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ABRIL 23, 2016 VOL 3 NO 3

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| FEATURE page 7

DUTERTE BINATIKOS SA ISYUNG PAGPATAY SA MGA TULAK

Mga kandidatong pro-life, nagpanukala ng mga alternatibo sa divorce bill

IT experts alarmed after Comelec website hacking

TAG-ARAW: Panahon ng sakit?

Nanindigan ang ilang mga pro-life advocates na tumatakbo sa nalalapit na halalan na kailanman ay hindi magiging solusyon ang diborsyo upang mabawasan ang dumadaming bilang ng marital abuse at child beating cases sa bansa.... pahina 3

DOJ sets to grill RCBC on money laundering case

|NEWS page 2

Senatorial bet Martin Romuladez ay nagsusulong sa masinsinang pagsusuri ng

Family Code. Aniya ni Romualdez , hindi divorce o annulment ang makakaresolba

ng mga problema ng pamilyang Pilipino bagkus kailangan ang masusing pag-aaral

sa Family Code sapagkat ang pamilya pa din ang pundasyon ng isang bansa.

2 ABRIL 23, 2016 balita

- Page 6

DOJ sets to grill RCBC on money laundering caseThe Department of Jus-tice (DOJ) sets on April 19 the preliminary in-vestigation on the $81 million money launder-ing scheme involving the Rizal Commercial Bank-ing Corporation (RCBC) that rocked the banking industry in the country.

This, as Assistant State Prosecutor Gilmari Fe Pacamara, disclosed that a subpoena was issued to Maia Santos Deguito, RCBC Jupiter Makati branch manager, along with four others to appear for the preliminary inves-tigation of the case tenta-tively set on April 19.

Pacarama who was des-ignated by Prosecutor General Claro Arellano to handle the case said Deguito would also be required to submit her counter-affidavit.

The Anti-Money Laun-dering Council (AMLC) earlier filed money laun-dering complaint against Deguito in connection with the laundering scheme involving $81 million funds hacked

from Bangladesh Bank.Aside from Deguito,

same charges were also filed against four John Does allegedly hiding un-der the fictitious names Michael Francisco Cruz, Jessie Christopher Lagro-sas, Alfred Santos Ver-gara, and Enrico Teodoro Vasquez.

AMLC, in its com-plaint, accused Deguito of facilitating the transfer of the laundered money from Bangladesh to mul-tiple accounts under four fictitious names-Cruz, Lagrosas, Vergara and Vasquez- at the RCBC branch on Jupiter Street, Makati City last February.

AMLC added that from the said multiple accounts, the money was then allegedly con-solidated into a single US dollar account in the name of Filipino-Chinese businessman William Go.

The amount was then hastily withdrawn, con-verted into pesos, and transferred to other banks. Go, who denied ownership of the account was not in-

cluded in the complaint.In the same complaint,

fault was pinned on De-guito saying that as the branch manager, she al-lowed the opening of the said accounts of the re-spondents last year based on “documents that were verified to be fictitious” and that she even allowed respondents John Does to withdraw money stolen from the Bangladesh Bank.

The AMLC also point-ed out that at the time the withdrawals took place, Deguito already knew that the money was stolen from BB since there was already a stop payment request. Atty. Ferdinand Topacio, Dequito’s coun-sel, however expressed belief that his client could have been the fall guy in the money laundering case, claiming that she could not have pulled it off without the knowl-edge of her superiors, possibly including RCBC president Lorenzo Tan. Tan on the other hand put the blame on Dequi-to. (Miko Arnaldo)

Teachers group airs concern over COMELEC adamant stand to follow SC ruling TEACHERS group yes-terday assured its readi-ness to serve in the sched-uled May 9 national election but expressed concern on the serious issues on the automated election system (AES) and the apparent disin-terest of the Commission on Election (Comelec) to address the said issues.

“We, teachers under the Alliance of Con-cerned Teachers (ACT) are gravely concerned on

‘serious issues’ on the au-tomated election system (AES). The issues since 2010 are the same unre-solved problems under a foreign-controlled auto-mated election system. Safeguards remain un-certain and it looks like COMELEC is not inter-ested to address them,” Benjie Valbuena, Presi-dent of Alliance of Con-cerned Teachers (ACT) said in a statement.

ACT issued the state-

ment after the Supreme Court (SC) decided to hold an oral argument last March 17 follow-ing Comelec’s appeal on SC decision directing the poll body to activate the Voter Verified Paper Au-dit Trail (VVPAT) of the vote counting machines by issuing receipts to vot-ers after they cast their votes.

Earlier, the SC in a 14-0 vote ordered the Comelec to issue receipts

Mga magsasakang dawit sa kilos-protesta sa Kidapawan, laya na

Pinakawalan na ang mga ibinilanggo kaugnay ng kilos-protestang nauwi sa madugong dispersal sa pagitan ng mga kapulisan at mga magsasaka noong ika-1 ng Abril sa Kidapawan City, Cotabato, nitong Sabado, ika-16 ng Abril.

