July 23, 2009 | PL07627.1559 | 505 words Text size
SAN JUAN CITY, Philippines (UCAN) -- Former seminarians are planning to campaign for Father Eddie Panlilio, a priest who intends to run for the presidency in next year’s election.
“We aim to deliver 5 million votes,” said Tyrone Cimafranca, president of the association of former Society of the Divine Word (SVD) seminarians. The association, called XVDs, has about 500 members. They are part of PAX, the Philippine Alliance of Xseminarians. Cimafranca said some former seminarians now living abroad do not qualify to vote, “but we are counting on their influence on their relatives here to whom they send money.” These men have also expressed willingness to contribute financially to Father Panlilio’s campaign, Cimafranca said. “They are just waiting while the campaign organizes the logistics because money is a sensitive matter and we want to do it properly.” Cimafranca said priests in provinces he visited have also told him they support Father Panlilio's candidacy. Father Panlilio, who is governor of Pampanga, announced on July 21 that he plans to seek dispensation from his priestly duties to run for the presidency. He said he would file his certificate of candidacy in time for the Nov. 30 deadline. The priest is currently on leave from his religious ministry. Cimafranca, a lawyer, was speaking to UCA News after the weekly Fernandina Media Forum session organized in San Juan. He arrived late for the July 22 forum because of “all the emails I had to answer” about the possibility of Father Eddie Panlilio being elected Philippine president in the May 2010 election. Cimafranca said friends from around the country and abroad are discussing online what they can do to help Father Panlilio win. PAX has about 1 million members, former seminarian Bal Falcone said during the forum. These include ordained clergy as well as laymen who had studied in a Philippine seminary. “We support (Father Panlilio) 100 percent,” Falcone declared. “We will work for him in every way we can.” Fellow member Ricky Ribo, a lawyer, also addressed the forum. In Father Panlilio, “we see a ray of hope” because he embodies what PAX advocates, he said. These include transparency, good governance and public accountability, he elaborated. Father Panlilio also has no potentially “troublesome” First Lady, has been trained to serve others instead of his own interests, and is prepared to give up the priesthood, “something he loves so much,” to serve the nation, former seminarian Jules Quinabo told the forum. Journalists at the gathering, however, said Father Panlilio must live up to his ideals of honesty and truthfulness and answer questions he has dodged. One insisted the priest categorically answer questions about his alleged two children. Another journalist said the priest-governor has yet to account publicly for gubernatorial campaign funds from overseas donors and money he reportedly received during a meeting in Malacanang, the presidential office. Other participants want Father Panlilio to explain his positions on issues such as military action and population control. His campaign staff must also reveal if any serious medical condition is causing the discoloration of his skin, said another journalist.
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Friday, July 24, 2009
PHILIPPINES Ex-seminarians to support priest’s presidential bid
Thursday, July 23, 2009
PANLILIO/PADACA- ANG SIGAW NG BAYAN
Ang gusto kong presidente ay yung may paninindigan sa sarili kung kapakanan ng maraming Pilipino ang nakataya. Handang bihisan ang lahat ng ahensiya ng gobyerno.Go for it, sana po makumbinsi nyo si Ms. Padaca para sa iyong vice president.Alam po namin na ang puhunan nyo ay ang magandang adhikain para ating bansa at hindi ang paglustay ng pera ng bayan sa simula pa lang ng kampanya...AL KHOBAR, KSA Submitted by JOSEPH ALTEZ on Thu, 07/23/2009 - 14:27.
Panlilio hurts the Church --Pampanga bishop
Updated July 23, 2009 01:05 PM Phil Star
MANILA, Philippines -- A Pampanga bishop said Gov. Ed Panlilio is hurting the Catholic Church with the latter’s declaration to participate in the 2010 presidential race.
Pampanga Auxiliary bishop Ambo David said Panlilio also has broken his promise to go back to priesthood after finishing his term as governor.
"He broke his own word when he said (he’ll just take) one term. He doesn’t realize how he is hurting the Church with his behavior," David said today in an interview with the Church-run Radio Veritas.
He reiterated the bishops’ call for Panlilio to ask for dispensation from the Vatican before announcing his presidential bid.
David cited the case of Fr. Lugo, a Catholic priest in Paraguay, who has already been dispensed by the Pope for two years before he entered politics.
"The Holy See has made the process much simpler lately. It is easier to grant dispensation," David said.
Panlilio first ran and won in Pampanga’s 2007 gubernatorial race against Lilia Pineda, a candidate of administration party Kampi.
