Enabling Leaders Towards Good Governance

Last night, we met as the KN Core group to talk about how we will continue Sec. Jesse’s work and communicate this. As we went thru the meeting, I cannot help but make a mental inventory of what I learned from him and how he shaped my perspective of Good Governance.

Until now, there is a big clamor to get to know him. A friend went out of her way to visit me to get a copy of a video interview of Sec. Jesse the other day. In facebook, expect to get many ‘likes’ when you post stories about Sec. Jesse.

I think the clamor to get to know Sec. Jesse emanates from the fact that many have taken him for granted while he was alive and working towards good governance. When he left us, as huge gouge was carved out of our hearts. This is deepened further by the fact that he became a face for governance that has remained elusive to us thru so many leaders. Suddenly we are left wanting and struggling to understand him so that we can somehow keep something of him to measure our future leaders by.

Cenacle Sister Bubbles Bandojo, in an email, said,

“Been thinking that if this death has affected me so much to the point of shedding tears, how much more those of you who worked with him directly?”

She went to one of the Kaya Natin memorial services in Ateneo and she said,

“I came here, drawn. I feel like getting to know him thru his friends.”

A day before that, Fr. Melo Diola of Dilaab movement called me to to ask if we can have a memento of Sec. Jesse.

Fr. Tony Labiao of St. Peter’s Shrine and one of the convenors of Clergy for Good Governance said,

“I thank God for giving me a chance to get to know him and work with him.”

Fr. Tony organized a mass at St. Peter in honor of Sec. Jesse.

But even before he died, he has been working to move local governments towards meaningful & participative approaches in governance. His leadership in Kaya Natin prompted us to engage mayors in order enable them to improve their Public Education programs by developing their Local School Boards. In the past year, Kaya Natin Movement has engaged almost 92 mayors from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

By next month, Kaya Natin will also be engaging more local government execs to improve their Public Health Program thru the Local Health Board.

Sec. Jesse also took the initiative and engaged the clergy in seeking allies towards good governance. While in Ateneo once he spoke to me and said,

“Let’s help them. They are a force multiplier in good governance.”

Sec. Jesse’s letter and MOA can be seen here:
http://bit.ly/SecJesseandClergy

In the document above, I can see that He had a deep appreciation constituency building. Sec. Jesse had a keen knowledge of the dynamics of citizen’s participation and governance. He knew that a good leader is not sustainable without good people actively engaging.

When I spoke to Fr. Tony, together with Alex Lacson, who is also part of the convenors of the group, they said that the group intends to build good governance constituency on the Barangay level. They hope to have at least 100 good governance advocates per Baranagay.

One of Sec. Jesse quote already made famous in facebook said,

“Whenever you feel alone in this fight for good governance, work harder to multiply yourself.”

Apparently, that’s what Sec. Jesse has been doing all along.

When I think about Sec. Jesse, I cannot help but compare him now to Sen. Ninoy Aquino and Pres. Cory Aquino. I think about what they symbolize and who they are to me.

NINOY lived and died for FREEDOM. CORY lived and died for PEOPLE POWER. JESSE lived and died for GOOD GOVERNANCE.

What would you live and die for?

******

by Jess Lorenzo | Enabling Leaders Towards Good Governance | Posted at 09/09/2012 2:29 PM

Jojo versus Mar, Part 2?

Thus, Malacañang believes that Roxas’s appointment is key to the administration’s victory in 2013.  It could even mean a return bout for Roxas and Vice President Jejomar Binay in the 2016 presidential race.

The problem of Mar’s appointment, however, is that Malacañang gave too much hype on the death of Robredo so much so that anybody at the DILG after him would pale in comparison.

I’m not saying that Mar is not qualified. He is. He was a legislator and a member of the Cabinet of former President Erap Estrada and former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, and now President Aquino. In fact, he’s one of the people around Mr. Aquino whom I respect and believe in.

