Ten Things A Candidate Must Do

1) Pray

2) Be Honest

3) Have a Plan of Action

4) Seek Advise

5) Avoid Sycophants

6) Be Humble

7) Sincerely Communicate

8) Be Transparent

9) Abide by law and fair play

10) Take Care

WHAT REALLY MATTERS IN A CAMPAIGN

In any campaign rally or any gathering of people, not everything that is said will be understood or retained in memory by an average listener. This is because a great majority of people have their respective perceptions and biases about each of the candidates. They do not expect an oratory of sort with motherhood statements. They are more interested in concrete plans that a candidate may have for them. How will they benefit if the candidate is voted upon and eventually wins? This is the bottomline. And to top it all, the people expect a candidate to be honest, hardworking and caring - meaning, approachable and selfless.

The first 3 minutes of any campaign speech is crucial. It must be interesting enough to invite the people's attention. Otherwise, the remaining allotted time will comprise 90% of the efforts. If this happens, then a candidate must better have a really good political machinery of his own in order to recover the lost opportunities and insure that votes are delivered and translated in his favor.

A candidate must communicate and a voter as the receiver must understand what is being said. Retention is another matter. A candidate must really be able to talk and express himself. A candidate must be creative and innovative. The essence of winning is enabling and empowering a person to vote wisely without undue influence or force.

COMELEC & ITS FUNCTIONS

The present Commission on Elections as organized and constituted is a creation of the 1987 Philippine Constitution. It is composed of a Chairman and six Commissioners who shall be natural-born citizens of the Philippines and, at the time of their appointment, at least thirty-five years of age, holders of a college degree, and must not have been candidates for any elective positions in the immediately preceding elections. However, a majority thereof, including the Chairman, shall be members of the Philippine Bar who have been engaged in the practice of law for at least ten years.[1]

The Chairman and the Commissioners shall be appointed by the President with the consent of the Commission on Appointments for a term of seven years without reappointment. Of those first appointed, three Members shall hold office for seven years, two Members for five years, and the last Members for three years, without reappointment. Appointment to any vacancy shall be only for the unexpired term of the predecessor. In no case shall any Member be appointed or designated in a temporary or acting capacity.[2]

The mandated functions[3] of the Commission are as follows:

1.     Enforce and administer all laws and regulations relative to the conduct of and elections, plebiscite, initiative, referendum, and recall.

2.     Exercise exclusive original jurisdiction over all contests relating to the elections, returns, and qualifications of all elective regional, provincial, and city officials, and appellate jurisdiction over all contests involving elective municipal officials decided by trial courts of general jurisdiction, or involving elective barangay official decided by trial courts of limited jurisdiction.

3.     Decide, except those involving the right to vote, all questions affecting elections, including determination of the number and location of polling places, appointment of election officials and inspectors, and registration of voters.

4.     Deputize, with the concurrence of the President, law enforcement agencies and instrumentalities of the Government, including the Armed Forces of the Philippines, for the exclusive purposes of ensuring free, orderly, honest, peaceful credible elections.

5.     Register, after sufficient publication, political parties, organizations, of coalitions which, in addition to other requirements, must present their platform or program of government; and accredit citizens arms of the Commission on Elections.

6.     File, upon a verified complaint, or on its own initiative, petitions in court for inclusion or exclusion of voters; investigate and, where appropriate, prosecute cases of violations of elections laws, including acts or omissions constituting election frauds, offenses, and malpractices.

7.     Recommend to the Congress effective measures to minimize election spending, including limitation of places where propaganda materials shall be posted, and to prevent and penalize all forms of election frauds, offenses, malpractices, and nuisance candidates.

8.     Recommed to the President the removal of any officer of employee it has deputized, or the imposition of any other disciplinary action, for violation or disregard of, or disobedience to its directive, order, or decision.

9.     Submit to the President and the Congress a comprehensive report on the conduct of each election, plebiscite, initiative, referendum, or recall.

Further, the Commission is also vested with additional and vast powers as provided under the 1987 Philippine Constitution[4], as follows:

Sec. 4. The Commission may, during the election period, supervise or regulate the enjoyment or utilization of all franchises or permits for the operation of transportation and other public utilities, media of communication or information, all grants, special privileges, or concessions granted by the Government or any subdivision, agency, or instrumentality thereof, including any government-owned or controlled corporation or its subsidiary. Such supervision or regulation shall aim to ensure equal opportunity, time, and space ,and the right to reply, including reasonable, equal rates therefor, for public information campaigns and forums among candidates in connection with the objective of holding free, orderly, honest, peaceful, and credible elections.

