LTO's RFID scheme

Noong 2007, ang kontrata ng STRADCOM sa computerization ng LTO ay nagtapos na. Subalit dahil nakasaad sa kontrata na "HAWAK NILA SA LEEG" ang LTO, dahil sa pagtatapos ng kanilang kontrata ay dadalhin nila ang mga computer hardware at software, at ang ititira ay ang DATA lamang, nanatili ang STRADCOM sa LTO. Patuloy sa paninigil ng COMPUTER FEE kahit na ang DATA ng bawat sasakyan ay naka-encode na at wala ng dapat pang i-build up o i-data entry. Patuloy ang pagkulekta ng STRADCOM ng bayad, dahil walang kumukwestiyon, sa ilalim ng ilong ng mga motorista.

Sa kabila nito, ang pamunuan ng DOTC at ng LTO ay humingi ng mas malaking "PARTE", ibig sabihin, patong, lagay, kickback, etc, dahil nga naman, tubong lugaw na ang STRADCOM dahil dapat tanggal na nga sila. Syempre pa, medyo nagpakipot ang pamunuan ng STRADCOM at nagmungkahi na magdagdag na lang ng mga singilin sa motorista dahil anila, mga bobo naman at hindi aangal. Kung may aangal man, kokonti lang dahil gaano na lang ba ang sisingilin eh minsanan lang naman ang bayaran isang taon. At anila, may pera ang mga motorista dahil naka-sasakyan nga. Dito na ipinatawag ng STRADCOM ang kanilang mga "money making" thinktank upang umisip ng mga paraan kung paano pa makaka-kolekta ng dagdag kita upang lalo pa silang magkamal ng salapi.

Unang pinalusot ay ang tinatawag na INTER-CONNECTION FEE daw. ito ay karagdagang P70.00 pesos kapag ikaw ay nagpa-smoke belching test. Napansin ba ninyo, bukod sa P350.00, eh may naka staple pang resibo na P70.00? Me narinig ba kayong angal? me umapila ba? wala di ba. e ano nga ba yung P70.00 peso eh naka Honda CITY ka naman. chicken feed!!!

YUN ANG BASIS NG STRADCOM, walang aangal dahil barya lang ang sinisingil nila. Naunawaan nyo ba kung ano yung inter-connection fee? Malay mo nga naman diba, nadale na kayo dun pero okay lang kayo kasi nga P70.00 lang.

But wait!!!, 8 million registered vehicles X 70.00 = 560 million pesos na walang kahirap hirap. EVERY YEAR HA. Malaki din pala nadudugas namin sa
inyo. Aangal na ba kayo?

Pero dahil mga buwaya nga, talagang walang kabusugan. Kaya pinulong ulit
ng mga hunghang ang mga evil brains para utusan na, "Pigain na natin ng
husto ang mga bobong motorista, bayad naman ng bayad eh". At dito na
ipinanganak ang unang plano na "Car info sticker" kung saan didikitan ng
sticker ang mga sasakyan, nakalagay dito ang mga detalye na makikita din
naman sa "Certificate of Registration" o "CR", at sisingilin nila ng
P300.00 yung sticker. Di syempre sangkatutak na angal ang inabot nila.
Napigilan ito, hindi napatupad. Bulilyaso! eh kasi nga walang bahid High
Tech. Mantakin mo nga naman na sticker lang tapos ang impormasyon eh nasa CR na din, hindi umubra. Ipa-photocopy (reduced) na lang yung CR at idikit sa windshield, sabi ng mga pilosopo kaya na-abort yung evil plan number 1.

Pero hindi agad susuko ang evil brains ng STRADCOM, kailangang magmadali
dahil dapat magkapera at ma-implement ng October. Na browse sa internet
ng mga IT gurus ang tungkol sa RFID, at iminungkahi agad kahit na hindi
pang vehicle talaga. Napagkasunduang, pwede, at inaprubahan agad. Ang
siste, ang lalamanin lang ding impormasyon nito ay kung ano ang nakalagay
sa CR, pero, may bahid high tech na, kasi R.F.I.D. na. Naintindihan nyo ba
ang ibig sabihin ng RFID? Basahin nyo na lang sa last part.

