Below is another letter from one of our active email contributors, Borj M. Hope you enjoyed all his thoughts and reminders about the importance of election for our future.

~Start of Email~

WHERE ARE WE HEADING NEXT?
Tuesday, May 11, 2010 9:50 AM

From: “borj macalintal”
To: tagaborbon

Despite the frustrations for some voters due to heat and long lines encountered during the first automated election in our town, the result essentially says it all. The 2010 National and Local election is now finally over.

This leads us to the question: Where are we heading next?

Borbon electorate has finally chosen our bunch of local ‘honorables’ to run the affairs of our local government unit. As of this writing, I can already conjure clear winners even if some clustered precincts did not yield their election returns yet.

What I will say is CONGRATULATIONS in advance to all candidates especially the winners to-be… from Mayor, Vice-Mayor down to the Sanguniang Bayan members.

The conventional thinking will probably still be around for a while for those candidates who did not make it in this political race. So, for those who did not make it (as reflected in the ongoing unofficial count of election returns from clustered precincts of upland and lowland barangays), my decent advice is for you concede na lang. At least you have done your best to deliver your message to the people of Borbon, but try to consider that it would still be the electorate to decide at the very end.

I want to continue my appeal to all candidates (winning or losing) that it is time to focus on a much larger picture. The time to materialize the platforms and programs that you have had envisioned for our town during the campaign period.

CONCORDIA RES PARVAE CRESCENT … the very same message mentioned by other Borbonanon in the earlier post that I also want to sustain. WE, as BORBONANON should work together to accomplish more… now that election is over.

And I am hoping that our newly-elected local officials will deliver their promises to bring prosperity and development to our beloved town of Borbon.

~End of Email~

Monday, May 3, 2010 4:26 AM
From: “borj macalintal” <Borbonanon #2)
To: tagaborbon

Here are some helpful reminders to remember on Election Day. Please take a few minutes to read it and share with your family and friends. Note that some steps outlined below are for the precinct using automated PCOS machines. Ug para sa mga presinto nga nahimutang sa halayong bungtod like my Sitio Kaligdag-Bugon, the traditional casting of votes will apply below:

TRADITIONAL VOTING PROCEDURES (PARA NAMONG TAGA-REMOTE AREAS OF BORBON)

1.)Kinahanglan momata’g sayo sa buntag ug maligo.
2.)Ayaw kalimot ug pamainit o pamahaw para presko ang panghuna-huna sa pagpili ug mga kandidato sa National ug Local ng posisyon.
3.)Sakay ug habal-habal padulong sa presinto diin nakalista ang imong pangalan.
4.)Ayaw kalimot pagdala sa imong kodigo.
5.)Kong makita na nimo ang imong pangalan sa ‘official voters list’, pangayo-a ang imong balota sa Board of Election Inspector.
6.)Siguradoha nga nasulat ug tarong ang pangalan sa kandidato nga imong gibutaran para dili maglibog ang mobasa atol sa official counting.
7.)Kong nagdali ka, sakay ug balik ug habal-habal pauli sa bungtod. Ug kon wala, pwede usab nga maniid sa dagan sa botasyon… hahaha.
8.)Kon adunay mga binuang nga nahitabo sa imong lugar diin nagpadayon ang eleksyon, isumbong kini sa awtoridad ug kon walay aksyon nga gibuhat, itext o isumbong kini sa BMPM (Boto Mo, Ipatrol Mo)… hahaha.
9.)Ang botasyon magsugod sa alas syete sa buntag ug mosira sa alas says sa hapon.

1.) Know your precinct number.
Know your precinct number before the actual election. Ask your local Comelec or go to Comelec’s Precinct Finder at http://www.comelec.gov.ph/precinctfinder/precinctfinder.aspx

2.) Prepare your codigo.
Prepare your codigo. Prepare a list of candidates of choice before going to your precinct to make the voting process faster

3.) Polls open at exactly 7:00am on May 10 and close at 6:00pm
Polls open at exactly 7:00am on May 10 and close at 6:00pm. Try to be there before opening in case there’s a line. Remember since automated election is new, you should expect a lot of confusion and longer voting time so VOTE EARLY.

4.) Inspect ballot provided by the Board of Election Inspector
Make a visual inspection of the ballot provided by the Board of Election Inspector (BEI). Make sure the ballot is clean and free of marks before accepting it from the BEI. Do not accept ballots with marks or dirt because the PCOS machines may be unable to read them. You get ONE CHANCE to ask for a change of ballot.

5.) Use only BEI provided pen.
Use only the pen provided by the BEI in shading.