Ex-seminarians declare support for Panlilio
By FRANCIS T. WAKEFIELD
July 22, 2009, 4:47pm
Manila Bulletin
An alliance of ex-seminarians has thrown its full support to the presidential bid of priest-turned Pampanga Governor Ed Panlilio. In a press briefing, lawyer Ricky Ribo, convenor of the Philippine Alliance of Ex-Seminarians, said they are ready to tap their alumni associations to support Panlilio a day after the governor announced that he is ready to be dispensed from the priesthood to run as president in the 2010 national and local elections.
"We are ready to support Among Ed in the 2010 elections because we believe that he is the right person to run the country," Ribo told reporters during the Fernandina Forum at the Club Filipino in Greenhills, San Juan. Ribo said that although Panlilio doesn't have a strong political machinery to back up his bid unlike the other presidential aspirants, they are hopeful that he will end up victorious after the votes have been counted.
He said one way of ensuring that Panlilio will have a stronger chance of winning is by talking to other groups such as those from the military reformist group. He added that business leaders have already talked to them and are also ready to support Panlilio.
"We have enough time to talk to them (reformist) dahil sa November pa naman siya (Panlilio) magpa-file ng candidacy niya sa Commission on Elections. We would be on the losing end if we don't do this. Hopefully, the Holy Spirit will guide us on this," Ribo said.
"May mga lumapit na rin sa amin mga tao who are from the business sector. They are willing to come out in the open after Among Ed files his candidacy in November," he added.
When asked if their alliance, which he said has almost one million members, will support Isabela Governor Grace Padaca if ever she will be chosen by Panlilio as his running mate, Ribo said they will heed Panlilio’s decision.
Ribo said that should Panlilio lose in the 2010 presidential race, there is a big possibility that he can go back to priesthood. However, such decision will come from the Pope himself.
"In terms of going back to the priesthood or rescript, that would only be granted by the Apostolic See or the Holy Father," Ribo said. Panlilio, a suspended priest, ran and won Pampanga’s gubernatorial post in 2007.
Panlilio, during a press briefing last Tuesday, cited love for the country as the reason why he decided to finally run for the highest office in the land and leave the priesthood. "This priesthood that I love so much, I’m willing to give up for a greater love and that’s love for the country. For me the heart of priesthood is accepting the love of God and working for other people, especially the poor," he said. If he becomes president, Panlilio said, among the country’s problems that he will address are livelihood, malnutrition, corruption, food, and insurgency. Asked who are the people he plans to appoint to his Cabinet, he was only able to name two – former Social Welfare Secretary Dinky Soliman and a certain lawyer from Ateneo. "We are not prepared yet. First things first," said Panlilio.
He then called on all those who believe in him and his advocacy to support his campaign.
"I call on all supporters of good governance and ethical leadership in the country to support this candidacy and campaign. I’m asking all the Kapampangans and all those who believe in me and in this campaign, let’s work together because this is for you," Panlilio said.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Panlilio angers prelates Superiors reject Fr Ed’s plan to run for president
MANILA, Philippines—More than his previous foray into local politics, Pampanga Gov. Eddie Panlilio’s bid for the country’s highest office has elicited worried, angry and even outraged reactions from his superiors and fellow priests in the Catholic Church and from Church members.
San Fernando Archbishop Paciano Aniceto angrily rejected Panlilio’s plans to run for president and leave the priesthood.
“He is drifting from his original priestly mission. A priest is a servant of the city of God, not of the city of man,” said Aniceto, Panlilio’s immediate superior who strongly objected when Panlilio, a priest for 29 years, ran for governor in 2007.
Banjo Serrano, president of the parish pastoral council in Guagua town, said that while many Catholics in his hometown were not necessarily against Panlilio, they preferred that he return to the priesthood and “lead the laity in the crusade for good governance and moral leadership.”
Panlilio formally offered himself as a candidate for president in 2010 at a launch event at the Bantayog ng Mga Bayani (Monument of Heroes) park in Quezon City Saturday.
Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz, a known critic of Panlilio, noted that Church law prohibited priests from running for public office in the first place.
“When his supporters say that he is the only one qualified to run for president, it is impossible that among so many Filipinos there is no one principled, there is no one qualified to become president,” Cruz said.
Panlilio’s plan to seek another public office will “further confuse the faithful,” Aniceto said.
He said the Church has recently been asking the laity to “evangelize politics” by either running for public office or ensuring honest elections in 2010, while persuading them not to field their priests in electoral politics.
Panlilio’s plans would place “the faithful in a dilemma,” Aniceto said.
According to the bishop, who earlier said that he dreaded to see the day when Panlilio would “disobey” him twice, his first duty as a Church leader is to be the guardian of its members and its laws.
