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Bawal Magreklamo ang hindi Bumoto!
Ayaw natin sa mga Epal at Political Dynasty diba?
Ito na ang pagkakataon natin na maalis sila sa kapangyarihan sa pamamagitan ng ating pagboto ng mas mahusay at matinong kandidato sa nalalapit na halalan.
Pero, hindi tayo makakaboto kung hindi tayo magrerehistro!
Magparehistro na sa inyong local COMELEC office! Deadline na sa Oktubre 31!
Nominations now open for the 1st Dakilang Barangay Health Workers Awards
The 1st Dakilang BHW Awards is the first awards program to give honor and well-deserved recognition to the public service and community volunteerism given by our Philippine public health volunteers known commonly as Barangay Health Workers (BHWs).
Health volunteers, or BHWs, are the frontliners in primary health care services in any Philippine locality. They are often volunteers in community health centers that operate under the guidance of the Local Health Board (LHB) in accordance with the guidelines of the Department of Health (DOH). However, over the years, many of these hardworking BHWs are often under-recognized and not given the due recognition that they deserve for all the hard work and services that they render to their communities.
The Dakilang BHW Awards program seeks to provide due recognition to outstanding BHWs based in Metro Manila who have at least five years of active experience. The awards program is organized jointly by the Ateneo de Manila University-School of Government, the Kaya Natin! Movement of Good Governance and Ethical Leadership and the Office of Senator Teofisto Guingona III.
Nominees will undergo a screening process from which up to ten (10) finalists will be awarded a trophy and cash prize from the organizers in an awarding ceremony to be held in February 2013.
Any Filipino citizen or organization can nominate a BHW who is currently working in their community in Metro Manila using the application kit that can be found on http://www.kayanatin.org. They may also send an email to dakilangbhawards@gmail.com or call (02) 990-3282.
Nominations will be accepted until November 30, 2012.
Official Statement of Kaya Natin! on the Impeachment of Chief Justice Renato Corona
We, the leaders of the Kaya Natin! Movement for Good Governance and Ethical Leadership, support and laud the impeachment of Supreme Court Justice Renato Corona by the House of Representatives.
We believe that the Supreme Court, as the highest judicial body of the land, should undoubtedly be independent from any administration, past or present, in order to fulfill its obligations justly and without bias. The long and strong history between Corona and former President now Pampanga 2nd district Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo gives Filipinos a compelling reason to believe that the Supreme Court led by Corona is still heavily biased for Arroyo. It also did not help that Corona’s appointment as Chief Justice itself was questionable and went against the Constitution as a midnight appointment.
The Filipinos deserve a truly independent and trustworthy judicial body that will decide on important cases based on what is legal, constitutional, and right, not on whom the courts are loyal to. We Filipinos have already suffered countless of injustices from biased decisions, and we will no longer remain silent while these people continue to defile our institutions.
We refuse to tolerate this poisoning of the Supreme Court. Now, more than ever, there is a need to restore the full trust and confidence of the Filipino people in our high court. We cannot afford to have a court that is highly mistrusted by the people, especially the Supreme Court which is supposed to work for the good of the Filipinos.
We call on the Senate of the Philippines, as the trial court for the impeachment case of Chief Justice Corona, to listen to the people whose trust was betrayed by the actions of Corona. We hope that the evidence presented by the Lower House in the articles of impeachment are sufficient to exact accountability from the Chief Justice.
We also call on every Filipino in the country to remain vigilant and continue to hold accountable our officials who have likewise betrayed us by putting their own selfish interests above the public good. It is high time that we demand transparency and accountability from our government officials, as we should rightfully do.
Finally, we call on all government officials, whether appointed or elected, to be truthful and faithful in our mission to serve the public. Public service is not a business, not a way to make money, but a way to give our countrymen good governance and a better quality of life that every Filipino deserves.
