The Amended Petition for Registration of ALAM for partylist
Amended Petition
for Registration
of ALAM for partylist
As a summary, the petition states:
1. It is a political party anchored on advocacy for True and Genuine Press Freedom and the establishment of THE PEOPLE'S COURT where the people shall be the judges of factual issues and no longer the judge or the prosecutors, in the latter's case for the decision to file or not to file a criminal case in court. This is similar to the Grand Jury and Trial Jury systems in the United States of America.
2. The petition presents statements and proofs that ALAB NG MAMAMAHAYAG (ALAM) exists in at least ten (10) regional chapters all over the country and in some provinces and cities, including National Capital Region (NCR).
If you want to read the petition, it is pasted below.
Patriotically yours,
BERTENI "TOTO" CATALUÑA CAUSING
President
Alab ng Mamamahayag
JERRY SIA YAP
Chairman
Alab ng Mamamahayag
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Republic of the
Philippines
Commission on
Election
Manila
IN RE: PETITION FOR REGISTRATION
UNDER THE PARTY-LIST SYSTEM OF
REPRESENTATION IN CONNECTION
WITH THE MAY 13, 2013 NATIONAL
AND LOCAL ELECTIONS, AND
SUBSEQUENT ELECTIONS THEREAFTER
ALAB NG MAMAMAHAYAG,
represented
by BERTENI CATALUÑA
CAUSING Case No. _________
Petitioner,
x----------------------------------------------x
Amended
Petition
for Registration
for
Partylist
Elections
Petitioner ALAB NG MAMAMAHAYAG (ALAM), by the
undersigned law firm, respectfully submits this Amended Petition for Registration
and/or Accreditation as a Political
Organization for the Party-list System of Representation in connection with the
May 13, 2013 National and Local Elections, and subsequent elections thereafter,
AND HEREBY ADOPTS ALL THE EXHIBITS SUBMITTED as part of the “Petition for
Registration for Partylist Elections” filed on March 30, 2012 and ADDS OTHER EXHIBITS.
The amendments
are all underlined.
1.
The name of the Political Organization
is ALAB NG MAMAMAHAYAG.
2.
The acronym of the Political Organization is “ALAM.”
3. The
nature of this organization is that
it is a POLITICAL PARTY composed of qualified voters pursuing the
same principles for the general conduct of the government, which principles are the beliefs
that TOTAL and GENUINE FREE PRESS and PEOPLE’S JUSTICE SYSTEM (GRAND JURY and
TRIAL JURY SYSTEMS) can the Philippines .
4.
The groups being sought
to be represented by ALAB NG MAMAMAHAYAG
(ALAM) are those
composed of qualified voters bound together by similar and common principles of governance founded
on TOTAL AND GENUINE FREE PRESS and PEOPLE’S JUSTICE SYSTEM (GRAND JURY and
TRIAL JURY SYSTEMS).
Alab ng Mamamayahag (ALAM) members,
supporters and affiliates who all gave their consent to be
represented by ALAM share the common belief for TOTAL and GENUINE FREE PRESS
because they have that unshakeable belief that it is ONLY BY MAKING PRESS
FREEDOM TOTALLY AND GENUINELY FREE THAT THE LIVES OF THE UNDERPRIVILEGED CAN BE
MADE A LOT BETTER.
This common belief has been firmed up by tangible
arguments that when press is totally free and genuine, then there is virtually
total transparency and accountability in all government offices, services,
biddings, awards of franchises, permits, arrests that are just, etc.
If there is total transparency and accountability, the
underprivileged and unrepresented
or underrepresented classes that include the journalists who form the
original core of this Political
Organization will have equal chance at every bidding, will feel
comfortable that his merits are looked into as the bases when applying for any
privileges or benefits or permits or franchises, will see all businessmen who
are more honest in dealing with their customers and taxes, will see politicians
and public servants who are more honest, will see fraud in elections disappear,
will see sense of decency and civility rise drastically, will see people
observing the rule of law as the only way, etc.
Total transparency and accountability also promote
deeper discernment among the citizenry to know how to build a firm and fair
justice system that is an everlasting system as the best legacy that could be
left for the posterity, and that Alab ng
Mamamahayag (ALAM) members, supporters and affiliates also share the common belief that the jury system of justice is the best tool
invented by man to last as proven by countries that embrace jury system have no
rebellion and to serve best the ends of Press Freedom as demonstrated by the
everlasting memories of jury trial of Peter Zenger that led to his
acquittal by the defense of truth in the publication despite the fact that he
was being charged with libel by no less than the brute and arrogant New York
province governor William Cosby.
THESE GROUPS OR SECTORS who share the principles
of governance on Total and Free Press and Jury Justice System that
are being sought to be represented by ALAB NG MAMAMAHAYAG (ALAM) are the
following:
a.
Community
print journalists in provinces –
Almost
all community journalists in almost all parts, regions, provinces and far-flung
cities have given their consent to be represented by ALAB NG MAMAMAHAYAG
(ALAM). The consent can be demonstrated
by the attached pieces of evidence, in the form of resolutions executed by
them, the photographs taken of them and taken along with national officers of
ALAM in trips to the provinces.
These
journalists can hardly survive in the provinces owing to the reality that
newspapering is not a profitable endeavour but a vocation that amounts to a vow
of poverty because any individual smitten by journalism becomes a journalist
forever.
They
earn so little and many times nothing from gathering events or details of
information and writing them for their respective community weekly
newspapers. They publish on a weekly
basis because they cannot afford to spend for the prohibitive cost of paper and
printing.
These
individuals draw a picture of sad reality about most journalists in the
provinces. They truly are under the
spell of want of means to give them a decent living.
For
being in financial distress all their life, provincial print journalists are
prone to submit to the biddings of wealthy or powerful individuals with ill
intentions. Instead of staying as
mouthpieces of truth, they are compelled by wants and needs either to keep or
distort the truth. This state of affairs
will continue to chain the Filipino society in pitiful and dreadful Alcatraz of
poverty, injustice, oppression and discrimination.