Kinumpirma ni P/Supt. Byron Tabernilla, tagapagsalita ng Philippine National Police mula sa fact-finding team na nag-imbestiga sa insidente sa Kidapawan, nakapagpiyansa na ang lahat ng 81 magsasakang idinetine matapos ang bayolenteng engkwentro.

Ayon kay Tabernilla, 12 ang pinalaya noong Miyerkules (April 13), apat noong Huwebes (April 14), 63 noong Biyernes (April 15), at dalawa noong Sabado ng umaga (April 16). Naantala ang pagpapalaya sa nahuling dalawang

magsasaka dahil sa kakulangan umano ng mga kaukulang dokumento.

Matatandaang ang mga kasapi sa kilos-protesta, karamihan sa kanila magsasaka, ay inaresto matapos nilang harangan ang Davao-Cotabato Highway upang ipanawagang ibigay na sa kanila ang nakalaang calamity fund ng lokal na pamahalaan matapos masira ang kanilang mga pananim dahil sa matinding init ng panahon.

Ngunit naging madugo ang kilos-protesta na nagresulta sa tatlong kataong patay at dose-dosena ang magsasakang sugatan.

Dagdag ni Tabernilla, ikinulong sa iba’t ibang detention centers ang mga inarestong magsasaka na kalauna’y kinasuhan ng direct assault.

L a b i n d a l a w a n g libong piso ang orihinal na nakatakdang babayarang piyansa ng mga kinasuhan ngunit kinalahati ito at naging P6,000 na lamang matapos umapela ang mga idinetineng magsasaka. Ngunit bago pa man aprubahan ng Korte Suprema ang apela ng mga magsasaka, tatlong kinasuhan na ang nakapagbayad ng P12,000 danyos.

Sa tulong ng National Union of People’s Lawyers, human rights group Karapatan, rally organizers, support groups, at ilang mga local celebrities, nakalaganap ng sapat na halaga upang maibayad pampiyansa ng mga magsasaka.

Itutuloy ng Senado ang kanilang pagdinig sa insidente sa Kidapawan sa ika-20 ng Abril. (Carizza Ibañez)

(Photo: Kidlat Multimedia)

3ABRIL 23, 2016 balita

IT experts alarmed after Comelec website hackingConcerns regarding the up-coming May 2016 automated elections grew stronger af-ter the recent hacking of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) website database left election reform advocates and I.T. specialists worrying over the credibility of the elec-tronic polls.

Philippine Computer Soci-ety’s Toti Casiño urged Come-lec not to take for granted the consequences of the hacking and the implications the in-cident has brought upon the technology in which the auto-mated elections is about to be run with.

Casiño’s primary concern is that the hackers might have left malware and other unwanted programs that went undetected which may cause disruptions come election day and may put elections results in a vulnerable place where it can be easily ma-nipulated.

Despite the Comelec’s reas-surance that the computer-ized system which will mo-bilize the electronic polls is no longer dependent on the hacked database, election re-form advocates remain un-convinced of the accuracy of the automated polls.

Even the poll body itself has not said outright that it has completely secured its website.

“The website as viewed by the public is an integral part of the automated election sys-tem. Any part of the system that is attacked, including the website, will cast doubt on the results of the elections,” I.T. expert Lito Averia added.

The hack is currently un-dergoing investigation by the National Bureau of In-vestigation (NBI), but there are no recent updates regard-ing their findings. (Carizza Ibañez)

DUTERTE BINATIKOS SA ISYUNG PAGPATAY SA MGA TULAK

Mga kandidatong pro-life, nagpanukala ng mga alternatibo sa divorce billNanindigan ang ilang mga pro-life advocates na tumatakbo sa nalalapit na halalan na kailanman ay hindi magiging solusyon ang diborsyo upang mabawasan ang dumadaming bilang ng marital abuse at child beating cases sa bansa at sa halip ay nagmungkahi ng mga alternatibong paraan para sa divorce bill sa katatapos lamang na Pro-Life & Candidates Forum na idinaos sa Aristocrat Restaurant noong ika-13 ng Abril.

Kabilang sa mga kandidatong dumalo sa nasabing forum ay si Leyte First District Congressman Martin Romualdez, tumatakbo bilang independent senatorial candidate nangakong bubusisiing muli ang mga probisyong nakasaad sa konstitusyon na pumapatungkol sa annulment kapag nanalo siya sa kanyang pagtakbo.

Paliwanag pa ni Romualdez, “We will review again the Family Code in line with the annulment proceedings because pro-divorce advocates think that we need the divorce law, but the fact is, the annulment proceeding is very difficult and not appropriate in our society. We shall be guided accordingly.”

Kinwestiyon naman ni Atty. Jan Louenn Lumanta ng Pro-Life Party List ang paniniwala

ng ilang mambabatas sa legalisasyon ng diborsyo sa bansa dahil aniya, hindi ang paghihiwalay ang agarang sagot sa mga problemang kinakaharap ng mga mag-asawa sa kanilang relasyon.

