John Hay Golf management answers ex-Rep. Domogan’s allegations on CJH golf tiff

Behind the Scenes

Alfred P. Dizon

(Here is the unedited statement of the Bases Conversion Development Authority sent to the Northern Philippine Times on the banning of former Baguio mayor and congressman Mauricio from playing in the Camp John Hay golf course among other controversial matters in the former American rest and recreation camp):  

Ever since Atty. Mauricio Domogan was publicly banned from the Camp John Hay golf estate facilities, he has gone above and beyond to discredit the current management for withholding the privileges he had enjoyed during the term of the previous management.

He has gone public with pronouncements decrying the treatment of club members and fueling accusations that the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) and their private partners laid off workers at the properties upon the transition.

These pronouncements are categorically false. In fact, all collateral damage in the management transition at the Camp John Hay golf estate facilities are easily traced to efforts of Camp John Hay Golf Club Inc., the previous management and a subsidiary of Camp John Hay Development Corporation (CJH DevCo), to resist the enforcement of the Supreme Court ruling and sabotage the interim management team, composed of Golfplus Management Inc. and DuckWorld PH (hereinafter, “John Hay Golf” or “JHG team”). Management Transition Recap and Overview A security exercise was scheduled for January 6, 2025, at 8:00 AM, in Camp John Hay.

During this period, the Baguio sheriff served the Notice to Vacate at the Golf Club and escorted previous General Manager Jude Eustaquio off the premises, officially marking the formal takeover date and the transition to the new management. Immediately following the service of the Notice, the interim management team issued a notice to all staff requesting their attendance to a General Assembly. The GA commenced at 2:00 PM at the clubhouse function hall on the same day.

It was led by JHMC PCEO Marlo Quadra and Interim Management Head Eduardo P. Arguelles (EPA). Representatives from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Mr. Gil M. Datayan Jr. (Senior Labor and Employment Ofcer) and Mr. Henry B. Matalo (Labor Employment Ofcer), as well as Interim General Manager VP Mark Torres of the BCDA also attended the meeting.

The GA focused on the context of the takeover, discussed by PCEO Quadra; the introduction of the management team, discussed by EPA; and staff concerns relating to job security, separation benets, and recruitment. The interim management team was very clear in inviting all workers to join the new management to ensure continuity of operations.

They even offered to absorb agency workers as direct hires. However, the following soon came to light: 1. The staff were told by the Former Golf Club Management/CJH DevCo that they would not get their separation benets if they signed with the new management.

This included staff who had been in service for 15-25 years.  

They were also told that they were already set to be paid until the end of January, and so taking on any work, even as emergency workers, would be considered as dual employment. The DOLE representatives upheld this analysis during the meeting.

A second GA was conducted with caddies at 4:30 PM. They welcomed the forum and were excited at the prospects discussed on forming a cooperative and codifying guidelines and protocols to protect caddies in service. Reports of unfair treatment of caddies under the previous management also came to light during this meeting.

Effectively, the Former Golf Club Management/CJH DevCo has held hostage the very workforce they claim to be protecting. Otherwise, the JHG management team continues to keep its doors open for employees of the Golf Club. Saints or Saboteurs Apart from this strategy, the Former Golf Club Management/CJH DevCo has been uniquely recalcitrant and uncooperative in other aspects of golf course operations, seeking opportunities to discredit the BCDA and the new management.  

Despite goodwill efforts on the part of the JHG team to negotiate leasing or buying all movable assets of the Former Golf Club Management/CJH DevCo to facilitate a smooth transition and avoid inconveniencing clients of the golf estate, the Former Golf Club Management/CJH DevCo has gone about removing all their movable properties from the estate, including tables, chairs, desks, golf carts, supplies, appliances, fixtures, etc.

The intention to disrupt operations is clear, because they have even tried to pull out basic facilities. The day after the January 6 takeover, on January 7, 2025, the Former Golf Club Management/CJH DevCo attempted to shut off the water pumps at the estate, supposedly to avoid incurring any of the electrical expenses post-takeover.

The water supply was cut from the property for several hours, which was a clear sign of animosity toward the new management and was paramount to a threat to the health of the course itself, which has very specic irrigation needs.

It was the JHG team that sought the good will of the engineers to switch on the water pumps again. The Former Golf Club Management/CJH DevCo has also threatened to remove transformers and electrical cables in the following days, forcing the John Hay Management Corporation (JHMC) and the Benguet Electric Cooperative (BENECO) to intervene and ensure no power disruptions.

Refusal to cooperate. The Former Golf Club Management/CJH DevCo has declined to turn over any helpful information to the JHG management to facilitate a smooth transition. The JHG management has had to commence operations without clear information on memberships, surviving contracts, upcoming events, organizational nances, or information systems.

Even the insurance policy for Golf Club members needed to be investigated because of conflicting and inconsistent reports. Contrary to their declarations that they are protecting the rights of their members, their resistance to upholding the Supreme Court ruling, which effectively rescinded all contracts contingent on the breached 1996 Agreement between the BCDA and CJH DevCo, has made them the rst to violate the values they claim to protect.

3. Deliberate Disruptions. There has even been a case in which staff of the Former Golf Club Management/CJH DevCo confirmed tee times with a member without informing the JHG management, resulting in irate and disgruntled clients at the front desk.

On January 11, 2025, Domogan himself verbally abused staff of the new management group at the front desk, insisting that he should be allowed to play at 6:30AM when he had not made tee time reservations.

He refused the next open schedule offered by the staff for 7:00AM and insisted on special accommodations at his desired time of 6:30PM. The clear expectation of special treatment was rejected by the new management’s commitment to published guidelines and protocols.

In the following days, Domogan would be formally banned from the course through a formal directive by the BCDA.

On the part of the JHG interim management team, in recognition of the Golf Club members’ active patronage of the course, they have allowed members to retain and continue enjoying some of their privileges, even while balancing the interests of the general public now that John Hay Golf is a public course.

    The new management team shares the excitement of the general public in opening access to the golf estate facilities at Camp John Hay, and welcomes all manners of cooperation to ensure a smooth transition for all stakeholders.

