Volume XXXV No. 10 October 2017 Montreal, QC www.filipinostar.org Will there be a better voter turnout on November 5 municipal eleMocntrteail eolecntionss 2? 017: Combating voter apathy By Amanda Jelowicki Anchor/Reporter Global News With just two weeks to go before Election Day, candidates are out in force on the campaign trail. They’re making daily announcements and promises for a better Montreal, but despite all the work, a big question remains: Is anyone paying attention? “I have no idea about the municipal elections, I am clueless,” said one Montrealer Global News spoke to. “I think people don’t take it seriously, they think it just does not impact their lives,” another resident said. Historically, municipal elections have low voter participation rates. In 2013, only 43 per cent of eligible voters cast ballots. That compares to over 70 per cent for the last provincial and federal elections. Experts cite many reasons for voter apathy. Candidates have small budgets, and don’t spend much on advertising. And some people think municipal elections aren’t important. “They think the issues are too small for them to take an interest in,” said McGill doctoral student Chris Erl, Incumbent Mayor, Denis Coderre, Valerie Plante, Projet Montréal Jean Fournier, Coalition Montreal Equipe Coderre, running for 2nd Candidate for Mayor candidate for Mayor but recently See Page 4 Municipal elections term endorsed Projet Montreal Plante MANILA, Philippines — Andanar said deploying a PMalacañangloan Sacturdayeaccusesd an lamonimtoring tesam to oIbsePrve DUe Lima's for 'bullying' international lawmakers group of case would be a "classic example of bullying for its plan to send an observer bullying." here to monitor the trial of a detained "We should stand up to this senator who is critical of the kind of meddling into our domestic administration. affairs. Their intent is not to merely In its report, the Inter- observe De Lima’s trial by our laws, but Parliamentary Union recently said it is to meddle in our democratic as well as sending an observer to monitor the trial judicial processes," Andanar said. of embattled Sen. Leila de Lima as "Over and over, pronounce- soon as it commences. ments from the IPU portray the This was part of the Philippines as a lawless nation when recommendations made by a there is abundant evidence to the delegation of the IPU’s human rights contrary," he added. committee, which visited the country De Lima was arrested last recently to check on the status of De February 24 upon warrant issued by Lima and the alleged extrajudicial the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court on killings under the Duterte government. drugs charges she says were hurled In a statement, Presidential against her as part of a presidential Communications Secretary Martin vendetta. This was part of the recommendations made by a delegation of the IPU’s Andanar slammed IPU for "meddling" human rights committee, which visited the country recently to check on in the country's internal affairs. See Page 2 Palace slams IPU the status of Sen. Leila de Lima and the extrajudicial killings under the Duterte administration. AP/Bullit Marquez, File photo October 2017 2 The North American Filipino Star committee, which visited the country From Page 1 Palace slams IPU recently to check on the status of Sen. Leila de Lima and the extrajudicial In the drug cases, De Lima is killings (EJK) under the Duterte EDITORIAL accused of receiving around P10 administration. Municipal elections should be million in drug payoffs from high The Inter-Parliamentary Union profile convicts engaged in the drug (IPU) is sending an observer to trade in the New Bilibid Prison. monitor the trial of detained Sen. Leila every voter’s top priority A former justice secretary, she Imagine what will happen if educational programs and initiatives. de Lima as soon as it commences. launched a Senate probe into alleged What kind of city do we want This was part of the your municipal government does unlawful killings by the police in to live in? It all depends on who will be recommendations made by a delega- things half way? It’s quite a dramatic President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on elected the mayor, the borough mayor, tion of the IPU’s human rights image to see a little boy playing on a drugs. and councilors of our district. We committee, which visited the country slide but he suddenly drops to the Last week, the Supreme Court need to find out what they stand for recently to check on the status of De ground because the slide is cut in half. effectively kept her in detention after it and if we agree with their vision. Lima and the extrajudicial killings But this is the way people treat denied her petition seeking the Voters who are interested to (EJK) under the Duterte adminis- municipal elections - less than half go nullification of her arrest. learn and understand the issues can tration. to the polls. In 2013, only 43% was the READ: SC votes 9-6 to junk easily do so by watching the debates, In its report, the IPU voter turn out. De Lima petition to nullify her arrest l reading newspapers where the delegation raised its doubts about the This time, Elections Montreal Carpio: SC ruling on De Lima 'one of different parties advertise their evidence or lack thereof against De is spearheding a campaign to change the grossest injustices' in recent platforms, discussing with other Lima to support the filing of the cases attitudes of voters. An advertising blitz memory people in your neighborhood who against her. before November 5 is heard over the Meanwhile, in the same really can represent your interests, “The delegation points out radio as well as ads being posted on report, the IPU delegation raised its and by calling the political candidates that in each of the three cases, there TV. A bus stop waiting shed suddenly doubts about the evidence or lack offices to ask your questions or are serious questions and doubts exposed the people to the elements thereof against De Lima to support the express your concerns. It is only about the evidence,” the report stated. when the roof got blown away. This filing of the cases against her. during elections that every citizen can “The delegation also fails to will happen if you do not vote. “The delegation points out have the opportunity to make a understand how the accusations When a TV reporter went that in each of the three cases, there difference by electing the right person against Senator De Lima make sense, around to ask people about the are serious questions and doubts for the job. given that it was she who took action elections, one admitted being about the evidence,” the report stated. If we ever make a mistake in against the alleged drug trafficking in clueless. Others cited the lack of “The delegation also fails to our choice, it will take another four the NBP (New Bilibid Prison),” it understanding of the issues which understand how the accusations years to correct it, however, it is better added. they say maybe attributed to lack of against Senator De Lima make sense, to make a mistake than not vote at all. The IPU aired its concern over advertising by political candidates given that it was she who took action At least, we can learn to vote more the statements of President Duterte, who usually have small budgets and against the alleged drug trafficking in wisely next time around. Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II cannot afford to pay for enough ads to the NBP (New Bilibid Prison. explain their platforms. The issue in this current and other officials against De Lima Voter apathy in municipal election seems to be whether to IPU to send observer that it claimed were meant to portray elections is not only a problem in choose a new, unproven leader or to her as guilty even before the trial to De Lima trial started. Montreal but also in other parts of stick with the same leader for another By Marvin Sy (The Philippine Star) | “The delegation considers Canada and in the U.S. People lose four years. Projet Montreal candidate Updated October 21, 2017 - 12:00am interest in politics because of their for mayor, Valerie Plante, will be This was part of the making history if she is elected for beliefs that nothing will change recommendations made by a See Page 6 IPU to send observer whether they vote or not. How do we being the first female mayor. But does delegation of the IPU’s human rights make everyone realize that this is she have what it takes to negotiate certainly not true? Almost everything with the Federal and Provincial in our daily life is affected by decisions governments to support the further of the municipal government. Our development of Montreal to reach its municipality provides the day-to-day full potential? On the other hand, services we count on, such as fire and Denis Coderre being the incumbent is police services, water, parks, transit easily the object of criticisms for some and public libraries. Our municipality of his decisions. It is up to the decides how our property tax dollars electorate to choose a mayor who CACATHOLICATHOLICTHOLIC CCHARISMACHARISMATICATICTIC PRAPRAYERAYERYER COCOMMUNITYMMUNITY are spent. Our vote does make a they believe can make Montreal the difference. best city in the world. FAITHFAITH LOVE UNITY Voting for our school board Let us do our homework trustee is also important. Trustees before election day and make a wise Where Jesus Christ Is Lord decide how best to meet the needs of decision to vote for the best person.