Ayon naman kay Dr. Dante Liban na isa ring kandidato sa pagka-senador, uunahin niya ang pagtataguyod ng Department of Families na siyang tutulong sa mga kababaihan, single parents, kabataan, at senior citizens.

Nananalig naman si Sen. Vicente “Tito” Sotto III na hindi papasa ang divorce bill sa House of Representatives dahil hindi ito hahayaang makalusot ng mga kongresista. Pabiro pang sinabi ni Sotto, “Congressmen will not allow it or else their wives will kill them.” Dagdag pa ni Sotto, kailangan lamang amyendahan ang kasalukuyang mga probisyon sa annulment sa ilalim ng Family Code upang mas maging epektibo ito.

Legal separation naman ang suhestiyon ni Pasig Representative Roman Romulo kapalit ng divorce bill.

“The problem with the annulment is it is too expensive and the process is too long but there are other ways to do that there is legal separation but there should be a valid reason before we allow it,” ani Romulo. (Carizza Ibañez)

Kinundena ng pro-life senatorial bets si PDP-Laban standard-bearer Rodrigo Duterte sa isyu ng pagpatay sa mga pinaghihinalaang tulak ng droga sa isang forum sa Aristocrat sa Manila, ika-13 ng Abril.

Nakababahala ang hayagang pagpanig ni Duterte sa pagkitil ng buhay ng mga hinihinalang tulak nang walang masusing paglapat ng mga batas, pahayag ni Lito Atienza, tumatakbo sa pagka-senador sa ilalim ng United Nationalists Allicance (UNA).

“Hindi ako sang-ayon sa ganyang paraan,” aniya sa wikang Ingles. “Yan ang rason kung bakit ayaw ko kay Duterte. Walang sinuman ang may karapatang pumatay ng kapwa.”

Ang pagpatay sa mga suspetsadong kriminal nang

walang due process ay hindi solusyon sa mga problema na kinakaharap ng bansa, protesta ni Atienza, dating mayor ng Maynila.

“Hindi sya (Duterte) dapat umaastang sya ay Diyos,” giit pa nya.

Ayon naman kay Sen. Sotto, re-electionist sa ilalim ng Nationalist People’s Coation (NPC), hindi dapat parusahan ng kamatayan ang isang suspetsadong tulak ng droga nang walang due process.

“Maari tayong gumawa ng isolated na penitentiary para mga malalaking drug lords,” mungkahi ng mambabatas.

Ang mga malilit na drug pushers, karamihan biktima ng kahirapan sa buhay, ay maari pang ireporma sa ilalim ng isang programa, dagdag ni Sotto.

Nagpahayag din ng pagtutol

si Pasig City Rep. Roman Romulo, sa pagpapatay sa mga hinihinalang tulak nang walang due process.

Ayon kay Roman, kasapi na Liberal Party na tumatakbong independent sa pagka-senador, maari nyang suportahan ang muling pagsasabatas ng death penalty kung ito ang paraan upang masugpo ang drug-related crimes, gaya ng rape, murder at iba pang heinous crimes.

Sa isang pahayag, nangako si Duterte na mabilisan nyang lulutasin ang kriminalidad sa bansa sa loob ng anim na buwan.

Ayon sa kanya, mas pipiliin nyang masunog ang kanyang kaluluwa sa impyerno kapalit ng kaligtasan at kapayapaan ng mamamayan. (Oliver Samson)

TEAM BUHAYFor Vice President

GREGORIO HONASAN

For SenatorROMUALDEZ, MARTIN (IND)

SOTTO, VICENTE (NPC)ROMULO, ROMAN (IND)

PACQUIAO, MANNY (UNA)LIBAN, DANTE (IND)

VALEROSO, DIOSDADO (IND)

For PartylistBUHAY

ANG PROLIFE

4 ABRIL 23, 2016 editoryal

AREOPAGUS COMMUNICATIONS INC.Publisher

RAYMOND BANDRILEditor in Chief

SKY ORTIGASLayout Artist

GLADYS BANDRILMarketing Director

Tapat is published every other Friday by

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OSCAR V. CRUZ

Editorial

VIEWPOINTS

Credible, acceptable, reliable election

IT has to be admitted with honesty and candor that Smartmatic is not really the problem, viz., not the cause of incredible, unacceptable, and unreliable elections in the Philippines. It is not really the cause and effect of a flawed and discredited elections since the machines have been acquired and used more specifically as vote counting instrumentalities. The machines are made by foreigners but basically run by Filipinos for the People of the Philippines. So it is that the said machines are used under the control of Filipinos–particularly those associated with Comelec.

Big or small cheating dur-ing elections in the Country, specially in vote counting, is some kind of a constant in the Philippine electoral scene. Conclusion: It is the human agents in the elec-tions who make Credible, Acceptable, and Reliable Election. In other words, as a matter of principle, the machines do as they made to do so by those handling and running them.