Signed:
Jesse Robredo, DILG Secretary
Eddie Panlilio, former Governor, Pampanga
Grace Padaca, former Governor, Isabela
Teddy Baguilat, Jr., Representative, Ifugao
Sonia Lorenzo, Executive Director, Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines
Neric Acosta, Presidential Adviser for Environment Protection
Jeng Reyes, Mayor, Alicia, Isabela
Fermin Mabulo, Provincial Administrator, Camarines Sur
Florante Gerdan, President, Poro Point Development Authority
Roque Verzosa, Jr., Mayor, Tagudin, Ilocos Sur
Mabel Acosta, former Councilor, Davao City
Shirlyn Macasarte, Board Member, North Cotabato
Janaree Disomimba, former Mayor, Tamparan, Lanao del Sur
Gloria Congco, Mayor, Cabiao, Nueva Ecija
Marivic Belena, Mayor, San Jose City
Meaningful gifts for this Christmas
Meaningful gifts for this Christmas
by: Harvey S. Keh
The Manila Times
LAST weekend, I attended a wedding reception at the Thunderbird Hotel and Resorts in San Fernando, La Union. There, I caught up with Mary Jane Ortega, one of our Kaya Natin! champions and widely acknowledged as one of the country’s best-performing local chief executives during the nine years she spent as mayor of San Fernando. The last time I talked with her was during the May 10, 2010 elections, in which I tried to convince her to support then-Senators Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino 3rd and Manuel “Mar” Roxas 2nd. But Ortega politely declined to do so, saying that, as a Lakas-KAMPI stalwart, she was committed to support former Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro despite knowing that it would be tough for him to make it to Malacañang.
The former mayor may continue to be associated with the former ruling party, but what is admirable about her is that, despite being with the opposition, she says that she wants to help ensure that President Aquino will succeed in his job. This is very commendable, since we usually see leaders of different political parties slugging it out and trying to bring each other down. The result? A country so divided that it cannot move forward and solve our nation’s most pressing problems. Ortega said that she continued to pray and wish the President well, since his success would also mean our country’s. We certainly hope that we will have more political leaders like her who go beyond political affiliations for the greater good of our country.
Help young Filipinos get a good education this Christmas
I am sure that many of us are now busy coming up with our own Christmas lists and thinking about what we can give to our family and friends. I hope that you can consider giving some meaningful gifts this Yuletide season, gifts that would not only make your loved ones smile but also make a difference in the lives of other Filipinos.
Pathways to Higher Education-Philippines, a non-profit organization based at the Ateneo de Manila University, is currently selling two main Christmas packages that you may want to consider giving to your family and friends. The first is called Double Blessings (P250 a pack), a set of nutritious brown and red rice cultivated by our hardworking Filipino farmers in Benguet and Ifugao. The second, Two Brews (P280 a pack), offers two kinds of coffee—Benguet and Hazelnut.
Pathways helps academically gifted but financially disadvantaged students from public high schools gain access to quality higher education. If you would like to order and support Pathways, you can get in touch with Donna de Jesus by calling (02) 426-6001 local 4046 or send an e-mail to pathways.donna@gmail.com.
3G: Goodies for Good Governance
For those who prefer sweets, the Kaya Natin! Movement for Good Governance and Ethical Leadership is launching its highly successful 3G: Goodies for Good Governance Brownies and is selling these for P195 a box. I guarantee that these brownies taste really good and I am sure that whoever you will give these to will definitely appreciate it. Proceeds from the sale will help fund the movement’s Caravan of Good Governance, which helps educate more Filipinos in colleges and universities about the importance of good governance and responsible citizenship. The movement has visited more than 100 colleges and universities in the country and through your support, it can continue to bring its message to more schools in the provinces.
Plus, Kaya Natin! also continues to sell Pasyonista shirts that are specifically designed to inspire young Filipinos to get involved in activities that promote nation-building. You can see the shirt designs at http://pasyonista2011.multiply.com. To order the brownies or the shirts, contact Wendell Bal-deras or Krz Lopez at (02) 433-1440 or send an e-mail to knmovement@gmail.com.
Help kids fight cancer
If there is one organization that I look up to, it is the Kythe Foundation. Kythe provides support for children stricken with cancer and other chronic illnesses and their families. This Christmas, they are trying to raise funds to support their wellness programs by selling eco-friendly Kythe Tote Bags and Christmas cards. Each bag and card cost P 200 apiece and this will certainly go a long way in helping these children. To order and support this very noble organization, you can contact Milette Belen by calling (02) 376-3454 or through milette.belen@kythe.org.
I hope you will consider purchasing these meaningful Christmas gifts and help bring hope to more Filipinos all over the country.
Comments are welcome at harveykeh@gmail.com
Vice Governor Ramon Lacbain leads Kaya Natin! Chapter launch in Zambales
Kaya Natin! Chapter in Zambales launched
Last October 1, the Kaya Natin! Movement for Good Governance and Ethical Leadership (KN) led by it’s co-founder, former Pampanga Gov. Among Ed Panlilio partnered with the office of Zambales Vice-Governor Ramon Lacbain to formally launch the KN chapter in the province. The day started when the chapter led by Lacbain and Olongapo City Councilor Lugie Lipumano-Garcia conducted a free anti-flu vaccination project for prison inmates at the Zambales Provincial Jail. The free vaccines were courtesy of a generous donation by GSK Philippines. In the afternoon, a Caravan of Good Governance and the formal launching of the chapter was held at the Ramon Magsaysay Technological University in Iba, Zambales. More than 500 students all over the province attended the launching and listened to the inspiring stories of good governance shared by Panlilio and KN Program Coordinator, Jess Lorenzo. For more information about the KN Launch in Zambales, please read the column of Shylynne Castillo at http://abante-tonite.com/issue/oct0811/edit_shy.htm .