In 2007, the bishop went to the extent of assembling a Church council to compel Panlilio to toe the line. Eventually, he suspended Panlilio by barring him from administering the sacraments and performing other priestly duties.
In Pampanga, the relationship of Aniceto and Panlilio is known to be like that of a father and son. He entrusted Panlilio with the diocese’s social action ministry for 15 years, assigning him to poor parishes.
“This is very sad. He’s a good priest. He served the poor of Pampanga in the difficult times of the Mt. Pinatubo disaster … I love Among Ed,” said Aniceto, 72.
Seek formal dispensation
Cruz said Panlilio should seek a formal dispensation from the Church before he proceeds further with his political plans.
“There is no such thing as a priest on leave,” he said. He said Panlilio’s situation should be properly described as “suspended” from his duties.
Under the lengthy process of seeking a Church dispensation, a priest asks to be released from his priestly obligations like the vow of celibacy and obedience to the bishop, so that he can no longer say Mass and administer the sacraments.
But even if he is granted a dispensation, Panlilio will remain a priest, according to Cruz who handles dispensation cases.
“What can be dispensed is the clerical state, not his priesthood. It is already a part of his life. Once a priest, always a priest,” he said.
Fr. Jake Viray said he did not want Panlilio to run for president or leave the priesthood.
“But it is a patriotic act on his part as a citizen that wishes to do something good for our country. As such, I will vote for him just as a protest against the crooked politicians,” Viray said.
Not docile followers
Another priest, who asked not to be named in deference to the position of the province’s three Catholic bishops, noted that Pampanga Catholics, while devout in their faith, have a long history of rebellion against the government, and the May 2007 elections, in which they elected the maverick Panlilio, proved they would rather be a moral force than be docile followers.
A Church dispensation that would allow Panlilio to leave the priesthood will help Pampanga Catholics deal with the dilemma of “keeping Among Ed as a priest or giving him up for the country,” he said.
Pros and cons
Former Bulacan Rep. Wilfrido Villarama, whose mother is from Pampanga, said Panlilio should “just return to a simple civilian life out of the Church and the priestly vocation to which he has already caused much pain and embarrassment.”
Edgardo Pamintuan, the chair of the Subic-Clark Alliance for Development who was in the anti-Marcos movement with Panlilio, asked the priest to “pause for a serious introspection.”
“Then he might rediscover that this true calling is the priesthood. He was a good priest because that was the purpose of his existence. He wasn’t good as a politician because he was not made out to be one,” he said.
Tough act to follow
But Panlilio continues to have a loyal ally in City of San Fernando Mayor Oscar Rodriguez, a member of the administration Lakas Kampi CMD.
“I will not push him but if he finally runs, I will not forsake him,” said Rodriquez.
He said the governor has removed corruption from the capitol’s contracts and transactions, increased quarry revenues to P430 million and prioritized education, health, livelihood and agriculture.
“[Panlilio] will be a tough act to follow,” Rodriguez said.
Pampanga governor eyes return to priesthood If he loses in 2010 polls
MANILA, Philippines -- After saying he was ready to leave the priesthood to run for president in 2010, Pampanga Governor Eddie Panlilio said he would try to be reinstated as a priest should he lose in the polls.
Even though he has been suspended from his priestly duties during his three-year gubernatorial term, Panlilio said on Monday that he found it hard to completely give up the priesthood.
The Catholic Church prohibits its priests from running for public office, and Panlilio's immediate superior, San Fernando Archbishop Panciano Aniceto, has reminded him about a requirement to formally ask for dispensation from the Vatican before he seeks higher office.
“That's the point. That calls for a big sacrifice because I truly love being a priest. In fact should I lose (in the 2010 presidential elections), I will still return to the priesthood if I could,” Panlilio said in an interview.
Told that the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) had said that he could no longer be reinstated as a priest after being granted dispensation, Panlilio was undeterred.
“That is unfortunate. I will contest that because there are past cases where a priest who has left the priesthood for example because he wants to take care of his mother, have been allowed to return. In my case, we are not just talking of taking care of our mother but our motherland,” he said.
Panlilio said he was giving himself until November 30, the deadline for the filing of certificates of candidacy for national positions, to decide if he would run for president and file his request for dispensation from the Church.
The Vatican provides for a process where a priest who chooses to leave the priesthood for one reason or another may be granted dispensation.
Once granted dispensation, the priest is released from his clerical obligations of celibacy and obedience to his bishop and could no longer celebrate mass and administer the sacraments.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Kilos Na! AN OPEN INVITATION!
Kilos Na! is a movement organized by a group of concerned men and women from various sectors of Philippine society.
It is a non-stock, non- profit organization registered with the SEC for the purpose of furthering good governance and ethical leadership.