And so it is that C.A.R.E. becomes a great reality or a big farce, a blessing or a curse of the Filipino elector-ate–with the presence or ab-sence of the following signal tenfold Integrity factor men-tioned below in some order of relevance, significance or importance:

1. Integrity of the Intra-muros Comelec

2. Integrity of the politi-cal candidates

3. Integrity of the Voters’ List made

4. Integrity of the print-ed ballots used and re-ceipts given

5. Integrity of local Comelec Inspectors

6. Integrity of election machines made and adjusted by techni-cians

7. Integrity of election machine transporta-tion done by humans

8. Integrity of precinct Comelec Officials

9. Integrity of transmis-sion of votes as deter-mined by the Officials concerned

10. Integrity of the na-tional total vote num-ber as decided by elec-tion Officials

Considering the above no less than tenfold In-tegrity requirement, is it still realistically possible to have truly clean and hon-est elections in the Philip-pines? Do we have to set-tle or be content with but a more or less tenable and acceptable Philippine elec-tion every time such is held as provided by law? Do we accept the fact that cheat-ing of one kind or another is some kind of an infallible constant in all elections in the country?

Is C.A.R.E. wherefore but a dream in Philippine elec-tions?

Misleading public opinionA standard-bearer insulted hundreds of Filipino mi-grant workers after a local publicist quoted words he did not offer.

Accompanied by his pic-ture, the line “I don’t need OFW votes” went viral on Facebook, offending every unsuspecting online overseas Filipino worker.

Thousands of relatives and friends got as well slighted, hurling every insult at the person in return.

The opinion of gullible net-izens as well as the unskepti-cal people who were not con-

nected to the Internet but got wind of it from online indi-viduals got manipulated.

The objective was achieved. The damage mounted to a massive scale – a classic ex-ample of the media’s capac-ity to manipulate public opinion, and ultimately in-fluence vote.

When the color of money blinds the media’s sense of fairness, it compromises the integrity of the polls. When it starts to fabricate lies to demolish one’s bid in favor of another, it starts to de-molish itself.

While we consider accept-able publicity of track record and achievements for elec-torate’s reference, the media itself becomes manipulated the moment it starts manu-facturing falsehoods.

Who else can the public rely for information when the most effective tool for disseminating it misleads them? It may not die, but may live without a reputa-tion.

But one thing is certain, it will reap similar insults when the same gullible peo-ple uncover the truth.

God has made everything appropriate to its time, but has put the timeless into their hearts so they

cannot find out, from beginning to end, the work which God has done.

ECCLESIASTES 3:11

5ABRIL 23, 2016 opinyon#sarisari

P-Noy, Matagumpay Nga ba sa Kanyang Anim na Taon na

Panunungkulan?

Ilang buwan na lang at may-roon na tayong baong pangulo. Hindi natin alam pa sa ngayon kung sino ngunit sana ang ma-nanaig sa halalan ay yaong kara-pat-dapat sa posisyon. Klaro na apat ang may tsansang manalo ayon sa iba’t-ibang mga serbey. Lahat naman ng mga kumakan-didato bilang pangulo ay may mga kalakasan at mga kahinaan o kapintasan. Ngunit kailangan nating pagnilayang maigi kung sino ang ating pipiliin. Wika nga nila, “ang anim na taon ay

mabilis para sa isang mabuting pangulo at matagal para sa isang masamang pangulo.” Nakataya sa susunod na anim na taon ang kinabukasan ng isandaang milyong Pilipino. Kaya kailan-gan nating tandaan na hindi natatapos sa pagboto ang ating obligasyon bilang mamamayan. Patuloy dapat tayong makisang-kot sa mga isyu ng ating lipunan. Bilang isang dalubguro, kailan-gan kong magbigay ng grado sa aking mga estudyante sa katapu-san ng isang semester na naaayon

sa kanilang class performance. Matatapos na ang termino ni Pangulong Aquino. Dapat na rin siyang bigyan ng grado ng taumbayan. Pagsugpo sa kati-walian, paglaban sa kahirapan, pagsulong sa katahimikan at kaayusan at ang pangkalahatang pagbuti ng kalidad ng edukasy-on – ito ang apat na pinakama-hahalagang isyu para sa akin. Ngunit marami pa rin ang nag-sasamantala sa kaban ng bayan. Marami pa rin ang naghihirap at walang maayos na hanapbu-hay. Marami pa rin ang nagig-ing biktima ng krimen at droga. At marami pa rin ang salat sa dekalidad na edukasyon. Ano kaya ang markang igagawad ninyo sa kanya? Ang halalang ito ang sasagot kung tunay na naging matuwid ang “Daang Matuwid” o sa kasawiang-palad tuluyan ito naging “Daang Sat-sat Lang,” “Daang Kadiliman,” o “Daang Pang-Dekada 70.”

Vantage PointsAtty. Rodel Taton

Peace And Respect

VICISSITUDEApril Opelac

Transnational Crimes:A risk on the World’s Health

Prof. Michael Trias - Ang

The security of one’s nation is indeed likened to a health that must be kept on its proper state so as to keep everything else well-working. However, at some point, the existence of transnational crimes is slowly creating havoc and deteriora-tion to the established and elu-sive security that the world cre-ated for its people.

