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Threatening… and meaning it
Candidates in the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections seem to be taking the threat of the Commission on Elections seriously: those who violate campaign rules face disqualification. A BSKE candidate who wins, but faces an election complaint, will not be allowed by the Comelec to assume the post......»»
Comelec not allowed to remove privately-owned campaign materials on private property — SC
“While Comelec may validly implement ‘Oplan Baklas’ against candidates and political parties, it cannot implement ‘Oplan Baklas’ against private individuals expressing their political preferences or support for a candidate or political party,” the Supreme Court said. .....»»
341 BSKE bets tagged for illegal campaign
Over 300 candidates for the 30 October Barangay and Sanguniang Kabataan Elections have been issued show cause orders by the Commission on Elections due to suspected campaign violations. Comelec chairman George Erwin Garcia said that about 341 candidates have been issued show cause orders due to illegal campaigning. “As of yesterday, about 341 were already issued with show cause for illegal campaigning,” he said. According to Garcia, having campaign posters that are larger than the allowed size and disseminating materials in unauthorized areas are one of the violations committed by the candidates. The Comelec launched on Friday the Nationwide simultaneous “Operation Baklas” for the BKSE, removing the illegal campaign paraphernalia in unauthorized areas. “Outside common poster areas, that’s illegal. Private property, that’s legal as long as these comply with the size of 2 x 3 feet,” Garcia said. The chairman reminded the candidates to follow the allowable sizes for election materials, 8.5 x 14 inches for flyers, 2 x 3 feet for tarpaulins, and 3 x 8 feet for streamers. In an interview, Garcia said that the Comelec is preparing a resolution on how it can suspend the proclamation of winking candidates who have pending cases. The post 341 BSKE bets tagged for illegal campaign appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Probe into AI-enhanced posters ads urged
Election candidates trying to impress voters by using artificial intelligence could be a form of dishonest campaigning, Senator Francis Tolentino stressed on Saturday. “The issue of using artificial intelligence in the election campaign and propaganda materials and requested further study for future policy formulation as apps that change facial impressions of individuals proliferate that may violate the principle of truthfulness,” the senator lamented. Tolentino believes that using AI in campaign paraphernalia should be covered by the Commission on Elections. He said he looks forward to Comelec policy “regarding the use of AI in producing campaign and software materials for the elections, especially on the question of what picture must be allowed: The candidate’s looks at present or the looks the voters wanted to see.” The senator then cited the Department of National Defense memorandum, which was made public on Friday, prohibiting its employees and military personnel from using AI image generator applications. In his order, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr warned that AI-powered applications seemed “harmless and amusing” but could be “maliciously used” to create fake profiles that can lead to identity theft, social media engineering, phishing attacks, and other erring activities which compromise someone’s personal data. The post Probe into AI-enhanced posters ads urged appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Solon wants Comelec to look into AI-enhanced campaign materials
Election candidates trying to impress voters by using artificial intelligence could be a form of dishonest campaigning, Senator Francis Tolentino stressed on Saturday. The senator lamented, “The issue of using artificial intelligence in the election campaign and propaganda materials and requested further study for future policy formulation as apps that change facial impressions of individuals proliferate that may violate the principle of truthfulness.” Tolentino believes that using AI in campaign paraphernalia should be covered by the Commission on Elections. He said he looks forward to Comelec policy "regarding the use of AI in producing campaign and software materials for the elections, especially on the question of what picture must be allowed: the candidate looks at present or the looks the voters wanted to see.” The senator then cited the Department of National Defense memorandum, which was made public on Friday, prohibiting its employees and military personnel from using AI image generator applications. In his order, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr warned that AI-powered applications seemed “harmless and amusing” but could be “maliciously used” to create fake profiles that can lead to identity theft, social media engineering, phishing attacks, and other erring activities which compromise someone’s personal data. Comelec Commissioner Rey Bulay backed Tolentino’s suggestion, but he noted that the green light to impose the AI restrictions in the coverage of campaign materials will still be up to the consensus of the poll body’s chairperson and other commissioners. Bulay added that those guidelines and policies on the use of AI in producing election materials, whether printed or digital in form, could be put in place for the 2025 mid-term elections. He emphasized that AI usage might fall under the election guidelines on "misrepresentation" but also stressed that he doesn't "want to preempt my chairman and fellow commissioners.” “Pero napakaganda po ng iyong sinabi Pwede pong humabol yon sa 2025 (It can be timed in 2025),” Bulay told Tolentino. “The concept of misrepresentation is also included in the principle of truth in advertising…something along this line,” he added. The post Solon wants Comelec to look into AI-enhanced campaign materials appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