Tatlong klase ang pwedeng gamit ng RFID:
1. sa simpleng paliwanag, parang tag lang ito, barcode or product code.
na ang corresponding data or information ay mare-retrieve mo sa main
computer gamit ang isang reader or scanner.
2. o kung ito ay may microchip, pwedeng mag store ng data dito at
marere-trieve din ang data gamit ang isang reader.
3. at ang pinaka delikado sa lahat, na maaring gamitin laban sa mga
motorista, PWEDE KANG I-TRACK ng ahensiya. RFID ang gamit sa mga producto sa mga dept stores na medyo mahal ang item at RFID din ang gamit sa mga cargo ng freight services.

Pero may pakinabang ba talaga tayo sa RFID kung ito ay gagamitin sa mga
sasakyan? WALA. ang tunay na gamit ng RFID ay para sa PRODUCT TAGGING, INVENTORY, AT TRACKING. Sa mga producto para ma-track mo kung nasaan na yung location dahil kada daan nito sa isang area, nababasa ng reader ang RFID at alam na dumaan na ito. Maaaring naglalaman din ito ng info kung sino ang manufacturer, kung ano ang laman, timbang at kung saan ang destinasyon, dahil nakalagay na ito sa RFID o sa main database.

Alam ninyo, may malaking blunder ang kompanya namin dito eh, ang STRADCOM, dahil nag-implement kami ng information via TEXT lang kung saan ite-text nyo lang ang plate number, makukuha na information ng isang vehicle. Eh, imomodify lang namin yung info na binibigay ng TEXT project namin, at bigyan exclusivity sa mga enforcers lang ng LTO, nagawa na agad ang gustong gawin ng RFID System.

Di ko na nga lang masikmura ang kagarapalan ng mga amo namin na sobrang
magpayaman samantalang kami ang tumatrabaho eh nangungupahan pa din kami ng bahay. Anak ng toklang, ibuking ko na lang di ba.

Eto itanong ninyo sa STRADCOM para mabuliyaso sila.

Bakit kelangan ng i-implement ngayong October?
1-kasi pinipiga sila ng isang mataas na opisyal ng LTO na tatakbo sa
darating na halalan.
2-Kasi kung mapalusot nila ng October, tahimik ang november at December,
pag dating ng January parang may basbas na dahil nga nasimulan na ng
October at dapat mag start na ngayong October, kasi pag sa January mag
start, titirahin ng mga pulitiko, at baka tamaan pa ng ban.

Pag naka RFID ba, di na kelangan magpa stencil at magpasmoke-belching pag magpapa rehistro?
Kelangan pa din. Ano yung sinasabi nilang mapapabilis na rehistro? For your
info, walang mase-save na time sa pagpapa-rehistro ninyo, same procedure.

ANG KATOTOHANAN:

HINDI MAPAPABILIS ANG TRAPIKO GAMIT ANG RFID (ipadetalye ninyo sa STRADCOM ito)

HINDI BIBILIS ANG REGISTRATION PROCESS NG IYONG SASAKYAN GAMIT ANG RFID
(eto rin)

HINDI MAPIPIGIL NG RFID ANG MGA SMOKE BELCHERS (eto pa)

PWEDE KANG MA-TRACK KUNG NASAAN KA GAMIT ANG RFID SA IYONG SASAKYAN.

HINDI MAWAWALA ANG MGA KOLORUM GAMIT ANG R.F.I.D.

PWEDENG GAMITIN NG MGA KOTONG LTO ENFORCERS ANG R.F.I.D. (sasabihin lang ng LTO officer na sabi ng RFID hot car gamit mo)

Ang bottom line. WALANG PAKINABANG ANG CAR OWNER SA RFID, O MAGING ANG LTO. SIMPLE LANG ANG PURPOSE NITO: ISANG MONEY MAKING SCHEME ANG R.F.I.D DAHIL GENERALLY, NA SURMISE NAMIN NA ANG MGA OWNER NG VEHICLE AY WALANG PAKIALAM SA KANILANG BINABAYARAN DAHIL MAY PERA SILA, AT HANDANG MAGBAYAD
KAHIT ANONG SABIHIN NAMIN BASTA HINDI NILA NAIINTINDIHAN TULAD NG R.F.I.D.

HANAPAN NINYO ANG STRADCOM NG PROJECT STUDY, COMMUNICATION DOCUMENTS, SYSTEMS STUDY, SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION, IMPLEMENTATION PLANS, APPROVAL NG NATIONAL COMPUTER CENTER, AT MAGING KRITIKAL KAYO SA DATES DAHIL SINISUMULAN PA LANG NILANG GAWIN ANG MGA ITO.