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Time to rethink New Year’s resolutions

 BEHIND THE SCENES

Alfred P. Dizon

Here’s some pieces of advice about New Year’s resolutions. But how much of it actually works? Is it even a good idea to set resolutions at the beginning of the year?
    In an article, three Ascend editors, Kelsey Alpaio, Christine Liu, and Elainy Mata, break down five tactics — backed by research — for making New Year’s resolutions work for you: Do resolutions right. Create “fresh starts.” Reframe to make it fun. Break goals into micro habits. Evaluate your resolutions. Consider the negative risks.
Tip 1: Create “fresh starts”
ALPAIO: This is actually something I tried in both 2019 and 2020. These are the journals I used to keep track of it, actual journals that I used to do this with. So instead of setting a goal for the whole year, I set monthly resolutions for myself. Here’s why this works. When we typically set resolutions at the beginning of the year, there’s really no end in sight.
    When you set monthly goals instead, you’re creating these sort of fresh start moments for yourself at the beginning of every month, instead of just the beginning of the year. And that keeps you motivated for a longer period of time.
Tip 2: Reframe to make it fun!
LIU: If you just want to, like, adopt better habits or make a change, whatever, there’s one thing that you can do to substantially increase the chance of it sticking. You actually want to have fun. So that means you actually enjoy the thing in the moment, not just waiting for that magical day months later that you’re going to be like, oh yeah, I feel better about myself.
    Let’s say I want to resolve to eat more vegetables. The worst thing I could do is be like, “I’m going to eat more vegetables because of health benefits.” Because, you know, that’s pretty boring, and I’m not going to, like, choke down this salad just because I know it’s good for me. I mean, most salads out there are boring.
    Instead of boring salads, I’ll be like, oh, I really love the act of researching what ingredients are in season. Even if something is important or meaningful, I want this goal to be fun.
Tip 3: Break goals into micro habits
ALPAIO: As somebody who’s set some pretty lofty goals for themselves over the years, I absolutely love this tip. Basically, it’s all about taking those big, intimidating, lofty goals and slashing them into micro habits.
    When a resolution is too big or too vague, it makes it easier for you to make up excuses why you’re not going to do it. For example, say your resolution is to read more. That’s a very scary, intimidating, and vague goal. To break it down into a micro habit, maybe you would say, OK, I’ll read for 45 minutes a day. That’s still too big. All right, I’ll read a chapter every night. That’s still too big.
Your goal should be something like, I’m going to read a paragraph before bed every single night. Now, that is a micro habit. I know that sounds really small, but it’s called a micro habit for a reason. It’s supposed to be something that’s so small that it almost feels ridiculous to do. But that’s the point. It’s supposed to feel achievable. It’s supposed to feel like something that you aren’t intimidated to do on a daily basis.
Tip 4: Evaluate your resolutions
MATA: I actually don’t like New Year’s resolutions because I feel like they add more pressure to my already pressure-filled life. But I thought about it, and I realized that the reason why I don’t like New Year’s resolutions is because I do too many of them at the same time.
    Evaluate your goal list. Ask yourself a few questions. Does this goal align with my values? Should I put this goal off for another time, or should I just get rid of it all together? If you’re in your office or a group of friends and you’re hearing all of them talk about their New Year’s resolutions, don’t panic. You don’t have to have a New Year’s resolution. It’s actually OK.
Tip 5: Consider the negative risks
LIU: No one really talks about maybe the risks or the side effects of having goals. Harvard Business School published this research paper that has the title — I’m dying here — it’s called “Goals Gone Wild.” What’s really interesting here is that setting goals, especially around work, can wreak havoc if not applied appropriately. So unreasonable goals, or ones that are too narrow or too ambitious can cause damage. There are psychological costs. You get into tunnel vision. And in the effort to hit those “capital G” goals, a lot of things may cost you in the long run.
    ALPAIO: These are the tactics that we found useful. We hope that you found them useful, as well. Let us know how you feel about New Year’s resolutions, how you feel about this advice, and any resolutions that you have in the works. Happy new year!

 
BEHIND THE SCENES

Alfred Dizon 

OPAPRU: 2023 peace process with armed groups ‘fulfilling’

The Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. described 2023, a “banner year for comprehensive Philippine process,” amid the         Marcos administration’s commitment to realizing its peace agenda for the nation.
    In a statement e-mailed to the Northern Philippine Times, Galvez said a “significant peace milestone” was achieved by the Philippine government and Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front of the Philippines (CPP-NPA-NDFP).
    He said the series of back-channeling and exploratory talks between the government and the NDFP resulted in the signing of the Oslo Joint Communique last Nov. 23 in Oslo, Norway.
    “The intention of the parties is very clear. This is to end the armed conflict, to end armed struggle, and transformation of the CPP-NPA-NDFP,” Galvez said, who announced the peace breakthrough in Malacañang on Nov. 28.
    “We want to resolve all the socioeconomic drivers of conflict, and at the same time, end armed struggle through peaceful resolution of conflict. We’ve been divided as a people by this conflict for more than 50 years,” he added.
    Galvez said the government is making headway with the Localized Peace Engagement (LPE) initiative. The LPE cluster of the National Task Force to Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), which is co-chaired by OPAPRU and the Department of the Interior and Local Government, continues to roll out the Transformation Program for former rebels, their families and communities.
    “We have been conducting Transformation Program workshops together with provincial local government units and partner agencies nationwide to help former rebels fully reintegrate into mainstream society and rebuild their lives,” Galvez said.
    Meanwhile, Galvez said the government’s peace processes with the Cordillera Bodong Administration-Cordillera People’s Liberation Army (CBA-CPLA) and Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa ng Pilipinas-Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPMP-RPA-ABB), now called KAPATIRAN, are moving forward as well.
    “The government continues to implement a Normalization Program for both groups that enable its members and their families to improve their socioeconomic well-being,” he said, adding he “is confident they will serve as examples for others to give up armed struggle and embrace a peaceful and productive life.”
    “Once people start enjoying the dividends of peace and their lives start to improve, there is no longer reason for them to engage in armed struggle. They themselves will volunteer to become instruments of peace and development as what our CBA-CPLA and KAPATIRAN have shown," he noted.
    He cited "major milestones" in the government's peace efforts with various groups, including the Bangsamoro, Moro Islamic Liberation Front, Moro National Liberation Front, National Democratic Front, and those in the Cordilleras.
    “Major milestones have been achieved in the comprehensive Philippine peace process under the Marcos administration’s Five-Point Peace, Reconciliation and Unity agenda,” Galvez said in a statement Thursday.
    “We would like to assure you that the Marcos administration is determined to push forward, build upon and sustain the gains of the comprehensive peace process,” he added.
    Galvez said amid two major wars in different parts of the world, the Philippines is looked upon by the international community as a beacon of hope and inspiration for its successful peacebuilding efforts. “Our country has shown that good things come to those who choose and walk the path of peace. Let us continue doing so and become a beacon of hope, mutual understanding and solidarity.”
    Galvez cited significant progress under the Bangsamoro peace process, as the Bangsamoro Parliament has passed five of its seven priority codes, which aims to improve the socioeconomic conditions of its people and boost the region’s economy. These codes include the Administrative Code, Civil Service Code, Electoral Code, Local Government Code, and Education Code.
    “The crafting of these codes is an indication that the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) has really gotten stronger, especially in terms of passing key legislation that will unlock the full economic potential of the region and bring economic progress to the people,” Galvez said.
    All seven mechanisms of the National Government – Bangsamoro Government Intergovernmental Relations Body (IGRB) have been established and are now functioning, he added.
    These IGRB mechanisms include the Philippine Congress-Bangsamoro Parliament Forum (PCBPF); Intergovernmental Fiscal Policy Board (IFPB); Joint Body for the Zones of Joint Cooperation (JBZJC); Intergovernmental Infrastructure Development Board (IFPB); Intergovernmental Energy Board (IEB); and Bangsamoro Sustainable Development Board (BSDB); and the Council of Leaders.
    “With the accomplishments of the IGRB this year, we have no doubt that the body will be able to sustain its momentum in 2024, as it effectively addresses pressing issues brought to its attention, and help uplift the lives of the Bangsamoro people,” he said.
    “The BARMM is a very good example that once you create a peaceful and secure environment for the people, economic development will follow as trading, investments, and tourism will thrive,” he said.
    In 2023, Galvez said 26,145 former MILF combatants have also been decommissioned and “are now living as peaceful and productive civilians in their communities.”
    A key component of the Normalization Program under the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), decommissioning is the process wherein the former combatants lay down their arms and return to mainstream society.
    “These former MILF combatants are now fighting a different battle and that is, a battle to improve their socioeconomic well-being and create a better future for themselves and their families,” Galvez said.
    He added that the Transformation Program for MNLF combatants, which was launched in October this year, is expected to uplift the lives of the group’s members and empower them as agents of peace and development.
    “Our MNLF brothers and sisters are demonstrating their determination to help move forward the national government’s peace agenda and walk the path of peace,” Galvez said.
    “More importantly, the national government is showing the MNLF that it is focused, more than ever, to fulfill all the commitments it had made under the 1996 Final Peace Agreement,” he added.
    The OPAPRU's Social Healing and Peacebuilding Program (SHAPE) is also helping to mend the torn social fabric of society caused by armed conflict through peace conversations and other peacebuilding initiatives.
    “We are committed to conduct trauma healing sessions for the victims especially in light of the recent bomb attack in Marawi City. Through this intervention, we hope to help the victims recover emotionally from the harrowing incident and move forward,” Galvez said.
    He said they continue to work closely with international and local partners, to directly address the roots of violence that is used by terrorists and extremists to bring in recruits into their fold.
    “We believe that the best way to effectively and permanently address the threat of violent extremism is to involve everyone in the healing and peacebuilding process, especially the most vulnerable sectors of society,” Galvez said.
    The OPAPRU together with the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW), as well as civil society organizations and the international development community, launched the fourth generation of the National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security (NAPWPS) 2023-2033 in early December.
    The NAPWPS is the Philippine government’s commitment to the United Nations Security Country Resolution (UNSCR) No. 1325, which calls for women’s participation in conflict prevention and resolution, peace negotiations, peacebuilding, peacekeeping, humanitarian response, and post-conflict reconstruction.
    Meanwhile, the OPAPRU's Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan or PAMANA Program is also building much-needed infrastructure projects that are helping to bring social cohesion and create more livelihood opportunities for residents in focus areas nationwide.
    “The bulk of OPAPRU’s nearly P7 billion budget for 2024 will be used to fund the PAMANA Program, which seeks to bring essential government services closer to the people, especially in remote, undeveloped communities in focus areas,” Galvez said.
    He said he is optimistic that with the upcoming roll-out of the national government’s amnesty program for former rebels, “more will be encouraged to turn away from armed struggle, lay down their arms, and return to the fold of the law.”
    He said the granting of amnesty is an integral part of the comprehensive peace process that will foster genuine healing, reconciliation and deepen the trust and confidence in the government which is needed for the economy to grow while building on the gains of peace.
    “It is a path towards normalization that would allow former rebels not only to fully reintegrate themselves into mainstream society as peaceful, productive and law-abiding citizens, but more importantly, enable them to rebuild their lives and ensure a better future for themselves and their families,” Galvez said. 
 

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Christmas stories

BEHIND THE SCENES

Alfred P. Dizon

Here are Christmas stories to inspire us despite these jaded times.  The season celebrating the Holy Child’s birth has been reduced to commercial events, compulsory gift-giving, stressful parties or prefabricated greetings.
    Here are some Christmas stories forwarded on the Internet that bring back the touching, endearing and inspiring qualities of Christmases.
The Portrait
 Years ago, there was a very wealthy man who, with his devoted young son, shared a passion for art collecting. Together they traveled around the world, adding only the finest art treasures to their collection. Priceless works by Picasso, Van Gogh, Monet and many others adorned the walls of the family estate.
    The widowed elder man looked on with satisfaction as his only child became an experienced art collector. The son’s trained eye and sharp business mind caused his father to beam with pride as they dealt with art collectors around the world.
    As winter approached, war engulfed the nation and the young man left to serve his country. After only a few short weeks, his father received a telegram. His beloved son was missing in action. The art collector anxiously awaited more news, fearing he would never see his son again.
    Within days, his fears were confirmed. The young man had died while rushing a fellow soldier to a medic. Distraught and lonely, the old man faced the upcoming Christmas holidays with anguish and sadness. The joy of the season – a season that he and his son had so looked forward to – would visit his house no longer.
    On Christmas morning, a knock on the door awakened the depressed old man. As he walked to the door, the masterpieces of art on the walls only reminded him that his son was not coming home. As he opened the door, he was greeted by a soldier with a large package in his hand.
    He introduced himself by saying, "I was a friend of your son. I was the one he was rescuing when he died. May I come in for a few moments? I have something to show you."
    As the two began to talk, the soldier told of how the man’s son had told everyone of his father’s love of fine art.
    "I’m an artist," said the soldier, "and I want to give you this."
    As the old man unwrapped the package, the paper gave way to reveal a portrait of the man’s son. Though the world would never consider it the work of a genius, the painting featured the young man’s face in striking detail.
    Overcome with emotion, the man thanked the soldier, promising to hang the picture above the fireplace.
    A few hours after the soldier had departed, the old man set about his task. True to his word, the painting went above the fireplace, pushing aside thousands of dollars of paintings. And then the man sat in his chair and spent Christmas gazing at the gift he had been given.
    During the days and weeks that followed, the man realized that even though his son was no longer with him, the boy’s life would live on because of those he had touched. He would soon learn that his son had rescued dozens of wounded soldiers before a bullet stilled his caring heart.
    As the stories of his son’s gallantry continued to reach him, fatherly pride and satisfaction began to ease the grief. The painting of his son soon became his most prized possession, far eclipsing any interest in the pieces for which museums around the world clamored. He told his neighbors it was the greatest gift he had ever received.
    The following spring, the old man became ill and passed away. The art world was in anticipation. With the collector’s passing, and his only son dead, those paintings would be sold at an auction.     According to the will of the old man, all of the art works would be auctioned on Christmas day, the day he had received his greatest gift.
    The day soon arrived and art collectors from around the world gathered to bid on some of the world’s most spectacular paintings. The auction began with a painting that was not on any museum’s list. It was the painting of the man’s son. The auctioneer asked for an opening bid. The room was silent.
"Who will open the bidding with $100?" he asked. Minutes passed. No one spoke.
    From the back of the room came, "Who cares about that painting? It’s just a picture of his son. Let’s forget it and go on to the good stuff." More voices echoed in agreement.
    "No, we have to sell this one first," replied the auctioneer. "Now, who will take the son?"
    Finally, a friend of the old man spoke. "Will you take $10 for the painting? That’s all I have. I knew the boy, so I’d like to have it."
    "I have $10. Will anyone go higher?" called the auctioneer. After more silence, the auctioneer said,     "Going once, going twice. Gone."
    The gavel fell. Cheers filled the room and someone exclaimed, "Now we can get on and bid on these treasures!"
    The auctioneer looked at the audience and announced the auction was over. Stunned disbelief quieted the room.
    Someone spoke up and asked, "What do you mean it’s over? We didn’t come here for a picture of some old guy’s son. What about all of these paintings? There are millions of dollars of art here! I demand that you explain what’s going on here!"
    The auctioneer replied, "It’s very simple. According to the will of the father, whoever takes the son gets it all."
    This Christmas, will you take the Son? – Author unknown

