How prepared is the Commission on Elections in the coming Barangay and SK elections on Oct. 30, 2023. What possible problems are expected?
In a related development, what is the reaction of the agri sector in the lifting of the rice price ceiling?
In a related development, what is the reaction of the agri sector in the lifting of the rice price ceiling?
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NewsTranscript
00:00:00 The Intruder
00:00:02 Real News. Real Insights.
00:00:06 (Filipino News)
00:00:08 Good evening, Filipinos
00:00:10 in the world, in the history of the Philippines
00:00:14 and here in San Francisco, California, in the entire Bay Area, in the United States
00:00:21 Good evening, Filipinos in the world, who are watching our broadcast
00:00:27 Good evening, everyone.
00:00:30 Today is October 5, Thursday, and I'd like to welcome you all
00:00:35 to another edition of Tulumanong, The Intruder, with your host, Ike Durrano
00:00:41 Today, we will discuss the issues that we have
00:00:46 and top of the line in our discussion tonight
00:00:51 is preparation, preparation
00:00:54 This is one of the biggest exercises of the rights of the Filipinos
00:01:02 in terms of democracy in our elections
00:01:07 and we are fortunate that we have the opportunity to be part of the Commission on Elections Region 7
00:01:16 At the same time, we have the Communic Officer in Karkar,
00:01:21 the Communic 7 spokesperson and the City Election Officer for Karkar
00:01:29 Sir Omar Shariff Delanggalin, Pamalinta
00:01:33 Sir Omar, good evening and welcome to The Intruder
00:01:38 and thank you for coming and having our invitation to join us in our program
00:01:45 Sir Ike Durrano, it's my pleasure to be here
00:01:49 Thank you very much for inviting us so that we'll be able to know
00:01:52 and also share our information, dissemination with regards to the upcoming October 30, 2023
00:01:59 Barangay and Ex-K elections and good evening to our television listeners for tonight
00:02:04 It's right around the corner, Sir Omar
00:02:09 Yes sir
00:02:10 Due to the fact that it's already October 30
00:02:15 How are you? How is the preparation for the election?
00:02:21 For the Central and for Central Visayas, Sir Omar
00:02:25 Yes sir, for Cebu Province and Region 7
00:02:28 We are on time with regards to the preparations set by ComElect
00:02:33 Now we have timelines but you were able to bid them
00:02:35 and as of now we are on the process of conducting what we call briefing for our electoral board
00:02:43 and also the deployment of the election documents and the paraphernalia that will be needed in the coming elections
00:02:50 I see. So we have not been told anything yet
00:03:00 I would like to verify from you, there is one thing that you are saying to our viewers
00:03:05 and people can hear it straight from the ComElect
00:03:08 that it's not automated, it's not included in our process of conducting national elections
00:03:15 but I think the commission on elections, if you got the initial information,
00:03:19 you will go for any manual elections for the Barangay and the Central and Ex-K elections this time
00:03:26 Sir that's partly true because we have what we call pilot areas
00:03:31 that are not ready for simulation regarding the automated election system somewhere in Manila
00:03:36 and also what we call mall voting and some areas have conducted the mall voting
00:03:43 but it's not included sir. But in general, our election process is manual
00:03:48 Okay. So what is the reason, Sir Omar, why this approach of giving ComElect experiments?
00:04:01 By the way, Sir, by last August 19, 2023, we conducted what we call mall voting simulation
00:04:08 to test whether or not if it's really effective, accessible, when we will consider malls as voting centers
00:04:15 in the coming elections and then there are actually around 12 malls that will be used this coming October 30, 2023
00:04:24 and later on, according to our ComElect Commissioner, George Erwin Garcia, in the midterm elections in 2025,
00:04:31 we might as well have this mall voting because there are around, if I'm not mistaken, 400 to 500 malls nationwide.
00:04:38 So it's good news.
00:04:39 Is this the law in the experiment, Sir Omar?
00:04:43 Yes, Sir. The mall voting simulation was done only in Robinson's Galleria
00:04:48 but then during the upcoming October 30, 2023, there will be two malls that will be conducted for us
00:04:56 which will be used as a voting center which will include again Robinson's Galleria Cebu for Barangay Parian,
00:05:04 Cebu City's first district and the other one is in Barangay Pitogo Consolation for SM City Consolation.
00:05:13 I see. So there are areas that are near Sir Omar.
00:05:21 So this is where you live, the high zone, or other schools that are located, you can vote here in the schools.