For more information on how to bring KN to your area or community, please contact Wendell Balderas at wendell.balderas@gmail.com .
Free Anti-flu vaccination for prison inmates of Zambales Provincial Jail courtesy of Kaya Natin Zambales Chapter and GSK Philippines
KN Co-founder Among Ed Panlilio shares some inspiring words to the inmates at the Zambales Provincial Jail
KN Co-founder Among Ed Panlilio leads the oath-taking of the officers of the KN Zambales Chapter
Zambales Vice-Governor Ramon Lacbain leads the KN Chapter in his province
Kaya Natin's Jess Lorenzo shares stories of good governance to college students in Zambales
Join the KN Chapter in Zambales!
Photos courtesy of Wendell Balderas
Fashion for Good Governance
Fashion for good governance
Kai Pastores wearing Pasyonista
MANILA, Philippines — Kaya Natin! (KN) Movement for Good Governance and Ethical Leadership (KN) continues with its advocacy to encourage more ordinary Filipinos to support effective, ethical and empowering leaders. If we don’t support good leaders in our government, then we will always be at the mercy of corrupt government leaders.
On Sept. 23, KN will launch its Pasyonista line of shirts to encourage Filipinos to take an active role in pushing for good governance in our country. With theme ‘’Fashion for Filipinos with a Passion for the Nation,’’ the fashion show and mini-concert is set at 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., at the Conspiracy Bar along Visayas Avenue, Quezon City.
By fusing fashion and good governance, KN wants to encourage creativity and innovation in people’s participation. Entrance to the event is for free but pre-registration is required by contacting Kirstin Lopez at (02) 990-0928 or sending an email to knmovement@gmail.com .
Standing up to the bully
When we were still in school, one of the things that was taught to us by our parents and teachers was to stand up to bullies who threw their weight around to get what they want.
Through the years, bullying has taken different forms in a society where the rich, the influential, and the powerful use their position to enrich themselves at the expense of the common good. This is what is happening right now along Katipunan Avenue where SM Development Corporation (SMDC) is currently constructing a 40-storey condominium called Blue Residences despite zoning restrictions of up to 23 storeys only.
How has this happened? Members of the Loyola Heights community where the project is located allege that no consultation took place, as they are concerned with the usual problems that high rise building constructions usually bring, such as water supply, waste management and traffic. How have the builders secure a building permit from Quezon City Hall without securing clearance from Barangay Loyola Heights?
At this point, Ateneo de Manila University, Miriam College and homeowners are standing up to the ‘’bullying” by lobbying with the present city council for the rescinding of the exemption which was given by the previous city council.
They are also organizing mass actions to air their concern.
In Ateneo, we teach our students that value of corporate social responsibility which SMDC is not showing in this instance. Ateneo and Miriam are also leading by example, showing its students the importance of fighting for what is right and good in our society. It is indeed an uphill battle for good governance.
Kaya Natin! showcases Public-Private Partnerships
SEAOIL's Mark Yu together with Ateneo and Kaya Natin's Harvey Keh
MSD and KN join forces for Public Health
The Kaya Natin! Movement for Good Governance and Ethical Leadership (KN) recently entered into partnerships with two major companies, SEAOIL Philippines Inc. and MSD. The partnership with SEAOIL will allow KN and the Ateneo de Manila University-School of Government to provide leadership training to 90 local government officials from all over the country. While the partnership with pharmaceutical giant, MSD, will allow KN to provide skills training to Baranggay Health Workers all over the 3rd District of Quezon City which will help provide access to quality healthcare to more Filipinos based in urban poor communities. This partnership is also being done together with the office of QC 3rd District Rep. Bolet Banal, who is one of the leaders of KN.
For more information about these projects and partnerships, you can contact the KN office at (02) 990-0928 or you can send an email to knmovement@gmail.com
Pasyonista – A Night of Music and Fashion
Pasyonista: Fashion for Filipinos with a Passion for the Nation
Kaya Natin! Statement of Support for the Justice for Dr. Gerry Ortega Movement
We, the leaders of the Kaya Natin! Movement for Good Governance and Ethical Leadership, express our strong support in seeking truth and justice for Dr. Gerardo “Gerry” Ortega who was slain last January 24, 2011 in Puerto Princesa, Palawan.
