Teachers as Board of Election Inspectors

May 10 is the Philippines Election 2010 and I cannot vote for the first time. I just do not have the information where to vote while living here in the US. I will make sure though that on the next election, I can participate my rights to vote.

This is also the first election that I am FREE from being called to become a BEI. Usually, I was given the task of being a Chairman in a precinct of 200-340 voters. One time, I was given a precinct with A and B group and that was so tiring because it needs two preparation of official returns.

It is not easy to hold the position as one of the BEI's especially if the assigned location is considered as "hotspot". Some teachers risks their lives to protect the ballot box and yet, teachers were accused of cheating.

As a Chairman, I come to the meeting place on time. Did you know that the Election starts before 8 AM but the teachers as BEI report at dawntime? Some actually stay over the place, the eve of the election. The 3 BEI's should be on the meeting place together or else, all the election paraphernalias will not be given to them.

To get the election paraphernalia, the chairman should be around at all times and check evrything in the checklist from the official election returns to rubber band and safeguard the ballot box and keys. Sleepy and tired? YES already! By at least three AM, if you are lucky and early to get out from the line then, you can proceed to the respective precincts and BEI's can rest while waiting for the election. Tough Job huh? Wanna know more? Stay tuned .

Remembering Corazon "Cory" Aquino

This is my salute to María Corazón "Cory" Cojuangco Aquino, the first woman President of the Philippines. She is the first female President in Asia and a widow of the slain Senator Benigno Aquino Jr.

She is the symbol of Freedom during the "1986 People Power Revolution" in the Philippines. According to the news, she died from cardio-respiratory arrest. She was diagnosed to have a Colon Cancer and this sad news was announced by the family on March 2008. After 16 months of Colon Cancer battle, she died at the age of 76 August 1, 2009 ( Philippine Standard Time). Rest in Peace Madam. Thank you and We love you!

A Piece of History - PILIPINAS

What happen in the year 1971? This year is significant to me coz it was the year that I was born. I posted in Amiable Amy that it was the year when Plaza Miranda was Bomb and series of events followed after. Ferdinand Marcos at that time is the President of the Philippines and his government was threatened by communist insurgency and civil unrest thus, the following year he proclaimed Martial Law.

During Edsa People Power, people go out and express their sentiments on the street. This is People Power and which ended peacefully.

During Marcos Regime, most of the opposition leaders were put in jail and exiled including Senator Benigno Aquino Jr. In order to please the Catholic Church before the visit of Pope John Paul II, Marcos officially lifted martial law on January 17,1981. However Marcos retained much of the government's power for arrest and detention. Basically, corruption and nepotism as well as civil unrest contributed to a serious decline of the Philippine economy at that time.

1983, opposition leader Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr. was assassinated at the Manila International airport upon his return to the Philippines after a long period of exile. This resulted an anger and too much dissatisfaction by the people with the Marcos regime, including pressure from the United States, that culminated in a snap presidential election in February 1986. The opposition united under Aquino's widow Corazon Aquino. The election were held on February 7, 1986

The election was marred by widespread reports of violence and tampering with results by both sides of the political fence. The official election canvasser which is the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) and NAMFREL, an accredited poll watcher declared Marcos as a winner. The allegedly fraudulent result was not accepted by Corazon Aquino and her supporters. International observers, including a U.S. delegation led by Sen.Richard G. Lugar also denounced the official results. Thus PEOPLE POWER, the peaceful civilian-military uprising forced Marcos into exile and installed Corazon Aquino as president and the first woman President of the Philippines on 25 February 1986. Marcos regime lasted for 2 decades. That's how the history unfold from the time I was born.