Common empty sight in some Abra towns post-election. Residents prefer to stay at home, fearing reprisal. Nikolo Baua @Nikobaua
MANILA – Some areas in the province of Abra became virtual “ghost towns” two days after the mid-term elections.
One of Abra’s voters, “Leah” (not her real name), said this is a normal occurrence in the election hotspot after the polls.
“Sobrang takot din ng mga tao dito, kaya nasanay na din sila na kapag botohan na, nagtatago na ang mga tao,” she said.
Leah, who came all the way from Manila, said vote-buying was rampant in the province during the campaign. She said she had received P2,500 from a mayoral bet.
“Sa hirap talaga ng buhay dito sa Abra, makikita niyo naman ‘yung iba walang makain eh,” she said.
Leah claimed that her family members and neighbors also sold their votes, which is why they are now in hiding for fear that those who did not win in the elections may resort to violence.
“Nanakot sila, ‘yung talagang babarilin nila bahay mo. Kaya hindi mo rin masasabi talaga na ligtas ‘yung bahay mo. Malalaman mo nalang bandang mga alas-dose nagpuputukan na, talagang raratratin ang bahay mo,” she said.
Leah fears reprisal from candidates, after her family & neighbors sold their votes P2,500/head, in Abra. @nikobaua
Police, meanwhile, said security remains tight in the area to prevent election-related violence.
“Patuloy natin sasabihan lalo na ‘yung mga nanalo na pag-upo nila ay matauhan sila at ‘yung kanilang mga followers ay walang gawing kaguluhan,” said chief Supt. Roberto Soriano.
Some provincial officials returned to office on Wednesday, but they remain heavily-guarded. — Report from Niko Baua, ABS-CBN News
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/05/15/13/some-ghost-towns-abra-after-polls
abrenian.com 
wen uray siak haanak pay nakabutos, agbutengak payen baka su nga adda naabak ta saanak nga nakabutos masapulko ti visa diay afghanistan baka nataltalna idiyay help me lord!
Posted by korikz | May 15, 2013, 1:00 pmadda nalaklaka-diay syria
Posted by korikz | May 15, 2013, 1:13 pmjueteng, issue manen, mabalin met ti mangaramid ti linteg ti local government mai panngep ti jueteng-tapno agbalin nga legal – idi stl whatever, mabalin nga lotto, mabalin nga raffle-basta tumaya ti bassit mangabak ti dakkel…………………..so tapno ti revenue mapan ti lokal nga gobyerno-agaramid ti linteg nga everybody happy locally, haan ka kas ti mapaspasamak tatta kumitkita ti haan nga taga abra, kumitkita dagiti malaglagyan ngem awan ti sumrek iti lokal nga gobyerno tayo……….mangamong kayo no nia ti kayatyo
Posted by korikz | May 15, 2013, 1:22 pmikkatenyu ti buteng kakailyan nasingpet da tattan ta agbalbaliw dan para no sumaruno nga elektion lumaban dan tu manen sunga naabak da ta awan met ngamin makita nga proyekto da kanu kuna dagiti kakailyan met laeng baka disciplinado payen for the fisrt time….ken adda tu payen naka steady nga ABS CBN dITOY ABRA PULIS KEN ARMY ALERTO DA LATTA ANY TIME ANYWHERE
Posted by chari | May 15, 2013, 1:28 pmpayso ta kunam my firend. 🙂
Posted by oh yeah! | May 15, 2013, 6:49 pmTHESE PICTURES DOES NOT REFLECT THE TRUE SITUATION OF ABRA NOW. I BEG TO DISAGREE THAT THERE ARE GHOST TOWNS RIGHT NOW. THE PEOPLE FEEL MORE SECURED AND FREELY ROAM AROUND BECAUSE THEY KNOW THAT THEY ARE WELL-PROTECTED.
I THINK IT WOULD BE BEST IF WE INFORM OUR PROVINCE MATES THE TRUE PICTURE AND NOT MISINFORM THEM.
