SWIRLING THOUGHTS

SHAME ON YOU! LIST OF CONGRESSMEN WHO VOTED FOR THE CON ASS

Author: bigdaddyrichard Posted under: Philippine Congress, Philippine politics

In answer to Lilla Shahani's call to thwart Glora Arroyo's grand scheme to stay in power, I am also reposting this list of congessmen who voted for the con con. This is our "Shame On You List" of congressmen we should not vote for in 2010.

So the people will know. I am herewith publishing the names of the Philippine congressmen who, against the wishes of, and without consultations with the Filipino people insisted on pushing the legislation that aims to transform the legislative body into a constitutional assembly that will make changes to country's charter. They did this brazen act instead of spending time for more urgent matters requiring their attention for a long, long time like the extension of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program which the farmers have been clamoring for some time now. Read and remember their names. Do not forget them come election time! Do not forget that these are the congressmen who'd rather work for their selfish ends than attend to the concerns of their constituents. Let us relive the spirit of EDSA 1 and trash into oblivion all these trapo politicians in 2010!

ABANTE, Bienvenido M., Manila;
ABLAN, Roque R. Jr., Ilocos Norte;
AGBAYANI, Victor Aguedo E., Pangasinan;
AGYAO, Manuel S., Kalinga;
ALBANO, Rodolfo T. (III), Isabela;
ALFELOR, Felix R. Jr., Camarines Sur;
ALMARIO, Thelma Z., Davao Or.;
ALVAREZ, Antonio C., Palawan;
ALVAREZ, Genaro Rafael M. Jr., Negros Occ.;
AMANTE, Edelmiro A., Agusan del Norte;
AMATONG, Rommel C., Compostela Valley;
ANGPING, Maria Zenaida B., Manila;
ANTONINO, Rodolfo W., Nueva Ecija;
APOSTOL, Trinidad G., Leyte;
AQUINO, Jose S. (II), Agusan del Norte;
ARAGO, Maria Evita R., Laguna;
ARBISON, Munir M., Sulu;
ARENAS, Ma. Rachel J., Pangasinan;
ARROYO, Diosdado M., Camarines Sur;
ARROYO, Ignacio T., Negros Occ.;
ARROYO, Juan Miguel M., Pampanga;
BAGATSING, Amado S., Manila;
BALINDONG, Pangalian M., Lanao del Sur;
BARZAGA, Elpidio F. Jr., Cavite;
BAUTISTA, Franklin P., Davao del Sur;
BELMONTE, Vicente F. Jr., Lanao del Norte;
BICHARA, Al Francis C., Albay;
BIRON, Ferjenel G., Iloilo;
BONDOC, Anna York P., Pampanga;
BONOAN-DAVID, Ma. Theresa B., Manila;
BRAVO, Narciso R. Jr., Masbate;
BRIONES, Nicanor M., AGAP Party List;
