FIFTY-NINE percent of the respondents of a Social Weather Stations’ telephone survey in Metro Manila believe President Arroyo told then Elections Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano to cheat in the May 10, 2004 elections and that she was not just trying "to protect her votes."

The June 28-30 survey, which the SWS said was “conducted on its own initiative as a public service” after Arroyo’s June 27 admission that she had called a Comelec official, showed that only 29 percent believe she called to protect her votes.

Other highlights of the survey:

  • 68 percent heard Arroyo’s June 27 address over TV or radio, or read it in newspapers.
  • 94 percent were aware of the Garci tapes.
  • 32 percent had listened to the tapes, and 40 percent had either listened to or at least read a transcript of the tapes.
  • 84 percent support the full airing of the tapes to the public.
  • Only 20 percent agreed with Arroyo’s statement that the chapter on the Garci tapes should be closed; 77 percent wanted some things done, including an investigation (26 percent) and Arroyo’s resignation (18 percent).
  • 48 percent said Vice President Noli de Castro was capable of running the government in case Arroyo resigned or were removed.
  • Arroyo has a -31 net trust rating and the Comelec, -27.

41 Responses to Many believe Arroyo ordered Garci
to cheat: SWS survey

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Wyvern777

July 2nd, 2005 at 9:55 am





Absolutely YES. Arroyo & her minions cheated. More than just a mere”lapse of judgment”, but a Conflict of Interest, something that any Government Official’s influence, power & descretion should have never participated of in the first place. Irreversibly regretable.
The Gloria-Garci Tape is a microcosmic mirror reflection upon how the Arroyo family & their minions gerrymander circumstances to favor their own personal interests in politics & “sideline” businesses: long-standing POWER & “PASSIVE INCOME”.

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Fleeb

July 2nd, 2005 at 11:05 am

I do not need the CDs to tell me that GMA cheated. She cheated. Who didn’t?

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Fleeb

July 2nd, 2005 at 11:10 am

To quote someone:

“Lahat nandaya. Siya [GMA] lang ang tangang nag-iwan ng ebidensiya.”

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jammer

July 2nd, 2005 at 11:29 am

hello… pati ang mga bantay ni fpj ay pro gloria… bayad din… pina infiltrate niya february 2004 pa lang. ano ba naman kayo… sa tingin nyo ba ganoong kasimple lang yung pandarayang ginawa ni gma?

hello?

to fleeb:

i agree with you… lahat ng tao ngayon nakapandaya in 1 aspect or another…. pagsisinungaling sa report, trabaho.. late… nakikiusap ta traffic enforcer, nagtapon ng basura sa kalsada, nakisosyo sa pulis, nagpapasikat ng wala sa lugar, etc…

its the real thing that makes this world go round.

besides…. kung di nangdaya si gloria… malamang edsa 4 revolt na kasi si fpj under the puppet masters na si angara.

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masha

July 2nd, 2005 at 11:30 am

dapat gumawa rin ang sws ng survey kung may naniniwala pa sa kanila. isnt it the same group that said that exit polls in mm showed that gma won over fpj?

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swerty

July 2nd, 2005 at 11:33 am

si Erap hindi nandaya nung 1998 elections kasi confident siyang mananalo sa election. Pero di ako pro-Erap. Nagtataka lang ako diyan sa SWS surveys, kung confident si GMA sa ginawang surveys ng SWS na siya ang maglilead sa elections, bakit nandaya pa si GMA? Sigurista ba? O dinaya yung surveys para hindi siya mukhang nandaya sa elections?

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jjc1384

July 2nd, 2005 at 11:39 am

After how many years, finally may nahuli na na nandaya! Aztig!

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masha

July 2nd, 2005 at 11:40 am

di ba kamag-anak ni gma yung taga sws? tanong ko lang.

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jammer

July 2nd, 2005 at 11:44 am

ang nakakahiya doon… presidente pa!

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marubdob

July 2nd, 2005 at 11:46 am

masha maybe you are talking about the other survey firm. the guy is actually a cousin of fpj and not gma.

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jay cynikho

July 2nd, 2005 at 11:46 am

pakibasa naman at bigyan ng hambalos kritiko yun tungkol sa IGCRP.

sana matigil na yung murahan galit let’s move on using the concept of IGCRP.

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marubdob

July 2nd, 2005 at 11:51 am

the concept about a collective leadership that will transform our political system sounds ok. i am just uneasy about having to call in the UN. don’t you think we can do it by ourselves? i also suggest that we should develop a national ideology which will serve as our compass in designing the new government. if you try to look at the developed countries, it seems that they are somewhat bound by a sense of national purpose.

