In there desire of a better government and a better country, and believing that patriotic and idealistic Filipinos are not confined within their ranks, the Magdalo open its doors to all who may want to join their cause and be one with their principles and advocacies. They believe that there are a lot of Filipinos who share the same dream and aspirations for the country. Thus, the Samahang Magdalo was born, duly registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission. It has now become a national movement that advocates good governance and social justice. Its vision is to have a peaceful, progressive and prosperous country with a united Filipino citizenry.

It can be recalled that the MAGDALO was founded by a group of reformist officers and men of the Armed Forces of the Philippines who upheld their Constitutional mandate as the protector of the people and the state. In 2003, they waged a war against graft and corruption and bravely expose various anomalies in the government and in the military in what is now known as the Oakwood takeover.

The group’s members were eventually incarcerated for their convictions. Still, after several years in detention, they remain steadfast in their belief that the Filipino people deserve a better government.

And again in 2007, they came back to the consciousness of the Filipino people when they suddenly walked out of Makati Regional Trial Court during their hearing and encamped inside the Manila Peninsula, hoping to spark a repeat of the 1986 EDSA revolution. They stood their ground for several hours waiting for civilian support that never came.

Today, the MAGDALO symbolizes courage in the face of adversity; honesty and integrity in public service; and high sense of patriotism and nationalism. The Samahang Magdalo is headed by Capt. Gary Alejano as National President, Norberto Santiago Jr as Vice President and Billy Pascua as Secretary General. This is under the Magdalo sa Pagbabago Movement Inc. headed by BGen. Danilo Lim as chairman, Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV as Vice Chairman and LTSG. James Layug as President.

SAMAHANG MAGDALO envisions an empowered, responsible and enlightened Filipino citizenry as a vanguard for societal change and ultimately as a main pillar of a strong democracy. Here in Baguio, Roberto Ocampo, a known anti-graft and corruption crusader, was designated as Coordinator At Large who is tasked to put up Samahang Magdalo chapters all over the Cordillera Administrative Region and in any part of the country. He embarked on a massive recruitment scheme that generated hundreds of local members in a four-week time. Men and women from all walks of life, came to register and to signify their intention to help attain the vision of the organization.

There are as young as 18 and as old as 67, who did not mind going through the hassle of being perceive as “enemy of the state” and who could be placed under police surveillance just like what had happened to some of the campaign volunteers of Trillanes during the 2007 election, wherein he was voted into office by more than eleven million Filipinos despite having to wage his campaign from his detention cell.

Ocampo, who also conduct the weekly orientation of recruits said, “We teach our members to become productive and law-abiding citizens. A member must strictly observe and take to heart the Samahang Magdalo Code of Conduct, wherein he is made to pledge to love God, Country and its People, his family and the environment.” “Members must also be a good example to our fellowmen by paying the right taxes, by exercising their right to suffrage and not to sell their votes, and not to bribe anyone and must refuse to be bribed.”

He further stressed that, while there may be a lot of cause-oriented groups advocating the same as that of the Samahang Magdalo, some are not really serious in the pursuit of their causes, “Puro ningas-kugon lang, only meant to earn pogi points” he said. “You should see the members of the Magdalo soldiers who took part in the Oakwood incident in 2003 and in Manila Peninsula in 2007, most of them are so young, young enough to be my sons and I asked myself, if these young soldiers did not mind losing their promising careers, their freedom and even their lives in their pursuit of a better government, then why should I mind when I got only a few more years to live?” referring to his state of health. Ocampo underwent operation in 2007 to cut off a big part of his lungs due to lung cancer.

Ocampo has lined up some activities for the local members of the Samahang Magdalo to get involve with, such as Information Campaign on various concerns, Medical-Dental Mission, Feeding programs, Food-For-Work projects, Clean-up Drives, Adopt-a-Forest Reserve and Adopt-a-Park, Tree-Planting activities, Sportsfests, etc.

He also intends to conduct several seminars for the members on leadership, entrepreneurship, skills-training, character-building, value-formation, para-legal, cooperativism, disaster-preparedness, emergency-response, etc.

