Glora Macapagal Arroyo's term will end in two days.

I can't wait.

These past few weeks the Filipinos have been constantly reminded by the accomplishments she had done during her nine year term as president.

I remember a common specific scene in the movies, the one which shows a person fervently washing his hands after committing a grave crime, an act which shows regret, realization, fear and cowardice - as if the soap and water would free that person from the things he has done or allowed to happen.

If there is worth mentioning about this 'historical' period, it's the political killings, corruption and various forms of deceit.

Pres. GMA this is the legacy you are leaving.

Since the COMELEC website (http://www.comelec.gov.ph/precinctfinder/precinctfinder.aspx) is taking ages to load (probably because a lot of people are accessing the site), I tried this hack so I can instanly retrieve the voter's info in 1 page load instead of two.

The COMELEC Precinct Finder has 2 stages or page loads :

1. Voter has to input information for the following:
* F U L L N A M E = firstname, middle name & lastname
* D A T E OF B I R T H = month, day & year

2. The webpage retrieves and displays the voter's info and registration details with the Polling Place and precinct number.

Using the URL below edit/replace the dummy voter's info with your own information, follow the formats of the UPPER-CASE AND LOWER-CASE letters.

http://www.comelec.gov.ph/precinctfinder/precinctresult.aspx?firstname=JUAN&maternalname=DELA&lastname=CRUZ&bmonth=12&bday=30&byear=1979&month=December

Formats for the following values:

- firstname, maternalname, lastname = UPPER CASE LETTERS, replace spaces with %20 (ex. SAN AGUSTIN = SAN%20AGUSTIN)
- bmonth = 2 digits of birthmonth = 01-12
- bday = 2 digits of birthday = 01 - 31
- byear = 4 digits for birth year
- month = January-December (first letter should be in upper-case)

If your name has spaces, use "%20" for each space, example:

Name: JUAN DE LA CRUZ

Example URL:

http://www.comelec.gov.ph/precinctfinder/precinctresult.aspx?firstname=JUAN&maternalname=DE%20LA&lastname=CRUZ&bmonth=12&bday=30&byear=1979&month=December

If you get the "SERVICE UNAVAILABLE" message just refresh the page - click the refresh button or hit F5 to refresh.

--end--

Hope this helps!

Today, nag hahanap na ng mga volunteers ang DSWD, at least nakagawa ng action kaagad. Para sa information kung paano makapag volunteer, visit na lang sa site ng GangBadoy (http://gangbadoy.multiply.com)

links:

• how to help (DSWD)
• map and info DSWD warehouse

[start quote from gangBadoy]

I was so happy.

I immediately replied. My hunch was right, my friend Congresswoman Risa Hontiveros gave my contact number to the Dept of Social Welfare and Development Secretary. I told Risa if 'the lack of volunteers' is the reason why DSWD has not sent out the relief goods then she should call me.  I know  many private citizens who are willing to help out. And voila, she did.

Many are willing to pack and sort and look for options for delivery (as groups like WhiteSpace, TulongBayan, BalayExpo, Angel Brigade, LSGH, AdMU, Red Cross have been doing since typhoon Ondoy).   Since the warehouses of DSWD are filling up with donations from overseas- then it is time they be delivered to the survivors.  Families who are recovering and desperately rebuilding their lives from the recent onslaught brought about by the two typhoons.

Sec. Cabral and I talked and she mentioned that the DSWD is open 24 hours for workshifts so she agreed for us (private citizens via our NGO: Rock Ed Philippines) to try to come up with a shift-coordination-list of, at least, 50 volunteers per day - for Monday to Friday - 3pm-11pm.

[end quote]

A nation without government (by Randy David on inquirer.net)

I admire how Mr. Randy David writes his articles: he first presents the problem, then states the facts to let his readers see the bigger picture, and then propose a logical solution or alternative. And there's always the remarkable smooth transition from one subject to another. His articles most of the time promote self-awareness, therefore empowering his audience to have a broader perspective on the topic.

I usually get turned off by (local) socio-political articles which are full of hatred and mockery. I feel that I'm wasting my time if I read something that I already knew, so I would skim through their words. The truth is I value solutions and ideas more than criticisms and hatred.

And Mr. Randy David has ideas worth spreading - most of the time better than what the government imparts.

He became my favorite after reading this idealistic statement from his article a few years ago:

"Act as if the government does not exist."

...then I knew he's one of the best.

News: House committee OKs bill abolishing NDCC (Source: abs-cbnnews.com)

(quote)

"MANILA - The House committee on appropriations on Tuesday approved a consolidated bill abolishing the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC), citing its failure to immediately rescue and provide relief to victims of tropical storm Ondoy.

The still unnumbered consolidated bill, “Strengthening the Philippine disaster risk reduction and management system,” seeks to replace NDCC--a council convened only when need arises—with the permanent National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC)."

(end quote)

Fact : NDCC has caused a great deal of embarassment to the Filipinos.

Fact: When someone says, "rubberboat" the first thing that comes to my mind is the NDCC.

...so they're planning to replace (the) NDCC with NDRRMC, quite long for an abbreviation if you ask me.

I think the real reason why they want to abolish the NDCC, aside from the fact that it sucks, is to let the Filipinos forget of the government's failure and negligence; and take note, the election is fast approaching the political candidates should get rid of the ugly truths from their "saintly" professional qualifications.

One thing to point out: it doesn't matter and it wouldn't change anything if they would replace the NDCC, with another council having the same members straight from NDCC.

That would be one ugly truth and really stupid too.