00:05:31 Yes, Sir. That's true.
00:05:32 Well, this is what we call mall voting, Sir. We have to have this what we call pilot study or test
00:05:38 so that for us to be able to determine if others will use it or not. It depends on the body.
00:05:44 We have consultations prior to conducting this if the stakeholders and the officials will agree on it.
00:05:50 And then once they agree, so that's the time we conduct the mall voting simulation.
00:05:54 So first, we have to fill out the form.
00:05:57 And I'd like also, Sir, to share this one.
00:06:00 In Robinson's Galleria Cebu, Cebu City, for Barangay Parian, there will be five clusters only who will cast their votes in Robinson's Galleria Cebu
00:06:11 and a total of 2,232 registered voters.
00:06:17 So a portion of it from the number of voting population of Barangay Parian will cast their vote in Robinson's Galleria Cebu.
00:06:24 And so in SM City Consolation for Barangay Pitogo Consolation, we have 2,424.
00:06:31 So the same also with Barangay Pande have five clusters.
00:06:36 So if you're part of Barangay Parian and Consolation, how will you know if your name is in SM or not?
00:06:48 That's a very good question, sir. We actually sent letters, notices for them to be able to know that their voting area or their voting center will be at the mall.
00:07:01 I see. Okay. So you already have a personal touch.
00:07:07 Yes sir, personal touch. Exactly sir.
00:07:09 I'm happy to hear that because you're the one who will be in charge of the school in Roma.
00:07:17 Well, I already called the voters assistance desk which is actually manned by our local area citizens arm.
00:07:27 So they will be the ones in charge in giving the precinct numbers as well as the precinct sequence of the voters
00:07:34 so that when they go to the area where they're supposed to vote, they will be able to vote in our electoral board and the process will be easier.
00:07:42 So this Barangay where the youth elections are held, this concept of Barangay elections, they're not partisans.
00:07:54 How is it? Are the designated areas of the problems in Cebu?
00:08:01 Okay sir.
00:08:03 Everything is doing well. Everything is well prepared. Every election, we will identify the hotly contested areas where there's possibility for eruption of violence.
00:08:16 Hopefully, there won't be any. Gun ban, liquor ban, everything will go out smoothly.
00:08:27 Yes sir. So in the province of Cebu and Region 7, there's no hot spots yet but by next week, most probably, it will be listed.
00:08:38 But then according to our chairperson for the committee on the ban on firearms and security concerns,
00:08:45 Commander-in-Commissioner Amy Ferrolino, she announced that they have placed around 242 barangays under the red category due to security concerns.
00:08:55 So based on the evaluation made until September 30, 2023.
00:08:59 So can I ask sir, on any date, it might be changed. Like in India, for example, the red category can be changed into yellow or orange or green. It depends upon the situation.
00:09:10 Okay. So the process, sir Omar, I think it's manual in the areas that you mentioned, like mall voting, and automated voting.
00:09:28 But manual, because Matul Pasco Miller, you're here with us tonight, he's a barangay. He's not a military. He's not just a transmitter. It's very localized.
00:09:46 That's true sir. That's why we have what we call barangay board of canvassers.
00:09:50 So they are getting from the chairperson from various electoral board. So if the clustered precinct is until 1 to 23,
00:10:00 so our electoral board that is coming is coming from the chairperson, from the chairman of the BBOC.
00:10:06 So they are all open. But if it exceeds 24 up, so we will be the first to see other than the chairperson of the electoral board.
00:10:13 They are handling it slowly and considering the fact that it's increasing, so the chairpersons will be handling the barangay board of canvassers.
00:10:21 How do you think this process is going to be, sir Omar?
00:10:28 The precincts will be open from October 30, regular, from 7 to 8.
00:10:35 If it's closed, it's the same as before, from 3, they will be open after that.
00:10:39 Yes sir. From 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. is the voting hours. Exactly the same as our manual elections.
00:10:47 I see. I still remember when I was a field reporter. This is my job.
00:10:55 They will be open from 3 to 7.
00:11:00 Yes sir. But sir at 3 p.m.
00:11:03 Yes sir. At 3 p.m. if they are lined up within 30-meter radius, our poll clerk will get their names.
00:11:11 You call them one by one. If they fail to be there, you call their names so it's forfeited.
00:11:18 At least, if they are lined up, they will be accommodated if it's 3 p.m.
