T he Magdalo Partylist Representatives have al-

ready Filed Forty (40) Bills and Resolutions since

they assumed office in July of 2013. Some of these

notable bills are as follows:

Hb00020 - An Act Integrating All Agencies and Of-

fices on Veterans Welfare an Act Integrating All

Agencies and Offices on Veterans Welfare, Creating

for the Purpose the Philippine Veterans Authority

(PVA).

Hb00021 - An Act Increasing the Special Group

Term Insurance Coverage for the Members of the

Armed Forces of the Philippines, including the

Members of the Philippine National Police

Hb00022 - An Act Defining “Private Armies and

Other Armed Groups”, Implementing the Constitu-

tional Provision for their Dismantling.

Hb00939 - An Act Providing for Additional Insur-

ance Coverage and Benefits for All Members of the

Armed Forces of the Philippines who are Killed,

Wounded or Injured in the Line of Duty.

Hb00943 - An Act Increasing the Burial Assistance

for Veterans from Ten Thousand to Twenty Thou-

sand Pesos.

Hb00962 - An Act Granting College Scholarship to

Students who Graduated as Valedictorians and Salu-

tatorians from Public and State-Supported High

Schools in the Philippines.

Hb00969 - An Act Establishing The Emergency

Management Agency (EMA).

Hb00973 - An Act Upgrading the Benefits and In-

centives of Barangay Tanod Members who have Ren-

dered at Least One Year of Service in the Barangay

Government

Hb00974 - An Act Providing for Security of Tenure

for All Casual and Contractual Employees of the

Government who have Rendered the Prescribed

Years of Service in the National Government Agen-

cies and the Local Government Units and for Other

Purposes

Hb03253 - An Act Increasing the Quarters Allowance

of Officers and Enlisted Personnel of the Armed

Forces of the Philippines and for Other Purposes

Hjr0001 - Joint Resolution to Increase the Combat

Duty Pay of Officers and Enlisted Personnel of the

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) from a Mini-

mum of Five Per Centum (5%) to a Maximum of

Twenty-Five Per Centum(25%) of the Base Pay of a

Private.

Hjr0011 - Joint Resolution Increasing the Subsistence

Allowance of All Officers, Enlisted Personnel, Candi-

date Soldiers, Probationary Second Lieutenants,

Cadets and Civilian Active Auxiliaries of the Armed

Forces of the Philippines and of All Commissioned

and Non-Commissioned Personnel of the Philippine

Coast Guard (PCG), Philippine National Police, Bu-

reau of Fire Protection, Bureau of Jail Management

and Penology, and Philippine National Police Acade-

my Cadets from Ninety Pesos to One Hundred and

Fifty Pesos Per Day Effective July 1, 2014 .

For complete list, visit: http://magdalo.org/site/

S enator Trillanes is the 4th Most Productive Sen-ator with 1001 Bills and Resolutions Filed, 39 of which Passed into Law. Below are some signifi-cant laws:

Congressional Joint Resolution No. 4 – Salary Standard-ization Law 3

RA 10349 - New AFP Modernization Act

RA 10154 - Immediate Release of Retirement Benefits of Government Employees

RA 10156 - Conferring upon members of the Sangguni-ang Bayan, Sangguniang Panlungsod and Sangguiang Panlalawigan, the appropriate civil service eligibility

RA 9522 - Archipelagic Baselines Law

RA 9679 - Expanded PAG-IBIG Fund Coverage

RA 10070 - Magna Carta for Disabled Persons

RA 9502 - Cheaper Medicines

RA 9993 - Philippine Coast Guard Law

RA 9593 - Tourism Act

RA 9828 - Military Service Board

RA 9708 - PNP Education and Promotions Act

RA 9994 - Expanded Senior Citizens Act

RA 9500 - University of the Philippines Charter

RA 10121 - Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Man-agement System Act of 2010

RA 10054 - Motorcycle Helmet Act of 2009

RA 10364 - Expanded Anti- Trafficking in Persons Act

RA 10587 - Environmental Planning Act of 2013

RA 10588 - Palarong Pambansa Act of 2013

RA 10589 - Anti-Corruption Month Act

RA 10591 - Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act

RA 10606 - National Health Insurance Act of 1995 (amended)

RA 10627 - Anti-Bullying Law

Bills Passed by the Senate

SBN 2869 - An Act prescribing fixed terms for the Chief of Staff and the major service commanders of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)

