Kabataan Partylist

Legitimate sectoral parties will be the main casualties of vote-padding in this partylist elections.

This was the reaction of Kabataan Partylist President Raymond Palatino over allegations of vote-padding by suspected administration front partylist groups by over 2 million votes, saying that the plan is intended to frustrate the bid of anti-Arroyo sectoral parties to win representation in Congress.

“We noticed that many of the reported cases of vote-padding which occurred mostly in Mindanao involved alleged government-initiated partylists that so far have been lagging behind in the canvassing.”

“But what makes dagdag-bawas activities different in this elections particularly for the partylist race is that the padding of votes for certain partylists are not actually intended to increase the chances of these groups to meet the threshold but merely to bloat the total number of partylist votes,” Palatino pointed out.

“Since the partylist turnout is directly proportional to the threshold, any increase in the total number of partylist votes will add to the total number of votes needed to meet the two-percent threshold,” he explained.

“This will certainly have a bigger impact on the chances of Kabataan and other sectoral parties of elderly, disabled and minorities in meeting the two-percent threshold and clinching a seat in Congress.”

“Meeting the two-percent threshold is already difficult since there are 93 parties contending and voters only get to choose one partylist group. The lack of resources and the low level of partylist awarness also make it harder for most partylist groups to conduct and maintain a national campaign.”

Palatino said these factors explain why only a handful won representation in the last three partylist elections.

In 2004, twenty-four representatives belonging to 16 partylist groups were proclaimed. It was a modest increase from the 12 parties (20 representatives) that were proclaimed in 2001 and 10 groups (14 representatives) who won representation in the first partylist elections in 1998.

“The number of partylist representatives in the last Congress did not even reach half of the 52 reserved seats for partylist representatives.”

He added that the entry of bogus partylist groups that were allegedly sponsored by Malacanang and local politicians only made it more difficult for legitimate political and sectoral parties to win representation.

“Legitimate parties are at a clear disadvantage. These bogus partylist groups enjoy abundant resources, not to mention the backing of the administration’s fraud machinery. The playing field is obviously tilted in favor of those who have connection with the incumbent government.”

“So while Kabataan’s votes increased significantly compared to its performance in 2004, the irregular increase in the threshold could possibly foil its bid to place the first youth sectoral representative in Congress.”

Kabataan, formely known as Anak ng Bayan, was the sole youth partylist that participated in 2004 elections. However, the partylist fell prey to massive vote shaving. A significant number of its votes were anomalously counted in favor of another partylist group. It was just 35,000 votes short of clinching one seat in the Lower House.

Palatino said legitimate partylist groups are “virtually defenseless” against this blatant form of government intrusion and manipulation.

“Instead of empowering the poor, the partylist system is now being used by traditional politicians to extend their sphere of influence.”

“This is not just a “bastardization” of the partylist system. It’s a clear case of injustice and disenfranchisement and an insult to those whose interests and voices remain unrepresented in Congress.”

“In the process, genuine partylist groups are the ones being “marginalized” in a system supposedly created to give representation to marginalized segments of our society.”

Meanwhile, Palatino said they are studying and contemplating on filing disqualification cases against these alleged government-initiated partylist groups.

Regulate tuition hikes, new lawmakers told

“Apparently, “dagdag-bawas” activities don’t just happen in elections. So pervasive is the culture of dagdag-bawas, corruption and greed in this country that even the education sector is not spared from this wicked practice.”

This was the reaction of Kabataan Partylist President Raymond Palatino over reports of new round tuition hikes in private colleges and universities, adding that among private school owners now emerge the new breed of “dagdag-bawas operators.”

Palatino said corrupt politicians and election operators don’t have the monopoly over dagdag-bawas activities as private tertiary schools have long developed and perfected its own “dagdag-bawas” machinery with yearly tuition hikes.

“While candidates accuse each other manipulating election results to clinch victory, private schools owners and administrators are padding tuition and other fees to jack up their profits.”

“Partial reports of tuition hikes involving hundreds of schools all over the country only confirm our long-held fears that the anomalous suspension of the tuition cap early this year will be used by school owners to increase tuition beyond the inflation rate which will lead to bigger tuition and miscellaneous fee hikes this school year,” he pointed out

He accused the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations (COCOPEA) and the Arroyo administration of conniving with each other to suspend the implementation of CHED memorandum order no. 14 and subsequent amendments CMO 42 and CMO 7 which provide for a cap on tuition and other fee increases based on the prevailing national inflation rate.

“This gave private schools bigger room for “tuition padding” (dagdag) which served as a pay off for the much need school owners’ support for administration candidates.”

Palatino said the timing of the tuition cap’s suspension last February 20 is questionable as it came out in the middle of tuition consultations in various private schools and after COCOPEA’s meeting with President Arroyo a week earlier.