AT ILALABAN NILA ITO NG DIKDIKAN, MAGHABOL NA KAYO SA KORTE IKA NGA NILA.
NAGSIMULA NA SILA NG COMMERCIAL SA TV DAHIL SA TINDI NG OPPOSITION DITO.
KAILANGAN NILANG ILUTANG ANG STRADCOM. BAKIT SUMUGAL ANG STRADCOM AT INEXPOSE ANG KANILANG TAHIMIK NA OPERATION EH KUMIKITA NA NGA SILA NG WALANG INGAY? DAHIL SA 2.8 BILLION NA KIKITAIN SA PROYEKTO SA LOOB LANG NG ISANG TAON AT DAHIL SA PRESSURE SA TAAS NA I-IMPLEMENT NA ITO, PARA MAKUHA
NA ANG PATONG.

Sabi nga ng ABS-CBN, AKO ANG SIMULA. Makialam tayo. Pigilin natin ang
pagpapatupad nito. I-forward sa lahat ng kaibigan niyong may saksakyan at
sana ay makarating sa inyong mga kongresista, sa mga senador, sa mga taga DOTC, taga LTO, at sa malacañang.

kung may oras ka pa, panoorin mo kung ano talaga ang gamit ng RFID

http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=yNPDgudPmXE& feature=related

http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=4Zj7txoDxbE& feature=related

http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=hPqUUR5OFJg& feature=related

http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=_Oa1GxctjRA

O kung gusto mo, mag-youtube ka at i-search mo ang RFID...

O, eto ang sabi ng wikipedia:
Radio-frequency identification (RFID) is the use of an object (typically
referred to as an RFID tag) applied to or incorporated into a product,
animal, or person for the purpose of identification and tracking using
radio waves. Some tags can be read from several meters away
and beyond the line of sight of the reader.
Most RFID tags contain at least two parts. One is an integrated circuit
for storing and processing information, modulating and demodulating a
radio-frequency (RF) signal, and other specialized functions. The second
is an antenna for receiving and transmitting the signal.
There are generally three types of RFID tags: active RFID tags, which
contain a battery and can transmit signals autonomously, passive RFID
tags, which have no battery and require an external source to provoke
signal transmission and battery assisted passive (BAP) which require an
external source to wake up but have significant higher forward link
capability providing great read range.

Today, RFID is used in enterprise supply chain management to improve the
efficiency of inventory tracking and management.

eto naman ang sabi ng http://www.rfidjour nal.com/article/ articleview/
1339/1/129/
Radio frequency identification (RFID) is a generic term that is used to
describe a system that transmits the identity (in the form of a unique
serial number) of an object or person wirelessly, using radio waves. It's
grouped under the broad category of automatic identification technologies.

Auto-ID technologies include bar codes, optical character readers and some
biometric technologies, such as retinal scans. The auto-ID technologies
have been used to reduce the amount of time and labor needed to input data
manually and to improve data accuracy.

Reposting from a volunteer's blog

Important info from a volunteer's blog

REPOSTING FROM: http://jenniepperson.com

According to Blog Ni Ella, these goods have not been distributed to the typhoon survivors. WHY?

Aanhin pa ang damo kung patay na ang kabayo? (A special report from a volunteer)

Oct 21st, 2009 by ella

Dear friends,

I’m asking your help to spread the word. Tulungan po ninyo akong ikalat ito. Beyond this, we should also demand action. I disabled a plugin so you can copy the photos of relief goods rotting in DSWD warehouses. You can link this post to your blogs, facebook, websites etc. You can also email the photos.

Philippine News (US based Philippine newspaper) will use this as its front page story this week. Every Filipino has the right to know where the tons of donations from the UN and other counties go. Kahit po nakakahiya sa mga nag-donate. Kung sa ganitong paraan, matutulungan natin ang mga nasalanta, then by all means, let’s do it.

For those who have the time, please try to volunteer sa DSWD warehouses. Getting in was not easy. A friend had to put in a word for us. Let’s see kung madali nang makapasok sa DSWD warehouse ang mga volunteers.

Please read on and good luck to us.

Ella

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(This post was last edited Oct 22, 12:30 pm)

Kahapon, tinanong ng Philippine News si DSWD Secretary Esperanza Cabral:

Editor of Philippine News: Why are the relief goods in DSWD warehouses not moving?

DSWD Secretary Esperanza Cabral: Wala kasing volunteers.