Two babes in a manger
In 1994, two Americans answered an invitation from the Russian Department of Education to teach in Russia. They were invited to teach at many places including a large orphanage. About 100 boys and girls who had been abandoned, abused, and left in the care of a government-run program were in the orphanage. The two Americans relate the following story in their own words:
    It was nearing the holiday season, 1994, time for our orphans to hear, for the first time, the traditional story of Christmas. We told them about Mary and Joseph arriving in Bethlehem, that finding no room in the inn, the couple went to a stable where the Baby Jesus was born and placed in a manger.
    Throughout the story, the children and orphanage staff sat in amazement as they listened. Some sat on the edges of their stools, trying to grasp every word.
    Completing the story, we gave the children three small pieces of cardboard to make a crude manger. Each child was given a small paper square, cut from yellow napkins I had brought with me. No colored paper was available in the city.
    Following instructions, the children tore the paper and carefully laid strips in the manger for straw. Small squares of flannel, cut from a worn-out nightgown an American lady threw away as she left Russia, were used for the baby’s blanket. A doll-like baby was cut from tan felt we had brought from the United States.
    The orphans were busy assembling their manger as I walked among them to see if they needed any help. All went well until I got to one table where little Misha sat. He looked to be about six years old and had finished his project.
    As I looked at the little boy’s manger, I was startled to see not one, but two babies in the manger. Quickly, I called for the translator to ask the lad why there were two babies in the manger.
    Crossing his arms in front of him and looking at this completed manger scene, the child began to repeat the story very seriously. For such a young boy who had only heard the Christmas story once, he related the happenings accurately – until he came to the part where Mary put the Baby Jesus in the manger.
    Then Misha started to ad lib. He made up his own ending to the story as he said, "And when Maria laid the baby in the manger, Jesus looked at me and asked me if I had a place to stay. I told him I have no mama and I have no papa, so I don’t have any place to stay.
    "Then Jesus told me I could stay with Him. But I told Him I couldn’t, because I didn’t have a gift to give Him like everybody else did. But I wanted to stay with Jesus so much, so I thought about what I had that maybe I could use for a gift. I thought maybe if I kept Him warm, that would be a good gift.
"So I asked Jesus, ‘If I keep You warm, will that be a good enough gift?’ And Jesus told me, ‘If you keep Me warm, that will be the best gift anybody ever gave me.’
    "So I got into the manger, and then Jesus looked at me and He told me I could stay with Him – for always."
    As little Misha finished his story, his eyes brimmed with tears that splashed down his little cheeks. Putting his hand over his face, his head dropped to the table and his shoulders shook as he sobbed and sobbed.
    The little orphan had found Someone who would never abandon nor abuse him, Someone who would stay with him – for always.
    I’ve learned that it’s not what you have in your life, but who you have in your life that counts. – Author unknown
    Merry Christmas and a Happy New  Year to All!
 

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On VP Duterte’s statements on the GRP-NDFP peace talks