But as DILG secretary, Mar must also pay close attention to the problem of peace and order and criminality nationwide.  As we have observed, these have been worsening.  The problem is that Roxas may not have sufficient background in peace and order.

(As for Abaya, he must hit the ground running.  There are multi-billion infrastructure projects left by Roxas in his short stint at the DOTC.  I have seen Abaya’s academic background and I believe he can meet the challenges.)

Whatever Mar Roxas will be doing from hereon as DILG secretary will be placed under a microscope.

Jojo versus Mar, Part 2?
By Emil Jurado | Posted
on September 04, 2012 | 12:01am |

“Mar’ Roxas- Haciendero paporito ng Commission on Appointment (CA)

Anong meron itong bagong SILG Manuel Roxas at ang CA ay nagkokomahog na pagtibayin ang kanyang appointment sa DILG.

Sen. Panfilo Lacson expressed the urgent need to confirm Roxas as soon as possible because of the importance of his job. Mar’s automatic confirmation shot down

Ang ganitong pagbibigay ng pansin sa bagong talagang SILG ay hindi ipinagkaloob sa yumaong Sec. Robredo, bagkus kinalimutan na ikomperma si Sec. Robredo.

Sukdulang baliwalain  ang mga mandatory procedure sa confirmation maibigay lamang ang kapritso ni Pangulong Aquino na agad konpirmahin sa Mar Roxas.

Antonino added that the rule of notifying the public about his appointment at least 7 days before the CA confirms him need not be followed because it has been widely publicized. Mar’s automatic confirmation shot down

Napaka-special ni Mar Roxas para sa ilang membro ng CA para ang ibang mga patakarran sa konpirmasyon ay baliwalain.

Sen. Joker Arroyo pointed out, however, that the CA may not waive the publication rule, even if he agrees that Roxas should be confirmed earlier than scheduled. “The public cannot be deprived of the right to oppose and to know,” Arroyo said. Mar’s automatic confirmation shot down

Ang ganitong mga aksyon ng mga membro ng CA ay sumasalamin sa kanilang paninindigan at pagpabor sa kanilang kabaro na may kontrol sa pagpapatakbo ng pamahalaan? ang ganitong aksyon ay dahil si Mar Roxas ay kabilang sa naghaharing pamilya sa bansa bilang Haciendero? Sa maagang panahon nakikitta ang kanilang tunay na kulay.

* * * * * * * *

Punto por Punto: Metro Manila handa ba sa lindol? | ABS-CBN News

Is Metro Manila ready for a major earthquake? Punto por Punto host Anthony Taberna discusses how Metro Manila officials and residents can prepare for “The Big One.” ABS-CBN Umagang Kay Ganda, Sept. 4, 2012

Mang Roldan Pineda Jimenez at Sec. Jesse Robledo- Pilipino, isang simpling tao at isang Lingkod Bayan

Ang Malalim na Mensahe ng Kwento ng Buhay ni Mang Roldan Pineda Jimenez

Marahil ay narinig mo na, nabasa at napanood ang kwento ni Mang Roldan at hindi na rin lingid sa kaalaman ng marami ang kanyang napakagandang kwento sa hamon ng kanyang buhay.

Patuloy pa rin ang gulong ng buhay ni Mang Roldan, hindi sya sumusuko sa dagok ng kanyang buhay. Isang katanginan na dapat magkaroon sa isang taong kunting hirap sa buhay pa lang ay suko na.

Narito ang ilan sa mga linyang sinabi ni Mang Roldan ng makausap nya si Joemil Reyes ang naka-kilala at tumulong sa kanya.

“Naaawa ako sa mga palaboy na nakakasalubong ko sa paglalakad. Alam kung iba-iba din ang problema nila. Gusto ko silang tulungan. ”

Isa ito sa mga litanyang sinabi ni Mang Roldan, isang kapos palad na nawalan ng pamilya dahil sa trahedyang kanyang sinapit.