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masha

July 2nd, 2005 at 11:51 am

marubdob, tama ka. pero sws nga. si mahar mangahas ang kamag-anak ni fpj.

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marubdob

July 2nd, 2005 at 11:59 am

if we could just set aside our prejudice against marcos, maybe we should take time to revisit one of his opus, “the filipino ideology”. maybe we can pick up something from there. we could study it vis a vis other ideologies.

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jay cynikho

July 2nd, 2005 at 12:01 pm

dear marubdob

you might have something there. as UN did in other countries like East Timor, there was not much INPUT, they serve only as catalyst to the process. they provide the necessary objectivity and impartiality. we need the UN to achieve a peaceful process. thanks for the quick reaction.

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jay cynikho

July 2nd, 2005 at 12:12 pm

thanks for the comment Marubdob, that collective leadership is only for 12 months to get the people back on track.

you might have something there. as UN did in other countries like East Timor, there was not much INPUT, they serve only as catalyst to the process. they provide the necessary objectivity and impartiality. we need the UN to achieve a peaceful process

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masha

July 2nd, 2005 at 12:18 pm

haaay. yan ang dilemma ngayon. di magkasundo kung ano ang alternatibo kay gma. ako di ako sang ayon sa ideya tulad ng IGCRP. paano pipiliin ang mga miembro nito? sino ang gagawa ng guidelines sa pagpili ng mga miembro nito? sino pipili ng gagawa ng guidelines. paano pipiliin ang mga miembro sa paggawa ng guidelines. the membership in any junta or council will not represent the sentiments of the pinoys. if you argue that it does, how will you be able to tell that it is so? feeling lang?

kaya tayo may constitution ay para makasiguro na ang proceso sa pagpili sa mamumuno sa atin ay pinagkasunduan, sa pamamagitan ng plebisito. we voted for the constitution as the law by which we will run the country by. nakasaad doon na kapag may bakante sa posisyon ng presidente and bise presidente ang magiging presidente.

what reason would there be to chuck the application of the consitution/to abandon it? who will decide that we will abandon it? do we all agree that it should be abandoned?

and please dont say i’m maka noli. that is so simplistic. i dont like noli. pero i believe in the operation of the constitution. unfortunately, according to the constitution, noli is it.

if we keep on ignoring and using the constitution and the rest of our laws, for that matter, only when we feel like it, then we will fall again into the filipino habit of not following rules and making an exception to the rule whenever it suits him/her. ex. making a u-turn sa bawal. nagmamadali kasi kaya ok lang na i-violate yung rule. kung lahat ng motorista ay ganun mag-isip, walang saysay ang magkaron ng traffic rules.

our adoption of and adeherence to the constitution is to avoid any ARBITRARINESS in resolving situations like filling up a leadership vacancy.

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masha

July 2nd, 2005 at 12:21 pm

it’s time for us to learn dura lex sed lex.

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dsaint

July 2nd, 2005 at 12:41 pm

Tanong ko lang kung bakit nag-susurvey na naman ang SWS? Mukhang may mangyayaring ‘trending’ na naman. O para i-condition na naman ang mga isip ng mamamayan? Nagtatanong lang po…

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Naz

July 2nd, 2005 at 12:46 pm

Hmm.. well.. with that said.. 1st, is she going to step down? I mean.. the opposition is quite seperated at this moment.. i mean like.. i dont see the unity.. im scared that they will start to have personal reasons and so on and on.. do you guys think of that too? I dont know.. its just scary.. oh well..

Godbless and takecare!

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masha

July 2nd, 2005 at 12:47 pm

“IT expert finds massive cheating in 2004 polls, slams NAMFREL”
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/topofthehour.aspx?StoryId=9344

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claymore

July 2nd, 2005 at 12:51 pm

Napakahirap intindihin na problema natin ang papalit kay GMA. Walang papalit kay GMA dahil hindi siya pangulo. Ang dapat problemahin ay kung sino ang tunay na nanalo. Kung sakaling mapaalis natin ang pekeng presidente dapat ay may mamagitang mga taong walang bahid at interes sa kapangyarihan. Imbestigahan ang nangyaring DAYAAN, tamaan kung sinong tamaan, mapa oposisyon o administrasyon. Tanggalin lahat ng opisyal ng COMELEC, linisin. Kung PATAY na ang tunay na presidente, mag-takda ng PETSA, at maghalalan muli. Kung panalo si LOREN bilang bise presidente, e di siya ang umopo. Kung si NOLI, naman e di siya.
Hindi kung sino ang magaling siya ang dapat umopo, kaya tayo nasa ganitong sitwasyon ngayon ay sa kadahilanang iyan ang gusto ng mga ARAL daw at mga elitista. HINDI ganyan ang demokrasya, kaya tayo bumoboto ay dahil kailangan masunod ang kagustuhan ng nakararami.
Huwag nating gawing napakahirap intindihin ng problemang ito, napakasimple, HUWAD NA PRESIDENTE ANG NASA PALASYO. HINDI SIYA DAPAT NANDIYAN!!!!!!!