BUHAIN, Eileen Ermita, Batangas;
BULUT, Elias C. Jr., Apayao;
CAGAS, Marc Douglas C. (IV), Davao del Sur;
CAJAYON, Mary Mitzi L., Bohol;
CAJES, Roberto C., Bohol;
CARI, Carmen L., Leyte;
CASTRO, Fredenil H., Capiz;
CELESTE, Arthur F., Pangasinan;
CERILLES, Antonio H., Zamboanga del Sur;
CHATTO, Edgardo M., Bohol;
CHONG, Glenn A., Biliran;
CHUNGALAO, Solomon R., Ifugao;
CLARETE, Marina P., Misamis Occ.;
CODILLA, Eufrocino M. Sr., Leyte;
COJUANGCO, Mark O., Pangasinan;
COQUILLA, Teodulo M., Eastern Samar;
CRISOLOGO, Vincent P., Quezon City;
CUA, Junie E., Quirino;
CUENCO, Antonio V., Cebu City;
DANGWA, Samuel M., Benguet;
DATUMANONG, Simeon A., Maguindanao;
DAYANGHIRANG, Nelson L., Davao Or.;
DAZA, Nanette C., Quezon City;
DAZA, Paul R., Northern Samar;
DE GUZMAN, Del R., Marikina City;
DEFENSOR, Arthur D. Sr., Iloilo;
DEFENSOR, Matias V. Jr., Quezon City;
DEL MAR, Raul V., Cebu City;
DIASNES, Carlo Oliver D., Batanes;
DIMAPORO, Abdullah D., Lanao del Norte;
DOMOGAN, Mauricio G., Baguio;
DUAVIT, Michael John R, Rizal;
DUENAS, Henry M. Jr., Taguig;
DUMARPA, Faysah Omaira M., Lanao del Sur;
DUMPIT, Thomas L. Jr., La Union;
DURANO, Ramon H. (IV), Cebu;
ECLEO, Glenda B., Dinagat Islands;
EMANO, Yevgeny Vincente B., Misamis Or.;
ENVERGA, Wilfrido Mark M., Quezon;
ESTRELLA, Conrado M. (III), Pangasinan;
ESTRELLA, Robert Raymundo M., ABONO Party List;
FERRER, Jeffrey P., Negros Occ.;
GARAY, Florencio C., Surigao del Sur;
GARCIA, Albert S., Bataan;
GARCIA, Pablo John F., Cebu;
GARCIA, Pablo P., Cebu;
GARCIA, Vincent J., Davao City;
GARIN, Janette L., Iloilo;
GATCHALIAN, Rexlon T., Valenzuela City;
GATLABAYAN, Angelito C., Antipolo City;
GO, Arnulfo F., Sultan Kudarat;
GONZALES, Aurelio D. Jr.; Pampanga
GONZALES, Raul T. Jr., Iloilo City;
GULLAS, Eduardo R., Cebu;
GUNIGUNDO, Magtanggol T., Valenzuela City;
HOFER, Dulce Ann K., Zamboanga Sibugay;
JAAFAR, Nur G., Tawi-Tawi;
JALA, Adam Relson L., Bohol;
JALOSJOS, Cesar G., Zamboanga del Norte;
JALOSJOS-CARREON, Cecilia G., Zamboanga del Norte;
JIKIRI, Yusop H., Sulu; KHO, Antonio T., Masbate:
LABADLABAD, Rosendo S., Zamboanga del Norte;
LACSON, Jose Carlos (V), Negros Occ.;
LAGDAMEO, Antonio F. Jr., Davao del Norte;
LAPUS, Jeci A., Tarlac;
LAZATIN, Carmelo F., Pampanga;
LIM, Reno G., Albay;
LOPEZ, Jaime C., Manila;
MADRONA, Eleandro Jesus F., Romblon;
MAGSAYSAY, Maria Milagros H., Zambales;