A
few brave men and women of the provincial journalists ended up dead by the
warrants of the evil lords in the society who got extremely angry these poor
individuals who are by nature noisy.
Add
to them the misfortune of a family member getting sick and they end up in deep
shit.
Most
provincial media men in the regions of the country cannot even send their
children to school. More sad is the fact
that many in their ranks are undergraduate themselves due to high cost of
education.
Despite
these all negative extremes gripping them, they have continued to this day to
keep the flickering flame of the Press giving light in the abbeys of lies, secrecy
and hypocrisy.
These
groups are no doubt underprivileged by any yardstick. But they are unceasingly devoting their life
to journalism to give candles to the benighted communities in the provinces.
These
unprintable stories of their life and their irreversible love for FREE PRESS
made them agree to the proposition that they form a partylist organization
since this definitely can help make their lives a little better and strengthen their
independence.
Specifically,
ALAM intends to sponsor and push bills in the Congress requiring more legal and
judicial notice publications to increase the number of beneficiary news
weeklies, for a law that increases imprisonment for the crime of threats issued
by any person against the members of the Press, and for a LAW THAT MAKES
FRUSTRATED AND ATTEMPTED MURDERS AGAINST JOURNALISTS PUNISHABLE WITH RECLUSION
PERPETUA.
In
Iloilo, a broadcaster was shot but luckily survived. If he was unlucky he could have been the
second broadcaster killed in Region VI during the time of President Benigno
Simeon Aquino III. Under the present
law, if the gunman were arrested, he could still be freed on bail because the
punishment is below Reclusion Perpetua.
On
March 11, 2012, two persons and their father attempted to murder provincial journalist
Jaime Aquino in Bayambang, Pangasinan. Luckily, the bullets did not blast off
in all five times that the triggers were pulled by the assassins and the stab
attack did not hit. Aquino is the
Regional Coordinator of ALAM Chairman in the Ilocos Region.
On
the same day of March 11, 2012, Daily Tribune reporter Fernan Angeles was shot
seven times by a drug lord in Pasig City.
Luckily, Angeles survived the assault.
However, Angeles is now in dire straits because his newspaper is no more
kin in keeping him as its reporter. A
sad plight indeed.
In
both the cases of Aquino and Angeles, the assaults were revolting to conscience
but the law allows the assailants to post bail. It is in their cases that the
eyes of ALAM have been opened to move for a law penalizing attempted and
frustrated murder against journalists with Reclusion Perpetua. This is because
like murder all initial acts of execution were actually performed and it does not
make any difference with murder against journalists because in all cases
premeditation to kill by a gun-for-hire or not was there.
ALAM
seeks to represent these groups of print journalists because it wants to
increase the level of independence of their reporting. This is intended to be done by ALAM in
pushing for a bill imprisoning any person committing any threat, grave or
light, against any journalist; a bill seeking to imprison any violation of
press freedom, either by preventing the gathering of news, writing of news, or
publishing or broadcasting of news.
b. BROADCAST PROVINCIAL
JOURNALISTS –
These
are a group of press freedom practitioners who are similarly situated as the
community print journalists. The only difference between them is that the broadcasters
are mostly in radio while the others are in print journalism. Some broadcasters however practice print
journalism, too.
ALAM
intends to represent and journalists it has reached out to have consented
to be represented by ALAM.
ALAM
wants to empower the broadcasters by pushing for laws imprisoning owners or
managers of radio stations and others who caused the booting out or stopping of
their radio programs or the broadcasting from continuing to broadcast, whether
on the same or another program, block time or not, unless the cause is
non-payment of the air time in cases of block timers.
ALAM
knows too well that one common problem of radio broadcasters, block time or
not, is that they are often pushed out when an influential person demanded from
the radio station owner or manager for their ouster.
c. METRO MANILA JOURNALISTS
Most
of these journalists, in broadsheets or tabloids, in print or in radio, are
actually among those living in poverty level.
Many
who find work merely work as correspondents, which position is defined by the
industry as one where the journalist concerned is paid only on a per-story
basis. Usually, the number of stories
published are not enough to earn for their tables, as low as P2,000.00.
There
are also others among them who are not paid for the stories or photographs they
submitted that were eventually published.
They are forced by circumstances to ask for money from public officials
in exchange for the stories or photos that came out in their newspapers. There are lots of them in the police beats,
Bureau of Immigration, Bureau of Customs and other offices. Many of them are prone to accept doleouts
from officials in exchange for silence or press releases.
There
is a need to help them make both ends meet in order for them to be less prone
to this culture of “giving” and empower their hearts to write more aggressively
and more independently.
At
the Customs bureau, they are labelled “hao
shiao” or “bogus”
journalists. This is because they no
longer write as they should as they are beholden to smugglers and corrupt
bureau officials.
d. NEWS DEALERS, NEWS
SELLERS, NEWS BOYS
These
are a group of people who without them newspapers in Metro Manila cannot
live without.
While
news dealers are a little bit better, news sellers who sell newspapers on
sidewalks and news boys who sell on the streets are actually among the poorest
sectors of the country.
They
sell on a day expecting to at least make both ends meet.
ALAB
NG MAMAMAHAYAG (ALAM) seeks to represent them in the Congress and to at least
institute mechanisms whereby they can avail of some help by way of providing
for emergency hospital needs and emergency loans.
In
the meeting of ALAM with newspaper dealers who call their group as Print Media
Dealers Organization, they voiced out these concerns.
Additionally,
ALAM seeks to get the ranks of tabloid newspapers to agree to be more decent in
the contents of their newspapers as requested by these newspaper dealers who
suffer losses when police authorities would confiscate their newspapers bearing
“sexy photos.”
Upon
assurance of ALAM that it will work on those requests, PMDO officials passed a
resolution to support fully the bid of ALAM to register in the partylist system
of elections and to campaign for it.