SBN 2875 - An Act providing for security of tenure for all casual and contractual employees of the government who have rendered at least five (5) years of continuous service in the case of national government agencies and ten (10) years of continuous service in the case of local government units and for other related purposes

SBN 3309 - An Act Providing for a Magna Carta of the Poor

For complete list, visit: http://trillanes.com.ph/

In celebration of its 2nd Founding Anniversary last February

6, 2014, the Samahang Magdalo Bato Chapter conducted a

Medical Mission in Barangay San Juan, Bato, Camarines

Sur. Barangay San Juan is situated in the lakeside area of

the Municipality of Bato where its residents have limited

access to medical services. Through the consolidated

efforts of the President of Samahang Magdalo (SM) Bato

Chapter and Vice Mayor of Bato, Mr. Alvin O. Sacueza, , the

42nd Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army and the

Magdalo Para sa Pilipino Party-List, a total of 350 residents

were provided with free medical attention and services.

In addition, the SM Bato Chapter also provided free ser-

vices such as haircut, manicure, body massage, shoe and

umbrella repair and electronic gadgets checkup and repair

despite limited resources.

The Samahang Magdalo, has adopted the program of free

legal aid by utilizing law students to entertain cases and

provide legal suggestion on a given case. This is a way in

which the Samahan integrates the issue of giving justice to

poor and marginalized members.

The free legal aid recently tested at Barangay Escopa III in

Cubao, Quezon City. The overwhelming response of the

Chapter in Quezon City emboldened the Samahan to repli-

cate the free legal aid program in other chapters. Essentially

this is a para-legal work with law students extending valua-

ble man-hour to assist pauper clients.

Under this program the Samahan will listen to the facts of

the case of the clients and if there is a need to bring the case

to the court, the matter will be brought before the Public

Attorney’s Office (PAO).

Of the issues brought before the initial para-legal work,

small claims and violence against women top the list. Small

claims involved unpaid debts and the next issue brought to

the table was on how to collect it. As regards violence

against women, it pertains to domestic affairs of the family

where the husband (usually unemployed) physically abuse

their wife.

The para-legal work was brought to the chapters due to the

random consultation made by some chapter officers with

regard to their members. Most of the issues raised at the

national headquarters are violation of RA 3019 or the Anti-

Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, involving Barangay Offi-

cials, and Municipal and City Officials. There were also cases

involving illegal arrests and the right over custodial investi-

gation.

The law students made it clear before the participants at

Barangay Escopa III Cubao Quezon City, that they can only

make suggestions or assist them with the Public Attorney’s

Office (PAO). Of course the law students are aware of the

rules in Legal Ethics as the rules on the Usurpation of Au-

thority.

It is rather in the interest of volunteerism and the love for

Samahang Magdalo that this kind of work is done in the

name of public service.

SENATOR TRILLANES’

BILLS PASSED INTO LAW

MAGDALO PARA SA PILIPINO

PARTYLIST REPRESENTATIVES’

BILLS FILED

Samahang Magdalo –Bato Chapter, conducted

medical mission

The Legal Aid of Samahang Magdalo

TechTimes Monthly Journal of Informa�on Technology

ISSUE 00 MONTH YEAR

SAMAHANG MAGDALO,

BAHAGI NA NG BAC SA

DND

In 2003, a reformist group was formed and organized by

more or less 320 officers and men of the Armed Forces of

the Philippines who upheld their Constitutional man-

date as the protector of the people and the state. They

referred to themselves as the “Bagong Katipuneros”, a

group that came out before the public on July 27 of the

said year. Wearing their military uniform, the group re-

vealed several anomalies under the Gloria Macapagal-

Arroyo administration, topped with various irregularities

in the leadership of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

With the symbol of their armband and flags associated

with the Katipunan faction during the time of Aguinaldo

and Bonifacio, the media insistently branded the group

which then became widely known as the “Magdalo”.

With the aspiration for a better government and nation,

the group took a stand to fight corruption in its every

form.

All of these took toll on them and their families, where

most members were incarcerated under the custody of

their respective military units, stripped of their ranks,

and dismissed from the military service for their convic-

tions or what they believed in.

