Political Corruption

Political corruption is the misuse by government officials of their governmental powers for illegitimate private gain.

Misuse of government power for other purposes, like repression of political opponents and general police brutality, is not considered political corruption. Illegal acts by private persons or corporations not directly involved with the government is not considered political corruption either.All forms of government are susceptible to political corruption. Forms of corruption vary, but include bribery, extortion, cronyism, nepotism, patronage, graft, and embezzlement. While corruption may facilitate criminal enterprise such as drug trafficking, money laundering, and trafficking, it is not restricted to these organized crime activities.

In some nations corruption is so common that it is expected when ordinary businesses or citizens interact with government officials. The end-point of political corruption is a kleptocracy, literally "rule by thieves". (from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_corruption )

Barangay Election

Omnibus Election Code of the Philippines
(Batas Pambansa Blg. 881)
Article VI- Election of Barangay Officials
Section 38 - Conduct of elections


The barangay election shall be non-partisan and shall be conducted in an expeditious and inexpensive manner.

No person who files A certificate of candidacy shall represent or allow himself to be represented as a candidate of any political party or any other organization;
and no political party, political group, political committee, civic, religious, professional, or other organization or organized group of whatever nature shall intervene in his nomination or in the filing of his certificate of candidacy or give aid or support, directly or indirectly, material or otherwise favorable to or against his campaign for election: Provided, That this provision shall not apply to the members of the family of a candidate within the fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity nor to the personal campaign staff of the candidate which shall not be more than one for every one hundred registered voters in his barangay: Provided, however, That without prejudice to any liability that may be incurred, no permit to hold a public meeting shall be denied on the ground that the provisions of this paragraph may or will be violated. Nothing in this section, however, shall be construed as in any manner affecting or constituting an impairment of the freedom of individuals to support or oppose any candidate for any barangay office.

Voters of the Nine Barangays

The following are the No. of Voters of the barangays under the
proposed Municipality of Matutum as of May 14, 2001 Local Election


No of voters last May 14, 2001 Local Election
Polomolok, South Cotabato


Barangay No. Of Voters
Total

Cannery Site...........8,299
Kinilis..................459
Klinan 6...............1,426
Lamcaliaf................498
Landan.................1,866
Maligo.................1,135
Palkan.................1,446
Polo...................1,309
Upper Klinan...........1,778

TOTAL.................18,216

Source : COMELEC
Polomolok, South Cotabato

Corruption

Renato Constantino

(Excerpt from:The Corrupt Society, by Renato Constantino).


Corruption is not merely a disease in our government. Corruption is a chronic malady of our society. Closely related to wrong-doing in government is the correspondingly corrupt attitude of our people towards official morality. Perhaps the most frightening sign of all is the blithe matter-of-fact acceptance of evil. We might even go so far as to say that the greatest corruption of all is this general acceptance of corruption.


WE GET WHAT WE DESERVE

Our matter-of-fact acceptance of corruption is nowhere more evident than in the conduct of our elections. We affirm as an elementary truth the proposition that only a man with money should run for office because no one will work for him unless he can give out the pesos ( and sometimes the dollars ). There is corruption too, in the idea that a vote for a candidate is a favor granted him and not an exercise of the right of choice. The validity of party platforms, the examination of a candidate’s views, and the consideration of basic issues, seldom play an important part in the voter’s choice. He is cowed down by a show of strength and wealth.

One of the pathetic pictures of corruption is that of a poor voter boasting of the money his candidates is using to buy up people’s votes. The poor man is corrupt but has nothing to show for his corruption except the vicarious thrill of being associated with wealth for a brief period. Indeed, our whole attitude towards elections is corrupt. As rabid followers of this or that candidate, we distort truth, fabricate lies, justifies and sometimes participate in all kinds of shady schemes to gain victory. We are more moral about basketball games (expecting fair refereeing and clean playing ) than about elections.

The wonder of it is that after the fever of the campaign, we complain about the quality of our leadership. That is unfair. We have no right to expect honor from dishonor, impartial statesmanship from rabid partisanship, intellectual integrity from dishonesty. Thus, in practically every election in the past, we got exactly what we wanted.

The Players of History

History, though it is commonly defined as the story of man, is not the story of man the individual, but man the collective, that is, associated man. Without society there can be no history and there are no societies without men. History must focus principally on the anonymous masses of individual and of the social forces generated by their collective lives and struggles.

