This year’s elections could have the lowest voters’ turnout in recent years, given the 77-percent turnout in 2004 and 85 percent in 2001 BY THE CENTER FOR PEOPLE EMPOWERMENT IN GOVERNANCE (CenPEG) Posted by Bulatlat ELECTION WATCH/ANALYSIS Vol. VII, No. 15 May 20-26, 2007 The voters’ turnout in the May 14 mid-term elections could be…
Day: May 19, 2007
Poll Fraud, Killings Perpetrated by Powers-that-Be
Contrary to government claims, electoral fraud and violence are not integral to Philippine culture and politics. It is perpetrated by those who profit from the existing system of Philippine politics and governance. BY BENJIE OLIVEROS Bulatlat ANALYSIS Vol. VII, No. 15 May 20-26, 2007 “Generally peaceful” – this is how the Commission on Elections (Comelec)…
In the Eyes of a First-Time Voter
My first day as a voter went smoothly. Though there were many unprecedented events that happened later on, I was just relieved that I was able to vote without any worries. BY MAC BRYAN N. BAUTISTA BULATLAT ELECTION WATCH Vol. VII, No. 15 May 20-26, 2007 It’s been a few days since the end of…
Foreign Observers Witness Election Cheating
Reports reaching the Center for People Empowerment in Governance (CenPEG) show foreign observers witnessing incidents of cheating, voters’ disenfranchisement and other election violations. BY THE CENTER FOR PEOPLE EMPOWERMENT IN GOVERNANCE Posted by Bulatlat ELECTION WATCH/ANALYSIS Vol. VII, No. 15 May 20-26, 2007 Not since the snap presidential elections of 1986 have Philippine elections attracted…
Binay Wins Mayoralty Race despite Political Harassment
Makati City’s reelectionist mayor Jejomar Binay and his camp have prevailed over maneuvers by his opponents, first, to strip him of his powers; and later ease some of the candidates on his slate off the race. BY ALEXANDER MARTIN REMOLLINO BULATLAT ELECTION WATCH Vol. VII, No. 15 May 20-26, 2007 If there is anything worth…
Desaparecidos’ Exhibit: A Day of Remembering and Protest
Their loved ones may be missing, but the families of the disappeared have come forward to stand together and protest the continued enforced disappearances under the Arroyo administration. BY BULATLAT Vol. VII, No. 15 May 20-26, 2007 It was an exhibit of personal items owned by people of varied personalities. There was an LP record…
Summary of Cases on Election Related Fraud and Violence
Summary of Cases on Election Related Fraud and Violence allegedly involving elements of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Philippine National Police (PNP) and private armed goons maintained by political warlords By the Monitoring, Documentation, and Quick Reaction ( MDQ ) Reports from Task Force Poll Watch (TFPW) Field Coordinators Period: May 14…
Teachers: Working Like Beasts of Burden in Polls
Teachers are often said to be the heroes of every election season. This is because they are called on to do back-breaking, largely thankless work during the polls. Two teachers recount their experiences regarding the recently-concluded elections in this article. BY ALEXANDER MARTIN REMOLLINO BULATLAT ELECTION WATCH Vol. VII, No. 15, May 20-26, 2007 Tax…
UP Second-Degree Takers Covered by ToFI but Not by STFAP
There is no escaping the University of the Philippines’ (UP) tuition and other fee increases (ToFI) – even for second-degree takers. BY REYNA MAE TABBADA Bulatlat Vol. VII, No. 15 May 20-26, 2007 There is no escaping the University of the Philippines’ (UP) tuition and other fee increases (ToFI) – even for second-degree takers. After…
Versus
BY JERMAINE PE BENITO* Posted by Bulatlat POETRY Vol. VII, No. 15 May 20-26, 2007 Mao said that “We are advocates of the abolition of war… We do not want war But war can only be abolished through war And in order to get rid of the gun It is necessary to take up the…
Isang Tula para kay Kasamang Beth Nuyad
NI FRANKIE DEL ROSARIO Inilathala ng Bulatlat TULA Vol. VII, No. 15, May 20-26, 2007 Iginupo man ng kanser ang iyong dibdib, ang tapang mo’y di nagmaliw na kahit sa mga araw ng ligalig at sa mga sandali ng iyong dalamhati nagpatuloy ang alab ng iyong mithi: Labanan! Puksain ang Kanser na malaon nang kumapit…