MALAPITAN, Oscar G., Caloocan City;
MAMBA, Manuel N., Cagayan;
MANGUDADATU, Datu Pax S., Sultan Kudarat;
MARANON, Alfredo D. (III), Negros Occ.;
MATUGAS, Francisco T., Surigao del Norte;
MENDOZA, Mark Leandro L., Batangas;
MERCADO, Roger G., Southern Leyte;
MIRAFLORES, Florencio T., Aklan;
NAVA, Joaquin Carlos Rahman A., Guimaras;
NICOLAS, Reylina G., Bulacan;
NOGRALES, Prospero C., Davao City;
OLAÑO, Arrel R., Davao del Norte;
ONG, Emil L., Northern Samar;
ORTEGA, Victor Francisco C., La Union;
PABLO, Ernesto C., APEC Party List;
PANCHO, Pedro M., Bulacan;
PANCRUDO, Candido P. Jr., Bukidnon;
PICHAY, Philip A., Surigao del Sur;
PIÑOL, Bernardo F. Jr., North Cotabato;
PUNO, Roberto V., Antipolo City;
RAMIRO, Herminia M., Misamis Occ.;
REMULLA, Jesus Crispin C., Cavite;
REYES, Carmencita O., Marinduque;
REYES, Victoria H., Batangas;
ROBES, Arturo B., San Jose del Monte City;
RODRIGUEZ-ZALDARRIAGA, Adelina, Rizal;
ROMAN, Herminia B., Bataan;
ROMARATE, Guillermo A. Jr., Surigao del Norte;
ROMUALDEZ, Ferdinand Martin G., Leyte;
ROMUALDO, Pedro, Camiguin;
ROMULO, Roman T., Pasig City;
ROXAS, Jose Antonio F., Pasay City;
SALIMBANGON, Benhur, Cebu;
SALVACION, Andres D. Jr., Leyte;
SAN LUIS, Edgar S., Laguna;
SANDOVAL, Alvin S., Malabon-Navotas;
SANTIAGO, Joseph A., Catanduanes;
SANTIAGO, Narciso D. (III), ARC Party List;
SEACHON-LANETE, Rizalina L., Masbate;
SEARES-LUNA, Cecilia M., Abra;
SILVERIO, Lorna C., Bulacan;
SINGSON, Eric D., Ilocos Sur;
SINGSON, Ronald V., Ilocos Sur;
SOLIS, Jose G., Sorsogon;
SOON-RUIZ, Nerissa Corazon, Cebu;
SUAREZ, Danilo E., Quezon;
SUSANO, Mary Ann L., Quezon City;
SY-ALVARADO, Ma. Victoria R., Bulacan;
SYJUCO, Judy J., Iloilo;
TALIÑO-MENDOZA, Emmylou J., North Cotabato;
TAN, Sharee Ann T., Western Samar;
TEODORO, Marcelino R., Marikina City;
TEODORO, Monica Louise Prieto, Tarlac;
TEVES, Pryde Henry A., Negros Or.;
TUPAS, Neil C. Jr., Iloilo;
UNGAB, Isidro T., Davao City;
UY, Edwin C., Isabela;
UY, Reynaldo S., Western Samar;
UY, Rolando A., Cagayan de Oro City;
VALDEZ, Edgar L., APEC Party List;
VALENCIA, Rodolfo G., Or. Mindoro;
VARGAS, Florencio L., Cagayan;
VILLAFUERTE, Luis R., Camarines Sur;
VILLAROSA, Ma. Amelita C., Occ. Mindoro;
VIOLAGO, Joseph Gilbert F., Nueva Ecija;
YAP, Jose V., Tarlac;
YU, Victor J., Zamboanga del Sur;
ZAMORA, Manuel E., Compostela Valley;
ZIALCITA, Eduardo C., Parañaque.