This short interview was done over the phone. Philippine News wanted to hear her side pero ayaw niyang makipag-usap sa press. After four tries, pinasabi na lang niya ang maikling sagot na ito sa secretary niya - “Walang volunteers”.

I don’t want to accuse her of corruption but at the very least she is showing signs of being totally incompetent. We are in a state of calamity where every second counts. May namamatay araw-araw dahil sa sakit.

In my opinion, these deaths could have been prevented if Secretary Cabral had tried a little harder to do her job.

Deaths from Philippine storms nears 1,000

“Tropical Storm Ketsana left 420 dead and 37 missing when it flooded 80 percent of Manila on September 26, a disaster the government said affected 4.35 million people.

Some areas are still flooded three weeks later and 189,000 people remain in evacuation centres.

Typhoon Parma hit the northern Philippines on October 3 and lingered as a tropical storm for a week, triggering landslides that killed 438 people and leaving 51 missing mostly in mountain communities.

The government agency said Parma affected 4.16 million people, including more than 32,000 who remain at evacuation centres.”

During the first week after the storm, lumabas ang “bayanihan spirit” ng mga Pinoy. “Makatulong lang kahi’t konti,” katwiran nila.

kung walang volunteers, ano ‘to, komiks?

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From Stella Arnaldo’s blog:

“At the offices of many civic groups and private organizations, hundreds of people showed up to volunteer in packing relief goods.

At the Tulong Bayan center at the Expo Centro in Cubao, Most of the volunteers were adolescents as young as 10 years old, along with their kuya or ate in high school and college.

They came in huge numbers, many of them barkadas, classmates or siblings, dressed just in their tees and shorts, wearing their Havaianas. All were just enthusiastic to do their share!

Photos by Leah Navarro

GMA asked world for donations

Our government begged the world for more donations. Sumagot ang buong mundo sa ating panawagan. In less than three weeks, dumaong ang mga barko, ibinaba mula sa mga cargo planes, i-diniliver ng mga trak at container vans ang sandamakmak na relief goods. Cash donations were in the millions of dollars.

But these donations must be coursed through DSWD

Nagpalabas ng directive ang pangulo. Individuals, private companies and other nations were ENCOURAGED to send their donations to DSWD. I blogged about it here and the video of her announcement here.

This PGMA directive sounded suspicious to me then. Now I know why. Here’s the story.

A group of eight people, your ate Ella included, went to one of DSWD warehouses to help in repacking relief goods. We know they need volunteers pero hindi namin akalaing WALANG TAO TALAGA SA LOOB NG WAREHOUSE!

As in sa isang humongous warehouse (1000++ sq.m) NA PUNONG-PUNO NG RELIEF GOODS HANGGANG BUBONG, ISANG DSWD employee lang at ISANG SECURITY GUARD ang tao!!

Kailangang magpa-register at i-schedule ang volunteering

1) UNICEF Registration (as a volunteer)

The warehouse can only take as much as 50 volunteers at a time or per shift. Here you will find that there is a 4-hour shift, and an option for a 6-hour shift for the volunteers to indicate their availability.

What “volunteers”? Nasaan?

Aside from the 8 of us? Nope, there was nobody there. Bakit kailangan ang scheduling? Feeling hindi ba magkamayaw at nagu-unahan ang mga volunteers?

I know somebody who wanted to volunteer many times. She was always bumped off, laging nirere-schedule kasi “there were too many volunteers” daw. At tuwing Sunday lang daw puwede. What the hell is going on here?

Nakatambak ang donations ng UNICEF sa warehouse, local and international

Mga banig na dapat ay nahihigaan ng mga nasalanta. Mga imported camp beds na hindi na yata masisilayan ng mga biktima. Mga kumot na hindi naman nakabalot sa katawan nila. At mga pagkaing hindi sumasayad sa sikmura nila.

The relief goods are not going anywhere

We arrived at about 8 am and left by midafternoon and yes, you guessed it right. Kami pa rin ang tao bukod sa isang DSWD employee sa loob ng warehouse maghapon. Walang ibang dumating.

The relief goods are not moving. By the way things look, they are not going anywhere. Hindi maglalakad mag-isa ang mga donations na ito papunta sa mga evacuation centers.

LET THE PICTURES DO THE TALKING

Note: Pinagbawalan kaming kumuha ng pictures sa loob ng warehouse. I wonder why.

“Not a creature was moving, not even a mouse.”