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apollo

July 2nd, 2005 at 12:53 pm

naniniwala pa ba naman kayo sa mga survey?

ako hindi na eh…. lalo na ‘pag politika ang sinurvey…. last election halos lahat naman sa mga politiko nagpasurvey… siempre ang laging lumalabas eh pabor na sila ang mananalo…..

kung marketing survey pa siguro tungkol sa isang product papaniwalaan ko pa… lol

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gangster_roger

July 2nd, 2005 at 1:04 pm

Erap
Lacson
Susan
Abat
Leftist revolution

I dont see Noli or Loren.

Why is that?

Because these are the people that call the shots in the anti-administration groups.

If there are more people who did not vote for GMA then where are they?

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jammer

July 2nd, 2005 at 1:18 pm

loren or noli??? lopez interest… obvious ba??

lacson…. cmulan na ang habulan sa mga arroyo.

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vinyllover

July 2nd, 2005 at 1:37 pm

IMHO, the sad thing about this whole affair is that Arroyo probably won the elections. All the reputable pre-election polls (e.g., Pulse Asia, SWS) showed her in the lead going into the elections — tapos panalo rin siya sa exit polls.

People who respond to these surveys are polled at random so cheating is unlikely given that a different group of people are polled in each survey and the organizaitons that do the polls need to maintain their credibility (otherwise, companies that fund the surveys, such as ABS-CBN, GMA, newspapers) will not be willing to pay the next time around.

Unfortunately, masyado segurista si GMA. Di na siya nakontento na a) she was leading and b) the COMELEC was stacked with her appointees. Kailangan pa niyang tumawag kay Garci to make sure that she wins big. Iyan nahuli tuloy.

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ring

July 2nd, 2005 at 2:19 pm

Cory Aquino said let’s follow the Constitution, the question is did they do it during the EDSA 2 revolt? Hyprocrites really are everywhere…Nakakahiya na tayo sa ibang bansa. Paano pa kaya nakakaharap si GMA sa ibang leaders when obviously there is a very big question mark with regards to her credibility as president..

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xinu

July 2nd, 2005 at 2:46 pm

parepareho lang namang nandaya and isat-isa eh. sino bang hindi nandaya sa election. ang problema sa pinoy, talo ayaw pang iadmit na natalo na. I am not pro -GMA nor anti gma. kaya lang marami namang nagawa si GMA eh. why dont you guys wait until she finishes her term. kaya hindi umaangat ang country nyo kc puro kayo complain. kahit sinong iupo nyo dyan magcocomplain pa rin ka instead of helping each other to solve the prob. asking her to resign is just worsenign the situation of your country. My company supposed to open a call center branch in that country but decided to open it in India b/c your country is so unstable…for heaven sakes, Filipino people should start helping each other to make your country a better one and prosper. Also, I respect Susan Roces’ (who is she anyways?) voicing out her opinion, but what she’s doing is adding a fuel to the fire. the problem is not PGMA, its the Opposition b/c those greedy people are so hungry for power.

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xinu

July 2nd, 2005 at 2:50 pm

also if the people and the oppositions want PGMA to step down then why not do it in a legal way. My gosh your country’s ecomy is slowly picking up and those people are ruining it. once again the problem is not PGMA, its the opposition. why cant you guys wait for her term to finish. Think think think!!!
mag kaisa and try joining forces together to rebuild your Country…..

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xinu

July 2nd, 2005 at 2:56 pm

Oppositions should distribute the original CD/tapes not the doctored one. I finished listening to the conversation and it seems that some part of it are doctored. If the opposition has the cds why not provide the original one… Those oppositions have their own agenda. perhaps, they want erap out instead. I dont think Ninoy Aquino is right when he said that “Filipino is worht dying for”…. ciao, peace and not war… I want to listen to the original conversation (CD) not the doctored one…..

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jammer

July 2nd, 2005 at 3:09 pm

edsa 1 and edsa 2 are unconstitutional.