“All of these are geared towards making all of our members spiritually, morally, physically and financially ready to face the challenges of a renewed nation.” He said. Ocampo is set to formally launch the emergence of the Samahang Magdalo in Baguio and Benguet in a press conference sometime April this year.

You may visit their website www.samahangmagdalo.org to further acquaint yourselves with the group’s principles, causes and advocacies.

Samahang Magdalo

Ellen Tordesillas

19 February 2009

Sa mga nangyayari ngayon sa bansa na garapalan na ang kurakutan at kasinungalingan, marami ang nagtatanong, may natitira pa bang matino?

Maganda ang ganoong tanong kasi ibig sabihin nun, hindi ka kasama sa mga sinungaling at magnanakaw. Ibig sabihin nun umiiral pa ang itinuro sa ‘yo ng inyong mga magulang na mamuhay ng maayos, huwag manloko at hindi nakakasakit ar perwisyo sa kapwa tao.

Sa nakikita natin na kapal ng mukha ng mga magnanakaw, palagi natin naitatanong sa ating sarili, may magagawa ba tayo? Pumunta kayo sa http://www.samahangmagdalo.org/site.

Alam natin na ang Magdalo ay unang lumabas nang nanindigan ang mga 300 na sundalo, karamihan mga batang opisyal, laban sa panloloko ni Gloria Arroyo sa mamamayang Pilipino noong July 27, 2003. Pumunta sila sa dating Oakwood Hotel sa Glorietta, Makati at doon nila ipinahayag ang kanilang pag-withdraw ng suporta sa pamahalaan ni Arroyo.

Hindi sila nagtagumpay na mapaalis si Arroyo ngunit ang kanilang adhikain ay naitanim sa isipan ng maraming tao. Kahit na sila ay nakakulong, hindi namatay ang kanilang adhikain. Marami nga ang namulat kahit huli na at ito ay naipakita sa suporta na binigay sa kanilang spokesman na si Lt(sg) Antonio Trillanes IV na ngayon ay senador na kahit nakakulong siya noong kampanya.

Patuloy pa rin na nakakulong si Trillanes kasama ng sinasabing “core group” ng Magdalo ngunit ang rehas ng kanilang detention quarters ay hindi balakid para ipagpatuloy nila ang kanilang adhikain na magkaroon pagbabago sa ating lipunan.

Kaya nila itinatag itong Samahang Magdalo. Hindi lamang ito para sa mga sundalo. Ito ay samahan ng mamamayang Pilipino. Ang nagpapalakad nito ay si Capt. Gary Alejano sa pamamagitan ng mga kasamahan na hindi nakakulong.

Sabi ni Capt. Alejano, “Ang pagbabago ng aming sinusulong para sa mas mabuting pamahalaan at bayan ay obligasyon ng lahat para sa ating mga anak at sa mga anak ng ating mga anak. Itong landas tungo sa pagbabago ay hindi nakakamtan ng biglaan kungdi sa matiyaga at patuloy na paglalaban.”

Dagdag pa ni Gary, kung hindi tayo gagalaw, magpapatuloy ang buhay. Ngunit ang tanong: gusto ba natin magkaroon ng papel para sa paghubog ng ating hinaharap?

Ang Samahang Magdalo at bukas para sa lahat na Filipino na hindi bababa sa 18 taong gulang. Ang mahalaga ay klaro ang pag-intindi ng adhikain at pagsunod sa Code of Conduct ng Samahan..

Ito ang Code of Conduct ng Samahang Magdalo:

Mamahalin ko ang Panginoong Diyos, ang aking Bayan, at ang aking kapwa mamamayan..
Mamahalin ko ang aking pamilya.
Mamahalin ko ang aking kapaligiran.
Tutulungan ko ang nanganga-ilangan, lalo na ang aking kapwa MAGDALO.
Sasali ako sa eleksyon; hindi ko ibebenta ang aking boto.
Babayad ako ng aking buwis.
Hindi ako susuhol at magpasuhol.
Magiging mabuti akong ehemplo para sa aking kapwa tao.