5 vote buying DQ cases filed by Comelec, warns LGU of prohibitions
The Commission on Elections has begun filing petitions against the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections candidates allegedly involved in vote buying on 6 October. Out of the 40 complaints being investigated, the Comelec poll board submitted five disqualification petitions, according to Comelec Deputy Executive for Operations Rafael Olano. He added that the Committee on Vote Buying has received complaints from the public on various platforms, including Facebook and messages which contained screenshots or images. "All of these complaints came from voters. We verified and evaluated them for possible filing of disqualification cases “he said. Olano confirmed that one of the five candidates under investigation for disqualification is involved in a BSK bet showing up at a local government unit aid distribution, which he claimed to be qualified as vote buying. “There were local government officials, mayors distributing relief but the BSKE candidate was present and was allowed to speak," he said. After the official filing of candidacy, it was claimed that another BSK candidate distributed financial aid out of his pocket. Prior to the election, the poll body warned candidates of its strict measures which prohibit the distribution of ballers, t-shirts, caps, and anything else of worth under the suspicion of vote buying and selling. Comelec Commissioner Ernesto Ferdinand Maceda Jr. reminded LGU officials to be aware of such prohibitions during a separate briefing. "If they conduct assistance programs, they should not let BSKE candidates join them, lest they be disqualified,” he said. Maceda added that the Comelec would consider potential reinforcing techniques if similar incidents persist as the campaign period drew closer. “We will study how to reprimand them or take appropriate actions,” he said. In the end, Maceda stressed that the poll body is “dead serious” about its exclusion warning in order to assure not just the validity and honesty of the BSK polls but also to raise the bar for campaigning standards across the nation and the importance of each BSK candidate’s character. As of Friday, the Task Force Anti-Epal had filed an additional 10 disqualification petitions against candidates who were allegedly involved in premature campaigning while the Committee on Kontra Bigay had filed five disqualification cases for vote buying. Overall, there are 82 petitions for premature campaigning, 5,169 show cause orders, and 1,132 responses from the BSK bets. The post 5 vote buying DQ cases filed by Comelec, warns LGU of prohibitions appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
COMELEC: ‘Anything of value’ given to BSKE voters is ground for disqualification
The Commission on Elections on Thursday again reminded candidates for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections that anything of value they or their supporters give to voters is a ground for disqualification. At the regular Laging Handa press briefing of Malacañang, COMELEC spokesperson Atty. John Rex Laudiangco said BSKE candidates are limited only to giving approved campaign materials under the Omnibus Election Code. "Malinaw po kung ano lamang ang pinahihintulutang campaign or election propaganda – ito po iyong leaflets or flyers na hindi dapat lalaki sa 8 1/2 by 14 inches; ang atin pong posters or tarpaulins na hindi dapat lalaki sa 2 feet by 3 feet; at iyong banners po, iyong streamers na hindi dapat lumaki sa 3 feet by 8 feet," Laudiangco explained. "Any other kind of campaign paraphernalia like t-shirts, ball caps, baller bands at iba pa ay maaaring pumasok doon sa sinasabi ng Section 2618 ng Omnibus Election Code, iyong pamimigay ng anumang bagay na may halaga, anything of value. Iyan po kasi ay maaaring ma-consider dahil may halaga po ito, maaaring ma-consider na isang pamamaraan po ng pamimili ng boto," he added. Even if candidates claim that such items were only given by supporters, that is still in violation of Section 2618 of the Election Code, according to the Comelec officials. He said they came out with an advisory about this issue last September 4, reiterating what is only mandated and allowed by Section 2618. "Lumalabas po na lahat nang hindi nabanggit sa batas ay hindi pupuwede, at kapag ito ay may halaga, maaari po itong maging vote-buying or vote-selling na elemento. Ngayon, kahit po supporter, hindi lamang kandidato ang maaaring may liability pagdating sa premature campaigning, paglabag sa campaign materials, paglabag sa vote-buying or vote-selling law." "Paalala po sa lahat ng kandidato: Ang maaari ninyo lamang pong gastusin sa inyong pangangampanya ay hindi lalampas ng limang piso kada registered voter sa inyong barangay. So para hindi kayo mahirapan po, ang bilang ng total number of registered voters po ninyo times five pesos – barangay lamang po ha, sa inyong barangay lamang – ay iyon po ang maximum spending cap limit po ninyo," Laudiangco further warned. Penalties for these offenses range from six years' imprisonment to forfeiture of the right to suffrage and the biggest penalty of perpetual disqualification to hold public office, he said. The post COMELEC: ‘Anything of value’ given to BSKE voters is ground for disqualification appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Comelec warns vs premature campaigning in barangay, SK polls