BEHIND THE SCENES

Alfred P. Dizon

The resumption of peace talks between the National Democratic Front of the Philippines and the Government of the Republic of the Philippines is now putting the President Bongbong Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte on collision course after the latter branded said talks “an agreement with the devil.”   
    This has elicited a lot of comments on media and online platforms.
    Here is a statement from the militant groups KARAPATAN:
    “Vice President Sara Duterte’s comments against the resumption of peace talks between the NDFP and the GRP are no surprise. 
    Since the onset of her term, and even during the campaign period, she has rejected and repudiated peace talks between the two parties as a way of addressing the roots of armed conflict and prefers to utilize to the hilt the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), of which she is vice chair, to further orchestrate militarist campaigns in their bid to crush the armed resistance. 
    Perhaps the peace the Vice President aspires for is the peace of the graveyard — an end to dissent, to vigorous democratic discourse and debate and the quest for better alternatives for our people. Her contempt for the GRP-NDFP peace talks and rabid espousal of the NTF-ELCAC is anathema to the people’s quest for peace and justice. 
    KARAPATAN believes that the NTF-ELCAC, in its five years of existence, and its whole of nation approach have not addressed the root causes of the armed conflict in the country. Rather, counterinsurgency schemes with militarist approaches have only resulted in grave human and people’s rights violations as well as violations of International Humanitarian Law. 
    The GRP-NDFP peace talks is an opportunity to tackle these root causes, including issues on land monopoly, low wages, high prices of goods and services, the regressive tax system, pro-monopoly capitalist investment regulations, unfair trade, and onerous debt.
    The peace talks have also delved in the development of multiple sectors of the economy in agriculture, industry, and services. Policies concerning basic rights to health, education, water, electricity, transportation, communication and culture, among others, are subjects of discussion in the draft of the Comprehensive Agreement on Socio-Economic Reforms. 
    This peace process has birthed the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law, which outlines individual and collective freedoms and human rights in the political, social, economic and cultural spheres and the principles of IHL in the domestic context.     The Joint Monitoring Committee to monitor the implementation of the CARHRIHL remains a viable option for redress for victims of human rights violations, their families and communities. 
    At the time the peace talks were scuttled in 2017, the draft CASER was close to being completed and approved by both parties and the reciprocal working groups on the Comprehensive Agreement on Political and Constitutional Reforms were gearing to meet. There were prospects for social justice and lasting peace.
    KARAPATAN is one with the overwhelming majority of peace and human rights advocates, and people’s organizations of peasants, workers, indigenous peoples, women, and youth in calling for the resumption of the peace talks and the quest for just and lasting peace. We will not relent, even in the face of attempts by peace spoilers to deprive our people of this opportunity.
    ***
Vice President Duterte released a statement earlier saying the “Marcos administration’s agreement with communist rebels to resume peace negotiations to end the decades-old communist armed conflict is an agreement with the devil,” urging President Marcos to reconsider his decision.
    Speaker Martin Romualdez, on the other hand, categorically threw his full support behind his cousin’s move to reopen peace talks with the communist rebels, which were suspended in 2019 during the incumbency of the Vice President’s father.
    In her message on the fifth anniversary of the National Task Force to End Local
 Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) – an agency created by her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, in 2018 after his relations with communists soured – the Vice President said reconsidering the resumption of peace talks would “honor the memory of those who died in the senseless and bloody attacks” of communist rebels.
    “I support the steps to establish peace in our country because the fight against terrorists is deeply personal to me, as it is deeply personal to the families of countless Filipinos whose lives were forever upended because of the madness of terrorists,” the younger Duterte said in the recorded message.    
    “But giving out amnesty cannot lead the way to peace. What we need to do is continue what the NTF-ELCAC started and make these stronger. We’ve already won as communities continue to fight,” she added.
    Last week, the Marcos administration and the NDF, the political wing of the CPP, agreed to a “principled and peaceful resolution” to the longest insurgency in Asia in a joint statement dated Nov. 23 and signed in Oslo, Norway.
    The move was touted as a linchpin that could finally settle the conflict within the term of Marcos, whose father’s dictatorship launched the decades-old battle between state forces and communist rebels.
While the public might welcome the move, the former president’s supporters might see it as an undoing of sorts of the previous administration’s scorched-earth policy against the communist movement.
    The Vice President called the amnesty and resumption of peace talks a deal “with the devil” and a sign of letting the “enemies” win.
    “Mr. President, the government’s statement with the NDF in Oslo was an agreement with the devil. History has proven how unserious and insincere they are in peace talks. They will use the peace negotiations to betray the government and deceive the public. We appeal to your power to review these proclamations and agreements,” the younger Duterte said.
    “Let us honor the memory of those who died in the senseless and bloody attacks of the NPA-CPP-NDF. Mr. President, we can negotiate for peace and reconciliation and pursue meaningful development efforts in the Philippines without capitulating to the enemies,” she added.
    For Romualdez it is worth giving peace a chance without resorting to war.
    “Enough of the war. Our citizens are tired of conflicts. Let’s give peace a chance,” he said.
    “This negotiation is more than just a political maneuver; it is a moral imperative, a chance to mend the fissures that have long divided our nation. We are not just negotiating terms; we are weaving the fabric of a peaceful future for every Filipino,” he added.
    The Speaker enjoined the public to “embrace this opportunity with open hearts and minds, fostering an environment where peace can flourish.”
    “Together, under President Marcos’ leadership, we shall strive toward a Philippines that is not only prosperous, but also harmonious and united in its diversity,” he declared.
    “Let tonight’s ceremony stand as a symbol of our continuing commitment. That we, at the House as a nation-loving institution, will not waver, that we will remain steadfast in our solemn duty to be shining lights for peace, comfort, security, understanding and unity for our country. Let this be our gift for our countrymen this Christmas,” he added.
 

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Traffic violations, crashes up in Baguio/ PUJ phaseout plan hit

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Confidential funds

BEHIND THE SCENES

Alfred P. Dizon

BAGUIO CITY -- The media recently had been abuzz with reports of confidential funds worth millions of pesos being allocated into the coffers of government agencies or bodies like the Office of the Vice President getting the ire of concerned citizens.

    Through the media and online platforms, commentators hit such allocations saying these funds are taxpayers’ money and how these are spent should be explained. Some Commission on Audit officials said confidential funds are not audited, raising more complaints.

    (In this summer capital, we hear of a P2 million confidential fund under the top local government office as bared by Rep. Marcoleta among others like illegal gambling in a privilege speech, but that is another story).

    ***

Last Tuesday, a group of former government officials and lawyers filed a petition before the Supreme Court, questioning validity of transfer of P125 million to the Office of the Vice President’s (OVP) confidential fund.

The petitioners -- lawyer Barry Gutierrez, spokesperson of former vice president Maria Leonor "Leni" Robredo; former Commission on Elections chairperson Christian Monsod; former Finance undersecretary Maria Cielo Magno; former Commission on Filipinos Overseas chairperson Imelda Nicolas; law professor Katrina Monsod; Ray Paolo Santiago; Honorio Poblador III; Augusto Lagman; Vicente Romano; Rex Drilon; and Miguel Jugo -- also sought to order the OVP to return the money to the government's treasury.

    In July, the COA released the 2022 audit report of the OVP confirming that the latter used P125 million that was transferred in December 2022.

