But let’s stop to think if we can change our politics
By Raïssa Robles
The silly season has long begun. I am referring to the period when politicians put up political parties, form coalitions and float names of national candidates.
I used to be very much a part of this silly season, rushing around trying to scoop the rest of my news media colleagues in getting the names of the various slates.
By force of habit, I am still tempted to do that.
For instance, Senator Manny Villar has confirmed to me in a chance interview that he is “retiring” from politics. What he did not confirm is the buzz in the political grapevine that his wife Cynthia is being groomed to take his place. And she is being wooed by both the group of Vice-President Jejomar Binay and the Liberal Party. What the Villar couple is doing by straddling two parties is the way many of our politicians like it.
But really, now. Let’s stop to think what all these mean for us and for our country’s future.
As a general rule and except for the post of President, the Filipino voter has never expected much from those they vote into office.
Our politicians have it easy. They can expect to stay on and on and on in office unless they make a colossal mistake such as NOT opening an envelope during an impeachment trial or having part of city hall burn down during their watch or being caught stealing or killing (and even then…).
It’s time voters start demanding more from politicians running for public office.
For starters, let’s demand more from political parties
What does a particular political party stand for and how does putting its candidates in power help the city, town, province and ultimately, the country?
For instance, I have always wondered ever since I first covered a convention of the Liberal Party – what is so liberal about the Liberal Party? I looked at its party platform by clicking here and it all consisted of motherhood statements.
I also looked for what PDP-Laban stands for and I got nothing.
In its spanking new website is a picture of boxing icon-congressman Manny Pacquiao, who recently joined PDP-Laban (see photo above). Wait a minute, didn’t he run and win under the Liberal Party in the last 2010 election? And under the Nacionalista Party before that? And with Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s Lakas-Kampi Party before that?
Reforming the country’s political system starts with reshaping the behavior of Filipino politicians. Let’s start with two behaviors:
♦ Say “No” to political promiscuity.
♦ Ask political parties, senatorial and local candidates to list what political principles they represent and what they intend to do once they get into power BEFORE they get into power.
Our parties split & grow like amoeba
Just for the fun of it, I decided to try to trace the major political parties that had sprung up since 1986.
When you read the list, please ask yourself the following questions:
- Whatever did these parties stand for, really?
- How have these parties improved the lot of the poverty-stricken majority?
- How can parties be more inclusive, engaged with the people and not remain games that our political elite play?
You will notice that political parties in the Philippines never break up over questions of policy or principle, but simply due to the personalities involved.
UNIDO (United Nationalist Democratic Organization)was led by Salvador Laurel. It allied with PDP-Laban after its senior leaders persuaded Laurel to shelve his presidential ambition and run alongside Corazon Aquino in 1986. Unido died with Laurel.
PDP-Laban – started as a coalition of Partido Demokratiko Pilipino of then Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Aquilino Pimentel Jr. and Laban (Lakas ng Bayan) of then former Senator Benigno Aquino Jr. in the 1980s. It fielded Corazon Aquino for president in 1986.
Liberal Party – fielded Jovito Salonga for president in 1992. He lost. Fielded Senator Benigno Aquino III in 2010. He won.
Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) – businessman Eduardo Cojuangco formed NPC in order to run in the 1992 presidential elections. He lost. He kept it on anyway because it proved to be a useful tool to protect his business interests.
LDP – Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino – was born out of a 1988 split in PDP-Laban between the Pimentel faction and the Jose “Peping” Cojuangco Jr. faction. It fielded Ramon Mitra Jr. as presidential candidate in 1992. Mitra lost. In 1998, it fielded Edgardo Angara as Joseph Estrada’s vice-presidential running mate. Angara lost.
Partido Lakas ng Tao – Because LDP chose Mitra to be its presidential candidate iin 1992, Fidel Ramos bolted from LDP to form this party and run for president against Mitra in 1992. Ramos won.
Puwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) – Joseph Estrada used this to run for vice-president in 1992. He won.
LAMMP – In 1998, Estrada’s PMP allied with Angara’s LDP to form LAMMP (Laban ng Makabayang Masang Pilipino). Estrada won but Angara lost.
Lakas-Kampi – In 1998, Lakas fielded Jose de Venecia for president. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and Vicente Sotto III both bolted LDP to form Kampi (Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino). Lakas allied with Kampi.
Kampi – Mrs. Arroyo and Sotto (now a senator) formed Kampi in order to run for president and VP, respectively, in 1998. But the partnership was short-lived. Sotto’s involvement with an arrested drug lord surfaced and Arroyo slid down to be De Venecia’s running mate.