00:11:23 There's a list that the poll clerk will prepare for that matter so they can vote on that day.
00:11:29 So is this expected sir Omar, that within the same day, October 30, the ballots will be counted,
00:11:38 considering as we say it's localized. In Cebu City, there are barangays, I don't know in Carcar, that are crowded.
00:11:47 Guadalupe for one, a very huge population.
00:11:51 Yes sir. Actually, we've been doing this, what we call, dry run.
00:12:00 So if it's possible to accommodate for a particular day, it's just that it's possible if there are no complaints,
00:12:10 for example, if the level is BBOC. But in counting, sir, in our electoral board, it's easy sir, no problem.
00:12:17 It's just a matter of the appreciation of the ballots that depend on our electoral board.
00:12:22 How are they going to appreciate it if this particular vote is considered for that particular candidate or not.
00:12:28 There are rules and regulations regarding that.
00:12:31 I see.
00:12:33 (inaudible)
00:12:35 Yes sir. There are items on this rule, neighborhood rules, stuff like that.
00:12:39 So what will you discuss with them during our briefing?
00:12:43 (inaudible)
00:12:52 Yes sir. Definitely, (inaudible)
00:12:56 is just that if the polling place or the classroom is too small to accommodate some watchers.
00:13:05 Our preference is, are the watchers coming from the positions of barangay captain or punong barangay and SK chairperson and of course, this is simple.
00:13:16 I see. Okay.
00:13:18 (inaudible)
00:13:23 Maestra, teachers, are you ready for mobilization?
00:13:28 Yes sir.
00:13:30 How many honorariums, sir Omar?
00:13:32 Yes sir. In the case of Carcassitie, sir, we are so prepared.
00:13:37 The list is there already.
00:13:39 (inaudible)
00:13:43 When it comes to the honorarium, it's already set.
00:13:45 There is a particular monetary consideration for them.
00:13:49 (inaudible)
00:13:51 Okay.
00:13:53 (inaudible)
00:13:55 I will grab this opportunity also.
00:13:57 (inaudible)
00:14:05 Nobody will accept defeat.
00:14:09 (inaudible)
00:14:12 There's accusation that the vote is small.
00:14:16 I think the commission elections are very serious right now.
00:14:19 What is your campaign against vote buying, sir Omar?
00:14:21 Yes sir. We have what we call a contra bigay headed by our Commander Commissioner Ernesto Macedo Jr.
00:14:28 wherein there is a committee in charge with regards to that.
00:14:32 At least, it's very clear that the commission has strengthened their possibility of trying to wipe that out.
00:14:45 (inaudible)
00:14:50 There are hotlines that they can call or send a letter via electronic or per mail, sir.
00:14:57 They can send it to the person they have seen as the one who did the vote buying and vote selling.
00:15:03 In that case, in fact, sir, we have what we call a witness protection program for those who are hesitant to return to the candidate or whatever.
00:15:15 We have that one also, witness protection program under our contra bigay.
00:15:20 So that they can be sure that when they vote, they did vote buying or vote selling.
00:15:27 Yes, so this is a guarantee from the side of the commission of elections that if you feel that you voted, you're going to protect them, sir Omar.
00:15:36 Yes sir, that's right.
00:15:38 I see. So I'm happy to learn that they are being protected because we believe that this will undermine democracy, sir Omar.
00:15:49 The voters are not the ones who are voting, but it depends on the person who is voting.
00:15:55 That's why one of the reasons why we call it mall voting is that it's better to vote buying and vote selling because there are more security personnel in the mall.
00:16:06 So if you need to, you can get it.
00:16:11 But the style, sir Omar, is better to have ten ballots, or more.
00:16:15 Or you can staple ten ballots.
00:16:18 That's really true sir. So to go back to the scenario, sir, so the common leg now is to find ways and means to be able to fight this kind of election offenses.
00:16:31 So what are the experiments that will be carried out?
00:16:38 You can look at it and once you evaluate, there's a possibility, sir Omar, that this election will be replaced by totalist ballots.
00:16:47 It depends on the scale of the experiment.
00:16:50 It depends on the scale of the experiment, sir. But our present common leg chairman, George Erwin Garcia, is really positive on using malls as one of the voting centers in the midterm elections.
00:17:05 So it's a positive point that he's considering, beloved common leg chairman.
00:17:10 Yes. Because Filipinos are going to mall, sir Omar.
00:17:15 I'm one of them, sir.
