Barangay and SK Election 2018

Barangay and SK election finally set on this year 2018. Comelec reminds Barangay, SK bets of rules on propaganda materials Candidates running in the May 14, 2018, Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections may start campaigning as the nine-day campaign period begins today, May 4. Commission on Elections (Comelec) Resolution No. 10246 sets the campaign period from May 4 to May 12. The Comelec reminded candidates to follow campaign rules such as the common poster area. Banned areas: Outside of authorized common poster areas Public places, and Private properties without the consent of the owner. Public places defined Public places include any of the following: Publicly owned electronic announcement boards, such as light-emitting diode (LED) display boards located along highways and streets, liquid crystal display (LCD) monitors posted on walls of public buildings, and other similar devices which are owned by local government units, government-owned and -controlled corporations, or any agency or instrumentality of the government; Motor vehicles used as patrol cars, ambulances, and for other similar purposes that are owned by local government units, government-owned and -controlled corporations, and other agencies and instrumentalities of the government, particularly those bearing government license plates; Public transport vehicles owned and controlled by the government such as the Metro Rail Transit (MRT), Light Rail Transit (LRT), and Philippine National Railway trains and the like. Waiting sheds, sidewalks, street and lamp posts, electric posts and wires, traffic signages and other signboards erected on public property, pedestrian overpasses and underpasses, flyovers and underpasses, bridges, main thoroughfares, center islands of roads and highways; Schools, public shrines, barangay halls, government offices, health centers, public structures and buildings or any edifice thereof; and Premises of public transport terminals, owned and controlled by the government, such as bus terminals, airports, seaports, docks, piers, train stations and the like. Lawful campaign materials candidates may use the following: Pamphlets, leaflets, cards, decals, stickers or other written or printed materials the size of which does not exceed eight and one-half inches (8 ½ inches) in width and fourteen inches (14 inches) in length; Handwritten or printed letters urging voters to vote for or against any particular political party or candidate for public office; Posters made of cloth, paper, cardboard or any other material, whether framed or posted, with an area not exceeding two feet by three feet (2 x 3 feet); Streamers not exceeding three feet by eight feet (3 x 8 feet) in size displayed at the site and on the occasion of a public meeting or rally. Said streamers may be displayed five (5) days before the date of the meeting or rally and shall be removed within twenty-four (24) hours after said meeting or rally; Mobile units, vehicles motorcades of all types, whether engine or manpower driven or animal drawn, with or without sound systems or loud speakers and with or without lights; In residences of candidates, lawful election paraphernalia may be displayed, but banners or streamers referred to in paragraph (d) above shall not be allowed; All other forms of election propaganda not prohibited by the Omnibus Election Code or these rules. Paid advertisements in print or broadcast media subject to the requirements set forth in Section 4 of Republic Act No. 9006 or the Fair Elections Act. Jimenez encouraged candidates do their best to use “recyclable” and “environment-friendly” materials and avoid those that contain hazardous chemicals and substances in the production of their campaign and election propaganda. It is also very important that candidates include, in their campaign materials, the phrase: “This material should be recycled.” “Of course, the use of the recycle logo will be considered substantial compliance,” Any printed or published, and broadcast election propaganda for or against a candidate or group of candidates to any public office, he said shall bear and be identified by reasonably legible or audible words “political advertisement paid for,” followed by the true and correct name and address of the candidate whose benefit the election propaganda was printed or aired. “It shall also bear, and be identified