Belac happier now so far

I interviewed Gov. Dominador Belac the week before the election to get his views on several topics.

Before we do that, allow me first to hammer a tired old message to my favorite agency: the Kalinga Electric Cooperative.

My friends at the KAELCO, perhaps you should start considering a change of name. I am of the notion that the word COOPERATIVE is missing in your dictionary. You happen to be one of the most uncooperative agencies in my book. Followers of this column know for a fact that I am very much capable of writing a really scathing column.

So much for KAELCO, let's get back to Governor Belac and my story on him.

***

“Honestly, I feel I’m a free man today – free of tensions, free of the pressures. I feel happier today by not running (for election)… No regrets.”

Gov. Dominador Belac Sr. said the above in reply to a question I asked as to how he felt about not taking part in Monday’s elections as a candidate.

This writer interviewed the governor to get his views on election matters and the situation in the province in general.

Belac admitted that he felt that there is a lot of tension in Kalinga at the moment but deigned to offer specifics explaining that doing so might have advese effects on some candidates.

Belac, however, admitted that there is massive vote buying in Kalinga. He cited the case of Pinukpuk, his hometown, where “some candidates started giving P500 per voter last week especially in the far-flung barangays.” (It was worse in Tanudan and in other parts of the province where candidates paid up to P1,500 plus a sack of rice.)

Belac, who is available for two more re-elections but opted to quit politics after sitting as Pinukpuk mayor for 13 years (1986-1998) and governor for two terms (1998-2001 and 2004-present), shared the view that he could not really blame the voters for selling their votes.

“Because of the economic crisis and a lot of other factors, people just simply bite the bullet,” Belac said.

On the issue of placing the entire province under COMELEC control whereby a total gun ban shall be implemented, Belac said, “I will be the first person to congratulate COMELEC if they could successfully implement total gun ban (in Kalinga).”

He explained that there are many factors to consider such as the characteristics of the Kalinga people, which could undermine the implementation of COMELEC control.

“Nasubeg ti yKalinga (Kalingas are stubborn),” Belac said.

Belac likewise supported the view of Sr. Supt. Severino Cruz, Kalinga provincial director, that there is a need to beef up the mandated two policemen per polling center considering the geographical feature of the province.

During the declaration of COMELEC control for Kalinga last May 7, Cruz pointed out to regional director Armando Velasco that they need at least a team of soldiers to secure the PNP personnel who shall secure the polling centers.

Cruz said strictly adhering to the order by the PNP top brass to assign only two cops per polling center would unnecessarily put to greater risks his men who would be assigned in some areas especially in upper Kalinga.

Velasco ordered a top-level meeting with the PNP and AFP the next day. No word of the results of the meeting is available to the local media as of this writing. (The request was granted.)

***

I also asked Apo Doming regarding his reported "atras fee" and he simply replied: "History shall be my judge if I ever took any money so as not to run. That is between me and my conscience...between me and my God."**Bani Asbucan

SCRIBBLES

On the issue of Mrs. Diasen's substitution

*Writer's notes
The following is the text of my column which appeared in the May 20 issue of the Cordillera Today.

Missed there by…

Last week I spent some precious minutes trying to explain to my readers why the report on the front page of this paper read that Mrs. Floydelia Diasen’s substitute candidacy, vice her slain husband Rommel Diasen, was denied by the COMELEC. It turns out the COMELEC reversed an earlier decision eventually clearing the way for Manang Floy to run and steamroll Apo Laurence Wacnang for the latter’s first election defeat.

The errant report was based on the recommendation of the poll body’s law department to the Commission en banc. The law department contended that the late Kalinga vice-governor may not be substituted as he was an independent having no certificate of appointment from any political party for the position of governor. Apo Rommel had a Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance (CONA) for congressman from Lakas-CMD. He initially filed for congressman but later on withdrew his candidacy for the position to file for governor right before the deadline for filing.

On the evening of May 10, the Comelec en banc upheld the recommendation of its law department. But the next evening, the Comelec reversed its earlier decision.

The text below is the Comelec’s justification for its turnaround on the case. I would recommend that the reader also read the report printed in our May 12 issue. For Tabuk readers, I shall leave copies of the said issue in their usual outlets.
Nope, I won’t even comment on it.