Posted by APCG | May 15, 2013, 2:22 pmAre you sure about that?? noong si Ryan Luna pa ang mayor ng Bangued halos lahat ng tao walang takot at masaya pa na tumatambay kahit saang part ng plaza. pero since May 14 kakaunti na lang, kasi alam nila na mahirap ang sitwasyon ngayon, kasi naranasan na nila dati during Dominic Valera’s time, nauulit na naman.. Kahapon lang isang supporter ni Mayor Ryan at empleyado ng Munisipyo ng Bangued ang walang awang sinaktan ng isa sa mga goons “killer” ni Dominic Valera sa loob mismo ng Munisipyo. Abrenians, wag kayo magbulag-bulagan sa mga nangyayari….. Are you all sure na dahil sa pagtanggap nyo ng mga pera nila eh magiging peaceful na ang Bangued, ang buong Abra pag sila ang namuno?? I don’t think so… Kilala nyo ba si James Barbero?? Sa ngayon ilang hired killers na ang naghahanap sa kanya… Alam nyo ba 20k na ang ipinatong sa ulo nya nga bagong Mayor ng Bangued at may bonus pa daw kung sino ang mauunang makapatay sa kanya… Sa source ko sa kampo ni Dominic, pasensya kna kung nasabi ko lahat ito dito…. Si Irelee Beralde, sigurado ka ba na naka riding in tandem ang bumaril sayo??? Hindi kaya isa rin sa mga kainuman mo nung gabing nabaril ka??? Sa kapitbahay ni Irelee na umamin ng tunay na nagyari, sorry kung nasabi ko na ito dito….
Noong May 13 election, isa ako sa nakapansin kung paano bastusin ni SYLVIA VALERA-GO ang kampo ni Mayor Ryan esp si Jellyann Barbieto, 3 times nag DIRTY FINGER si Sylvia… Abrenians, gumising kayo……
Sir SYSOP, Abrenian, at sa lahat ng commentators sa blog na ito. why don’t we all help to regain peace and order in Abra……..
Hindi na ako magugulat kung after kumalat ng blog na to eh pati ako “TOTOY GOLEM” ipahanap at ipapatay na din nila… We’ll catch me if you can.. Madali lang ako hanapin, hanapin nyo muna yung source ko sa kampo nyo..hahaha..
TOTOY GOLEM
Posted by TOTOY GOLEM | May 15, 2013, 9:50 pmBAKA NGAYUN NATAKOT SILA SA BANTA NI MILA
Posted by chari | May 15, 2013, 10:42 pmKumusta ngata met ni joey brillantes? Maawatakon no apay nga paltat ti iyaw-awagda kanyana. Namati kadaguiti luna nga adda namnamana nga mangabak diay tayum. No siak ti kas kanyana, saanak nga napadurogan kadaguiti luna nga labanan ni glen. Umuna unay, saan nga nagnaed a pulos ti pamilyana diay tayum. Maykadua kas kuna daguiti taga-tayum nga nakapatpatangko, saanda kano nga tangtangaag nga mangbotos ti manok daguiti luna. Su nga wrong-mistake met deta nga napanunot ni joey brillantes. nadurogan. su nga kunada nga paltat.
Posted by candid palpallatok (ti bigbigat) | May 15, 2013, 2:42 pmI don’t believe that the Military esp. the Army were neutral,dahil nung botohan sa aming lugar, may mga kandidato pa na ibinoboto yong mga taong nasa abroad, there were people trying to take pictures regarding this matter pero pinigilan sila ng mga army at ipinagbabawal ang pagkuha ng pictures at bakit kaya pinayagan ng mga BEI’s na gawin nila na iboto yong mga wala, I think that is not allowed at ang alam ko hindi bawal ang cellphone sa loob ng botohan at di bawal ang pagkuha ng pictures o video kasi allowed pa nga ang CCTV camera ngunit wala ngang cctv dahil walang kuryente sa aming lugar,kaya lang baka binayaran sila ng mga politiko kaya pinayagan or tinakot sila kaya wala silang magawa kundi papayagan na lng. May I ask the Comelec to answer this matter. Rampant ang bilihan ng boto sa amin, sana magiging MAKATAO ANG MGA NANALO AT TUNAY NA SERBISYO AT PAGLILINGKOD ANG GAGAWIN NILA SA 3 YEARS NILANG PAG UPO SA TRONO hindi pagbulsa ng pera ng bayan at pagpapayaman, pagbili ng bahay, sasakyan, pagpapaaral sa sangkamakmak na anak mapupunta ang kaban ng bayan.