    The COA, in the same report, flagged the equipment the OVP procured for its new satellite offices that were supposedly obtained without following procedures mandated by Republic Act (RA) No. 9184 or the Government Procurement Act.
    ***
Last September, the Office of the Executive Secretary said the confidential fund was released in compliance with provisions in the 2022 General Appropriations Act, which authorized the Office of the President to approve releases to cover funding requirements of new or urgent activities or projects that need to be implemented or paid. 
     Lawmakers on Wednesday said the House of Representatives' decision to realign confidential funds amounting to P1.23 billion of different government agencies was the "right thing to do" as shown by a recent OCTA survey, indicating that majority of the Filipinos agree with the reallocation to security agencies.
    Deputy Majority Leader and Quezon City 3rd District Rep. Franz Pumaren said the survey results showing that 57 percent of Filipinos agree with the confidential fund realignment is a "vindication for all of us" in the House of Representatives, according to a report by the government-run Philippine News Agency.
    “As far as we are concerned, this is a crucial and very important gauge for us, and an affirmation that we did the right thing. More so, it also encourages us to continue on this righteous path in carrying out what is good for our fellow countrymen. We have the moral high ground,” he added.
    Pumaren said this comes as a time wherein the chamber has been the object of criticism and threats from certain quarters due to the realignments made in the proposed 2024 national budget.
    “As you know, we have been the political punching bag of some quarters, specifically Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez who did nothing bad, and who only did his job,” he said.
    The PNA report said the Sept. 30 to Oct. 4 poll of 1,200 adult respondents nationwide showed that only 14 percent “disagreed” with the House's move to reallocate confidential funds of some civilian agencies to front-line agencies in charge of ensuring national security and protecting the country's territorial rights in the West Philippine Sea.
    Of those who agreed, the highest percentage was in Balance Luzon at 75 percent, followed by the National Capital Region at 65 percent, Visayas at 46 percent, and the lowest was in Mindanao at 24 percent.
    Among socio-economic groups, 72 percent of class ABC agreed (highest) while 54 percent of class E agreed (lowest).
    Mindanao had the highest level of disagreement at 26 percent and Balance Luzon had the lowest at 10 percent.
    Among socio-economic groups, 15 percent of class E disagreed (highest) while 8 percent of class ABC disagreed (lowest).
    Occidental Mindoro Lone District Rep. Leody "Odie" Tarriela, meanwhile, said the OCTA survey strengthened the notion that the House of Representatives was on the right track.
    "It fortified our belief that the House leadership did the right thing when it removed the confidential funds of some civilian agencies and transferred them to agencies that have a direct hand in protecting our interests in the West Philippine Sea (WPS)," Tarriela said.
    "As lawmakers, we serve the people and are answerable to the people. With 57 percent of adult Filipinos agreeing with our move, it tells that we echoed the pulse of the majority. And that's what matters in the end, not rhetoric or propaganda," he added.
    He said the House stands behind the Speaker's intention to protect the country's interests in the WPS and use the full resources of the government to do so.
    "That is the patriotic way to handle our challenges at sea," he said.
    House appropriations committee chairman and Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co, meanwhile, welcomed the reported consensus among senators to remove confidential and intelligence funds from civilian agencies.
    “This is a vindication of the decision of the House of Representatives to realign those appropriations.     With such consensus, we foresee a smooth bicameral conference on the 2024 budget,” he said.
    Co said the reported agreement of senators to strip civilian agencies of CIFs would expedite the approval of next year’s spending program.
    Co earlier said the Office of the Vice President, Department of Education, Department of Agriculture, Department of Information and Communications Technology, and the Department of Foreign Affairs will get "zero" confidential funds under the proposed spending plan for next year.
    He said the P1.23 billion worth of confidential funds will be realigned to security agencies, particularly: P300 million will be reallocated to the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency; P100 million to the National Security Council; P200 million to the Philippine Coast Guard for intelligence activities and ammunition; and P381.3 million to the Department of Transportation for the development or expansion of Pag-asa Island Airport.
    According to news reports, the senators’ consensus to deprive civilian offices of CIF appropriations was reached in a caucus early last week. 
 

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Barangay and SK Elections

 BEHIND THE SCENES 

Alfred P. Dizon

BAGUIO CITY –Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections were finally held after three postponements since 2018. Over the years, barangays have been a formidable factor particularly during elections.
    The polls, despite cases of violence, were a welcome breath of fresh air considering BSK officials have been occupying their positions for five years now. People have been clamoring for elections, particularly those unfortunate enough to have had bad eggs in their barangays. 
    Finally on Oct. 30, millions of voters trooped to their voting precincts to cast votes for their candidates.
    But there seemed to be an irregularity here since, according to political pundits, the Local Government Code stipulated their term of office was supposed to be only three years.
    There was an attempt by some legislators for the BSKE to be held in 2024. This irked then Senate President Tito Sotto, who said barangay captains would have a longer term than the president of the Philippines.
    Critics say national leaders today may have forgotten that in March 1982, Batas Pambansa Blg. 222 was enacted, setting the term of office of barangay officials to six years, which commenced on June 7, 1982.
    The original schedule for the BSKE was Dec. 5, 2022. However, Congress passed a law that postponed it to the last Monday of October 2023. Political pundits said this was so politicians could hold on to their supporters or officials in the barangay level – they who could boost their chances of winning during elections.
    Anyhow, observers say, the law (Republic Act 11935) was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. “The exercise of the right to vote as guaranteed and protected by the Constitution requires the holding of genuine periodic elections, which must be held at intervals and not unduly long,” the SC ruled.
    The SC recognized “legal practicality and necessity of proceeding with the conduct of the BSKE on the last Monday of October 2023 pursuant to the operative fact doctrine.”
    So after five years, three postponements and legal wrangling, voters elected their barangay representatives/officials last Oct. 20.
    Election of barangay leaders is supposed to be an embodiment of democracy and community spirit. This, considering the barangay is the smallest political and administrative unit in the country. There are 42,027 barangays in the Philippines as of 2023.
    Barangay is the native Filipino term for village. They were also called barrios. It was in 1974 when the late former President Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr. decreed barrios be called barangays.
    Historians say “barangay” traces its roots to “balangay,” a wooden boat used by our ancestors to reach the archipelago.
    Linguists meanwhile say, “barrio” traces its roots to Spain. Barrio, in Spanish, means “neighborhood.”
    The Local Government Code of 1991 placed the Punong Barangay as the chief executive of the smallest political unit.     Thus, it is more precise to use “punong barangay” than “barangay captain” when addressing the elected head of the barangay.
    The Dept. of Interior and Local Government meanwhile says the punong barangay is imbued with powers of the executive, legislative, and judiciary, all rolled into one. The PB enforces all laws and ordinances applicable within the barangay and presides sessions of Sangguniang Barangay and Barangay Assembly.
    The PB also administers operation of the Katarungang Pambarangay, the community-based dispute settlement mechanism at the barangay level.
    A punong barangay today, unlike in the past, must possess managerial and administrative skills in running and crafting barangay development plans, according to the Dept. of Interior and Local Government which holds seminars for barangay officials on governance.    
    The powers and functions of the barangay, down to its officials, have evolved much. Barangay officials now hold political power.
    The Local Government Code, with its “devolution,” conferred powers and authority to barangay officials to perform specific functions and responsibilities unlike in the past. So now, many Filipinos aspire to become barangay officials whether through foul or fair means.
    According to the Commission on Elections, there were 672,000 seats up for grabs in the Oct. 30 elections. There were 1.41 million people who filed their candidacies, including 828,644 candidates for the barangay council (kagawad) and 585,843 candidates for the youth council.
    But in cases like what happened in Abra, there were mass withdrawals, (more than 250) of candidacies due to harassment of coercion by rival candidates or politicians.
    The SK is supposed to be the embodiment of the youth’s participation in nation building. The youth are empowered through electoral exercise to choose their leaders and whom to represent them in the barangay and municipal/city councils.
    Criticisms have been rife however, that the SK has become a breeding place here the youth learn the basics of politics and corruption. Records bared many barangay officials came from the ranks of the SK.
    Observers say however that one positive aspect of the SK election today is application of the anti-dynasty law at levels of the local government unit.
    Republic Act 10742, also known as the Sangguniang Kabataan Reform Act of 2015, stipulates  SK candidates “must not be related within the second civil degree of consanguinity or affinity to any incumbent elected national official or to any incumbent elected regional, provincial, city, municipal, or barangay official, in the locality where he or she seeks to be elected.”
    Thus SK candidates (between the ages of 18 and 24) are disqualified if any of his or her parents, siblings, and grandparents, as well as their spouse, parents, and siblings, is an incumbent elected government official.
    A few years back before the Covid-19 pandemic in 2018. there were many barangays where SK candidates fell short of desired members of the SK council due to this.
    There were also many barangays without candidates for SK chairperson.
    The anti-dynasty component somehow opened opportunities for many youths outside political families to run in elections without backing of traditional political machinery.
    The anti-dynasty law at the SK level, somehow, was a welcome electoral reform for citizens who were sick and tired of political dynasties. If this is not being done outside of the SK, the answer is obvious.
 