“Minsan nakikiusap ako sa mga pulis para makasakay ako sa mga bus o bumabyaheng truck. Ayus na sakin kahit sa likuran ng truck basta makadating ako kahit paano. Meron nga lang minsan na kapag nakalayu na ng konti ang sasakyan, pinapababa ako kaagad kaya lalakad ulit ako.”

Nakakalungkot isipin pero halos lahat ay magaling magbalat kayo sabihin lang na tumulong sila na nakikita ng iba.

Sa kwento ni Mang Roldan, isa lang ang gusto nyang iparating sa ating lahat, mahalin mo ang iyong kapwa at wag mong tingnan kung anong klase man ng tao ang nakaka-salubong mo araw-araw. Huwag mo ding pipintasan sila dahil hindi mo alam kung ano ang kanilang mga dinaranas sa buhay.

Marami ngayon ang nahahabag sa kwento ni Mang Roldan, at halos lahat ay hinahanap sya para mabigyan ng bagong simula sa buhay. Ngunit sadyang hindi talaga naiintindihan natin ang napaka-simpleng mensahe ni Mang Roldan sa atin.

Baka ito pa nga ang sasabihin nya sa atin, “Madami ang katulad ko na kailangan ng tulong, hindi lang ako nag-iisa. Madami kayong makikita sa mga kalye kahit saan mang lugar, hindi man kami pareho pero kailangan din nila ng tulong? Hindi nyo ba naisip na mas matutuwa ako kapag tumutulong kayo sa kapwa nyo? Alam kung gusto nyo akong tulungan, pero hindi nyo ba alam na kapag tumulong kayo sa mga katulad ko ay para nyo na rin akong natutulungan dahil iyon naman talaga ang gusto ko?

Matalinghaga ang kwento at mensahe ng kwento ni Mang Roldan, at kung iintindihin mo ay makukuha mo at ikaw ay maliliwanagan.

Kung nainspire ka sa kwento ni Mang Roldan, gawin mo kung ano ang dapat at nararapat mong gawin, hindi mo na din kailangang ipaalam sa iba na tumulong ka. Na gaya ng sinabi ni Mang Roldan ay pinababa din lang sya sa sinakyan nya ng makalayo. May mga taong sadyang magaling magbalat kayo ngunit hindi naman bulag ang Diyos Ama at nakikita nya ang iyong magandang ginagawa.

Sundan ang Kwneto ng isang Pilipino|  Mang Roldan Pineda Jimenez/September 4, 2012  | Mang Roldan Pineda Jimenez @ Facebook

LP consolidates gov’t hold

Mar Roxas, Noy’s doppleganger, trouble-shooter, and most of all, successor at all cost, said that politics was farthest from his mind after Noynoy had appointed him Interior and Local Government’s secretary, a move that was a bare-faced solution to the Liberal Party’s (LP) desire to have a grip on the pivotal Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) post in the run up to the elections next year.

“I don’t give it much thought,” Mar said of the elections, a statement which was quickly complemented with Noy’s “I know Mar will advance the interest of the nation rather than serve the party’s interest” in the post.

All of these can be taken as the regular bull spewed by traditional politicians (trapos).

Roxas had the presidency in mind long before. It is fact that he was the LP presidential bet for the 2010 elections, and would have run for the presidency rather than the vice presidency, if Cory Aquino had not died at the time she died, and when the usual yellow media really milked that death and funeral dry to generate a wave of yellow sympathy to get her clueless and inexperienced son Noynoy, running for the presidency.

Roxas had to give way, but no doubt, Noynoy promised him the presidency in 2016.

Mar does not have the presidency and 2016 in his mind even at this time?

What the heck is all this LP move to ensure a major victory among not only the LP senatorial bets but also the local government units in 2013?

Even the late Jesse Robredo, LP, was gearing the LGUs for this.

