Category: Politics

Blog Watch Press Conference

Posted by Rochelle Sy Chua On November 25, 2009

Blogwatch

Yesterday, Blog Watch held its press conference at Max’s Restaurant along Jupiter Street in Makati.  We formally launched the site which aim to give Filipinos what they need in order to be a better-educated voter in time for the 2010 elections.

Blog Watch aims to cover underplayed stories in various formats (podcast, video, articles) that traditional media cannot cover due to limited resources and time.  Our stories are those that promote voter’s education & automated elections, campaign fund sources & expenditures, background of candidates, platforms, social issues & commentaries on current election scene & the candidates.

The event was sponsored by Philippine Online Chronicles, a news & features website under Vibal Foundation and also where Blogwatch.PH is in.

Sharing with you the Program during the press launch:

  • Introduction by Kristine Mandigma, Program Director of The Philippine Online Chronicles & Blogwatch.
  • The Role of Bloggers as New Media in the Philippine 2010 Elections by Ed Lingao, Multimedia Media Content Producer for Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ).
  • Blogging & Journalism by Marck Romorin, Blogwatch.ph writer.
  • Features & Plans of Blogwatch.ph by Noemi Dado, Project Editor of Blogwatch.ph.

This is a video that we have from blogwatch, which is a teaser of what the site is all about.

And this is our group photo which we took right after the event:
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So far, I have written 4 articles for Blog Watch.
And I hope you can read the rest of the articles and see you commenting at http://www.blogwatch.ph.

Pictures from the event can be found here.

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Get to Know the 2010 Automated Election Machine

Posted by Rochelle Sy Chua On November 22, 2009

pcos

Hello, I am the 2010 Automated Election Machine.

I would like to introduce myself. My name is Precinct Count Optical Scan but you can call me P.C.O.S.

For the 1st time in history, the Philippines will be embracing technology and will transform greatly the electoral system of the country.  I’m so glad to be part of the history.

I’m so honored to be one helping the Philippines move away from the known flaws of the old ways. I am proud to say goodbye to dagdag-bawas.

Why am I here?  What can I do to make your election accurate, easier & faster?  What can I do to protect your ballot & guarantee who you voted for will truly win?

  • You will not need to count and canvass for your local & national election. I will do it for you. There will be room for no mistakes.
  • I will limit/remove flying voters. If a precinct has 400 registered voters, I will only accept 400 voters.
  • I will not accept over voting. This means, if you voted for 2 candidates for president, I will not count it. I will count the rest of the ballot though, so your votes will still be counted for other positions.
  • Since I will do all your counting & canvassing, we will not tire our teachers for days & weeks.

I know you want to get to know me better. And what better way than to show you my parts, right?

PCOS parts

  • Feeder – After you filled up your ballots, this is where you will personally feed your ballots to me! I accept any orientation, except sideways, of course.
  • Touch Screen – This is going to be used by the Board of Election Inspectors (BEI) to have a conversation with me. It is also where I let you know of messages like for you, voter, a confirmation that you have cast your ballot.
  • Thermal Printer – The same kind of printer you will find at your local fast food restaurant. But instead of a receipt, I print out election returns, an audit trail, and transmission of returns. And no, I’m not cheap. I only use high quality paper that lasts at least five years.
  • Backup Battery – It’s there to keep me going and going for up to 16 hours. This is just in case there is a power failure. Voting time is between 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. This is so we will be ready for any suprises! 🙂

Last week, Smartmatic, my maker explained all this during the Bagong Botante event. And yes, we have videos!!! So here, check it out:

Before I go, here is a demo made by COMELEC. It shows how I’m going to be used during the elections next year. So, can I just say, it was a pleasure to meet you and hope to see you at the Polls!!! 🙂

This article is also posted on Blogwatch.PH.

References:

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The RH Bill Talk with Risa Hontiveros

Posted by Rochelle Sy Chua On November 20, 2009

The RH Bill Talk with Risa Hontiveros

What is the RH Bill? House Bill No. 5043 or the Reproductive Health & Population Development Act of 2008 is an act providing for a national policy on reproductive health, responsible parenthood & population development.

Why am I blogging about this? Well you see, last week, I had the chance to meet with Liberal Party senatorial candidate & AKBAYAN representative, Risa Hontiveros. On a personal note, I was really impressed with how Risa Hontiveros greeted us. She could have just seated and said her piece, but she went around the room and shook our hands one by one. Now that’s what we call courtesy.

So anyway, one of many things that Congresswoman Risa Hontiveros (now senatorial candidate) talked about and is focused on, is a platform on Health & Women. The RH Bill, which she discussed in depth during our meet, fall into that.