The Commission on Elections yesterday repeated its warning to all candidates in the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections to refrain from premature campaigning. The warning was aired by Comelec spokesperson Atty. John Rex Laudiangco during the Laging Handa press forum yesterday. Ladiangco said once the certificate of candidacy is filed, the person is already a candidate and all the prohibitions will apply, particularly those on premature campaigning. All tarpaulins or posters of a candidate, even without the “vote” exhortation, are not allowed and will be taken down, while the candidate may face sanctions. Ladiangco said that based on the 2004 Supreme Court decision Chavez versus Comelec, posters with a picture or face of the candidate, caricature, resemblance and name but with no "vote" printed is still an indirect solicitation of votes and is considered prohibited. Laudiangco also mentioned another SC ruling in the case of a subject who conducted a motorcade when he went to the poll body’s office to file his candidacy. At that time, he was not yet a candidate. But when he filed the document, he already became a candidate and thus the motorcade was prohibited because it falls under indirect campaigning under Section 18 of the Omnibus Election Code. The post Comelec warns vs premature campaigning in barangay, SK polls appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
MPD warns of vote buying in BSKE polls
Manila Police District chief P/Brig. Gen. Andrei Dizon has assured city residents of a clean, orderly and peaceful Barangay and Sanggunihang Kabataan Election on October even as he warned against vote-buying by the candidates. In a press conference at the MPD headquarters during a send-off event on MPD BSKE security preparation Saturday morning, Dizon told the DAILY TRIBUNE that among preparations that will be expected by the people are thorough checkpoints that will be implemented by 14 MPD stations. “We will be strict in enforcing Comelec laws like gun ban, several tactics in concealing many kinds of vote buying act and we warn those who are intending to create trouble or even sow terror during this election period, those followers and leaders of candidates not to dare your police” Dizon said. Around 4,000 policemen will be tapped to assist the Commission on Elections just to ensure everything is in place as far as security and peaceful conduct during campaigning and election. Dizon particularly pointed out the gapangan practice of several leaders of candidates. “This will not be allowed and each station commander knows in their covered AoR (areas of responsibility) those who are engaged in that practice and let this be a strong reminder that we will be watching you” Dizon warned. The post MPD warns of vote buying in BSKE polls appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
MPD vows to eradicate vote buying during barangay elections in Manila
A stern warning was issued by Manila Police District (MPD) chief P/BGen Andrei Dizon, assuring Manila residents of a clean, orderly, and peaceful Barangay and Sanggunihang Kabataan Election (BSKE) in October. In a press conference held at MPD headquarters during the "Send-off Event on MPD BSKE Security Preparation" on Saturday morning, Dizon stated that one of the expected preparations would be the implementation of thorough checkpoints by 14 MPD stations. “We will be strict in enforcing COMELEC laws like gun ban, several tactics in concealing many kinds of vote buying act, and we warned those who are intending to create trouble or even sow terror during this election period, those followers and leaders of candidates not to dare your police,” Dizon said. Around 4,000 MPD police will assist the Commission on Elections to ensure security and peaceful conduct during campaigning and elections. Dizon pointed out the "gapangan" practice by candidates' leaders. They do wholesale vote buying the night before the election, offering large sums of money to heads of families with many voters for their sweeping votes. “This will not be allowed and each station commander knows in their covered AOR (areas of responsibility) those who are engaged in that practice and let this be a stern reminder that we will be watching you,” Dizon warned. According to Atty. Juvil S. Surmieda of COMELEC-NCR, the upcoming BSKE will implement new measures to combat vote buying. These measures will include identifying and punishing online money transfers such as GCash, Smart Padala, and Palawan Express with criminal charges and disqualification. “Talagang mahigpit na ipapatupad ang patas na eleksyon itong BSKE dahil alam natin marubdob ang mga tao sa eleksyon pambarangayan” Surmieda reminded. The post MPD vows to eradicate vote buying during barangay elections in Manila appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