Koalisyon ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino (KNP) – was formed from a core of LDP to back the candidacy of Fernando Poe Jr. in 2004. LDP, however, split up on this. One faction supported Poe while the other faction backed the presidential bid of Panfilo Lacson.
Nacionalista Party – When Senator Manuel Villar bought the late Vice-President Salvador Laurel’s house, he negotiated the acquisition of the Nacionalista Party brand, too, from Laurel (The Unido had disintegrated and Laurel decided to simply revive the pre-Martial Law Nacionalista Party). Villar used the Nacionalist Party to be his campaign vehicle in 2010. He lost.
UNO – United Opposition – is the alliance of Binay’s PDP-Laban and Estrada’s PMP for the 2010 elections. Estrada lost but Binay won.
UNA – Early this year, Binay renamed UNO into UNA as the vehicle for the 2013 midterm elections. And possibly his 2016 presidential run.
Mel says
COULD this be the final party-list groups for National Elections May 2013?
Comelec allows only 79 party-list groups
By RG Cruz, ABS-CBN News
Posted at 11/29/2012 2:57 PM
Updated as of 11/29/2012 6:15 PM
MANILA (UPDATE) – President Aquino’s allied party-list groups are among the 79 which survived the Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) purge of the party-list system for the 2013 elections.
Chairman Sixto Brillantes said these groups’ alliance with the administration was not a factor in their decision.
Two more incumbent party-list groups–1Utak and Senior Citizen Party, along with existing but non-incumbent 1st Kabagis–were also disqualified .
ALONA, which nominated family members of House Minority Leader Danilo Suarez, was likewise disqualified. Alona nominated: Danilo C. Suarez, Jr. Joanna C. Suarez and Alexis M. Abastillas-Suarez.
Aquino allies, led by Akbayan, Anak Mindanao (of ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman) An Waray, Bagong Henerasyon, CIBAC (of TESDA Director General Joel Villanueva) and YACAP, were among the existing groups retained in the party-list system.
Abante Retirees, which nominated the father of Department of Transportation and Communications Secretary (DOTC) Jun Abaya is among the party-list applicants granted accreditation by the en banc.
Also granted party-list accreditation was Magdalo which nominated soldiers who participated in the oakwood mutiny, and Ang Pro-Life, which is advocating against the passage of the Reproductive Health bill.
Two groups linked to former President Gloria Arroyo were also retained in the party-list system: incumbent 1 Ang Pamilya which nominated Arroyo’s former Presidential Security Group Chief Romeo Prestoza, and Ang Kasangga, whose current representative, Teodoro Haresco, has been linked to a roads controversy linked to the Arroyo administration.
LPGMA was also retained, along with Ang Mata’y Aalagaan, which nominated family members of incumbent Supreme Court Justice Presbitero Velasco.
Brillantes explained that Senior Citizens was disqualified because its nominees have gone into an illegal term sharing.
Brillantes said half of the 115 existing groups whose accreditations were reviewed were retained while only 21 of the 172 new applicants were granted accreditation.
Despite the lower number of party-list groups, Brillantes said he is not satisfied.
“I am not satisfied, gusto ko na abolish lahat yan para walang eleksyon sa party-list. Ok na rin to reduce the amount. I never imagined it will go down to 79,” he said.
Brillantes also seemed undaunted by the release of another status quo ante order against the disqualification of Bantay and 3 other groups announced by the Comelec.
Brillantes said they expect as many as 30 groups seeking relief from the High Court.
Brillantes added that accreditation for 5 more groups remain unresolved and will be announced on Monday.
Meanwhile, CIBAC and TUCP were accredited, but Brillantes said the poll body still has to resolve which of the warring factions of the 2 groups will get the accreditation.
APPLICANTS APPROVED BY THE COMELEC: 21
PARTY-LIST APPLICANT
ACRONYM
NOMINEES
1
Isang Alyansang Aalalay Sa Pinoy Skilled Workers
1-AALALAY
1. Darryl A. Toledo
2. Michael L. Mendoza
3. Reynaldo A. De Leon
4. Edgar T. Pacifico
5. Roy T. Mallillin
—-
2
A Action Moral & Values Recovery Reform Philippines Inc.