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rich___ong

July 2nd, 2005 at 3:10 pm

Manuel L. Quezon once said when the Philippines was an American Colony “I would rather see the Philippines be run like hell by the Pilipinos than run like heaven by the Americans” Well we are living up to it. Now to Xinu. I know you mean well for my country. But when you hear the contents of the tape of not just cheating but threats to people and kidnapping so that the truth will be suppress. I don’t think any American will stand for that. Same as what we are doing here. We won’t stand for it. WHEN FREEDOM IS JUST TRAMPLED BY OUR VERY OWN GOVERMENT THEN WE HAVE TO RISE. Yes investments won’t come in our country but OUR LIBERTIES comes first.

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jammer

July 2nd, 2005 at 3:11 pm

also… the survey is not the vote.

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rich___ong

July 2nd, 2005 at 3:14 pm

To quote the US declarationof Independence
“But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. —Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government” By far the most important statment in that said document

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rich___ong

July 2nd, 2005 at 3:16 pm

I say we need A NEW INDEPENDENCE DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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domeng

July 2nd, 2005 at 3:32 pm

I heard from DZXL via internet :

GARCI – Gloria Arroyo Resign Campaign Cnitiative

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claymore

July 2nd, 2005 at 3:48 pm

XINU
Sino ka???
Kung Pilipino ka alam mo na IMPOSIBLENG MANALO ANG NAKAUPONG
PRESIDENTE noong panahon ng halalan.
Kung bakit hindi kasi pinabuksan ang mga balota noon.
DAHIL FAKE!!!
KAYA FAKE DIN ANG PRESIDENT!!!

NAKAKATAWA ANO!!!! Naghahanap ng “AUTHENTIC” na CD’S ang naniniwala sa isang “FAKE” na PRESIDENT.

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Manuel L. Quezon III » Blog Archive » Simpler and more complicated

July 3rd, 2005 at 3:35 pm

[…] A new survey finally gives pro and con sides some figures to digest. The figures point, I think, to the continuation of House hearings and the appointment of a Truth Commission by the President. The figures also raise the possibility of a resolution censuring the President, to be considered by Congress. There remain intriguing hints from Jove that there’s some interesting news afoot. […]

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jay cynikho

July 3rd, 2005 at 9:40 pm

DEAR rich__ong and Xinu

Do you know why the RIGHT OF THE CITIZENS TO BEAR ARMS is enshrined in the US Consitution?

AND HERE, IT IS ILLEGAL TO POSSESS FIREARMS. ONLY THE CRIMINALS AND THE AUTHORITIES CAN BEAR ARMS. THINK OF THAT.

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rich___ong

July 3rd, 2005 at 10:00 pm

it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. This is MY battle cry

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brulyo

July 6th, 2005 at 9:47 pm

THE NEW ORDER

RESTORING DECMOCRACY IN THE PHILIPPINES

Present political system forestalls the growth of the nation and its people. Poor economic condition is a resultant of political incompetence, amateurism and misadventure of elected and appointed gov’t officials.

A crisis of extra ordinary proportions now confronts the Filipino nation. The constitutional order and the rule of law are gone; the political institutions destroyed; the economy in disaster; the people’s basic needs unmet; and above all, our country is marching towards uncertainty.

The status quo can no longer be maintained. The Constitution must be amended, the political system must be restructured, a credible reform agenda and a morally upright and effective leadership put in place.

The Filipino people’s sovereign will, which we soldiers and concerned citizens swore to protect, must reassert itself, and set in motion the necessary change that will ultimately restore the moral and constitutional order and the rule of law.

We are launching our own operation to save and rehabilitate the Filipino nation. We are laying down our Vision to be adhered upon and must be done. We are enjoining all sectors of the society to be aware of the our vision and help disseminate it to our people. We must take an active part in pursuing real change. This is Operation Para sa Bayan.

We declare and strongly believed that the direction and future of our country rest on the institutionalized Political Party and its platform. Stable and strong political system is the focal point of all developments. Hence, more effort should first focus on the establishment of a desired political system and climate.

1. On straightening the Political system:

A THOROUGH CONSTITUTIONAL AND POLITICAL REFORM.

Institutionalize Political party.

a. There shall only be two Political Parties. No party list. Membership is onetime. Membership age shall be from 21 yrs old and up to 65 yrs old. Each member must be a college graduate, natural-born Filipino, and a resident of the Philippines for at least ten (10) consecutive years and non-holder of any other citizenship. No two or more persons related up to 3rd degree of consanguinity shall become members of the same Party.

b. Only Party members selected thru Party Convention can run for public office from Local to National levels.

c. Any member who volunteers to quit or whose membership is terminated by the Party shall no longer be eligible to run for public office in his lifetime.

d. Anyone whose profession is in the media shall be automatically disqualified to party membership unless he/she resigns from his/her profession three (3) years prior elections when he/she intends to run subject to party rules and the preceding paragraph.