Man alone, man the individual could never have become human except in association with other men. Man interacts with nature and with other men through the intervening reality of society. Without society he would have remained like other animals, unable to consciously change his environment or himself.

It was in cooperative work that men first become human and this cooperative effort is what produced society. But cooperative is an exigency of struggle against nature and against social forces. Men must work together to fight natural or social forces stronger than the individual selves.

Struggle is therefore the essence of life, whether of an individual or a society. An individual has no history apart from society, and society is the historical product of people in struggle.

Human society is the cause and the result of people in motion and in constant struggle to realize the human potential, for the human being is the only species that has unlimited possibilities for development.

History, then, is the recorded struggle of people’s forever increasing freedom and for newer and higher realizations of the human person. But the struggle is a collective one and as such involves the mass of human beings who are therefore the motivators of change and of history.

History is not merely a chronology of events. It is not the story of heroes and great men. Essentially, history consists of the people’s efforts to attain a better life. The common people possess the capacity to make history. In fact, the historic initiative[ of the masses has time and again produced social cataclysms that have changed the world.

The various changes in society and the upward climb of civilization could not have been possible without the people playing definite and irreplaceable roles in each epoch

The individuals who made history colorful could not have made history without the people. Supermen may exist in romantic minds or among those who persist in the primitive practice of deifying men; but no supermen exist, only leaders who became great because they were working with and for the people. ( Excerpts and words borrowed from Renato Constantino, from a book: ‘The Philippines: A Past Revisited.’)

Barangay Cannery Site

Barangay Cannery Site is the biggest among the nine barangays under the proposed municipality in terms of population and income.

Today's Barangay Hall

OFFICIALS OF THE NINE BARANGAYS (2002-2007)

The officials of the nine barangays covered by the proposed Municipality of Matutum.

The officials of the nine barangays as of July 15, 2002 barangay election, are:


1. Barangay Cannery Site
Jimena, Roberto C. -bgy capt.

Kagawads:
Octavio, Antonio B.
Esposado, Jose P.
Taburno, Eugenio N.
Superioridad, Mariano B.
Cabahug, Loreto A.
Delgado, Julius S.
Mercado, Dominador Sr. V.

Homerez,Kristine,Gay –SK Chair



2. barangay Kinilis
Villanueva, Rodolfo J. -brgy capt

kagawads:
Cariaga, Caesar Sr. D.
Tagaban, Floro Sr. P.
Gayon, Ernesto L.
Abraham, earl P.
Mullanida, Leny I.
Fuentevilla, Ronald Sr. N.
Tiala, Venancio B.

Almirante, Cesa May Abraham-
SK chairman


3. Barangay Klinan 6
Docallos, Renato S. -bgry capt

Cabahug, Lucrecia V.
Gastador, Bernardo C.
Vansuela, Gaudioso D.
Silvano, Patrocenio A.
Bojos, Joselito R.
Africa, Ernesto M.
Jover, Rodolfo P.

Nartatez, Rodelyn L.-SK Chairman


4. Barangay Lamcaliaf
Cadorna, Eugenio M. -bgy capt

kagawads
Galon, Edgardo J. (1st kagawad)
(Deceased) Tacbas, Allan M.
Ampo, Lito O.
Galia, Nicolas S.
Taculad, Gaudencio C.
Rome, Rafael Jr. M.
Olaybar, Ronaldo G.

Ampo, Jennifer T.- SK Chairman



5. Barangay Landan
Lakim, Guilly D. -bry capt

kagawads
Tonio, Cawe M.
Diali, Rebecca J.
Mapili, Rodolfo M.
Malasugui, Narding G.
Jugar, Vicente M.
Magpon, Jimmy C.
Amarile, Nemuel D.

Ante, Jerome Y. – SK Chairman


6. Barangay Maligo
Garmino, Roger S. -bry capt

Miranda, Dominador E.
Dianon, Joselito L.
Faller, Alejandro N.
De Gusman, John D.
Balateria, Rodolfo O.
De la Pena, Dionisio B.
Oftana, Rosalio V.

Mauricio, Joan R.- SK Chairman


7. Barangay Palkan
Galoyo, Vicente D. -bry capt

kagawads
Rencio, Avelina L.
Pairat, Benjamin Sr. B.
Sabasaje, Zaldy G.
Nalugon, Cecilio B.
Nalugon, Alfredo M.
Acas, Anna Liza O.
Sabuso, Francisco M.