by, reasonably legible, or audible words ‘political advertisement paid by,’ followed by the true and correct name and address of the payer,”. “Paid for” refers to the person or persons who benefit from the ad – like “binayaran para kay _______.” “Paid by,” on the other hand, translates to “binayaran ni ______.” “Campaign rules are designed precisely to ensure fairness by eliminating the potential for some candidates to take unfair advantage of their resources or unique circumstances. More importantly, everybody knows instinctively when what they’re about to do violates the spirit, if not the letter, of those rules,” Gun Ban Rules: During the election period it shall be unlawful for any person, including those possessing a permit to carry firearms outside of residence or place of residence or place of business: a. to bear, carry or transport firearms or other deadly weapons in public places including any building, street, park, private vehicle or public conveyance. The term "firearm" includes airgun; b. to employ, avail himself of or engage the services of security personnel or bodyguards, whether or not such bodyguards are members of officers of the PNP, the AFP or any other law enforcement agency of the government; c. to organize or maintain reaction forces, strike force or similar forces. Exceptions. a. Officers or members of the AFP, PNP, or any law enforcement agency constituting the normal security personnel complement of the incumbent President, Vice President, Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Secretary of National Defense, Secretary of Interior and Local Government, Chief of Staff of the AFP and AFP Major Service Commanders, Director General of the PNP and senior officers thereof while in actual performance of their duties; Senior officers shall include battalion commanders, group commanders, regimental commanders, brigade commanders, division commanders, and their equivalents in the Navy and Air Force, Specified Command and AFP-wide Service Support Units, and those higher in the hierarchy of the AFP including all active generals; and Provincial Directors, District Directors designated in the NCR, Regional Directors, and Directors of Intelligence operations and administrative units and other Directors, Deputy Director Generals, and Director General within the General Headquarters-PNP; and all members of the Committee on Firearms and Security Personnel constituted under Section 5 hereof; b. Regular officers or members of the AFP/PNP and other law enforcement agencies of the government, except those who are under suspension and those against whom administrative or criminal charges have been filed, provided that when in the possession of firearms the law enforcement officer must be: (1) in full uniform showing clearly and legibly his name, rank and serial number which shall remain visible at all times; (2) in the actual performance of duty in the specific area designated in the mission order approved by the Commanding General or officer of the unit; and (3) going to or returning from residence/barracks; c. Cashiers and disbursing officers while in the performance of their duties if authorized in writing by the Commission specifically when said persons transport or disburse payrolls or deposit or carry large sums of money or other valuables; d. Members of duly authorized security or police organizations of government agencies, commissions, councils, bureaus, offices or government-owned or controlled corporations or privately owned or operated security, investigative, protective or intelligence agencies in the actual performance in the specific area of their assignment, of their duties with prior written authority from the Commission. The exception also applies to these personnel when: 1. Pursuing a person committing or has just committed a crime in the premises being guarded; 2. Actually escorting or providing security for the transport of payrolls, deposits or other valuables with prior written authority from the Commission; 3. Guarding private residence, buildings or offices, with prior written authority of the Commission; and 4. With respect to guards of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology and provincial or city jails, only while escorting prisoners to and from prosecution offices, tribunals or courts in compliance with subpoena issued for the purpose, and with prior written authority of the Commission.