It will be launched on July 18 2009 with a concelebrated Mass at 9:00 A.M. at the Bantayog Ng Mga Bayani Auditorium, Quezon City .
Kilos Na! is a movement of Filipinos who continue to believe in the innate goodness of the Filipino and the greatness of our beloved country. The groups and individuals in Kilos Na! believe that democracy does work and government can indeed serve the people as it should. We believe that good governance, ethical leadership and effective public service are possible in the here and now.
The Kilos Na! movement brings real Filipinos back into the political process. With members across the archipelago and beyond — from students to stay-at-home moms to business and political leaders to overseas Filipinos and members of various indigenous groups and members of civil society – we work together to realize the promise of our country: a society where there is meaningful democracy under the rule of law and a regime of truth, justice, freedom, love, equality, and peace.
Kilos Na! is a service — a way for concerned nationalistic citizens to find their political voice in a system dominated by big money and big media.
As a movement, Kilos Na! will endeavor to educate and help make us critically thinking and engaged. It too will strive to help give us, the people, the leaders we truly deserve – those who offer the best of themselves – overcoming personal, family and business interests, so that we and our children's children might all enjoy a better Philippines .
Kilos Na! works to mobilize an empowered, awakened and hopeful citizenry to participate and collaborate with our leaders in transforming our political culture from one of patronage to one of principled governance. As a movement of concerned and Philippine-loving Filipinos, we in Kilos Na! will seek out and support those who will truly champion the causes of the people and will govern with nothing but the best interest of the greater majority at heart.
Kilos Na! will rally the Filipino public in remaining vigilant to the promises and platforms of governance of our politicians. We will constantly work at keeping the Filipino fervor for meaningful democracy and authentic public service alive before, during and even after the country’s electoral exercises.
We only have one country – should it become heaven on earth or be haven for the beasts, it is up to our action or omission. Time for change is now. Time to act is now.
For details, our contact numbers are: (02) 3924184 (Pax office) and 09204034016 (Sam Ferrer)
Ex-seminarians air support for Panlilio!
By LESLIE ANN G. AQUINO
July 14, 2009, 7:23pm
A group of ex-seminarians on Saturday expressed their willingness to initiate a fund-raising campaign for Pampanga Gov. Eduardo Panlilio should he decide to run for the presidency in 2010.
Ricardo Ribo of the Philippine Alliance of ex-Seminarians (PAXS) said they are willing to gather funds for Panlilio convinced that he personifies the kind of leader that the country needs.
“At the moment only Among Ed personify our advocacy. We are most willing and we should all be willing to do that,” he told reporters in an interview.
“It should be the people who should initiate the act. Among Ed is merely a representative. If he doesn’t have the money (to fund his campaign) then those who believe in him should contribute,” added Ribo.
The PAXS convenor said that among the political candidates who are coming out in surveys and in newspapers, only Among Ed passed their criteria.
Brace yourself my friends for a tumultuous July!
Posted by Patricio Mangubat on Monday, June 29, 2009
Some months ago, I've wrote an entry about the plan of hawks and ideologues within the Arroyo administration to create scenarios to implement Operation August Moon. This self-coup will happen the week after the SONA, on August 6, 2009. One of the indicators, say a source who requested anonymity, is the expected failure of the poll automation bidding.
" Pat, the plan involves compromising the automated bidding altogether, " says a friend privy to the plan. " Imagine, what was the reason why they approved of Smartmatic-TIM (the company that won the COMELEC's bid for election automation in the Philippines) when they know for a fact, that the only capability of the group is face value of Cezar Quiambao and Ernest Villareal. That's all. The so-called consortium which was backed legally by one of Comelec chairman's closest relative was never in existence. They just used the group to get the bidding and eventually the plan was really to mess things up. That would surely create unrest especially to the De Villa group who is pushing for automation of the elections."
COMELEC Chairman Jose Melo said in an Inquirer interview that they don't want to negotiate with a "ghost". Well, I don't know about Melo, but I am totally surprised with Atty. Rafanan. Why did Rafanan failed to even check the credentials of Smartmatic-TIM before they even allowed them to take part in the bidding? Is it elementary for a member of the bar to do that?
This failure of the Comelec just shows that the entire thing was a setup, a design to really sabotage the bidding and compromise the elections in May 2010.
The plan also involves the heightening of tensions between rebel groups and the military in Mindanao since most generals distrust Southcom Brig. General Juancho Sabban. They want to keep Sabban busy in Mindanao so that he'll have his hands full while they orchestrate their moves in Metro Manila (a bomb exploded in the Ombudsman building and the discovery of another bomb in the Department of Agriculture building?).