Thank you!
Posted by lavander | May 15, 2013, 3:27 pmLucky for voters who do not reside in d province, but those who are left behind they live in fear of imminent political reprisal, vendetta, vengeance! Ania man nga oras, mbalin nga dayta ket mpasamak. Kasano la ngaruden diay nang video ken Mrs. Mila a napangtaan “malpas to lang ti eleksiyon…taga ano ka?”, ay ket agdandanagen ita. Kasta met dgidiay very open nga nang support iti kalaban nga kandidato. What about d supporters of Ms. Joson in Lagayan, nga nangnamnama nga agriing koman t kakailian, ngem kaskasdi met la gayam. Mlaksid iti Lagayan nga nangrugian da, na ungawen ti Luna. Ngem imbes nga ay ayoen da dagiti saan da nga nkadua, tapno umad adu koma pay ti supporters da, ti sayangguseng ket agibales da, in whatever that means… As a subscriber for a peaceful, progressive and violence-free ABRA, sapay koma met ta saan nga kasta…
Posted by Arya Latta | May 15, 2013, 4:19 pmsinno met dayta LEAH nga nagpa-interview, saan sa met nga taga-Abra, salawasaw, kayat na a sawen FUGITIVE met dagitay family members na ken kaarrubanan gapu ta nagpabayad da, Ammom LEAH natalna ditoy Abra, dagitay la kamkamaten ti konsensia da ti mangibagbaga iti dayta ta adda inaramid da a madi.
Posted by tagabantay | May 15, 2013, 5:12 pmTAGABANTAY, you are another loyalist of Valera, Bernos and Bersamin family…. Siguro kayo ung nagpapahunting kay LEAH kasi mas pinili nya na iboto mga Luna….
Posted by TOTOY GOLEM | May 15, 2013, 7:48 pmTAGA BANTAY MAPAN KA MET AH AGPAINTERVIEW
Posted by chari | May 15, 2013, 10:37 pmPuro picture ti tayum..exaggerated met..back to normal met d2y..inrana met jay agpicpicture nga tingnga ti aldaw,ket talaga met nga awan matatao dta..now I know no apay imbaga da nga bias ti ABS CBN..
Posted by it tip | May 15, 2013, 7:02 pmmakita a no adda pagbaliwan iti abra tatta, nangnangruna iti kabisera nga bangued, ta nakatugay met amin nga agumen, ngumina manen iti barangay clearances, mayors clearance, ken ngumato manen apo iti PERMIT tayon nga negosyanten. kaasi manen iti taga bangued tattan, no apay nga sikau nga inlako u iti butos u iti maminsan nga daras di u pinanunut nga 3 tawen tau nga agrigat gana awan mayat lumaban kenyada. ay mga taga abra talaga, kaya tayo minamaliit ng ibang probinsya kasi mas tanga pa tayo sa daga.