“Unfortunately, the reverse result of “tuition padding” is the decrease (bawas) in the number of enrollees and the corresponding upsurge in the number of dropouts and out-of-school youth. With higher tuition rates and more preventive fees being charged both in private institutions, we fear that their numbers will double up this coming semester,” he warned.

Meanwhile, Palatino called on elected district representatives and soon-to-be senators to translate their electoral agenda and promises to practice by making the immediate resolution of the current ‘tuition hike crisis’ their top priority this Congress.

“This will be the best opportunity for them to prove to us that they are really for the youth and they participated in this elections to defend and uphold the interest of young Filipinos, particularly for education.”

“Tuition and other fee increases in these times of economic hardship and poverty are clearly uncalled for. These only make college education more elusive to young Filipinos.”

“We call on our next set of lawmakers to join the students’ clamor for an end to unabated tuition and other fee increases and an immediate investigation on the suspension of the tuition cap,” Palatino concluded.

http://www.bulatlat.com/2007/05/military-behind-killing-pollwatchers-bicol-kabataan-party-list

Witnesses and evidences gathered by human rights and people’s organizations point to the military as the perpetrators in the abduction and killing of two Kabataan (Youth) Party-list poll watchers last May 15.

BY ZOFIA LEAL
Bulatlat
Vol. VII, No. 16 May 27-June 2, 2007

Last May 15, Ronilo Brezuela, 16 years old, and Roberto “Jun Jun” Bagasbas, Jr., 20 years old, were abducted and then killed at Camarines Norte. Both were members of Kabataan (Youth) Partylist. The two were abducted after bringing food to their poll watchers last May 15.

An investigation by Karapatan (Alliance for the Advancement of People’s Rights)- Camarines Norte and local people’s organizations revealed the following series of events that took place from May 14-May 19:

* May 14: Ronilo asked permission from his mother to attend a fiesta at Brgy. Old Camp and said that he would be sleeping at a friend’s house.

By the end of April, Jun Jun told his father that he would go to Manila to look for work.
* May 15: Ronilo and Jun Jun brought food to the poll watchers at the Capalonga polling precinct in Brgy Old Camp. They were leaving the place when abducted by armed men.

According to some of his neighbors, they last saw Ronilo with Jun Jun last May 15, at around 7 a.m.
* May 16, 2007: At around 2 p.m members of the CNPO (Camarines Norte People’s Organization) of Brgy. Mataqui ( three kilometers away from Poblacion, Capalonga) were able to speak with the person ordered by the military to drop the two bodies at his barrio. He then placed the bodies on his paragos (a cart that is pulled by a carabao) on his way to the barrio. He also went to the city to rent a vehicle to transport the bodies.

On that same day, the radio program Bombo Radio Daet reported that the Philippine Army claimed that there had been an encounter between the New People’s Army (NPA) and the Philippine Army at Capalonga and that there had been two NPA casualties.

Fr. Abel, the parish priest of Capalonga, blessed the two bodies that night. According to Fr. Abel, one of the bodies had a broken lip, a cut in his chin, and a hole on the left side of his chest. According to the Philippine National Police (PNP), the body was stabbed and had a gunshot wound.
* May 17, 2007: Roberto Bagasbas Sr., the father of Jun Jun, received news that there were two dead bodies at the plaza of Capalonga and that one of the bodies resembled his son. Bagasbas then went immediately to Capalonga and saw two plywood boxes where the bodies were placed. Bagasbas was able to peep through the boxes by removing three nails. He then saw the face of his son, Jun Jun. Bagasbas noticed that the skin on Jun Jun’s chin was removed and that he had a hole in his chest. Jun Jun’s feet and hands were also tied. The smell of the rotting body was already strong. At around 12 noon Bagasbas asked permission from the PNP to take his son’s body home.

Jun Jun’s body was embalmed at Funeraria Adea. According to the embalmer, the body was sadistically tortured. The body of Jun Jun was covered with a plastic bag before being placed in the coffin because the smell was strong.
* May 19, 2007: Anita Brezuela (Ronilo’s mother) was informed by her neighbors that her son is dead and was already buried.

The remains of Jun Jun was buried at the cemetery of Brgy. Dahican.

Karapatan and people’s organizations in Camarines Norte point to soldiers from Alpha Company of the 31st Infantry Battalion based in Tigbinan, Labo, Camarines Norte as the perpetrators.

Marites Lopez, Kabataan Partylist spokesperson in Bicol said, “Naniniwala kami na ito ay bahagi ng pandarahas ng militar at gubyernong Arroyo sa aming hanay upang pigilan ang tagumpay ng Kabataan Partylist sa Bicol. Pilit na pinagtatakpan ng militar ang kanilang krimen sa pagpapalabas ng iresponsableng pahayag na namatay ang dalawang kabataan sa isang engkwentro.” (We believe that this is part of the violence being perpetrated by the military and the Arroyo government against our ranks to hinder the success of Kabataan Party-list in Bicol. The military is covering up their crime by saying that the two died in an encounter.)

