Interpreting Major News Events in the Philippines

Lately, there have been major news events in the Philippines, making it worth the time to surf the influential newspapers and other media outlets of the country in the Internet. Millions of Filipinos must be overwhelmed by now by the speed with which certain news have developed. The question is: how should these news be interpreted or analyzed in the light of the major socio-political problems besetting the country? I believe everyone has a right to create his own interpretation of the news. But deciphering its (the news) meaning and significance can be easy and somewhat patriotic if we always ask whether such earth-shaking news will improve our rotten socio-political system and save the country from ruins.
Thus, foremost among the news from the Philippines that should merit the attention and varied opinions of millions of Filipinos is the success with which the Commission on Elections is having in selecting a company that will produce automated voting machines for the 2010 presidential elections. So far, no problems are being reported. This is encouraging. And then there is this news about the merger of Lakas and Kampi, two major political parties allied with the Arroyo administration. President Arroyo would like millions of Filipinos to believe that the merger of these two parties means that the 2010 polls will push through. It is an indirect way of soothing the nerves of millions of Filipino voters who are unsure whether elections in 2010 will be held, considering the other diversionary developments occurring such as Charter Change campaign in the House of Representatives and the continuing silence of President Arroyo on whether she will not seek an extension of her term. She still cannot face the Filipino people and say: I will not extend my term beyond what is stipulated by the Constitution. Right now, the merger of these two parties should be interpreted to mean nothing more than a sudden consolidation of political power in response to the mounting politicalization of the Filipino people. Millions of Filipinos are now aware that they can make a difference when they participate in the electoral process. For sure, they will bring a peaceful change in the currently-rotten socio-political system marked by widespread corruption and abuse of power. And then there is this sex-video scandal that can be interpreted to mean that the moral fiber of the country has reached its core. It is therefore incumbent upon the millions of Filipinos to lend support to its leaders in the Senate, especially Senator Madrigal, who are conducting a hearing about the scandal. This should lead to the creation of important legislations regarding privacy rights, video piracy, pornography, unauthorized Internet uploads and, most of all, the airtight protection of women and children from sexual predators.

COMELEC -- Is it Committed to Ensure 2010 Polls?

When Comelec Chairman Jose Melo publicly expressed a no-elections scenario in a media interview, one is tempted to air a word of doubt on the sincerity and resolve of Comelec to hold the 2010 elections. Chairman's Melo untimely disclosure of a nightmarish event that can ensue two months before the holding of the presidential elections smacks of an amateurish attempt to sow doubt in the minds of millions of Filipino voters and would-be voters that the 2010 elections will be held. Right now, throngs of Filipinos all over the archipelago are lining up in their respective precints to register and vote in next year's elections. It is a momentum that has began on May 11 when ABS-CBN launched its Boto Mo I-patrol Mo (BMPM) project to encourage Filipinos to exercise their right of suffrage and participate in the holding of clean elections. Other election watchdogs and private groups followed, including the church, in waking a lethargic citizenry about participating in the coming elections. And now, it looks like Comelec appears unprepared to the daunting task ahead. The first automated polls since the declaration of Philippine independence will be held in 2010. And the poll body, at the outset, is showing a kind of weakness and confusion that only offsets the enthusiasm of the entire Filipino nation about the relevance of the 2010 polls. Instead of negative thinking, Comelec should assure an excited nation that the 2010 elections will push through no matter what. It should complete its bidding procedure right away and pick the winning bidder so that the automated machines can be built and checked and shipped to precints all over the Philippines. Furthermore, Comelec should fully inform the Filipino people about the progress of its work to hold the 2010 polls. It should have a daily press briefing where news and information about the 2010 polls will be relayed to the entire nation. Comelec officials should show to the country that they are in control, are committed and determined to work for the 2010 elections. They should assure the Filipino people that if necessary, they will move heaven and earth in order to ensure that 2010 elections are held.

Opposition Forces Should Link Up Now

While the road to May 2010 polls has remained unobstructed, events of the past few days seemed to suggest otherwise. Comelec has hinted a no-election scenario, whereby losing bidders can go to the Supreme Court to question the bidding process and delay or postpone the presidential elections. This could happen, according to the Comelec chairman, two months before elections are to be held. One would ask if there is an organized plot to delay or block the holding of the 2010 elections. Meanwhile, the drive to push through with the Charter change has gained full steam. The end-result of this is the holding of a Constitutional Assembly to change the Charter, in other words, change the form of government to a parliamentary one. Election watchdogs and citizen movements have been formed to see to it that the cleanest elections will be achieved in 2010. The goals of these groups, which are undeniably a part of the greater opposition forces working to "change" a corrupt society, are noteworthy; however, it is still important that all these forces vying for attention from a seemingly uninvolved populace should start to link up and share strategies and analyses with each other.