Posted by BANGUED TODA PRES | May 15, 2013, 7:22 pmti gasolina stations kanu ti ngumato permit na kada hotels haan kadi mayor dominic
Posted by chari | May 15, 2013, 10:28 pmNoong si Ryan Luna pa ang mayor ng Bangued halos lahat ng tao walang takot at masaya pa na tumatambay kahit saang part ng plaza. pero since May 14 kakaunti na lang, kasi alam nila na mahirap ang sitwasyon ngayon, kasi naranasan na nila dati during Dominic Valera’s time, nauulit na naman.. Kahapon lang isang supporter ni Mayor Ryan at empleyado ng Munisipyo ng Bangued ang walang awang sinaktan ng isa sa mga goons “killer” ni Dominic Valera sa loob mismo ng Munisipyo. Abrenians, wag kayo magbulag-bulagan sa mga nangyayari….. Are you all sure na dahil sa pagtanggap nyo ng mga pera nila eh magiging peaceful na ang Bangued, ang buong Abra pag sila ang namuno?? I don’t think so… Kilala nyo ba si James Barbero?? Sa ngayon ilang hired killers na ang naghahanap sa kanya… Alam nyo ba 20k na ang ipinatong sa ulo nya nga bagong Mayor ng Bangued at may bonus pa daw kung sino ang mauunang makapatay sa kanya… Sa source ko sa kampo ni Dominic, pasensya kna kung nasabi ko lahat ito dito…. Si Irelee Beralde, sigurado ka ba na naka riding in tandem ang bumaril sayo??? Hindi kaya isa rin sa mga kainuman mo nung gabing nabaril ka??? Sa kapitbahay ni Irelee na umamin ng tunay na nagyari, sorry kung nasabi ko na ito dito….
Noong May 13 election, isa ako sa nakapansin kung paano bastusin ni SYLVIA VALERA-GO ang kampo ni Mayor Ryan esp si Jellyann Barbieto, 3 times nag DIRTY FINGER si Sylvia… Abrenians, gumising kayo……
Sir SYSOP, Abrenian, at sa lahat ng commentators sa blog na ito. why don’t we all help to regain peace and order in Abra……..
Hindi na ako magugulat kung after kumalat ng blog na to eh pati ako “TOTOY GOLEM” ipahanap at ipapatay na din nila… We’ll catch me if you can.. Madali lang ako hanapin, hanapin nyo muna yung source ko sa kampo nyo..hahaha..
TOTOY GOLEM
Posted by TOTOY GOLEM | May 15, 2013, 9:59 pmapay arkitek nalpasen jay plano ti project ko nga CCTV ti KABISERA NGA BANGUED MEDJO MAN INDARDARUSH MO KET AGBUTBUTENG DA KANU PAY APAN GUMATANG PANDISAL TI BUMIGATEN KEN MAPAN AGPANSITTA MAKITA TI TAO NGA PUMATAY , FROM DOMINIC
Posted by chari | May 15, 2013, 10:35 pmWen ngarud ni bernos awan pay naproyekto na!piman py kailyan….
Posted by inggo | May 15, 2013, 11:01 pmNangaabak da gapo ti imbaybayad da nga dadakkel ah kwarta!
Posted by inggo | May 15, 2013, 11:06 pmkorek ka jan inggo …pero bakit puro lang pseudonyms mga gamit na pangalan ng-co-comment dito?
Posted by Teresa Besidas | May 16, 2013, 12:39 amtotoy golem pasensia kan giem , awan ganasko a bumutos, mapan ko la ipastor tay nuangkon isu pay ilukmeg na
Posted by tagabantay | May 16, 2013, 1:25 amFirst of all, I did not say that this situation reflects the whole province. Bangued is secure, partly because there are policemen visibly stationed in several areas. If you go around the towns outside Bangued, that is another story, and that is what I did. I initially wanted to do a feature story to promote Abra tourism, and what did I see, sad empty spaces. i thought it was a coincidence to see this scene in different towns until I talked to a number of residents and that is what I was told. They were scared of roving armed goons, and they just wanted to be safe and be free to do what they want to do. Unfortunately, they are poor, and a large number of them sold their votes. Now they have to accept the harsh consequences of selling their votes. That was my story. The waiter in my hotel didnt even come home to his town because apparently there was another shooting incident. I congratulate the police and the army for keeping the elections relatively peaceful. There were less casualties, however, threats, intimidation and vote buying are still very real issues that the province must accept. Ive been getting messages saying that they wish somebody would kill me so I would experience what a ghost town is. Another message reads they’ll send me to a ghost town. Go ahead. It just betrays your sensibilities. Agyamanak Abra.