00:17:17 Sir, in the United States, there is really a need to make sure that people vote.
00:17:30 Because the reason people are afraid to vote, economic reasons or whatever, or some personal concerns,
00:17:42 like mail voting, early voting, or early voting. So is that the plan of the common leg to possibly consider the options for elections?
00:18:08 Although that would entail additional work because you have to be careful with the mail and how much you can get.
00:18:17 And I'm sure, like I said earlier, Filipinos are going to be scared.
00:18:24 They will be afraid and will face a lot of problems.
00:18:27 Actually, additional expenses, sir, in terms of effort.
00:18:33 So when we call House Bill 7576, which speaks about the early voting for senior citizens, persons with disabilities, the human resource for health and lawyers.
00:18:47 So I don't know if this has already been approved.
00:18:51 But then, the automated election system in Metro Manila, the early voting for the PWD and senior citizens, which will start, if I'm not mistaken, from 6am to 7pm.
00:19:06 So they are the first. For those pilot areas that have automated elections, sir.
00:19:11 (inaudible)
00:19:14 And my last question, I'd like to really thank you for your patience and for this information that you're sharing to our viewers here in Sunstar, Cebu.
00:19:27 Sir, how are you? Is there a case in Comelec about the challenge of Smartmatic as the provider for automated elections?
00:19:41 Okay sir. That's a very good question.
00:19:44 How are you?
00:19:45 Yes sir. There have been information dissemination sent in various social media, in Facebook, Twitter, and even in TikTok, regarding the, what do you call this,
00:19:58 that there's no, well I think, sir, with regards to the processes issued by Smartmatic, it has been evaluated by, of course, the NAMFRL,
00:20:10 and other election stakeholders, so stating their responses with that question.
00:20:15 So as to now, sir, I will just base this on the statement issued by NAMFRL and other stakeholders.
00:20:21 Okay. And I'd like to go back once again, in the Philippines, I'm not sure if I can understand what you're saying.
00:20:29 Sir, additional info, sir, when it comes to the, how many people are there, I think this is very important in Cebu province.
00:20:37 In Puno, Barangay, sir, in Cebu province, we have 2,650, and for the San Juan de Barangay councillors, we have 22,013.
00:20:49 For SK chairperson, we have 2,687, and for SK councillors, we have 16,454.
00:20:58 So, I was able to get this, sir, way back April 14 to 21, 2018.
00:21:05 So in Puno, Barangay, sir, our time is 2,487, SB member is 19,421, SK chairperson 2,550, SK member 13,358.
00:21:17 So if we are to check, sir, this comparison, sir, there is an increase in the number of those who run for the various positions.
00:21:27 Let's say for example, in Puno, Barangay, there are 163 in Puno. For SB member, there are 2,592. For SK chairperson, there are 137 and SK member, 3,096.
00:21:38 So in other words, there are more services in the public.
00:21:42 Are the democracies in the Philippines active?
00:21:46 Very active, sir. I've watched it.
00:21:49 Sir, by the way, follow-up. Are there disqualified? Are there any defiles or certificates intent to run for these positions?
00:22:00 Sir, there are ongoing processes that has been done by Comalec Manila. We are in charge of that, sir.
00:22:07 So as to date, sir, we have 3,600 candidates were issued show-cause orders.
00:22:21 So almost, sir, but in specific, we have 3,541 SEOs against candidates in the BSKE.
00:22:28 And of this number, 600 have already replied and then more than 100 of those were found to have grounds for disqualification.
00:22:37 And on the other hand, the complaints against 300 of those issued show-cause orders were found to have no basis.
00:22:46 And then ongoing, sir, every day, the Comalec main office receives complaints and then they tend to it.
00:22:55 Okay. And this will be resolved before October 30?
00:22:59 Hopefully, sir. That's the plan in the Comalec main office.
00:23:03 And then, sir Omar, I would like to thank you for your effort and time that you have given us here in Sunstar and to all our viewers in our country and in Cebu for getting information from you this evening. Thank you so much.
00:23:25 Thank you very much, sir Ike. Good evening.
00:23:28 Good evening. Our next speaker is our Comalec officer in Carcar, Cebu. At the same time, the spokesperson of Comalec Central Visayas.
00:23:44 Sir Omar Shariff, from Mamalintas. Thank you so much. Long live to you. And again, the preparation, because the elections is now around the corner.
00:24:02 The smallest political unit in the Philippines, our barangay, also referred to as our community, our government of the country.
