Aftermath of Philippine Politics - Sibale Style
By Limuel Cipriano

      May 14, 2001 is another election date to reckon by. Unfortunately this brought losers for some candidates. Words that some put up a very good fight but their best is not enough. Two weeks before the election, some are very confident in securing electoral victory. Popularity-wise, some names become a household word. The slogan, "Yes, Sibale for a Change", captured the large segment of mainstream Sibalenhon, especially the poor. It spread like wildfire. It is the clarion call of the majority of Sibalenhon. It drove opponents into panic and was considered  as a serious threat in their stay and cling to power. Convinced of the strong political showing, opponents relied on their effective and tested weapon: the power of money!

      Thus, one week before judgment day, whatever optimism these candidates has, it started to subside when opponents began to pursue a "carrot and stick policy". The poor and hapless electorate were dangled and lured by the glitter of money. Who can resist to its power when one's stomach is aching in hunger? Of course, it has no effect on some well-meaning person, but how about the poorest among the poor? Majority of them will definitely succumb to its power.

      Political concession were made just to ensure additional votes. Weak-hearted followers of sincere
candidates were not spared in their vote-hunting spree. They were offered governmental position in exchange of their vote. Barangay chairpersons were blinded by the sight of Suzuki motorcyles. Easily,  some barangay chairperson suddenly switched side. Under this circumstances, some candidates grip in the electorate is beggining to loosen up. And the dream for a desired elected offices will just remain to be an elusive dream.

      At first the money came in trickles, and later on it came in torrents. An avalanche of sort. Four days before the election, the helicopter of provincial candidates visited Sibale two times and in that two occassions substantial amount of money landed in the lap of local politician to bribe our kasimanwa of their sacred vote. Money becomes a weapon to secure power.

      The effect of money is so devastating. Moral scruples crumpled to the ground. Some relatives of the candidates from both sides became amnesiac about their blood-relation. Some of their sympathizers for about 43 days were no longer in the camp. They fled to the fence when financial goodies started to pour in. At this juncture, the campaign kitty is virtually empty. The party's congressional standard bearer's  promise to help these candidates  in defraying the election expenses remains a mere promise. It never came.

      In effect, the power of money catapulted the other party in controlling the mayorship. It is almost a
decade now that money is their main weapon in securing their grip to power. Forget about platform of
government. It has no place in the hungry stomach of our kababayan. Although sincere candidates has plenty of platforms but it cannot satiate the always empty stomach of some of our kasimanwa. For them what is important are few wads of money in P500 and P1000 bills that will somehow temporary compensate for the perrenial poverty they are facing. Pity are the poorest among the poor, they are the very unwilling victims of this exploitation.

      From the looks of it; a clean and honest election is just another elusive dream. The stark reality is: If
you do not have money, forget about politics.

      But setting aside the financial bonanza that opponents has, it cannot be denied that one factor that led to the defeat of candidates who have the talent and willing to serve the people is the lack of: ECONOMIC POWER. People looked at those who can cater to their personal needs rather than looking at what is good for the community. For the poor they are the primary source of whatever basic commodities needed in their everyday living. The bare table of our "kapus-palad nak kasimanwa" can be easily filled up by the assistance extended to them by those politician/busnessmen. Either it is "Utang" or what, it makes no difference. To them what is important is that those politician were there in times of their need.  Thus, unless the mainstream Sibalenhon is freed from the bondage of poverty, a clean and honest election for aspiring candidates is just an ELUSIVE DREAM.

Communications Technology Comes to Sibale
By Limuel Cipriano
      
      Innovations in communications arrives in Sibale. This achievement was accomplished through the ingenuity of Julius Fabreag, son of the late Manfredo Fabreag and  Limuel Cipriano where they installed a communication facilities in the island. By doing so, domestic and long distance telephone calls from and to the island are now possible.

      The communication system consist of a Motorola bag-type three- watt cellular phone  installed  in Mt. Banderahan, the highest mountain in the island.  Weak signals emitting from nearby cellsites is amplified by the use of external antenna designed by Julius Fabreag and installed  seventy five feet above the ground. To communicate to the town proper,  two duplex type VHF radio were installed; one duplex in Banderahan and one duplex in the town proper. The availability of a duplex type VHF radio in Mt. Bandrahan and in the town proper make crossover talk possible, eliminating the monotonous and annoying words of  "over" "roger and out" used in a conventional two-way radio communication.

      Placing a call to Sibale can be readily answered in the "radio room" in the town proper located in the residence of Julius Fabreag.   Initiating a call from Sibale, a technician from Mt.Banderahan will do the dialing. This system is not yet state-of-the art technology, but certainly a product of Sibalenhon ingenuity. Some of our fellow Sibalenhon such as  Rico and Bede Rafols have already used the system and it works. To make a call to Sibale dial (0)973583825 and ask  for Enteng Fajutagana in Mt. Banderahan and Jun Fabreag, brother of Julius Fabreag in the town proper.

      Another project that currently is in process is establishing an interbarangay communication network. Its technical feasibility has been already proven and tested. A "REPEATER" was installed in Mt. Banderahan that serves as aerial linkage to all VHF radios to be installed in every barangay hall. Without the repeater VHF communication in SIBALE (imagine the natural barrier) is virtually impossible. Request for assistance and donation from well-meaning kababayans abroad have been sent for VHF radios and accesories. Flosie Famarin currently station in the Middle East   already responded to this request. Rico Rafols donated battery charger and heavy duty car battery which are now being used in Mt. Banderahan for our power requirement. More donated equipment hopefully are expected to come.

      After this communication infrastructure, efforts are now being focused on the improvement of  the
television signals in the town proper. Again, using the majestic heights of Mt. Banderahan (signals from all local channels 2,4,5,7,9,11 and 13 are very clear), this group of talented Sibalenhons are contemplating the use of a TV wireless transmitter from this point and downconverter (decoder) in every  ubscriber/household. Literature about this gadgetry was sent to Rico Rafols for possible acquisition and Jose Rafols for research  about equipment and software on "WIRELESS INTERNET".