Posted by Nikolo Baua | May 16, 2013, 1:44 amKET AMMUYU METTEN NGANNGANI MAN SKWELAN TA ADDA KANU PAGENROL DAGIJAY ANNAK DA NGA AGABSA
Posted by takki | May 16, 2013, 3:14 amNIKOLO BAUA. I reside outside Bangued and I never observed what you are telling…… ghost towns. pinadas mo ti napan idiay Tayum, Lagangilang, Dolores, PIdigan, La Paz etc? kasano nga ibagam nga ghost towns ket nagadon ti agpaspasyar nga tattao even now.
Posted by peaceadvocate | May 16, 2013, 3:36 amTOTOY GOLEM. ammom kadi nga ni ronron gavino nga taga zone 5 ken lamao, bucloc nga bata ni eroll ken billy boy ti nangpaltoog ken iralee? ania ti makunam? sino ngarud ti akin tao ken datoy nga ronron? sino ti nangpapaltoog ken iralee?
Agriing kan ti kinapudno. saan ka nga agpangap nga nakakidem.
Posted by concerned citizen | May 16, 2013, 3:51 amMr. Peace Advocate, unlike you, I do not use pseudonyms. I noticed that everyone here has a version of what happens in and around the province. For example, yesterday afternoon, my own drivers saw how two men were beaten up near the munisipyo. When I inquired about it, I got a flat out denial. Id like to think that my drivers were not imagining things. Its just unfortunate that they werent able to take video footage. So you see Mr. Peace Advocate, apparently, as I learned, events are relative here, like you, who claim things, under a pseudonym. Agyamanak.
Posted by nikolobaua | May 16, 2013, 4:10 amPEACE ADVOCATE: apay nga di mo akseptaren ti kinapodno nga kaadwan nga kakailyan tayo nga taga Bangued ket talaga nga agbototeng….
NIKOLOBAUA: agbiag man dagijay boyot ni apo Dominic ken, to mention some: RICO BODOÑA, ARONG QUEMERISTA, BOBOT GONZALES, and a certain REGUNTON from Cabuluan dagita ti sumagmamano nga para gubat ni apo Dominic, agalwad tayo kadagitoy nga tattao..
Posted by TAGA_BAKIR | May 17, 2013, 6:25 pmManong, dyak maawatan. I only know a few Ilocano words. English na lang po o tagalog, para masnaintindihan ko. Pasensya na. Agyamanak.
Posted by nikolobaua | May 18, 2013, 3:11 pmSir Nikolo: I admired your courage in covering any event that you found interesting in our stupid province besides of the fact that you are not even an Ilokano. This means that you were one of the few who have guts to expose the truth no matter what it takes. The majority Abrenians will admire you more Sir if you could trace the players/participants of corruption in the province whether they are in COA, DOJ, DLG, DPH, DENR, PNP/AFP, etc. and could bring it to the authorities concerned for proper legal action that prosper. If you succeed Sir, there’s no doubt in my mind that you’ll become our instant HERO and your name will go down in history for our generations to cherish and remember until their last breath. Thank you Sir and God bless your heart.
Posted by river cross | May 20, 2013, 4:06 pmYeheyy, pagtaxen manen ni Dominic ti Globe ken Smart ti pagalalangit, agincrease manen ti Gasolina uray awan imbaga ti gobyerno, mapunno amin a Tricycle ti “ANG GALING MO MAYOR NIC”.
