Happy Holidays!

We shall find peace. We shall hear angels. We shall see the sky sparkling with diamonds.
- Anton Chekov



(Photo from NASA.)

Just So You Know, Attila the Hun Called Himself "The Scourge of God."

From Inquirer.Net story Pacquiao: I had a talk with God:

"In my 31 years here on earth, God appeared to me once and told me to have unconditional faith in Him... I was not yet very popular and world champion when our God appeared to me and assured me of strength and power,” he said.

Well, now. Which deity is this, pray tell us, Manny? Does your church know about this apparition?

HELL, NO.

Albayanons are In Need. Let's Help.

From Inquirer.Net story Remaining villagers start fleeing Mayon danger zone:

Just over 9,200 families or nearly 44,400 people had already taken shelter in the evacuation centers since Mayon started belching ash, steam and lava last week.

If the alert level is raised to five, meaning that an eruption is in progress, another 16,000 villagers living beyond the danger zone would also have to be evacuated as a precautionary measure, (Albay governor Joey) Salceda said.

Folks, the Filipinos need help, just like when Ondoy and Pepeng swept through the country. We did a lot of good then; let's do what we can now. I know it's the holidays and our thoughts are on home and hearth, but do let's think about those who need cheer even more than we do.

Accepting donations to help out our Albayanons is:

Citizens Disaster Response Center
72-A Times St, West Triangle, Quezon City
Tel. (+632) 929-9820

I hope we all can do a little something. We all know we can.

(Thanks to Plurker cheftonio for the contact information.)

formspring.me

Ask me anything, but don't expect anything serious. http://formspring.me/jesterinexile

Kafagway's Candidates: 79 People Contesting 15 Seats

If you Kafagway kids haven't read today's Midland, you might have missed the report on the candidates running for city government positions. So, then, find the list below.

Sure you can leave comments, Kafagway kids, if you like, about the candidates. A caveat, however: I'm not in the mood to approve anonymous comments on candidates. If you want a good idea of what I consider anonymous, check out El Hombre Komikero's take on what anonymity is; I'm in fair agreement with him. Discussion, however, is welcome; we all want the best for the city, don't we?

Okay, then. The list.

(Source: Baguio Midland Courier, Sunday, December 20, 2009)

Candidates for congressman (9 for 1 seat):

Avila, Edgar (PMP)
Balisong, Rocky Tomas (NP) -- incumbent councilor
Bautista jr., Reinaldo (Ind) -- incumbent mayor
Bello III, Dwight (Ind)
Quilala, Rabindranath (PDP)
Yangot jr., Leandro (LP)
Yaranon, Braulio (LDP)
Vergara, Bernardo (Lakas-Kampi)

Candidates for mayor (10 for 1 seat):

Domogan, Mauricio (Lakas-Kampi) -- incumbent congressman
Labo, Ramon (Ind)
Barcelo, Ruben (Ind)
Busacay-Lazo, Erlinda (Ind)
Hernandez, Guillermo (Ind)
Mandapat, Julius (Ind)
Puzon, Peter (Ind)
Sembrano, Elaine (Ind) -- incumbent councilor
Molintas, Jose (LP)
Go, Marquez (PMP)

Candidates for vice-mayor (3 for 1 seat):

Farinas, Daniel (NP) -- incumbent vice-mayor
Olowan, Faustino (LP/PDSP)
Domalsin, Carol (LDP)

Candidates for councilor (57 for 12 seats):

Acosta, Voltaire
Adube, Laurence
Aliping, Nicasio -- incumbent, seeking re-election
Alladiw, Arthur
Antolin, Gerardo
Aquino, Odell
Araos, Anthony
Asiatico, Carlos
Bagbagen, Fred -- incumbent, seeking re-election
Balajadia, Erdolfo -- incumbent, seeking re-election
Beltran, Edgar
Bilog, Edison
Carino, Richard -- incumbent, seeking re-election
Carlos, Richard
Clemente, Emmanuel
Cortes jr., Antonio
Cosalan jr, Isabelo -- incumbent, seeking re-election
Coteng, Robin
Dangatan, Patrick
Daoas, Sonia
Datuin, Elmer
David, Roi
Del Cerna, Wilfredo
Delson, Rafael
Diaz, Reynaldo
Dumawing jr, George
Duque, Edgardo
Fangonon, Fred
Fianza, Peter
Gandeza, Roney
Gapuz, Edilberto
Gumnad, Pablito
Lardizabal, Orlando
Macadangdang, Benjamin
Marrero, Joseph
Mascarinas, Antolin
Maskay, Mabini
Mazo, Alan
Ocampo, Roberto
Olarte jr, Jose
Ortega, Alexander
Palaganas, Nicasio -- incumbent, seeking re-election
Padilla, Narciso
Panagan, Rufino
Paragas, Rodolfo
Perez, Ronado
Pilando, Lorenzo
Quilop, Arturo
Reyes, Alberto
Rondez, Perlita -- incumbent, seeking re-election
Tabanda, Betty Lourdes -- incumbent, seeking re-election
Tabora-Tuason, Cynthia
Teliaken, Lourdes
Tenefrancia, Edilberto
Wasan, Rafael
Weygan, Philian
Zarate, Richard