***

Atty. Alioden Dalaig, Director Law Department based his recommendation to deny due course to the substitute certificate candidacy of Floydelia Reyes Diasen on the following grounds:

1. the alleged non-submission of the CONA for the position of Governor of the late Rommel Diasen; and

2. the similarity of the notarial document numbers appearing on the CONA for Member, House of Representatives and for Governor which were both executed on March 16, 2007.

A perusal of the records however reveal that the foregoing are not duly supported by evidence.

First, the only basis for claiming that the CONA for Congressman of the late Rommel Diasen was not filed on time is the report of PES (Provincial Election Supervisor) Atty. Thomas L. Uyam who only relied on the report of his Election Assistant. However, there is nothing on record that would show that at the time of filing of the Certificate of Candidacy (COC for brevity) of Rommel Diasen for the position of Governor on March 29, 2007, that it was not accompanied by the corresponding CONA from his political party. It was only when the widow of Rommel Diasen tried to file her COC as a substitute for her husband did the election assistant inform the family of the deceased that the latter is considered an independent candidate for allegedly having failed to submit the CONA from Lakas on time. Floydelia Diasen on the other hand insists that at the time her late husband filed his COC for the position of Governor it was accompanied by the corresponding CONA from Lakas. In support of this allegation, they submitted copies of the following:

1. COC for the position of Congressman with the corresponding CONA from Lakas filed duly received on March 29, 2007 (which was on the same day withdrawn);

2. COC for the position of Governor with the corresponding CONA from Lakas which was filed on March 29, 2007, also duly received by the OPES, Kalinga; and

3. letter of Atty. Raul Lambino, Deputy Secretary General for Legal Affairs, Lakas-CMD, addressed to the PES of Kalinga re: withdrawal of the CONA issued to the late Rommel Diasen and the issuance of a new CONA in favor of Floydelia Diasen, as substitute candidate.

As against the bare allegation of (Uyam) and the Election Assistant of Kalinga on the alleged non-submission of the required CONA, there is more reason to uphold the assertion of Floydelia Diasen which is duly supported by evidence. It serves no purpose other than to deprive the electorate of Kalinga to have a choice for the Gubernatorial position if we are, on the basis alone of an unsubstantiated report, deny due course to the substitution of candidacy.

Furthermore, it should be noted that no less than (Lambino) claims that the late Rommel Diasen is their official candidate for the Gubernatorial post of Kalinga. Hence, on the basis alone of an unsubstantiated claim that the corresponding CONA from Lakas was not attached to the COC at the time it was filed, we should not close our eyes to the fact that the late Rommel Diasen is in fact a Lakas-CMD nominee, and therefore a case of substitution of candidacy is in order pursuant to Sec. 14 of Comelec Resolution No. 7779.

On the issue of the two CONA’s (one for the position of Congressman, the other for Governor) bearing the same notarial document numbers, suffice it to say that this has been sufficiently explained in the affidavit executed by the notary public himself, MERVIN JOVITO S. SAMADAN. The affiant in his affidavit stated:

“On the morning of March 16, 2007, I subscribed and notarized the CONA of Atty. Rommel Diasen as the official candidate of Lakas-CMD for the position of Member of the House of Representatives, Lone District of Kalinga in the May 14, 2007 election and said CONA reflects the entries, Document Number 47, Page 11, Book No. 8, Series of 2007.

“In the afternoon of the same day, March 16, 2007, I subscribed and notarized the CONA of Atty. Rommel Diasen as the official candidate of Lakas-CMD for the position of Governor, Kalinga, in the May 14, 2007 elections and said CONA reflects the same entries Document Number 47, Page 11, Book No. 8, Series of 2007.

“Through mere oversight, both CONAs of Atty. Diasen reflects the same entries because of the confusion brought about by the voluminous documents I was notarizing for Lakas-CMD on that day, March 16, 2007. However, the CONA of Atty. Diasen was entered in my notarial notebook as Document Number 49, Page 11, Book No. 8, Series of 2007.” (Rep. Laurence Wacnang informed said he will see to it that Atty. Samadan be disbarred – BA.)

***

Based on the above, the Comelec en banc promulgated Resolution No. 7911 giving due course to Manang Floy’s substitute candidacy.***By Bani Asbucan

Election results: Kalinga province

Vox populi?