Nalugon, Wemiel M.- SK Chairman


8. Barangay Polo
Gerada, Raul J. -bgy capt

kagawads
Leoberas, Ariston Jr. A.
Suelan, Benjamin A.
Almanon, Benjie L.
Tabiling, Rogelio
Ali, Sison M.
Celestial, Abelardo C.
Arca, Leopoldo V.

Louanne, Claveria E.


9. Barangay Upper Klinan
Gomez, Roger A. -bgy capt

kagawads
Estrebilla, Freddie M.
Salazar, Elmedio D.
Bercero, Alejo Z.
Lazarte, Glenn P.
Diaz, Reynaldo G.
Delfin, Edgardo S.
Estrebilla, Carlito Sr. N.

Estrebilla, Carley - SK Chairman

How is a Municipality Created?

REQUIREMENTS

RULES AND REGULATIONS IMPLEMENTING THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT
CODE OF 1991, REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7160


Article 13- Municipalities –

Requisites for creation – a municipality shall not be created unless the following requisites are present:

1. Income – An average annual income of not less than Two Million Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (P2,500,000.00), for the immediately preceding two (2) consecutive years based on 1991 constant prices, as certified by the provincial treasurer. The average annual income shall include the income accruing to the general fund exclusive of special funds, special accounts, transfers, and nonrecurring income.

2. Population – which shall not be less than twenty five thousand (25,000) inhabitants, as certified by NSO, and

3. Land Area – which must be contiguous with an area of at least fifty (50) square
kilometers, as certified by LMB. The territory need not be contiguous if it comprises two (2) or more islands. The requirements on land area shall not apply where the proposed municipality is composed of one (1) or more islands. The territorial jurisdiction of a municipality sought to be created shall be properly identified by metes and bounds.

The creation of a new municipality shall not reduce the land area, population, and income
of the original LGU or LGU’s at the time of said creation to less than the prescribed minimum requirements. All expenses incidental to the creation shall be borne by the petitioners.

(B) Procedure for creation –

1. Petition – Interested barangays shall submit the petition, in the form of a resolution, of their respective sanggunians requesting the creation of a new municipality to the Congress, and furnish copies thereof to the sangguniang panlalawigan, sangguniang panlungsod, or sangguniang bayan of the LGUs concerned.

2. Comments on petition – The sangguniang panlungsod or sangguniang bayan, together with the sangguniang panlalawigan, shall submit to the Congress its comments and recommendations on the petition for creation of the municipality.

3. Documents to support petition – The following documents shall be attached to the
petition for creation.

(a) Certification by the provincial treasurer, in the case of municipalities and component cities, and the city treasurer, in the case of highly urbanized cities, that the average annual income of the proposed municipality meets the minimum income requirement and that its creation will not reduce the income, based on 1991 constant prices, of the original LGU or LGUs to less than the prescribed minimum.

(b) Certification by the NSO as to population of the proposed municipality and that its creation will not reduce the population of the original LGU or LGUs to less than the prescribed minimum.

(c) Certification by the LMB that the land area of the proposed municipality meets the minimum land area requirements and that its creation will not reduce the land area of the original LGU or LGUs to less than the prescribed minimum.

(d) Map of the original LGU or LGUs, indicating the areas to be created into a municipality. The map shall be prepared by the provincial, city, or district engineer as the case may be and shall clearly indicate the road network within the proposed city,

(e) Certification by the LMB that disposable and alienable public lands are
available in the area to be created into a municipality sufficient to meet its growing population and the following purposes.

1. Government center site of not less than five thousand (5,000) square meters which shall include the municipal hall site and those of other government buildings.

2. Market site of not less than five thousand (5,000) squres meters, located out of view of the municipal hall, schools, plaza, and cemetery and near but not along a provincial road, railroad station, navigable river, or sea.

3. Plaza or park of not less than five thousand (5,000) square meters located preferably in front of the municipal hall.

4. School site of not less than five thousand (5,000) square meters, in well-drained location that conforms with the requirements prescribed by public school authorities, and

5. Cemetery Site of not less than five thousand (5,000) square meters for
every ten thousand (10,000) population which conforms with the requirements prescribed by health authorities.

