#158: Overwelmed and concerned

After launching the new abrenian.com last night, the site has been buzzing with activities. As of this writing we already have more than 130 registered users and still climbing.

The launching of the site coincides with the last day of filing for Candidacy for the 2010 Local and Presidential Elections. Already, Abrenians are reacting to the candidates in our province. Looks like a two cornered fight between the Valeras and the Lunas, with some other familiar names like Ching Valera and Mailed Molina.

For those familiar with politics in Abra, you can be sure that with the protagonists I just mentioned is a recipe of disaster. The only question is who's going to draw first blood.

I have mixed feelings, overwhelmed and concerned.

#151: Monsters

The world is zeroing in on the Philippines with the shocking massacre of at least 52 people in Maguindanao which according to the news is politically motivated. The victims are known supporters of a politician who's planning to run for Governor.

Most of the victims where shot point blank execution style and dumped in a hollow grave. And to top it all, the victims are mostly women (there were signs of rape as well) and journalists. But why are these monsters so brazen in their acts? Well for one thing they are Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's hardcore supporters (check this photo of Arroyo being so cozy with the suspects). Why not, this Political clan delivered the Coup de Grace and gave Arroyo presidency in 2004.

 This news is so horrible that it was even mentioned in a local radio station in San Diego. The announcer asked this question "What's with the Philippines? "What's so special being an elected official in that country that you kill 52 innocent people just like that?, What kind of people would do such a thing?".

Only in the Philippines that you see monsters in power.

#67: The downfall of Ex-gov Vicsyd Valera

Big news today in Abra politics. Ex-governor Vicsyd Valera has just been arrested for allegedly masterminding the killing of Congressman Cito Bersamin.

Here's the chronology of events that led to the arrest as chronicled from the most read abrenian site abrenian.com:

- Dec 16, 2006, Congressman Chito Bersamin was assassinated in front of a church in Quezon City.

CONGRESSMAN Luis "Chito" Bersamin Jr. of the lone district of Abra province had just attended a relative's wedding at the Mount Carmel Church on Doña Juana Rodriguez (formerly Broadway) Street, New Manila, Quezon City at around 5:15 p.m. Saturday when two unidentified suspects gunned him down in an ambush.

- Dec 21, 2006, Cops raid homes of Governor Valera, allied pols

Police raided eight houses of Gov. Vicente Valera of Abra, his allies and bodyguards on Friday afternoon after an arrested suspect in the killing of Rep. Luis “Chito” Bersamin tagged him as the mastermind.

Dec 24, 2006 Abra gov cries frame-up

“I vehemently deny all of the vile and baseless accusations linking me to the untimely death of the late Congressman Chito Bersamin,” Valera said in a prepared statement.

“My conscience is clear. I am the victim of a vicious and coordinated frame-up, although I am at a loss as to who the perpetrators are of these cruel lies.”

Dec 27, 2006, Congressman Bersamin is laid to rest

The legislator’s younger brother, Court of Appeals Justice Lucas Bersamin, broke his vow of silence during the funeral mass and necrological service at the Abra National High School.

In a voice that trembled with anger, Bersamin railed against Gov. Vicente Valera, the alleged mastermind in the slay

Jan 4, 2007, Valera goes into hiding: Gov claims group of ex-soldiers paid P5M to kill him

Governor Vicente “Vicsyd” Valera revealed yesterday that he is now in hiding for fear for his life after a group of former Army soldiers were “commissioned” to kill him in exchange for P5 million.

Jan 8, 2007, Abra folk petition GMA to end killings

Abrenos residing in the country and overseas have launched a petition asking President Arroyo to take bold steps in ending assassinations of politicians in the Cordillera province.

“Enough is enough,” was the opening message of the petition launched on www.abrenian.com ­- ­a website that tackles politics in the conflict-stricken province.

Jan 25, 2007, Takit Bersamin declared intention of running for governor

THE brother of assassinated Abra Representative Luis Bersamin Jr. announced on Thursday that he will run against incumbent Governor Vicente Valera if only to give Abreños an alternative choice in the upcoming elections.

Feb 20, 2007, Comelec agrees to put Abra under its control

The Commission on Elections on Tuesday agreed to place Abra under its control, granting the request made by the governor himself who said it was needed to prevent lawlessness in his province.