Shift to the Mainstream

Enduring years of detention, they remain steadfast in

their belief that the Filipino people deserve a better gov-

ernment. Not giving up on their belief and learning from

the lesson of incarceration, they decided to try main-

stream politics and see for themselves if they really had

the people’s support. In 2007, the group took chance and

fielded then Ltsg. Antonio F. Trillanes IV as a senatorial

candidate and in an unprecedented turn of events, he

landed on the 11th spot among the 12 newly-elected sena-

tors of the Republic of the Philippines.

Alas, it was not a triumphant event for the group, not

even for the Filipino people to whom such victory could

have been attributed - it did not do much, for the voice

that shouts “change” can’t still be heard and remained in

the wilderness. The incessant corruption and iniquities

from various levels of the government persisted. There

was never a time to feel glorious for the exploitation of

power remained.

The 29th day of November 2007 was again a defining mo-

ment for the group. In the morning of the said date, the

so called core leaders of the group, while having their

court hearing at the Makati Regional Trial Court walked

out and called on every Filipino people to take their

stand and let their voices be heard - that it was enough.

The abuse and misuse of power under the Arroyo regime

is doffing each and every Filipino of their hope for a bet-

ter future. Sadly, people were afraid and those who had

the strength and courage to stand were taken off guard,

for the Arroyo cronies have mastered the art of foiling

people from getting together to show support. Before the

night ended, the core leaders were back in detention,

together with some of their civilian supporters, this time

under the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) custody in

Camp Gen. Crame, Quezon City.

After all their plights and the various propagandas of the

Arroyo administration and its cohorts against the group,

the latter remained unwavering of their belief and advo-

cacies. Various supports came in from the different cate-

gories and levels of the society.

The people’s manifestation of support was once again a

turning point for the group to go mainstream once more,

hence in 2008 the group formed a socio-civic, non-

stock, non-profit organization founded under the core

values of the following: a citizen with upright character,

moral courage, personal integrity, self-reliance, and loy-

alty to the country, its people and the organization – the

Samahang Magdalo (SM). To date, the SM has more than

280,000 card-bearing members with almost 400 chapters

nationwide. Most chapters are engaged in various socio-

civic activities, which include but are not limited to med-

ical & dental missions, relief giving, tree planting, sports

activities, etc.

In 2010, when the Aquino administration stepped in,

members of the group were given amnesty. Through this

measure, the enlisted personnel were allowed to return

in the military service and recover their previous ranks

prior to their incarceration in 2003, provided the officers

from the group shall not be allowed to serve again in the

AFP.

The aforesaid events were just some of the group’s mile-

stones towards its journey. In 2012 the Commission on

Election (COMELEC) recognized the Magdalo Para sa

Pilipino as an accredited contender in the Partylist

Sytem, which represents the youth, poor, and former and

retired military personnel. Together with the Magdalo

Partylist was Senator Antonio F. Trillanes IV, who once

again tried to determine if he still has the people’s sup-

port. With trust and confidence from the people, both

have won and the Magdalo Partylist was able to acquire

two (2) seats of Representatives from the Lower House.

Due to the increasing number of sub-organizations and

their members, the Magdalo Para sa Pagbabago Move-

ment (MPPM) was created. The said organization, like

any other subsidiaries of the Magdalo, is registered un-

der the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). This

is to address any legal apprehensions and concerns of

members and those who would question the group’s

existence. MPPM is considered the mother unit of the

group and it is under the helm of its Executive Commit-

tee, whose current Chairman is Senator Antonio F. Tril-

lanes IV.

Magdalo has remained a symbol for sacrifices, life, and

hope. The fight is far from being over; its advocacy for a

peaceful, united, and progressive country where there is

equality among its empowered citizenry is a continuous

struggle to this point.

Ang Samahang Magdalo at ang Kagawaran ng Tanggulang

Pambansa (Department of National Defense o DND) ay

lumagda ng Memorandum of Understanding o MoU

noong January 17, 2014 sa Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

Ayon sa MoU, ang Samahang Magdalo ay magiging ba-

hagi ng Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) bilang taga-

masid o “observers” sa pagbili ng mga kagamitan ng

Sandatahang Lakas ng Pilipinas (Armed Forces of the

Philippines o AFP) lalo na sa mga programang modernisa-

syon. Magiging tungkulin ng Samahang Magdalo na tiya-

kin na dumaan sa tamang proseso ayon sa Republic Act

9184 o Government Procurement Act ang lahat ng pro-

curement ng DND. Upang matiyak ang transparency,

accountability, at competitiveness ng procurement pro-

cess, ang Samahang Magdalo ay dadalo sa lahat ng bahagi

ng bidding process, lalo na sa pre-procurement at pre-bid

conferences, pagbubukas ng mga bidding documents,

post-qualification inspection, contract awarding, special

meetings, post-delivery testing, inspection and ac-

ceptance at iba pang proseso.