Apologies for the lack of party affiliations for the candidates for those aspiring for city council. The information wasn't on the paper. Oh, and any misspellings would be the Midland's fault; I copied the names verbatim.

***
Off the top of my head, I'd say the list has just affirmed my belief to shun Nacionalistas and Lakas-Kampi politicians in general. Lord knows that there's already much that's been said about the candidates by other people; heck, Baguio is a small town, and the people here have long memories.

I may change my mind after (if and when) I listen to what the candidates have to say for themselves (yes, the candidate might just be a good man in NP or PaLaKa clothing). Who knows?

It's not too early to start making our May 2010 lists, and checking them twice.

Political Parody in the Digital Age: Akala Mo Lang Pala

UPDATE 12/22/2009, about half an hour or so later: The video IS available. It was simply a PLDT MyDSL problem. Yay for customer service representatives who are of absolutely no help whatsoever.

UPDATE 12/22/2009: The video is no longer available, for some reason. I will visit the channel again to see if the author has changed the upload or has completely removed it. Pity, too, as parody is protected speech and has long been a part of political history.

This video is sourced from the YouTube channel of corruptcankissmyass:



Well. Someone certainly is vehemently opposed to Manny Villar.

***
Watching out for parodies and spoofs of political ads will be fun. Let's go and find them, shall we?

A Quick Look at the Websites of Presidential Parties. Bleh.

(UPDATE: A small correction below.)

Contesting the presidential and vice-presidential seats are the following political parties: Ang Kapatiran, Bagumbayan party, Bangon Pilipinas, Kilusang Bagong Lipunan, Lakas-Kampi-CMD, the Liberal Party, the Nacionalista Party, and Puwersa ng Masang Pilipino

Following on my first post on Blogwatch.ph, I've decided to take a look at these parties websites.

All of my screen caps were made today, and I decided to explore the websites for what I believe to be vital for such sites: party platform, planned legislation, list of national candidates, contact information, and a volunteer link. Nope, I won't talk about aesthetics. Pangit na kung pangit.

Ang Kapatiran



By far, Ang Kapatiran has the least helmsman-oriented website (http://www.angkapatiranparty.com). It presents all of its candidates with equal emphasis. I couldn't see a link to a platform of governance and proposed program of legislation; all I could see was an About blurb. Unusual for a political website was the presence of the advertisements. I mean, really -- ads? LOL.

Oh, and by the way? They are not on the voter's list I'm preparing for me. Anti-RH platform? Well, screw you, JC and company.

Bagumbayan



Bagumbayan's website (http://www.bagumbayan-vnp.com) looks more like a corporate blurb than anything else. The About page is full of buzzwords. Even more odd is that their presidential candidate Richard Gordon has very little in the way of exposure (what there is of it here), and their vice presidential candidate Bayani Fernando (thanks for the correction, OneTamad) has none. No platforms or planned legislation. Also, there are no contact details, just a Donate link.

Now why would I donate to a movement whose office address I don't know at all, would someone please explain; I certainly don't want my campaign going to a villa in San Francisco.

Bangon Pilipinas



Two words: Brother Eddie. Absolutely no mention of their senatorial candidates. About, Donate, and Volunteer links that don't work. No platform or planned legislation.

Rather useful for us cyberdenizens, don't you think?

Kilusang Bagong Lipunan



'Nuff said about the KBL.

Lakas-Kampi-CMD



Two words: Mwahahahahahahaha. Instead of showcasing their standard-bearers Gibo Teodoro and Edu Manzano, and their senatorial slate, they highlight GMA. They have a link to their constitution, a link to a membership form, and a contact information page.

The website makes you think that it's a Gloria Forever website.