00:24:17 Now, there are intentions to postpone the elections so the government can be safe. But the Supreme Court is the main one in their decision.
00:24:31 It is not possible to postpone or extend the elections because it is the right, the sovereign right of the people to exercise their right to choose the people they want to be the leaders of their community.
00:24:52 It is not possible to extend the elections. People are saddened by the barangay officials' actions. People are saddened.
00:25:04 They are saddened by the actions of the officials. That is the concept of elections. The election is based on the concept that the people who are working,
00:25:23 the voters will have an opportunity to hold them accountable. So this is a measure of accountability. This is the democratic government, the election of the people.
00:25:36 So my advice to the voters, the elections are near. Make a list of your public servants. Not only make a list of your public servants, but in fairness to them,
00:25:54 make a list of your public servants because the people want to know if you are a good person.
00:26:04 If you are a good person, you will be more likely to be counted as a public servant than if you are a public servant.
00:26:09 If you are a good person, you will be more likely to be counted as a public servant. But if you are not, you will be counted as a public servant because that is personal.
00:26:18 Elections are based on equal exercise of your political rights in democracy. It's equal.
00:26:32 Elections are not based on your bank account, your job, or your status in the community. You are entitled to one vote.
00:26:45 We don't count your head, your body, your body, your head. We don't do that. It's based on your own judgment. Each and every person is afforded this right.
00:27:02 That is a sacred duty as a citizen. We encourage everyone to go out and vote and exercise your right of suffrage on October 30.
00:27:16 Per information of the Tuankomission on Elections, everything is going smoothly. There are some problems that have been identified and it's going to be manual for the most part of it.
00:27:33 There are areas where the experiment is not allowed to be held. This is not allowed. The one who allowed it is Engineer Frank.
00:27:46 He said that it's not allowed. He said that it's not allowed in the Philippines. Everything is prohibited to be held.
00:27:51 It's not allowed in the mall. It's free air-conditioning. According to Sir Omar, security measures in the mall are high.
00:28:05 People are feeling secure in the mall. Hopefully, according to the security measures in the mall, the tendency of people who want to buy food will be minimized.
00:28:24 But let us not underestimate the bright side of the politicians in the Philippines. They are trying to get the mall.
00:28:34 Last night, the politicians were making a scene. They were stealing. It's worthwhile.
00:28:46 I was wondering what kind of vote buying is going on. Well, there's no private information.
00:28:58 I've been in the Philippines. I was a field reporter for a long time.
00:29:05 People were talking about it the night before the elections. They were talking about the vote buying. I was hoping that they would call the court.
00:29:16 The problem is that we are asking. How much is the vote buying?
00:29:25 If you want to blame yourself, if you want the government to be clean, you need to change your attitude.
00:29:38 If you want to blame yourself, if you want the government to be clean, you need to change your attitude.
00:29:58 If you want a clean and honest government, you should not choose those people who are in the elections.
00:30:10 Naturally, they will pay you. If you want a clean government, it starts with you. That is a challenge you should overcome.
00:30:24 If you want to be clean, you should not let the politicians clean you. You should start with yourself.
00:30:31 I'm doing this for the future of my children. I want them to be better. I will elect according to my conscience the best candidate to serve.
00:30:49 We should do this as citizens. That's my challenge to the voters. A few weeks from now, you will be given this sacred opportunity to elect our youth.
00:31:08 It might be the smallest political unit, but you should be intimate with them. You should be intimate with them.
00:31:19 You should be able to talk to them immediately. That is the community where you are living.
00:31:25 So it's important for our barangay to know who you are talking to, who you want to elect.
00:31:35 For our viewers, for those who are following Sunstar and Intruder, if you have any information or problems,
00:31:52 please open the Sunstar Cebu institution to accommodate your information. We have a vote buying there where you can get proper coordination.
00:32:06 We have a vote buying there where you can get proper coordination.
00:32:23 We have a vote buying there where you can get proper coordination.
00:32:38 We will try to contact the Department of Agriculture, appeal with our party list representatives.
00:32:58 We will try to contact the Department of Agriculture, appeal with our party list representatives.
00:33:09 We will try to contact the Department of Agriculture, appeal with our party list representatives.
00:33:19 We will try to contact the Department of Agriculture, appeal with our party list representatives.
00:33:29 We will try to contact the Department of Agriculture, appeal with our party list representatives.
00:33:39 We will try to contact the Department of Agriculture, appeal with our party list representatives.