1 Comments

The Maguindanao Massacre - An Eyewitness Account

Author: bigdaddyrichard Posted under: Maguindanao, Marga Ortigas

MAGUINDANAO PROVINCE, PHILIPPINES - NOVEMBER 2...

Image by Getty Images via Daylife

The prime suspect in the Maguindanao Massacre gave himself up this morning to authorities. He denied any participation in the crime.(Rubbish!) A reporter from Al Jazeera.net, Marga Ortigas, who is In Buluan to cover the event, reported talking to an eyewitness to the incident. Here is an excerpt of her report:

"His surrender comes as a man who says he was a witness to Monday's killings told Al Jazeera that Ampatuan Jr had directly ordered the massacre targeting a political rival for the provincial governorship.

The witness, who identified himself only as "Boy", said he was among more than 100 armed men who held up a convoy of political campaigners and journalists before taking them to a remote mountainous area.

He said Ampatuan Jr had ordered the gunmen to kill all the members of a rival political clan, including women and children, and to make sure no evidence was left behind.

"Datu Andal himself said… anyone from the Mangudadatu clan - women or children - should be killed," he told Al Jazeera.

"We don't ask why, we just follow orders."

"Boy", who is now in hiding fearing his life is in danger, said all of the women in the group had been raped before being killed and their bodies dumped in mass graves that had already been dug out using an excavator."

For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV

With a backhoe from the provincial motorpool having been used to dig up the shallow graves for the victims (left in the crime scene apparently in a hurried escape), an accusing finger must be pointed at the older Ampatuan too! Ampatuan Sr. must also be charged as an accessory to this crime. Everyone responsible must be punished. Let us not be fooled into accepting Ampatuan Jr. as the sole escape goat for this despicable crime.

0 Comments

Latest Update On the Maguindanao Massacre

Author: bigdaddyrichard Posted under: Philippines, politics

46 bodies have been dug so far. This despicable act was pre-meditated...planned and executed by no less than the 'political monster' created by GMA herself. It must be recalled that the Ampatuans delivered the crucial votes for GMA in the 2004 elections, and a 12-0 victory for GMA's senatorial bets in 2007. Maguindanao was also were the first dry run for computerized elections was help during the ARMM elections where Zaldy Ampatuan won hands down. Expect the worst for the coming 2010 elections.

For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV

Secretary Jesus Dureza with the Ampatuans immediately after the massacre"Concocting a whitewash?"

0 Comments

30 Killed In Poll Related Violence - Expect The Worst For the 2010 Philippine Elections!

Author: bigdaddyrichard Posted under: elections 2010, Philippine politics

Map of Maguindanao showing the location of Buluan

Image via Wikipedia

6 months away from the 2010 elections and barely 4 days after the start of the filing of the Certificates of Candidacies, and already 30 people died in the most violent 2010 poll related incident in the Philippines. Buluan vice mayor Ismael "Toto" Mangudadatu who is running for governor of Maguindanao told ANC that his wife, Jenalyn, his sister, and some relatives together with some 15 media men who went to cover the event were on their way to file a certificate of candidacy on his behalf when a group of about 100 armed men abducted them.

Responding Armed Forces of the Philippines personnel, the 601st Infrantry Brigade, recovered 13 female and 8 male bodies were found around 4:30 p.m. Monday. In a phone interview with ABS-CBN News, Buluan Mayor Ibrahim "Jong" Mangudadatu confirmed that at least 30 bodies have been recovered as of Monday evening. Madaser "Toy" Mangudadato, a member of regional legislative assembly of ARMM, told ANC that they sent their female relatives to file the certificate of candidacy for "Toto" in the hope that their political rivals would not harm them. Earlier, it was reported that the Ampatuans warned that if Toto will personally file his candidacy, he will be hurt.

The Ampatuans are known allies of the administration, and the audacity with which the crime was committed in broad daylight only goes to show to what extent these politicians are willing to go to remain in power.

Here are the news accounts from the two major television networks networks. Unfortunately the news accounts are in the local language and no annotations are available.

For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV

0 Comments

Noynoy Aquino @ "GMA's Isang Tanong, Isang Sagot"

Author: bigdaddyrichard Posted under: Noynoy Aquino, Philippine politics

Together with the other presidentiables, Noynoy Aquino went under the spotlight in GMA'S "Eleksyon 2010 Isang Tanong, Isang Sagot", a GMA public affairs program that let the viewers know more about their candidates. My apologies to non -Filipino readers, the following video is in the local dialect and there are no translations nor annotations available.

0 Comments

Take A Load Of This! - A Potshot on Philippine Politics Today

Author: bigdaddyrichard Posted under: politics

If you were entertained by the popular Korean "Nobela", Boys Over Flowers, you'll surely find it hilariously entertaining watching the unfolding daily drama known as the Philippine Presidential Elections 2010.

Words of Warning: The performances of the above actors and actress in the forthcoming presidential campaigns can be deceptively convincing enough to divert your attention away from the unfinished tasks of EDSA Revolution of 1986!