In one blow, two of the key Cabinet posts are in the hands of the LP leadership as LP president Roxas’ replacement at the Department of Transportation and Communications (DoTC) was Cavite Rep. Joseph Abaya, LP secretary general, and they are saying politics is farthest from the mind of Noy and his mob in making the move. A convenient coincidence perhaps.

The LP is consolidating its hold on the government when before it seemed there was a degree of toleration for power sharing between the Roxas and LP’s Balay faction and the NoyBi group’s Samar faction, it appears that the LP will demand that LP members occupy all the key Cabinet posts before the campaign period starts.

There must have been moments of unease with Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa as the DILG officer-in-charge (OIC) and later being bruited as possibly staying permanently in the post since Ochoa is considered a Samar faction leader but these fears were later on soothed with the twin appointments.
The internal clash among members of the Samar and Balay factions was palpable even within the few days after the death of former DILG Secretary Robredo in a plane crash last Aug. 18, prompting some individuals within the circle of Noynoy to call for a stop on the shameless bickerings.

The LP is consolidating its hold on government and recommendations are apparently now giving way to demands from the party leadership for Noynoy to assure that the government is secure in the LP’s hands.
Nothing is clearer than the desire of the LP to exploit the resources of government in the election year to back up its candidates who are being received poorly by the public.

For instance, the latest survey showed that only one among the LP bets may make it to the Senate in the coming elections that reflects on the chances of Noynoy’s desire to have a grip on the Senate, which is the remaining sector in government on which Noynoy has no convincing hold.

The House is already a rubber stamp while the Supreme Court (SC) has effectively been retaken with the appointment of Chief Justice Lourdes Sereno.

When in the previous administration, it was one lady maneuvering to control government resources now it is a political party doing the same. When it comes to Malacañang the song remains the same.

LP consolidates gov’t hold
Written by  Tribune Editorial
Sunday, 02 September 2012 00:00

Kaalaman ay paghahanda sa kalamidad- West Valley Fault Lines

*****

Phivolcs: West Valley fault line ‘ripe for movement’

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology on Wednesday said the Marikina West Valley fault line, one of the active faults in the country, is ripe for movement because it has not moved for 200 years.

Phivolcs said the possibility of a Magnitude 7.2 earthquake is not far-fetched.

A Metro Manila Earthquake Impact Reduction Study earlier revealed that 7 out of 17 cities in Metro Manila will suffer the most damage and casualties if a massive earthquake occurs at the West Valley fault.

The 7 cities are Marikina, Quezon, Pasig, Makati, Pateros, Taguig and Muntinlupa. – With a report from Ryan Chua, ABS-CBN News : Phivolcs: West Valley fault line ‘ripe for movement’

*****

Marikina Fault Line, A Huge Disaster Waiting!

A powerful earthquake at magnitude 8.9 has struck Japan at 2:46 p.m. on Friday, March 11, 2011, shaking buildings in Tokyo for several minutes and sending people out into the streets, the Associated Press reported. The quakes and tsunamis resulted to more than 10,000 dead and few thousands missing.

Many people were troubled after the Japan quakes and tsunamis because of the possible tsunamis that will hit also some Asian countries. Later, the neighboring countries of Japan just experienced small tsunamis and had lifted tsunami alerts afterwards.

Earlier today and yesterday, some people have discussed the possibility of huge earthquakes that will happen in Metro Manila because of the Marikina Fault Line system. Below is a repost of a 2009 news and events article reported by United Nations for the Philippines about possible huge disaster (earthquake) that will happen in the future to Metro Manila area.

The United Nations is advising the Philippines to be ready for an upcoming big earthquake. A quake with a magnitude of 7.2 or higher on the Richter scale is sure to hit Metro Manila, they say, but the bigger question is when exactly this will happen.

The Earthquakes and Megacities Initiative (EMI) report published in 2004 predicts that an earthquake with a high magnitude will surely occur because of the Philippine Fault Zone (also called the Marikina Valley Fault System), but experts can’t predict when this disaster may happen.