1-AAMOVER
1. Dr. Abulkhayer P. Sambitory
2. Azis O. Pagayocan
3. Abner B. Dalapu
4. Rodolfo A. Bringas, Jr.
5. Hernando B. Bruce
—-
3
1 Joint Alliance Of Marginalized Group, Inc.
1 JAMG
1. Romero A. Mercado
2. Sheila Marie Y. Fernandez
3. Julian Eugene SB. Chipeco
4. Benjamin M. Felismino II
5. David B. Villa, Sr.
—-
4
Isang Lapian Ng Mangingisda At Bayan Tungo Sa Kaunlaran
1-LAMBAT
1. Reynaldo C. Soriano
2. Eurie Rafael S. Manalo
3. Eleanor R. Sanchez
4. Aresnio S. Rodriguez, Jr.
5. Joselina R. Alcantara
6. Ferdinand P. Clemente
7. Crispin L. Marinas
—-
5
Isang Pangarap ng Bahay sa Bagong Buhay ng Maralitang Kababayan Inc.
1-PABAHAY
1. Atty. Nereo R.T. Joaquin, Jr.
2. Juveley P. Panganiban
3. Kenway H. Tan
4. Arnulfo S. Baria
5. Annabella G. Revadenera
—-
6
Ating Agapay Sentrong Samahan ng mga Obrero, Inc.
AASENSO
1. Teodoro G. Montoro
2. Robert E. Ganzon
3. Samuel Bumangil
4. Eladio V. Gatmaitan
5. Marcelo B. Soriano
—-
7
Abante Retirees Party-List Organization
ABANTE RETIREES
1. Plaridel M. Abaya
2. Ruel S. Urgello
3. Aravela A. Ramos
4. Van D. Luspo
5. Ma. Belen F. Nocon
*
1. Plaridel M. Abaya
2. Ruel S. Urgello
3. Aravela A. Ramos
4. Edwin R. Lopez
5. Ma. Belen F. Nocon
—-
8
Anti-Crime and Terrorism-Community Involvement and Support, Inc.
ACT-CIS
1. Jerome V. Oliveros
2. Maria Rosella P. Pagdilao
3. Jojo Cesar O. Sermonia
—-
9
Advance Community Development in New Generation
ADING
1. Fernando M. Nicandro
2. Eufemia J. Oliva
3. Herminia F. Rarama
4. Mischel E. Simbulan
5. Luz M. Macalinao
—–
Aagapay sa Matatanda, Inc.
AMA
1. Ricardo M. Agapito
2. Agustin S. Dizon
3. Feliciano S. Rosete
4. Linda Gaddi-David
5. Alberto Santos
6. Lorenzo Rigonan
7. Ruperto Eugenio
8. Juan G. Roldan
9. Zoilo F. Abenoja
10. Josue Mora
*
1. Agustin S.Dizon
2. Ricardo M. Agapito
3. Linda Gaddi-David
4. Josue P. Mora
5. Zoilo F. Abenoja
6. Lorenzo Rigonan
7. Ruperto Eugenio
8. Juan Roldan
9. Feliciano S. Rosete
10
—-
11
Association of Marine Officer & Ratings, Inc.
AMOR SEAMAN
1. Christopher P. Maambong
2. Victor Y. Alviola
3. Crescenciano B. Elaba, Jr.
4. Remigio R. Serapio
5. Dante D. Dario
—–
12
Ang Nars Inc.
ANG NARS
1. Leah Primitiva Paquiz
2. Lydia Arco Palaypay
3. Chris Gonzales Sorongon
4. Caridad Moncal Galban
5. Anna Marie Kapunan
—–
13
Ang Prolife
ANG PROLIFE
1. James M. Imbong
2. Jeremy Benigno I. Gatdula
3. Lorna B. Melegrito
4. Lareina Lea M. Garcia
5. Edgardo J. Tria Tirona
—–
14
Append, Inc.
APPEND
1. Pablo R. Nava, III
2. Eduardo C. Jimenez
3. Raineer Q. Chu
4. Alex F. Patio
5. Virginia P. Juan
—–
15
Magdalo Para Sa Pilipino
MAGDALO
1. Gary C. Alejano
2. Francisco Ashley L. Acedillo
3. Manuel G. Cabochan
4. Billy S. Pascua
5. Segundino P. Orfiano, Jr.
—-
16
Migrante Sectoral Party of Overseas Filipinos and their Families
MIGRANTE
1. Concepcion B. Regalado
2. Garry C. Martinez
3. Emmanuel C. Villanueva
4. Jonathan B. Canchela
5. Dion Carlo C. Cerrafon
6. Siony Tarroza Torzar
—–
17
Mamamayan Tungo sa Maunlad na Pilipinas
MTM PHILS
1. Renato P. Uy
2. Joseph T. Entero
3.