Lopez added that the military’s claim that they are not intervening in the elections and that the elections held in Bicol was peaceful is not true. Lopez said that they have evidence and data that can show that the military and its agents are directly involved in the harassment of Kabataan Party-list and other progressive party-list members.

In the last poll results for party-lists in the Bicol Region, Kabataan is already in the top 10. Citing the poll results, Lopez said, “Abot-kamay na namin ang tagumpay dito sa Bicol at amin itong inaalay kasabay ng pinakamataas na pagpupugay sa dalawang kasama naming nagbuwis ng buhay para bantayan ang boto ng kabataan at mamamayang Bikolano at isulong ang pulitika ng pag-asa, pakikibaka at pagbabago,” (Victory is already within our reach here in Bicol and we are offering this together with our highest praise to our two comrades who risked their lives to guard the votes of the youth and the people of Bicol and uphold the politics of hope, struggle and change.) Bulatlat

05/26/2007 | 08:25 AM

At least three party-list groups allied with Malacañang may have benefited from some 58,000 padded votes, militant groups claimed Saturday.

Party-lists Bayan Muna, Anakpawis, Gabriela, Kabataan and Suara Bangsamoro said the alleged 58,000-vote operation took place in some parts of Mindanao.

In a statement, the groups said 22,011 votes were padded for ALIF (Ang Laban ng Indiginong Filipino) from 15 election returns out of 28 towns in Zamboanga del Sur.

“ERs from Margosatubig, Pitogo, Vicencio Sagum, Tabina, San Miguel, Simimot, Tambulig, Midsalip, Aurora, Mahaya, Dinas San Pablo, Josefina, Molave and Dumalinao showed discrepancies in the actual votes acquired and the reported number of votes in the canvassing. Votes for ALIF were padded by as high as 2,000 votes in some towns,” they said.

Kabataan party-list president Raymond Palatino said they found “very obvious discrepancies in penmanship and pen ink” while comparing certificates of votes to the statements of votes.

“This is vote-padding in its most blatant form,” Palatino said.

Task Force Poll Watch (TFPW), the party-lists’ anti-fraud watch dog, earlier reported 36,609 combined padded votes for COOP-NATCO and UNI-MAD in Sibugay Zamboanga.

Gabriela Rep. Liza Maza said these cases further reinforce their suspicion that votes for known Malacañang-backed party-lists may be padded by up to 2.7 million in the Comelec canvassing.

Maza and Palatino said that they are expecting other cases to come in from other provinces and cities in Mindanao, especially from ARMM.

The party-lists cited that Tawi-Tawi, for instance, reported an 89 percent voter turnout for party-lists.

“This is highly questionable and phenomenal,” said Palatino. He also questioned YACAP’s (Youth against Corruption and Poverty) top post in the province, beating Moro party-lists with 21,966 votes.

TFPW is also evaluating reports of vote-padding in Sulu, Sulatan Kudarat, North Cotabato, Basilan, Zamboanga City and Lanao del Norte.

Maza called on the National Board of Canvassers to defer the canvassing and correct the said COCs. - GMANews.TV

Party-lists Bayan Muna, Anakpawis, Gabriela, Kabataan and Suara Bangsamoro today said that accumulated votes padded for Malacanang-backed party-lists in some parts of Mindanao have totaled to at least 58,000.

The party-lists reported that 22,011 votes were padded for ALIF (Ang Laban ng Indiginong Filipino) from 15 ERs out of 28 municipalities in Zambo del Sur.

ERs from Margosatubig, Pitogo, Vicencio Sagum, Tabina, San Miguel, Simimot, Tambulig, Midsalip, Aurora, Mahaya, Dinas San Pablo, Josefina, Molave and Dumalinao showed discrepancies in the actual votes acquired and the reported number of votes in the canvassing. Votes for ALIF were padded by as high as 2,000 votes in some towns.

Continue reading…

The progressive party-list-GO task force poll watch has uncovered data showing that votes in the ongoing COMELEC count may be padded by anywhere from 2 to 2.7 million votes.

A check of completed city and provincial COCs from the official COMELEC canvass already gives a 73.4% voter turnout in 45 provinces which is 4.42% higher than the Pulse Asia exit poll of 69%. This translates to approximately two million padded votes nationwide and counting.

“What made us suspicious was COMELEC Chairman Benjamin Abalos’ premature announcement, a day after the elections, that voter turnout was 75%. This may have provided political operators with as much as 2.7 million in cheatable, negotiable votes,” said Dr. Giovanni Tapang, analyst of the said task force.