Dr. Gerardo Ortega, more popularly known as Ka Gerry or Doc Gerry in his hometown, served as the director of the Palawan Crocodile farm for many years. As an environmentalist, he was a strong critic and advocate against illegal mining and worked on strengthening tourism in Palawan. As a journalist, he strongly expressed his contempt against graft and corruption especially on the issue regarding the misuse of the Malampaya Natural Gas Project fund.
Only minutes after Ortega was murdered, the gunman, Marlon Recamata, was captured and later identified his accomplices: Dennis Aranas, the lookout; Armando Noel, who recruited the killer and the lookout; and Rodolfo “Bumar” Edrad Jr., a former Marine and the acknowledged team leader. Aranas was also captured while Noel and Edrad voluntarily surrendered to officials, who all admitted participation in the murder. Edrad then identified former Palawan governor Joel T. Reyes to be the mastermind of the assassination.
Upon further investigation, several players in the murder were also named: Atty. Romeo Seratubias, Reyes’ lawyer and provincial administrator, who owned the gun used to kill Ortega; Percival Lesias, a photographer in the office of Vice Gov. Fems Reyes (Joel’s wife) who bought the gun from Seratubias; Arturo Regalado, a close-in security of Joel Reyes, who gave Lesias the money to buy the gun from Seratubias, then got the purchased gun, and gave it to the group of Recamata.
Last June 8, 2011, after four months of investigation, the prosecution panel formed by the Department of Justice (DOJ) tasked to look into the Ortega assassination dismissed the case against Joel T. Reyes and his accomplices by the reason of “insufficiency of evidence” and finding no probable cause for the murder.
We express contempt and disappointment at the decision given by the DOJ prosecution panel to absolve Reyes and his accomplices from the case despite solid confessions made by the hit group as well as the evidences presented before the panel which all point to Reyes as the mastermind behind the crime.
The bereaved family of Ortega has already filed a motion for reconsideration and a motion for reinvestigation last July 1, 2011 to open the case again. Up to date, the family is still waiting for a decision from DOJ.
We strongly express our full support to Doc Gerry’s eldest daughter, Mika, who is actively seeking truth and justice, not only for her dad’s murder, but also for other victims of injustice and impunity in media killings.
It is our appeal that the Department of Justice live up to its name and live by the values of truth and justice. We call on them to objectively and conscientiously consider the numerous evidences available and find probable cause so that there can be a full-blown trial where the prosecution can properly present more hard evidences and the accused can defend themselves in the appropriate venue. If left unanswered, the case would only embolden other corrupt officials to silence those like Ortega who are truly contributing to good governance by calling attention to anomalous officials.
Furthermore, we also call on the abovementioned government body to join our rally for good governance and ethical leadership by contributing in the efforts to end impunities related to unjust media killings nationwide. The murder of Ortega is only one of many killings that are politically motivated, and the government must exhaust all efforts to put a stop to these crimes. For what good is a democracy if citizens cannot freely express their concerns about the government in a constructive way?
Finally, we call on every Filipino who value our democracy to support the Ortega family in their fight for justice. This is not merely a fight for one individual, but a fight to end injustice and extrajudicial killings in our country.
Signed:
Jesse Robredo, Secretary, Department of the Interior and Local Government
Grace Padaca, former Governor, Isabela
Among Ed Panlilio, former Governor, Pampanga
Neric Acosta, Presidential Adviser for Environmental Protection
Bolet Banal, Representative, Quezon City
Kaka Bag-ao, Representative, AKBAYAN
Teddy Baguilat, Jr., Representative, Ifugao
Sonia Lorenzo, former Mayor, San Isidro, Nueva Ecija
Roque Verzosa, Jr., Mayor, Tagudin, Ilocos Sur
Florante Gerdan, former Mayor, Sta. Fe, Nueva Vizcaya
Cecilia Clare Reyes, Mayor, Alicia, Isabela
Marivic Belena, Mayor, San Jose City, Nueva Ecija
Gloria Congco, Mayor, Cabiao, Nueva Ecija
Valente Yap, Mayor, Bindoy, Negros Oriental
Shirlyn Macasarte, Board Member, North Cotabato
Jocelle Batapa-Sigue, former Councilor, Bacolod City
Janaree Disomimba, former Mayor, Tamparan, Lanao del Sur
Mabel Sunga-Acosta, former Councilor, Davao City
Fermin Mabulo, former Mayor, San Fernando, Camarines Sur
Francis Tinio, former Councilor, Binalonan, Pangasinan