QC barangay chairwoman meted another 7 months suspension
Two suspensions were slapped against Quezon City Barangay Pasong Tamo chairwoman Mae Tagle by the City Council’s Special Investigation Committee, Daily Tribune found Friday. Tagle who was supposed be back next month as the barangay chairwoman (village chief) from 90-day suspension over abuse of power charges was meted with seven months suspension over two cases filed against her by a concerned citizen and the Sangguniang Kabataan officials at City Council's SIC. The SIC Administrative Order 449-23 was issued for violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and Grave Misconduct when Tagle allowed the space used as the Barangay Pharmacy to be rented by a private individual. The Botika ng Barangay located at Barangay Pasong Tamo Annex along Luzon Avenue has been turned into a fish and meat store. Such an act the SIC noted, required the concurrence of the Barangay Council documented by a resolution. Tagle was meted for six months because of this. The suspension order would be served to Tagle on Monday. The second charge for acts prejudicial to the best interest of service was due to Tagle's appointment of Diosdado Velasco as barangay administrator. Velasco ran and lost during the May 2022 polls but Tagle after the polls appointed him, violating the one-year prohibition ban for those who were candidates and lost the last national and local elections. The SIC order on this case was served to Tagle on Friday, 18 August 2023. The seven-month new suspension order, thereby, prohibits Tagle to assume the Barangay Pasong Tamo chairwoman and to even run in the coming elections. The two SIC resolution orders were both concurred by the City Council. The Special Investigation Committee was an offshoot of a Memorandum of Agreement between the Office of the Ombudsman and the Quezon City Council’s 38 members, led by Quezon City Vice Mayor Gian Sotto as the presiding officer, granting the council authority to hear cases against barangay officials to lessen the Ombudsman office of loads of these kind of cases. The post QC barangay chairwoman meted another 7 months suspension appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
A different kind of difference
One day, a client who owns an assisted living home in the US called to ask: “Attorney, which is better for sponsorship, a caregiver or a nursing aide? You see, I have a niece in Manila who is a nursing graduate but cannot pass the US-NCLEX board exam. I want to sponsor her.” I explained to her that while a nursing aide sponsorship might be faster, her assisted living home could not sponsor a nursing aide, and that only hospitals or nursing homes were allowed to sponsor nursing aides. “But I have a friend who owns a nursing home,” she said. “I can ask if they’ll sponsor my niece.” “Well, why don’t you talk to your friend first and then we’ll talk again.” Trivial. Inconsequential. That’s what most people would think when they hear the client’s question. Caregiver? Nursing aide? What’s the difference? Both take care of people. A dumb question, some might even say. But here’s the thing: Since last year, the US Department of Labor has revised the standard classification of a nursing assistant job on their official occupational publication and raised its allowable maximum educational and/or experiential requirements to two years. Previously, only a maximum of one year’s prior work experience, education or training was allowed, similar to the Caregiver’s current requirement. However, with the recent re-classification, the nursing aide position has been dramatically transformed from being an “unskilled” job into a “skilled” one. And there lies the difference. And it is a whole lot of a difference. Why? Because for immigrant sponsorship purposes, a “skilled worker” has a historically shorter immigration timeline than that of an “unskilled worker” due to the availability of more visas for the former. As explained in a previous article, visa retrogression (or the shortage of visas due to excess demand) impacts almost all types of immigrant visa categories, but more so for the “unskilled workers” group owing to the extremely limited number of US visas available, not to mention the large number of “unskilled” people being sponsored due to the job’s minimal requirements. For example, anyone with zero (or a few months) worth of training or experience can be sponsored to work as a caregiver, babysitter, waiter, etc., which means many US workers would qualify, thereby lessening the chances of obtaining a labor certification — a prerequisite process that includes a “job market test”. Not so for “skilled” occupations. As a “skilled” job, any employer sponsoring a nursing aide can, in good faith, require at least two years of prior relevant experience or training, or even an associate degree in a relevant field of study which limits the number of qualified candidates and the pool of potential visa applicants. A note of caution, however: Not all healthcare employers are eligible to sponsor nursing aides. Because an integral part of the job’s duties is caring for people under the direct supervision of licensed nursing staff and