Tapang said 2.7 million votes can affect the ranking of the top 4 leading senatorial seats and can put candidates in the 13-18 slots in the winning 12 and cause those in the lower 6-12 seats to slide out of the winning circle.

“From the current standing in the COMELEC tally, 2.7 million can possibly put out 4 GO candidates (Aquino, Cayetano, Trillanes and Pimintel) and one independent (Honasan) out of the race,” said Tapang.

The six TU candidates that can be catapulted to the winning circle are Zubiri, Recto, Defensor, Pichay, Montano and Sotto.

In the party list race, 2.7 million is equivalent to eight seats up for negotiation. At the same time, it would affect the overall percentages of opposition party list groups by increasing the total base of the party list votes, effectively increasing the 2% vote threshold for each seat in Congress.

Tapang decried the fact that in many cases, COMELEC officials refused to provide opposition poll watchers with copies of election returns even if they had authorization and identification documents for the LP dominant minority party, making it difficult to immediately counter-check the vote padding.

Demand justice for 2 slain poll watchers, decry vote-padding for Malacanang-backed party-lists

Photo taken from http://www.malaya.com.ph

Kabataan Party-list today took to the streets to protest the numerous cases of fraud and election-time terror marking the mid-term elections.

Around 300 youth and students assembled in front of the University of Sto. Tomas in Espana at noon today to commence in a protest march to Mendiola.

“We can only express utter disgust at the Arroyo administration for failing to stem the increasing cases of fraud and violence these elections. This tolerance surmounts to the administration’s refusal to accept Team Arroyo’s dismal performance in the running tallies, and a virtual owning up to the numerous cases of fraud and election-time terror,” said Raymond Palatino, Kabataan National President.

Kabataan Party-list demanded the immediate investigation on the cases of two slain youth poll watchers in Camarines Norte.

Ronaldo Brezuela, 16, and Roberto ‘Jun-jun’ Bagasbas, Jr., 27, were abducted by unformed men on May 15 and found dead of multiple gunshot wounds on May 16 in Brgy. Old Camp Capalonga, Camarines Sur.

The military dismissed their deaths as ‘collateral damage’ in an alleged encounter between the NPA and the AFP. Witnesses, however, dispel this statement saying that Brezuela and Bagasbas were last seen delivering food to other Kabataan volunteers in the Capalonga polling place.

Palatino also cited the emergent trend of massive vote-padding for Malacanang-backed party-lists in provincial and municipal canvassing levels.

He cited cases of vote-padding for Kasangga, party-list of FG Mike Arroyo’s sister, in Caloocan and Isabela among others, and for UNI-MAD, another known Malacanang party-list, in Sibugay, Zamboanga. (Visit http://www.pollwatch2007.wordpress.com.) “This tactic affects not only progressive party-lists but other party-list bets that represent the truly marginalized. It is a butchery of the party-list system.”

Kabataan, together with Bayan Muna, Anakpawis, Gabriela and Suara also earlier filed a criminal case at the Comelec against election officials involved in electoral fraud, in violation of Comelec Resolution 7859 surmounting to electoral sabotage. Perpetrators found guilty of electoral fraud face lifetime imprisonment.

Kabataan party-list is also set to participate in the rally of concerned citizens against electoral fraud and violence at the PICC later this afternoon. ###

Vote-padding geared to win seats for fake party-lists, increase required 2% threshold

Party-lists Bayan Muna, Anakpawis, Gabriela, Kabataan and Suara today decried the emerging pattern of massive vote-padding for government-funded party-lists in the canvassing phase.

Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo said that while they expected cases of vote-shaving against progressive party-lists, massive vote-padding for government-funded party-lists is an unprecedented ploy to downplay their groups’ imminent victories.

Gabriela Rep. Liza Maza said that the party-lists are set to file additional cases of electoral sabotage against five to six election officers who violated Comelec Resolution 7859. “This should serve as a stern warning against Malacanang operators and cheats,” said Maza.

The party-lists cited cases of vote-padding for Malacanang-backed party-lists in Cauayan, Isabela.

Suara Bangsamoro spokesperson Shamroud Abdulaziz expressed fears that this new tactic may greatly affect their votes in the Mindanao region. He specifically cited cases in Zamboanga Sibugay from Summary of Votes No. 0000160 and COC Nos. 0000443, 0000438, 0000444, 0000434, 0000433, 0000442 and 0000436 where padded votes for COOP-NATCO and UNIMAD totaled to 36,609. (see attached table)

“This is another form of electoral fraud that needs to be exposed for what it’s truly worth. The vote-padding may not necessarily amount to winning seats for government-funded PLS. It, however, cunningly increases the total party-list votes and as a result shoots up the required number of votes to seat one party-list representive,” said Anakpawis Rep. Rafael Mariano.