2. On Suffrage.

The right of suffrage shall be exercised by all Filipinos who are at least twenty one (21) years of age up to sixty five (65) years old.

Absentee voting is prohibited.

3. On Govt structure.

Executive headed by the President

President – eight-year term, one term only for a lifetime.
V-Pres – co-terminus with the President. Running mate of the President shall be automatically becomes the Vice President. Will assume presidency when the President resigns, impeached, or dies. Will finish the term of the President and cannot run for Presidency for a lifetime.
Governors and Mayors – maximum of two five- year term for a lifetime in the same office. Vice Gov- running mate of the governor.

Board Members and Councilors – five year (5) term but can serve for a maximum of three (3) terms, consecutive or not, subject to party rules.

Appointed Officials – co terminus with the President. If the president resigns, impeached or dies before his term ends, VP (now the Pres) may replace them.
Appointed officials who are non-party members can only join any of the two political party three (3) years after the end of the term of the appointing authority.
Appointed officials need no confirmation from the Congress.
Appointed officials cannot be impeached.
Appointing authority is the President.

Legislative Branch headed by a Speaker.

Congress shall be merged into one legislative body. Representation shall be limited to one (1) per province and one (1) per highly urbanized city. Congress is headed by a Speaker elected by majority vote of the Congress.

Members of the Congress are elected for one five-year full term. No reelection. If he resigns, impeached or dies, special elections will be held.

Judiciary headed by a Chief Justice.

Justices must not be a member of any political party. Justices will be selected by majority vote by the Congress thru the recommendation of JBC. Justices will serve until they reach the age of retirement of sixty five (65) years old.

Justices may be impeached by the congress.

Constitutional Commissions and Independent bodies:

Chairmen of constitutional commissions and independent bodies shall be selected by majority vote by the Congress thru the recommendation of the President. Must not be a member of any political party. Twelve (12) years fixed term.

4. On government and people in the government.

Appointed officials may or may not be members of a political party.

Government employees shall not participate in any activity against the government. Hence, Labor unions are outlawed in all government agencies and institutions.

Priests, imams, pastors and those who are directly involved in any religious groups and services are prohibited to hold in any government posts in any capacity.

The bureaucracy should be downsized and depoliticized, and government must make it sure that its workers are as highly qualified, motivated, and compensated as their counterparts in the private sector.
All government records shall be computerized, and implement the National ID system.

Except for military properties, all structures, vehicles and other properties built, procured by, or donated to the Phil government shall be appropriately marked “PHILIPPINE GOVERNMENT PROPERTY”. There shall be no printed or painted names of a Public or Private individuals on the said government properties.

5. On Executive Authority.

Department Heads shall have the authority to suspend or dismiss any appointed employee under his department. His authority for civil service eligible and career officials shall be limited to suspension for a maximum of six (6) months without pay.

For the AFP members, military law applies.

6. On the police force.

The police force shall be absorbed back to the AFP as a major branch of service.

Hence, CPNP, and all RDs, PDs and chiefs of police, shall be appointed by the AFP.

7. On AFP.

Unify all armed forces under AFP whose principal task is to enforce the law and maintain the peace. Hence, a Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) shall be established.

The CSAFP shall be appointed by the President among the members of the JCS and will serve a straight four (4) year fixed term. Members of the JCS shall serve for a three (3) year fixed term. The Joint Chiefs of Staff shall be composed of the Chiefs of Army, Navy, Airforce, Police, VCSAFP and TDCSAFP.

All officers shall have a mandatory retirement age of 56 years old except for the CSAFP whose term is fixed to four (4) years and members of the JCS whose term is fixed to three (3) year unless appointed by the President as CSAFP.

All AFP officers who wished to join a Political Party shall resign their commissionships before reaching the rank of Colonel. Otherwise, they shall not be eligible to join any Political Party for life.

Promotions and designations of AFP officers require no congressional confirmation.

8. On Peace and Order.

No peace negotiations with the rebels.

Intensify the physical development and rehabilitation of the old theatres of conflict, while shifting the focus of military activity from combat, to development. More engineering and civic action units should be created.

Enlist the support and cooperation of former enemies of the state in combating criminality and lawlessness, especially in their respective localities.

9. On Media

Members of the press should have no affiliation in any political party.