(f) Number and nature of existing industrial and commercial establishments in the territory of the proposed municipality as certified by NSO;
(g) Sources of potable water supply for the inhabitants as certified by LWUA or MWSS, as the case may be;
(h) Facilities, plans, and site for sewerage, garbage and waste disposal as
certified by the local engineer; and
(i) Such other information that the petitioners may deem relevant for
consideration in the petition.
(j) All cost incurred in the production of the required documents shall be
borne by the petitioning LGUs.

3. Plebiscite –

(a) Upon the affectivity of the law creating a municipality, the Comelec shall conduct a plebiscite in the LGUs directly affected within one hundred twenty (120) days or within the period specified in the law.

(b) The Comelec shall conduct an intensive information campaign in the LGU concerned at least twenty (20) days prior to the plebiscite. For this purpose, the Comelec may seek the assistance of national and local government officials, mass media, NGO’S, and other interested parties.

(C) Beginning of Corporate existence – When a municipality is created, its corporate
existence shall commence upon the election and qualification of its mayor and a majority of the members of its sanggunian, unless some other time is fixed therefor by the law creating it.

MUNICIPALITY OF MATUTUM: A DREAM

How it came to be

On January 25, 1998, nine (9) barangays of Polomolok East, Barangay Cannery
Site, barangay Klinan 6, barangay Upper Klinan, barangay Lamcaliaf, barangay Palkan, barangay Polo, barangay Maligo, barangay Kinilis, held a consultative Assembly.
This was represented by the nine barangay captains namely:

In alphabetical order:

1. Ante, Rudy Brgy. Landan
2. Cadorna, Eugenio Brgy. Lamcaliaf
3. Galoyo, Vicente Brgy. Palkan
4. Garmino, Roger Brgy. Maligo
5. Gerada, Raul Brgy. Polo
6. Gomez, Roger Brgy. Upper Klinan
7. Jimena, Roberto acting chairman, presiding, Brgy. Cannery Site
8. Lima-lima, Edilberto Brgy. Klinan 6
9. Villanueva, Rodolfo Brgy. Kinilis

and the different barangay kagawads and officials, SK chairmen, officials of different puroks, NGO’s, and barangay residents. There were 159 attendees all in all.

Each barangay made a Resolution Series of 1998:

“Resolution Requesting the Sangguniang Bayan of Polomolok for a Favorable Endorsement to the Congress of the Philippines through Honorable Luwalhati Antonino Congresswoman of the First District of South Cotabato to Sponsor a Bill Creating Barangay Cannery Site, Klinan 6, Upper Klinan, Lamcaliaf, Palkan, Polo, Maligo, Kinilis and Landan into a Regular Municipality, Province of South Cotabato.”

A resolution called Joint Resolution No. 2, Series of 1998 was also drafted and unanimously approved through joint sponsorship by the nine barangay captains. A resolution entitled:

“A RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE SANGGUNIANG BAYAN OF POLOMOLOK FOR A FAVORABLE ENDORSEMENT TO THE CONGRESS OF THE PHILIPPINES THROUGH HONORABLE LUWALHATI ANTONINO CONGRESSWOMAN OF THE FIRST DISTRICT OF SOUTH COTABATO TO SPONSOR A BILL CREATING BARANGAY CANNERY SITE, KLINAN 6, UPPER KLINAN, LAMCALIAF, PALKAN, POLO, MALIGO, KINILIS AND LANDAN INTO A REGULAR MUNICIPALITY TO BE NAMED MUNICIPALITY OF MATUTUM OR MATUTUM MUNICIPALITY, PROVINCE OF SOUTH COTABATO.”

These resolutions together with other pertinent documents and records were forwarded and received by Sangguniang Bayan of Polomolok on February 17, 1998.

On February 18,1998 the Sangguniang Bayan of Polomolok made a joint-
sponsorship of Resolution No. 25, “Resolution endorsing the petition for the creation of a new municipality to be known as the municipality of Matutum, Province of South Cotabato.”

Present were:

1. Hon. Kag.Calixto B. Salada. M.D. – kagawad Presiding
2. Hon. Kag.Justino C. Norcos
3. Hon. Kag. Rogelio E. Limos
4. Hon. Kag. Ricardo B. Alerta
5. Hon. Kag. Wilfredo J. Jandic
6. Hon. Kag. Vicente S. Angcos
7. Ex-Officio member: Roberto C. Jimena – ABC President
8. Ex-Officio member: Aaron C. Andatuan – SK Chairman

This was approved on February 24, 1998, and was signed by the Honorable Mayor Atty. Jordan H. Reyes.