For his part, Kabataan President Raymond Palatino said, “This tactic affects not only progressive party-lists but other party-list bets that represent the truly marginalized. It is a butchery of the party-list system.”

for daily updates on cases of electoral fraud and violence, go here.

Partylist groups Bayan Muna, Anakpawis, Gabriela, Kabataan and Suara Bangsamoro will file charges tomorrow against the chair of the Board of Canvassers in Caloocan City in connection with alleged tampering of votes in the city in favor of Kasangga partylist.

To symbolize the partylist groups’ protest, their pollwatchers in Caloocan City and elsewhere will start wearing black armbands.

Kabataan pollwatcher Daniel Cleofas Jr. said he and other pollwatchers witnessed the tampering of votes in at least eleven precincts in favor of partylist group Kasangga, one of the organizations tagged as Malacañang fronts and whose nominees include Malou Arroyo, a sister of First Gentleman Mike Arroyo.

According to Cleofas, the vote padding was discovered last night in the following:

* In precincts 222-3A and 222-34A, Kasangga votes were increased from one to 81 and 91, respectively.

* In precincts 222-6A and 222-36A, Kasangga votes were raised from twob to 42 and 62 respectively.

* In precinct 222-3A, the votes for Kasangga were increased from three to 53.

* In precinct 222-5A, the votes for Kasangga were increased from eight to 98.

* In precincts 222-7A, 223-7A, 223-8A, 223-0A and 222-4A, Kasangga got zero, but the BOC padded votes to 50, 72, 98, 70 and 50, respectively.

Atty. Neri Javier Colmenares, Bayan Muna general counsel, said that BOC chair Atty. Juliet Villar is liable for violation of Comelec Resolution 7859, specifically the provision against “electoral sabotage”.

Electoral sabotage is defined as the tampering and changing of votes” and is punishable with life imprisonment.

House Deputy Minority Leader and Bayan Muna Representative Satur Ocampo, Anakpawis Rep. Rafael Mariano and Kabataan President Raymond Palatino will go to the Caloocan City canvassing center today to join their pollwatchers.

Mariano said that “Malacañang operators have apparently ordered its dirty tricks operators to work overtime to cheat in the canvassing stage.

Mariano added that vote-padding in the partylist polls will work against all partylist aspirants because it unduly increases the total partylist votes and consequently the minimum number of votes matching the two-percent requirement for any aspirant to win one seat in the House of Representatives.

“This cheating by and for Kasangga cheats the Caloocan people of their choices, works against all partylists, and denies small parties a fair chance of obtaining seats in Congress,” said Mariano.

Kabataan’s Palatino said that Task Force Poll Watch has documented scores of incidents of fraud and violence since Election Day. ###

The two Kabataan Party-list poll watchers slain in Camarines Norte were Ronilo Brezuela, 16 years old, and Roberto ‘Jun-Jun’ Bagsabas Jr., 27 years old and not Ronilo Vallevare, 20 years old, and Jun Bagasbas, 16 years old, as earlier reported.

We apologize for this error. This correction just recently came in from our regional coordinators.

Below is the fact sheet prepared by KARAPATAN – Camarines Norte (karapatancn@yahoo.com).

FACT SHEET 2007-05

I. Tipo ng paglabag: Abduction and Summary Execution
II. Biktima: RONILO BREZUELA, 16 na taong gulang, magsasaka, binata, nakatira sa Sitio Maligaya, Brgy. Alayao, Capalonga, Camarines Norte,kasapi ng Kabataan Party List sa barangay

ROBERTO “junjun” BAGASBAS, JR. 27 taong gulang, binata, mangingisda, nakatira sa Sitio Ulipanan, Brgy. Dahican, Jose Panganiban, Camarines Norte, kasapi ng Kabataan Party List sa barangay

III. Petsa ng Pangyayari: Mayo15, 2007, humigit kumulang ika-7 ng umaga

IV. Lugar na Pinangyarihan: Sitio Santolan, Brgy. Old Camp at Brgy. Mataqui, Capalonga, Camarines Norte

V. Pinaghihinalaang may Kagagawan / Perpetrator: 31st Infantry Batallon Alpha Coy, Tigbinan Base, Labo, Camarines Norte

VI. Posibleng Motibo: Pinaghinalaang kasapi ng NPA

VII. Buod ng Pangyayari: Mayo 14, 2007, nagpaalam si Ronilo sa kanyang ina na pupuntang pistahan sa Brgy. Old Camp at di rin agad makakuwi dahil sa mga kaibigan makikitulog.

Katapusan ng Abril, 2007, nagpaalam si Junjun sa kanyang ama na pupuntang Manila upang doon magtrabaho.

Ayon sa ilang tagabaryo huli nilang nakita si Ronilo kasama si Junjun nong Mayo 15 humigit kumulang ikapito ng umaga.

