Comes the knotty part. Last week three of the commissioners, sitting as one of two divisions, said that Haresco is not marginalized as the small and medium entrepreneurs he represents. This is because he has a “long list of businesses.” But of course Haresco has several ventures. That’s because he grew his initial capital many times over in the last three decades. In the process he formed Kasangga to microfinance dozens of cooperatives — of market vendors, farmers, tricycle drivers, masseurs, and handicraftsmen.

Just because Haresco has more money in his pocket doesn’t mean he cannot represent the little folk he has led for years. If that were the rule, then labor sector reps in Congress cannot sit for workingmen since they are not laborers but full-time union administrators.

Haresco, made the manifestation as he filed House Resolution No. 146 which expresses unequivocal support to President Aquino’s socio-economic agenda and his call for greater transparency and good governance.

“There is a need to call for national unity regardless of political party, affiliation and sectoral organization to work together for meaningful change and push forward the socio-economic agenda of the President;” he said.

“We call upon all the sectors of the society to rally behind and give their full support to the administration of President Benigno C. Aquino III to pave the way for national development and prosperity of the country,” he added. (By Ally Salazar)
In his first State of the Nation Address, Haresco noted that President Aquino has offered hope to people with a promise of “better governance, more public services, and improved transparency in government transactions.”

President Aquino has also underscored the need for job creation through increased public-private partnerships, expansion of PhilHealth coverage, eradication of red tape in government transactions and active participation of local government units in the national development.

Haresco said that President Aquino’s call for strong public-private partnership is a “creative approach” to source the much-needed funds to resolve the lingering national problems in education, agriculture, health, defense and the lack of infrastructures.

MANILA, Philippines – Party-list group Ang Kasangga sa Kaunlaran said yesterday the Commission on Elections (Comelec) no longer has jurisdiction over its nominee, Teodorico Haresco, so the ruling of its First Division to disqualify him “has no legal basis and must be withdrawn.”

In a statement, Ang Kasangga said the Comelec’s First Division “no longer has jurisdiction to hear and pass upon the qualifications” of Haresco.

The party-list group said the Comelec, sitting as the National Board of Canvassers, already proclaimed it last May 31 and awarded it one seat in the House of Representatives after bagging 296,368 votes “representing the clear mandate bestowed to Ang Kasangga to represent its constituents.”

“This proclamation has been reaffirmed on June 23, 2010, when the chairman and commissioners of the Comelec… issued the certificate of proclamation of Teodorico Haresco,” it added.

Ang Kasangga argued that the proclamation declared Haresco as its “qualified nominee” to sit as House representative and “to serve for a term of three years ending June 30, 2013 in accordance with Section 7, Article VI of the Constitution.”

“It is undisputed that Rep. Haresco was already proclaimed, took his oath of office, and assumed office as member of the House of Representatives last June 30, 2010,” it said.

“Hence, it is the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal and not the Comelec which has sole and exclusive jurisdiction to pass upon the elections, returns, and qualifications of its members. This is explicitly provided in Article VI, Section 17 of the Philippine Constitution,” it added.

Ang Kasangga said the Senate and the House of Representatives should each have an electoral tribunal which serves as the sole judge of all contests relating to the election returns, and qualifications of their respective members.

Ang Kasangga said Haresco is a “bona fide member (who) comes from the ranks of micro-entrepreneurs,” the sector that the group said it represents.

“He has started micro-enterprises that proved successful and generated livelihood and employment for hundreds of individuals and their families. He has worked in various programs and projects that alleviated the plight of micro-entrepreneurs through the provision of capital, training, education, and support services,” the group added.

The Comelec’s First Division has granted the petition of various groups to disqualify Haresco, citing his business interests that supposedly made him ineligible to represent the marginalized sector of small and micro-entrepreneurs.

Haresco has filed a manifestation with the Comelec seeking to declare the First Division’s ruling “moot and academic.”

“Rep. Haresco is prepared to hail the Comelec to the Supreme Court in order to protect the interest of Kasangga sa Kaunlaran Inc. and its constituents,” the group said.

Source:

http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=593238&publicationSubCategoryId=67

The COMELEC En Banc sitting as the National Board of Canvassers already proclaimed Ang Kasangga as a winning party list in the May 10, 2010 elections last May 31, 2010. Based on the canvassed results of the May 10, 2010 party list elections, Ang Kasangga garnered 296,368 votes representing the clear mandate bestowed to Ang Kasangga to represent its constituents.

