Important Issue in Philippines Election 2010: Corruption and Accountability

Like most Filipinos who got to watch the correspondent episode "Kung Di Ukol, Bubukol" (1, 2, 3, 4), there's a great sense of pity and hopelessness on the situation of our country today.

The said episode showed how the relationship between China and the Philippines had improve in this present administration. This reminds me of the controversy that emerged on the acquisition of National Transmission Corporation by an RP-Chinese group where the closeness and bidding process was questioned.

The controversy sparked two issues that a presidential candidate must have a clear stand:

• Does he or she perceived the partnership agreement to explore the Spratly Islands legitimate or constitutional? Will it be continued?
  
• Will the current administration be investigated for corruption and if proven, make them liable for their acts?
  

Of course, voters who are in favor or not for the above concerns can make a decision on who they want to support.

Share your thoughts on important issues on the Philippines 2010 Elections today.

From People Power to 2010 Elections

Many thanks to Lester for his post "Paalala ng Pasimuno ng People Power" as it gave me the necessary perk up to do this blog post.

People Power I
I have not participated or given support to People Power. I was raised in a family surrounded by relatives who appreciated the time of Ferdinand Marcos. So when the 1986 People Power revolution was happening, as expected, we were glued to pro-government TV programs at that time condemning the actions that were happening then. I was 15 years old.

A few months after People Power, government officials who were supportive started falling out. The political prisoners that were set free causing problems again to the administration and numerous coup attempts only made me think how much mess we were in (not knowing any better in analyzing the situation at that time).

People Power II
During the time of People Power II, I had strong faith with our legislative and judiciary handling the impeachment trial. I'm biased as the year 1999 and 2000 gave me the opportunity to bear witness the passage of the Y2K Law and E-Commerce Law. My faith, idealism, and appreciation of the legislative process and the people voted for was at its highest that time. I believed in due process and the rule of law. That belief though has further casted me out in certain circles, for not being supportive immediately gives you the identity of being pro-administration even if you are not.

When People Power II became victorious. I felt that our impatience will result to even greater suffering.

The clamor for people in power today for due process has no moral ground for a lot of them were the ones who short-circuit our rule of law way back. At the same time, those calling for another People Power, some of them were partly responsible for putting those people in power now and thus, the situation and hardship we are in.

Regardless on who is in power, due process, rule of law, and vigilance against corruption should prevail. Else, the power-grab and corruption cycle will never end. But of course, that is only my small and very unpopular opinion.

2010 Philippine Elections
I guess my above biases partly triggered the creation of this blog and the call for bloggers and Filipino Internet users to share their thoughts about the 2010 Philippine Elections.

Thank you: Cebu Bloggers and Planning for Visayan Bloggers Summit

Many thanks to Sun.Star (Nini Cabaero, Max Limpag, Marlen Limpag and the web team) for hosting the Cebu Bloggers Meet-Up last night at iBrowse Internet Cafe.

Here are some of the photos taken at the event. Please share your photos as well.

The meet-up program started around 7 pm with Nini Cabaero giving a welcome to everyone. Afterwards, i presented the idea of bloggers participating actively in the Philippines 2010 elections, issues that were raised to date, and encouraging everyone to collate and create a matrix of issues on the local level.

Marlen Limpag also shared Sun.Star's experience in doing election coverage and challenges that they encountered with it.

During the open forum, every participant shared their insights and hope they will blog about it. I will link them here once they have posted.

• Disinterestedness in a postmodern night with the creatures of modernity
  
• Blogging in the Time of Living Dangerously
• LP Voted Against JDV, What's the Problem?
• Narco-politics and the 2010 elections
  
• Virgin No More
  

Another thing being thought now is the organization of a Visayan Bloggers Summit this August to get bloggers in the region together, be connected, and exchange insights on a variety of topics (from learning to blog, earning from blogging, photoblogging, vlogging, podcasting, and of course political blogging). If this idea sparks your interest and will be interested to help out, hope you can leave a comment here.

February 7: Cebu Bloggers Meet-Up

Late last year, I have been chatting with Max Limpag about Blogging for the Philippines 2010 Elections and agreed to organize a similar session in Cebu. Finally, here it is.

Thanks to Sun.Star, we will be having a small bloggers get together hoping to share developments about this. This will be at I-Browse Internet Cafe, Ground Floor, Quest Homes Dormitory beside Cebu Doctor's University (fronting Sun Gold Marketing) North Reclamation Area, Cebu City.

Program outline shall be as follows:

6:00-6:15 pm Registration
6:15 - 6:30 Bloggers introduction
6:30 - 7:00 Blogging and the Philippines 2010 Elections
7:00 - 7:30 Sun.Star Blogging Initiatives and Experience
7:30 onwards discussion

This small meet-up is free. Kindly leave a comment here or at Max Limpag's blog to confirm your attendance. Thank you.