Mayo 16, 2006, humigit kumulang ika-2 ng hapon sa Brgy. Mataqui ( 3 kilometro mula sa Poblacion Capalonga) ayon sa CNPO (Camarines Norte People’s Organization) sa baryo nakausap nila ang taong inutusan ng mga sundalo na ibaba sa baryo ang dalawang bangkay. Isinakay niya ito sa paragos (sasakyan ng kopra, niyog at palay na hihihila ng kalabaw) pababa sa baryo at siya na rin ang pinasundo sa kabayanan upang kumuha ng masasakayan ng bangkay.

Gabi ng May 16, 2006, binabasan ng kura paroko ng Capalonga na si Fr. Abel ang labi ng dalawang bangkay. Ayon sa kanya, sira ang labi, may hiwa sa baba, butas ang kaliwang dibdib na ayon umano sa PNP ay sinaksak at may katabing tama ng bala ng baril ang isang labi na may balbas.

Mayo 17, 2007 ng umaga, nakatanggap si Roberto Bagasbas Sr. (ama ni junjun) ng balita na may patay sa plaza ng Capalonga na kamukhang kamukha ni junjun. Nang umaga ding yaon ay nagmamadali siyang pumunta sa plaza ng Capalonga. Doo’y nakita niya ang dalawang kahon na yari sa plywood na siyang pinaglalagyan ng katawan ng dalawang kabataan. Sinilip ng amang si roberto ang kahon sa pamamagitan ng pagtanggal sa tatlong pako. Doo’y namukhaan niya ang kanyang anak na si junjun sa kabila ng inalisan ng balat ang parte ng baba nito,butas ng isang dibdib, nakagapos ang paa at ang kamay ay nakagapos din ng lubid sa likod. Naamoy na rin niya ang mabahong singaw ng bangkay. Nagpaalam siya sa PNP ng Capalonga, bandang ika-12 ng hapon, matapos dumaan sa ilang proseso, na iuuwi niya sa kanilang tahanan ang labi ng anak upang dooy paglamayan.

Pina embalsamo niya ang labi sa Funeraria Adea at ayon sa emblasamador ay sinadista umano si Junjun dahil sa dami maraming bakas ng pagpapahirap dito. Binalot ang labi ni junjun sa plastic bago inilagay sa kabaong upang di umalingasaw ang amoy nito.

May 19, 2007, nang malaman ni Anita Brezuela(nanay ni Ronilo) mula sa ilang tagabaryo na patay na ang kanyang anak at ito’y nakalibing.

May 19, 2007 ng umaga inilibing si Roberto Bagasbas Jr sa sementeryo ng Brgy. Dahican.

Una dito, Mayo 16, 2007 ng tanghali sa programa ng Bombo Radio Daet, binalita na ayon sa Phil Army, nagkaroon umano ng engkwentro sa pagitan ng NPA at Phil Army sa Capalonga at dalawang NPA ang napatay.

Inihanda ni:

MARICEL RAFER
Provincial Coordinator
May 20, 2007

Posted May 20, 2007 02:14:00 (Mla Time)
Inquirer

Alcuin Papa Norman Bordadora

MANILA, Philippines—Militant groups claimed yesterday they recorded 54 incidents of electoral fraud and violence in 30 areas allegedly perpetrated by military and police from May 14 to 18.

But the Philippine National Police claim not to have received any information on such incidents.

The militant groups should file formal complaints if they know of such cases, said Director Geary Barias, chief of the PNP’s Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management (DIDM).

Citing reports from Task Force Poll Watch 2007, Kabataan party-list president and nominee Raymond Palatino said the incidents reported from all over the country ranged from the abduction and harassment of party-list volunteers and poll watchers; the presence of police and military in polling centers, and a smear and black propaganda campaign against progressive party-list groups, allegedly by the military and police.
Poll watch force

Task Force Poll Watch 2007 is an election-monitoring, documentation and quick reaction team formed by progressive party-list groups like Bayan Muna, Gabriela, Anakpawis and Kabataan.

Among the areas these incidents were reported to have occurred were Porac, Pampanga; Guinto, Nueva Ecija; Nasugbu and Taysan in Batangas; Quezon; Masbate; Makati; Palawan; Marikina; Lanao del Sur and Isabela.

Palatino also cited the murder two Kabataan organizers and poll watchers in Camarines Sur and the abduction of poll watchers in Cagayan Valley and Puerto Princesa, Palawan.

“These killings and cases of political harassment are the worst forms of electoral fraud,” Palatino said.

Claims dismissed

But Barias dismissed the group’s claim. “We don’t know of any of these incidents. But maybe they should give us their list and we will investigate that and find out if the allegations are true or not,” he said in a phone interview.

He said it would be “best” for Palatino and his group to file formal complaints.