Sec. 5. No pardon, amnesty, parole, or suspension of sentence for violation of election laws, rules, and regulations shall be granted by the President without the favorable recommendation of the Commission.

---

[1] Section 1 (1), Article IX-D, 1987 Philippine Constitution

[2] Ibid (1)

[3] Section 2, Article IX, 1987 Philippines Constitution

[4] Secs. 4 and 5, Article IX, 1987 Philippines Constitution

FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION

Overview

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is working with its Members and the entire international community for achievement of the Millennium Development Goals.

These eight goals - each with specific targets and indicators - are based on the United Nations Millennium Declaration, signed by world leaders in September 2000. They commit the international community to combating poverty, hunger, disease, illiteracy, environmental degradation, and discrimination against women.

The eight Millennium Development Goals are:

Goal 1: Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger

Goal 2: Achieve universal primary education

Goal 3: Promote gender equality and empower women

Goal 4: Reduce child mortality

Goal 5: Improve maternal health

Goal 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases

Goal 7: Ensure environmental sustainability

Goal 8: Develop a Global Partnership for Development

Source :http://www.fao.org/mdg/en/

Quezon Forum

The Quezon Forum FB page was created and launched this month of March 2013. The objective is to empower Quezonians to determine for and among themselves what is best and necessary for Quezon Province. It is deemed appporiate that now is the most opportune time to do this for the simple reason that our future and current leaders must be given the generous chance to truly express their sincere oneness with noble Quezonian hopes, aspirations and needs. The Quezon Forum will reach out initially to Quezonians through the social media and thereafter through other possible means. Naturally, even after the 2013 Elections, these initiatives will be dynamically continued and monitoring efforts shall be undertaken to ascertain which of the recommended actions or programs are being carried out or may have been accomplished, or which of the cited problems and concerns that were or are being addressed. Be an active and integral part of these efforts. Like Us at Facebook now. You will surely make a difference.
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"DA THEN AND NOW" - History of the Philippine Department of Agriculture

Eleven days after the proclamation of the Philippine Independence on June 12, 1898, President Emilio Aguinaldo formed his government with the Department of Agriculture and Manufacturing as one of the first agencies.

The Department was headed by three directors, Jose Alejandrino (1898-1899), Graciano Gonzaga and Leon Ma. Guerrero, both during the latter part of 1899. 

In 1901 during the American regime, the Department was renamed Insular Bureau of Agriculture under the Department of Interior and was headed by Americans, Frank Lamson-Scribner (1902), WC Welborn (1904), and Dr. George Nesom (1907).
 
In 1910, the Bureau, under the supervision of the Department of Public Instruction, was headed by Frederick Taylor (1911-1914) and Harry Edwards (1914-1916).
 
After Edwards, the helm of the bureau was again given to a Filipino, Adriano Hernandez who himself was a practicing farmer.
 
In 1917, the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR) took over the functions of the bureau and was led by Secretaries Galicano Apacible (1917-1921), Rafael Corpuz (1921-1923), and Silvestre Apostol (1923-1928).
 
During the administration of Secretary Rafael Alunan, Sr. (1928-1932), the DANR became the Department of Agriculture and Commerce. The Bureau of Agriculture was split into two bureaus, the Plant Industry and the Animal Industry.                           
The following year, the Fish and Game Administration and the Fiber Inspection Service were established under the leadership of Secretary Vicente Singson Encarnacion (1933-1934).
 
From 1934-1938, Eulogio Rodriguez, Sr. was appointed Secretary and was replaced by Secretary Benigno S. Aquino, Sr. until 1941. During Aquino's term, the Fish and Game Administration was restructured and the Division of Soil Survey was created.
 
Upon the outbreak of the Pacific War, Pres. Quezon re-appointed Secretary Rafael Alunan, Sr. (1941-1942) as Secretary of Agriculture and Commerce.
 
After the Japanese liberalization on July 4, 1945, the government rebuilt the country and reconstituted the agencies including the Department of Agriculture and Commerce (DAC).
 
With the resumption of the Commonwealth Government, President Sergio Osmeña reappointed Vicente Singson Encarnacion as Secretary of the DAC.
 