Sabban is the youngest member of Class 1978 yet he reportedly does not share his mistahs' dogged allegiance to Mrs. Arroyo. He was formerly a member of RAM (Rebolusyunaryong Alyansang Makabansa). Yet, says deeper sources in the military, he'll take extreme action once other members of his class went ahead with Arroyo's plan.
Moves were to create an environment of chaos and confusion, with reports of bombings, assasinations of key government officials and members of the media. These black operations will be blamed to so-called JI or Al-qaeda members who, a week ago, was reportedly in the country already. News about their existence were floated to the media to be used later on by the government in the blame game.
A move against Lacson accuser former police official Cezar Mancao is reportedly also in the pipeline. The source refused to say what would happen to Mancao.
This early, talks that PMA Class 1976 of which the present AFP Chief of Staff General Ibrado belongs to and PMA Class 1978 were already at logger heads. Army Chief Lt. General Delfin Bangit is reportedly filling up sensitive posts without the knowledge of Ibrado.
Bear in mind that all sensitive positions right now in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) are occupied by members of Class 1978. The Air Force is headed by Lt. Gen. Oscar Rabena. The entire NCRPO which has, under its disposal, the anti-coup task force, is headed by Chief Supt. Roberto Rosales while the head of the Manila Police District which provides external security of Malacanang right now is headed by Director Rodolfo Magtibay.
Members of Class 1976 occupy the Central Command (Lt. Gen.. Isagani Cachuela), the Navy (Vice Admiral Ferdinand Golez) and the Marines (Major Gen. Ben Mohammad Dolorfino). The AFP leadership is also being occupied by a PMA class 1976 member (Ibrado) and the PNP (Director General Jesus Verzosa).
The critical commands (Army and Air Force) are under the command of members of PMA Class 1978 while those with minimal numbers (the Marines and the Navy) were entrusted to PMA Class 1976.
Sources say Mrs. Arroyo's group will ease Ibrado out prior to the 2010 elections. They will use as a pretext this August 6 affair. Members of Class 1978 will move decisively ten days after July 27.
The plan is expected to take place on August 6, 2009, a full ten days after the SONA (SONA is slated on July 27, the Monday of the fourth week of July).
A state of martial rule will be imposed for six months, while members of Arroyo's devilish clan tinker with the Constitution. Parliamentary elections are slated on May 2010.
Other members of Class 1978 involved in this plan:
In GHQ, Camp Aguinaldo:
J2 (Inteligence) – Rear Adm. Victor Martir (PN – Philippine Navy)
Deputy J2 – Commodore EfrenTedor (PN)
J3 (Operations) - Maj. Gen. Carlos Holganza (PA – Philippine Army)
J6 (Commel) – Maj. Gen... Jonathan Martir (PM – Philippine Marines)
J7 (Civil-Military Relations) – Maj. Gen. Sealana (PA)
DND-BAC Chairman – Brig. Gen. Gregorio Paduganan (PAF – Philippine Air Force)
Chief of Engineers – Maj. Gen. Rudyval Cabading (PA)
ISAFP – Maj. Gen. Romeo Prestoza (PAF)
Presidential Security Group – Brig.. Gen. Celedonio Boquiren (PAF)
In the Army, six out of 10 infantry divisions are under the control of the Class of ’78 members, namely:
Lt. Gen.. Delfin Bangit – Commanding General of the Philippine Army
Maj. Gen. Roland Detabali – CG, Southern Luzon Command
Maj. Gen. Romeo Lustecteca – CG, 1st Infantry Division (Zamboanga del Norte)
Brig. Gen Florante Martinez – OIC, 2nd Infantry Division (Tanay, Rizal)
Maj. Gen. Vic Porto – CG, 3rd Infantry Division (Panay Island)
Maj. Gen. Ralph Villanueva – CG, 7th Infantry Division (Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija)
Maj. Gen. Manuel Tabaquero – CG, 8th Infantry Division (Catbalogan, Samar)
Maj. Gen. Reynaldo Mapagu – CG, 10th Infantry Division (Caraga Region)
In the Air Force, there is Maj.. Gen. Oscar Rabena as Commanding General, and Brig. Gen Jesus Fajardo – CG, 710th Special Operations Wing as well as Col. Carlix Donila – Commander, 530th Air Base Wing (Zamboanga).
And in the Navy, the chief of the Naval Staff, Commodore Feliciano Angue, as well as heading the most strategically- located naval station in Cavite is Commodore Nestor Los Banes.
So now the game of the generals are on! Who'll be check mated in the end?
Now that I already revealed their plan in public, what now? Will they proceed with zero hour or not?