Para kay Defense Undersecretary Ferdinand Manalo, na-

papanahon ang partnership ng Samahang Magdalo at

DND sapagkat ang kagawaran ay nais tugunan ang

“capability upgrade” ng Sandatahang Lakas at ang BAC ay

ginagawa ang kanyang makakaya upang mapabilis ang

pagbili ng kagamitan na ayon sa alituntunin ng batas. Ani

pa niya, “There should be nothing that will prevent you

from doing your job as observers. Your responsibility is to

our country and to our people.” habang kinakausap ang

mga opisyales ng Samahang Magdalo. Ang pamahalaan ay

naglaan ng P83 bilyong piso para sa revised AFP Moderni-

zation para sa loob ng limang (5) taon na nagsimula

noong 2013 at magpapatuloy hanggang taong 2017. P8.6

bilyong piso ang mapupunta para sa Hukbong Katihan,

P43.3 bilyong piso para sa Hukbong Panghimpapawid,

P28.2 bilyong piso para sa Hukbong Dagat at P5.2 bilyong

piso para sa Punong Himpilan ng Sandatahang Lakas ng

Pilipinas.

Upang mapunan ng gobyerno ang kakulan-gan sa benepisyo ng mga beterano at re-tiradong sundalo, isinusulong ni Senador Antonio “Sonny” F. Trillanes ang pagpasa ng Senate Bill No. 166, kung saan maglalaan ng pondo upang agarang mabayaran ng gobyerno ang mga kakulangan sa pensyon at benepisyo ng mga beterano. Sa pagdinig na isinagawa ng Committee on National Defense and Security, ayon sa Chair-man nitong si Senador Trillanes, “ang Repu-blic Act No. 7696 ay isinabatas bilang pagkila-la sa mahalagang papel na ginampanan ng mga beterano sa digmaan at ng mga retiradong militar sa pagprotekta sa bansa. Gayunman, ang ilan sa kanila ay namatay nang hindi napapakinabangan ang mga benepisyo dahil sa kakulangan ng pondo mula sa gobyerno sapagkat hindi nakasaad sa batas ang pagkukunan ng pondo. Dagdag pa ni Trillanes, ang gobyerno ay naglaan ng P170 milyon noong 2010 at P2.9 bilyon noong 2013 para sa pagbabayad ng Total Administrative Disability pension ng mga beterano noong World War II na edad 80 pataas. Gayunpaman, hindi saklaw ng nasabing appropriations ang lahat ng mga beterano, at hindi rin sapat ang halaga nito upang matugunan ang kabuuang obligasyon ng pamahalaan. Sa ilalim ng SBN 166, ang nasabing kakulan-gan ay babayaran mula sa kita ng gobyerno mula sa mga ari-arian nito. Sa ilalim ng nasa-bing sistema, hindi na kakailanganing galawin ng pamahalaan ang taunang pam-bansang badyet upang tuparin ang konsti-tusyonal na mandato nito na maglaan ng sapat na benepisyo para sa mga beterano. “Marami pang mga bagay ang maisasagawa upang iangat ang estado ng mga beterano, karamihan sa kanila ay matatanda na, may sakit, may kapansanan at mahihirap. Nakaka-tanggap sila ng napakaliit na pensyon at ka-kaunting benepisyo at tulong medikal. Naniniwala akong nararapat silang re-spetuhin at pahalagahan sa kanilang mga na-gawa para sa ating bansa. Ang rekognisyong ito ay dapat may kaukulan at madaliang aksy-on sa pamamagitan ng tuloy-tuloy na pro-grama at proyekto para sa pag-aalaga, bene-pisyo at kapakanan ng ating mga beterano,” paliwanag ni Trillanes. Kasama sa pagdinig na isinagawa ng Commit-tee on National Defense and Security ang ilang panukalang batas na naglalayong bigyan ng dagdag na benepisyo ang mga beterano at retiradong militar. Kasama sa mga ito ang: SBN 1169 at SBN 2127 na naglalayong dagda-gan ang tulong pinansyal sa pagpapalibing; at ang SBN 638 na naglalayong dagdagan ang buwanang pensyon at tulong medikal na na-tatanggap ng mga Filipino World War Veter-ans.

