The reports of massive fraud are staring the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in the face and Comelec Chair Benjamin Abalos, Sr. and Commissioner Rene Sarmiento still refuse to conduct a thorough investigation and act swiftly to prevent further damage. And they refuse to do so only because there are no witnesses. Perhaps the Comelec is…
Category: Bulatlat Perspective
Political Fiefdoms Dig In
A look at the election outcome in some of the political turfs would show whether the geopolitical balance of power has changed without necessarily shaking the infrastructures of political dynasties in those areas. By the Policy Study, Publication and Advocacy (PSPA) Center for People Empowerment in Governance (CenPEG) Posted by Bulatlat ELECTION WATCH Vol. VII,…
Voters’ Turnout Lowest in Years?
This year’s elections could have the lowest voters’ turnout in recent years, given the 77-percent turnout in 2004 and 85 percent in 2001 BY THE CENTER FOR PEOPLE EMPOWERMENT IN GOVERNANCE (CenPEG) Posted by Bulatlat ELECTION WATCH/ANALYSIS Vol. VII, No. 15 May 20-26, 2007 The voters’ turnout in the May 14 mid-term elections could be…
Poll Fraud, Killings Perpetrated by Powers-that-Be
Contrary to government claims, electoral fraud and violence are not integral to Philippine culture and politics. It is perpetrated by those who profit from the existing system of Philippine politics and governance. BY BENJIE OLIVEROS Bulatlat ANALYSIS Vol. VII, No. 15 May 20-26, 2007 “Generally peaceful” – this is how the Commission on Elections (Comelec)…
Like Thieves in the Night
Not only thieves prowl the night. In the dead of night, the Macapagal-Arroyo administration tried to transfer Rep. Satur Ocampo of Bayan Muna (People First) party to Leyte. It was also late evening when the government transferred Lance Cpl. Daniel Smith to the custody of the U.S. embassy. In Ocampo’s case they did so to…
Oplan Bantay Laya: U.S.-Arroyo Regime’s ‘Final Solution’
Having run out of counterinsurgency options Bantay Laya I and II appear to be the U.S.-Arroyo regime’s “final solution” to the long drawn-out conflict. A novel and significant feature is its special emphasis on punitive measures in dealing with the political component of the insurgency. This includes suppressive measures against Congressional Party List representatives and…
Crossing the Bridge
The U.S. government has been criticized for its inconsistent human rights policy and for using it as part of its proverbial “carrots and stick” strategy chiefly to gain concessions from governments. It supports tyrannical governments and deals with states that have gained notoriety for committing atrocities against their own nationals. By the Policy Study, Publication…
Run-up to the 2007 Elections
Philippine elections have always been tainted with fraud, marred by violence, dominated by political dynasties, and characterized by broken promises of politicians. It has never resulted in the betterment of the lives of majority of the Filipino people. But the way things are shaping up, this may be the worst elections yet. BY BENJIE OLIVEROS…
Metro Militarization: Part of a Bigger Plan?
The deployment of troops in Metro Manila completes the militarization of the whole countryside which has been intensifying under Arroyo. The whole blueprint smacks of a bigger plan in the offing. It is even more chilling that local executives have shown no sign of alarm over this blatant display of military supremacy over civilian rule.…
Beyond Arroyo and Beyond Retaking Power
It takes convincing the electorate who have long been sickened by elections that mean nothing to their lives and future that this one is more than just a choice between Estrada’s candidates and Arroyo’s candidates and is, therefore, different. The opposition should be able to show that this is beyond ousting Arroyo and beyond retaking…
Two Small Hopes
The report of United Nations Special Rapporteur Philip Alston on the culpability of the military in the spate of political killings, and the formation of the anti-fraud group Kontra-Daya addressed two critical issues confronting the Arroyo government: its crisis of legitimacy and charges of electoral fraud; and the gross violations of human rights especially the…