Language Translator

What Are These?

Illegal Drug Situations in the Philippines

According to the DDB’s 2015 National Household Survey, there were around 1.8 million drug users in the country wherein 38.36% of which are unemployed. As of February 2016, PDEA reported that 26.91% or 11, 321 out of the country’s 42,065 barangays were “drug affected” (mostly in urban areas). A barangay is said to be drug-affected when there is a proven existence of drug user, pusher, manufacturer, marijuana cultivator or other drug personalities regardless of number in the area. On record, NCR has the highest rate of affectation with 92.96% of the region’s barangays, followed by CALABARZON at 49.28%.

            Based on PDEA’s 2015 arrest data, methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu (90%) reportedly tops the list of most abused illegal drugs, followed by marijuana and costly party drugs like cocaine and ecstasy.

            The afore-cited statistical data is indicative of the worsening drug problem that has victimized mostly the underprivileged and impoverished sector of the society. Although much has already been done and accomplished in the national campaign to eradicate illegal drugs, yet the problem persists and it continues to breed social ills. Apparently, in the quest to go after high level drug traffickers, the government seems to have overlooked the worsening drug problem at the grassroots level.

            The archipelagic set-up of the Philippines is exploited by traffickers to transport illegal drugs and controlled precursors and essential chemicals into the country. The international and local airports and seaports, mail and parcel services and the vast expanse of coastline are being utilized as entry and exit points.

            There are three transnational drug organizations operating in the Philippines, namely:

a.    The Chinese or Filipino-Chinese drug syndicates dominate the drug market in the country. They facilitate production, manufacturing and bulk smuggling of dangerous drugs in the country. These activities ensure the supply of drugs in the market. Their activities are largely concentrated within their group, with the inclusion of very few and well-selected locals;

b.    The African Drug Syndicate (ADS) is responsible for smuggling drugs through the airports using drug couriers/swallowers; and

c.    The Mexican-Sinaloa Drug Cartel is a new drug group operating in the Philippines. They associated with the Chinese drug Group to penetrate the Philippine market.

President of the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte has predicted the country could become a 'narco-state' if the country's tide of drug addiction is not pushed back. In 2012, the United Nations said the Philippines had the highest rate of methamphetamine use in East Asia, and according to a U.S. State Department report, 2.1 percent of Flipinos aged 16 to 64 use the drug, which is known locally as "shabu"

Despite the seemingly tamed and glamorized idea of drug use, it must be remembered that it can still lead to abuse, addiction, legal offenses, serious health problems, and even death. We must understand that there is no way to predict the effect that a drug can have on a person, especially if it is the first time they try it, and even regardless of dose and amount. Given that each person’s brain and body chemistry are different, each person would also have a different tolerance for drugs.

If you suspect that a friend is using or selling illegal drugs, talk to him or her. Let your friend know that you care. Talk to your parents, teacher, school counselor, the Authorities or another trusted adult.

You alone can't make your friend stop doing drugs. It takes professional help. Counseling, treatment, rehabilitation and Jail are among the interventions against the proliferation of illegal  drugs. Contact the PNP or PDEA for guidance or legal action.  

ORGANIZED CRIME IN THE PHILIPPINES: PRISON GANGS IN PARTICULAR

By:  Ven J. Tesoro                                                        

 Organized crime in the Philippines began to permeate the fibre of social consciousness in its complex form after World War II.  Although nationalism as a crusade was constantly nipped every time it manifests even during the period of foreign occupation, predating World War II,  it was a seed that has grown and diversified according to its parochial requirements extending its tentacles even in such unholy and unpatriotic organizations like gangs.  Nationalistic fervour in its parochial or provincial expression transcended over the years until it progressed up to the present.  Gangs, like any nationalistic crusade or group, maintain a certain belief which is central in their collective outlook.

            The sense of exclusivity, of clannishness, of having a strong tie within neighbourhood, is a characteristic variable that defines oneness or belongingness to a specific grouping.  It binds them to form a very cohesive organization.  Intrusion into this grouping is considered invasive and therefore dealt with severely through violent means.  This is also the essence of gang organization.  It has its historical roots and familiar backdrop along political lines.  It was imbibed indirectly until it became social.

         Understanding gangs in the free community however is a complicated process.  It has to be studied in isolation to determine with precision its effect on the individual and in the community where it is interacting with.

         Gangs as purveyor of organized crime must be seen in vitro so to speak and one of the simplest approaches is to examine it in prison.  Gangs were not only in the middle of brokering peaceful co-existence with prison authorities, it is also in the middle of self imposed exploitation.  Gangs has advanced the cause of sexual derangement to the level of abnormality to gain a certain measure of sanity in the daily conduct of prison life.  Sodomy has been embraced as a way of life.

         In Philippine correctional facilities, in the National Penitentiary to be exact, gangs gave birth to a number of sub-groupings which later became virtually a powerful crime syndicate that dictates the tempo of Metro Manila public safety.

         In the early 60s, there were only two gangs.  The OXO or Original Exconvict Organization (sometimes understood as 0 times 0 equals Nothing) was predominantly an exclusive domain of the Visayans.  Their counterpart was Sigue-sigue Gang, composed mainly of convicts from Manila.  People from Manila at that time had that cultural superiority over Visayans, since Visayans were recruited by Manila denizens to be the latter’s helpers.