Magdalo recruits civilians online

By Jocelyn Uy
Philippine Daily Inquirer
11/29/2008

MANILA, Philippines—When they bore arms in defiance of the Arroyo administration exactly a year ago Saturday, they were holed up in a posh hotel in Makati City, waiting for civilian support that never came.Renegade officers who call themselves the Magdalo group mark on Saturday the first anniversary of their failed rebellion at the Manila Peninsula by looking for civilian recruits to join their newly launched volunteer group, Samahang Magdalo.

This time, they are using the Internet, tapping popular social networking sites such as Friendster and Facebook, to recruit supporters aged 18 and above from across the country.

Close civilian friends are running the new group’s Friendster and Facebook accounts, said Marine Capt. Gary Alejano, president of Samahang Magdalo, speaking through Philippine Daily Inquirer sources.

Alejano, along with former Navy Lt. now Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim and 17 other officers were placed in Camp Crame’s maximum security facility following the botched Manila Peninsula takeover last year.

All of them face rebellion charges for last year’s siege. Eleven have been charged with coup d’état before the Makati Regional Trial Court for taking control of the Oakwood Premier Hotel in 2003.

Spreading the cause

“The purpose of launching this volunteer group is to propagate civilian members who believe in the cause and will continue to spread our cause,” sources said, quoting Alejano.

Samahang Magdalo is an umbrella organization of the Magdalo Para sa Pagbabago, a national movement the officers founded to advocate for a corrupt-free government.

Although the renegade soldiers have been in jail for years, they remain steadfast in their conviction that “the Filipinos deserve a better government.”

Quoting Alejano, sources said the group thought of opening its doors to civilian members after volunteers who helped in the campaign of Trillanes in the May 2007 elections manifested their intention to continue their activities.

Thinking Pinoy

Among them was Ernesto Domingo, 52, an embassy chauffeur from Taguig. He was among Trillanes’ campaign volunteers who immediately committed to the group when he heard it was accepting civilians.

Friendster and Facebook, the latest fads among the Filipino youth, became the fastest way to draw in members, said Air Force 1st Lt. Billy Pascua, secretary general, through confidential channels.

“We’re just thinking Pinoy. Using these sites is the in thing right now but this is just one way to recruit members,” said another source, quoting Pascua.

An application form can be downloaded from both sites and printed out. Filled-out forms can be submitted to designated “area coordinators.”

Three chores

A Baguio-based businessman in his 50s downloaded an application form from Facebook, filled it out and submitted it to his designated administrator.

Pascua shared this information with the Inquirer but refused to identify their latest member without his consent.

Aspiring members could also get the application form directly from their coordinators, Pascua added.

An affiliate, according to Alejano is expected to fulfill three chores: To become a productive and law-abiding citizen (which includes paying taxes and obeying traffic rules); to observe its code of conduct; and to support the activities of the Magdalo.

These activities pertain to “authorized” and apolitical enterprises such as feeding programs, food distribution projects, sports fests and medical missions, among others, officers said.

Taking risks

Conrad Placeros, 24, a security supervisor in a telecommunications company in Makati, recently signed up with the group. He said he was willing to join protest actions and mass movements staged by the organization.

“I could lose my job for joining a group run by [so-called enemies of the state],” Placeros told the Inquirer over the phone. “But I believe in their cause and I want to help.”

Domingo, who works as a chauffeur, also said he was not worried that his links to the group might be used against him because he was ready to fight for the rights of fellow Filipinos.

“I can help the group by following the law, by not accepting bribes or bribing anyone,” he said in an interview.

Guts required

Because of the risks involved, Samahang Magdalo officers said signing up with them required guts.

“We will not allow any fund-raising activity because it breeds corruption so members will have to sustain the organization’s programs through their personal funds,” Pascua said.

He added that it was possible that members would be placed under police surveillance just like what happened to Trillanes’ election campaign volunteers last year.

“But if they really believe in the group’s cause, they won’t mind the hassles,” he said.

By Jocelyn Uy
Philippine Daily Inquirer
04/25/2009

MANILA, Philippines — Taking their cue from detained Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, three of his comrades in the band of soldiers and officers that staged a mutiny in 2003 have declared their intention to seek public office in the 2010 elections in their hometowns.