Nevertheless,
all of them identify with ALAM because they, too, are strong believers in Press
Freedom.
e.
TRIBESMEN
WHO LEARNED TO LOVE THE LIBERTY OF THE PRESS
This
group of individuals are those who learned to love the Liberty of the Press and
Grand Jury and Trial
Jury System after they were educated as to the significance of these principles in
their existence in the society that discriminates them.
As is written above, these tribesmen
believe that Total Free Press and Jury System will work to build a government
that is much better and that treats all people, the indigenous ones, fairly and
equally.
ALAM
seeks to represent them in the Congress and they consented thereto to be their
strong voice to make their cries, plight and plaints getting responses.
ALAM
seeks to represent thousands of Manobos,
Mamanwas and Higaonons who are wallowing in decades of official neglect and
despair.
Their
datu leaders who talked to ALAM narrated about unbelievably inhuman experience
of their people. They said that 90% of
them do not know how to read and write because there are no schools in the
mountains where their homes are.
ALAM
seeks to represent them and they agreed as such to bring schools to the
mountains, informal or formal, to educate their people.
ALAM
also resolved to work for new laws to amend or modify the present Indigenous
People’s Rights Act that is set to expire in nine years when only very few have
been approved of the thousands of applications for declaration of ancestral
domains.
Their
applications with the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) have
been gathering dust, some for reasons the tribes concerned do not have money to
pay for the geodetic surveys required while other applications were simply not
acted upon.
Other
datus of these tribes sought the help of ALAM in their problem of corruption
that caused them not to get any centavo for the royalties for the mining
activities done in their ancestral domains.
These
datus complained that these mining companies were granted permits despite the
lack of their Free and Prior Informed Counsel (FPIC). ALAM seeks to represent them with the consent
of their datus in order to crush the corruption that has caused miseries on
them. Already, billions of pesos in
royalties have been denied them.
These
datus believe that by strengthening the press, a lot of worms will be blown out
of the cans of corruption. These datus believe further that
when there is that pairing GRAND JURY and TRIAL JURY systems as a true PEOPLE’S
COURT SYSTEM or Hukuman ng Mamamayan, the government of the Philippines will
progress in almost all aspects.
ALAM
seeks to build human infrastructures among the tribesmen by training them to
become effective journalists for their tribes so that all events that happen in
their mountains are reported to the public.
f. B’LAAN TRIBESMEN WHO CRY
FOR ANCESTRAL LANDS
ALAM
has also reached out to datus of B’Laan tribe in General Santos City and South
Cotabato and they agreed to be represented by ALAB NG MAMAMAHAYAG (ALAM).
After
lectures about the Liberty of the Press and the PEOPLE’S JUSTICE SYSTEM (GRAND JURY AND TRIAL
JURY), B’Laan tribesmen dream of true and genuine free press for
they now believe that it is the only way to liberate them from exploitation,
ignorance, abuse and corruption that have imprisoned them in the walls of
extreme poverty, AND of
PEOPLE’S JUSTICE SYSTEM that will not be manipulated by the powerful and the
moneyed.
ALAM
seeks to bring to them schools, formal and informal, train them to be
journalists as this skill will enable them to stand stronger, fight strongly
and increase awareness among the members of the tribe.
ALAM
will also work for the speedy processing of their ancestral domain applications
aside from pushing for the bills that will institute government funds for the
immediate surveys of their lands being applied for delineation, identification
and recognition as ancestral domains.
g. URBAN POOR OR INFORMAL
SETTLERS
These
are people who are the most vulnerable in the urban centers of the country.
ALAM
seeks to represent dozens of homeowners associations who agreed to be so in the
firm belief that supporting the bid of ALAM will give more strength to the
Liberty of the Press and
establish PEOPLE’S JUSTICE SYSTEM (GRAND JURY and TRIAL JURY).
Many
of these associations have pledged to support the bid of ALAB NG MAMAMAHAYAG
(ALAM) to be registered as a partylist, in the firm belief that it is the best
way now available to strengthen press freedom.
Like
other sectors stated above, the urban poor communities believe that their
grievance for homes of their own can be attended to only when there is full
transparency in housing agencies, local governments and other related offices.
They
also believe that full transparency can only happen if the PRESS is truly and
genuinely free and
there is dependable, always fair, competent and always independent justice
system that is PEOPLE’S JUSTICE SYSTEM or the Grand Jury and Trial Jury System.
They
all agreed to ALAM that their decades of official neglect and use by
politicians as vote givers have been caused by apathy, fear and greed. They believe that these bad circumstances
will not repeat if
there is TRULY FREE PRESS and
TRULY DEPENDABLE JUSTICE SYSTEM WHERE THE PEOPLE ARE THE JUDGES ON FACTUAL
ISSUES.
ALAM
assured them that the social housing laws that have deadly loopholes, like
allowing the local governments to demolish their homes without court orders,
and incomplete mechanisms in Republic Act 7379 that allows fake title
syndicates to victimize them and the government will be renovated.
An example of this is the fact
that fake title holders managed to sell to the National Housing Authority (NHA)
lands with fake titles where the lands shall be subdivided among the poor
residents who would pay the NHA (now to the new entity Socialized Housing
Finance Corp. (SHFC). Now that it turned
out that the titles are fake the urban poor residents are in quandary and the government
housing agency is in limbo on how it could recover.
h.
DRIVERS
AND SMALL-TIME OPERATORS OF TRANSPORT UNITS
Tens
of thousands of transport drivers and operators, including tricycles and
jeepneys, pledged full support and agreed to be represented by ALAB NG
MAMAMAHAYAG (ALAM) in the Congress to voice out their concerns and did so also because its
members believe in TRUE and GENUINE FREE PRESS and PEOPLE’S JUSTICE SYSTEM
(GRAND JURY and TRIAL JURY SYSTEM).
The
biggest among these groups that has members of more than three (3) million is
Public Transport Alliance of the Philippines (PTAP).