         The OXO and Sigue-sigue gangs were always at odds with one another and their differences were always expressed with fatal consequences.  Their strength was measured in terms of how they would deal with each other in riots.  The National Penitentiary in the 60s was defined in terms of its violent upheaval.  At the center of this communal breakdown was a series of deadly and horrific riots.  Scores of deaths on each side were always registered and a veritable episodes in the deadly history of penal administration in the country.

         The violent saga of  OXO and Sigue-sigue would also be imported in other penal establishments in the country.  In Davao penal colony, the confrontation would even yield a veritable horror where each gang would decapitate the head of any opposing member caught in the crossfire of their competition.  Deaths daily was noted in double digit numbers.

         The two pioneering gangs became a benchmark in the organization of other groups which later would challenge the hegemony of well established gangs.  Those that broke away formed a faction which became a stand-out gang in the hierarchy of the prison camp.  Hence, from Sigue-sigue gang came Sigue-Sigue Sputnik, Sigue-sigue Puso and Sigue-sigue Commando.  These were sub-groups that specialize on something absurd or commonplace in the prison camp.  The “Sputnik” group came about during the time when the famous outer space exploration featured the jet propelled satellite called Sputnik.  The members were those prisoners tasked to throw out sackful of rejected or left-over prison food ration over the fence where prison guards await for its delivery for maintenance of their small scale swine production project.  The sight of sacks being tossed out over the fence pejoratively reminds one of the Sputnik satellite on space cruise!

         Then came a number of other gangs emphasizing on the basic provincial partisanship of its members.  Hence, for those who came from northern Luzon, there was the Genuine Ilocano Gang (GIG).  Those from bicolandia were called BRM or Bicol Region Masbate.  From Cebu, there was  Batang Cebu (or BC 45—the number there indicates their favourite weapon, the calibre 45 pistol).  From those at city jail, mainly from Manila Jail, there was Batang City Jail (or BCJ).  There was also the group called BATMAN or Batang Mananalo.  And, BM or Batang Mindanao.  Other street corner gangs became a fad and initiated formally in jails and in prisons.  These are the HGL (or Happy Go Lucky gang), BNG (for Bahala Na gang), BSL (for Batang Samar Leyte), BLQ (for Batangas, Laguna, Quezon gang).

         Gangs in prison are predictable to a certain extent.  There are gangs that promote violence while others are merely on-lookers.  Not that these gangs do not share sympathy with the greater gang network, but some gangs are just not designed for violence.  The Batman or Batang Mananalo comes to mind.  It is one group that never participated in any trouble in prison.  They can never even be convinced to take up arms against anyone in the prison community.  Their only focus is to escape.  In the free community, their only professed mission is to snatch, pick pockets or get into a lot of rackets or scams using wile and sleigh of hand.

         Gangs in the Philippine setting, as viewed in isolation (prisons) is an innocent representation of basic and common rights which a prisoner seeks from penal administration, but for lack of funds or policy, the gang complements.  There is the matter legal assistance, financial support and most of all, a ready shoulder to cry on.

         For a person to be introduced to a new experience like incarceration with all the tell tale signs of torture, cruelty and deprivation, of outright imposition of rules restricting movement and even in the matter of seeking succour as when one is sick, membership or having allies as when one is a part of the group, becomes a convenient consideration.

         Gangs elect as leader (they refer to them as “bosyo”—a corrupted street lingo for boss or leader) those whose brutality is beyond compare.  They are mean, nasty and merciless, if not downright ruthless and callous.  Well, that should be his record as far as dealing with the outside world is concerned.  While maintaining his organization however, he should display compassion, benevolence and gentleness.  He should be a Dr Jekyll with his gang mates and a Mr Hide as far as his gang’s opponent is concerned.  Even on the matter of dealing with erring members also.