Parang haunted warehouse ang dating. May multo na yata.

Kahit na daig pa ang tindahan sa Divisoria sa dami ng naka-stack na kaldero

At walang katapusang kaldero pa ulit

Kahit halos natakpan na ang mga bintana sa dami ng mga kahon

Kahit umabot na hanggang kisame ang stack ng mga kahon

(Close up ng Coleman camp beds sa previous photo) Hindi ito kasama sa ni-repack naming goods. Para sa mga “special victims” kaya ito? Ire-repack kaya ang mga “imported” camp pads na ito ever?

Sabagay, may BANIG naman para sa “ordinary victims”. Ito ang kasama sa inimpake namin. Sayang ‘yung imported.

Ano kaya ang laman nito? Hindi rin pinabuksan. Pang-special victim din kaya ito? (teka, dito nga pala galing ‘yung mga kumot)

Mahiwagang mga kahon from Japan Aid.

(close up ng mahiwagang kahon) Hindi rin ito kasali, of course. Hindi namin alam kung ano ang laman nito. “Imported” are not included, we have concluded.

Marami ito, mga laruang kasinlaki ng tao. Hindi nakunan ng pic kasi nasa tabi ng sikyo.

PO - RK AND BEANS? Yup, you’d think kasama ito sa relief bag. Po - rk and beans lang ‘to, puwede na sigurong ipamigay,

Naaah! “Imported” po - rk and beans from Spain po ito. Sorry, hindi pa rin included

Now let’s take a look at what a victim will get from DSWD

Look Ma, sampung lata ng sardinas! How generous! Kaldero ang unang ilalagay sa sako. Sabong panglaba (bar soap) at sampung sardinas sa ilalim. Siyam na sabon sa gilid ng kaldero. Local goods lahat syempre.

Tapos papatungan ng isang tuwalya at isang pack ng sanitary napkin.

Sisiksikan ng tatlong rolyo ng kumot(?) ang blue water jug tapos ipapatong sa kaldero sa loob ng sako.

Last but not the least, lalagyan ng dalawang banig.

Sabay tatahiin na ang sako. O di ba, parang asong tinapunan ng buto ang mga nasalanta? Eniwey, busog naman sila sa SAMPUNG lata ng Mega sardinas

Do not delay

YOU THINK?? WTF is the matter with these people? Mag-iisang buwan na mula nang masalanta ang mga kababayan natin. ISANG BUWAN!! Do you mean “do not delay ang dati nang delayed”?? Shet.

Anong ginagawa ng mga donations na ito sa warehouse?? APAT na warehouse ang nasa loob ng compound na ‘yon! APAT na warehouse na punong-puno ng inaalikabok na relief goods! Relief goods na ayaw yata ibigay sa mga nasalanta. Halatang-halata.

Marami pang pabubulukin

Wow! May bagong shipment na naman! At the rate DSWD is moving, next year na madi-discover kung ano ang laman ng mga kahong ito.

“The first of two of the largest high-energy food shipments from the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) arrived in the country two days ago for victims of storm “Ondoy” and typhoon “Pepeng.”

The biscuits were fortified with essential vitamins and minerals for supplementary feeding to children, pregnant women and the elderly in evacuation camps. Another 100 tons of biscuits will arrive on Oct. 24, in a continuing effort to provide food assistance to flood victims.

Sige, ideretso ‘nyo ulit ‘yan sa DSWD warehouse. Para AMAG naman ang abutin ng biskwit… at sapot ng gagamba.

Conclusion

Sa maghapon namin sa warehouse,nakagawa kami ng 150 sacks of relief goods. 150 bags of relief goods lang ang lumabas sa warehouse na ‘yon that day. At nandoon pa rin sa loob ang mga imported relief goods, safe, sound and packed as the day they arrived.

Nakisakay kami palabas sa isang DSWD delivery van. Gusto sana kaming ihatid ng driver hanggang Makati pero wala raw siyang sobrang gasolina. Ibinaba na lang niya kami sa gitna ng EDSA. Millions of dollars in donations, walang extrang pang-gasolina.

Susulpot din siguro ang laman ng mga mahiwagang kahon at mapapasakamay din ng mga tao…sa ARAW NG ELEKSYON. O mabibili na nila ang mga imported goods na ‘yon sa mga puwesto sa Quiapo at Divisoria.