4. Samuel M. Ganzan
5. Diolito N. Inosanto
—–
18
OFW Family Club Inc.
OFW FAMILY
1. Roy V. Señeres, Sr.
2. Juan “Johnny” R. Revilla
3. Roy M. Señeres, Jr.
4. Hannah S. Francisco
5. Melchor B. Rosales
—–
19
Piston Land Transport Coalition Inc.
PISTON
1. George Ferrer San Mateo
2. Edilberto Arcena Gonzaga
3. Edgardo Anas Salarda
4. Rolando C. Mingo
5. Eduardo M. Ferreras
6. Modesto Floranda
—–
20
Pilipinos with Disabilities
PWD
1. Michael I. Barredo
2. Manuel V. Agcaoili
3. Adeline O. Ancheta
4. Octavio San Agustin Gonzales
5. Luis B. Arellano
—–
21
Ugnayan ng Maralita Laban Sa Kahirapan
UMALAB KA
1. Maria Angela N. Esquivel
2. Arnold P. Castro
3. Edgardo Edwin A. Segaya
4. Noel S. Cano
5. Nicanor R. Salameda, Jr.
—–
RETAINED BY THE COMELEC
NAME OF EXISTING PARTY-LIST
ACRONYM
NOMINEES
1.
Una Ang Pamilya Partylist formerly ANC Party list
1 ANG PAMILYA
Romeo C. Prestoza
Atty. Baltazar C. Asadon
Reena Concepcion G. Obillo
Bienvenido L. Geronimo
Virgilio M. Rosete
—–
2
Social Amelioration & Genuine Intervention on Poverty
1-SAGIP
Erlinda M. Santiago
Edgardo F. Madamba
Remigio S. Casingal
Camilo D. Bacha
Marlou B. Pangilinan
Evelyn N. San Jose-Diaz
Catherine C. Lumbad
Jaime C. Cariaso
Rhodora V. Buenaobra
Paolo Henry M. Marcoleta
—–
3
1 BANAT & AHAPO Party-List Coalition
1-BAP
1. Atty. Silvestre H. Bello III
2. Atty. Salvador B. Britanico
3. Mr. Jimmy U. De Castro
4. Mrs. Jacquiline R. Ramos
5. Mr. Jim C. Cabauatan
——
4
Advocacy ForTeacher Empowerment Through Action Cooperation and Harmony Towards Educational Reforms
A TEACHER
Mariano U. Piamonte, Jr.
Julieta R. Cortuna
Nenita V. Habulan
Elizabeth L. Saldivar
Joseph Noel M. Estrada
Mel says
The above source link.
Comelec allows only 79 party-list groups By RG Cruz, ABS-CBN News. Posted at 11/29/2012 2:57 PM | Updated as of 11/29/2012 6:15 PM
Mel says
For the younger generation of filipinos who wish, dream and plan to enter politics with the right motivation and agenda.
Remembering Jesse is one good, up close post feature outlook that made a no-body to somebody, from the bottom to up to where he once was.
He had The Potential to make it all the way to top if not taken or gone too soon.
May it (early demise) not be a trend set by both aspirants for the rest to make it their own.
Mel says
And when the time comes when Jesse Robredo’s life is made into a movie, please don’t dare ask Erap to act as Jesse.
Erap might claim redemption!
From a tradPol trying to be a newPol.
Mel says
Tutuo kaya etong naisulat ni ginang Domini M. Torrevillas?
“JV belongs to the rising stars in Congress with good background accomplishments tucked under their belt. ”
Good accomplishments or just a spin?
leona says
This could be related or unrelated…Lower House to form task working group (TWG) to have a compromise in the approval of the RH bill with antis and pros, but to allow the CBCP group to participate, so as to finally come out to approve the RH bill.
Congressmen are afraid for the next coming elections. So, violate the principle of the separation of the Church & State then. Allow the Church to meddle and have a say in the formulation of State policies!
The CBCP has called on its supporters to go to the Congress, wearing “red colors” for this purpose, etc. When will this interference & meddling end? Maybe it will never end.
The Church will continue to invisibly control the direction of the goverments’s goals. How the RH bill will come out could be a great surprise…either it doesn’t work at all or it’s going to be a usual messy unenforceable law for the country.
Paalam Bayan Ko!