Here are the guiding principles of the RH Bill:

  • freedom of choice with no bias for either modern or natural method of family planning;
  • it is about health and rights, not demographics;
  • individuals are provided free, full access to relevant, adequate and correct information on reproductive health and human sexuality by the State and professional private practitioners;
  • gender equality and women empowerment and their protection, promotion and guarantee are central elements;
  • aims to ensure birth and care of healthy children;
  • promotes responsible parenting;
  • promotes breastfeeding through joint effort between local government and national government.
  • abortion remains a crime and is punishable by law *but* post abortion complications shall be treated, counseled in a humane, nonjudgmental and compassionate manner.
  • respect for, protection and fulfillment of reproductive health rights of children to adults are guaranteed
  • aims to uplift the quality of life of people, especially the poor, the needy and marginalized;
  • aims to seek active participation of government and non government organization;
  • the RH Bill does not legalize Abortion.
  • aims active participation between government, non government and people’s organizations and communities

Basically, the RH Bill aims to resolve our population problem. If we don’t act now, we will double our population not in 20 years but in 10 years.

Personally, I believe the main goal won’t be resolved with this bill. What is lacking here is not just education but discipline. If we don’t impose, people will just continue with their old habits and our current problems will not go away.

I do understand where the legislators are coming from when they passed this bill. We are a catholic country. Even with how conservative this bill was made, there were still some bishops/priests lambasting politicians who support the RH bill.

Risa’s point of view is that free will is a gift of God.  The church can preach and teach but what doesn’t take well with her is the bishops’ bullying.  Though we all think that most politicians tend to keep mum about the RH bill because they wouldn’t want to lose Catholic votes, Risa mentioned surveys actually say most Filipinos are for the RH Bill.  She also mentioned that the Catholic vote is a myth.

You can also read the article at Blogwatch.PH.

References:

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Budget Reform is TG Guingona III’s Main Advocacy

Posted by Rochelle Sy Chua On November 13, 2009

When I got an invite for the bloggers meet with TG Guingona III, I was like, “who is this guy?” The only thing that entered my mind was, he is probably a relative of Teofisto Guingona. But why is he running for senator?

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When I saw him, I said to myself that ahhhh.  I’ve seen him on Television.  Still, the question remained. Who is he? He’s not popular. How can he win the election?

I asked him that and he said that’s why he is joining his party’s rallies as he doesn’t have sufficient funds to advertise himself.

Teofisto “TG” Guingona III is with Noynoy’s campaign. He is joining all the activities of the Liberal Party. They share the same advocacies. TG’s main advocacy however is Budget Reform.

As representative of the 2nd district of Bukidnon, Congressman TG Guingona III has filed several bills/resolutions on budget reform which are still pending with the committee on Appropriations.

How is our budget done anyway?

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To explain in simple terms, the budget is first proposed by the president (executive). The Congress (legislature) will review the proposal and authorize it. It is congress that will say where the money goes. It is their most important law that they will pass in the year. When approved by Congress, the president will implement it.

Do you honestly think that the budget allocation is being followed? Your guess is as good as mine.

Read the rest of the article in Blogwatch.PH.

References:

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Chiz, I’m Confused

Posted by Rochelle Sy Chua On November 12, 2009

The first time I met with Chiz Escudero was in August 2009. There was a bloggers Meet and Greet Chiz Escudero event. I asked him straight out during that first meet & greet, if he was running for the presidency.Without hesitation, Chiz Escudero answered, “yes”.

At the time, I was quite impressed at how determined he was & how confident he was that he can lead the change for our Philippines.

We all know what has happened since then:

  • Cory died.
  • Mar Roxas dropped out of the race, and
  • Noynoy Aquino is now the Liberal Party’s candidate.

Then all of a sudden, Chiz Escudero quit his party, the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC). Like a lot of people, like many of his supporters, I was confused.

So last Saturday (November 7), I attended a bloggers’ meeting with Chiz Escudero at Annabel’s in Quezon City. I was excited to go as I had sooooooo many questions to ask Chiz about his plans on the presidency.

chiz

I was expecting to get a concrete answer. To be honest, I was surprised. Last Saturday, I saw a different Chiz from the one who met bloggers last August. I’m not sure if he was acting or if he is just confused at the moment. It wasn’t the same Chiz I got to admire during the first meet.

When I asked him the same question I did during the first meet and greet, about his plans to run, the answer I got was unfortunately, “not sure yet.”

Chiz Escudero said that he doesn’t know and will still need to decide. He mentioned he’ll decide on November 15 and will share with us his decision come December 1.

What changed?

Read the rest of the article in Blogwatch.PH.

References:

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