Liberal Party



The Liberal Party's website has a platform (finally, one party does), but aside from mentions of top candidates Noynoy Aquino and Mar Roxas (with a little bit of emphasis on veep candidate Roxas, it seems), there are no other front-page mentions of their slate. There is a Join page and a contact information page.

All in all, the LP website has all the elements we need to learn about to consider voting for them, except one tiny detail: who the effing hell are the Liberals that we will be voting for? It isn't a party-list organization, is it?

Nacionalista Party



Oh, yeah. Manny Villar's backup website. No platform or legislative agenda, just a History page and an About Us page. No mention of the other NP candidates. Contact information on the Feedback page, and no volunteer information beyond that on the FAQ page.

Yep, the only Nacionalista we can vote for is Manny. Oh well.

Puwersa ng Masang Pilipino



'Nuff said about the PMP.

***
Pardon me while I cringe. Yet another reflection of stone-age politics, eh?

Note to self: Google searches are not too useful for Pinoy voters.

Filipino politicians. Bleh.

COMELEC Sez: The Temple of the Votes of the People is Reserved Only For Believers in the Bible and the Qu'ran

During a press conference right after taking his oath, Melo said the Comelec needs to change its tainted image.

"Let's stop being called the raiders of the temple of the votes of the people. Let us be called the re-builders of the temple of the votes of the people," Melo said.

He hopes to uplift the image of the Comelec by being an example himself.

"I will just behave properly" and be open to media, he said when asked by reporters how he intends to become an example.

- From Inquirer.net story Melo is Comelec chairman, first posted March 25, 2008 and updated three times afterwards

Whatever gains Comelec Chairman Jose Melo has had in restoring faith in the Commission on Elections have just suffered several broadsides, low and to the waterline, in just a few days. Today, we'll focus on one: the denial of party-list organization Ang Ladlad's plea for inclusion in the 2010 electoral exercise.

***
The decision denying Ang Ladlad's participation in the elections released last Thursday, affirming the original decision made November 11, 2009 puts Chairman Melo squarely to blame for this ludicrous and idiotic decision, with his tie-breaking vote against Ang Ladlad.

This is the legal justification used by Comelec Second Division Commissioners Nicodemo Ferrer, Lucenito Tagle and Elias Yusoph (possibly members of a recent offshoot of Australopithecus philippinensis): that Ang Ladlad violates Section 6 of RA 7941, The Party-List Law, specifically:

Sec. 6. Removal and/or Cancellation of Registration. - The COMELEC may motu proprio or upon verified complaint of any interested party, remove or cancel, after due notice and hearing, the registration of any national, regional or sectoral party, organization or coalition on any of the following grounds:

xxx
It violates or fails to comply with laws, rules or regulations relating to elections;

It declares untruthful statements in its petition;

xxx

This is what the November 11 decision says:

Despite the foregoing, however, this Petition is dismissible on moral grounds. Petitioner defines the Filipino Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Community, thus:

"xxx a marginalized and under-represented sector that is particularly disadvantaged because of their sexual orientation and gender identity."

and proceeded to define sexual orientation as that which:

"xxx refer to a person's capacity for profound emotional, affectional and sexual attraction to, and intimate and sexual relations with, individuals of a different qender, of the same gender, or more than one gender."

This definition of the LGBT sector makes it crystal clear that petitioner tolerates immorality which offends religious beliefs. In Romans 1:26, 27, Paul wrote:

"For this cause God gave them up into vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet".

In the Koran, the hereunder verses are pertinent:

"For ye practice your lusts on men in preference to women "ye are indeed a people transgressing beyond bounds." (7.81). "And we rained down on them a shower (of brimstone): Then see what was the end of those who indulged in sin and crime!" (7:84) "He said: "0 my Lord! Help Thou me against people who do mischief!""(29:30)."

As correctly pointed out by the Law Department in its Comment dated October 2, 2008:

"The 'ANG LADLAD' apparently advocates sexual immorality as indicated in the Petition's par. 6F: 'Consensual partnerships or relationships by gays and lesbians who are already of age." It is further indicated in par. 24 of the Petition which waves for the record: In 2007, Men Having Sex with Men or MSMs in the Philippines were estimated at 670,000." (Genesis 19 is the history of Sodom and Gomorrah).

Laws are deemed incorporated in every contract, permit, license, relationship or accreditation. Hence, pertinent provisions of the Civil Code and the Revised Penal Code are deemed part of the requirement to be complied with for accreditation.