         Leadership in gangs however would have its template renewed in lieu of the changing times.  While before, those who are bulky and mean-looking, not to mention the number of “kills” the fellow has committed could easily be a credential for the post of being “bosyo,” the social evolution of gangs predetermined the type of leadership it would elect.  The admission of political prisoners within the prison camp literally changed the complexion of gang related interaction.   Those with a high degree of education, one with a capacity to express, write or negotiate— a skill which activists have, were qualifications enough for gangs to renew its strengths by electing them as leaders.   In the 70s, gangs were led by the so-called intellectuals.  There were lots of haggling and negotiations.  For the gangs, it signalled a new era of their control of the prison camp.  They have succeeded in bargaining for the entry of visitors into their respective dormitories.  That provision reduced stress in the prison camp and, it goes without saying, abuses among prisoners as a consequence of sexual derangement.  In the same vein, riots became a thing of the past.

         In the 80s, gang leadership took another paradigm shift.  Not only were the most intelligent or intellectually endowed chosen to lead but also those with the same qualification but that time, those economically endowed also.  The gang leaders were exuding with shrewdness.  They were well read and they have the means also.

         In the 90s, another batch of would-be leaders would be introduced into the gang organizations.  These are not only the rich and the thinking class but the so-called super-rich, those with a name, a celebrity status, at times hugging the political limelight and with connections and influence, on top of resources which they can easily tap.  They were not voted as bosyo, but these inmates would control the prison camp nonetheless because they have the means of buying out the gangs, bosyo and members included!

         These personalities who were able to buy out the gangs would reinvent the organization and would even submit it for proper accreditation if not outright registration as formal organization.  There was a time when SEC has recognized as a non-profit organization the gang of Sigue-sigue Sputnik Brotherhood!  It became a fad to register gangs as a brotherhood and all of these organizations successfully got their SEC approved document/ recognition.

         Other known personalities that figured out in sensational cases stood out in the evolution of gangs.  They would reconfigure the gang system and would reorganize an eclectic one.  Break away factions from a couple of gangs would reunite to form another gang with innocent tags like “Temple of Man”, “Love Foundation”, “Sheep of the Lord”, etc.

         Gangs, in effect, as an organized crime vehicle has two fronts—the legitimate side which is in accordance with its sworn brotherhood mission; and, the illegal side, since most of its members, leaders even and connections lay underground, or situated within the abyss of the underworld.

         Gang connections with the underworld is perplexing and too complex for a layman to comprehend.  Leaders and would be leaders are spending/ serving time in the penitentiary yet they are reckoned, their instructions strictly followed to the letter and their plans, the precise policy which the underworld denizens must abide and defer to.

        Gang leaders inside the prison camp manage the underworld with the efficiency of the private sector and with the brutality of law enforcement.  Once a member is caught, prosecuted and convicted, he is immediately ushered into the gang controlled prison community.  The convicted member gets the necessary education much like a religious initiate inside the seminary.  The member is taught the menacing mechanics of crime, the skills needed for evading conflicts, the competence of sustaining a conscience-free work load.  He is also exposed, as the fellow has been exposed earlier during his youth in a deprived environment, to the basic physical demands of fulfilling an offense.

        The member’s physical conditioning is a compulsory regiment, a must course, so to speak.  He is screened also for any possible forte he may have shown.  If he looks mean, he is given an assigned task of casing and bullying, if not in the field of harassment but onwards also to attacking a target opponent or victim.  If he has the physical attributes or endurance, he may even end up as a fighting cock in the boxing arena, where as expected games can be fixed through their member.

         If the fellow looks good, he becomes an understudy outrightly for the sex starved lieutenants of the gang leader.  In the past, the fellow becomes the wife of the gang leader and required to have his body tattooed with the leader’s name, indicating that the good looking fellow is taken already and that the fellow is the respected “wife” of the gang leader.  The virtual first lady of the gang!

