Franklin Ysaac’s journey began as the heroic Vaslav in a school play, a mere prelude to his emergence as the fearless Franklin in contemporary public discourse.  The year was 1962, and the setting was Naga Parochial School in Naga City, Camarines Sur, Philippines, a parish-run elementary school. It was there that Mr. Juan Badong V, a Grade 5 schoolteacher and musical theater enthusiast, orchestrated a remarkable operetta. Affectionately referred to as “Onebadongdepip”, he engaged the Grade 5 and 6 schoolboys as actors in an old Russian play. In provincial schools, the staging of performances was typically orchestrated by musically gifted schoolteachers like “Onebadongdepip.” These events held a unique charm for the Naga City community, particularly those living on the outskirts, far removed from the bustling metropolis of Manila.

Mr. Badong assumed multiple roles, serving as musical director, coach, choirmaster, conductor, and director. The Grade 5 youngsters composed the chorus choir, serenading the mini-opera with their harmonious voices.  In this grand production, Grade 6 scholar Franklin assumed the lead role of Vaslav, a fictional Russian prince who led a valiant battle against Cossacks in ancient Ukraine, inspired by genuine historical drama from Russia.

Known as “Frank” to his many friends, he excelled academically in elementary school and advanced to the local Jesuit institution, the Ateneo de Naga, for high school. While initially considering a path as a priest, following in the footsteps of his older brother, a Jesuit priest at Ateneo de Manila, he eventually earned a bachelor’s degree in foreign service from the University of the Philippines.

Franklin’s multifaceted talents extend beyond academia, encompassing not only courage but also versatility. After graduating, he entered the world of banking, demonstrating precision and responsibility in managing people’s finances. Yet, beneath his unassuming and amiable exterior, he cultivated an alternative skill set. Over years of fascination with technology and computer systems, he evolved into an InfoTech expert, skillfully balancing dual roles in banking and technology, making him an unlikely yet extraordinary force to be reckoned with.

Now, after many years in the white-collar world of banking and finance, he is reprising the role he played in that elementary school play, albeit with a new adversary.  This time, it is not a staged performance, it’s a national arena, and the opponent is real and formidable.   He confronts this challenge with unwavering fearlessness, taking a stand against injustice.

Franklin had always been a staunch advocate of democratic principles and the imperative of fair and transparent elections. While he refrained from entering politics, he assumed top leadership roles in various private organizations, including school alumni associations and the prestigious Financial Executives Association of the Philippines (FINEX). He even presided over a private commercial bank in Manila at one point.

Given his steadfast belief in democratic values, the doubts and suspicions arising from the 2020 Philippine national elections were issues that Franklin could not simply ignore. He realized he possessed the skills and the determination needed to unearth the truth and ensure that the people’s voices were heard loud and clear.  The election fraud was a deeply troubling event that impelled him to join forces with Brig. Gen. Eliseo “Eli” Rio, Jr. (retired), the former acting secretary of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and former chairman of the Comelec Advisory Council, and Augusto “Gus” Lagman, a former Comelec commissioner and former president of the National Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel). Together, this unlikely but formidable trio shared a common mission: upholding democratic principles.

A growing number of individuals are now recognizing that the election results, which were purported to reflect the will of the people, were severely compromised by the Comelec under questionable circumstances. What Franklin and the military officers unearthed wasn’t a convoluted web of tampering and manipulation that cast serious doubt on the election’s integrity. Surprisingly, they didn’t even need to navigate the intricate maze of digital data or scrutinize the election processes and results. What they discovered was nothing short of astonishing. Comelec had inadvertently disclosed that only one IP server had been used to input votes purportedly cast in the elections. It became evident that the ballots cast by actual voters in various precincts had not been processed by the counting machines, rendering the numbers reported to the public as false.

Despite this conclusive discovery, Comelec declared victory for a tandem that now governs the nation without being held accountable. Equally disconcerting, the Supreme Court has yet to issue a verdict on the accuracy of the reported vote count, leaving the case unresolved.

Recently, members of Malaya New York and the GTTAN (Global Truth and Transparency Advocates Network) accorded Franklin a warm welcome in New York City, organizing a forum at the community hall in Jackson Heights, Queens County to enlighten Filipinos seeking the truth about the elections. Attendees braved heavy downpours to participate, engaging in spirited discussions with the speaker, and leaving the forum better-informed and eager to spread awareness about the election fraud to other Filipinos in the U.S. and beyond, garnering support for their cause.

As the pressure on Franklin and his team intensifies, the path to justice remains a challenging one. Yet, they persist with unwavering courage and determination. They are a bastion of fearlessness in the face of adversity, setting an inspiring example of individuals who refuse to back down in the pursuit of truth and justice.

As mounting pressure bears down on Comelec and the Supreme Court, it remains a hopeful dream that Comelec will acknowledge the truth of what transpired during the elections. Perhaps the Supreme Court will mandate a thorough investigation and a commitment to transparency in future elections.  However, such hopes may currently reside in the realm of wishful thinking, akin to the world of Disneyland.

At this juncture, what enlightened Filipinos must focus on is public outrage, a collective outcry across the nation. It is a call to action, a spirited and unwavering show of support for truth and transparency, aiming to remove the fake winners unlawfully declared by Comelec from office. It is important to note that the intention here is not to lionize Franklin and his team. Their actions are not driven by self-interest; they are driven by the pursuit of truth and correcting a grave injustice. Similarly, individuals like Gen. (retired) Rio who, at age 84 is still willing to lead in the physical defense of the Philippine territory in the West Philippine seas, come what may, and Gus Lagman display a commitment to principles beyond personal gain. These senior citizens aspire to rectify the wrongdoing, making a meaningful difference in their remaining years.

In turn, what enlightened Filipinos can do is offer support in various ways. This is a rallying call for action. The trio’s collective fearless pursuit of justice must not go unnoticed; it should serve as a source of inspiration. Gen. Eli Rio, Gus Lagman, and Franklin Ysaac symbolize hope and determination, inspiring others to challenge and confront abuses of power in government. Theirs is a story of dedication to democratic ideals, demonstrating that individuals, driven by courage and conviction, can profoundly influence the course of their nation’s destiny.

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