00:33:49 We will try to contact the Department of Agriculture, appeal with our party list representatives.
00:33:59 We will try to contact the Department of Agriculture, appeal with our party list representatives.
00:34:09 We will try to contact the Department of Agriculture, appeal with our party list representatives.
00:34:19 We will try to contact the Department of Agriculture, appeal with our party list representatives.
00:34:29 We will try to contact the Department of Agriculture, appeal with our party list representatives.
00:34:39 We will try to contact the Department of Agriculture, appeal with our party list representatives.
00:34:49 We will try to contact the Department of Agriculture, appeal with our party list representatives.
00:34:59 We will try to contact the Department of Agriculture, appeal with our party list representatives.
00:35:09 [Music]
00:35:31 Okay. Welcome back to "The Intruder" with your host Ayke Dorano.
00:35:36 With us this evening, Atul Soy Macauban, our party list representative, Congressman Wilbert Lee.
00:35:45 Congressman, good evening. Good evening. Welcome to "The Intruder" here in Sunstar, Cebu.
00:35:49 Good evening. Good evening. Good evening to all of our listeners. Good evening to all of you.
00:35:57 Okay. Congressman Wilbert Lee sir, I'd like to hear your reaction when President Bongbong Marcos announced yesterday
00:36:08 that he will revoke the price cap on rice from the Marcos administration.
00:36:14 What is the implication of this to our agricultural sector and to our consumers, Congressman Wilbert?
00:36:21 Well, as I always say, this price cap is a temporary measure. This is temporary.
00:36:35 This was made by our President and the government to arrest the price increase.
00:36:41 As I said before, this should be monitored thoroughly because if it's not monitored thoroughly, it will cause shortage of supply.
00:36:51 We believe that yesterday, when our President removed this, I think it's about time because it's already temporary.
00:37:00 It's already temporary and it will reach the price of imported rice.
00:37:08 I think the prices of rice will stabilize soon. So it's okay to do this yesterday.
00:37:16 Okay. Congressman, the President takes the responsibility of agriculture very seriously.
00:37:26 So far, how do you score, how do you assess the performance of President Marcos in handling this problem, rice production in the Philippines?
00:37:39 Did the government do enough assistance to our farmers?
00:37:48 First of all, I believe that the direction of... Well, as I said, first of all, this is the direction of our President and the government.
00:37:57 I think this is in the right direction. What he's doing is right. We have seen this in the second zone now for President, agriculture remains to be his priority.
00:38:09 We're very happy for that. I think there are shortcomings, there are still shortcomings, but comparing this administration,
00:38:20 what he's doing now, comparing this to the previous administration, I think they did more for the agriculture sector.
00:38:32 The President is taking this very seriously, to the fact that he took DA, he's the one sitting there as Secretary.
00:38:43 You're right. For me, I think I want our President to be the one sitting there because I believe that the primary responsibility of the government is the food of the people.
00:39:00 What more can we ask for if the President is there. But now, just a few minutes ago, the palace announced the new appointed DA Secretary.
00:39:13 I don't know if this is... I just saw that the new DA Secretary entered and the palace announced the new DA Secretary. But for me, I still believe that it's better if the President is holding that.
00:39:31 I see. Sir, you in the party list probably knows better. That's why we'd like to ask you. There is this notion that they prefer a lot of importers wanting importation rather than producing within the Philippines.
00:39:58 What is the better recourse for our people, Congressman?
00:40:04 For me, we cannot afford not to take care of our local farmers. While plenty are saying why don't we import. If importation is cheaper, rice is better, why don't we import.
00:40:25 For me, it's not possible because we cannot depend on our food on foreign policy of other countries, which is the importation of rice.
00:40:36 Just like what's happening now, they don't want to import rice or export rice to India. We cannot rely on such policy.
00:40:51 Our local farmers, what I want to happen is we make them our food security soldiers. Meaning to say, they are our soldiers, we fight hunger.
00:41:08 Our fight against hunger, our fight against food that can reach the people, these are the local farmers that we should use and take care of.
00:41:21 For me, food security is a national security issue. Once you say it's a national security issue, automatically it should be an expense item for the government.
00:41:35 It should be an expense item that should be spent annually. Funds should be allocated annually for food security.
00:41:46 Having said that, even if our production of local rice is more expensive, we cannot neglect it because this will ensure that we can eat annually.
00:41:59 We should not rely on foreign policy or the policy of other countries when it comes to the importation of rice.
