done in the country. For one, there is a need to clean the voters list in ARMM. But since government is entertaining to pursue with the election in August, the more that it should use the PCOS machines despite real defects that the machines have,” said Sabaani.
Sabaani’s group, which bragged of more than 20 member organizations in ARMM, reminded the government that “the scale of election fraud and violence in the ARMM remains high and requires citizen’s active vigilance to ensure transparent, credible, honest, safe and clean polls. But if government itself will allow reversal to manual election, all efforts of the people will be rendered futile.”
The Citizen’s CARE said that while manual election may cost lesser than an automated one, “the savings from the difference could not compensate for the fraud, manipulation, tampering of votes and even manufacturing election returns that we all know have always happen in ARMM.”
Sabaani also noted that an automated voting could save a lot of time for the entire election process, citing the fact that transporting election returns from many areas in ARMM could take even two days due to some villages’ inaccessibility to land transportation.
She stressed that “transporting of ballot boxes and election returns has already been proven very vulnerable to all sorts of election frauds and violence, hence, we could not really understand why government should even consider reverting to manual election in ARMM.”
The Board of Election Inspectors, in an automated election, need not extend time in manning polling places that actually exposes them all the more to fraud and violence,” Sabaani said.
She suggested for government to instead “immediately fix the defective machines, which they could have done a long time ago.”
She said that the Senate and the Comelec should instead “use all means to protect the integrity of votes of the electorate in ARMM. The lawmakers must appropriate and approved sufficient budget to allow the election body to purchase “much better and more reliable election machines.” ###
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