PTAP’s
members consist of operators and drivers associations all over the Philippines.
One
association of operators and drivers that has pledged to work full time for ALAM is Airmen
Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association (AJODA), whose route is
Nichols-Baclaran in Pasay and Parañaque areas.
These
transport groups who have been struggling daily on roads just to sustain their
families while at the same time getting corruption treatment in the hands of
officials of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB),
and the Land Transportation Office (LTO), and local governments.
They
believe that if there is TRUE AND GENUINE PRESS, transparency and
accountability will be drastically raised and this condition will remove the
shady activities of manipulators or fixers who profit big from overpricing
franchise fees and “kotongeros” who mulct weekly from colorum vehicles in
exchange for non-apprehension.
They also believe that when there is
that PEOPLE’S JUSTICE SYSTEM (GRAND JURY and TRIAL JURY) that cannot be bent by
any influence and money, their expenses in applying for renewal of franchises
will stripped of those that go to fixers and corruption and the system of protection
of colorum vehicles by traffic officials will stop.
i.
POOR
RESIDENTS IN URBAN BARANGAYS
Another
sector that agreed to be represented by Alab ng Mamamahayag (ALAM) is that
composed of poor barangay residents in cities whose work is not permanent.
In
various meetings with these persons in the Manila, Pasay, Pasig and Quezon
City, they are all educated now on the significance of TRUE AND GENUINE PRESS,
believing that the existence of this state of affairs is the only condition
required that transparency and accountability in all aspects are assured, and the PEOPLE’S JUSTICE SYSTEM
(Grand Jury and Trial Jury), believing firmly that this will ensure firm and
fair justice system for all kinds of people, rich or poor, Christians or
non-Christians, indigenous or not.
And
when transparency and accountability are assured in private and government
offices, they will have better chances of engaging in their small businesses. And when firm and fair justice is assured, that transparency and
accountability will always be protected against those who will attempt to
destroy the same and these are people who are greedy, abusive, wily,
manipulators, fixers, and others of their kind.
j.
LABOR
SECTORS
Also
agreeing to support the bid of Alab ng Mamamahayag (ALAM) are several groups of
labor organizations.
After
having been educated by ALAM as to the significance of TRUE and GENUINE PRESS,
the first thing that came to the mind of labor groups was the promotion of
drastic transparency and accountability that will now prevent the bribery
activities from happening among the labor arbiters and the commissioners of the
National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC).
This will even up the system of justice at the labor adjudication. They fully understand the
indispensability of installing People’s Justice System (Grand Jury and Trial
Jury) that it shall forever protect the transparency and accountability by
reason of the nature of its mechanism that is nearly impervious to influences.
These
labor groups noted that corruption in the labor arbiters’ offices and the NLRC
has been too rampant.
ALAM
seeks to represent them with the intention of overhauling the system of
adjudication in the labor issues.
In addition, ALAM agreed to these labor
groups that there is a need to put teeth to the Labor Code by enacting
imprisonment for violations of labor standards, labor relations provisions, and
evasion or avoidance of judgements.
k. JURY SYSTEM ADVOCATES
Also
supporting Alab ng Mamamahayag (ALAM) bid is Hukuman ng Mamamayan Movement,
Inc. (HMMI), a non-governmental group that advocates the establishment of the
jury system to replace the 112-year-old single judge and fiscal system.
HMMI
has been actively involved in educational campaign to educate the Filipinos
about this system of justice in order for them to demand for this system where
the PEOPLE ARE MORE DIRECTLY EXERCISING THE POWER TO JUDGE.
The
members and officers of HMMI are also people that can be classified as
underprivileged.
Other
jury advocacy association that is pushing for ALAM is Philippine Jury
International Association Inc. (PJIAI), where the president is Dean Ponciano
Subido.
5.
The president of Alab ng
Mamamahayag (ALAM) is Berteni Cataluña
Causing.
Causing has been appointed by ALAM directors to
represent it before the Commission on Elections, sign the petition for
registration or accreditation, sign the verification and certificate of non-forum
shopping, and all other acts necessary and implied in the performance of
those powers.
As proof of the authority, the corresponding Board
Resolution of Alab ng Mamamahayag (ALAM)
is attached hereto as ANNEX “A.”
6.
The principal headquarters of ALAB
NG MAMAMAHAYAG (ALAM) is at Room 102, National Press Club Bldg., No. 1
Magallanes Drive, Intramuros, 1002 Manila.
This is also at the same its postal office address.
7.
The officers of ALAB NG MAMAMAHAYAG as shown by the
General Information Sheets (GIS), the Articles of Incorporation and the By-Laws
as an association are as follows:
a. BERTENI CATALUÑA CAUSING – President, whose postal address is
Ground Floor, National Press Club Bldg., No. 1 Magallanes Drive, Intramuros,
1002 Manila;
b. JERRY SIA YAP – Chairman, whose postal address is Room
103 Ground Floor, National Press Club Bldg., No. 1 Magallanes Drive,
Intramuros, 1002 Manila;
c. EDWIN ROÑO ALCALA – Secretary, whose postal address is Room 103 Ground Floor, National Press Club
Bldg., No. 1 Magallanes Drive, Intramuros, 1002 Manila;
d. CIRILO P. SABARRE JR. – Treasurer, whose
postal address is Ground Floor, National Press Club Bldg., No. 1 Magallanes
Drive, Intramuros, 1002 Manila;
e. HERNANI QUIRINO CUARE – Press Relations Officer, whose postal
address is Ground Floor, National Press Club Bldg., No. 1 Magallanes Drive,
Intramuros, 1002 Manila;
8.
Petitioner ALAB NG MAMAMAHAYAG (ALAM) expressly
expresses the FULL INTENION TO
PARTICIPATE IN THE 2013 PARTY-LIST ELECTIONS AND SUBSEQUENT ELECTIONS
THEREAFTER.