Posted by Bodong | May 16, 2013, 5:29 amGov Takit ken Mayor Dominic, lumakay kayon kas kaniak. Aturenyon ti biagyo……amok adu met ti basbasolyo, nadadagsen kas kaniak….ta ‘amin managbasol’ (Romans 3:10 n 3:23 ) ” confess your sins, (to God, not the priest, cause God s d only one who can forgive sins) have NEW HEART N SPIRIT AND LIVE”
Saan nga mabayag, maybe 10 yrs, ti biag tayo agpatinggan. Billion ,uray trillion nga kuarta, saan nga magatan ti Gloria.. Read Revelation 20 n 21, particularly Rev. 21:1-5. Sapay koma ta dinggenyo daytoy ket SAPAY KOMA TA MAIKARI TAYO TI ASI KEN AYATNA.
Posted by AMA lakay | May 16, 2013, 7:13 amamen a kas kuna ni chari dapat matigok pay kuma takit ta ni chari goben kdn dominic ta ne allan met mayoren mas ok pa cguro cla malay mu may hmala
Posted by eric shawn | May 16, 2013, 7:18 amAGBUTENG A TI TAO DI NALPAS ELECTION TA TI GAPU NA KET AWAN NAPWESTWAN DAGITI LUNA BUMANAGBAGBAG PUTOK DA JAY DANGDANGLA IDI NAABAK DA ISU NGA ITI NOTION TI TAO NGA TALGA KET AGPARIRI DASGITOY NGA LUNA TA AWAN PAGBAGASAN DAN LAGAYAN LNG NABATIN! KEN NAOBSERVE U KAKAILIAN!? NAGPUKAW TI PATPATAY DTOY ABRA D LAST FEW MONTHS GAPUEN TA SAAN NGA MKAGARAW DAGITOY LUNA TA NABANTAYAN DA AND DAT ONLI MEANS ISUDA TI SALOT DTOY PROBINSIA TAU…
Posted by maeur | May 16, 2013, 9:26 amNikolo Baua, I just wanna tell you that most people who do the comments here uses pseudonyms because of fear na baka bweltahan sila ng mga taong tinatarget nila bec it really happens. I agree with other people na natatakot na lumabas after the election kahit d nila ibinenta ang kanilang mga boto there are times na ung mga kandidato na d nila ibinoto ay mananakit kahit talo man o nanalo. How i wish that there would be a representative of media in every town or municipalities especially in the upland municipalities para makita din ninyo or madocument din ninyo ang tunay na nangyayari before, during and after the election…Just like what happened in one of the upland municipalities kung saan may Military na nanutok ng baril sa mga botante, ibinawal ang paggamit ng camera at video even cellphones, dinedelay ang pagtransport ng mga PCOS machines, di inaallow ang mga watchers na magbantay sa mga pcos machines. These should be documented pero kapag hindi media ang magdocument tinatakot ang mga constituents kaya wala ssilang magawa kundi matzot at gawin ang mga iniuutos ng mga armed men(Military). Yong iboto ung mga wala (I mean mga nasa abroad) is I guess not allowed but it happened so how do we call these? kundi dayaan sa election. Abra is still considered an unsafe place for us na mahihirap, walang para at umaasa na lng sa pagbubukid… mga judges, abogado, ay nabibili upang ipagtanggol ang may kasalanan basta may perang pambayad. Paano na yong walang pera at walang kasalanan, makukulong na lamang.
Posted by lavander | May 16, 2013, 3:49 pmeh kasatno kabsat nga LAVANDER ket Bangued laeng met ti talaga nga binantayan da disregarding the upland municipalities ngem no agreport da interemente nga Abra ti ibagbaga da….