6.) Make sure you fully shade the ovals
Make sure you fully shade the ovals, or the machine might reject your ballot for having “ambiguous marks.” DO NOT check, line, cross, dot or half-shade. Make an effort to shade within the outline of the oval.

7.) Do not over-vote
Do not over-vote, otherwise the PCOS machine will not read the votes for that position. Vote only for the number of candidates allowed per position. The allowable number will be stipulated in your ballot. You may, however, vote for less than the required number.

8.) Do not fold the ballot.
Do not fold the ballot.

9.) Only one ballot per voter.
Only one ballot per voter. You will not be given another ballot if you make a mistake while voting.

10.) Make sure you line up at the correct machine.
Your ballot will only be read by one specific PCOS Unit to which it was pre-registered. Make sure you line up at the correct machine.

11.) You get FOUR tries to feed the ballot ONLY.
You get FOUR tries to feed the ballot through the PCOS Unit. You can put it in forward, backward, right side up or back side up so relax and make sure you get the ballot through in four tries.

12.) Wait for the read out to see if your ballot was successfully scanned.
After inserting your ballot into the PCOS Unit, wait for the read out to see if your ballot was successfully scanned. It should read: “Congratulations! Your ballot has been scanned.”

13.) If precinct runs out of ballot, you can cast at next nearest precinct.
If a precinct runs out of ballots, a voter can still cast his vote in the next nearest precinct. The BEI should accompany the voter after giving the latter a certification.

14.) Only the BEI can hand out ballots.
Only the BEI can hand out ballots. Not even local officials, Comelec personnel and Smartmatic technicians can interfere. Also, no one should tinker with the PCOS machines during voting time.

15.) Voters should makes sure they sign the voters’ list at the start
Voters should makes sure they sign the voters’ list at the start, and have their fingernail marked with indelible ink at the end. This is one safeguard against “flying voters”.

16.) Affix your signature and thumbprints
Make sure you affix your signature and thumbprints in the necessary forms.

17.) At end of voting period, watch the screen for voter count
At the end of the voting period, the PCOS Unit will print out the vote count on a paper, similar to a cash register receipt. The print out will be put in a sealed box and sent to Comelec for proper disposition. The machine will also count the number of voters based on ballots inserted into each PCOS Unit. Make sure to watch the screen for voter count as well as other important messages it may display.

18.) Remember, allotted voting time is from 7am to 6pm
The allotted voting time is from 7am to 6pm. Voters who are within 30 meters from the precinct or are still in line after 6pm can still vote. They should have their names listed down by the BEI. Voting should continue until everyone within 30 meters of the precinct or in line has voted.

19.) People barred from the polling precinct.
Armed police, military, para-military forces, security guards, barangay officials, armed goons and supporters of politicians who are campaigning are barred from the polling precinct. The BEI should send them out.

To: tagaborbon
Sent on Sunday, May 2, 2010 2:43 PM

As a sequel to my previous blog, I want to share my personal views on choosing the future local leaders of our town on Monday, 10th of May 2010.

Actually there is a plethora of attributes that a good local leader should possess.  Local or even national leadership is an enduring requisite especially that our political landscape is mandated by an electoral and democratic process.   But before I’ll go on further, please take a look at the four most important leadership qualities that I think we must consider in voting for our own local leaders (from Mayor – Vice Mayor down to Sangguniang Bayan Members).

Please note that in choosing our local leaders, it is necessary I believe that we must ensure to pick someone who will…  LEAD, MOTIVATE, WORK AND INSPIRE OUR FELLOW BORBONANONS.  It is essential and crucial at this point that we must choose local leaders who could live up to their promises and those who could definitely bring progress to our town.

So here’s my take.

ELECTION HINT 101: ON CHOOSING GOOD LOCAL LEADERS OF BORBON

Kinahanglan nato ang mga lider nga moatobang sa risgo sa pagdumala sa usa ka lungsod ug lider nga molihok para sa kalamboan ug kaayuhan sa tanan.   Leaders who could stand on making bold programs and project even if entails considerable financial risks and burdens “like developing the tourism sector, for one” or any other programs that would bring lasting productivity to the municipality of Borbon and the town folks.

It is claimed that higher the risk, higher is the gain. A local leader should not be living in a comfortable zone and being happy with whatever they have achieved… “kanang dili lang magyampungad sa balay lungsod ba ug magpasinaw ba hinuon sa lingkoranan sa konseho” They should not rest on past laurels. Such leaders soon lose their position and the time wave removes them from the peoples’ mind. The constant urge for innovation is one of the most important leadership qualities. It helps the leader to be in tune with the modern times and help them to face new challenges much more effectively.