With your all-out support, our continuing advocacy for change has led us to where we are right now. As we relentlessly campaign for reforms in government, we have been entrusted with the solemn mandate of representing the Magdalo Party List and be a mean-ingful contributor in pushing forward the reform agenda that we have arduously struggled and fought for. This honored representation is a golden oppor-tunity for us to aggressively take off from where we left off. From the dark years of the previous dispensa-tion, we demonstrated to the people the purity, gen-uineness and sincerity of our purpose, our vision for the country. As representatives of the House of the People, we take bold steps towards claiming strategic gains for the welfare of the people, in keeping with the time-honored principle of salus populi est su-prema lex, the welfare of the people is the supreme law. Not only have we accepted the challenge of taking the great leap forward for the people’s ultimate emancipation from the shackles of poverty, injustice, and oppression, we are taking the lead as we champi-on the cause for ethical governance, putting genuine public accountability on top of our priority list. More specifically, we have taken concrete steps to ensure that government resources are funneled to the right beneficiaries. By taking every possible opportunity to ensure transparency in government transactions, we are moving towards attaining the institutional norm provided in the 1987 Constitution that public office is a public trust, where ultimately, in a democratic State such as ours, only the sovereign will of the sovereign Filipino people should prevail. Lest our efforts be for naught, be assured that we shall be working doubly hard to help realize our vi-sion for the country – one that is a truly just and hu-mane society, one that is stable and progressive, one that is peaceful, safe and orderly. Also, we shall strive hard to ensure that the strategic gains we at the Mag-dalo Party List have so far achieved translate to the empowerment of every citizen, benefit the organiza-tion and the people in general. To all of you, let us remain consistent, firm and reso-lute in our convictions. Thus as we face the onslaught of many more tests and trials, may we not shrink from our responsibility, may we not turn our backs from our solemn pledge, may we not skip responsi-bility, may we not fail in fulfilling with our covenant with the people, may we not slumber and fail to prove equal to our constitutional task of responsible citizenship. Thus, I challenge all of you to be part of the positive, progressive and developmental change, within yourselves, your communities and the society at large. You are the very embodiment of the solution that we all have been aspiring for. In your hands lie the fate and future of this country. By opening your eyes to issues that beset the country, you are widening your horizon, you are expanding your perspectives and you are liberating yourself from the bondage of igno-rance, poverty, indifference. The fulfillment of your commitment to the organiza-tion and to the country is when you live a life that is steeped in our core values and in our code of con-duct. Finally, permit me to thank all of you for your heart-warming support for my mistah, Senator Antonio F Trillanes IV and the Magdalo Party List. Rest assured that we shall remain steadfast in our pledge as your servant leaders in the fervent hope that your continuing support of the ideals of Magdalo Party List will spread like wildfire and bring about a confluence of change that make this country great again.

Naging kasapi na ng Marikina City Disaster Volunteer Group ang

Team Kawal ng Samahang Magdalo,Marikina Chapter. Sa isang

simpleng seremonya na pinangunahan ni Marikina City Disaster

Risk Reduction and Management Office Head Kristin M. Roxas at

sinaksihan ni Mayor Del R. de Guzman at Vice Mayor Fabian I.

Cadiz ay pormal na ipinakilala sa madla ang komposisyon ng itina-

yong grupo. Isinagawa ito sa bulwagan ng Pamahalaang Lungsod ng

Marikina noong Disyembre, 2013 at dito ay opisyal na itinalaga ang

Team Kawal ng lungsod ng Marikina bilang bahagi ng City Disaster

Plan and Contingency program. Kasama rin sa programa ang Philip-

pine Red Cross-Rizal Chapter, 15th Infantry Division, Philippine

Army-Ready Reserve, Kabalikat Civicom, Rovers Scout, Lions Club

at Punla Humanitarian Group.

Bago nito, ay sumailalim ang Team Kawal kasama ang iba pang

kabahaging grupo sa serye ng mga pagsasanay noong taong 2013 sa

Water Search and Rescue, Earthquake,Landslide Search and Rescue

Orientation Course, Basic Fire-Fighting Course, Incident Command

System Course at Volunteer Management Course. Ang nasabing

programa ay pinondohan ng Australian Government sa ilalim ng

Australian Aid at pinamahalaan naman ng VSO-Bahaginan, isang

volunteer management group na nakabase sa United Kingdom.