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Beneco reaches 50th year/ Marijuana as medicine

  BEHIND THE SCENES

Alfred P. Dizon

BAGUIO CITY – The 50th year anniversary of the Benguet Electric Cooperative was held here Friday at its main headquarters along South Drive without much fanfare. Invited guests Baguio mayor Benjamin Magalong and Rep. Mak Go skipped the event along with Benguet Gov. Melchor Diclas. No one from the National Electric Administration also attended.        
    This, considering the dispute which started when the NEA appointed a Palace official as general manager but opposed by member-consumer-owners. The controversy, which reached Congress, with solons slamming the NEA, hasn’t yet died down.
    Assistant GM Melchor Licoben has not yet been endorsed by the NEA to the Beneco Board which only has interim members whose appointments have already lapsed. Licoben is the only remaining contender to the post since one applicant backed out while the other was disqualified.
Beneco sources said elections for board of directors will be held January.
    The status of the electric cooperative is in a state of unease considering these, even as talks of a takeover by a power firm from the south are rife. MCOs are silent on the matter except for snide remarks every now and then on social media.
    Be that as it may, Happy 50th Anniversary to MCOs and employees of Beneco, they who bring us light, day and night with nary a complaint.
    ***
Once enacted into law, the proposed Senate bill legalizing use of medical cannabis or marijuana would benefit Cordillera.

The marijuana trade would prosper and bring livelihood to many folks who would rather plant the still illegal plant considering it is easier to raise as compared to legitimate vegetables like cabbage.

A lot of farmers, particularly from Benguet could switch to the trade. In this case, unless government measures are made, the vegetable industry would take a back seat. Benguet supplies almost 75 percent of vegetable needs of the lowlands like Manila but that is another story. 
    ***
Over the years, the Cordillera had been producing marijuana particularly in hinterlands of the region. The banned plant and its derivatives like hashish had been sold nationwide by drug dealers who knew the ins and outs of evading or conniving reportedly with some corrupt law enforcers.
    We are not saying the anti-drug campaign in the region is ineffective. On the contrary, reports have it that it is doing well considering number of arrests of drug dealers and users and numerous marijuana eradication drives particularly in tri-boundaries of Benguet, Kalinga, Ifugao, Mountain Province and the provinces of Ilocos Region like La Union and Ilocos Sur.
    ***
A report by the government-run Philippine News Agency said authorities destroyed some P771 million worth of marijuana plants in Cordillera during 200 eradication operations from January to Oct. 16 this year.
    Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in Cordillera Administrative Region Director Julius Paderes was quoted as saying 112 operations were conducted in Benguet; 79 in Kalinga; six in Mountain Province and three in Ifugao.
    Most of destroyed marijuana were plants worth P688 million; P2.3 million seedlings; P4.5 million dried marijuana leaves; P70 million marijuana stalks; P2.4 million marijuana bricks and P12,500 seeds.
“Kalinga province recorded the highest amount of destroyed marijuana valued at P624.5 million, although most operations were conducted in Benguet,” Paderes told PNA’s Liza Galao in an interview.
According to Paderes, lawmen made it a point to return to same places now and then because there was always a chance  new plantations could be discovered close to sites earlier raided.
    “The goal is to fully eradicate the cultivation of marijuana by always returning to villages and sitios. The government’s war on drugs is a continuing effort and we will consistently return to the mountains,” he said.
    With PDEA-CAR in anti-drug operations were the Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine Coast Guard and National Bureau of Investigation.
    ***
Meanwhile, the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) said it was studying proposal of Kalinga Provincial Peace and Order Council to build roads and boost livelihood programs for residents in remote areas to encourage them to stop marijuana cultivation.
    “While the government’s thrust is on rehabilitation programs, we are confident that the DDB will fund the proposal as they did for Kapangan over a decade ago,” Paderes said.
    Kapangan, in Benguet, had been among top producers of high-grade marijuana in Cordillera. But reports said the trade went down since roads were constructed up to marijuana plantations while livelihood programs were implemented for local folks.

All you have to do is throw the seeds on the ground and the plant would grow even without having to cultivate it with expensive chemical fertilizers. The prolific plant could grow anywhere, even on leaves or barks of trees.