other medical professionals, only those facilities with on-site nursing staff or medical doctors such as skilled nursing homes, hospitals, or similar facilities are allowed to sponsor nursing assistants. For all others, including assisted living homes and retirement homes, only Caregivers are allowed (although some nursing aide sponsorships from these facilities — especially those with in-house nursing staff — may occasionally escape strict scrutiny from the US Department of Labor). Under the current US visa quota backdrop, a nurse aide may now be able to migrate to the US in about two to three years, as opposed to the current three-to-seven-year timeline for caregivers. In a country where most people long for a taste of the American dream, this is a difference that is neither trivial nor inconsequential. The post A different kind of difference appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Comelec warns vote buyers, sellers
The Commission on Elections announced on Wednesday that it will be issuing an order against all forms of vote buying and selling even in the absence of a law and will be taking a strict stance against it for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections set in October. Comelec chairperson George Erwin Garcia stressed that the poll body may pursue warrantless arrests if it sees or verify complaints of vote buying and that it can even disqualify candidates who are found guilty of the offense. Garcia said that most sitting barangay officials employ excessive numbers of poll watchers, when in fact only two to four watchers are allowed per precinct. The post Comelec warns vote buyers, sellers appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
The blue plaques of London: An overlooked embellishment
Ask any visitor to London or a resident of the United Kingdom, they all have their all-time treasured landmarks or favored activities. From the regal Buckingham Palace to the historic Tower of London, to the dramatic Changing of the Guard Ceremony and the revered British Museum with a collection of over 8 million works, they form a core part or a nucleus of London’s history and heritage. Not to mention the vibrant West End plays and musicals, the exhibits and concerts in opulent palaces and well-attended halls, or even the red double decker buses and the Hackney carriages, fondly known as the London black cabs, which spice up the truly UK experience. For foodies, they often bring up English Roast Beef, Shepherd’s Pie and Fish and Chips, which are go-to must-have dishes while in town. Despite these hallmarks of culture and tradition — either permanent, mobile or edible — somehow, I wonder why my thoughts keep on wondering and wandering back to the Blue Plaques of London! Each 20-inch round badge of recognition with blue background and white lettering, features the name, the year of birth and death, plus their relationship with the abode where it is erected. These are commemorations which invite the passersby to delve into the lives of its illustrious past inhabitants. Affixed to the facades of buildings, it whispers fascinating tales of extraordinary individuals who have shaped London’s identity over the centuries. Meticulously administered by the charity English Heritage, the plaques have since become synonymous with historical preservation. The origins of this iconic tradition can be traced back to 1866 when the Society of Arts, now known as the Royal Society of Arts, initiated the concept of memorial plaques. The idea fully took off in 1867, when the first Blue Plaque was installed at the birthplace of English Poet Lord Byron, at 24 Holles Street. This inaugural plaque set the stage for an enduring legacy of remembrance. These more-than-just-nameplates signify stories of exceptional individuals who have contributed to various fields of human endeavor. From renowned artists and writers to groundbreaking scientists and social reformers, the Blue Plaques celebrate the diverse accomplishments that have shaped London’s cultural, scientific, and intellectual landscapes. The process of awarding is rigorous and impartial. A committee of historians, experts, and representatives from English Heritage carefully considers nominations, ensuring that the candidates recognized have made a significant impact on society. The concerned individual must have been dead for 20 years or passed the centenary of their birth, be esteemed by peers of their field or have greatly aided humanity, plus have worked or lived in the pertinent building. Foreigners and overseas visitors are likewise included in the selection process. To be honored is akin to a major laurel, being immortalized in history. Though major names are always a standout, the council remembers lesser-known figures who have made a significant impact in their respective arenas, to include suffragettes and social reformers to musicians and architects. While residing in the city for more than a decade, I played a self-made game where I challenged myself to know more about the personalities whose plates I usually passed by. Walk with me through some notable figures who have been engraved on these memorial medallions: [caption id="attachment_155031" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Photograph courtesy of creative commons/Simon Harriyott (CC BY 2.0)Charles Babbage’s plaque.