This proclamation has been reaffirmed on June 23, 2010, when the Chairman and Commissioners of the COMELEC, sitting En Banc as the National Board of Canvassers for the Party List System in the National and Local Elections of May 10, 2010 issued the Certificate of Proclamation of Teodorico Haresco. The proclamation declared Rep. Haresco as “a qualified nominee of Kasangga sa Kaunlaran, Inc. to sit as representative in the House of Representatives of the Congress of the Philippines, and to serve for a term of three (3) years ending June 30, 2013 in accordance with Section 7, Article VI of the Constitution”.

It is undisputed that Rep. Haresco was already proclaimed, took his oath of office, and assumed office as member of the House of Representatives last June 30, 2010. Hence, it is the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal (HRET) and not the COMELEC which has SOLE and EXCLUSIVE jurisdiction to pass upon the elections, returns, and qualifications of its Members. This is explicitly provided Article VI, Sec. 17 of the Philippine Constitution which states:

“The Senate and the House of Representatives shall each have an Electoral Tribunal which shall be the sole judge of all contests relating to the election, returns, and qualifications of their respective Members.

Rep. Haresco is a bona fide member of Kasangga sa Kaunlaran, Inc. and comes from the ranks of micro-entrepreneurs. He has started micro-enterprises that proved successful and generated livelihood and employment to hundreds of individuals and their families. He has worked in various programs and projects that alleviated the plight of micro-entrepreneurs thru the provision of capital, training, education, and support services.

Rep. Haresco has filed a manifestation pointing out that the disqualification case filed against him before the COMELEC has already become moot and academic. Rep. Haresco is prepared to hail the COMELEC to the Supreme Court in order to protect the interest of Kasangga sa Kaunlaran, Inc. and its constituents.

Kasangga party-list Rep. Teodorico Tumbocon Haresco with re-elected Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim (second from left), the host and guest of honor of the Tuesday Club at its regular breakfast meeting at the EDSA Shangri-la Manila last July 6. Also shown (from left) are former press secretary and Manila Bulletin editor-in-chief Crispulo Icban, Jr., STAR managing editor and Tuesday Club chairman Antonio Katigbak

However, the poll body has not yet proclaimed the representative of Ang Galing Pinoy (AGP), the party-list group which named presidential son and outgoing Pampanga Rep. Juan Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo as its first nominee.

AGP was earlier awarded one congressional seat with 269,009 votes. Comelec chairman Jose Melo had said that Arroyo would not be allowed to sit until all the pending disqualification cases against him have been resolved. He likewise said that AGP has the choice to replace Arroyo with its other nominees if they want to.

AGP’s second and third nominees are Dennis G. Pineda, son Pampanga Governor-elect and known Arroyo ally Lilia Pineda, and Bacolor Mayor Romeo “Buddy” Dungca.

On the other hand, its fourth and fifth nominees are Jerold Domonick S. David and Ryan M. Caladiao, both of whom are from Pampanga, Arroyo’s home province.

Among those who have been proclaimed by the Comelec as new party-list representatives are:

Coalition of Association of Senior Citizens in the Philippines — 1,292,182 votes (2 seats) – Godofredo V. Arquiza – David L. Kho

Akbayan Citizen’s Action Party — 1,058,691 votes (2 seats) – Walden F. Bello – Arlene J. Bag-ao

Gabriela Women’s Party — 1,001,421 votes (2 seats) – Luzviminda C. Ilagan – Emerenciana A. De Jesus

Cooperative Natcco Network Party — 943,529 votes (2 seats) – Jose R. Ping-Ay – Cresente C. Paez

ABONO — 766,615 votes (2 seats) – Robert Raymund M. Estrella – Francisco Emmanuel R. Ortega III

Bayan Muna — 746,019 votes (2 seats) – Teodoro A. Casino – Neri J. Colmenares

An Waray — 711,631 votes (2 seats) – Florencio G. Noel – Neil Benedict A. Montejo

Agricultural Sector Alliance of the Philippines, Inc. (AGAP) — 515,501 votes (1 seat) – Nicanor M. Briones

Anakpawis — 445,628 votes (1 seat) – Rafael V. Mariano

Kabataan Party-list — 417,923 votes (1 seat) – Raymond V. Palatino

Abante Mindanao, Inc. (ABAMIN) — 376,011 votes (1 seat) – Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

Act Teachers — 369,564 votes (1 seat) – Antonio L. Tinio

You Against Corruption and Poverty (YACAP) — 335,635 votes (1 seat) – Carol Jayne B. Lopez