According to the report, the death toll may reach about 35,000, some 145,000 people may be injured while around 175,000 buildings will be damaged.

Where exactly is the West Marikina Valley Fault Line? It lies northeast of Manila and traverses Marikina, Pasig going to Muntinlupa down to the south.

Instead of being afraid and all panicky, we should make sure we are ready should an earthquake happen. And for those who are located at fault line or near the said fault line make sure to leave the place as soon as possible, it is much better to avoid as early as possible than to wait for the disaster to happen.

Here are some earthquake safety tips to remember.

What to do – Before the Earthquake

• Arrange your home for safety: Store heavy objects on lower shelves and store breakable objects in cabinets with latched doors. Don’t hang heavy mirrors or pictures above where people frequently sit or sleep.
• Store flammable liquids away from potential ignition sources.
• Stock up on emergency supplies. These include: battery operated radio (and extra batteries), flashlights (and extra batteries), first aid kit, bottled water, two weeks food and medical supplies, blankets, cooking fuel, tools needed to turn off your gas, water and electric utilities.
• Learn what to do during an earthquake (see During the Earthquake)

What to do – During the Earthquake

• If outdoors, move to an open area where falling objects are unlikely to strike you.
• If driving, slow down smoothly and stop on the side of the road. Avoid stopping on or under bridges and overpasses, or under power lines, trees and large signs.
• If indoors, quickly move to a safe location in the room such as under a strong desk, a strong table, or along an interior wall. The goal is to protect yourself from falling objects and be located near the structural strong points of the room.

What to do – After the Earthquake

• Check for injuries and attend to people who may need help.
• If the power is out, unplug appliances to prevent possible damage when the power is turned back on.
• If you smell or hear a gas leak, get everyone outside and open windows and doors. If you can do it safely, turn off the gas at the meter.
• If the building is badly damaged, evacuate immediately.

The only powerful thing we can do is to pray it won’t happen. Marikina Fault Line, A Huge Disaster Waiting!

How does FOI relate to the other governance reforms under the Aquino Good Governance and Anti-Corruption Plan 2012-2016?

Greater access to information will, in general, empower citizens to hold their public officials accountable and to participate in government processes that are being opened to them by this administration. For instance, greater access to information on government projects and spending will allow civil society organizations to make more meaningful and accurate inputs to the Participatory Budget and Participatory Audit processes that this administration has initiated. The mandatory posting of SALNs will also empower our government investigators and their citizen-partners to run after corrupt officials. Proposed substitute Freedom of Information bill of 2012

Freedom of Information (FOI) pinagtatagal para hindi sila tamaan?

Matagal kona narinig ang FOI Bill na iyan. Pero hangang ngayon ay wala pang naipapasang batas na Freedo, of Information (FOI). Bakit kaya? Dahil kaya silang mga magpapatibay at magpaptupad ng Batas na ito ang siyang unang masasagasaan ng Bill na ito kung sakaling maging batas?

Malamang kung ang FOI na iyan ay nangangahulugan ng “FREEDOM OF INCOME” malamang pasado na iyan at nagkukumahog ang mga politiko na maipasa na iyan kahit sila ay nakapikit.

Isa sa provision ng naturang panukalang batas ay…

Sec. 6. Access to Information. – Government agencies shall make available to the public for scrutiny, copying and reproduction in the manner provided by this Act, all information pertaining to official acts, transactions or decisions, as well as government research data used as basis for policy development, regardless of their physical form or format in which they are contained and by whom they were made. “Freedom of Information Act of 2010”

Naku, delikado marami pa naman ang makukulit at tsismosa at maaaring pagkwentohan araw araw ang matutuklasan, marami ding pakialamerong Pilipino na tiyak na hindi patutulugin ang sinumang matukalasan na may anumalya sa pamamagitan ng FOI na ito.