Within the century, we have seen great artists, historians, scientists and leaders that made us feel proud of our existence. Yet, there are some people who seemed to be in rage because of their endless and vague fight for their ideology. While the world was built for the sup-posed unity of all, there are people who chose to be on the road less travelled- a road di-rected to ruin the lives of many

and to sustain their “ideology and brotherhood.”

One of the devastating causes of transnational crimes is the alleged conspiracy of some na-tions. Linkages among nations of same culture and beliefs are indeed suspected for connec-tion. In our country, it is not foreign to hear illicit services including commercial human and sex trafficking that were included to create human de-struction. What happened to the holy appreciation of hu-man flesh? The proliferation of trafficking is endangering the lives of those innocent to its nature, goals and outcomes. While some are entertained by the mere lavish of “easy mon-ey”, still, it brings both emo-tional and physical pain that will linger forever. What is not

In the voter’s forum,#CleanVotePH we co-convened last April 16,2016, different aspects and issues of being a Filipino were tackled. My former student, a Moro and peace advocate have vocally expressed concerns relevant to peace and development, particularly in the region which she belongs in Mindanao.

The conflict and the elusive peace in southern Philippines is something, we as Filipinos, must have concern as able bodied citizens of this country. Have you ever pondered on this matter seriously? Perhaps because we are based in the city-centers, or maybe because in our personal levels we do not see a sincere and serious resolve from the so-called representations from the government’s side. We have been in a problematic relationship, to say the least, an on and off stage until today that we have a pushy, pessimist, intermittent kind of handling the situation. People have become negative in the many hues of this conflict.

Decades and decades have been dedicated to lay down a lasting peace and the spectacles of development in the promised land. Sad but it is true that many lives have been offered in the name of the country, their area, their beliefs and even our conception of nationhood. They have called on their Allah and so do we pray to our God, if it is a call of who is powerful, but not. Peace is immeasurable and goes beyond religious pronouncements. Leaders have come and go but the foundations not yet truly built have made remnants already, imprints of good faith or lack of it in the obligations entered into.

From the internal waters of Tawi-tawi, the matter have even reached the Trippoli, but lapse of time can attest, the agreements are left voices unheard or memories unwritten. Nothing have been resolved as the anatomy of the conflict is on a cleancher level, more than a difficult round of settlement. We have to move forward and coexist in peace and development in this country.

That segment of our national territory is a manifestation of diversity where the problem lies. In the smallness of the areas covered is a richness in culture and traditions. The stronger cliques, sultanates and tribes are geared up to something bigger. Amidst the stories of strife, bloodshed and hunger, our larger and bolder stories of survival, courage and determination to live a normal and happier life is a continuing hope.

Perhaps, we need to rechannel our deeper understanding of peace. Maybe we need to offer more of our listening ears and helping hands. We need to view the sun shining than our horror stories of bloody wars in that area. We need to actively take part in bridging gaps and institute reforms for the better. We need to live in affirmation that there are differences and there are weaknesses in each of us. We must know how to make gentle and lasting compromises. This time, and again, we begin with respect.

so forgiving to see is the system of death that is even created to destroy the fresh and innocent bodies of the young. Indeed, this is another threat to our se-curity.

Moreover, the issue of terror-ism has created a niche in the world we live in. In our coun-try, a firm hold on Republic Act 10168 known as The Terrorism Financing Prevention and Sup-pression Act of 2012 clearly states our country’s stand on the main threat on most of the na-tions. While the government is serious on eradicating the bad elements, it is still overwhelm-ing to know that their group grew in number each day.

In this light, the security of one’s nation is at stake. The citi-zens of the world should work as one to create a better “health status” for the place we live in. The security should not only start within the premises of a nation as stipulated by its law. The surrounding nations play a vital part for the “supposed security” within. True enough, with improper guidance and selfish motives, all the sickness, known or unknown, will slowly kill the nations, along with it is its people.

6 ABRIL 23, 2016

to voters as mandated under the Automated Election Law based on the petition filed by former senator Richard Gor-don. The High Tribunal deci-sion came after junking the Comelec’s petition seeking more time to answer Gordon’s petition.

Days after the decision came out and on Comelec’s appeal, SC spokesman Theodore Te announced that the SC de-cided to hold an oral argu-ment. “The Court has ordered the conduct of oral arguments but it will be on very limited issues” Te said. Te stressed the issues that were discussed were confined in an advisory that the Court had set.

After the SC decision came out, Comelec warned of no election scenario if not a pro-long election time. Chariman Andres Bautista also said that re-configuring the vote count-ing machines (VCMs) and its source code would be neces-sary as well as the retraining of the more than 50,000 teachers with the recent SC decision.

He however maintained that issuing receipt for voters is not mandated under Republic Act

9369 or the Automated Elec-tion Law. He also said that some 100,000 teachers that have been tapped to render poll duties in the coming May 9, 2016 election. Chairman Bautista added that half of the teachers have already gone training while the other half are scheduled to undergo the same training if not for the SC decision.