Kalinga elections update

Too early still

As of the moment, reports coming from the different parts of the province the congressional seat for the lone district of Kalinga is being closely fought for by Candidates James Bejarin, Manuel Agyao, and Macario Duguiang. Joseph Delson and Danzel Langkit however are getting more votes. In the municipality of Tabuk alone, Bejarin got more than seven thousand votes followed by Agyao with more than six thousand votes.

In the gubernatorial, it is too being tightly contested by Congressman Laurence Wacnang and Floydelia Diasen. However, in Tabuk alone Diasen got a significant lead over Wacnang having obtained more than 15 thousand votes compared to the latter's more than seven thousand votes only. Province wide though it is pretty close. It is therefore too early to tell who will win considering further that Diasen's substitution is still questionable, though the Comelec allegedly issued on May 10 a resolution that OKs Diasen's Certificate of Candidacy (CoC). Diasen's lead in Tabuk maybe the result of what they call the ephemeral "sympathy votes".

Dirty Politics

Election! Oh, when will you be free from distrust? When shall we move really to make you morally dear and glaringly pure? When shall we cease throwing accusations against one another?

Below is an scarlet letter, an open letter if you will, being circulated through email by no less than the author of the letter himself. Clearly, the author of this email, who is from Kalinga now living in affluence in the U.S.A, endorses local candidates whom he favors. Albeit, the letter may be regarded as a smear campaign or simply a piece of political propaganda against certain candidates on the issue of political dynasty. To embark on character assassinations, the way it is happening now from the national to the local level, simply because we endorse certain candidates is utterly unacceptable. It is because we prefer that accusations be solved in a proper forum, the court in case of graft and corruption, not through hullabaloo or hooliganism in a typical street democracy.

Political dynasty is indeed a legitimate issue that befits broader public discourse not just in times of electoral exercise otherwise it is bereft of persuasive appeal. To incessantly spotlight it during elections tend to sidestep other equally pressing issues such as peace and order, environment, poverty and other economic anomalies. The sets of reasons offered in the email are still harebrained in a broader context. They are highly speculative in nature circumscribed by one's imbecility and a readily preference to certain candidates.

The absurdities of political theories from which our political system is based along with the variability of our cultures and values as a Filipino nation perpetuate the anomalies we see in our country today. Political dynasty is as ever a moral controversy indeed but it may not necessarily be a political issue in Philippine politics and perhaps even in other countries. This maybe a subject very dear to the hearts and minds of moralists and academics up and down the country. The constitution proscribes dynasty at the very least. Unfortunately, in policy perspective the lack of clear definitions and a framework as well that restricts political dynasty in the country is itself an anomaly. This should be the province of the legislature, the House of Representative and Senate, to look into. How many years had passed since the 1987 Constitution manage to come out from the political factory of this country? Philippine politics is basically both a well-off family and personality affair. This could be the reason why through the years no politicians did seriously consider it a democratic hodgepodge when they successfully get into the halls of congress. We remain optimistic nonetheless that someone will brave the path where before the “angels fear to thread”.

To be fair, just to name only few, the following are kins or related by virtue of affinity that have run simultaneously this local elections in Kalinga:

1. Atty. Macario Dugiang running for congress, neophyte Mrs. Thelma Bayle Ng vying for Tabuk's Vice Mayoralty and retired Secretary of the provincial board Mr. James Alunday for Mayor of Lubuagan;

2. Dr. Joseph Delson for congressman and brother-in-laws Benigno Duyan and Dacio Duyan who are running as Vice Governor and provincial board member, respectively;

3. Re-electionist Tabuk Vice Mayor Atty. Ranier Sarol and Mr. Eddie Sarol seeking to be elected as member of the provincial board and re-electionist Tabuk Councilor Basilio Wandag, Jr. ;

4. Congressman Atty. Laurence Wacnang in his bid to return as governor and sons-in-law newbies Mr. James Bejarin for congress, and former NBI agent Jamwell Tiggangay hoping to get elected as Mayor of Tanudan, respectively.

If the author of the email has decency he should have ridiculed the other candidates rather than single out two candidates whom unfortunately he dislikes.

