‘The initial challenge of this new coalition is confronting the expected widespread fraud in next year’s elections.’
A BROAD coalition formally launched a non-partisan and multisectoral movement called ANIM (Alyansa ng Nagkakaisang Mamamayan) last Friday at the Club Filipino. It is composed of retired military and uniformed personnel, faith-based communities and the clergy, women’s groups, youth organizations, business and professional groups and civil society. It was formed to address the three major issues of corruption, political dynasties and systematic electoral fraud.
The keynote speakers were led by Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, a retired police general, who has been at the forefront of a rarely fearless and vigorous good governance and anti-corruption campaign in local government. The other speakers were Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo, president of Caritas Philippines; former Comelec commissioner and Namfrel chairman Gus Lagman, and Atty. Alex Lacson, author of numerous patriotic books.
In his opening remarks, ANIM chairman Edilberto Adan, a retired military general, said the group “envisions a Philippines governed by a system that promotes inclusive national development anchored on truth, integrity, meritocracy, good governance, social justice and national security.”
The initial challenge of this new coalition is confronting the expected widespread fraud in next year’s elections. Systematic electoral fraud has become entrenched in the social and political culture of our society.
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Rep. Benny Abante says it’s “a tragic irony for former President Rodrigo Duterte to be speaking out against the alleged abuse of power and violation of human rights while the House quad committee is investigating Duterte’s incomparably brutal drug war that killed thousands, orphaned so many children and traumatized families.”
Abante was referring to the large police raid on the compound of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ in Davao where its head, Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, is believed holed up.
Is Duterte suffering from the onset of dementia when he urged the government “to spare the people from the unwarranted tension brought about by the reign of terror and fear caused by the authorities sworn to protect the citizens?”
Was he trying to release himself from the clutches of criminal accountability and to make the nation forget or neglect the anguished episode in the lives of victims of the EJKs that he masterminded?
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On behalf of the countless hundreds of plan holders of Loyola Consolidate Plans, Inc., may we kindly appeal to the kindness and humane concern of Insurance Commissioner Reynaldo Regalado to start expediting the long-pending 13,137 claims filed from September 20, 2023 to April 18, 2024 as part of the liquidation proceedings of the pre-need company.
Loyola Plans Consolidated was placed under liquidation in September 2023 due to insolvency. It was initially placed under receivership in March 2023 due to liquidity issues.
This columnist, whose close relatives are among the plan holders, has been informed by the executive staff of Commissioner Regalado that the master list of the claimants has yet to be verified and may be finalized by October this year. The release of approved claimants or plan holders waiting for more than five years would be decided in six months.
The chief liquidator resigned last March, which we hope will not prolong the current delay.
The Insurance Commission is under the office of President Bongbong Marcos, who has come to be known as compassionate and understanding, notably on issues like these.