“If SC decision will be fol-lowed e kailangan po nating ikon-figure ang mga machines at ang mga teachers na naka-pag-training na ay kailangang mag-training uli.” Bautista said in a radio interview.

ACT however said Come-lec must heed the SC decision since the people have no way of determining if the correct pro-gram is installed in the VCMs.

“This is not a simple techni-cal matter that may prolong the voting procedure, we are concerned about the end-results of the people’s votes considering those VCMs have “rejected or misread valid bal-lots and sent “erratic” trans-missions of results during the mock elections.” ACT said. (Miko Arnaldo)

Teachers... from page 2New Comelec rules for discarded ballots questionedThe Commission on Elections (Comelec) has put into place a new directive allowing voters who got their ballots declined by the voting machines to be issued another ballot in re-placement of the rejected one, but it was met with more criti-cisms as to how the poll body is going to ensure that there will be no shortage of ballots during the election period.

According to the new rules, a voter may ask for a new ballot under any of these circumstanc-es: if the voter receipt shows a candidate you did not vote for, and if the voting machines re-jected your ballots through no fault of your own. Every vot-ing transaction will be issued a receipt and claims from voters who will declare to have wrong receipts just to cause trouble will be considered a “frivo-lous objection,” with offend-ers to be charged with perjury.

However, former Come-lec Commissioner Gregorio Larrazabal and current Sen-ior Commissioner Christian Robert Lim raised concerns regarding the new rules.

Clarifying the rules will help enlighten the voters on what to expect during election day ac-

cording to Larrazabal. This will ensure that every registered voter will not be stripped of his/her chance to vote. Larraza-bal reminded that there must be only one ballot per voter that is why he questions the Comelec’s capability to supply enough ballots and make sure that voting precincts all over the country will not run out of it.

“What I’m saying is that it’s better if there are protocols, guidelines, and limitations that will guide or that will govern the procedures in the precinct. Kasi there’s no limit. There’s no limit to the ballots that can be replaced, di ba, if you ask for a replacement? There are no set rules on what are the grounds to say that it’s the fault of the voter,” added Larrazabal.

Lim’s concern, on the other hand, is how the poll body will determine whether a voter’s claim of a wrong receipt is a frivolous objection or not. Moreover, he explained that there is no such thing as “frivo-lous objections” in any existing election law and that it is not within the Comelec’s power to enact a new regulation.

“Paano mo ma-prove na friv-olous siya? Hindi mo rin ma-

prove eh. Impossible crime. Wala naman power ang Come-lec mag promulgate ng batas,” Lim said.

In defense of the new set of rules, Comelec Chairman An-dres Bautista tried justifying their move.

“Kasi pag maraming gan-yang klaseng objection na mangyari sa araw ng halalan ay talagang magkakaroon ng duda or agam-agam. So nagha-hanap kami ng paraan nga para hindi ito maabuso,” Bautista explained.

As for the adequacy of the ballots, Bautista argued that it is not always a 100% voter turnout, so most likely there will be leftover ballots which will then be allocated for those voters who will have to ask for another one. But Bautista remains confident of the computerized system to be used in the automated polls.

“It is unlikely that any ballot will be rejected anyway,” Bau-tista said.

Still, Bautista said he is open for further clarifications re-garding the new set of rules with his other fellow commis-sioners. (Carizza Ibañez)

Duterte at Poe, tie sa pinakahuling presidential pollParehong nasa unang puwesto sina Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte at Senadora Grace Poe sa pinakabagong survey na inilabas ng Social Weather Stations (SWS) sa kung sino ang mas pipiliin ng mga Pilipino bilang susunod na pangulo.

Lumabas sa survey na isinagawa noong ika-13 ng Abril na mayroong 34% ang pumili kay Poe samantalang hindi malayo si Duterte na mayroong 33% ng voter-reference. Tinawag itong “statistical tie” ng SWS.

Sumunod kay Duterte ang pambato ng Liberal Party na si Mar Roxas na may 16% at si United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) standard bearer Vice

President Jejomar Binay na may 15%.

Nanatiling huli sa presidential survey si Senadora Miriam Defensor-Santiago na mayroon lamang 1% ng voter-preference. Ang natitirang 1% naman ay nagsabing hindi pa rin sila desidido kung sino ang kanilang ibobotong president.

Mula sa 1,200 orihinal na survey respondents, 676 lamang o 56% ang nakilahok sa survey: 181 sa Metro Manila, 154 mula sa ibang bahagi ng Luzon, 187 sa Visayas, at 154 sa Mindanao.

Samantala, nangunguna naman sa karera para sa pagka-bise president si Camarines Sur representative Leni Robredo ng

Liberal Party at running mate ni Roxas, na nagtamo ng 30% ng voter-preference.

Nakasunod kay Robredo ang dating nangungunang si Senador Bongbong Marcos na mayroong 27%, at si Sen. Chiz Escudero na may 26%. Malayo naman ang agwat ng tatlo pang tumatakbo sa pagkabise na sina Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, 13%; Sen. Antonio Trillanes, 3%; at Sen. Gringo Honasan, 1%.