Posted by TAGA_BAKIR | May 17, 2013, 6:33 pmTi ammok ket 65 years old ni apo dominic itan. Aysus, 25 years pay nga agturay ni apo dominic sakbay nga agalsaymer, yos! Same with the governor. 65nan sa metten no diak maalilaw. attidog ti biag ti politicians nga nasiglat kas ken lakay bernos. sibibiag pay agingga ita. baybayagra ngata su cialis ti biagna, yos. . Tokinnanasyo dandani kayon agkabaw, sumublatkaminto metten manen . . kunkuna met daguiti luna brothers a ta late 30s ken early 40’s dan sa pay la met. Kas nabasak diay interview ni apo sysop ken mayor rayan nga kunana ket isuda kano ti new generation of abra politicians. ti la ganasna ket kurang pay la strategyda nga young generation ta inatiw daguiti golditicians ida. pati ni joey brillantes ket nakapoy pay met ti katarna ta pinnatina met daguiti luna . . ngem ammok nga saanton nga paltat no sumaruno nga election . . siakton ti mangawag kanyan nga umuna ti ludong. ammoyo ti ludong ket narigat nga mabanniitan ken matabokolan. su ti ka-wais-san nga lames ti karayan. Naimas kano kuna daguiti babbalasang . .. . hehehe. peyborit pay nga lames ni apo doctor tuazon. ney, aglalaok met insursuratkon . . nak pay baka manayonak pay . . saan la nga aglalaoken, agrorotap payen . . hi hi hi, laglag datao.
Posted by candid palpallatok (ti bigbigat) | May 16, 2013, 3:56 pmNO MASUKTAN TI PRESIDENTE SANTO MET MASUKTAN TI AGTUTURAY TI ABRA HAHAHA KAANU NGATA
Posted by takki | May 16, 2013, 10:36 pmipapilit ko: madi da pay masokatan ta manger t DZPA a DZPA laeng nyan to ket ta agtoray gobyernon a dadakel nangangato ngem ni manger nga angngab kwartan. Nya ti kayat u nga idiliber mi a makan ita dita opisina yo madam?
Posted by AGKOKOTEL | May 17, 2013, 4:21 amI am sad and sorry to hear that Lavander. I was informed about harassments during and after the elections, but I was unaware about the afp being used. I still think the elections were successful and much credit goes to Gen. Magalong, Soriano & Eriberri. I think the decrease in deaths & violence, is something that should give you hope. Changes dont happen overnight. As long as there is support for people like Ms. Sumangil & Bishop Jaucian, Im sure there will be improvements. Pero ang pagbabago ay nasa sa atin din kasi. When I went here, I had the impression that it was the politicians who made an effort to entice voters with money to buy their votes. Later did I discover that in some areeas, it was the voters who look for politicians to sell their votes, dahil sa kahirapan. Hindi ko rin sila masisi lalo na kung walang makain, pero long term din sana kasi ang iniisip, kung hindi, paulit-ulit lang ang problema.
Surprisingly, while I was searching for areas in Abra to feature, I came accross this blog which had the same observations as I did….
http://journeyingjames.com/2012/02/so-whats-in-abra/
Posted by Nikolo Baua | May 17, 2013, 6:08 amTo Nikolo Baua: I just wanna thank you people from the media for giving efforts to cover these kinds of happening in the entire nation… Sana po bigyan kau ng respeto ng mga tao for i know sometimes people doesn’t give due respect to mediamen thinking they are just featuring things that are not important. Gusto ko lng pong makiusap sa inyong mga taga media lalo na sa abs cbn na sans sa next na election, sana po magconcentrate kayo sa mga far flung areas of the province of Abra especially in the upland Municipalities upang makita ninyo ang tunay na nanagyayari sa aming lugar. Masyado pang maaga ang request na ito ngunit mas magandang sabihin ko na baka makalimutan ko or I might not be existing by that time…. Sabi nyo nga ang pagbabago ay hindi overnight kaya po ang mga nangyari this election ay expected na mangyari ulit sa susunod. I’m so glad that you have started visiting Abra for Abra is a beautiful place to visit but with the bad image brought obout by the effect of politics I know most people kahit mga anak ng mga tiga abra na nasa ibang bansa ay takot na rin pumunta sa nasabing lugar.