[/caption] Charles Babbage (1791 — 1871) A mathematician and astronomer, he is considered by some as the father of the computer. The plaque is located at Dorset Street, Corner of Larcom Street and Walworth Road. Harold Bride (1890 —1956) He was the wireless operator aboard the RMS Titanic during her ill-fated maiden voyage. He relayed messages to ships in the vicinity which allowed survivors to be rescued. He remained at his post until the vessel lost power. His is situated at 58 Ravensbourne Avenue, Shortlands, Bromley. Anne Brontë (1820 — 1849) She was an English novelist and poet and the youngest member of the Brontë literary family. She authored The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, considered one of the first feminist novels. Hers is positioned at Grand Hotel, Scarborough, North Yorkshire. Charlie Chaplin (1889 — 1977) A comic actor and filmmaker, he is one of the masters of silent film and is treated as one of the most important figures in the industry’s history. His medal is posted at 39 Methley Street, Kennington, London. Sir Henry Cooper OBE KSG (1934 — 2011) Undefeated in the British and Commonwealth heavyweight titles for three years, he is the only boxer to have been awarded a knighthood. Spot his at 4 Ealing Road, Wembley. [caption id="attachment_155033" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Photograph courtesy of creative commons/Simon Harriyott (CC BY 2.0)SIR Arthur Conan Doyle’s plaque.[/caption] Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (1859 — 1930) A writer and physician, he is more popularly known as the creator of the pop culture character Sherlock Holmes, who has impacted the crime fiction scene since his conception. Sir Doyle’s green plaque — an updated color scheme — is found at 2 Upper Wimpole Street. John F. Kennedy (1917 — 1963) Better known as JFK, he served as the 35th president of the United States from 1961 until his untimely assassination. His tribute is on 14 Princes Gate, London, where the family lived when the patriarch served as the American Ambassador to the Court of Saint James. Karl Marx (1818 — 1883) The German-born philosopher is behind the 1848 pamphlet The Communist Manifesto and Das Kapital, which are defining pieces in the school of socialism and communism. His recollection is on 101-8 Maitland Park Road. [caption id="attachment_155035" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Photograph courtesy of creative commons/JOHN YUGIN (CC BY 4.0)KARL Marx plaque.[/caption] Sir Joseph Paxton (1803–1865) He is the architect behind The Crystal Palace, which housed the Great Exhibition of 1851. He likewise cultivated the Cavendish banana, the most consumed banana in the Western world. His memento is on Chatsworth Estate, Derbyshire. J. R. R. Tolkien (1892–1973) The one and only man behind the wildly popular Lord of the Rings books, which revitalized the fantasy genre and inspired many a writer to pick up a pen. His one of four — that’s right, he has a total of five — souvenirs may be seen at Sarehole Mill, Hall Green, Birmingham. Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804–1864) An American novelist and short story writer, he is most known for the groundbreaking novel The Scarlet Letter. You can find him on 4 Pond Road, Blackheath. [caption id="attachment_155034" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Photograph courtesy of creative commons/Spudgun67 (CC BY SA-4.0)NATHANIEL Hawthorne plaque.[/caption] Vincent van Gogh (1853–1890) A Dutch Post-Impressionist painter who is respected as one of the most influential figures in the history of art. His token may be seen at 87 Hackford Road, South Lambeth. [caption id="attachment_155028" align="aligncenter" width="525"] PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF CREATIVE COMMONS/Spudgun67 (CC BY-SA 4.0)Vincent Van Gogh’s plaque.[/caption] Jose Rizal (1861-1896) How could we ever forget the Philippine National Hero’s very own recognition? His acknowledgment may be explored at Chatsworth Estate, Derbyshire, 37 Chalcot Crescent, Belsize Park, London, where he lived as he fended off criticisms on his character and the revolutionary Noli Me Tangere. [caption id="attachment_155027" align="aligncenter" width="525"] PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF CREATIVE COMMONS/Spudgun67 (CC BY-SA 4.0)Jose Rizal’s plaque.[/caption] The post The blue plaques of London: An overlooked embellishment appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Postpone BARMM barangay, SK polls
A call for action if sounded once may not gain traction. It could be the offshoot of a single event. But it deserves a second look when it is played up at various times during significant occasions. It could perhaps be a forewarning of future adversity if not addressed properly and timely. We see this premonition in the Muslim Autonomous Region. Having said that, the situation in the Bangsamoro Region is sui generis. It is dissimilar to other regions in the country. The autonomy it is presently enjoying came at a very high price — the lives of martyred mujahideen and the tears of mothers and loved ones. Under these circumstances, it deserves no less than special attention from the national policymakers. Thus, when its leaders take a stand over a certain issue it should be taken seriously, or else government might regret ignoring it. The postponement of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections in the region has been the subject of serious discussion by leaders of BARMM in various fora. It’s at the top of their agenda and discussion has been belabored continuously. In fact, they launched a wide media campaign to get the attention of the national policymakers and the Commission on Elections. Foremost among the reasons advanced is the serious security problem in the area which might jeopardize any electoral exercise and result in failure to exact the people’s true will. It might even lead to election-related armed confrontations. In the meeting of the Regional Peace and Order Council in Maimbung, Sulu over the weekend, it was reported that the governors of BARMM had renewed their call for the postponement of the October election. In a position paper, they demanded the deferment “until after the former combatants of the MILF had fully given up their firearms under the peace accord decommissioning process.” What spawned the request is the peculiar situation in BARMM. While in other areas in the country, anyone who is not a member of the defense or security forces of government who displays a firearm faces arrest, we see MILF militia flaunting their arms before the public with impunity. They invoke the decommissioning agreement between the government and the MILF to justify their actions. The decommissioning process is part of the normalization mechanism agreed on by both the MILF and government peace panels. It was reported that around 30,000 to 40,000 MILF fighters need to be disarmed, but so far only about 19,000 combatants and some 2,000 firearms have been decommissioned. In the meantime, the MILF has revved up on full throttle their political party, the Bangsamoro Justice Party, which, according to their political lieutenants, will participate in the forthcoming election even if the barangay election is theoretically a nonpartisan activity. Reports have it they will either field their own candidates or support candidates who will lead the cadre of campaigners for the bigger and more important 2025 national and regional elections. They will test the ground to see how they will fare in the 2025 elections. As we have said in past columns, under the present circumstances, an election cannot be conducted on a level playing field if one party is allowed to publicly display their firearms while other partisans would face sanctions if they bore arms during the election period. With the barangay election only about four months away, there is no way to fully implement the decommissioning process. It’s a tedious procedure that needs ample space and time. To complicate the situation, last Wednesday the residents of Marawi City woke up to a heavy firefight between government troops and rebels during which a top ISIS local commander was killed. This incident followed a series of skirmishes involving the same group in the town of Marogong, Lanao del Sur. Sleeper terrorist cells are teeming, safely ensconced in the hinterlands. On the same day, a police car was ambushed by armed elements in Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao del Sur, killing two policemen. An air of uncertainty is sweeping Morolandia brought about by the series of skirmishes. Are these enough reasons to postpone the election in the BARMM? We say yes. amb_mac_lanto@yahoo.com The post Postpone BARMM barangay, SK polls appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Comelec warns vs spending public funds during BSKE campaign period
The Commission on Elections on Thursday reminded incumbent local politicians that spending public funds during the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections campaign period on 19 to 28 October is prohibited by law. Speaking to reporters in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte during the Comelec’s three-day meeting there, chairman George Erwin Garcia warned that violators of the law may face criminal charges or disqualify guilty parties from the elections. Section 261(v) of the Omnibus Election Code prohibits public officials and employees from using and spending public funds for public works and other expenses provided under the provision during the election period. Garcia also reminded that only incumbent local officials are allowed to campaign for their respective BSKE bets and not government and civil service employees. Political parties are also not allowed to endorse candidates and candidates are not allowed to represent political parties. “We can’t prevent their campaign and endorsement, but there are limitations with the use of public funds,” he added. Meanwhile, Comelec Commissioner Ernesto Maceda Jr. said there is a need for ways to make parties guilty of vote buying and other illegal acts accountable under election rules or Section 261 of the OEC. Maceda said the current election laws are insufficient, making it hard for authorities to determine the gravity of vote buying and other anomalies. “Our present legal framework or structure is insufficient. It’s easy to complain but hard to prove.... It’s not because of any inadequacy on the part of the persons who made this effort, but because the requirement of proving something like this, which is a crime, is the same as proving any other crime,” Maceda said. The post Comelec warns vs spending public funds during BSKE campaign period appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Target of the right, George Soros hands reins to son