Former Marine Captain Gary Alejano took the initial step on Thursday by registering as a voter in Sipalay City, Negros Oriental province, where he would be expected to run as mayor.

A Makati regional trial court handling the rebellion case filed against him granted Alejano a three-day furlough to leave Camp Crame, where he is detained, to be able to register.

Detained former Navy Lieutenant James Layug and former Air Force Lieutenant Francisco Ashley Acedillo, on the other hand, have decided to seek congressional seats in Taguig City, Metro Manila and Cebu City in Cebu province, respectively.

Layug signed up as a voter in Taguig City on Wednesday.

“This is still part of our advocacy for reforms in the government. We cannot pursue change by just staying on the sidelines,” Acedillo told the Philippine Daily Inquirer in a phone interview.

Acedillo is facing coup d’etat charges for joining the short-lived mutiny at the Oakwood apartment towers in Makati City six years ago and is out on bail.

Alejano and Layug have yet to be allowed to post bail for the rebellion case filed against them following the botched Peninsula Manila hotel takeover in 2007.

“When one is seeking meaningful change, you cannot just stop at one thing. You have to seek other avenues and entering the political arena is one way,” said an Inquirer source, quoting Alejano.

The source added that the three aspirants were inspired by their leader, Trillanes, a former Navy lieutenant who ran his campaign from his detention cell, eventually getting 11 million votes that won him a seat in the Senate.

BY GILBERT BAYORAN

The Visayan Daily Star, 25 April 2009

Former Marine Capt. Gary Alejano yesterday said he feels no remorse over his participation in the short-lived military uprising in 2003, which led to his dismissal from the military service.

Alejano, who was among the core leaders of the Magdalo group, including ex-Army Capt. Milo Maestrecampo, said he was fully aware of the consequences of what he did.

“I feel no remorse for what I did. I wanted to have a change in the system of government,” Alejano told the DAILY STAR last night.

Alejano who chairs the Samahang Magdalo, is out on bail from coup d’etat charges. He is also facing rebellion charges for the failed Manila Peninsula takeover in 2007.

He said he hopes to avail of amnesty from the next administration, adding that he wants to serve the government again.

Alejano is a native of Sipalay City, while Maestrecampo, who resides in Talisay City, has rejoined the government service, and is now actively involved in the Social Integration Program for rebel returnees, under the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process.

Maestrecampo, Alejano and other Magdalo leaders, except detained Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, a former Navy lieutenant, and fugitive Marine Capt. Nicanor Faeldon, pleaded guilty of participation in the short-lived coup d’etat in 2003.

Alejano revealed plans to go into local politics in Sipalay City, in response to the growing clamor for him to run for public office.

During his arrival in Brgy. Cartagena, Sipalay City, Wednesday, Alejano said his supporters were harassed a group of people, affiliated to a politician, who confiscated their streamers and placards.

Aside from joining local politics, he said they are also planning to field Samahang Magdalo (SM) as a party-list group during the May 2010 national elections.

The SM has revived its group by recruiting civilian members, but reportedly without the hostilities it was known for in previous years.

A statement from Magdalo said that in their desire for a better government and a better country, and believing that patriotic and idealistic Filipinos are not confined within their ranks, it opens its doors to all who may want to join their cause and be one with their principles and advocacies.

The SM headed by Alejano, is under the Magdalo sa Pagbabago Movement Inc. headed by Brigadier General Danilo Lim as chairman, Senator Trillanes as vice chairman, and Lieutenant Sergeant James Layug as president.

Recruits first have to undergo an orientation where they are told to observe the Samahang Magdalo Code of Conduct that focuses on the love of God, country, people, family, and environment, the group said.

Magdalo Marine Officer Throws Hat into Sipalay Mayoralty Contest

By Edgar Cadagat

Negros Daily Bulletin

It’s now a foregone conclusion, Magdalo officer Capt. Gary Alejano is throwing his hat into the political ring as mayor in Sipalay City this coming 2010 election.

Alejano asked and was granted a three-day furlough by the military court trying their case so he was able to register in Sipalay City last week.