Local leaders’ doesn’t accept society’s definition of what is possible, they make their own outlines. Good leaders should refuse to allow the norms and limits defined by society to guide their actions or plans. They are characterized by lack of acceptance for what you see as reality. They just don’t see the world the same way as others. Everything is possible for them despite the arduous and bumpy road to getting there.

2.)  THE ONE WITH MENTAL TOUGHNESS:

Kinahanglan nato ang mga lider nga ligdong ang panghuna-huna, adunay kredibilidad ug baruganan sa ilang kaugalingon.  Kanang dili masuko kon adunay kritiko sa ilang mga pamaagi sa pagdumala, hinuon mga lider nga kahibalo maminaw ug motimbang-timbang sa sitwasyon.

We need leaders who are mentally tough. No one can lead without being criticized or without facing tough situations. Tough-minded leaders see things as they are and will pay the price for it. Leadership creates a certain separation from one’s peers which comes from carrying responsibility that only the leaders are able to carry. Local leaders must be able to keep their own counsel until the proper time. Local leaders should possess the ability to live with criticism and not be affected by it. It is not possible for leaders to please everyone. Leaders are able to limit the impact of stress on their lives. Good local leaders should thrive on the energy of stressful situations not the negativity. They should assume control even when they don’t have it thus eliminating the stress of not having control. Good leaders should have a self-esteem and self-confidence to ride out of any tough situation.

3.)  THE ONE WITH GOOD AND DELIBERATIVE SKILLS IN DEALING FELLOW BORBONANONS, REGARDLESS OF STATUS:

Kinahanglan nato ang mga lider nga makahibalo mokiglantugi sa ideya ug opinion sa katilingban.  Lider nga katuhuan sa ilang mga pulong… local leaders who can walk the talk.  Kanang dili mamili ug atubangon… mapobre man o madato.

Local leaders need to create a system of communication for their constituents. Good leaders should possess superior skills to be able to communicate clearly the objectives and procedures required for their program of governance. They need to be good “if not excellent” in dealing their constituents and the public.  Leaders should have to be open to constructive feedback (pareho aning akong mga gipangbatbat karon, hinaot unta nga walay maglagot.) They should have the ability to convince others and also communicate their vision to the Local Government Unit and deliver it into actions. They should be endowed with the ability to inspire others to work more productively through their speech or words.

4.)  AND THE ONE WHO CAN GO THE EXTRA MILE:

We need leaders who will think out of the box ug kanang maghuna-huna sa kaayuhan sa kinabag-an ug dili kaayuhan lang sa ilang kaugalingong panudlanan.

Good leaders should always put more effort than the constituent expects from them. They should do activities that the majority won’t do. Where most leaders quit they should persevere. This serves as an excellent example to their LGU team which then strives to achieve much more.  Good leaders do not just order things; they will do it themselves so that others can do it too. They should not only motivate themselves in personal development but also motivate those around them. Good leaders should perform what is necessary to upgrade their knowledge and skills and be on the cutting edge in their field.

Anyway, I do have my personal choice sa atong mga local nga kandidato sad baya.  From the list of wannabes and aspirants for the local positions in the Municipality of Borbon, I would say that I was actually making my own personal evaluation according to an “unprejudiced review’ on the candidate’s qualities and attributes.   Though I don’t have much acquaintance with the few (not to mention) but I am applying my very own ‘non-commissioned query’ direct from the candidates’ constituency and thru’ casual talks as narrated by the neighbors of those candidates.   Gipaagi na lang nako ug ‘word of the mouth inquiry’ ba, kay mas ninot baya ning tsika sa silingan… hahaha. Uso na sad baya ron ang social networking mao nga dali ra sad pagpangutana sa akong mga friends sa facebook ug friendster about sa background sa usa ka kandidato.  Mao nga kahibalo sad mi oy sa abilidad sa mga kandidato nga naa dapit sa lungsod bisan pa ug naa mi nahimutang sa halayong bukid.  Naa na man sad signal diri sa Kaligdag-Bugon.

Yes that’s right… I am actually doing my rounds checking those candidates and knowing some facts about the integrity and veracity of our aspiring local leaders.  But please don’t quote me wrong coz’ I am just doing this with the very intent of keeping my sacred vote useful come election day.  Besides, it’s my right to know how credible those candidates are and how willing they could perform their duties if they will be elected.  So when those candidates that I have picked in advance will fail to deliver what they had promised, then, I will use the same parameters to slap those very words they have uttered ‘sa pagpangampanya pa lang nila’ right through their faces.  Tan-awon ta lagi ug dili ni sila ma-uwaw… hahaha.

Mao nga paabuton na lang nato ang resulta puhon sa local nga eleksyon ug hinaot nga dili unta kita magmahay sa mga napili natong mga lider sa lungsod sa Borbon.

~End of Email ~