Ang Kasangga sa Kaunlaran, Inc. (Ang Kasangga) — 296,368 votes (1 seat) – Teodorico T. Haresco

Bagong Henerasyon (BH) — 292,875 votes (1 seat) – Bernadette R. Herrera-Dy

Agbiag! Timpuyog Ilocano, Inc. (AGBIAG) — 262,298 votes (1 seat) – Patricio T. Antonio

Puwersa ng Bayaning Atleta (PBA) — 238,675 votes (1 seat) – Mark Aeron H. Sambar

Arts Business and Science Professionals — 257,301 votes (1 seat) – Catalina G. Leonen-Pizarro

Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) — 244,623 votes (1 seat) – Raymond Democrito C. Mendoza

Alyansa ng mga Grupong Haligi ng Agham at Teknolohiya Para sa Mamayan, Inc. (AGHAM) — 241,898 votes (1 seat) -

Angelo B. Palmones

Democratic Independent Workers Association (DIWA) — 238,675 votes (1 seat) – Emmeline Y. Aglipay

Kapatiran ng mga Nakulong na Walang Sala — 234,717 votes (1 seat) – Ranulfo P. Canonigo

Kalinga Advocacy for Social Empowermennt and Nation Building Through Easing Poverty, Inc. (Kalinga) — 229,198

votes (1 seat) – Abigail faye C. Ferriol

Alagad Party-list — 227,116 votes (1 seat) – Rodante D.Marcoleta

1 Ang Pamilya — 217,032 votes (1 seat) – Reena Concepcion G. Obillo

Alliance of Volunteer Educators — 214,760 (1 seat) – Eulogio R. Magsaysay

The Comelec did not also proclaim the party-list nominee for the group Alliance for Barangay Concerns Party (ABC), which was earlier allotted one seat for garnering 469,093 votes.

The proclamation of eight winning party-list groups was also stalled due to pending petitions for cancellation of registration. These are:

Ako Bicol Political Party (Ako Bicol) Buhay Hayaan Yumabong Party-list (Buhay) 1st Consumers Alliance for Rural Energy (1-CARE) Citizens’ Battle Against Corruption (CIBAC) LPG Marketers Association, Inc. (LPGMA) Ang Asosasyon

Sang Manguguma Nga Bisaya-Ow Mangunguma, Inc. (MBIS-OWA) Association of Philippine Electric Cooperatives (APEC) Alliance for Nationalism and Democracy (ANAD)

On the other hand, Comelec Commissioner Rene Sarmiento said they cannot yet proclaim the other winning party-list groups because they are still waiting for the results of the special polls in some areas where elections were earlier postponed.

The Party-list System Act (Republic Act 7941) says that those who received at least two percent of the total votes cast for the party-list system shall be entitled to one congressional seat each while those who received more than two percent of the votes shall be entitled to additional seats in proportion to their total number of votes. However, each party-list organization shall not be awarded more than three seats in Congress.

The 1987 Philippine Constitution provides that 20 percent of the seats in Congress or 57 seats be allotted for the sectoral representatives. Sarmiento said by the time President-elect Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III delivers his State of the Nation Address, the party-list representatives would have all been completed. — KBK/RSJ, GMANews.TV

Ang mga Pilipinong MICRO-ENTREPRENEUR ay matibay na haligi ng ekonomiya at salamin ng kakayahan at determinasyon ng bawat sektor na gamitin ang lakas at talino upang palaguin ang kanilang kabuhayan na siyang sukatan ng kaunlaran ng ekonomiya ng bansa.

Dahil sa ambag na ito ng mga MICRO-ENTREPRENEUR, isinilang ang layunin ng Kasangga sa Kaunlaran, Inc. (Kasangga) na buklurin ang mga MICRO-ENTREPRENEURS upang magsilbing maaasahang kaagapay ng ating lipunan tungo sa kaunlaran at serbisyong pangkomunidad.

Paglakas ng Kasangga

Ang Kasangga sa Kaunlaran, Inc ay samahan ng mga MICRO-ENTREPRENEURS o maliit na namumuhunan mula sa iba’t ibang sektor tulad ng transportasyon, market vendors, may kapansanan, magsasaka, kabataang propesyonal, kababaihan, maliit na negosyante, at iba pa.

Noong Abril 7, 2006, ginanap sa Maynila ang Kauna-unahang pambansang pagtitipon ng Kasangga sa Kaunlaran, Inc. Dito binalangkas at pinagtibay ng mga lider organisasyon mula sa iba’t ibang rehiyon ang prinsipyo, layunin at direksyon ng samahan.