ANG LADLAD collides with Art. 694 of the Civil Code which defines nuisance as 'Any act, omission, establishment, business, condition of property, or anything else which xxx (3) shocks, defies; or disregards decency or morality xxx'

It also collides with Art. 1306 of the Civil Code: 'The contracting parties may establish such stipulations, clauses, terms and conditions as they may deem convenient, provided they are not contrary to law, morals, qood customs, public order or public policy. Art. 1409 of the Civil Code provides that 'Contracts whose cause, object or purpose is contrary to law, morals, good customs, public order or public policy' are inexistent and void from the beginning.

Finally, to safeguard the morality of the Filipino community, the Revised Penal Code, as amended, penalizes 'Immoral doctrines, obscene publications and exhibition and indecent shows' as follows:

"Art. 201. Immoral doctrines, obscene publications and exhibitions and indecent shows. - The penalty of prision mayor or a fine ranging from six thousand to twelve thousand pesos, or both such imprisonment and fine, shall be imposed upon:

(1) Those who shall publicly expound or proclaim doctrines openly contrary to public morals;

(2) (a) the authors of obscene literature, published with their knowledge in any form; the editors publishing such literature; and the owners/operators of the establishment selling the same;

(b) Those who, in theaters, fairs, cinematographs or any other place, exhibit, indecent or immoral plays, scenes, acts or shows, whether live or in film, which are prescribed by virtue hereof, shall include those which (1) glorify criminals or condone crimes;

(2) serve no other purpose but to satisfy the market for violence, lust or pornography; (3) offend any race or religion; (4) tend to abet traffic in and use of prohibited drugs; and (5) are contrary to law, public order, morals and good customs, established policies, lawful orders, decrees and edicts;

(3) Those who shall sell, give away or exhibit films, prints, engravings, sculpture or literature which are offensive to morals. (As amended by PD Nos. 960 and 969)."

Petitioner should be denied accreditation not only for advocating immoral doctrines but likewise for not being truthful when it said that it "or any of its nominees/party-list representatives have not violated or failed to comply with laws, rules, or regulations relating to the elections".

Not content with their tenuous logic, the COMELEC said:

Furthermore, should this Commission grant the petition, we will be exposing our youth to an environment that does not conform to the teachings of our faith. Lehman Strauss, a famous bible teacher and writer in the U.S.A said in one article that "older practicing homosexuals are a threat to the youth". As an agency of the government, ours too is the State's avowed duty under Section 13, Article II of the Constitution to protect our youth from moral and spiritual degradation.

All hail the new Torquemadists.

***

Here are the issues I would raise in reply.

That the COMELEC erred in the decision, by claiming that granting Ang Ladlad's petition is tantamount to bringing about "an environment that does not conform to the teachings of our faith," a claim tantamount to professing the existence of a State-established religion, of which our laws must be subservient to, which is violative of Article III, Section 5 of the Constitution, and thus the decision is unconstitutional;

That even if such a claim had constitutional basis, the COMELEC erred in the decision by claiming without evidence and factual basis that Ang Ladlad "apparently advocates sexual immorality", citing sources that are not legally persuasive and therefore must not be given credence, and showing no evidence whatsoever that homosexuals and homosexual behavior pose a clear and present danger to the general public;

That even if such sources can be found to be legally persuasive, they do not reflect the objective reality that is that the LGBT community in the Philippines are no less Filipino than the non-LGBT sector and therefore must not enjoy any diminution in rights, and that to use these sources in the Philippine context is to perpetrate the discrimination of a part of the Filipino people, which is violative of Article III, Section 1 of the Constitution, which guarantees that no Filipino will be denied equal protection of the laws, and therefore making the decision unconstitutional.

Okay, so I'm not a lawyer. Whatever, man. The point is that the decision is, so blatantly and self-evidently, flawed, that even a non-lawyer like me can put such arguments across.

(A note to those who love justice and law as much as I do: sadly, the Philippines is not a signatory to the United Nations draft declaration on sexual orientation and gender identity, and therefore we cannot claim that we are bound by international law or treaty.)

***
Let's make it real clear and real simple, folks.

The COMELEC had no basis in law to deny Ang Ladlad's petition. They denied Ang Ladlad anyway, using justifications that promote intolerance and bigotry, justifications that have no place in our democracy.

Shame. Shame, indeed. Writers and historians, lawyers and citizens, remember these names: Jose Melo, Nicodemo Ferrer, Lucenito Tagle, Elias Yusoph. Remember their names and remember how cavalierly they denied our fellow citizens the right to participate in our democratic processes.

***
Yes, folks, I'm back, although I'm off my groove, it seems. We'll might talk about it later.

Right now, we have pea-brains to fry.