Thereafter, Mariano Garchitorena (1946-1948) was appointed by President Manuel Roxas.
 
In 1947, the Department was renamed as the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR).
 
In September 1948, President Elpidio Quirino appointed Placido L. Mapa as Secretary.
 
Two years later, Vice President Fernando Lopez served concurrently as the DANR chief. During his term, the Bureau of Agricultural Extension (now Agricultural Training Institute) was established, along with the organization of the 4-H Clubs and Rural Improvement Clubs (RICs) nationwide.
 
In 1953, President Quirino reappointed Placido L. Mapa as Secretary. Under his tenure, the Rice Economic Board was set up, making the rice industry the first commodity to have an integrated national planning.
 
Salvador Araneta (1953-55) was later named as Secretary and three major agencies under the DANR were created, namely: Agricultural Tenancy Commission, precursor of the Department of Agrarian Reform; Philippine Tobacco Administration, forerunner of the National Tobacco Administration; and Philippine Coconut Administration (now known as Philippine Coconut Authority).
 
During the latter part of his term, President Magsaysay appointed Juan G. Rodriguez (1955-60) as DANR chief, whose term was highlighted by several milestones: the Philippines became a member of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO); launch of the National Rice and Corn Production Program; and creation of the Rice and Corn Coordinating Council, forerunner of the National Agricultural and Fishery Council (NAFC).
 
On September 14, 1959, the DANR offices moved from Manila (at Agrifina Circle) to Quezon City (along Elliptical Road , Diliman).
 
When Cesar Fortich became the DANR chief in 1961, the Abaca Development Board (forerunner of the Fiber Development Authority) was created.
 
Jose Locsin, then concurrent Chairman of the National Economic Council, succeeded Fortich from September to December 1961.
 
In 1962, President Diosdado Macapagal appointed Benjamin M. Gozon as Secretary. During his term, two agencies were created: the Bureau of Agricultural Economics (forerunner of the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics); and the National Rice and Corn Administration or RCA (now known as the National Food Authority).
 
The following year, President Macapagal appointed RCA Administrator Jose Y. Feliciano as concurrent Secretary of Agriculture. Feliciano launched the Agricultural Marketing News Service that provided regularly farmers and consumers prices of selected commodities.
 
In 1965, President Ferdinand Marcos named Vice Pres. Lopez as Secretary, serving for the second time in a concurrent capacity. Considered as the "rice czar," he successfully implemented a production program that enabled the Philippines to export rice for the first time in 1968.
 
During the early years of Martial Law, in May 1974, President Marcos reorganized and split the DANR into two agencies: Department of Agriculture (DA); and Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Arturo R. Tanco, Jr. was named as DA Secretary.
 
Four years later, government departments were transformed into ministries.
 
With Tanco remaining at the helm of the Ministry of Agriculture, the Masagana 99 rice production program was launched which made the country self-sufficient and a rice exporter. A similar program on corn also made the country self-sufficient in white corn.
 
In June 1978, the MA established 12 regional offices nationwide.
 
Six years later, in June 1984, the agency was renamed Ministry of Agriculture and Food (MAF). The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources was transferred from the Ministry of Natural Resources.
 
In 1984, under a parliamentary government, Assemblyman Salvador H. Escudero III — former Director of the Bureau of Animal Industry and MAF Deputy Minister — served as MAF Minister.
 
Escudero implemented the Intensive Rice Production Program (IRPP), an import-substitution program, expanded government's animal dispersal program, particularly the Bakahang Barangay (cattle raising the at village level) and Pagbababuyan (swine raising).
 
On February 1986, as a result of the 'EDSA People Power Revolution,' Corazon C. Aquino was catapulted as President. She named Ramon V. Mitra, Jr. as MAF Minister who implemented policy and institutional reforms that freed the agriculture markets, enabling farmers to enjoy higher farmgate prices. 
 
MAF Deputy Minister Carlos G. Dominguez was appointed to replace Minister Mitra.
 
On January 30, 1987, President Aquino signed and issued Executive Order No. 116, which renamed and reorganized the MAF into the Department of Agriculture. Under DA, Dominguez introduced reforms in the rural credit system and established Comprehensive Agricultural Loan Fund (CALF).
 
