NEWS AT A GLANCE

Block voting should not be allowed --- PILC

Block voting is not allowed by law.

The Public Interest Law Center (PILC) warned over the weekend that “any officer of a corporation or any head of a religious organization, or any employer, who coerces, intimidates, compels, or in any manner influence their members or subordinates to campaign for or against or to vote for or against any candidate, is criminally liable for violation of Art. 22, Sec. 261 (d) of the Omnibus Election Code, punishable with imprisonment of one year to six years, disqualification to hold public office, and deprivation of the right to vote.”

In a statement, PILC Executive Director Marie Yuvienco said “command voting” or “block voting” happens when the head of any organization compels or influences his or her members to vote for a particular candidate. “The fact that the COMELEC (Commission on Elections) tolerates the practice or looks the other way, despite the open braggadocio of organizations on their command votes shows that the COMELEC appears to be beholden to certain vested interests and is not keen on enforcing the election laws.” 

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Migrante questions GMA project charged to OWWA

Migrante Sectoral Party-list (MSP) questioned May 6 a P1-million ($17,959.77, based on exchange rate of P55.86 per US dollar) disbursement from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) for the President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s "Classroom Galing sa Mamamayang Pilipino sa Abroad (CGMA) project.

Based on a copy of the check obtained by MSP, the alleged anomalous P1-million ($17,959.77) fund transfer dated Dec. 30, 2003 was mostly allotted for conferences, promotional materials, communication and transportation costs. The biggest expenses are P350,000 ($6,265.66) for Local/Regional Conferences/Meetings and P184,500 ($3,302.90) for Courier Services. 

“We fear that OFW funds were again used for President Gloria’s campaign,” said John Monterona, MSP vice chairperson and 2^nd nominee. “The CGMA is another example of how government projects are twisted into Gloria pa-cute vehicles.” 

Monterona added that a video presentation for the CGMA project being shown overseas ends with “Mabuhay CGMA,” or “Long live GMA” if read phonetically in Filipino.

MSP demanded an immediate investigation into how the money was actually used. “Given that many OFWs still cry for medical reimbursements and other types of assistance from OWWA, the money could have been much better spent,” he said.

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Study leave on human rights for soldiers

The military should go back to school.

The Promotion of Church People’s Response (PCPR) urged May 2 the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) “to order a mass leave of all commanding officers and all regular troops for them to study the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL) and teach themselves to be accountable to the Joint Monitoring Committee of the GRP and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP).”

“The increasing cases of human rights violations committed against members of progressive party-list groups are indicative of very poor human rights education in the military,” PCPR said in a statement.

PCPR criticized the military for alleged serious violations of the CARHRIHL forged between the GRP and the NDFP that include political killings, abduction, harassment and grave threats against progressive organizations and party-list groups.

The group cited recent cases of alleged false murder charges against Anak ng Bayan Youth Party 5^th nominee Ronald Ian Evidente and abductions of Jacqueline Paguntalan, 26, and Rolando Fortaleza, 28, both Bayan Muna coordinators in Leyte.

In a forum on the significance of the formation of the GRP-NDFP Joint Monitoring Committee, specifically in relation to the series of killings and harassment against members of Bayan Muna, Anakpawis, Anak ng Bayan and three other progressive party-list groups, Prof. Carlos Medina, chairman of the GRP-monitoring committee related his experience with the military when his group had a community immersion in Paluan, Mindoro.

Medina imitated the deep threatening voice of the military when his group was asked in a checkpoint, “Kayo ba ay mga Anak ng Bayan?” (Are you members of Anak ng Bayan?).

Meanwhile, Rev. Fr. Allan Jose Arcebuche, OFM, PCPR National Co-Chairperson said, “Arroyo should order the resignation of National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales whose baseless accusations against Bayan Muna and five other progressive party-list groups intensified the ruthless attacks of military and police agents against progressives.”

Bulatlat.com

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