00:42:08 I see. Sir, on the part of your party list, what are your suggestions to Congress towards this end?
00:42:17 Well, we have suggested many things, one of which is the amendment. By the way, the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act, the Republic Act 10845,
00:42:30 was also principally authored by our party list during the last Congress. This Congress, we filed an amendment that unfortunately,
00:42:40 during the last Congress, we were not able to include the things that should be included. That's why in this Congress, we filed an amendment that includes
00:42:51 hoarder, price manipulators and above all, the government's accomplices. We need to amend this law and add punishment.
00:43:03 Number one, we are seeing that many cases were filed but nothing happened. Nothing was sampled.
00:43:18 This is because the law does not include price manipulators, hoarders and government's accomplices. That's why many cases were dismissed because of the government's accomplices.
00:43:37 That's why in this Congress, we filed an amendment regarding this. I'm happy because before the Congress recessed, this amendment was passed in the third reading.
00:43:52 So this amendment was passed.
00:43:54 I see. Okay. Congressman, we thank you so much for your time. Okay.
00:44:00 Yes. Thank you. We filed a House Bill 1920. We call this the cheaper rice act. We believe that this is the answer to the 20 pesos that our president wants.
00:44:15 20 pesos of rice price that our president wants and we want to achieve. I believe that this is the answer.
00:44:25 The gist of this act is just, this law, the most important and the aim of this is to take care of the price of rice.
00:44:35 To monitor the price of rice, to raise the price of rice, to ensure that the local farmers will earn.
00:44:44 If we are assured by our government that the local farmers will earn, we will not be afraid of importing.
00:44:54 If we import, the supply will be high and the price will be low. On the other hand, our local farmers should not be afraid because they have a price subsidy.
00:45:07 It means that their income is secured from the price subsidy that our government will give. That's the gist of House Bill 1920.
00:45:18 We have a lot of House Bill, partner Ike, we might run out of time if we discuss all of this.
00:45:27 Congressman, thank you so much for the time that you gave to us and may you live long. We will have you in our future programs for further concerns on agriculture. Thank you so much.
00:45:38 Thank you very much. Thank you to all of our listeners and viewers. Our office is here, open 24/7. Just message our Facebook page or my Facebook page, Congressman Wilbert Lee.
00:45:54 I'm sure you will get an answer. My dream and what I want to do and I pray that we all become winners. Thank you very much.
00:46:05 Thank you, sir, Congressman Wilbert Lee.
00:46:08 We are all excited to hear from you tonight.
00:46:13 Well, that is a big statement coming from a party list representative, Congressman Wilbert Lee.
00:46:26 This is the step in the right direction that is being taken by the Marcos administration in addressing the concerns of the Filipinos for the affordability of their prices.
00:46:44 We are happy that our government is succeeding. We are happy that our public servants are being treated well.
00:46:56 We are happy that our public servants are being treated well because that is the purpose of our assistance. We are a feedback mechanism to our policy makers.
00:47:15 We are a feedback mechanism to our policy makers. We are a feedback mechanism to our policy makers.
00:47:34 Our institutions are also waiting for feedback. Our Congressman Wilbert Lee, the real fighting chance of the Filipinos,
00:47:50 is the sustainability of the prices in the Philippines. The prices of rice in the Philippines are being monitored.
00:48:03 The prices of rice are being monitored because rice is the main source of income for the people.
00:48:23 And sad to say, we are all Filipinos, but there are also Filipinos who wanted to take advantage of the Filipinos' support,
00:48:38 but the Filipinos are not willing to take advantage of the Filipinos' support.
00:48:58 They are willing to take advantage of the Filipinos' support, but that is not good for our nation. We hope and we expect that our government is serious and monitoring.
00:49:09 We have a situation where the problems in our society are increasing because of the global problem on inflation. In the United States, everybody is affected,
00:49:28 even Europe, even the United States, the affected people are suffering. The poor people, especially the Filipinos,
00:49:42 are suffering. But the bosses are the ones who are giving the money. This is the situation. This is what we are monitoring.
00:49:56 So this is what we are monitoring and hopefully in the future segments of our discussion, we can ask the President himself, President Ferdinand Bumbung Marcos,
00:50:11 and maybe he can get a hand on this so that we can directly ask him and see where he can help our viewers and his fellow countrymen in the Department of Agriculture.