The best strategy against this devilish plan is expose them in public. I already did my part. How about the thousands of Patriots out there? Will you do yours?
Some months ago, I've wrote an entry about the plan of hawks and ideologues within the Arroyo administration to create scenarios to implement Operation August Moon. This self-coup will happen the week after the SONA, on August 6, 2009. One of the indicators, say a source who requested anonymity, is the expected failure of the poll automation bidding.
" Pat, the plan involves compromising the automated bidding altogether, " says a friend privy to the plan. " Imagine, what was the reason why they approved of Smartmatic-TIM (the company that won the COMELEC's bid for election automation in the Philippines) when they know for a fact, that the only capability of the group is face value of Cezar Quiambao and Ernest Villareal. That's all. The so-called consortium which was backed legally by one of Comelec chairman's closest relative was never in existence. They just used the group to get the bidding and eventually the plan was really to mess things up. That would surely create unrest especially to the De Villa group who is pushing for automation of the elections."
COMELEC Chairman Jose Melo said in an Inquirer interview that they don't want to negotiate with a "ghost". Well, I don't know about Melo, but I am totally surprised with Atty. Rafanan. Why did Rafanan failed to even check the credentials of Smartmatic-TIM before they even allowed them to take part in the bidding? Is it elementary for a member of the bar to do that?
This failure of the Comelec just shows that the entire thing was a setup, a design to really sabotage the bidding and compromise the elections in May 2010.
The plan also involves the heightening of tensions between rebel groups and the military in Mindanao since most generals distrust Southcom Brig. General Juancho Sabban. They want to keep Sabban busy in Mindanao so that he'll have his hands full while they orchestrate their moves in Metro Manila (a bomb exploded in the Ombudsman building and the discovery of another bomb in the Department of Agriculture building?).
Sabban is the youngest member of Class 1978 yet he reportedly does not share his mistahs' dogged allegiance to Mrs. Arroyo. He was formerly a member of RAM (Rebolusyunaryong Alyansang Makabansa). Yet, says deeper sources in the military, he'll take extreme action once other members of his class went ahead with Arroyo's plan.
Moves were to create an environment of chaos and confusion, with reports of bombings, assasinations of key government officials and members of the media. These black operations will be blamed to so-called JI or Al-qaeda members who, a week ago, was reportedly in the country already. News about their existence were floated to the media to be used later on by the government in the blame game.
A move against Lacson accuser former police official Cezar Mancao is reportedly also in the pipeline. The source refused to say what would happen to Mancao.
This early, talks that PMA Class 1976 of which the present AFP Chief of Staff General Ibrado belongs to and PMA Class 1978 were already at logger heads. Army Chief Lt. General Delfin Bangit is reportedly filling up sensitive posts without the knowledge of Ibrado.
Bear in mind that all sensitive positions right now in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) are occupied by members of Class 1978. The Air Force is headed by Lt. Gen. Oscar Rabena. The entire NCRPO which has, under its disposal, the anti-coup task force, is headed by Chief Supt. Roberto Rosales while the head of the Manila Police District which provides external security of Malacanang right now is headed by Director Rodolfo Magtibay.
Members of Class 1976 occupy the Central Command (Lt. Gen.. Isagani Cachuela), the Navy (Vice Admiral Ferdinand Golez) and the Marines (Major Gen. Ben Mohammad Dolorfino). The AFP leadership is also being occupied by a PMA class 1976 member (Ibrado) and the PNP (Director General Jesus Verzosa).
The critical commands (Army and Air Force) are under the command of members of PMA Class 1978 while those with minimal numbers (the Marines and the Navy) were entrusted to PMA Class 1976.
Sources say Mrs. Arroyo's group will ease Ibrado out prior to the 2010 elections. They will use as a pretext this August 6 affair. Members of Class 1978 will move decisively ten days after July 27.
The plan is expected to take place on August 6, 2009, a full ten days after the SONA (SONA is slated on July 27, the Monday of the fourth week of July).
A state of martial rule will be imposed for six months, while members of Arroyo's devilish clan tinker with the Constitution. Parliamentary elections are slated on May 2010.