Ibayong pagsasanay ang aakibatin ng Team Kawal at mga kasamang

grupo sa mga susunod na araw upang mas paigtingin ang kahusa-

yan at kasanayan sa pagliligtas ng buhay lalo na at papalapit na ang

panahon ng tag-ulan at ditto unang lulunsad ang pinagsamang

Makikita sa litrato ang pamamahagi ng relief goods na kinalap

ng Samahang Magdalo para sa mga biktima ng mapaminsa-

lang bagyong Yolanda sa Visayas area. Ang samahan ay

agarang tumulong sa mga taga Leyte, Samar at Iloilo pagkata-

pos ng sakuna kung saan marami sa ating mga kababayan ang

naapektuhan.

Ang Samahang Magdalo ay walang tigil sa pagtulong sa gitna

ng anumang sakuna. Noong niyanig ang isla ng Bohol ay na-

roon din ang samahan upang mamahagi ng tulong sa mga

naapektuhan ng mapaminsalang lindol. Maging sa armadong

bakbakan ay nakahanda ang grupo upang makatulong sa mga

apektadong mamamayan.

Ang Zamboanga seige ay isang karanasan na lalong nagpatibay

ng adhikain ng Magdalo dahil doon naipakita ang determi-

nasyon ng mga volunteers na pasukin ang mga kritikal na

lugar para lamang maghatid ng ayudang tulong sa mga

apektadong residente.

Sa anumang kalamidad, gawa man ng tao o kalikasan,

makikita at mararamdaman ang kabayanihan ng mga kasapi

ng Samahang Magdalo upang magbigay ng suporta sa mga

nangangailangan.

Ang Team Kawal ng Samahang Magdalo-Marikina habang

nagsasanay sa Boy Scout Camp sa Lungsod ng Marikina

Magdalo-Marikina,

kabilang na sa City

Disaster Group

Samahang Magdalo sa Gitna ng Trahedya dulot ng Yolanda

Kulang na Bene-pisyo at Pensyon ng mga Beterano Ibigay Na, Iginiit ni Senator Trillanes

REGAINING THE PEOPLE’S TRUST

(This article was written on October 23, 2013 and re-

leased to the media, in reaction to the September 14-

27, 2013 nationwide survey conducted by Pulse Asia.)

I consider the current trust ratings of the country's

major government institutions and highest officials,

most notably those of the House of Representatives

and that of the Speaker, as TRANSIENT. Meaning,

they are temporary and can therefore be further

improved. But with some issues left unaddressed,

we may see these trust ratings further slide down.

For now, these numbers have been dragged down

by the raging issue on the misuse of government

funds under the Priority Development Assistance

Fund (PDAF) scheme. Although addressing this

issue may temporarily improve the trust rating of

the House and the Speaker, these are not what we

may call BEDROCK foundations.

I must hasten to add, though, that Speaker Sonny

Belmonte's dismal personal trust ratings are rather

unfair to the man - and to my mind, undeserved.

The issue really is TRUST, or more pointedly, the

LACK OF TRUST on the House of Representatives

as an institution. So the question that begs is, what

is/are the SOURCE(S) OF DISTRUST of the House

of Representatives? Answering this question, I be-

lieve, is not only important for a neophyte like me,

but more important for those who currently lead

the House now: both would want to have the insti-

tution seen with more respect in the eyes of our

people.

The issues that the House need to address are the

following:

(1) The perception of widespread misuse of public

funds through the pork barrel system previously

availed of both by Senators and Congressmen;

(2)The view that the House, more than the Senate,

is the domain of political dynasties;

(3) The oft-observed problem of absenteeism

(although of late, in my own personal observation

of the House's first four months in session, quorum

has not been a problem);

(4) The misdeeds of several individual congress-

men;

(5) Mediocrity - rather than excellence - exhibited

by many a Representative in the performance of

their official duties (be it in the plenary, during

committee hearings, and in other avenues).

All this preoccupation with trust ratings must not

only be a superficial attempt at sensing the people's

pulse, but more profoundly, a deeper and more in-

trospective look into what remain as hurdles for the

lower House to truly become a more TRUSTED -

and therefore, more EFFECTIVE - national institu-

tion. TRUST, I believe, is the single biggest virtue

that the House and all its members must restore to

itself - if it is to be an effective vehicle of national

development, social justice, and peace.