0 Comments

The Open Letter To FVR From Lila Ramos Shahani

Author: bigdaddyrichard Posted under: Chiz Escudero, Fidel Ramos, Gibo Teodoro, Lila Shahani, Manny Villar, Noynoy Aquino

Yup! You guessed it right. Lila Ramos Shahani is the niece of former president Fidel V. Ramos. I came across her new blog Notes From An Insomniac - forays into things elliptical by Lila R. Shahani (through Noynoy Aquino's website). Lila is currently working on her doctorate at Oxford and doing consultancies for the UN on the side. Little known to the Filipinos, she must have grown up and schooled abroad, Lila's blog shows that her heart and soul is more pinoy than many of us. Lila has chosen to be outspoken as she boldly pronounced her stand on Philippine politics - to no less than former president Fidel V. Ramos who is her uncle, a staunch supporter of GMA, and a political kingmaker.

Her first ever entry on her new blog is an open letter to her uncle FVR. I am posting her letter here in its entirety because I believe every Filipino must read it...I believe this is how every Filipino must think about the forthcoming presidential elections too. Her letter to her infamous uncle shows her genuine concern for the Filipinos.

14 October 2009

Dear Uncle Ed,

I was very relieved to hear that you were all safe and sound in the wake of Ondoy and Pepeng. But how devastating that our people had to go through two such onslaughts (particularly in Pangasinan, Ilocos and Manila -- all of which remain very close to our hearts) one after the other! I hope and pray that the flooding eventually subsides and people are rehabilitated safely. And if Napocor and the San Roque people are in fact partially responsible for the terrible flooding in Pangasinan, I sincerely hope that they are made to face their day in court.

I thought I would write you because I’m concerned about some things that have been happening at home. I am not sure who you will endorse for president but I know that it will most likely tip the balance again, much in the way that your endorsements have done in the past. I have never felt the need to write you before, although I have always carefully observed your decisions through the years.

And I certainly had questions -- questions about human rights during the martial law years, military logging under the Marcos administration, the signing of IPP contracts after the power crisis (and the high cost of electricity for consumers), the San Roque dam, PEA/Amari, the Fort Bonifacio conversion/privatization program, the VFA, the Centennial celebration, the endorsement of Joe de V and the continued support of GMA until the bitter end. I was relieved to learn that you had been cleared of any wrongdoing in the PEA/Amari case, but always wondered whether your decision to endorse Joe de V (which was after all a party decision as well) was inextricably linked to it.

Why am I bringing all this up now? Only to say that, as your niece, I have had many questions about your decisions through the years, but none that ever made me feel the need to engage with you at length. To begin with, ours was not a particularly discursive relationship. More importantly, I always felt the need to give you the benefit of the doubt, and trusted that you had the best interests of the Filipino people at heart.

And there was certainly ample evidence that you had done tremendous things in your lifetime. Not only were you a hero of EDSA 1: you had had a brilliant military career and were arguably one of the best presidents the country has ever had. Winning by only a small margin, you turned what might have been a costly liability into the success of pluralism. With liberalization and deregulation during your term, FDI increased and the economy as a whole remained strong, even throughout the Asian financial crisis. In fact, privatization, revenue generation through a VAT on luxury goods and services, working with the communist and Muslim insurgency, and focusing on OFW rights (particularly in the case of Flor Contemplacion) -- were all hallmarks of your administration, and certainly the kind of decisions my Fletcher professors would have applauded. Indeed, the suggestions of corruption were minimal, seen in the context of all your positive contributions and in comparison with preceding and succeeding presidents. Without a doubt.

But I finally had to break my silence after having watched the Ondoy aftermath with horror, realizing that our government was as much to blame for the colossal loss of life and habitation in the country as was climate change. As an engineer, you know that the flooding was also due to poor civil engineering, urban planning and zoning; lack of waste management; lack of education and corruption.