It was resolved further to forward the resolution to the Sangguniang Panlala-
wigan of South Cotabato. And also resolved to forward this resolution to the Congress of the Philippines, thru Hon. Luwalhati R. Antonino, Congresswoman of the First District of South Cotabato for consideration and appropriate action.

On March 31, 1998, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan in its regular session,
tackled Resolution No. 59, “Resolution Favorably Indorsing the Petition for the Creation of a New Municipality to be known as the Municipality of Matutum, Province of South Cotabato”, and approved it on its 3rd and final reading on the 7th day of April 1998 and signed by Honorable Cecile E. Diel, Vice Governor Presiding.

Present were:
1. Hon. Cecile E. Diel – Vice governor presiding
2. Hon. Nenita L. Jarabelo – SP member
3. Hon. Rene B. Jumilla - SP member
4. Hon. Eliordo U. Ogena - SP member
5. Hon. Eduardo H. Siason – SP member
6. Hon. Eduardo J. Biadoma – SP member

It was further resolved to furnish a copy of said resolutions to Honorable Congresswoman Luwalhati Antonino and Honorable Congresswoman Daisy Avance-Fuentes, House of Representatives, Diliman, Quezon City, for appropriate action.

History of the Movement

It was barangay election in 2002. Seven individuals, ( six running for barangay position as Kagawads and one close supporter), united for one major platform: to help make barangay Cannery Site become a municipality (of course, that includes eight other barangays namely:, Barangay Klinan 6, Barangay Upper Klinan, Barangay Lamcaliaf, Barangay Palkan, Barangay Polo, Barangay Maligo, Barangay Landan, Barangay Kinilis).

The group was united in this goal among others. They planned to make this a formal movement so they worked for its registration. The registration was not finished when election day arrived and only one won among the group.

The registration continued despite the aching hearts of the losing members but they continue to support the registration of the movement, until the time came when Ernesto Mondejar who is the one making a follow-up of the registration returned from Davao City with the registration having been accomplished and approved on August 8, 2002.

Ernesto Mondejar
MMM President

Factors that influence the founding of the movement

1. The resolutions of Sangguniang Bayan and Sangguniang Panlalawigan were approved on the year 1998. There was an apprehension at that time among the group that the plan might die a natural death.

2. The officials of Cannery Site and eight other barangays are changing and new officials might have no knowledge of the plan, and may not be supportive of the plan, so there must be a movement to convince and continually kindle and keep the fire burning in the hearts of these officials towards this goal.

The movement conceived a Mission-Vision Statement: “Aron makatabang sa mga opisyales sa barangay Cannery Site, ug sa walong kasikbit nga mga barangay sa ilang paningkamot nga makahimo og usa ka lungsod, kon asa pinaagi sa usa ka matinud-anon ug matina-aw nga pagdumalahan ang mga pumuluyo magkinabuhi nga malinawon sa usa ka mahinlo nga palibot.”

Translated as: “TO HELP THE OFFICIALS OF BARANGAY CANNERY SITE AND EIGHT OTHER NEIGHBORING BARANGAYS IN THEIR STRUGGLE TO BECOME A MUNICIPALITY WHEREIN THROUGH SINCERE AND EFFECTIVE GOVERNANCE THE PEOPLE WILL LIVE IN A CLEAN AND HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT.”



Aims and Objectives of the Movement

1. To help the officials of the nine barangays, namely: Cannery Site, Palkan, Lamcaliaf, Kinilis, Polo, Maligo, Landan, Upper Klinan, Klinan 6 on their struggle to become a municipality by giving information and education to their residents on the advantages and benefits derived from being a municipality.

MATUTUM FOR MUNICIPALITY MOVEMENT, INC is a support group to those who hold the positions as officials of the nine barangays in the struggle for the creation of ‘municipality of Matutum.’

2. To help maintain the ecological balance of the nine barangays for the future municipality of Matutum, so that the residents will live in a clean and pollution-free environment.

3. To instill in the minds of the residents that the future municipality of Matutum is not only the responsibility of its officials but of the citizenry as well.

4. To work for the economic upliftment of workers, laborers, and employees

5. To promote an ecology-friendly system of farming to the farmer-members

6. To promote entrepreneurship and livelihood program through cooperatives

7. To raise funds to support the activities and projects of the association