This election season one can easily throw accusations or propaganda against the other candidates to gain mileage and vice-versa. Accusations like vote-buying, that even certain candidates are accused of being determined to spend about 70 – 80 million, which we do not absolutely know whether it is true or not, is circulating through text messages. What is certain is that this is an election season. One throws accusations and propaganda against the other and vice-versa. What is certain further is that almost everybody buys vote - administration or opposition; it is just that one is better off than the other.

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Dear Fellow Kababayan sa Kalinga,

Good day to all of you! Before I begin my letter... just a disclaimer, for people who know me they know that I love the Kalinga provinces very much and I am not really one who rants and complaints to high heavens about what is happening to our place and does nothing about it, in fact, I feel that I have done much service in Kalinga by setting up Pathways to the poor farmers in low land and upland, when I was there working as agent of change in the Department of Agriculture.

For the last few months, we saw our friends, relatives, father and son in-law, a new political alliances for this coming Governor and Congressional election. Now we have two political forces with familiar faces nonetheless on opposite sides of the fences. On one end, you have Floy Diasen and Benny Duyan who were two major stalwarts of the opposition. These two candidates are highly recommended for fair and balance government. On the other side of the fence, you see Wacnang, the former 3 times derby winner in Congress of Kalinga who was responsible for the development of Kalinga, but he failed compare to Apayao... Now if you don't see anything wrong with this picture then you must be one of the many Kalingas who have accepted this very sad reality that there is indeed no permanent ideals that our government leaders stand up for but rather they just go where there self-interests can best be served. It is with these in mind that I'd like to share with you what are events this coming May elections that will make me consider leaving the Kalinga province:

1.) If former Congressman Wacnang wins in his bid to become Governor of Kalinga...seeking to replace a good man no less in incumbent Hon. Doming Belac.. We would really be the laughing stock of the whole Philippines if we allow a man with the reputation of Wacnang to be one of our so called "Honorable Gentlemen of Kalinga".

2.) If James Bejarin (son in-law of Wacnang) seat at the Congress, Kalinga province become his hacienda, he will take his share all the time. Let us make sure that people like him never make it to the Congress at this time.

3.) If Ba-ac becomes a Vice Governor... what does he know about making our province better? He was a Vice Governor before and he did not do anything for the people? He will slap you if he doesn't like you.

Now if all of these 3 things happen during this coming elections then don't be surprised if I decide to leave Kalinga that I love dearly. Like I said during the medical mission, I feel that I have done much for this province but I think its time that Kalingas, Igorots, Ilocanos, Tagalog, Apayaos and Muslims, become more vigilant and critical in selecting our leaders for the sake of our future and the generations that will go beyond us. So I appeal to every Kalinga resident who asks what can I actually do for my province... Choose and vote for the right people this coming elections, huwag na tayong magpaloko sa mga kandidatong maganda lang ang porma, mapera, naka sakay sa helicopter na magcompanya. These are the candidates who doesn't care! They don't feel what you feel walking on the trail for five hours 50 degrees Centigrade under the sun just to bring your products to the market or to bring your child to the hospital or school. Let us choose leaders who have a good track record for service and who are genuinely committed towards serving our province. I still remember of what my father said; "Son, how I wish that our leaders in Kalinga would be like the late Congressman Duyan. He is very humble man, he offered his bed to his visitors, he allow students to utilize his office in Congress. He is very low profile and a big heart to the people".

Manindigan naman tayong lahat para sa ating Kinabukasan at para sa Kapakanan ng ating Bayan Kalinga! Please help our new leaders and protect your votes.

Thank you very much for your time in reading this letter.

Sincerely,
Mario Manzano
UKAA- President & Past President
BIBAK Northeast, USA

Vox populi, vox Dei

Bejarin, Wacnang, Baac lead poll survey

TABUK, Kalinga - If elections in Kalinga were held last week, James Bejarin, Lawrence Wacnang and Josel Baac would be the winning candidates for congressman, governor and vice governor, respectively.

This was reflected in a prov­ince-wide poll survey conducted by students under the Public Administration Society of the Kalinga-Apayao State College during the last week of April 2007. The organization's advisers accordingly made use of of random sampling on respondents across multi-sectoral groups in the province of Kalinga with 290 respondents.

Although the purpose of the poll survey was to deter­mine the level of political matu­rity of the Kalinga voting popu­lace and their acceptance of in­telligent voting this coming May 14, 2007 elections their preferred choice specially for the top three posts of the prov­ince was also asked.

