This story
was taken from Bulatlat, the Philippines's alternative weekly
newsmagazine (www.bulatlat.com, www.bulatlat.net, www.bulatlat.org).
Vol. VII, No. 10, April 15-21, 2007
ELECTION WATCH He
has been in jail for three years as a political prisoner. Now he wishes to spend
the next three years as a public servant in his hometown. Behind bars since May
2004, Jigger Geverola, 30, a political prisoner detained in a prison facility in
the Central Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in Cebu, is
officially the first political prisoner in this province to run for public
office.
By Karen Papellero He has been in jail for
three years as a political prisoner. Now he wishes to spend the next three years
as a public servant in his hometown. Behind bars since May 2004,
Jigger Geverola, 30, a political prisoner detained in a prison facility in the
Central Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in Cebu, is
officially the first political prisoner in this province to run for public
office. He filed last March 27 his
certificate of candidacy for councilor in Argao, a municipality in the southern
part of Cebu province. He is running as an independent candidate. "In my three years in
prison, I have broadened my horizons,” Geverola said. “I have seen that no bars,
real or otherwise, can hinder my idealism and principles. I am a prisoner, but
that does not mean I cannot serve my fellowmen in public office.” A track record of
struggle and service As an active member of the
League of Filipino Students (LFS) in a university in Cebu where he studied
Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and later on, Bachelor of Arts in Socio-Anthroplogy,
he was already aware of the different social issues and problems around him. This led him to decide to
work as a community organizer in the different areas in Cebu among the farmers,
workers, fisher folk and urban poor. His dedication and commitment in helping
marginalized communities struggle against poverty, landlessness and other
economic and political issues have made him well-known among the townspeople.
Expectedly, he also earned
the ire of the people he was fighting against and was suspected of being a
“rebel.” He was arrested on two
charges of rebellion in Danao City, in the northern part of Cebu and an arson
case in the southern city of Toledo in May 2004. Prison woes: first-hand
experience In the congested Cebu
Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC) where he was first
detained, he continued fighting, this time against oppressive rules and unjust
conditions imposed upon his fellow prisoners – particularly against the inhuman
and restrictive policies of security consultant Byron Garcia and his sister,
Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia. Hunger strikes and other
means of protests were being led by Geverola inside the facility to oppose
policies such as limited sunning time, no-visitation rules, no meal rations and
the deteriorating facilities of the prison due to congestion. He was also adept
at exposing such issues to the local media. The prison administration
then transferred him, in isolation, to be detained at the Central Command of the
AFP in March 2005. From July 27, 2006 to January 24, 2007, he was only rationed
one meal a day. After the said period, his food rations were stopped altogether.
His daily subsistence has since been provided for by his family. "In the face of widespread
corruption in the government especially through the local units, I realized how
important it is for the local officials to speak out against such brazenness,”
he said. “The silence of the local leaders against the corruption and oppression
of the government, especially the Garcia administration, is deafening.” "I want to help the local
political leaders in defeating the Garcias,” he said. (Gov. Gwen Garcia is
seeking re-election. Her father and brother, Pabling Garcia and Pablo John
Garcia, respectively, are vying for Congressional seats in their respective
districts.) “With my firsthand experience of the way CPDRC was run by Byron
Garcia and the style of governance of the Garcias, I am emboldened to do what I
can to loosen their hold on the province.” Justice, Integrity, Good
Governance, Grassroots Development, Equality, Responsibility (JIGGER) Because he was born in
Argao and worked there as a community organizer, Geverola’s alternative programs
are rooted in his understanding of the needs and issues of the place. His programs for the
municipality include improving the baranggay (village) judicial systems through
the traditional settlements and dialogues among the barangay residents. Argao
has the second-highest number of prisoners in CPDRC among the municipalities in
Cebu. He also sees the importance
of having municipal jail facilities and systems in order to decongest the jails
and bring the prisoners closer to their families in order to help in their
rehabilitation. He envisions that municipal-run jails can mean better facilities
and more humane treatment of the inmates. Other programs include
improvement of the municipal treasury and taxation, bringing the Sangguniang
Panlungsod (City Council) sessions to the baranggay levels to enhance
participatory governance, empowerment through scientific and relevant
educational system, focused on agriculture and providing opportunities and
assistance for small and medium entrepreneurs in the mechanization of
agriculture. He also emphasized balanced
development of the coastal towns and mountain baranggays vis-à-vis the boom
found in the urbanized areas, such as Cebu City. How confident is he of
realizing his plans? "I am idealistic but I am
also realistic,” he explained. “I do not expect my programs to be fully realized
right then and there. It also depends on the cooperation of the other officials.
One has to have creative strategies to push and assert one's programs.” Election campaign,
prison-style Geverola admitted that
being in prison somehow works in his favor. All it takes is a dose of creativity
and flexibility. His unique circumstance can
earn him the sympathy of the voters. With his being incarcerated, the local
media is also keen on following his virtual campaign trail, ensuring him name
recall. He was even called the Cebuano version of Gregorio Honasan and Antonio
Trillanes IV, senatorial candidates who are both conducting their campaigns from
jail. He is also the only candidate in their place who has a clear stand on
issues and program of government and at the same time being able to air and
expose it. He also utilizes the Internet in publicizing his programs and plans. On the other hand, there is
also difficulty when it comes to the traditional styles of campaigning, such as
attending sorties, house-to-house visits and other means of establishing one's
presence in the election race. However, his family,
friends and supporters are also doing their part in getting publicity and
exposure for Geverola, aside from filing a motion to campaign in court. Even the local officials in
the area welcome his bid for election. Argao's incumbent vice
mayor, Zena Sesaldo expressed her approval of Geverola’s plans and believed him
to be largely capable of helping the town. An Argao councilor,
Mariglen Lucero, approached Geverola’s wife in a gathering and welcomed his
candidacy. “Maayo kayo na nga plano nga modagan si Jigger” (It is a very
good thing that Jigger will run for office), the councilor said. For now, the young
political prisoner places his hopes on his idealism, commitment and desire to be
of service to the people of Argao – even with the bars before him. Bulatlat © 2007 Bulatlat
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Political Prisoner Runs for Councilor in Cebu
Bulatlat