Other members of Class 1978 involved in this plan:
In GHQ, Camp Aguinaldo:
J2 (Inteligence) – Rear Adm. Victor Martir (PN – Philippine Navy)
Deputy J2 – Commodore EfrenTedor (PN)
J3 (Operations) - Maj. Gen. Carlos Holganza (PA – Philippine Army)
J6 (Commel) – Maj. Gen... Jonathan Martir (PM – Philippine Marines)
J7 (Civil-Military Relations) – Maj. Gen. Sealana (PA)
DND-BAC Chairman – Brig. Gen. Gregorio Paduganan (PAF – Philippine Air Force)
Chief of Engineers – Maj. Gen. Rudyval Cabading (PA)
ISAFP – Maj. Gen. Romeo Prestoza (PAF)
Presidential Security Group – Brig.. Gen. Celedonio Boquiren (PAF)
In the Army, six out of 10 infantry divisions are under the control of the Class of ’78 members, namely:
Lt. Gen.. Delfin Bangit – Commanding General of the Philippine Army
Maj. Gen. Roland Detabali – CG, Southern Luzon Command
Maj. Gen. Romeo Lustecteca – CG, 1st Infantry Division (Zamboanga del Norte)
Brig. Gen Florante Martinez – OIC, 2nd Infantry Division (Tanay, Rizal)
Maj. Gen. Vic Porto – CG, 3rd Infantry Division (Panay Island)
Maj. Gen. Ralph Villanueva – CG, 7th Infantry Division (Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija)
Maj. Gen. Manuel Tabaquero – CG, 8th Infantry Division (Catbalogan, Samar)
Maj. Gen. Reynaldo Mapagu – CG, 10th Infantry Division (Caraga Region)
In the Air Force, there is Maj.. Gen. Oscar Rabena as Commanding General, and Brig. Gen Jesus Fajardo – CG, 710th Special Operations Wing as well as Col. Carlix Donila – Commander, 530th Air Base Wing (Zamboanga).
And in the Navy, the chief of the Naval Staff, Commodore Feliciano Angue, as well as heading the most strategically- located naval station in Cavite is Commodore Nestor Los Banes.
So now the game of the generals are on! Who'll be check mated in the end?
Now that I already revealed their plan in public, what now? Will they proceed with zero hour or not?
The best strategy against this devilish plan is expose them in public. I already did my part. How about the thousands of Patriots out there? Will you do yours?
Are we doing nothing?
QUOTE: All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing. -Edmund Burke-
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It is our responsibility as ex-seminarians to crusade for moral change. We don't have to run for any office but let's help GOOD MEN in 2010!!! Or EVIL will continue to reign in Philippine Politics. Read CBCP's exhortation below.
CBCP WANTS GOOD MEN TO RUN IN 2010 ELECTIONS
CBCP WANTS GOOD MEN TO RUN IN 2010 ELECTIONS
By Dona Pazzibugan
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 02:27:00 07/14/2009
MANILA, Philippines—Aside from their usual call on the faithful to vote wisely, Catholic Church leaders are encouraging principled persons to run for public office in next year’s presidential and national elections.
“We call upon those who are competent, persons of integrity and [persons] committed to change to get involved directly in principled partisan politics and become candidates for political election, aware that the common good is above the good of vested interests,” the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said.
The influential CBCP issued the pastoral statement at the conclusion of its two-day plenary assembly on Sunday. Its members elected a new set of officers, with Tandag (Surigao Del Sur) Bishop Nereo Odchimar as incoming president by Dec. 1.
The bishops also reiterated their opposition to renewed attempts by administration lawmakers to convert the House of Representatives into a constituent assembly in order to amend the Constitution before the 2010 elections.
The CBCP reminded the laity that “it is within their right, as well as their duty, to campaign for candidates they believe to be competent, honest and public service-minded in order to reform our country.”
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Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Philippine Alliance of Xseminarians (PAX) Advocacy on Anti-vote Buying / Anti-vote selling.
I am posting the statement of the Philippine Alliance of Xseminarians (PAX) on its Anti-vote Buying / Anti-vote selling advocacy. Please help spread the word and make a difference by sharing this to your friends.
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When the sacred right of suffrage is reduced to an ordinary Contract of Sale, it destroys the essence of a truly democratic nation. As in any sale, The object of transaction is not always cash. It can be its equivalent. Offers include food, clothes, household goods, medicine, infrastructure, construction material, agricultural inputs and the provision of other services.
Voters may also be granted access to social programs or other
public services in exchange for their vote; they may also be threatened with deprivation of benefits if they do not vote as instructed.
The electoral process becomes a business venture where what is at stake is no longer the common good but a private self-interest.
This perspective produces another crime, the malversation and misuse of public funds to finance vote purchases. As vote buying and selling becomes entrenched in the political culture of a country, the buyer is encouraged to look for more resources to fuel the activity, regardless of cost.
Thus we have vote buying candidates who are often financially backed by drug syndicates, gambling lords, and influential businessmen and some government officials who are happy to provide funds in exchange for protection, influence, business profitability and similar vested interests. And we still wonder why organized crime appears to be proliferating in the Philippines?