         Hence, when a handsome hunk disp0lays a good number of tattoo in his body and these are names, most likely, the fellow has spend a good deal of time incarcerated and while serving time, was a good wife to a number of gang leaders.

         These incidents, however, if at all obtaining at present is already an exception.  Visitors, specially the family members, friends and close allies, to include the opposite sex, are allowed to get inside the prison camp together with the person they  are visiting.

         Gangs are ahead, well almost, in everything.  They control prison.  Inmates are assigned in various prison offices when they can snoop on everything—from simple plans to grand projects, from the psychology of personnel to the outlook of authorities.  Their network is not parochial since it extends to the free community.  Gangs have subdivided the country into regions they can control.  And these are mostly in urban areas.  Gangs have discarded control in remote areas except when for purposes of seeking protection or hiding their bounty, they needed some places to take cover.  When a crime happens, chances are gangs know something about it.  Their intelligence network at times is even tapped by seasoned law enforcers.

         On the whole, gangs have retained the services of good lawyers or law firms.  Most of the time, the law firms are sent as courtesy assistance of some big names whom they have offered protection while serving time.

         Gangs are there to protect the uninitiated and offer assistance for those helpless or traumatized by prison condition.

         Since gangs have almost all the necessary wherewithal to commence or compose any action, they are instantly the most effective organization or if their specialized lines could no longer be concealed, they comprise as the best crime vehicle of all time.  They can even profess effectivity than their prison staff, or law enforcement, even the private sector counterparts.

         Gangs are sustained by protection fees paid by the regular prison visitors.  Although from the distance, the fees are miniscule, the volume of visitation projects a greater amount at the end of the day.  Gang mates operating a criminal outfit in the free community would continually sustain also the gangs inside.  Gangs associated with KFR (Kidnapping for Ransom) offenses are the most pampered.

Mobo Masbate

Mobo Masbate Bicol Philippines

I was raised in a simple town called Mobo. Located at the Southern part of Bicol Philippines.

Simple as it is, it boasts nature wonder from mountains to aquatic resources Tweet.

Mobo is a 4th class municipality in the province of Masbate, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 30,810 people in 4,945 households.

COCO VIEW LAGOON, this may sound familiar now. Yes the famous beach in the region, and it is one of Moboans favored spots.

Bituon Beach is one of the nicest beach resorts on the bicol region of the Philippines. Over 1 kilometer if pure white sand beach and over 90 hectors of lush green beach land to have your next get away or beach vacation

As a coastal area, the province of Masbate in the Bicol region is blessed with beautiful island beaches and bountiful marine resources. With this, you might consider unfolding your next summer adventure.

For beach lovers who are wondering which coastal haven to visit this summer, the Buntod Reef Marine Sanctuary neaby Mobo is one of the best option.

The sanctuary has a 250-hectare white sandbar and is located in the middle of the seawaters.

Going to Mobo is easy. Let's put on a scenario, you are from abroad and you want to visit the place so...

1. Book a plane to Manila or Cebu, Philippines. (just refer to each place)

2. Manila- from Manila take a plane ( PhilAir) or a ferry that usually takes 12 hours (Superferry) to Masbate City.

3. RORO BUS- Ride a bus from Manila street to Mobo Masbate without cutting trip.

4.Cebu- from Cebu take a plane (PhilAir, ZestAir)or a ferry that takes overnight (Superferry, Cebu Ferries, TransAsia, Gothong) to Masbate City.

5. Masbate City - from Masbate port take a Trike Cab (or hire one that goes directly to Mobo then walla you’re there in about 7 minutes.

Creme of the Crop. Like all Filipinos, the people of Mobo values hospitality and friendliness. We offer talent and skills. Behind the great people are the training grounds. As far as i know Mobo National School and Mobo Central are one of the best training groung in the town. 

Great Views. From the mountains to beaches. Here are some pictures taken from my facebook friends:

Mobo Mountain Peak

Tuod Tree: Tallest tree in the province

The Mobo’s Finest

Enjoy our town.

Thanks for the sharing of pictures