Layunin ng Kasangga

1. Pagpapalaganap ng sapat at wastong kaalaman hingil sa micro-entrepreneurship.
2. Buklurin at pag-isahin ang mga micro-entrepreneurs upang maging instrumento sa pagpapaunlad at pagpapanatili ng kaayusan sa ating bayan.
3. Mapangalagaan ang hanapbuhay ng mga micro-entrepreneurs upang higit at tuluy-tuloy na mapalakas ang ating ekonomiya bilang kontribusyon ng Kasangga sa pagunlad sa lipunan.
4. Maglunsad ng mga pag-aaral pangkabuhayan upang patuloy na tumaas ang antas ng kamulatan at upang higit na umunlad ang kasanayan sa gawaing micro-entrepreneurship.
5. Magbalangkas ng mga batayang gawain sa pamamagitan ng mahusay na pakikipagpalitan ng kaalaman at pakikipag-ugnayan sa mga organisasyong pangkabuhayan na nagbibigay ng iba’t ibang uri ng suporta.
6. Maglunsad ng iba’t ibang socio-economic projects na magpapakilala sa katangian ng organisasyon.

Prinsipyo ng Kasangga

Ang Kasangga sa Kaunlaran ay naniniwala sa nagkakaisang samahan na nagtataguyod ng lubusang pag-unlad ng mga mamamayan.

Ito’y isang kilusang tagos sa puso ng mga MICRO-ENTREPRENEURS na naniniwalang ang paghahanapbuhay at paglikha ng mga maliliit na negosyo ang siyang matatag na ekonomiya at masiglang lipunan.

Ang Kasangga sa Kaunlaran ay lubos na naniniwala sa kakayahan ng mga
Pilipino bilang likas na matulungin, malikhain, at masinop. Naniniwala itong ang paglilingkod at pagtulong sa kapwa ang motibasyon at inspirasyon ng organisasyon.

Paninindigan at mithiin

K – kasangga ng sambayanan para sa kaunlaran

A – aksyon agad

S – sandigan ng matatag na republika

A – aktibong kalahok sa kaunlaran

N – nagkakaisa sa diwa at aksyon

G – gabay at huwaran

G – gawaing makabayan at patriotiko

A – alagad ng poong maylikha para sa kapwa at bayan

Congressman Teodorico Haresco

Ang Kasangga Secretary General Norman Gerardo O. Tayag said it is time for the country to have a President who would give the marginalized sector of micro-entrepreneurs the support and importance they deserve.

“Micro-entrepreneurs play a very vital role in the country’s economic and social development. They provide income to a large segment of the population. Without this income, the socio-economic pressures would be near-insurmountable,” Tayag said.

“It is unfortunate, however, that until now, micro-entrepreneurship has not been given full support by the government in terms of developing and protecting the sector which is actually the backbone of our economy,” he added.

Micro-entrepreneurs are those whose enterprises have an individual capital of below three million pesos, such as jeepney and tricycle drivers, food stall and sari-sari store owners, market vendors, and blind masseurs, home workers in the garment industry, small producers of goods like handicraft, furniture, and candies, among others.

According to the Department of Trade and Industry, as of 2006, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) compose 99.7% of all Philippine business enterprises – with micro enterprises making up 92% of the total MSME number.

In 2006, micro-enterprises generated a total of 1,667,823 jobs (33.5%) of all jobs created by the MSME sector during that year. Recent statistics reveal micro-entrepreneurship to be the primary financial support of about 40% of Filipino households.

“Micro-entrepreneurs usually absorb unemployed members of society – those unable to find employment in the open market. They also provide input to the formal sector ranging from manufacturing parts and supplies, to labor for production,” Tayag said.

Ang Kasangga official also said that the passage into law of the Magna Carta for MSME (Republic Act No. 9501) is a great opportunity to maximize the social and economic benefits that the country would gain in the industry.

However, the effects of the law are yet to be felt, particularly in addressing the challenges that the industry faces, such as, lack of research and development, inadequate access to technology, difficulty in acquiring capital, and lack of marketing advice and logistical problems.

“The Magna Carta for MSME, when fully implemented, would strengthen the industry. The salient features of the law include the 10% mandatory allocation of credit resources for ten years and the formulation of a six-year MSME development plan,” Tayag said.

“The law is already in place and all we need is someone who would implement it staunchly so that micro-entrepreneurship will become the backbone of the Philippine economy. Ang Kasangga believes that only an Entrepreneur President will be able to make this possible,” he added.