Survey results show James "Bond" Bejarin leading the four other candidates in the Con­gressional race. Bejarin, the chief legislative staff of two successive Kalinga congress­men was preferred by 110 re­spondents representing 43.65 percent of the total sample.

Former DPWH undersecretary, Manuel S. Agyao, came in second for the congressional choice with 54 voter preference representing 21.42 percent then followed by former Governor Macario Duguiang with 34 representing 13.49 percent. Joseph Delson came in 4th with 29 represent­ing 11.5 percent while Danzel Langkit got 25 or 9.92 percent. Of the 290 respondents, 38 or 13 percent have not yet decided on their candidate for congressman.

For the Provincial Governor position, three term Congress­man Lawrence Wacnang came in first with a wide margin in the survey. Wacnang, who pursued the cityhood of Tabuk before his last term in Congress, was the preferred choice of 146 respondents representing 76.84 percent of the total sample.

KASC Professor Floydelia Diasen, a replacement candi­date of his slain husband came in second to Wacnang. She was preferred by 26 respon­dents representing 13.68 per­cent while the third candidate lawyer Warren Luyaben was preferred by 18 respondents representing a low 9.47 percent. Of the 290 respondents, how­ever, 100 do not yet have a choice or believe their choice is immaterial to reverse a trend.

A similar wide margin for for the vice governorship was also seen in the survey. Former Vice Governor Jocel Baac was pre­ferred by 129 respondents rep­resenting 62.93 percent. Benny Duyan came in second with 40 or 19.51 percent then slimly fol­lowed by Bulanao Barangay Chairman Benedict Sugguiyao preferred by 26 respondents representing 17.56 percent of the total respondents for vice governor. 85 respondents do not yet have a choice for vice gov­ernor.

Focus of the survey was to determine the level of accep­tance of the voting public in Kalinga on the issue of close relatives running at the same time for political positions, as well as their main reasons in supporting candidates of their choice.

"Dubbed as the Pulso ng Bayan Kalinga," the survey was conducted by Public Ad­ministration students of KASC supervised by their advisers Mr. Jeremias Ammakiw, Dr. Raymond Balbin and Dr. Maximo Garming.

On the issue of close relatives running at the same time for political positions, respon­dents revealed that their opin­ion on the above issue is not significant in determining their choices of candidates. Rather, their main concerns were more on the qualities of leadership, commitment to public service, and especially on the educa­tional qualifications, experience and proven track records of the candidates. These bases of choice are indicative of a grow­ing political maturity and broadmindedness of voters, the survey said.

While Bejarin and Wacnang are relatives by affinity, the sur­vey result shows- that the issue of political dynasty is an insig­nificant factor in supporting candidates.

The survey also shows that the consistent reasons for the choice of candidates are as fol­lows: continuity of track record on good public service in the promotion of development, good governance and greater commitment to economic and political stability, and teamwork or cooperation in governance.

Among the dissatisfiers identified are: political mo­nopoly; loss of trust and confi­dence; and deprivation of op­portunities for new and fresh candidates for political posi­tions.

The researchers, however, believe that the final result will still be reflected on May 14. A political analyst said "survey results normally challenges the runner-ups for a reversal of trend".

In the Kalinga voting tradi­tion, the most critical period are the few remaining days before election and a couple of days after.

Kalinga under Comelec control

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has placed Kalinga province under its control after concerned election, police and military officials reached a consensus due to several threats to the province's peace and order situation especially in the forthcoming May 14, 2007 mid-term elections.

Lawyer Armando Velasco, regional director of the Comelec in the Cordillera, said that the decision to place Kalinga under Comelec control was reached primarily as a preemptive move to control peace and order in the whole province as the authorities reportedly foresee serious problems due to insurgency, etc., in the next few weeks.

In the past elections, there were cases of ballot snatching and reports of threats to the board of election inspectors in the various parts of Kalinga.

Subsequent with the placing of Kalinga under Comelec control, a task forece composed mainly of Comelec assistant regional director Julius Torres, Senior Superintendent Ceferino Cruz, director of the Kalinga provincial police office, and Lt., Col. Francis Lardizabal, commanding officer of the Philippine Army's 21st Infantry Battalion will be deployed to Kalinga as soon as possible.**ZigZag Weekly, May 6, 2007