Sec.  14. Mandatory Disclosure of Transactions Involving Public Interest. – (a) Subject to Sections 7 and 8 of this Act, all government agencies shall upload on their websites, which shall be regularly updated every fifteen (15) days, all the steps, negotiations and key government positions pertaining to definite propositions of the government, as well as the contents of the contract, agreement or treaty in the following transactions involving public interest: “Freedom of Information Act of 2010”

Ayo at kailangan pala ilagay sa website ang mga bagay-bagay na ginagawa ng gobyerno. Batay sarado sigurado ang kanilang mga gawain at kung may magkamali madaling malaman at tugisin. Kung hindi man tugisin baka madali sila ng tinatawag na cyber bully katulad ng nangyari kay Sen. Sotto.

Sana nga maipasa na ang FOI na ito, para magkaalaman na kung sino at sinu-sino. Freedom of Information is EMPOWERING THE PEOPLE. FOI IS DETERRENT IN COMMITTING CORRUPTION.

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION (FOI), pagtibayin na! NOW NA…!

*****

The hidden reason the Freedom of Information bill cannot pass is the same reason the Palace will not push it. It reaches too far down to the local government level where a lot of the wheeling, dealing and stealing are going on; but also where all the votes are to be gotten.

Why they’re afraid of FOI By: Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr. September 1, 2012 8:40 AM | InterAksyon.com The online news portal of TV5

LP President Manuel “Mar” Roxas in the “Tsinelas Leadership” of former Sec. Robredo?

August 31, 2012- itinalaga ni Pangulong Noynoy Aquino si Manuel “Mar” Roxas bilang kalihim ng DILG at pinaki-usapan ang Commision of Appointment na kaagad kompermahin ang pagkakatalaga sa bagong Kalihim ng DILG. Ayon sa Pangulo,

Kaugnay nito, nakikiusap po tayo sa Commission on Appointments sa Kongreso na ikumpirma sa lalong madaling panahon sina Mar at Jun. Hindi po sila makakaupo hangga’t hindi sila nako-confirm ng Commission on Appointments. Kailangan na po natin sila upang agad na ring maka-arangkada ang mga proyekto’t inisyatiba ng kani-kanilang kagawaran, at ng buong bayan.  Pahayag sa pagtatalaga kay Mar Roxas bilang Kalihim DILG

Ang paki-usap na ito ni Pangulong Aquino sa Commission on Appointment ay hindi nagawa sa panahon ng yumaong “Tsinelas Leadership” Jesse Robredo.

Tinanggap ni “Mar” Roxas posisyon sa DILG at hindi nagdalawang salita sapagkat ito ang kanyang pagnanasa.

NOW, lets see how smart is “Mar” Roxas as DILG Secretary…

Kaagad ay inalis ni Mar Roxas ang undersicretary ng DILG kasama ang lahat ng Staffs ng dating SILG Robredo. Ito ay para lanyang ng puwang ang lahat ng kanyang mga tauhan biitbit niya (Roxas) saan man siya mapunta. Smart nga ba….?

Friday night’s earthquake off the eastern Philippine coast packed energy “equivalent to 32 Hiroshima atomic bombs” experts said.

However, a combination of luck and other factors spared Filipinos from catastrophe.The country’s top seismologist, Renato Solidum, said the 7.6 magnitude quake centrered in the Philippine Trench off Eastern Samar was powerful enough but the tremor would have been more intensely felt had its epicenter been on land. Minimal damage despite quake’s power of ‘32 atomic bombs’

Sinubukan ko hanapin ang mga aktibidad ng bagong SILG pagkatapos ng Lindol wala akong makita maliban sa kanyang mga tweets https://twitter.com/MARoxas.

Today, Sept. 2, 2012 ano na kaya ang ginawa niya para punuan ang malaking Tsinelas na iniwan ng dating SILG Jesse Robredo?