The House, after all, should truly be the "House of

the People, for the People, and by the People" (with

apologies to Abraham Lincoln).

MESSAGE

First of all, I would like to congratulate the editorial

staff of Ang Magdalo: Pahayagan ng Bagong Ka-

tipunan, on the publication of its maiden issue.

This quarterly newsletter is intended to update

Magdalo members and supporters all over the Phil-

ippines and even those outside the country. It is

also through this newsletter that the different or-

ganizations under the umbrella of the Magdalo Para

sa Pagbabago will post their previous activities,

their present undertakings, and their future plans .

On the side of Samahang Magdalo (SM), the plan is

to continue with our basic thrust of spreading our

Core Values and our Code of Conduct. We have

already reached Three Hundred Fifty six (356) ac-

credited and recognized chapters and almost Three

Hundred Thousand (300,000) card bearing mem-

bers as of this date. Despite this, we will still double

our efforts to visit as many areas as we can and

plant the seed of our ideals in order to effect social

change.

In the past, the SM, in partnership with the office of

Senator Antonio F Trillanes IV and with other pri-

vate and government organizations conducted nu-

merous socio-civic activities like medical and dental

missions, relief operations, food distribution pro-

grams, blood-letting, “brigada eskwela”, tree plant-

ing activities and many more. We also help in the

implementation and identification of beneficiaries

for the Medical Assistance and Scholarship Program

of the office of Senator Trillanes. With the election

of two Congressmen under the Magdalo Para sa

Pilipino Party list, these established programs will

surely be expanded.

As of the present, the organization has already

made an initial coordination with various govern-

ment agencies for our members to be empowered

and capacitated. We already made a call to the De-

partment of Interior and Local Government (DILG)

office for the Chapters all over the country to help

in the implementation and monitoring of the Bot-

tom-Up Budgeting (BuB) Program of the Agency.

Similar action is being eyed with the Department of

Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) with

regard to their National Greening Program (NGP)

which has a work-for-food livelihood component.

We are also aiming our sight on the Bureau of Fish-

eries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and the Cli-

mate Change Commission for the same objective.

Right now, we are also helping the Magdalo Party

list in identifying beneficiaries for the job placement

program of the Department of Labor and Employ-

ment (DOLE).

It is also worthy to mention that the Bids and

Award Committee (BAC) of the Department of Na-

tional Defense (DND) invited the Samahang Mag-

dalo to act as an Observer in the bidding process of

procuring equipment and services of the Armed

Forces of the Philippines (AFP). This is in compli-

ance with Republic Act 9184 or the Government

Procurement Reform Act.

In our own little way, we will continue to contribute

for the improvement and reformation of our coun-

try. As the President of our Samahan, I am urging

all members to keep steady on our track, keep pace

with our march, and remain consistent with our

fight.

Mabuhay ang Samahang Magdalo! Mabuhay ang

Sambayanang Pilipino!

Hindi ko pwedeng sabihin sa iyo na “basahin mo ito, dahil im-

portante ito”. Ang halaga po nito ay masasabi mo lang kung nauna-

waan mo na ang kabuuan. Katulad din ng ilang mga bagay o tao sa

buhay mo, na isang araw nasusumpungan mo lang ang kahalagahan

kung wala na sila sa piling mo. Oy, Senti Mode.

Kung busy kang tao, malamang hindi mo po mapansin ang article

na ito. Ok lang, hindi naman nito mababago ang pag-ikot ng ating

mundo. Pero sana, kahit busy ka, hindi mo makalimutan ang mag-

ing masaya. Sana.

Maikli lang ang buhay. “Life is short”, ‘ika nga. Iba’t-iba ang paraan

ng bawat tao sa paggugol nito. Marami ang aligaga. Meron din na-

mang patunga-tunganga. Marami ang busy-busyhan. Isang katerba

naman ang “cool” lang. Bawat tao, kanya-kanya ng dahilan. Ang

importante, mayroong pinag-uukulan.