This intention rooted from extreme disgust by the core
members of ALAM that the reality shows that not even the good government
leadership of the incumbent President can stop the killings committed against
the members of the journalism community all over the world.
Alab ng Mamamahayag
(ALAM) has actually been organized since January
25, 2011, sparked by the brutal murder committed on January 24, 2011 against
another broadcaster Dr. Gerry “Doc Gerry” Ortega in Puerto Princesa City.
That murder was too much to the Philippine Press
because it showed that there was no stopping murderers from killing journalists
despite the fact that the new administration had already rooted and the
Maguindanao massacre that shocked the whole world on November 23, 2009.
The murder of Doc Gerry was the FIFTH to occur since
President Benigno Simeon Aquino III took office on July 1, 2010.
That murder of Doc Gerry triggered the passions of
PRESS FREEDOM LOVERS, especially among the journalists, for these individuals
to be bound stronger by the common burning interest in the advocacy FOR TOTAL
AND GENUINE FREE PRESS.
Alab ng Mamamayahag (ALAM) members, supporters and
affiliates share the common ideal that it is ONLY BY MAKING PRESS FREEDOM
TOTALLY AND GENUINELY FREE THAT THE LIVES OF THE UNDERPRIVILEGED CAN BE A LOT
BETTER AND THE COUNTRY
BE IN BETTER STATE AND ONLY BY INSTITUTING THE PEOPLE’S JUSTICY SYSTEM (Grand
Jury and Trial Jury) THAT THE GAINS OF FREE PRESS CAN BE PRESERVED.
This common interest has been firmed up by tangible
arguments that when press freedom is totally free and genuine, then there is
virtually total transparency and accountability in all government offices,
services, biddings, awards of franchises, permits, arrests that are just.
If there is total transparency and accountability, the
underprivileged classes that include the journalists who form the original core
of this Political Party
as a partylist will have equal chance at every bidding, will feel
comfortable that his merits are looked into as the bases when applying for any
privileges or benefits or permits or franchises, will see all businessmen who
are more honest in dealing with their customers and taxes, will see politicians
and public servants who are more honest, will see fraud in elections disappear,
will see sense of decency and civility rise drastically, will see people
observing the rule of law as the only way, etc.
Total transparency and accountability also promote
deeper discernment among the citizenry to know how to build a firm and fair
justice system that is an everlasting system as the best legacy that could be
left for the posterity, and that Alab ng Mamamahayag (ALAM) members also share
the common belief that the jury system of justice is the best tool invented by
man to last as proven by countries that embrace jury system have no rebellion
and to serve best the ends of Press Freedom as demonstrated by the everlasting
memories of jury trial of Peter Zenger that led to his acquittal by the defense
of truth in the publication despite the fact that he was being charged with
libel by no less than the brute and arrogant New York province governor William
Cosby.
Additionally,
these gains of FREE PRESS can only be protected by means of the firmest and the
fairest justice system invented by man, which system is one composed of Grand
Jury and Trial Jury.
9. ALAB NG MAMAMAHAYAG (ALAM)
has organized chapters in majority of the regions of the country and it is still
continuing on recruiting and organizing in all other regions that are
left. Nevertheless, it is manifested that ALAM will submit a supplemental
petition for the purpose of including the regional chapters organized after the
filing of this petition.
As of this date of filing, March 30, 2012, the
following are the regional chapters, and sub-regional chapters thereof, which
are as follows:
a. ALAB NG MAMAHAYAG (ALAB) Cordillera
Administrative Region (CAR) Chapter – whose office address is located
at Calupaan, Alfonso Lista, Ifugao. The
regional officers are as follows:
i.
Arturo
M. Diaz
– Regional President
ii.
Tony
Pammit
– Regional Vice-President for Ifugao
iii.
Menard
M. Diaz
– Regional Asst. Vice-President for Ifugao;
iv.
Lucio
Lupos
– Regional Vice-President for Kalinga/Apayao
v.
Judilyn
L. Capuyan
– Regional Asst. Vice-President for Kalinga;
vi.
Joy
Lupos –
Regional Secretary
vii.
Salome L.
Dimalanta – Regional Director
All
these officers have consented to act as such and to work for the objectives of
ALAM.
Proofs of the consent of
these officers and the existence of the chapter are Board Resolution of ALAM – CAR chapter signed by all these officers, Letter
to the Regional Election Officer in CAR and photographs of the chapter office and officers, which proofs are
attached as Annexes “A”, “B” and “C,” respectively, of the Affidavit of
Declaration of Existence of Regional Chapter of Alab ng Mamamayahag (ALAB), and
this affidavit is attached hereto as ANNEX
“CAR.”
b. ALAB NG MAMAMAHAYAG (ALAB) – Ilocos (Region
I) Chapter – whose office address is Mapandan, Pangasinan. The regional officers are as follows:
i.
Jaime
Aquino
– Regional President and Regional Coordinator
ii.
Val
Adriano B. Sumalot – Provincial coordinator for La Union
iii.
Marilyn
G. Pacris
– Provincial coordinator for Ilocos Norte
iv.
Johnmar
“Jun” C. Gaoat – Provincial coordinator for Ilocos Sur
All
these officers have consented to act as such and to work for the objectives of
ALAM.
Since the proofs of existence of the
regional chapter of ALAB NG MAMAMAHAYAG (ALAM) in Region I or Ilocos Region was
not submitted along with the filing of this petition last March 30, THESE PROOFS ARE NOW ATTACHED HERETO as ANNEX “R-1” and series, CONSISTING OF THE “RESOLUTION STRONGLY ENDORSNIG THE
PETITION FILED BEFORE THE COMMISSION ON ELECTION (COMELEC) NATIONAL OFFICE FOR
THE ACCREDITATION OR REGISTRATION OF THE ALAB NG MAMAMAHAYAG (ALAM) AS ONE OF
THE NATIONWIDE OFFICIAL PARTYLIST CANDIDATES FOR THE SCHEDULED ELECTIONS ON MAY
2013” and the LETTER TO THE REGIONAL ELECTION OFFICER OF REGION 1.
c. ALAB NG MAMAMAHAYAG (ALAB) – Cagayan Valley
(Region II) Chapter – whose office address is Barangay Bantug,
Roxas, Isabela. The regional officers
are as follows:
i.