The thought of your supporting Gibo (or even a Villar/Escudero tandem, for that matter, in the event that Gibo has become too unpopular since Ondoy) was finally enough to make me put pen to paper. Without a doubt, Gibo is “incomparably competent,” but then so were Joe de V and GMA, Uncle Ed -- and look what happened. I understand that you supported GMA because you wanted macroeconomic stability in the country above all, particularly in the apparent absence of any viable alternatives.

But I think the sweep of history speaks for itself: competent candidates with strong party affiliations are not necessarily going to be good leaders, nor will they necessarily be what the people want. Because they lack a certain basic honesty, and I suspect the people sense that. If Gibo were sincere, why would he stay with Lakas-CMD, particularly now that the merger with Kampi has been honored by the Supreme Court? Surely the ruling party has been discredited at this point, in view of everything GMA has done? There really is no need to enumerate anymore: I think, by now, we’re all pretty familiar with what those things are.

Even Obama was reluctant to have an audience with her, and overseas Filipinos continue to refuse to send money to the Ondoy victims through their embassies and consulates, so deep indeed is their distrust of the government! Moreover, his performance in the post-Ondoy relief effort has hardly been stellar, as you must have already noted. Gibo is also undoubtedly backed by Danding (despite the alleged rift), which suggests that the two things that very much impede progress in our country -- monopolies and oligarchy itself -- will ultimately remain unchanged. This is ostensibly the reason why many young people remain wary of Chiz/Loren or Villar/Escudero. As for Manny V, his meteoric rise to power is nothing short of impressive, to be sure, but his proclivity for engaging in back-room deals has certainly not gone unnoticed. In short, what we see in these candidates appears to be more of the same -- a position, I might add, we can no longer afford, and certainly not at this critical moment in our nation’s history.

Of course Erap’s decision to run will split up the opposition even further, which certainly strengthens the ruling party’s hand. But perhaps my biggest fear about Gibo (apart from the very real possibility that, in subtle ways, the ruling party might cheat) has to do with the fact that charter change appears to be imminent, in which case, if GMA runs for Congress in the meantime, it is not entirely inconceivable that she could become our next Prime Minister. To be sure, you would be granted the same type of soft power you’ve been granted during GMA’s administration, but is it really worth it in the end, Uncle Ed? Do you really want to go down in history as the guy who saved GMA after “Hello, Garci” and who continued to hand the country down to its unscrupulous elite from one administration to another? Isn’t the respect of the young -- and of history itself -- the most important thing, at the end of the day? In my humble opinion, the best way to refurbish the fading Eddie brand now is to do the right thing and heed the will of the people.

Noynoy, of course, is less than perfect: we all know that. His record is remarkable only in its lack of remarkable achievements, and he certainly isn’t a particularly brilliant thinker or charismatic speaker. But he has never been tainted by any suggestions of corruption and does not appear to have the propensity to throw his weight around. He is apparently thoughtful, respectful and humble, and we can only hope that his lineage will encourage him to sacrifice for the country the way his extraordinary parents did. Because of this inimitable heritage, he is now the one candidate with the potential to unite the opposition against the ruling party. For his part, Mar is no slouch, moreover, and the Liberal Party appears to have some progressive elements.

The point is: the people are clearly tired, not just of the “bickering,” as you say, but of the trapos themselves, and are willing to bet on someone who falls very far outside the standard mold (Noynoy is, if you will, a reluctant Cojuangco, something many respect and appreciate). At any rate, I sincerely hope you will consider my thoughts -- the thoughts of a young Filipina who loves her country immeasurably -- when you make your decision.

But none of this changes my love and respect for you, Uncle Ed. I’m just sorely disappointed and hope that, for once in my life, you might actually recognize that I'm old enough to make my own assessments. Nor does this mean that I’m not a “team player.” Because my definition of teamwork is not that you command the team and everyone is thereby obligated to obey you. Instead, team members should be able to have different view points, while still working together for the greater good of the collective whole. In fact, democratic exchange within the team can often enhance the quality of its collective decisions on the whole.