Maikli ang buhay pero mahaba ang panahon. Tanong, paano mo po

titignan ang pitong (7) taon na pagkakakulong? Lalo bang umikli

ang buhay o mas humaba ang panahon? Kung sa exam pa, eto ang

mga tanong na mabuti pa ay pansamantalang iwanan. Dahil ang

gusto mong sagutin ay kung may dahilan ba ang pagkakakulong o

ito ba ay may kabuluhan? Tama? Korek. Thank you.

Kahit sinong sundalong Magdalo ang tanungin mo, isa lang po ang

isasagot sa iyo, ang kanyang pagkakakulong ay may mabuting dahi-

lan at puno ng kabuluhan. Ang tumayo at manindigan laban sa tin-

aguriang “most corrupt administration the Philippines ever had” ay

hindi isang biro o laro lamang. Pwede mo po i-try kahit one time

lang, ma-experience man lamang.

Marami ang nagtiis ng kulang tatlong (3) taon, madami ang nagdusa

ng higit limang (5) taon katulad po ni dating Air Force Lieutenant

na ngayon ay Magdalo Partylist Congressman Ace Acedillo, at may-

roon din na ang sakripisyo ay umabot ng humigit-kumulang pitong

(7) taon katulad po ni dating Navy Lieutenant Senior Grade Antonio

Trillanes at Marine Captain Gary Alejano na sa ngayon po ay Sena-

dor at Magdalo Partylist Congressman na, ayon sa pagkakasunod.

Sa mga panahong iyon, ang bawat isa po ay bumalik at “humalik sa

lupa”. It really was a very humbling experience. Noon po namin

naranasan kung ano ang pakiramdam ng maging “walang-wala”.

Pero katulad ng mga bata na tumatakbo at nadadapa, mas magan-

dang makita ang mga bumabangon kaysa ngumangawa. Noon din

po namin naunawaan na kahit anong plano ang maisip mo, may

mas malaking plano ang Diyos para sa iyo.

Makalipas po ang sampung (10) taon, heto na ang Magdalo ngayon.

Maa-update ka ng newsletter na ito. Swerte na ako kung nagbasa ka

hanggang dito, ngayon pa lang kasi ako babati at magpapasalamat

sa mga nag-isip, gumawa, at nagpalaganap ng pahayagang ito. Actu-

ally, sa pagbabasa mo nakasalalay ang pagsusulat ko sa susunod na

issue nito, konti na lang ang ipagtitiis mo, tapusin mo na siguro,

please naman. Sa Editorial Staff at sa buong pamilya ng Magdalo,

saludo ako! Congratulations!

Consistent po sa ating nakaraan, ang Magdalo po ay hindi nawawa-

lay sa mga gawaing nasimulan, at hindi din nakakalimot na

lumingon sa pinanggalingan. Hindi man po seryoso sa bawat oras at

araw ng maikli nating buhay, pero sa haba ng panahon tayo po ay

namulat sa pangangailangan ng ating bayan at mga kababayan.

Nakita po natin at naramdaman na marami sa ating mga kapwa

Filipino ang naghahangad ng pagbabago. Dahil dito, ninanais po ng

Magdalo na maintindihan, maisabuhay, at maipalagananap ng

bawat isa sa abot ng ating makakaya ang pagtulong sa kapwa,

pagkakaisa, bolunterismo, bayanihan, sakripisyo, at responsibilidad.

Kabalikat po natin dito ang dalawang (2) grupo ng Volunteers, ang

Dugong Magdalo na binubuo ng mga sundalong involved sa

Oakwood at Manila Peninsula incidents, at ang Samahang Magdalo

na nagmula po sa hanay ng mga kapatid natin sa civilian sector. Sila

po ang naglilingkod sa ating mga kababayan sa pamamagitan ng

ating mga medical missions, blood-letting activities, food distribu-

tion programs, tree-planting activities at kahit rescue and relief

operations. Ang Magdalo po ay naging katuwang ng bayan noong

panahon ng Ondoy, Pablo, Habagat, at Yolanda.

Noong mga bata tayo, ilang beses na ba natin narinig ang mga rekla-

mo ng ilan sa mga nakakatanda sa atin, “noong araw… kesyo gan-

ito…ganun, ngayon naman, ganito…ganyan!” Ipapasa ba natin yung

mga reklamo na iyon sa mga susunod na henerasyon? Magiging

boses ba natin yung mga ayaw nating madinig? Or we can at least

try to end the cycle of pain? Remember, life is short. Sakripisyo.

Responsibilidad. Para sa pagbabago. Para sa Pilipino.