Posted by lavander | May 17, 2013, 8:17 amkaya nga eh lavanders nauna pa nagtago si ryan luna mautak din no sabi ni nikolo baua
Posted by takki | May 17, 2013, 1:11 pmWhere did I mention that in this thread Takki? Ty
Posted by nikolobaua | May 18, 2013, 7:22 amFor your request… it really depends on how secure an area is for us to cover. Recently I received this message from Twitter by a certain Red Valera “@redmarianvalera: Sana patayin si NIko Baua @Nikobaua para mapunta sa totoong ghost town. Grrrrr!”. Ive been working in the field for almost 7years now. I have been harassed by crooks and murderers before… but this is the first time that someone has wished me dead. I dont know if this is the norm in Abra in expressing anger. I was told to ignore it, which I did.
Posted by nikolobaua | May 18, 2013, 3:04 pmThank you. I sent my teammates in Tineg twice, I only went as far as Manabo & Lagayan. Our resources are limited, unfortunately. I just finished one story today featuring the Gabriela Silang Cariño art gallery in Tayum. We have decided to pull out our teams. We have received some threats and I think it is wiser that we go now since other manila based news teams have already left. We came earlier anyway, and stayed longger too. We do have a regional reporter that regularly monitors events here. Agyamanak.
Posted by nikolobaua | May 17, 2013, 8:40 amThank you Nikolo Baua for the response. How i wish I could have your email add so I can just email you more not in this page thank you again. Dios ti Agngina ti sakripisyo yo kadakami nga tga Abra.
Posted by lavander | May 18, 2013, 3:50 pmryan luna kung wala ka talagang kasalanan doond ka nga mag pa interveiw sa channel 5 mga tulfo brothers dahil doon walang baluktot tuwid talaga sila. go1!go!go!
Posted by takki | May 19, 2013, 11:43 amWalang hiya kang Police Supt. ka! TUTA KA RIN NG MGA LUNA HAYOP KA! MAMATAY KA RIN!!!
Posted by ANTIPOLITICAL | May 19, 2013, 5:41 pmThank you River Cross. As I said, you already have the likes of Ms. Sumangil & Bishop Jaucian by your side. They need support from Abrenians like you who want change. As long as there is a movement among residents and NGO’s for better governance, I think improvements can be achieved.
Posted by Nikolo Baua | May 21, 2013, 3:47 pmWhat bothers me Sir, is, why does the national government was able to contain the big fish corrupts like GMA, Corona, etc. but not the small fish in the province like Abra. If they can’t, how much more in the likes of Ms. Sumangil and Bishop Jaucian who were just dreaming like us that someday (not NOW NA) President Aquino would finally fulfill his promise to eradicate corruption nationwide INCLUDING ABRA. Sorry for prodding you Sir but I was entice by your fairness and braveness that you might know something that they don’t know (Sumangil, et al) regarding effective extermination of these pests in the provincial government level based on your experience or observations from other courageous and knowledgeable media men like yourself. Nevertheless, thank you very much for your sincere interest for the Change that we have had been dreaming.
More Power to you so with your comrades in your chosen field and we’ll pray that our Divine Creator will always guide and protect you in achieving success with your noble calling/mission in life.
Posted by river cross | May 21, 2013, 6:28 pmWe have similar wish River Cross that the attention of the national government on corruptions would be focused also tothe provincial level. Many participants in this forum mentioned the possible source of the whooping hundred millions used in vote buying came from IRA but I personally believed a greater part came from RA7171, tobacco excise tax which virginia tobacco producing provinces received an average of 5 billion pesos per yr. I think Abra’s Share is no less than 500millions/ yr, 85 percent supposedly alloted for tob producing municipalities n 15 percent to non tob planters. Example of this, Pilar received around 69 millions in 2010 as reported by COA. RA 7171 is supposed for farm to market rds, tools n equipment for farmers, for health,education, etc to help uplift the lives of the farmers. But this RA became 7 awan 7 awan since it became a law in 1992 until gov Takit came to power when it started to be visible thru infra projects. Ti nasakit ditoy, from reliable info, 40 pesos/ kilo, 40 percent ti agtaud diay bayad koma ti Tabasco ni mannalon, pagkatapos mapan laeng t corruptions!
Posted by Tagamasid | May 22, 2013, 2:40 am