I sincerely hope that you place the country over any other considerations and choose the candidate who is really best for the country, and not in terms of who might further consolidate the tremendous power you already wield.

I hope you won’t be offended by what I have written (and hope you understand if I decide to include some of these ideas in my new blog) but, at 42, I think I’m finally entitled to my own opinion, Uncle Ed. You are after all the only father figure I have ever had (although you may not know it) and I’m writing you the way I would have written my own father, had I just been given a chance.

Please take care of yourself.

Love always,

Lil

Let us just hope the uncle will listen his niece because her thoughts are also the thoughts of millions of suffering Filipinos today.

0 Comments

My Apologies To My Entrecard Droppers!

Author: bigdaddyrichard Posted under:

My sincerest apologies to all my Entrecard droppers.....I have not been able to reciprocate your drops for the last 8 days.....my internet connection went poooped for the last 8 days. Apparently, my phone lines were accidentally?!? cut off by another phone/ISP provider! Worst, it took 8 days for my own service provider to resolve the issue...after almost a dozen frantic calls from me...after I finally lost my temper and hollered like hell at the service agent on the other line.

I'm back to my dropaholic form with a promise not to miss a single day again!

Mea Culpa!

6 Comments

Failure Of Philippine Elections In 2010 Is More Than Likely - Read This!

Author: bigdaddyrichard Posted under: politics

Remember Manuel Zelaya?....The former Honduran president who was ousted in June, 2009 through a military coup? Through an undoubtedly well-planned military operation executed in one single day, Zelaya was arrested and deported at gunpoint. He was supposed to complete his presidential term later this year but he was calling for a referendum to change the constitution so he can remain in power beyond the one term limit imposed by their constitution.

Apart from the similarities in their intentions to hang on to power beyond their constitutionally mandated term limits (of ousted Hondurian president Manuel Zelaya and incumbent Philippine president Gloria Arroyo), I am not inclined to discuss the Honduran incident any further than mentioning the common morbid intention of both leaders.

However, what struck me cold was an incident reported in the Honduran press after the ouster of Zelaya!

Computerized Election Results With No Election
july 10 | kdawson

Posted on Wednesday, July 22, 2009 12:23:58 AM by Pessimist

"In Honduras, according to breaking Catalan newspaper reports (translations available, USA Today mention), authorities have seized 45 computers containing certified election results for a constitutional election that never happened. The election had been scheduled for June 28, but on that day the president, Manuel Zelaya, was ousted. The 'certified' and detailed electronic records of the non-existent election show Zelaya's side having won overwhelmingly."

Guess who supplied Honduras the computerized counting machines!.... The same consortium who will be supplying the machines for the Philippine's 2010 elections!... The same consortium that has supplied the same machines and kept Zelaya's friend and mentor Hugo Chavez of Venezuela in power!

With this revelation, you should not now wonder why practically everyone in Arroyo's cabinet have signified their intentions to run for public office in the coming 2010 elections! You should not wonder now why a practically unknown figure in Philippine politics, with no party affiliations at all to begin with, and only boasts of being Arroyo's Defense Secretary for a short while would run for the highest position in the country. You should not now wonder why Arroyo and her henchmen have the nerve and the gall to call for a charter change like Manuel Zelaya....why they have the nerve to go on wanton spending binges abroad while the rest of the country is mired in poverty!

You should no longer wonder...because Arroyo and her henchmen have the 2010 stage set to their advantage! They know they only need to wait for the 2010 elections and the results will be in their favor!

3 Comments

Winners Of The IzeaFest Prize Pack

Author: bigdaddyrichard Posted under: Drew Bennet, Ultimate Izea Fest Prize Pack

Today MarketLeverageTV becomes the MarketLeverage TV Network with multiple shows. And during the debut episode of WrapUp the winners of BenSpark's Ultimate IZEAFest Prize Pack Contest will be chosen.

