NericAcosta2010.com

“The right to vote is a right that is guaranteed in the 1987 Constitution.” Liberal Party senatorial candidate ‘Teacher’ Neric Acosta slams the Commission on Elections for not acting on the disenfranchisement of many teachers who formerly served as members of the Board of Election Inspectors.

 Double whammy

 “I am very disappointed with COMELEC’s inaction to protect the rights of teachers who have been instruments in ensuring the integrity of the votes in every election.” Acosta is outraged that teachers who are no longer members of BEI cannot exercise their rights to vote. Acosta says that this is actually the second time that a concerned group of teachers—Teachers’ Dignity Coalition—called on COMELEC. Previously, the party list Alliance of Concerned Teachers, have also expressed dismay at the possibility of disenfranchisement of thousands of teachers.

 The automation of the May 10 nationwide polls has reduced the required number of BEIs from 800,000 to only about 250,000. Acosta explains that election laws automatically deactivated voters who did not vote in two consecutive national elections.  Acosta adds, “According to reports, all teachers who served in the past elections voted in the respective precincts where they were assigned as members of BEI. Unfortunately, their votes were not counted and reflected in the book of voters.”

“It is COMELEC’s responsibility to record the votes of our teachers. Kung naging maayos sana ang sistema ng COMELEC, hindi sana ito nangyari. It only shows that COMELEC is very inefficient and does not value the teachers who have selflessly rendered service for the past elections. “

 Grand design to derail the coming election

 “I sincerely hope that our teachers are not being used as helpless pawns to a grand design to derail the May 10 election. Sana hindi sila magamit sa anumang katiwaliang binabalak ng gobyernong ito. Ipaglaban po natin ang ating karapatan. Pumili po tayo ng pinunong matapat sa tungkulin at may paninindigan, upang hindi na maulit pa ang ganitong pamamalakad.” Acosta ends by urging his fellow teachers to keep up the fight.

“Ang pinsalang dulot ng El Nino ay umabot na ng P11.195 bilyon ayon sa Department of Agriculture. Ang halagang ito ay 197 porsyento higit sa naunang pahalaga na P3.77 bilyon noong Pebrero 16. Ang ating mga magsasaka ngayon ay nawawalan ng kabuhayan dahil nangamatay na ang kanilang mga pananim.” Teacher Neric Acosta, Liberal Party senatorial candidate expresses concern over the worsening effects of El Nino in the country.

He further adds that it is the responsibility of the government to ensure that the affected farmers would be provided with the necessary support to manage the worsening effects of the El Nino.

 Water is life

 “Reports say that the government has about P20 billion in funds to help ease the worsening effects of the El Niño.  And half of the said funds have been used already. My question now is, why do we need to utilize this P20 billion to solve our problems? We know that the ADB, with the help of private donors since 2007, has established a Water Revolving Fund. Through this project, ADB has allocated funds to the Local Water Utilities and Administration (LWUA) offices in the country to help upgrade their facilities and to ensure that there are enough water supplies in selected cities/municipalities in the regions.”  Acosta strongly feels that the said fund should have gone to subsidizing projects that would prevent the water shortage that is happening.

 “Ang mahirap kasi, nariyan ang pera, daan daang milyon ang pondo, pero taon ang bibilangin bago matapos ang isang proyekto. Kung walang mangungurakot sa ating pondo, hindi sana natin pinoproblema ang patubig.” Acosta believes that the ADB grant, if properly utilized, would cushion the ill effects of the El Nino phenomenon.

 Be proactive, lessen water footprint

 “Kung hindi natin maasahan ang ating pamahalaan sa pag lutas ng krisis sa tubig, mas mainam siguro na tayo mismo ang kumilos sa pagtitipid nito.  Each of us can think of ways to lessen our water footprint.” Acosta explains that “water footprint” refers to the total amount of water used to produce the goods and services consumed by the population of a specific nation.

 “Water is a prized resource in our part of the world. We must come to terms with how we use this priceless and limited commodity.” Acosta ends by stressing the need of conserving water to fellow Filipinos.

“I am fearful of what is going to happen. It appears like Mrs. Arroyo wants to manipulate the power and independence of the judiciary.” In the event that Chief Justice Puno retires, a new chief justice may be appointed by the President outside the Judicial and Bar Council’s (JBC) qualified nominees.

 Vigilance required

“I am worried on how the Supreme Court came out with this decision. The said provision – Section 15, Article VII – intends to prohibit any sitting president from affecting the results of the elections.” Acosta explains that previously, during the time of former president Fidel Ramos, the Supreme Court ruled that the prohibition period also applies to appointments in the judiciary.

“Tayong mga Pilipino ay dapat magkaroon ng kamalayan sa mga nangyayari sa ating lipunan.”Acosta ends with an appeal to his fellow Filipinos to be more proactive and be vigilant to deceitful acts that can impede democracy in our country.

 Shout out to JBC

“It is now up to the JBC to remain autonomous and be able to make careful decisions. While under the supervision of the Supreme Court, it should always act and decide independently.”

Acosta is confident that the Judicial and Bar Council will remain unaligned in its process of short listing the nominees for the Chief Justice position.