In 1988, the Livelihood Enhancement for Agricultural Development (LEAD) program was launched to speed up farmers' organizations access to financing, management expertise, and marketing. Agriculture and Fishery Councils (AFCs) were set up at the sectoral, regional, provincial and municipal levels to provide inputs on major programs and policy decisions and help plan and monitor DA projects.
 
Senen C. Bacani, appointed in Janaury 1990, implemented the Rice Action Program (RAP) and Corn Production Enhancement Program (CPEP) enabling the Philippines to once again export rice in 1992 and attained self-sufficiency in corn, respectively.
 
In 1992, President Fidel V. Ramos named Roberto S. Sebastian as DA chief who introduced the Key Production Approach (KPA) which became the basis in the formulation of the Medium-Term Agricultural Development Plan (MTADP).
 
In 1996, President Ramos appointed Dr. Salvador H. Escudero III, serving for the second time as DA Secretary. During that time, he launched the Gintong Ani food production and security program. He also organized subsistence farmers into functional groups and cooperatives, aimed at transforming them into viable producers and entrepreneurs.

In July 1998, President Joseph Ejercito Estrada designated William D. Dar as Acting DA Secretary who introduced the Estrada administration's 10-point agenda in agriculture and fisheries under the Agrikulturang Makamasa program.
 
In March 1999, President Estrada named former Senate President Edgardo J. Angara as DA Secretary who authored the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act of 1998 or AFMA (Republic Act No. 8435). He put into action the law's visions of transforming and modernizing the country's agriculture and fisheries sector.

Domingo F. Panganiban continued the implementation of AFMA as the government's comprehensive framework and platform for rural development when he assumed office in January 2001.
 
A month later, he was replaced by Leonardo Q. Montemayor who implemented the AFMA with special emphasis on its social equity aspect. He launched the Ginintuang Masaganang Ani Countrywide Assistance for Rural Employment and Services (GMA-CARES).
 
Secretary Luis P. Lorenzo Jr., took the helm of the Department in December 2002 and spearheaded the launching of the Roll-On, Roll-Off or RORO transport program. The hybridization programs of the Department were intensified and interventions were focused on the Mindanao regions.
 
Secretary Arthur C. Yap, appointed on August 23, 2004, continued to uphold the vision of a modernized smallholder agriculture and fisheries, a diversified rural economy that is dynamic, technologically advance and internationally competitive. Under his term, Goal 1 (develop two million hectares of new lands for agribusiness to contribute two million to the 10 million jobs targeted by 2010) and Goal 2 (make food plentiful while keeping the price of "wage goods" at low prices) were unveiled.
 
During Panganiban's 2nd term as Secretary, a total of 203,000 hectares of idle lands and 313,000 jobs were developed under Goal 1 and ten Huwarang Palengke (outstanding markets) were identified under Goal 2. Food lanes were designated for easier, faster and kotong-free transport of agricultural products.
 
When Secretary Yap took the agri seat on October 23, 2006, he has aggressively and consistently implemented various projects and policies towards the attainment of food security and self-sufficiency. Under FIELDS, the government's centerpiece program on agriculture, unveiled during the 2008 Food Summit, Yap has set achievement records for the Philippine agri and aqua sectors.
 
Secretary Bernie Fondevilla continued DA's mandate of providing sufficient food and sustainable livelihood for the Filipino people through modernized technologies and facilities when he took the agri seat on March 2010.

On June 30, 2010, President Benigno S. Aquino III appointed two-term congressman of Quezon and civil engineer by profession Proceso J. Alcala as Secretary. One of the principal authors of Republic Act 10068, or the Organic Agriculture Act of 2010, he is keen on increasing rice production and do away with rice imports by 2013 by expanding areas planted to rice to include uplands, marshlands and idle farmlands.

He introduced the concept of Agrikulturang Pilipino or Agr-Pinoy as the Department of Agriculture's over-all strategic framework that serves as a guide in the implementation of its various services and programs in 2011-2016 and beyond.

Agri-Pinoy optimizes the development of Philippine resources, natural and human, to achieve goals in agriculture and fisheries, and contribute to national development with its battlecry. "Sa Agri-Pinoy, asenso'y tuloy-tuloy."

Source : http://www.da.gov.ph/index.php/2012-03-27-12-02-11/2012-03-27-13-25-13

DA to construct P65-M agri-infra in Quezon

The Department of Agriculture will construct several agricultural infrastructure projects in Quezon province, initially amounting to P65 million (M), to further prop up the productivity and incomes of farmers, ruralfolk and entrepreneurs.

Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala said the projects include a P45-M farm-to-market road (FMR), a P15-M rice processing complex, and a P5-M small water impounding project (SWIP) in Bgy. Ibabang Talim, Lucena City. The FMR forms part of a planned agro-industrial estate in Quezon.

While in his home province, on February 27, 2013, the DA chief also led the provincial launch of the 'National Year of Rice' or NYR advocacy campaign, starting with a 6-a.m. holy mass at St. Ferdinand Cathedral officiated by Bishop Emilio Marquez.

He also dialogued with thousands of farmers, ruralfolk, students and local government officials during a series of farmers' forum in Lucena, Atimonan and Lopez, where he urged farmers to adopt modern value-chain technologies, from production, processing and marketing.

He cited the success of the Sentrong Pamilihan in Sariaya, Quezon, a wholesale farm center, where farmers are enjoying increased productivity, incomes and standard of living, as several vegetable farm-families have afforded themselves of amenities like new or renovated houses, school tuition fees for their children, and new transport and 4x4 vehicles. He also urged farmers to open up and develop new areas in partnership with the DA and DSWD through the cash-for-work program.

The DA chief also dialogued with the officers and members of the newly-formed Quezon provincial federation of Small Water Impounding Systems Associations (SWISAs), in Lucena City. He acknowledged their continuing efforts and contribution in transforming the province into a major producer of rice, vegetables and other high-value crops. He said the DA will provide needed assistance and training to further strengthen them.

During the farmers' forum, he instructed Philippine Rice Research Institute director Eufemio Rasco, Jr. to field-test salt-tolerant varieties which could be planted in several coastal towns in the province.

On the issue of cutting old coconut trees, Philippine Coconut Authority administrator Euclides Forbes said it could be allowed, provided local government units approve and adopt a municipal resolution to that effect.

During the farmers' forum in every site, Secretary Alcala handed over and raffled off to farmers P2.7-M worth of hand tractors, knapsack sprayers, water pump engine sets, rice harvester-cutters, threshers, draft animals with implements, and Anglo-Nubian breeder bucks. (Bethzaida Bustamante, DA Information Service)

Source : http://www.da.gov.ph/index.php/2012-03-27-12-04-15/2012-04-17-09-30-59/3609-da-to-construct-p65-m-agri-infra-in-quezon

DA to construct P50-M FMR, SWIP in Quezon

The Department of Agriculture will construct a P45-million farm-to-market road (FMR) and a P5-million small water impounding project (SWIP) in Bgy. Ibabang Talim, Lucena City, to further prop up the productivity and incomes of Quezon farmers. Photo shows Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala (left) instructing Bureau of Soils and Water

Management (BSWM) Region 4-A engineer Ernesto Brampio to fast-track the SWIP, during a capsule-laying ceremony, February 27, 2013. Joining them are BSWM director Silvino Tejada (2nd from left), Barangay Ibabang Talim captain Rolando Ebreo (right), and DA Region 4-A director Vilma Dimaculangan (partly hidden). While in his home province, the DA chief also led the launch of the 'National Year of Rice' advocacy campaign, starting with a holy mass at St. Ferdinand Cathedral officiated by Bishop Emilio Marquez, and several farmers' forum in Lucena, Atimonan and Lopez, where he handed over and raffled off to farmers P2-7 million worth of hand tractors, knapsack sprayers, water pump engine sets, rice harvester-cutters, threshers, draft animals with implements, and Anglo Nubian breeder bucks. (Photo by Jose Lucas, DA Information Service)

Source : http://www.da.gov.ph/index.php/2012-03-27-12-04-15/photo-releases/3603-da-to-construct-p50-m-fmr-swip-in-quezon

Vatican Politics

Granting that there is such thing as "politics" when a Pope is elected, still the fact remains that it can never be deemed as human politics. It is an election where Holy Spirit guides the entire Conclave in their decisions so that God's will is realized. Definitely, we must all believe that it is Christ who chooses the next Pope. This is what we can consider as another mystery in our Faith where we cannot really rely on our I man understanding. Thus, talks about who will be the next Pope and what kind of Pope he would be for all of us are just fine. But such acts are best done in the form of prayer and not by showing off what the imperfect human brain can think of.

From the perspective of a layman and applying the Vatican process to local politics and elections, things would have been better. Could even be almost better.