This contest sprang forth from the mind of Drew Bennett - AKA BenSpark (@BenSpark) after writing his list of 10 Essential items to bring with you to IZEAFest. While writing that post Drew was thinking about all the conferences that he's attended over the years and the things that were essential to a blogger at each event. His dream was to be able to provide those items as prizes to a lucky blogger who will be attending IZEAFest 2009. That along with his 10 Reasons to Attend IZEAFest 2009 gave him inspiration to ask for help in making his dream of giving a great prize pack to some lucky bloggers a reality.

So Drew went out and asked multiple sponsors for help. He is an IZEA Insider for the "I'm Not A Famous Blogger" Crew and as such was provided with tickets to IZEAFest. So prize number one was taken care of. You can't have an Ultimate IZEAFest Prize Pack without a ticket to IZEAFest. From there Drew recruited the generous help of Dina Riccobono (@MLDina) and MarketLeverage (@MarketLeverage) who provided Drew with an Asus Eee PC 1000HA and a Flip Mino HD that is Co-Branded BenSpark.com and MarketLeverage!

Early on when Drew started his search for prizes he made a request from ZINK Imaging who gave him two Polaroid Pogos and 200 sheets of ZINK Paper. He uses one of them to create unique Business cards. When Drew meets you he asks you to take a photo with him using his Xshot. He then prints out an instant photo with his Pogo on ZINK paper and sticks it to the back of his business card. Drew is donating one of his Polaroid PoGos to the winner. He also secured An Xshot for each winner because there are two runner up winners who not only get IZEAFest Tickets (A fantastic and valuable prize in its own right) but they will each get a smaller prize pack.

Drew's friend Michael at Xshot hooked him up with a business contact in the Flipbac Innovations Company and they kicked in some Flipbac (@flipbac) angled viewfinder and LCD screen protectors for digital cameras as prizes. Each Runner up gets one of those and Drew has a few extra to give away at IZEAFest.

To keep people going all weekend long Drew was able to get a case of BluFrog Wildly Healthy Energy Drink donated by Martha Decker (@MarDeck). He is also including energy drink packets from EBOOST (@EBOOST). Drew will have close to 100 packets to give away at IZEAFest 2009, come find him for one. Runner up winners also get an EBOOST prize pack.

Continuing to fill out his Ultimate IZEAFest Prize Pack Drew sought out help from one of his "I'm Not A Famous Blogger" crew members, Jennifer Leet (@jentifa. Jennifer is the queen of contests and she connected with one of her sponsors BriteView (@BriteView to get a Cinema Cube to add to the Ultimate IZEAFest Prize Pack.

Still not quite sure that he had the Ultimate Prize Pack for an IZEAFest attendee Drew sought out something innovative and cool that would reflect the fun open spirit of learning and networking of IZEAFest. He found the perfect prize in the Poken. Drew asked a question on Twitter about whether the Poken was worth the money and the call was answered by @PokenGirl. PokenGirl explained that the Poken is a device that one can use to connect with other people physically by slapping a "High 4" with that other person's Poken. What that does is exchange a digital business card that contains your online social media profiles. Since IZEAFest is all about learning, having fun and making connections with other people a Poken is a great prize that will be going to each of the winners. They even get to choose which of the cute little Pokens they want.

With the Prize Pack Assembled Drew only needed to find some willing judges and he did at Affiliate Summit East. First he recruited Famous Blogger Murray Newlands (@MurrayNewlands), then "I'm Not A Famous Blogger" crew member Tim Jones (@Timothy_Jones) or rather The Real Tim Jones. He also recruited Eric Schechter @ericschechter of ClickBooth and last but not least he recruited Kim Ann Curtin (@KimAnnCurtin, Life Coach to the Affiliates.

The Judges had a difficult task ahead of them. There were four bloggers who went that extra mile to try for the Ultimate IZEAFest Prize Pack. Those folks along with the many others who entered the random drawing are waiting on the edge of their seats until WrapUp airs on the MarketLeverage TV Network Monday Morning 10:30am EST.