BEHIND THE SCENES

Alfred P. Dizon

Dangerous vehicles

BAGUIO CITY – Driving or walking along city roads in this so-called one of the safest cities of the world could be dangerous.
    A 27-year-old woman died after being run over by a public utility jeepney at the intersection along Otek St. and Bautista streets around 7:45 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 10.
    According to city police, the victim was crossing the street when accidentally hit by the jeepney.
    The jeep was said to have come from Shuntug St. turning left towards the La Trinidad staging area beside Rizal Park when it accidentally ran over the victim who was crossing the street.
    The victim was rushed to the hospital by the Emergency Medical Service and City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office. She sustained traumatic brain injury.
    The driver was arrested and now facing charges of reckless imprudence resulting to homicide according to police. The victim was reportedly an engineer in her late 20s.
    There were additional details to the story like names of the victim and driver but we will leave it at that in the meantime the investigation is not yet finished.
    Suffice to say, I was talking to a lawman who said some drivers have this mistaken belief that for them not to spend much money due to an accident, it is better to make sure the victim is dead so they ram them more.
    **
Not so recently, a 30-year-old Grab delivery rider died after he was ran over by a 10-wheeler truck he was trying to overtake along the ascent to Upper Purok Pidawan, Barangay Loakan Proper, in this city.
    According to investigation, the Grab rider tried to overtake the truck while ascending a blind curve bound for Loakan Proper. However, a vehicle from the opposite direction forced the Grab driver to maneuver back into his lane.
    He allegedly hit the truck’s rear wheel while steering the motorbike to avoid the incoming vehicle.
Police said they released the driver after the parties, and their lawyers agreed to an amicable settlement.
    **
Driving also Bokawkan Road could be dangerous if the brake of the vehicle at your front or back malfunctions. One time, a few years back, more than 10 vehicles collided when a truck lost its brakes making it speed down at breakneck speed like the devil about to take lives.
    But it is not the fault of four-wheel or more vehicle drivers if they are involved in accidents. Some of these motorcycle riders just pop out of nowhere and cut you forcing you to make a sudden stop as they could be suddenly in front of your front bumper.
    Then there are the hotheads or drivers high on drugs. People say some taxi or public utility jeep drivers use shabu so they will not be sleepy even if they just finished 24 hours driving in a mad rush to earn. Some of these PUVs drivers just cut you making you wonder if you are already senile for having slower reflexes.
    There are a lot of horror stories along the road. It is good nobody has been shot dead yet by a trigger-happy driver whose ego was bruised by another driver who sped past him.
    ***
Over in La Trinidad, Benguet just few kilometers from here, it is the same. A foreigner friend of mine who established residence in Baguio says drivers nowadays have become reckless, arrogant or just plain stupid. It could be due to the three years of being affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, he says.
    Still in La Trinidad, many accidents have happened along the Baguio-La Trinidad boundary up to Barangay Tomay along the Halsema Highway.
    Just a few days ago, a brand new black Toyota Hilux pickup crashed at the sidewalk railing at km 6 along the side of the Benguet State University. It was good those railings were installed a few months back.
    The driver was reportedly drunk since the crash happened in the wee hours of the morning. Over the years, many pedestrians have been hit, maimed or died while traversing the highway due to reckless drivers.       
    ***
Still on vehicles. The Baguio City Council recently amended Ordinance No. 15, series of 2011 that banned parking of all motor vehicles marked for sale on all roads in the city.
    Under ordinance 81, series of 2023, all motor vehicles marked/tagged ‘For Sale’ or in any phrase/words in circumvention depicting the same meaning to effect sale or swap and any act of disguise to confound detection by authorities shall not be allowed at any time to be parked on all roads, including roadside pay parking spaces, in the city, the public information office announced.  
    The ‘For Sale’ mark or tag should be covered or removed if the motor vehicle will be parked.   
All community police precincts, the Traffic Enforcement Unit and police auxiliaries of the Baguio City Police Office, Traffic and Transportation Management Division under the City Engineering Office and barangay tanods of all barangays in the city having jurisdiction of the road were mandated to strictly implement the ordinance.
    Any individual or vehicle owner found violating the ordinance shall be penalized P1,000 for the first offense, P3,000 for the second and P5,000 for the third offense.
    Every succeeding offense shall be penalized with maximum amount of P5,000 fine.
    The ordinance tasked the City Treasury Office to print traffic citation tickets indicating as among traffic violations payment of fines for violation of the ordinance.
    The ordinance stipulated that to monitor subsequent offenses, community police precincts, Traffic Enforcement Unit and police auxiliaries of the BCPO,  Traffic and TMD and barangay tanods of all barangays are tasked to coordinate, have logbooks and record all apprehensions to track down first and repeat offenders for proper  penalties.

BEHIND THE SCENES

Alfred P. Dizon

Guns, goons and gold

BAGUIO CITY – Vote-buying had been a practice in this Banana Republic over the years. Wayward politicos lived by the three Gs – guns, goons and gold to win, particularly in the lowlands.

Not so much in the uplands like Cordillera, but then, politicos with the three GS, are once again rearing their ugly heads in Abra. A candidate for barangay captain was killed last week while armed men clashed with police.
    The armed men reportedly knocked on houses to persuade residents to vote for their candidates.
    ***
Top provincial officials said no such incident occurred during the past two elections expressing alarm over reports that 122 BSKE candidates in the province were forced to withdraw because of harassment while members of the board of election inspectors refused to participate in the elections.
At least 44 teachers reportedly begged off from serving in the BSKE on Oct. 30, election day.
    ***
A hundred more cops are due to be deployed to the province to maintain peace and order or serve as election supervisors as barangay/Sangguniang Kabataan elections go into high gear until Oct. 30.
Whether more violence will occur in the province the coming few days remain to be seen. According to sources, hardened officials or candidates are still doing illegal things like vote-buying or intimidation to win elections.
    ***
Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. on Thursday called on voters to ditch vote buying to protect what he called sanctity of the electoral process.
    “That’s why I call on everyone: let’s work together to protect our electoral process against those who commit vote buying and vote selling. Wakasan natin ang kanser ng lipunan na ito (Let's put an end to this cancer in our society)!” Abalos said in a statement, as the campaign period for the BSKE officially kicked off.
    He said voters are reminded they have the power to initiate change in their communities by picking the right candidates.
    “Your votes are very important, especially because the barangays play a big role in implementing government programs and policies),” he added.
    Abalos also said the Philippine National Police (PNP) is ready to deploy more personnel, particularly in areas determined by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) as areas of concern, to maintain public safety and security and prevent all forms of election-related violence in communities.
    “The DILG and the PNP are with the Comelec and the Filipino people in monitoring and ensuring the peaceful conduct of the election, from the campaign to the counting. Let us work together to promote the orderly, clean, and peaceful elections of our barangay officials towards the achievement of our goal of a New Philippines,” Abalos said.
    The PNP said Wednesday it would deploy 187,000 police officers across the country as part of heightened alert measures for the polls. 
    ***
Meanwhile, a poll watchdog call on the public to be vigilant over instances of Abuse of State Resources (ASR) during the campaign period.
    In a statement, Network for Truthful Elections (LENTE) executive director Ona Caritos urged the people to report the possible abuse on government resources by those who are running in the BSKE.
 She said the public may submit their ASR reports through its website: https://www.lente.org.ph/report#report-form; email: lente.philippines@gmail.com.
They may also report such through the group’s hotline: 0920-266-0944.
    ***
At the same time, the LENTE official warned of a potential surge in ASR by incumbent officials.
"Incumbent officials use state resources for their electoral advantage, thus, affecting the standard of a level playing field in elections," she said.
    Caritos reported that said such actions have been observed even prior to the start of the campaign period.
    Among them, she added, is in one of the cities in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), where incumbent barangay officials, who are running in the forthcoming polls, were observed providing temporary shelters to their constituents with plans of converting the same into daycare centers.
    LENTE said several welfare programs, such as Oplan Libreng Tuli, Free X-ray, and HIV testing, were also observed in one of the cities in South Cotabato, wherein local government officials promoted candidates they are supporting for the upcoming polls.
 

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