Suggestions lang po sa DSWD:

· Alam ‘nyo palang walang mag-volunteer sa inyo, bakit hindi kayo mag-hire ng mga tao? Bayaran ‘nyo ng arawan para mag-repack. Ang daming walang trabaho, makakatulong pa kayo. Hindi naman malaking kabawasan ‘yon sa bilyong pisong donasyon na natanggap ninyo.

· Isa pa, gaano ba karami ang mga sundalo natin? Hindi ba puwedeng ipagawa sa kanila ‘yan? Baka isang araw lang, tapos na ang problema ‘nyo

· Bakit hindi ‘nyo ibigay ang trabaho sa mga NGO, churches, private charities, TV stations? I’m sure they are more than willing to help. Time is of the essence. Huwag kayong suwapang. Obvious ba, hindi ‘nyo naman kaya.

Kung talagang gugustuhin ninyong makarating agad sa mga kawawang biktima ang mga donasyong ‘yon, nagawa ‘nyo na ‘yan. Maraming paraan…kung talagang gusto ‘nyo lang.You are the government. You have the power, the resources and the money. You just have to really care.

You are the government. You have the power, the resources and the money. You just have to really care.

Loren, Loren Sinta…

Balitang Kutsero
by Perry Diaz

Finally, Sen. Loren Legarda officially declared her candidacy for vice president at a rally in Luneta. But she didn’t say who would be her presidential running mate. According to her, she was courted by five presidential wannabes to be their vice presidential running mate. Yeah, the boys were all singing, “Loren, Loren sinta, sa akin ka pumunta.” (Loren, Loren my love, come to me.) But it’s now down to three: Gibo Teodoro, Manny Villar, and Chiz Escudero.

Rumor has it that Loren has been offered a “king’s ransom” to “ditch” Chiz and be the vice presidential running mate of another candidate. That could only be somebody who has lots of money. Hint… hint… “money” rhymes with…?

During Loren’s Luneta rally, my investigative reporter James Macaquecquec reported that he overheard Loren asked someone, “Where’s the money?” But James wasn’t sure if Loren meant to say, “Where’s Manny?”

Well, Manny has been singing, “Loren, Loren sinta, madami akong pera kaya sa akin ka na lang pumunta.” (Loren, Loren my love, I got lots of money so come to me.) Like they say, “Follow the scent of money.”

A Malacañang official said recently that some governors were pushing an administration tandem of Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro and Loren. It will be “exciting,” the official said. Well, with only 4% rating in the last SWS poll, Gibo is singing, “Loren, Loren sinta, talagang kailangan kita kaya sa akin ka na lang pumunta.” (Loren, Loren my love, I really need you so please come to me.)

However, Loren said she’s staying with the “opposition” and that could be either be Chiz or Manny. But Chiz has been dilly-dallying in announcing his presidential bid. What if he decided not to run? “Loren, Loren sinta, saan ka pupunta?” (Loren, Loren my love, where will you go?)

Public Works Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane, a retired general, resigned from his job to run for president. In his resignation letter to Gloria, Ebdane said that his years of service with Ms. Arroyo led to his decision “to offer myself to our countrymen.” Naks, napaka corny naman. Why didn’t he just say, “I wanna be president.” But he probably didn’t like the sound of “wannabe.” Well, wannabe is a wannabe. Anyway, he can start wooing Loren to be his VP running mate, “Loren, Loren sinta, kung ayaw ka ni Chiz, ako ay sa iyo.” (Loren, Loren my love, if Chiz doesn’t like you, I’m all yours.) Now, that’s really corny.

But nothing is cornier that when Erap Estrada declared that he’s running again for president and told his 9,000 supporters, “This is the last performance of my life and I will not fail you.” Hmmm… I thought he had his “last performance” in 1998 when he was elected president… and he blew it! And he wants a second chance? No way, pal!

However, Erap’s rivals shouldn’t underestimate him. His “Erap magic” swayed 11 million Pinoys to vote for him in 1998. Well, did he hear about “Noynoy magic”? With one flick of his magic wand, Noynoy convinced 60% of Pinoys that he’s the best person to be their president next year.

The 2010 presidential election might become the “Battle of Magicians.” However, Noynoy and Erap should be careful not to promise the people an “enchanted kingdom.” Gloria tried that and look where she’s heading now — oblivion.