As George Soros passes control of his philanthropic empire to his son, the legendary investor and democracy advocate remains subject to unrelenting and often anti-Semitic attacks from the right. Under the transition, Soros, 92, will hand the reins to his 37-year-old son Alexander Soros, according to a Wall Street Journal interview with both men. The shift comes as the elder Soros remains one of the far right's favorite targets. He has been baselessly blamed for propagating migrant crises in Europe and on the southern border of the United States, as well as for orchestrating mass protests against police brutality after the 2020 killing of George Floyd. Soros's army of haters has included right-wing politicians like Florida Republican Governor Ron DeSantis, the media figure Tucker Carlson and Tesla Chief Executive Elon Musk, who tweeted in May 2023 that Soros "wants to erode the very fabric of civilization" and "hates humanity." Soros is known for his financing of the Open Society Foundations, which has supported reforms to liberalize economies, establish governance norms, protect minorities and refugees, and promote freedom of expression. These endeavors followed some wildly successful investment decisions, as in 1992 when Soros bet against the British pound shortly before it was devalued. A leading British newspaper dubbed Soros "the man who broke the Bank of England" over a move that allowed him to pocket $1 billion. The episode won Soros' respect in the financial world, but he also became a much-feared figure among government finance ministers. Progressive causes Born in August 1930 in Budapest, Soros's Jewish family used false papers to pass as Christian during the Nazi occupation of Hungary in 1944 and 1945. "I learned at an early age how important it is what kind of political regime prevails," Soros said in 2019. After the establishment of communism in Hungary, Soros left for London in 1947, obtaining degrees from the London School of Economics before moving to New York in 1956. Soros launched his own speculative fund in 1970, a step in building his wealth to an estimated $6.7 billion, according to Forbes; the figure does not include the $18 billion Soros transferred to his foundations in 2017. He began steering some of his wealth to philanthropy in 1979, backing Black students in apartheid-era South Africa and political dissidents in Central Europe. His activities expanded considerably after the end of the Cold War. In the United States, for example, Soros has supported the progressive side on a host of hot-button issues, including criminal justice reform, same-sex marriage, and the decriminalization of marijuana. A father of five, Soros studied in London under his mentor Karl Popper, a champion of open society and fierce critic of totalitarianism. Intensifying criticisms As Soros broadened his support of politically progressive candidates and philanthropic endeavors in the 2010s, he was met with more virulent criticism, often tinged with anti-Semitism. In 2018, following attacks by the nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban, Soros shuttered the Budapest branch of the OSF and moved staff to Berlin. Later that year, Soros was named Person of the Year by the Financial Times, a recognition of his role as "the standard bearer of liberal democracy and open society." But the newspaper also alluded to the ugliness of Soros's legion of haters, noting, "There are so many anti-Semitic conspiracy theories targeting Mr. Soros that it is difficult to keep count." In terms of his record in finance, Soros has experienced setbacks in addition to glory. He lost money in the 1987 stock market crash and in the 1998 Russian currency crisis. He has also found himself in the crosshairs of the law. In 2002, Soros was convicted of insider trading in France for trades of Societe Generale, and in 2009 in Hungary, in a market manipulation case. Soros's funds have continued to speculate, with investments running the gamut from new technologies to housing to physical commodities. But Soros has also spoken of the need for strict regulation of markets. Soros has described his efforts as a kind of responsibility. "My success in the financial markets has given me a greater degree of independence than most other people," he wrote in 2011. "This obliges me to take stands on controversial issues when others cannot." The post Target of the right, George Soros hands reins to son appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Candidates over 65 allowed to go out for COC filing
The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease has allowed persons over 65 years old, who are running for national and local positions in 2022, to go out of their residences to file their certificates of candidacy in October......»»
Bb. Pilipinas allows candidates to answer in their language of convenience
In this year's edition of the Binibining Pilipinas competition, the organizers have allowed its candidates to answer the questions, during the final interview, in Taglish or their language of convenience......»»
Historic wins for trans candidates in Brazil vote
Transgender candidates on Monday celebrated a series of historic wins in municipal elections in Brazil, where they were allowed to run for the first time under their chosen names......»»