Fidel A.
Coloma
– Regional President
ii.
Ver
Malabanan –
Vice President for Isabela
iii.
Silver
Espejo – Vice
President for Nueva Vizcaya
iv.
Bong Naguimbing
–
Assistant Vice President for Nueva Vizcaya
v.
Noel
Mamaclay –
Vice President for Quirino
vi.
Rafael
Cabral - Assistant Vice President for Quirino
vii.
Rico
Calubaquib – Vice President for Cagayan
viii.
Rhona
Jane Bon –
Regional Secretary
All
these officers have consented to act as such and to work for the objectives of
ALAM.
Proofs of the consent of
these officers and the existence of the chapter are Board Resolution of ALAM – Cagayan Valley (Region II) Chapter signed by all these officers, Letter to the Regional Election Officer in Cagayan
and photographs of the chapter
office and officers, which proofs are attached as Annexes “A”, “B” and “C,”
respectively, of the Affidavit of Declaration of Existence of Regional Chapter
of Alab ng Mamamayahag (ALAB), and this affidavit is attached hereto as ANNEX “R 2.”
d. ALAB NG MAMAMAHAYAG (ALAB) – Central Luzon (Region
III) Chapter – whose office address is at 144 Balite St., San
Vicente, Apalit, Pampanga. The regional
officers are as follows:
i.
Salvador
Arevalo
– Regional President
ii.
Armando
Y. Feliciano – Regonal Vice President
iii.
Lynn S.
Lacsamana – Regional Secretar
iv.
Veronica
Paule –
Regional Treasurer
v.
Carlyn
Bueno –
Regional Auditor
All
these officers have consented to act as such and to work for the objectives of
ALAM.
Proofs of the consent of
these officers and the existence of the chapter are Board Resolution of ALAM – Central Luzon (Region III) Chapter signed by all these officers, Letter to the Regional Election Officer in Central
Luzon and photographs of the chapter
office and officers, which proofs are attached as Annexes “A”, “B” and “C,”
respectively, of the Affidavit of Declaration of Existence of Regional Chapter
of Alab ng Mamamayahag (ALAB), and this affidavit is attached hereto as ANNEX “R 3.”
Further,
proofs of Central Luzon’s provincial chapters are also submitted hereto as part
of ANNEX “R-3” as follows:
ALAM – BATAAN CHAPTER –
Resolution signed by officers;
ALAM – BULACAN CHAPTER –
Resolution signed by officers and advisers;
ALAM – PAMPANGA CHAPTER –
Resolution signed by officers and advisers;
e. ALAB NG MAMAMAHAYAG (ALAB) – National
Capital Region (NCR) Chapter – whose office Room 102, National Press
Club Bldg., No. 1 Magallanes Drive, Intramuros, Manila. The regional officers are as follows:
i.
Joel
Maquisa Sy Egco – Regional President
ii.
Bening
Batuigas –
Regonal Vice President
iii.
Arlie
Calalo – Regional
Secretary
iv.
Renato
Taboy –
Regional Treasurer
v.
Mario
Alberto Danguila – Regional Auditor
All
these officers have consented to act as such and to work for the objectives of
ALAM.
Proofs of the consent of
these officers and the existence of the chapter are Board Resolution of ALAM – NCR Chapter signed by all these officers, Letter
to the Regional Election Officer in NCR and photographs of the chapter office and officers, which proofs are attached as Annexes “A”, “B” and “C,”
respectively, of the Affidavit of Declaration of Existence of Regional Chapter
of Alab ng Mamamayahag (ALAB), and this affidavit is attached hereto as ANNEX “NCR”
NCR is the biggest of all regions of
ALAB NG MAMAMAHAYAG (ALAM) in terms of number of members and
chapters. Its sub-chapters in NCR are as
follows:
i.
MANILA
Chapter – President is Bening Batuigas
ii.
ALAM -
Manila Tondo II Chapter – President is Alejandro Cruz;
iii.
ALAM - Barangay
Baseco Chapter – President is Wenceslao Guinto Jr.;
iv.
ALAM -
CAMANAVA Chapter – President is Arlie Calalo;
v.
ALAM –
Caloocan Chapter – President is Grande del Prado;
vi.
ALAM –
Navotas Chapter – Ismael Santos;
vii.
ALAM –
Valenzuela Chapter – Jimmy Olegario
viii.
ALAM –
Pasay Chapter – Joseph Javier
ix.
ALAM –
Makati Chapter – Alvin Murcia
Further,
proofs of NCR’s sub-chapters are also submitted hereto as part of ANNEX “NCR” as follows:
ALAM – Manila Police District Press
Corps Chapter– Resolution signed by officers led by president is
Bening Batuigas;
ALAM – Baseco Chapter –
Resolution signed by the officers led by its president Wenceslao Guinto Jr.,
with photos;
ALAM – Tondo II Chapter –
Resolution signed by the officers led by its president Alejandro Cruz;
ALAM – Quezon City Chapter –
Resolution signed by the officers led by its president Lily P. Reyes;
ALAM – Progressive Tri-Media
Southern Metro Chapter – Resolution led by its president Joseph
Javier;
ALAM – Camanava Chapter –
Resolution led by its president Arlie Calalo; with photos;
ALAM – Caloocan Chapter –
Resolution led by its president Grande del Prado;
ALAM – Navotas Chapter –
Resolution led by its president Ismael Santos;
ALAM – Valenzuela Chapter –
Resolution led by its president Jimmy Olegario;
ROSTER OF MEMBERS of ALAM
in Metro Manila totalling 457 persons.
f.