Media releases should be limited to responsible news reporting and positive commentaries.

Opinionated news, speculative reporting and trial by publicity are considered crime. All accusations should be referred to courts of law. There should be no media coverage for any allegations.

Newscasting should not draw speculation that will create confusion among the people. It must be a plain reporting for the people to decide.
10. On Justice system.

The best 24-hour free legal aid should be made available to all who cannot afford to hire a lawyer, whether to bring a case against another or to defend oneself in court.

Abolish all fees arbitrarily imposed by the courts for the filing of criminal complaints.

Strengthen the Public Attorney’s Office. Help post bail for indigent respondents in criminal cases, through a Special Fund specifically set up for that purpose. .

Parties of a case are only given three (3) times to postpone hearings.

Appeals and petitions for review shall be limited to three (3) times for finality of judgment.

11. On Crimes.

Capital punishment shall be in the form of Firing squad. Executions shall be covered by all TV stations in the country. Members of the firing squad should come from the AFP.

Capital offenses include murder, rape, drug trafficking, kidnapping, smuggling and illegal logging.

No pardons for death convicts.

National Bilibid Prison shall be transferred to Iwahig, Palawan.

Whenever crime is committed, the AFP has the power to physically produce uncooperative witnesses present within 1km radius from the scene of the crime for immediate investigation and filing of the case.

12. On Economy.

Make the economy globally competitive.

Upgrade the infrastructure to include at least one cross-country railroad, new national and regional road networks, ports and airports, irrigation dams land power plants, hi tech communications and high grade tourism facilities.

Maximize use of foreign assistance/grants to support high-impact infrastructure projects.

Target a yearly GDP growth of at least ten (10) percent, through higher productivity, more favorable terms of trade, and more efficient and effective economic management.

Revisit the BOT law, notably its “take or pay” provision, and review all contracts entered into under that law, and all turnkey arrangements, and reaffirm incentives to foreign firms that invest in major infrastructure projects, without however requiring government to exempt them from financial risks or to guarantee their return on investment.

Accelerate the development of the country’s energy resources —oil, natural gas, geothermal, deuterium, etc.; revoke the costly political decision to prohibit the use of nuclear power and mothball the Bataan nuclear power plant.

Initiate and intensify serious research on alternative sources of energy, including fuel-free self-powering “energy from the vacuum” (EFTV) systems, and reduce immediately the price of electricity by reviewing the operations of independent power producers and removing all unnecessary charges being passed on to consumers by the utility firms.

Liberalize all land, sea and air transport policies and guarantee full interconnectivity of all communication carriers and service providers, and the highest efficiencies in transport and communication services.

Target selected industries such as mining, agribusiness, electronics, tourism, higher education, medical care, care-giving, and retirement support services as a primary focus of development, and provide incentives to investments in these industries equal, if not superior, to those offered by other countries.

Utilize the nation’s diplomatic service to enlarge the country’s external markets, secure more foreign direct investments, economic grants and aid, and debt relief, protect Filipino workers, products and services, and recover monies that have been salted abroad by rich and corrupt Filipinos;

Help Filipino producers and exporters produce and export more, by teaching them exactly what to produce and export for optimum profits;

Make local government, from the Barangay up, the spearhead of economic development.

Make available land for agriculture.

Commerce and businesses shall be given more freedom provided that it will not jeopardize and render disadvantage to the Filipinos.

Major airports and port areas will be designated in manner that it discourages conglomeration of people.

Federalism shall be instituted. Provinces shall be given economic autonomy.

13. On Foreign Debts and Deficit.

The National Debts should be cut.

There must be a cap on foreign borrowing.

Borrow from local sources only to avoid undue foreign exchange risks, except when foreign borrowing cannot be avoided, to finance the foreign exchange cost of public expenditures.

Tap the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas to undertake the foreign borrowing, so as to make sure the foreign exchange and external debt are well-managed, and the stability of the peso is maintained.

Work for meaningful debt relief, beginning with a reduction of the yearly debt service, and finally including the possible forgiveness of a portion of the external debt.

The Deficit must be brought under control.

Determine the exact magnitude of the deficit, and decide how much will be reduced.

Observe the strictest standards of austerity, in order to realize savings, teach people to live within their means, and institutionalize a new lifestyle in government.

Properly classify the outstanding public sector debt. Determine the quality of all the components of the national debt so the they could be provided for in future NG budgets.

Adopt utmost transparency and consistency in the accounting treatment of all relevant transactions.