Life Insurance Philippines says
With all these discussions on political parties, I would like to pose a few questions that I hope could lead to more solutions:
1. Why do politicians form political parties? (my answer – to pool together resources in order to win the next election)
2. Since our government is personality-based, why not abolish all political parties all together?
3. What exactly is different between the various political parties?
4. Which issues are most relevant to the Filipino people?
5. Where do these parties stand on these particular issues?
Personally, I am happy that issues such as the RH bill, K+12 education, have been raised to the level of public discourse. I would very much like to know each politician’s stand on the following:
1. China – how do you propose to deal with their aggressive behavior? What would you do should the Chinese start building structures on Bajo de Masinloc
2. Death Penalty – are you in favor or not, and why or why not?
3. Taxation – do you favor lowering, maintaining, or increasing tax rates in the long term? How would you improve the tax collection?
4. Conditional Cash Transfer – would you continue it or stop it? If you will continue, how would you improve it?
5. Alternative Energy – what concrete steps would you take to accelerate the adoption of renewable energy in the country?
6. Insurgency – how do you propose to put an end to the communist and muslim insurgencies?
I hope more people can add more issues and questions here. It would be good to interview all future candidates with a set of questions by which we can sift through the thoughts and mindsets of our future leaders.
Alizarin Viridia says
RE-POSTED PANTAWAG PANSIN
TUNGKOL SA POLITICAL PARTIES
putting the spot light on THE LIBERAL PARTY
on yet to emerge handwriting on the wall:
In contemporary times, it can be fortunate for this generation, for a particular political party, that we have two guys, not university handcrafted but with a promise of statesmanship who are mere sons of their fathers, dyed in the wool politicians whose legacy of liberalism have all the chances to be continued, to gain ascendancy during this time of political parties disrepute and utter disgrace.
Ninoy’s blood dominates Noynoy’s while Manuel’s and Gerry’s genes are in the stem cells of Mar. Noynoy and Mar genetic politics spell out LIBERALs.
Canadians claim they have no ideologies. DON’T NEED THEM. And they have been under the LIBERALS 80% of the time since the time they decided to govern themselves.
Unless they allow themselves to be dirtied, Noynoy and Mar should allow the trapos provisional entry into their political party to be WASHED and DRY CLEANED. They can send them to Canada and Australia for crash courses on the politics of Liberals.
Don’t get me wrong, I am not a liberal, just a fence sitting cynic, not even a chameleon, just a colorless kibitzer of the elements of NATURE.
Well? THERE YOU GO, Mr. J. America et al who are CORRECTLY not sold to futile political cynicism. Many answers and gems of modern politics might be found in the absence of ideology among the founding fathers of the American Revolution. And of IRRELEVANCE too when George Washington refused to be King while the founding fathers’ Benjamin was said to be cavorting in the Court of the KIng of France.
NOYNOY and MAR captains-ball of the DREAM TEAM for next 22 years.
kontrapilo says
Raissa, nakakatawa ung featured picture nyo, MANNY PACQUIAO, lahat na lang ata ay gusto pasukan ni Manny, bukas malalaman na lang natin baka gusto naman maging OBISPO, I can predict Manny will win no more on his coming fights, I am afraid something wrong will happen to him, if he continue to fight, word of advice, MANNY better stop fighting, you have everything in the world money can buy, you don’t have to prove anything now, enjoy the blessings while you are in good health, look t Muhammad Ali, the greatest fighter of all time, where is he now? how is he doing now?
Rallie Florencio says
@Kontrapilo,
Manny is bound to contract with his promoter Bob Arum. He can be sued in millions of dollars if he decides to retire this early. The only way is to lose or win his fight with a multi-million dollar fight deal of the decade and that is his fight with Floyd Mayweather. Then, maybe he can be allowed to announce his resignation.
Boxing is obviously run by Mafia style Promoter who do not see their fighter the way we normally see them.
Leona says
Manny Pacquiao has exceeded is ambition…too many ambitions!
He erroneously believes he can be so many things in life. He should get more maturity.
He will learn later on that he is wrong. I just hope it is not too late.
Alizarin Viridia says
I am not saying Pacquiao IS NOT just as any other man IS NOT.
Everybody is given free will. To a man of average intellect is to have
a guide in the exercise of free will. To have principles, to be a man
of principles is to limit choices and to restrain behavior, to curtail
freedom of free will itself from license to do anything and
everything. Many men are old chronologically yet intellectually
young. When these are good men they become late comers,
they are better late than never.
ibong_mandaragit says
@ ms. raissa:
…di po ba mayroon ding Kilusang Bagong Lipunan (KBL) noon kay Marcos?
springwoodman says
KBL was set up by Marcos to fill up the National Assembly with his people. The Assembly was a unicameral Congress. Cory restored the bicameral system.
Imelda ran under the KBL banner. She is the one and lone rep of the party.