Kagaya ng presidential poll, 1,200 din ang itinakdang respondents para survey na ito ngunit 648 o 54% lamang ang sumagot: 183 sa Metro Manila, 149 sa ibang bahagi ng Luzon, 169 sa Visayas, at 147 sa Mindanao. (Carizza Ibañez)

7ABRIL 23, 2016 features

TAG-ARAW: Panahon ng sakit?

Tuwing sumasapit ang summer o tag-araw, ka-bilaan ang mga outing ng mga pamilya lalo na sa mga beach o swimming pool upang ma-

labanan ang tindi ng init ng araw. At dahil walang pasok, karamihan sa mga bata ay nasa labas ng bahay at naglalaro maghapon.

Ngunit ang dalang tuwa at saya ng tag-araw ay maaari ring magdulot ng sakit. Kabilang sa mga sakit na popular tuwing tag-araw ay sun burn, heatstroke, sore eyes, at stomach flu o food poisoning. Ang mga sakit na ito ay walang pinipili at lahat tayo ay pwede maging biktima nito.

Narito ang ilan sa mga paraan upang maiwasan ang sakit ngayong summer:

1.) Uminom ng 8-12 baso ng tubig araw-araw – Paulit-ulit man itong ipaalala sa lahat, napaka hala-gang uminom ng sapat na tubig tuwing tag-araw. At dahil mas mainit, mas malaki ang posibilidad na ma-

karanas ng dehydration. Kahit nasa loob ka lamang ng bahay, mahalaga pa rin dagdagan ang pag-inom ng tubig. Kung ikaw ay nagtatrabaho sa initan o nasa labas, subukang magdala ng bote ng tubig lagi at ala-lahanin na uminom bawat oras.

2.) Gumamit ng sunscreen (o iwasan ang pagla-bas) – Tuwing tag-araw, napakaraming tao ang pu-mupunta sa beach o swimming pool para mag-out-ing. Huwag kalimutan na maglagay ng sunscreen sa katawan at mukha bago lumabas para maiwasan ang sunburn. Kung maaari ay iwasan lumabas ng bahay tuwing mataas ang tirik ng araw (10:00 AM – 2:00 PM). Kung kailangang lumabas, mag-sunscreen at magdala rin ng payong upang maiwasan ang sakit ng araw sa balat.

3.) Maging maingat sa mga pagkain – Uso at mabenta ang mga street food tuwing tag-araw tulad ng fishball, quek-quek, kikiam, at sari-saring mga inumin. Kahit ang masarap ang mga ito, mabuting iwasan na lamang ito lalo na kung hindi ka naka-sisigurado kung kailan at saan niluto ang mga ito. Mas madali ang pagkapanis ng mga pagkain tuwing tag-araw dahil sa mainit na panahon. Ang paalala na ito ay hindi lamang para sa mga street food at kainan sa labas, ngunit pati sa mga hinahandang pagkain para samga outing.

4.) Laging mag-hugas ng kamay – Ang ating mga kamay ay maraming nahahawakan araw-araw. Hindi natin alam kung gaano kalinis ang mga ito, at

kapag nakusot natin ang ating kamay o nailapit ito sa ating mukha o bibig nagdudulot ito ng sakit. Ma-ghugas ng kamay bago kumain at iwasan ilapit ang kamay sa mata o bibig kung maaari. Ang sore eyes ay usung-uso sa mga bata kaya mahalagang turuan sila ng wastong paghugas ng kamay. Maaari ring magbaon ng hand sanitizer or alcohol na pwedeng

panlinis ng kamay kung walang tubig at sabon na malapit.

Para sa maraming pamilya, ang summer ay pana-hon upang magsama-sama at mag-bonding. I-max-imize ang mga panahon na makasasama ang iyong pamilya sa pag-iwas sa sakit. Madaling iwasan ang mga sakit tuwing tag-araw kung papanatilihin ang mabuting hygiene, at pagkain ng tama. Tandaan na pag-iningatan mo ang iyong sarili, iniingatan mo rin ang kalusugan ng mga tao sa iyong paligid. (Hedda Damasco)

8 ABRIL 23, 2016

(Part I)

Sa napakaraming tumatakbo sa pagka-senador ngayong halalan, hindi natin masisiguro kung ilan

nga ba sa kanila ang talagang taos-puso ang pagnanais na paglingkuran ang humigit-kumulang isang daang milyong Pilipino sa bansa. Hindi natin alam kung sinu-sino ba sa limampung indibidwal na naghahangad maging senador ang bukal sa kalooban ang mithiing pagsilbihan ang bawat isang mamamayan ng Pilipinas? Hindi natin paniguradong matutukoy kung ilan ba sa kanila ang kayang panindigan ang mga platapormang kanilang ipinangako noong sila’y nangangampanya pa lamang. Marahil ay iilan lamang. Maaaring bilang lamang sa daliri ang tutupad sa pangako nila. Maaaring iilan lamang ang mananatiling tapat sa kanilang pwesto hanggang sa susunod na eleksyon. Nguni’t sa iilan na ‘yon, walang dudang kabilang si Martin Romualdez doon.

