|
Saturday, March 13, 2004
Ajero: Mindanao bets first
By Tony Ajero
Calidarium
If all of Mindanao's six million voters will join him in his unique "Mindanao Bets First" crusade, we shall have assured ourselves of having seven senators from Mindanao in next July's opening of Congress. And why not? If the much smaller Bicolandia can do it, sending five Bicolanos to the Senate at one time, there is no reason Mindanao can't.
UNKNOWN to many voters, more than a hundred partylist groups are jostling for voters' attention in the current political season. Party-list groups are sectors of Philippine society such as labor, peasant, urban poor, indigenous cultural communities, women, youth, cooperatives and other sectors identified by law, except religious sector, believed to be less represented in government, particularly in the legislative branch because their members have little or no chance of getting elected in a regular election due to lack of resources to run a campaign.
A party-list group needs only to get 10 percent (or 380,000) of the total number of voters nationwide (38 million) in order for its designated representatives to become member of the House.
But how what about those whose interests and causes are not within this realm because they are outside the contemplation of the party-list system? What will people so concerned about the central government's age-old neglect of Mindanao do to ensure that Mindanao is amply and ably represented in Congress, particularly in the Philippine Senate?
One way to achieve such an ideal situation is to work for all deserving senatorial candidates from Mindanao and politicians known to have sincerely worked for the interest and welfare of the people of this jaded island.
This is exactly what Davao businessman Seneca Bertulfo is quietly doing now.
He's been making the rounds of the country (while he is based in Manila, he's branches in Cebu, Davao and General Santos) rooting for reelectionist candidate Robert Barbers and six other senatorial candidates from Mindanao who are spread in the three political groups--Nene Pimentel, Digs Dilangalen and Amina Rasul of the Koalisyon ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino of Fernando Poe Jr., Dr. Parouk Hussin of the administration K4 led by Pres. Gloria Arroyo, and Jun Yasay and Jay Sonza of the Bagong Pag-asa group under presidential bet Raul Roco. Yasay and Sonza are from Davao City.
I've known businessman Bertulfo since college days and recently supported his civic work, such as the supplemental milk and soya feeding of his Bertulfo and Friends Foundation, but this is so far the best project that he has embarked on in his limited forays into politics.
This is definitely much better and much more patriotic than running for vice mayor of the Island Garden City of Samal, which he had to abort after realizing that he is not officially registered as a voter of Igacos.
If all of Mindanao's six million voters will join him in his unique "Mindanao Bets First" crusade, we shall have assured ourselves of having seven senators from Mindanao in next July's opening of Congress. And why not? If the much smaller Bicolandia can do it, sending five Bicolanos to the Senate at one time, there is no reason Mindanao can't.
Asked why the seeming emphasis on Barbers, Bertulfo says the gentleman from Surigao del Norte holds the strongest promise of getting promoted in national politics, a reason he has been considered earlier as a possible vice presidential bet of the administration.
"Besides, I've always been impressed by people who rise in national politics, despite coming from relatively small bailiwicks," said Bertulfo, who still has to meet Barbers personally.
I suggest that Bertulfo put his money where his mouth is. He can't help much if he'd just talk about his preference for Barbers and the other Mindanao bets. He certainly would have to spend here and the more expense the bigger help he can give Mindanao candidates.
This would also mean mobilizing Bertulfo's relatives and business connections in Davao del Sur where he grow up and in Masbate where he was born, in addition to Cebu, Manila and Davao, where his businesses are very active.
* * * * *
Speaking of party-lists, there's only one based in Davao City. It is the Bahandi sa Kaumahan party-list whose listed representative is Jun Tapiador. If Bahandi will garner votes equivalent to 10 percent of the 38 million votes, it is like Davao City having a fourth congressman without creating a fourth congressional district. Theoritically, if all of the more than half a million voters in Davao City will carry Bahandi, the party-list is assured of being in the House of Representatives in June. Bahandi is Cebuano for wealth or treasure, kaumahan is Cebuano for agricultural farms.
(March 13, 2004 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here. |
|
[return to top]
[home]
[network page]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
SUPERBALITA
WEEKEND
|