Since vote buying compromises the secrecy vote and freedom of the voter, it necessarily relegates public accountability and undermines democracy.
If we allow this malady to continue unabated, this may lead to despair and the total breakdown of a just society.
PAX recognizes the urgency to initiate concrete steps to eradicate vote buying and vote selling. PAX recognizes that this is the original sin of graft and corruption.
We appeal to our youth, all non-government organizations and people’s advocacy groups, to the men and women in the government and the private sector, rise and be at the forefront in this crusade to restore decency and to heed the signs of the times. Let us unite to impose the highest penalty to vote buying and vote selling.
Philippine Alliance of Xseminarians (PAX)
July12, 2009
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When the sacred right of suffrage is reduced to an ordinary Contract of Sale, it destroys the essence of a truly democratic nation. As in any sale, The object of transaction is not always cash. It can be its equivalent. Offers include food, clothes, household goods, medicine, infrastructure, construction material, agricultural inputs and the provision of other services.
Voters may also be granted access to social programs or other
public services in exchange for their vote; they may also be threatened with deprivation of benefits if they do not vote as instructed.
The electoral process becomes a business venture where what is at stake is no longer the common good but a private self-interest.
This perspective produces another crime, the malversation and misuse of public funds to finance vote purchases. As vote buying and selling becomes entrenched in the political culture of a country, the buyer is encouraged to look for more resources to fuel the activity, regardless of cost.
Thus we have vote buying candidates who are often financially backed by drug syndicates, gambling lords, and influential businessmen and some government officials who are happy to provide funds in exchange for protection, influence, business profitability and similar vested interests. And we still wonder why organized crime appears to be proliferating in the Philippines?
Since vote buying compromises the secrecy vote and freedom of the voter, it necessarily relegates public accountability and undermines democracy.
If we allow this malady to continue unabated, this may lead to despair and the total breakdown of a just society.
PAX recognizes the urgency to initiate concrete steps to eradicate vote buying and vote selling. PAX recognizes that this is the original sin of graft and corruption.
We appeal to our youth, all non-government organizations and people’s advocacy groups, to the men and women in the government and the private sector, rise and be at the forefront in this crusade to restore decency and to heed the signs of the times. Let us unite to impose the highest penalty to vote buying and vote selling.
Philippine Alliance of Xseminarians (PAX)
July12, 2009
AN ACT TO INCREASE THE PENALTY OF VOTE-BUYING AND VOTE-SELLING
AN ACT TO INCREASE THE PENALTY OF VOTE-BUYING AND VOTE-SELLING TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT AMENDING FOR THIS PURPOSE B.P. BLG. 881 OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE OMNIBUS ELECTION CODE.
WHEREAS, in order to elect competent and righteous leaders for national and local positions, there is an absolute necessity to have a credible, orderly and honest elections;
WHEREAS, among the prevalent causes which thwart the people’s will are vote-buying and vote-selling;
WHEREAS, there is an urgent need to totally eradicate vote-buying and vote-selling in order to lay the groundwork for good, honest, and competent Filipinos to be involved in public service;
WHERAS, vote-buying and vote-selling erodes public trust, breeds contempt and undermines the fabric of a truly democratic nation,
NOW THEREFORE, be it enacted, through a People’s Initiative, the following:
Sec. 1. There shall be incorporated under Section 264 of BP 881, as amended, a new paragraph, to read as follows:
Sec. 264. Penalties. – Any person found guilty of any election offense under this Code shall be punished with imprisonment of not less than one year but not more than six years and shall not be subject to probation. In addition, the guilty party shall be sentenced to suffer disqualification to hold public office and deprivation of the right of suffrage. If he is a foreigner, he shall be sentenced to deportation which shall be enforced after the prison term has been served. Any political party found guilty shall be sentenced to pay a fine of not less than ten thousand pesos, which shall be imposed upon such party after criminal action has been instituted in which their corresponding officials have been found guilty.
In case of prisoner or prisoners illegally released from any penitentiary or jail during the prohibited period as provided in section 261, paragraph (n) of this Code, the director of prisons, provincial warden, keeper of the jail or prison, or persons who are required by law to keep said prisoner in their custody shall, if convicted by a competent court, be sentenced to suffer penalty of prision mayor in its maximum period if the prisoner or prisoners so illegally released commit any act of intimidation, terrorism of interference in the election.
Any person found guilty of the offense of failure to register or failure to vote shall, upon conviction, be fined one hundred pesos. In addition, he shall suffer disqualification to run for public office in the next succeeding election following his conviction or be appointed to a public officer for a period of one year following his conviction.
Any person found guilty of the offense of vote-buying or vote selling shall upon conviction be punished with life imprisonment.
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