Recently, five presidential wannabes, who are on the Who’s Who Register, participated in a candidates’ forum. They were: Erap Estrada, who was the president ousted in 2001; Sen. Dick Gordon, who is the president the Philippines will never have; Sen. Chiz Escudero, who is the kid who wants to be president; Nick Perlas… Nick who? and John Carlo “JC” delos Reyes… ho ho ho!

The vice presidential musical chairs game is on! Three presidential wannabes are still looking for a VP running mate. Ronnie Puno wants to be Gibo’s VP but Gibo seems to be fixated on a woman for his running mate. Ronnie got the message and quit his bid for VP. Like they say, “Quit while you’re a head.”

Chiz appears to want Loren to be his VP but Loren seems to be “flirting” with Gibo and Manny. If Loren goes with Gibo, Chiz can then get Ronnie. But that would be like trading a Coca Cola bottle with a San Miguel beer bottle — Manny gets all the curves and Chiz gets all the fizz.

Poor Manny, he’s is still looking for a VP. Even Noli De Castro is staying away from him. And Willie Revillame would rather run for mayor of Quezon City than become Manny’s wow wow boy. I wonder if Manny has a BO that’s keeping people away from him? Hmmm….

All’s not well in the Nationalist People’s Coalition. Rep. Jack Duavit, NPC secretary general, disputed rumors that Chiz and Loren did not have the “financial muscle” to go to battle next year. “We have more than enough funds for nationwide campaign political ads,” he said, “but what we do not have are funds to buy votes.” Whoa! Somebody finally admitted that “vote buying” is necessary to win elections. Well, Chiz and Loren better convince NPC founder and multi-billionaire Danding Cojuangco to cough up a few billion pesos to buy votes for them. Otherwise, NPC might just as well kiss Chiz and Loren goodbye. But Gibo and Manny would welcome Loren with open arms and open pockets. Poor Chiz. He should have known that it takes a lot of moolah to run for president.

President Gloria Arroyo recently formed a body called “Climate Change Commission.” Gloria said that “climate change” is the cause of all the problems relating to typhoons. Gloria appointed three commissioners who will serve for six years. And she appointed herself as its chairman!

But here’s the stinger: P50 million from the president’s contingent fund will be appropriated as initial operating fund of the commission. And the commission would also be allowed to accept foreign grants to finance its programs. Whoa! That means that Gloria would still be around for five years and five months after she steps down from the presidency, with millions of pesos at her disposal.

With only seven months left in her presidency, Gloria should start thinking about a title for her memoirs. How about “Enchanted Kingdom Lost” or “What Did Catherine the Great Do That I Didn’t Do?”

(PerryDiaz@gmail.com)

From Blog ni Ella: an expose of DSWD's ......!?

Aanhin pa ang damo kung patay na ang kabayo(A special report from a volunteer)

Dear friends,

I’m asking your help to spread the word. Tulungan po ninyo akong ikalat ito. Beyond this, we should also demand action. I disabled a plugin so you can copy the photos of relief goods rotting in DSWD warehouses. You can link this post to your blogs, facebook, websites etc. You can also email the photos.

Philippine News (US based Philippine newspaper) will use this as its front page story this week. Every Filipino has the right to know where the tons of donations from the UN and other counties go. Kahit po nakakahiya sa mga nag-donate. Kung sa ganitong paraan, matutulungan natin ang mga nasalanta, then by all means, let’s do it.

For those who have the time, please try to volunteer sa DSWD warehouses. Getting in was not easy. A friend had to put in a word for us. Let’s see kung madali nang makapasok sa DSWD warehouse ang mga volunteers.

Please read on and good luck to us.

Ella

COMELEC Should Revert to Manual System

PerryScope
by Perry Diaz

Last October 17, 2009, a Manila source sent me a copy of the hitherto unpublished House Resolution 1465 which was filed in the House of Representatives on October 14, 2009. H.R. 1465 urges the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) to seriously consider the use of partially automated election system in the 2010 national and local elections. The resolution was introduced by Representatives Pablo P. Garcia, Carlos M. Padilla, Rodolfo G. Plaza, Jonathan A. Dela Cruz, Eduardo Nonato N. Joson, Eric D. Singson, Arnulfo P. Fuentebella, Mark Llandro L. Mendoza, Benhur L. Salimbangon, and Jeci A. Lapus.

The lawmakers filed H.R. 1465 because of potentially fatal problems in implementing the new automated election system (SMARTMATIC-TIM). The lawmakers say that technology experts have identified 14 “risks, vulnerabilities, threats, and other logistical nightmares that will seriously cause failures of elections,” to wit:

1. Sensitivity of the machines – when you place epoxy/glue in the ballot immediately before placing it into the machine, the machine will break down.

