Bilang pangunahing column sa pahayagang ito, nais ko pong magpakilala sa inyong lahat. Ako po si ‘Teacher’ Neric Acosta, isang guro mula sa lalawigan ng Bukidnon sa Mindanao. Kasalukuyan po akong nagtuturo ng environmental management at governance sa Asian Ins­titute of Management at sa Ateneo de Manila School of Government.

Sa loob po ng tatlong termino ay naglingkod ako bilang isang mambabatas. Kinatawan ko po ang u­nang distrito ng Bukidnon. Sa loob po ng siyam na taong paglilingkod sa Kongreso, itinaguyod po natin ang mga mahahala­gang panukala sa usapin ng edukasyon at kalikasan. Kabilang po rito ang clean air, clean water and solid waste management na naisulong po natin bilang pangunahing may-akda.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) joins the long list of  controversial newsmakers of 2009 with its consecutive decisions that blatantly attacked individuals and groups who are known political foes and critics of Malacanang.

Target No. 1: Partylists

Comelec was placed in the hot seat when it discriminated and disqualified gays and lesbians' group “Ang Ladlad” citing immorality as grounds. Philippine media had a heyday covering the exchange of heated comments between Comelec Commissioners and Ladlad leader Danton Remoto who even said that Congress already has a number of gay and lesbian members.

Another politically tumultuous year has closed.

Leaders of the Kaya Natin! Movement for Good Governance and Ethical Leadership are optimistic that 2010 will be a better year for our country.

The movement which was initially convened by the Ateneo School of Government is co-founded by well-recognized local government leaders, Pampanga Gov. Eddie Panlilio, Isabela Gov. Grace Padaca and Naga City Mayor Jesse Robredo. Padaca and Robredo are both recipients of the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award for Government Service, widely considered to be the equivalent of the Nobel Peace Prize in Asia.

Former Bukidnon Rep. Neric Acosta joined the growing number of voices calling for full accountability for the declaration of Martial Law in Maguindanao in the wake of the brutal slaying of 57 civilians and journalists in the province last month, the first case of election related violence in connection to the 2010 polls.

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