The Bantay Boto election watchdog yesterday claimed that pre-fabricated certificates of canvass and “pre-computed” election results would come into play next week to boost the ranking of at least three Team Unity candidates in the ongoing count.

Bantay Boto, a group of retired generals, military and police officers, said the stage was set after the first week of counting and the results of exit polls revealed to those behind the alleged Oplan Mercury Rising how many votes were needed “to overturn the early leads of opposition candidates.”

“Reports from the field confirm that the election fraud operators of Oplan Mercury Rising are ready to issue out pre-computed and pre-accomplished statements of votes and certificates of canvass at the municipal and provincial areas covered by the Oplan,” said retired Commodore Ismael Aparri, a Bantay Boto convenor.

‘Administration plan’

Oplan Mercury Rising is ostensibly an administration cheating plan to offset the opposition leads in Metro Manila and Luzon.

Aparri said that as in the 2004 elections, the opposition’s lead is expected to be wiped out with the vote, coming in from Cebu, Iloilo and Bohol. The coup de grace would come from Mindanao.

Opposition standard-bearer Fernando Poe Jr.’s lead was wiped out when the votes from Cebu, Iloilo and Bohol and the President’s lead of one million was completed when the votes from special elections and the ARMM provinces were finally submitted as the last provinces to be canvassed, Aparri said.

Winning circle

“The idea is to push the senatorial bids of [Miguel] Zubiri, [Michael] Defensor and [Prospero] Pichay, among others, into the winning circle, even if they land in the last slots,” Aparri said.

“The magic number to add is at least two million votes in Oplan Mercury Rising provinces, roughly an average of 100,000 leads in about 20 provinces,” he said.

Bantay Boto said the needed votes would turn up in five provinces—Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sharif Kabunsuan and new additions in the oplan Sultan Kudarat and Surigao del Sur—which have a combined 1,349,410 registered voters.

Bantay Boto alleges that pre-computed totals from the five provinces would show Defensor leading all candidates with 967,434 votes, followed by Pichay with 960,898 votes.

Pangilinan would place third with 958,372 votes and Zubiri would be in the fourth spot with 954,361.

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Reports 41 cases of poll-related fraud and violence in 37 towns,cities nationwide

Kabataan Party-list strongly condemned the numerous cases of poll-related terror and violence that is marking the 2007 elections.

The youth party-list made the statement following the brutal murders of Jun Bagasbas, 20 years old, and Ronilo Vallevare, 16 years old, both Kabataan organizers and poll watchers in Camarines Norte.

Bagasbas and Vallevare were found dead of multiple gunshot wounds after they were abducted by suspected military elements last May 15. The AFP in Bicol quickly attributed their deaths to an alleged encounter between the New Peoples’ Army and the military in the province.

“We do not believe it for one minute and we are disgusted by this obvious attempt by the military to cover-up. This malicious and false finger-pointing is similar to the school-burning incident in Batangas which was reportedly carried out by NPA rebels but turned out to be the doings of none other than police forces,” said Raymond Palatino, national president and nominee.

Palatino held the Arroyo government accountable for failure to stem poll-related terrorism and violence.

Task Force Poll Watch 2007, a monitoring, documentation and quick reaction team formed by progressive party-lists Bayan Muna, Gabriela, Anakpawis, Kabataan and Suara has presently documented 41 separate cases of poll-related fraud and violence covering 37 towns and cities, including areas in Masbate, North Cotabato, Lanao del Sur, Isabela and Camarines Norte. (see attached table)

Aside from Kabataan’s Bagasbas and Vallevare, Palatino also cited the cases of Anakpawis poll watcher Noly Gonzales of Cagayan Valley who went missing since May 16. Before his disappearance he was banned by police and goons to perform canvass watching tasks for Anakpawis.

In Puerto Princesa, Palawan, intelligence officers of the AFP West Command abducted Joven Abrina and a certain Saam of Bayan Muna at around 3pm on May 18. They remain missing as of press time.

“These killings and cases of political harassment are the worst forms of electoral fraud. They are setting a dangerous climate of election-time terror. They plunder our votes, prosecute innocents and put to death young defenders of democracy,” Palatino said.

Palatino cited TFPW’s documented forms of military and police involvement in the 2007 elections as follows:

Abduction and salvaging of progressive party-list leaders and poll watchers;
Illegal presence inside canvass areas or roaming around polling places and cavass areas;
Harassment of voters and forcing them not to vote progressive party-lists and instead vote for Bantay, TUCP, etc.;
Transporting of ballot boxes in canvass areas;
Banning party-list pollwatchers inside the canvass areas and selecting only those they want to allow to enter;
Acting as bodyguards of candidates;
Presence of APC and 6×6 trucks near polling places and canvass areas;
Police counting votes in precincts;
Shooting and wounding of party-list leaders;
Burning of school rooms;
Illegal arrest of poll watchers, and;
Threatening Comelec officials. ###

Palatino held the Arroyo government accountable for failure to stem poll-related terrorism and violence.