2. Erroneous printing of the ballots – There will be 1,631 versions of the ballot and there will be some 35,000 names to be distributed among 1,631 versions of the ballot, for printing. The probability of making mistakes is very high and the consequences of such mistakes could be fatal.

3. Erroneous delivery of the ballots – After printing, the right set of ballots will have to be delivered to the 1,631 cities, districts and municipalities, which errors could also be fatal.

4. The numerous names of candidates numbering around 250-300 that would have to be pre-printed in the ballot will require long and large ballots. This will make it difficult for the voter to keep his voting secret.

5. The need to train some 500,000 teachers to assist the voters.

6. The need to train 45-50 million voters.

7. The need to hire and train 40,000 technicians, one for each precinct.

8. The clustering of 300,000 precincts, down to 80,000, could cause confusion.

9. Due to COMELEC’s decision to let the voter himself feed his ballot into the machine, any breakdown could cause delays.

10. Voters could intentionally introduce substances into the PCOS that would result in its malfunction.

11. Erroneous markings, smudges, poor calibration/alignment could cause rejection of the ballot.

12. Nobody would see the counting at the precincts.

13. Given that nobody would see the counting, the voting public would likely not trust the results. Losing candidates therefore, especially in hotly-contested areas, might create trouble that could cause a failure of elections in their localities. If this occurs in many areas, it could mean a total failure of elections nationwide.

14. The reliability of the machines come election day is also suspect. It took the Department of Science and Technology fours months in 1991 to test the failed Mega Pacific Election Automation System to certify the reliability and accuracy of the counting machines. This time around, COMELEC is only giving one month to test the 80,000 SMARTMATIC-TIM machines.

The lawmakers are also concerned about the delays in implementing the automated system. Production of the election machines was held up for four months due to the government’s delay in releasing the mobilization fund. In addition, implementation has been delayed by 60 to 120 days due to unrealistically tight schedule, which was later aggravated by the petition filed by the Concerned Citizens Movement wit the Supreme Court for alleged violations of Republic Act 9369.

R.A .9369 mandated, among other things, to “use a direct recording electronic system (DRE) for the process of voting, counting of votes an canvassing/consolidation and transmittal of results of electoral exercises.” However, the lawmakers claim that the “legal mandate to use the DRE will not be implemented due mainly to the fact that the COMELEC acquired only counting machines with limited functions and capabilities.”

The lawmakers are also concerned about COMLELEC Chairman Jose A. Melo’s recent statement declaring that 30 to 50 percent of the precincts “may have to use the manual election system in the 2010 National and Local Elections due to the absence of power and communications facilities in some areas.”

The lawmakers also claim that the use of Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS) is “not compliant with the provision of R.A. 9369 and other laws incorporated in said Act.” Evidently, this was known to COMELEC; however, it was ignored.

And, lastly, the lawmakers are concerned that since the “risks and vulnerabilities of the automated election system have not yet been properly addressed, particularly the adoption of the potentially dangerous open balloting and secret canvassing, which is the complete opposite of the secret voting and open canvassing under the manual system, there is great possibility of failure of elections that will eventually cause chaos in the streets.”

But while H.R. 1465 urges COMELEC to revert to manual voting and precinct counting, it recommends the automation of the canvassing of the votes and requiring a “simultaneous electronic transmission system from the precinct level to the municipal, provincial, National Board of Canvassers and to Congress in the 2010 National and Local Elections.”

In my opinion, the automation of the canvassing of the votes would be vulnerable to massive “dagdag-bawas” (add-subtract) cheating. As in past elections, “dagdag-bawas” cheating was done during the canvassing of votes where it was easy to cheat — with the connivance of COMELEC officials — by subtracting votes from a certain candidate and adding them to another candidate’s tally. If canvassing of votes were done electronically, it would be easier to perform “dagdag-bawas” manipulations. During the 2004 presidential elections, “dagdag-bawas” cheating was allegedly perpetrated by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, which was exposed in the celebrated “Hello Garci” election cheating scandal.

To pursue total or partial implementation of the SMARTMATIC-TIM automated election system could lead to wholesale confusion and total breakdown of the 2010 elections. The prudent thing to do is to totally revert to the old manual system.

(PerryDiaz@gmail.com)