Arriving ahead of Alejano who is still detained in the military dentention center in Taguig was his wife, Mini Cojuangco Alejano, a niece of industrialist Eduardo Cojuangco.

According to Mini Alejano, she hopes she and her husband can, together with the people of Sipalay City, join hands in the effort to make it more progressive.

She added that she and her husband were in the city to join a family reunion which a source said, was an initial gathering to discuss the entry of the cashiered officer who now heads the Samahang Magdalo. The Samahang Magdalo is one of several organizations composed of retired military and police officers and civilian adherents who have organized the Ang Katipunan headed by ex-Scout Rangers Commander Brig. Gen Danilo Lim.

On her husband and his group’s staging Oakwood and Peninsula Hotel action, she said initially she viewed it with mixed emotions but at the end of the day, fully supported her husband and his group’s action.

On her husband’s mayoralty plan in Sipalay she said the people’s response was surprising because it was positive.

Capt. Alejano has initially indicated that he will run on the platform of good government. He has told supporters that corruption in the city was rife and he wants to end it. In an interview in a national daily, he said his group had become open to other options of bringing about change and reforms in Philippine society, the reason why they are planning to run for various positions in the coming 2010 polls.

Among the clearcut examples that he saw was their comrade Navy Captain Antonio Trillanes’ victory in the last election as senator.

Magdalo soldier plans to run for Negros post

Malaya

27 April 2009

BACOLOD CITY — Former Marine Capt. Gary Alejano said he plans to run for office in his native Sipalay City in response to the growing clamor for him to do so. He said Samahang Magdalo, which he heads, is also planning to run for a Congressional seat under the party list system in 2010.

Alejano is currently out on bail but is still not cleared of the coup d’etat and rebellion cases filed against him and several Magdalo officers for the Oakwood mutiny in 2003 and the Manila Peninsula caper in 2007.

He said he will seek amnesty from the next administration as he wants to serve government again.

Alejano said he feels no remorse over his participation in the Oakwood mutiny which led to his dismissal from the military service. He said he was fully aware of the consequences of his actions. “I feel no remorse for what I did. I wanted to have a change in the system of government.”

Incoming AFP chief Lt. Gen. Victor Ibrado yesterday said he welcomes the formation of a political party by the Magdalo leaders. “This is a democratic country, everybody can exercise his political rights,” he said.

Samahang Magdalo (SM) has also recruited civilian members, saying the desire for a better government and a better country is not confined within their ranks and its doors are open to patriotic and idealistic Filipinos who share their advocacies and principles.

SM is under the Magdalo sa Pagbabago Movement Inc. headed by detained general Danilo Lim as chairman, Sen. Antonio Trillanes as vice chairman, and Lt James Layug as president.

Detained army officer running for Congress

By Estanislao Albano, Jr.

ZIGZAG Weekly Online, 17 May 2009

TABUK CITY, KALINGA – Detained Army Capt. Dante Langkit, 37, has declared his readiness to run for Congress in the coming elections either for the lone congressional seat of his native Kalinga province or through the party list system.

Langkit already took the first step by making sure that he is a registered voter of Taga, Pinukpuk, this province which was made possible when he was granted a three-day temporary freedom by jail authorities so he could travel home.

His twin brother Danzel, however, told the local media that there was no need for the captain to register because upon verification, his name still appears on the voters’ list of Precinct No. 78-A of Taga, Pinukpuk.

“His registration was not affected by his detention,” Danzel said.

Capt. Langkit who was accompanied by two jail guards and told to stick with the approved itinerary talked with the media here on May 12, the last day of his leave from jail, about his political plans.

He said that he is among the members of the Samahang Magdalo (SM), an organization headed by renegade soldiers Gen. Danilo Lim and Senator Antonio Trillanes IV and duly registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission, being considered for nomination in the event that the SM will be accredited as a party list organization in time for the 2010 elections.

He said that the SM legal department is already working on the accreditation of the organization as a party list group by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) and that at the same time, the SM is in the process of strengthening its national organization through the enlistment of its sympathizers as members of the group.

“We are targeting three percent of the electorate of each congressional district,” Capt. Langkit said.

Gunning for the congressional seat of Kalinga is also an option, the army officer said.