Increase the tax base, effort and efficiency, by eliminating the smuggling syndicates, removing all unjustified tax exemptions, raising the excise tax on tobacco, liquor and gasoline, and finally abolishing the tax on income from labor and taxing consumption and net worth instead.

Redirect to the General Fund, PAGCOR’s and PCSO’s contributions to the President’s Social Fund, so they could be used more wisely to support public spending under the General Appropriations Act.

Amend the formula for determining the IRA so that it will be distributed equitably among the rich and poor LGUs; and create a nationwide mechanism to ensure utmost transparency in the utilization of the IRA by all LGUs.

Eliminate all bureaucratic waste by downsizing government and professionalizing the civil service; privatizing every agency or activity that can be privatized, shutting down all windows of graft, such as the unusually large “intelligence” fund of various officials and offices, and arbitrarily priced licenses and permits, etc., streamlining procurement procedures, and abolishing all political “confidential positions”.

Dispose of all non-performing – and only non-performing – assets, in highly transparent, corruption-free and profitable auctions.

Conclude a just and satisfactory settlement of the various wealth recovery cases that have not moved forward in court since 1986, and get the most money out of it.

14. On educational system.

Promote free education.

All dependents of government officials and employees are required to study and finish primary and secondary levels in public schools.

Every child must be given basic education. Those who are likely to drop out of school for reasons of poverty should be paid a small sum to compensate for the time they take out of the farm or their house chores in order to go to school. They should be fed in school.

Make full use of distance learning and transform every home into a learning center, through the home schooling program.

Propagate the dual training program (for various technical skills) and the family farm school program (for agriculture) nationwide, with full state support.

Thoroughly upgrade teachers’ education and offer appropriate incentives to attract the best possible materials to join and stay profession.

Encourage as many world-renowned universities as possible to open local campuses in the Philippines, in order to make the country a major educational center in this part of the world.

15. On military service.

All men at the age of 21 shall be enlisted into the regular force of the AFP as combatants for two (2) years.

16. On agrarian reform.

All Filipinos are allowed to own a parcel of land not to exceed ten (10) hectares each. All excess lands shall become a public property.

Corporations may own up to 1000 hectares provided the land is used for agricultural production or energy exploration.

17. On Labor.

Protect the interest of the workers in private firms or corporation. Promote and make enough jobs locally and protect workers abroad.

Create a world-class English-speaking, computer-literate work force, providing the most highly competitive education and training for its workers.

Create jobs that raise productivity and living standards and encourage Filipinos to seek employment in the private sector at home rather than in government or abroad.

Protect the rights of those who choose to work abroad. It should sign labor agreements with as many labor-importing countries as possible to enlarge the external jobs market and secure maximum benefits and protection for Filipino workers

Work for the lifting of all immigration barriers that prevent the free movement of migrant Filipino workers and their dependents.

18. On Revenue Collection

Bureau of Customs, BIR, and other revenue collecting agencies shall be absorbed by Dept of Treasury. Legislate measures to help facilitate fast and efficient collection of taxes and prosecute tax evaders.

19. On Elections.

Commission on Elections shall be headed by a Chairman.

Decision of the Commission shall be final. All Courts of Justice have no Jurisdiction over electoral questions.

Replace the entire Commission on Elections—before holding new elections.

20. On Government Services.

Basic services like Water, Electricity/Power generation and Petroleum shall be nationalized and be controlled by the Government.

THE POOR MUST BE MADE PART-OWNERS OF THE ECONOMY

They must be protected from the shock of unsustainable price increases.

They must have immediate access to government assistance and support during natural calamities and man-man emergencies.

They must be taught various technical and managerial skills, encouraged to save and to become small producers and entrepreneurs.

MAKE OUR CITIES AND COUNTRYSIDE MORE LIVABLE.

A comprehensive zoning and land use law should once and for all put order to the country’s landscape.

Plan for a comprehensive urban development.

Prohibit the establishment of commercial centers within a radius of one kilometer from the entry and exit points of major thoroughfares and highways, and require shopping malls and similar establishments to build their own access roads to such thoroughfares and highways.

Integrate a Mass transport facilities.

Relocate factories, production sites and informal communities away from the crowded cities into new townships.

Invited foreign investors to develop these new townships and transport systems on a turnkey basis.

MORE PARKS, FOREST AND OPEN SPACES MUST BE BUILT.

Involve the citizens in maintaining the environment— from the daily collection and disposal of garbage, to the maintenance of public infrastructure and facilities, to the nurture of the air, water, land, flora and fauna, etc.

Make communal reforestation/tree-planting a round-the-year citizens’ project and target at least a couple of million hectares each year for the next ten years.