ALAB NG
MAMAMAHAYAG (ALAB) – Calabarzon (Region IV-A) Chapter – whose
office Tabalan St., Barangay 5, Calamba City, Laguna. The regional officers are as follows:
i.
Rubie T.
Garcia
– Regional President
ii.
Zen
Trinidad –
Regonal Vice President
iii.
Jenny
Glifonea – Regional Secretary
iv.
Grace
Maniaga – Regional
Treasurer
v.
Barbara
S. Plana –
Regional Auditor
vi.
Arlene
Mariposque – Director
vii.
Sol
Luzano –
Director
viii.
Archie M. Gadang – Director
ix.
Josephine
“Joy” Escovidal – Director
x.
Johnny
S. Pavon
– Director
xi.
Nestor
Burgos
- Director
Two
(2) pictures are also attached depicting the office of the chapter in
Calabarzon and the organizational meeting at the NPC Building.
All
these officers have consented to act as such and to work for the objectives of
ALAM.
Proofs of the consent of
these officers and the existence of the chapter are Board Resolution of ALAM – NCR Chapter signed by all these officers, Letter
to the Regional Election Officer in NCR and photographs of the chapter office and officers, which proofs are attached as Annexes “A”, “B” and “C,”
respectively, of the Affidavit of Declaration of Existence of Regional Chapter
of Alab ng Mamamayahag (ALAB), and this affidavit is attached hereto as ANNEX “NCR”
The
Calabarzon chapter has its sub-chapters such as:
ALAM Cavite Chapter –
President is Marie Grace C. Maniaga and their resolution and photos;
ALAM Laguna Chapter –
President is Pedro Afuang Mabras with photos;
ALAM Rizal Chapter –
President is Jorge “Jie” Convocar with photos taken at Rizal organizational
meeting;
g. ALAB NG MAMAMAHAYAG (ALAB) – Mimaropa
(Region IV-B) Chapter – whose office is at DWOM-FM Compound,
Bonbon, Oriental Mindoro. The regional
officers are as follows:
i.
Jose
“Joe” Leuterio– Regional President
ii.
Conrado
“Ding” Vega – Regional Vice President
iii.
Juancho
“Choi” Mahusay - Regional Secretary
iv.
Noraida
Rocco –
Regional Treasurer
v.
Melissa
Angeles –
Regional Auditor
vi.
Roberto
Vilavincencio – PRO
All
these officers have consented to act as such and to work for the objectives of
ALAM.
Proofs of the consent of
these officers and the existence of the chapter are Board Resolution of ALAM – Mimaropa Chapter signed by all these officers, Letter
to the Regional Election Officer in Mimaropa and photographs of the chapter office and officers, which proofs are attached as Annexes “A”, “B” and “C,”
respectively, of the Affidavit of Declaration of Existence of Regional Chapter
of Alab ng Mamamayahag (ALAB), and this affidavit is attached hereto as ANNEX “IV-B”
h. ALAB NG MAMAMAHAYAG (ALAB) – Central
Visayas (Region VII) Chapter – whose office is at 33 Del Rosario St.,
Barangay Day-as, Cebu City. The regional
officers are as follows:
i.
Junex
Doronio –
Regional President
ii.
Jose
“Pepe” P. Sollano – Regional Vice President
iii.
Jannet
Monares - Regional
Secretary
iv.
Marijen
Gulane –
Regional Treasurer
v.
Damian
“Micmic” C. Bustamante – Regional Auditor
vi.
Arnel I.
Bacalan –
PRO
All
these officers have consented to act as such and to work for the objectives of
ALAM.
Proofs of the consent of
these officers and the existence of the chapter are Board Resolution of ALAM – Central Visayas Chapter signed by all these officers, Letter to the Regional Election Officer in Central
Visayas and photographs of the
chapter office and officers,
which proofs are attached as Annexes “A”, “B” and “C,” respectively, of the
Affidavit of Declaration of Existence of Regional Chapter of Alab ng
Mamamayahag (ALAB), and this affidavit is attached hereto as ANNEX “7”
i.
ALAB NG
MAMAMAHAYAG (ALAB) – Davao (Region XI) Chapter – whose office is 3rd
Floor Cagas Bldg., Rizal Ave., Digos City, Davao del Sur. The regional officers are as follows:
i.
Joseph
Jay P. Enginco – Regional President
ii.
Emmanuel
R. Javellana – Regional Vice President
iii.
Benjamin
D. Arche - Regional Secretary
iv.
Ana Mae
D. Mulat –
Regional Treasurer
v.
Rick D.
Torrecampo – Regional Auditor
vi.
Emmanuel
C. Causing – PRO
All
these officers have consented to act as such and to work for the objectives of
ALAM.
Proofs of the consent of
these officers and the existence of the chapter are Board Resolution of ALAM – Davao Region Chapter signed by all these officers, Letter to the Regional Election Officer in Central
Visayas and photographs of the
chapter office and officers,
which proofs are attached as Annexes “A”, “B” and “C,” respectively, of the
Affidavit of Declaration of Existence of Regional Chapter of Alab ng
Mamamayahag (ALAB), and this affidavit is attached hereto as ANNEX “11”
j.
ALAB NG
MAMAMAHAYAG (ALAB) – Caraga Region Chapter – whose office is
at Brgy 12, Poblacion, Dapa, Surigao Del Norte.
The regional officers are as follows:
i.
Roberto
“Jun” Parada– Regional President
ii.
Max
Tutor –
Regional Vice President
iii.
Aidye
Chryn Ortega - Regional Secretary
iv.
Judith
S. Surarez – Regional Treasurer
v.
Lito Q.
Ucab –
Regional Auditor
All
these officers have consented to act as such and to work for the objectives of
ALAM.