00:50:28 There's one thing I want to verify. There's a newsroom in Sunstar that was given information by Congressman Will Berkeley a while ago.
00:50:39 He said that there's a new Department of Agriculture Secretary. It's a statement from Sunstar Cebu that there's a new Department of Agriculture Secretary.
00:50:59 Maybe the President will be asked to address the concerns of the people of the state.
00:51:10 He said that if he becomes the Secretary of Agriculture, the problems of the agriculture of the state will not be solved.
00:51:20 This is the situation. This is the situation of the Department of Education of the states.
00:51:30 Now, we have a few minutes left. I will give the initial information to our viewers on what I have been enticed to do in this situation in the Department of Education.
00:51:52 I have been enticed to do this because the role of education is important to our nation.
00:52:01 That's why Dr. Jose Rizal, our national hero, acknowledged his prowess in intellect. He's bright.
00:52:17 He said that the future of the fatherland is in our youth. So the youth of this nation is in need of education.
00:52:31 How do we ensure that our youth is in a good place, that they're going to live a better life than we found it.
00:52:45 We have to make sure that our youth are educated and have a good life. So education is the solution.
00:53:01 We have to make sure that our youth are educated and have a good life. So education is the solution.
00:53:18 What you see now, the quality of education in the Philippines, recently, the unfortunate thing is that the Philippines is the ranking when it comes to the quality of education,
00:53:46 Global Knowledge Index of 2022 out of 132 countries, only 60 cities in the Philippines.
00:54:00 This is the result of the London-based Nonprofit 2022 Global Knowledge Index.
00:54:11 The Philippines is the top country, 21st in the list.
00:54:21 It's not easy for Engineer Frank to see that the Philippines is the top country in the list. In 2021, our ranking is 56th.
00:54:42 It's still very low. The following year, it's 77th.
00:54:52 So we have to see how far the Philippines can go in terms of education.
00:55:04 We have seen the problem of proficiency among high school students in the terms of mathematics, English communication, literature, and so on.
00:55:26 The problem is that the government does not have public educational institutions.
00:55:37 There are many people who have children in schools and public schools. There are many people who cannot afford to send their children to school.
00:55:54 The government is not helping. The Philippines is the top country in the list.
00:56:05 The government is not helping. The Philippines is the top country in the list.
00:56:18 We have seen that situation and we hope that the government will be able to help.
00:56:32 If our people, the individual Filipino family, are able to live through education,
00:56:43 it's better for our government to help to make that dream a reality.
00:56:51 The problem is that the quality of education index that the government is trying to reach is not good.
00:57:05 The designated Secretary of Education, who has a budget of P500,000, does not know about security.
00:57:18 He has a budget of P500,000 and he doesn't know about the classification of the funds and confidential funds.
00:57:31 He doesn't know how to vote and how to spend money.
00:57:33 He doesn't know how to spend money for the quality of education.
00:57:40 If that is so, I will be with you. I will support you.
00:57:48 But I don't know if this is safety and security or if this is a matter of insidious motivations.
00:57:59 For example, our quality of education is being handled properly.
00:58:11 Instead of your own people, your own people, your own people,
00:58:15 it's better to have a Secretary of Education.
00:58:21 We will afford Sara Duterte an opportunity to answer this issue of the government,
00:58:29 that is an intruder. But I don't know. We will give them the chance.
00:58:33 I will personally initiate contact and open up our discussion to all our listeners to give us your opinion.
00:58:44 We will discuss this budget proposition.
00:58:50 If you have P500,000, you should know that you should be the one to decide.
00:58:58 Think of it as the Secretary of the Department of Education.
00:59:02 This is your priority and thank you so much for the time.
00:59:10 I will try to get the statements from the Department of Education if they will support this.
00:59:35 This is an insidious move. We will support it.
00:59:40 We will prioritize safety for the Secretary.
00:59:45 It's up to you kids, your teachers, and your government.
00:59:52 You should prioritize the Secretary's safety.
01:00:00 But the price is high. P500,000 million engineers are working hard to make this happen.
01:00:10 For lack of time, I thank our viewers.
01:00:16 If you have issues and concerns that you want us to address,
01:00:21 just send it to Sunstar or to me on Facebook.
01:00:25 We will try to get immediate attention on your problems and concerns.
01:00:34 Allow me to end. Thank you for your time.
01:00:39 We will continue our discussion.
01:00:42 This is your host, Aik Durano Malamilip, good night.
01:00:50 The Intruder. Real news, real insights.