Set up and enforce public standards for sanitation, hygiene and aesthetics, making sure that public buildings and facilities are properly maintained, that no condemned structures remain standing and inhabited, that consumerist advertising does not create anywhere jungles of unsightly billboards and signage that offend public morals and good taste.

Maintain all open spaces, parks and other public facilities and put them back to their original use where they had been arbitrarily converted into commercial areas in highly questionable, if not corrupt, LGU proceedings.

BUILD MORE ROADS AND SIDEWALKS, ENFORCE TRAFFIC LAWS, REGULATE THE NUMBER OF VEHICLES INDIVIDUALS CAN OWN, INSTALL MASS TRANSPORT SYSTEMS.

Enforce strict road, air and sea traffic rules and regulations all over the archipelago.

Only one vehicle per individual for the personal use will be registered.

The state should lead the private sector in investing good money in scientific research, and task the scientific community to develop appropriate solutions to the most common problems like pollution, ecological destruction, water, fuel and food shortages, waste disposal, and traffic. Appropriate incentives for research and development should be developed.

21. On Food Security

No Filipino should starve.

Bring down the cost of food, and ensure enough supply for everybody at prices the poor can afford

Young children, the aged and the sick should get adequate and proper nourishment, free of any disease or vitamin deficiencies.

Upgrade investments in agricultural and food production, extend to farmers the necessary training, credit assistance, and associated services to help them shift from traditional to high-value crops, among other things.

Help the beneficiaries of land reform modernize their farms and combine their small landholdings into large compact farms to give them economies of scale and scope.

Provide micro financing for livelihood projects in the cities and countryside.

22. On Health Care

Design primary health care that the health services should be seeking the population instead of the population seeking the services. Satellite clinics should be available at barangay level.

Devote more time, effort and money to preventing and curing the leading killer diseases, which continue to kill the most number of Filipinos

Ensure 100% coverage of health insurance of the population.

Bring down the cost of medicine to what the poor can afford.

Develop the health delivery system beyond responding to the needs of the population. Promote the country as a center of quality medical services.

23. On International Relations.

Stand by all our treaty commitments.

Encourage and assist all Filipinos abroad to organize themselves into coherent and viable communities. This is the only way our national culture would be respected, our political presence felt, and our moral, intellectual and economic contributions appreciated by the host-countries.

24. On Countryside Development and Population Control.

Control urban migration by developing outer regions and educate couples on family planning.

Persuade donor governments and institutions to spend their money on honest-to-goodness human development.

25. On Graft and Corruption

Absolute non-tolerance of corruption and crime demands a total crackdown on all known criminal elements particularly those engaged in economic sabotage and plunder, money-laundering and counterfeiting, gun-running, illegal drugs traffic, illegal logging, illegal gambling, prostitution, kidnap-for-ransom, smuggling, tax evasion, racketeering, theft of intellectual property and other trans-national crimes.

Bring to justice the unpunished and untouchable crime lords.

Thieving officials and their cohorts should be made to return their loot, and have their ill-gotten properties confiscated, in addition to other grave penalties for their crimes.

Fully disclose all contracts entered into and open to public scrutiny.

Rate periodically all offices, agencies, departments, and their personnel not only in terms of efficiency but above all in terms of personal integrity.

Abolish ‘Pork Barrel’ and Congress to act simply as an oversight body, to make sure that all public appropriations are spent as intended, and that every peso goes to the project for which it was appropriated.

This oversight function should extend to local governments, particularly in the use of their Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA), which is seen as the LGU’s own “pork”.

Adopt the highest moral standards, reject all false distinctions between private morality, and operate as one big anti-corruption unit, instead of tasking one small, inept agency to do the job.

The Commission on Audit should be more proactive in causing the prosecution and punishment of those involved in graft. Like all others tasked to go after the corrupt elements in government, and COA personnel found guilty of covering up for any one who has committed graft shall suffer double the normal penalty for the offence.

Government officials, beginning with those at the very top, should live modest, austere and morally transparent lives. They should be held accountable for the unearned and unexplained influence or affluence of their close relatives and cronies.
The war on corruption must not exempt big businesses, civil society, and the media.

26. On Filipino Identity and Culture..

Bring back the highest standards of morality in our national life. No genuine progress is possible unless based on the correct social values and ethical principles.

Obliged the mass media and the entertainment arts to put moral, cultural and intellectual excellence.

Promote unconditional support to freedom of religion and the public practice of religious belief.

Our vision of man and society is beyond the purely material and economic order.

PARA SA BAYAN!

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