He added, for instance, that cases of military harassment against members and organizers of progressive party-lists escalated in the Bicol region since election campaign period kicked in. (see attached table)

“These killings and cases of political harassment against the youth are the worst forms of electoral fraud. They are setting a dangerous climate of election-time terror. They plunder our votes, prosecute innocents and put to death young defenders of democracy,” Palatino said. ###

ELECTION-TIME TERROR
CASES FROM THE BICOL REGION
Updated 1PM / May 18, 2007

May 16, 2007
Capalonga, Camarines Norte — Jun Bagasbas, 20 years old, of Ulipanan Jose Panganiban; and Ronilo Vallevare, 16 years old, of Brgy. Old Camp Capalonga, both Kabataan organizers and poll watchers, were abducted by suspected soldiers on May 15.

The two were on their way home after delivering food to Kabataan Party-list volunteers when they were abducted by uniformed men near the Brgy. Old Camp Capalong polling place.

They next day, May 16, they were found dead along the boundaries of Brgys. Mataqui and Catabaguangan, Capalonga, Camarines Norte.

On the same day, the military issued a statement that Bagasbas and Vallevare were civilian casualties of an encounter between the New People’s Army and the AFP on May 15.

May 14, 2007
Brgy. Pinaghaluban, Barcelona, Sorsogon — Bayan Muna Partylist poll watchers were denied entry to precincts by the BEIs citing a military briefing branding Bayan Muna, Gabriela, Anakpawis, Kabataan, Suara as communist fronts.

Bulan, Sorsogon – Canvass watchers were forced to leave the canvassing center due to intimidation by known military intelligence operatives in the vicinity of the canvass center.

Gubat, Sorsogon — Gunsalo Escolano alias Piket, a member of the AFP intelligence division, together with his two companions conducted an illegal body search on Bong Olivares, a poll watcher of the five progressive partylists, while the latter was buying E-load outside the canvassing area.

Kabataan Party-list strongly condemns ¬¬the abduction and murder of two of its poll watchers in Capalonga, Camarines Norte.

Jun Bagasbas, 20 years old, of Ulipanan Jose Panganiban; and Ronilo Vallevare, 16 years old, of Brgy. Old Camp Capalonga, both Kabataan organizers and poll watchers, were abducted by suspected soldiers on May 15.

The two were on their way home after delivering food to Kabataan Party-list volunteers when they were abducted by uniformed men near the Brgy. Old Camp Capalong polling place.

They next day, May 16, they were found dead along the boundaries of Brgys. Mataqui and Catabaguangan, Capalonga, Camarines Norte.

On the same day, the military issued a statement that Bagasbas and Vallevare were civilian casualties of an encounter between the New People’s Army and the AFP on May 15.

“This is a very sad period for all vigilant youth and citizens. First the heroic deaths of two teachers in Batangas and now the senseless killing of two youths who have vowed to protect the votes of the youth and people,” said Raymond Palatino, national president and nominee.

“We condemn the brutal murders of Jun and Ronilo. This extra-judicial killing is undoubtedly election and political-related. We hold the government accountable for failing to address the climate of impunity that has permeated this election period at the onset. We will not rest until justice is served.”

Kabataan Party-list called on the Comelec to immediately conduct an investigation on the killings.

Kabataan Party-list is set to hold an indignation rally in front of Comelec at 4pm today. ###

Kabataan Party-list received reports last night of vote-shaving in Gamay and Lavirez towns in Northern Samar.

According to Kabataan’s official canvass watchers in the province, 200 votes for the youth party-list became a mere 14 votes during the canvassing.

Kabataan’s canvass watchers protested but the Board of Election Inspectors refused to correct the irregularity.

Party-list Task Force Poll Watch is set to send a legal team to look into the matter. ###

Kabataan Party-list received reports at 12:10pm today that two of its canvass watchers in La Union were harassed by military elements and prevented from entering the provincial canvassing center.

Luis Santos and Paula Espiritu recounted that they were on their way to the provincial capitol to relieve the morning canvass watch shift when they were blocked by military and police elements in a checkpoint.

They were asked to line up and present their identification. Santos and Espiritu complied and showed their canvass watch IDs.

Upon seeing that they were members and volunteers of Kabataan Party-list, one of the soldiers reportedly said, “Nandito ang best friend mo.”

The chief of police immediately approached them and told them that they were not needed in the canvassing.

While undergoing verbal harassment by the soldiers and policemen, the two noticed that an intelligence officer was taking their photographs and video footages.

Santos and Espiritu eventually decided to quit their attempt to reach the provincial capitol and headed back home. ###