Mar 31, 2007, Local Campaign Kick-off: Bersamin versus Valera

Controversial Gov. Vicente Valera will be seeking to represent the province at the House of Representatives but his wife Ching, who has served as mayor of Bangued has filed her candidacy to run in the gubernatorial race. She will be challenged by Eustaquio "Kit" Bersamin, brother of murdered Abra Rep. Chito Bersamin.

May 20, 2007, Takit Bersamin formally proclaimed, Vicsyd cries foul

Outgoing Abra Gov. Vicente Valera conceded defeat of his wife Ma. Zita for the governorship of abra in what is seen as the end of the family’s almost 20-year rule in Abra politics. "We already conceded the governorship doon sa kalaban despite massive pandaraya sa misis ko.", the former Governor said in an interview with gmanews.tv.

July 12, 2007, Luna proclaimed the winner against Gov. Valera

The 20-year dominance of the Valera family in Abra politics ended when the Commission on Elections denied the pre-proclamation petition filed by former Gov. Vicente Valera against former Lagayan Mayor Cecilia Luna, his rival in the province's lone congressional race. Luna was proclaimed winner on Wednesday at the Comelec office in Manila.

Oct 29, 2007, Ex-mayor, brod of defeated bet linked to Bersamin slay

A former mayor and a brother of a former congressional candidate were linked by one of two arrested suspects to the gunslaying of Abra Rep. Luis Bersamin in Quezon City last Dec. 16.

Dec 16, 2007, Bersamin slay recalled a year after in Abra

The mastermind of the murder of Rep. Luis “Chito” Bersamin Jr., whose first death anniversary was observed on Sunday, Dec. 16 in simple rites in the province, will be revealed this week, according to the slain lawmaker’s eldest daughter.

Feb 19, 2008, Ex-Abra gov Valera charged for 2006 murder of solon

The former governor of Abra province, Vicente Valera, has been charged with two counts of murder for the December 2006 assassination of then Abra Representative Luis Bersamin and his bodyguard at a church in Quezon City, police said Tuesday.

Dec 8, 2008, Arrest of Abra’s Valera looms–Verzosa

The National Police hopes to arrest soon former Abra governor Vicente Valera with the expected issuance of a warrant of arrest against him over his alleged involvement in the killing of former congressman Luis Bersamin on December 16, 2006.

April 4, 2009, Ex-Abra gov, 2 others charged for Bersamin killing

Charged with two counts of murder and two counts of frustrated murder before the Quezon City Regional Trial Court were former Governor Vicente Valera, Jerry Turqueza and St. Leo Bello.

Aug 15, 2009, Court orders arrest of ex-Abra governor Valera

Former Abra governor Vicente Isidro Valera was ordered arrested by a Quezon City regional trial court (RTC) judge for the murder of his political rival and his police escort in front of a church three years ago.

Sep 1, 2009, Former Abra governor Vicente Valera nabbed in Makati

Task Force Bersamin operatives reportedly nabbed the elusive former governor inside Unit 3K of Hidalgo Towers in Rockwell, Makati City around 10:30 p.m., police said. Operatives of the Quezon City Police District and the Makati police served the arrest warrant.

Being arrested is one thing. The next step is to prove the guilt. We all know that everyone remains innocent until proven otherwise.

#55: SOPA

There's a new posting at the highly politicized website abrenian.com regarding the SOPA (State of the Province Address) of Gov. Eustaquio Bersamin of Abra.

In his SOPA, Gov. Bersamin sum up his achievements for the past two years in office. He talked about infrastructure, health and other concerns affecting the province.

He highlighted his on going battle to defeat the persisting Peace and Order problem. The Governor knows this very well. After all, his brother Chito Bersamin (then a congressman) was gunned down in 2006 which many believed to be politically motivated.

He said:

"So we address the problem with the only way that we know: public service at its best. Helping the poor so they will not resort to desperate measures, serving the neglected so they will not fight against us, leading by example so we end political killings – THESE, along with special projects which we have implemented side by side with the Philippine Army and the Philippine National Police"

My burning question though is what if the perpetrators are the rich and the powerful? Can we do something about it?

Already, politician are jockeying for position in preparation for the 2010 elections and once again Abra will come out gasping for breath as violence will explode.

There's no indication if Gov. Bersamin will run for re-election, go for another position or just decide to walk away. Whatever his decision may be, he will always be credited in ending the 20 year or so reign of former Gov. Vicsyd Valera.

you can read the full speech fo Gov. Bersamin here.