Proofs of the consent of
these officers and the existence of the chapter are Board Resolution of ALAM – Caraga Chapter signed by all these officers, Letter
to the Regional Election Officer in Central Visayas and photographs of the chapter office and officers, which proofs are attached as
Annexes “A”, “B” and “C,” respectively, of the Affidavit of Declaration of
Existence of Regional Chapter of Alab ng Mamamayahag (ALAB), and this affidavit
is attached hereto as ANNEX “CARAGA”
10. ALAM
is not coalesced with any other registered sectoral partylist.
11. But
ALAM has affiliates in the persons of various and varied non-governmental
organizations that are not religious and not drawing funding from foreign
sources, which affiliates although not registered with the Comelec has given
their consent to support ALAM in the registration for partylist elections,
which affiliates are as follows:
a. NATIONAL PRESS CLUB of the Philippines – the biggest and the oldest organization of
newsmen all over the country having more than 10,000 members, whose office is 4th
Floor National Press Club Bldg., No. 1 Magallanes Drive, Intramuros, Manila.
A COPY OF ITS BOARD RESOLUTION DECLARING
FULL SUPPORT TO ALAB NG MAMAMAHAYAG (ALAM) is attached hereto
as ANNEX “NPC.”
b. PRINT MEDIA DEALERS ASSOCIATION OF THE
PHILIPPINES – an organization of the biggest newspapers dealers and
distributors in the entire Philippines.
A copy
of the Board resolution of PMDAP declaring full support for the petition for
registration of Alab ng Mamamahayag (ALAM) is attached hereto as ANNEX “PDMO.”
c. AIRMEN JEEPNEY OPERATORS AND DRIVERS
ASSOCIATION (AJODA) is one of the most vibrant and biggest
transport organization in Pasay City, operating from Nichols to Baclaran and
vice versa.
A copy
of the Board Resolution of AJODA declaring full support to the bid of Alab ng
Mamamahayag (ALAM) is attached hereto as ANNEX
“AJODA.”
d. HUKUMAN NG MAMAMAYAN MOVEMENT INC. (HMMI), the
biggest organization of advocates of jury system in the Philippines.
A copy
of the Board Resolution of HMMI declaring full support for the bid of Alab ng
Mamamahayag (ALAM) to register in the partylist system of elections is attached
hereto as ANNEX “HUKUMAN.”
12. Alab
ng Mamamahayag (ALAM) is neither an adjunct or a project of the government, or
one funded by the government;
13. Nor
Alab ng Mamamahayag (ALAM) is a religious sect or organization or denomination
or association organized for religious purposes.
14. Alab
ng Mamamahayag (ALAM) neither advocates violence or unlawful means to achieve
its goals.
15. Alab
ng Mamamahayag is neither a foreign organization or party.
16. Alab
ng Mamamahayag is neither receiving funds from any foreign sources, directly or
indirectly, through its members or otherwise.
17. Alab
ng Mamamahayag has existed for more than one (1) year since January 25, 2011,
formed after broadcast journalist Dr. Gerry “Doc Gerry” Ortega was assassinated
on January 24, 2011 in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.
18. Alab
ng Mamamahayag (ALAM) commits to comply with the laws, rules and regulations
relating to elections.
19. In
support of this petition, the following documents are also attached as integral
parts of this petition, to wit:
a.
CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS as an organization
seeking registration under the partylist system of registration – attached
hereto as ANNEX “CBL.”
b. Platform
or program of government – a copy is attached hereto as ANNEX “PLATFORM.”
c. Manifestation
of Intent to participate in the next immediately succeeding elections, a copy
is attached hereto as ANNEX “INTENT.”
d.
List
of all officers and members of Alab ng Mamamahayag (ALAM) showing that the
majority of its membership and officers belong to the marginalized and
underrepresented sector/s it seeks to represent, considering that there has
been no representative in the Congress representing the media and press freedom
lovers. The list of the officers of ALAB NG MAMAMAHAYAG (ALAM) as a
political party is attached hereto as ANNEX “OFFICERS.”
e. Certificate
of Incorporation of ALAM issued by SEC, a copy attached as ANNEX “SEC.”
f.
Article of Incorporation of ALAM approved
by SEC, a copy attached as ANNEX “AOI.”
g. By-Laws
of ALAM approved by SEC, a copy attached as ANNEX “BL.”
h.
The Constitution
and By-Laws of ALAB NG MAMAMAHAYAG (ALAM) as a Political Party is attached
hereto as ANNEX “CBL.”
i.
The
Platform of Government of ALAB NG MAMAMAHAYAG (ALAM) as a Political Party is
attached hereto as ANNEX “PG.”
The Prayer
WHEREFORE,
it is prayed of the Honorable Commission to register and accredit ALAB NG MAMAMAHAYAG (ALAM) as a Political Party for the Party-List Elections of May
13, 2013 and the subsequent elections thereafter and subsequent elections thereafter,
and that the corresponding CERTIFICATE
OF REGISTRATION and/or accreditation be issued in favor of ALAB NG MAMAMAHAYAG (ALAM) Party-List.
Further, it is
being prayed that its Manifestation of Intent to participate in the May 13,
2013 partylist elections be granted.
Other reliefs just and equitable are also prayed for.
Respectfully submitted, Manila. April 4, 2012.
RENTA PE CAUSING
SABARRE CHAN CASTRO & ASSOCIATES
Mailing Address:
Ground Floor, National Press Club
No. 1 Magallanes
Drive, Intramuros, Manila / Tel/Fax: 3109144
By:
CIRILO P. SABARRE
JR.
IBP No. 856677/
01-03-2012
PTR No. 11731429 /
01-03-2012
Roll No.
53639 / MCLE No. IV-0003755 / 12-07-2011
DERVIN V.
CASTRO
IBP No. 836900/ 11-18-2010 up to 2012
PTR No. 0335125 / 01-03-2012
Roll No. 53624 / MCLE No. III-000140 / 12-24-2010
BERTENI
CATALUÑA CAUSING
IBP No. 894664 / 03-20-2012 / Manila
PTR No. 0675267 / 03-27-2012 / Manila
Roll No. 60944 / MCLE (Admitted only in 2012)
Comments