Ipinanganak noong November 14, 1963 sa Manila, Si Ferdinand Martin Gomez Romualdez ang kasalukuyang kinatawan sa Kongreso ng unang distrito ng Leyte. Pangatlo sa apat na magkakapatid, anak si Martin ng dating gobernador ng Leyte na si Benjamin “Kokoy” Romualdez—nakababatang kapatid ni dating unang ginang at ngayo’y kinatawan ng ikalawang distrito ng Ilocos Norte na si Imelda Marcos—at Juliette Gomez-Romualdez. Mayroong apat na anak si Martin—sina Andrew, Marty, Minxie, at Maddey—sa asawa nitong si dating beauty queen Yedda Marie M. Kittiltsvedt, na noo’y kinoronahan bilang Binibining Pilipinas-International 1996.

Nagtapos si Martin sa kursong Bachelor of Arts in Government sa Cornell University noong 1985. Matapos nito’y nagtamo siya ng Certificate of Special Studies in Administration and Management mula sa Harvard University taong 1988. Kalauna’y nagbalik siya sa Pilipinas upang kunin ang kanyang Bachelor of Laws degree mula sa University of the Philippines-Diliman.

Bago manilbihan sa gobyerno

at pumasok sa mundo ng pulitika, nanungkulan si Martin taong 1995 bilang direktor at legal counsel para sa CARPA Realty Development Corporation, at bilang trustee ng Remedios Trinidad Romualdez Medical Foundation. Siya rin ay trustee at president ng Doña Remedios Trinidad Romualdez Medical at Dr. Vicente Orestes Romualdez Educational Foundation. Nananatiling hawak ni Romualdez ang mga posisyon niya sa mga institusyong ito sa panahong kasalukuyan.

Bukod sa mga nabanggit, nakipagsapalaran din si Martin sa larangan ng banking and finance bilang Chairman of the Board ng Equitable PCI Bank, at Director ng ilang bigating kumpanya kagaya ng Philippine Commercial International Bank, Equitable Card Network, EBC Investments, Inc., Equitable Savings Bank, PCI Leasing Corporation, at PCI Capital Corporation.

Sa loob ng halos pitong dekada at ilang henerasyon ng mga Romualdez na nanirahan at nanilbihan sa Leyte, naging balwarte na ng mga ito ang probinsiya. At para sa mga mga magagandang nasimulan ng kanyang amang si Kokoy at ng kanyang mga kinanununuan, nais ipagpatuloy ni Martin ang mga inumpisahang adhikain ng mga ito.

Nakatuon sa pagpapalaganap ng bukas-loob na serbisyo-publikong naging pagkakakilanlan ng mga Romualdez, nagpasinaya si Martin ng mga grassroots-focused projects upang mapabuti ang kalagayan ng kanyang mga nasasakupan. Dahil hindi lingid sa loob niya ang mahalagang papel na ginagampanan ng maayos ng imprastruktura, ipinaglaban at siniguro ni Martin na mapapaigting ang pondong nakalaan para pagpapatayo at rehabilitasyon ng mga daan, tulay, paaralan, at mga pasilidad na gagamitin para sa paghahatid ng mga pangunahing serbisyong labis na kailangan ng mga Leyteñong nasa mga liblib at tagong lugar. Aktibo rin si Martin sa mga charity works, kagaya ng mga medical at legal clinics.

Matapos hagupitin ni Supertyphoon Yolanda ang Leyte noong 2013, dinoble ni Martin ang pagtulong sa libu-libong kapwa niyang mga Leyteñong sinalanta ng bagyo. Sa mga panahong pinakalugmok ang mga mamamayan ng Leyte, andiyan si Martin upang walang sawang magpaabot ng tulong sa abot ng kaniyang makakaya. Mas pinaigting niya ang kanyang mga charity works upang mas mapabilis ang rehabilitasyon at pagtatayong muli ng mga nasirang kabahayan at kabuhayan sa kanyang distrito. Ilan lamang ito sa mga proyekto ni Martin upang mapanumbalik ang dating Leyte bago ito sirain ni Yolanda.

Layon din ni Martin na maiangat

ang kalagayan ng mga kababayan nating may kapansanan o “persons with disabilities (PWDs)” at isa sa mga pagsisikap na kanyang ginagawa upang makamit ito ay ang pagkakaloob ng mga wheel chair katuwang ang Children’s International, Inc. sa mga kapus-palad na indibidwal at mga biktima ng bagyong mayroong polio at iba pang karamdaman alinsunod sa nangyaring pananalanta ng bagyong Yolanda.

Ilan pa lamang ‘yan sa mga nagawa ni Martin para sa kanyang distrito at marami pa siyang magagawa at kayang gawin na hinahangad niyang hindi lamang ng mga kababayan niyang Leyteño, nguni’t ng bawat isang Pilipino. (Carizza Ibañez)

SPECIAL FEATURE STORY

A POLITICAL BREAKDOWN OF WHAT MAKES A MARTIN ROMUALDEZ

From Leyte with Love: