- Minority tag looms for Lakas Defections mean loss of dominant status (The Manila Times)
- Comelec: No national election results in 48 hours (Philippine Daily Inquirer)
- Comelec: Poll results known in 3 days (The Philippine Star)
- Ang Kapatiran accepts ABS-CBN's apology (The Philippine Star)
- NP to Aquino: Come clean on security agency (Philippine Daily Inquirer)
- Villar, NP court Muslim vote (The Philippine Star)
- Election failure to favor Arroyo Think tank cites 14 danger signs (Philippine Daily Inquirer)
- Villar, Noy both GMA bets - PMP (The Philippine Star)
April 16, 2010
Election 2010 News - April 16, 2010
Minority tag looms for Lakas Defections mean loss of dominant status
BY BERNICE CAMILLE V. BAUZON Reporter ( The Manila Times )
Link: http://www.manilatimes.net/index.php/top-stories/15348-minority-tag-looms-for-lakas
Defections of members of the administration party Lakas-Kampi Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD) could lead to the ruling coalition losing its claim to dominant majority party status in the May 10 elections, a high-ranking official of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said on Thursday.
But according to Comelec Commissioner Rene Sarmiento, they still would look into political developments within political parties to determine which party should be declared as the dominant majority party and as the dominant minority party in next month’s polls.
He said that it would not matter if only Lakas-Kampi CMD was the only one to apply for the dominant majority party status.
Sarmiento added that the poll body could go around and declare another party as the dominant one.
Link: http://www.manilatimes.net/index.php/top-stories/15348-minority-tag-looms-for-lakas
Defections of members of the administration party Lakas-Kampi Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD) could lead to the ruling coalition losing its claim to dominant majority party status in the May 10 elections, a high-ranking official of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said on Thursday.
But according to Comelec Commissioner Rene Sarmiento, they still would look into political developments within political parties to determine which party should be declared as the dominant majority party and as the dominant minority party in next month’s polls.
He said that it would not matter if only Lakas-Kampi CMD was the only one to apply for the dominant majority party status.
Sarmiento added that the poll body could go around and declare another party as the dominant one.
Comelec: No national election results in 48 hours
By Leila B. Salaverria (Philippine Daily Inquirer)Link: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20100416-264509/Comelec-No-national-election-results--in-48-hours
MANILA, Philippines—In the automated elections on May 10, the mindset is that the winners would be known in a jiffy.
Well, not exactly.
Results will be posted pronto in real time as they are spewed out by a computing machine on a website, to be announced later, but these will be from each one of the 76,000 precincts nationwide.
You’ll have to do the addition yourself to know what’s up.
After saying again and again that the results of the automated election system (AES)—meaning contest outcomes—will be known within 48 hours, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Thursday said for the first time that in fact this was unlikely to happen.
Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez, speaking at a forum of the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (Focap), said the poll body was not required to add up the results of the precinct voting or to provide a running tally on the website.
MANILA, Philippines—In the automated elections on May 10, the mindset is that the winners would be known in a jiffy.
Well, not exactly.
Results will be posted pronto in real time as they are spewed out by a computing machine on a website, to be announced later, but these will be from each one of the 76,000 precincts nationwide.
You’ll have to do the addition yourself to know what’s up.
After saying again and again that the results of the automated election system (AES)—meaning contest outcomes—will be known within 48 hours, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Thursday said for the first time that in fact this was unlikely to happen.
Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez, speaking at a forum of the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (Focap), said the poll body was not required to add up the results of the precinct voting or to provide a running tally on the website.
Comelec: Poll results known in 3 days
By: AP, Helen Flores, Jose Rodel Clapano, Sheila Crisostomo (The Philippine Star)
Link: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=566926&publicationSubCategoryId=63
MANILA, Philippines - The results of the country’s first automated general elections will be known within three days.
This was announced by Commission on Elections (Comelec) spokesman James Jimenez after business groups said they feared the new system would fail.
The Philippines has brought in the nationwide automated system to replace the laborious manual system that took weeks to tabulate results, but influential business groups have called for a manual count as a backup.
In a statement Wednesday, the Management Association of the Philippines urged the Comelec to adopt a parallel nationwide manual count for the president and vice president to “mitigate, if not eliminate, the skepticism of many about the credibility of the automated election system and the results that it will deliver.”
Link: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=566926&publicationSubCategoryId=63
MANILA, Philippines - The results of the country’s first automated general elections will be known within three days.
This was announced by Commission on Elections (Comelec) spokesman James Jimenez after business groups said they feared the new system would fail.
The Philippines has brought in the nationwide automated system to replace the laborious manual system that took weeks to tabulate results, but influential business groups have called for a manual count as a backup.
In a statement Wednesday, the Management Association of the Philippines urged the Comelec to adopt a parallel nationwide manual count for the president and vice president to “mitigate, if not eliminate, the skepticism of many about the credibility of the automated election system and the results that it will deliver.”
Ang Kapatiran accepts ABS-CBN's apology
By Perseus Echeminada (The Philippine Star)
Link: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=566934&publicationSubCategoryId=63
MANILA, Philippines - The Ang Kapatiran Party (AKP) has accepted the letter of apology from television network ABS-CBN for not including its vice presidential bet in the March 21 episode of “Harapan: Vice Presidential Debate” held at La Consolacion College in Manila.
In a letter to AKP president Eric Manalang, Maria Ressa, head of ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs, said it was not their intention to overlook the AKP and they are planning to invite them to other episodes of Harapan as well as other venues for the party’s message to reach the people.
“We assure AKP of our commitment to provide political parties fair time and space during the election period,” Ressa said in her letter, according to the AKP media bureau.
AKP vice presidential bet Dominador Chipeco Jr. said he has accepted the apology of the television network, and stressed that “excellence and fairness are great virtues and forgiveness is no less.”
MANILA, Philippines - The Ang Kapatiran Party (AKP) has accepted the letter of apology from television network ABS-CBN for not including its vice presidential bet in the March 21 episode of “Harapan: Vice Presidential Debate” held at La Consolacion College in Manila.
In a letter to AKP president Eric Manalang, Maria Ressa, head of ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs, said it was not their intention to overlook the AKP and they are planning to invite them to other episodes of Harapan as well as other venues for the party’s message to reach the people.
“We assure AKP of our commitment to provide political parties fair time and space during the election period,” Ressa said in her letter, according to the AKP media bureau.
AKP vice presidential bet Dominador Chipeco Jr. said he has accepted the apology of the television network, and stressed that “excellence and fairness are great virtues and forgiveness is no less.”
NP to Aquino: Come clean on security agency
By Michael Lim Ubac ( Philippine Daily Inquirer)
Link: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20100416-264533/NP-to-Aquino-Come-clean-on-security-agency
MANILA, Philippines—The Nacionalista Party (NP) on Thursday urged Liberal Party standard-bearer Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III to tell the truth regarding his involvement in a security agency that obtained government contracts during his mother’s presidency.
NP spokesperson Gilbert Remulla scoffed at Aquino’s claim that he had divested from Best Security Agency (BSA) when his mother, Corazon Aquino, became president.
In an interview, Remulla said BSA’s Articles of Incorporation on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) showed the agency was formed in November 1986, well after Aquino’s mother had assumed the presidency.
“The truth is that Noynoy put up BSA on Nov. 6, 1986, or nine months into the presidency of his mother,” said Remulla, an NP senatorial candidate.
Link: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20100416-264533/NP-to-Aquino-Come-clean-on-security-agency
MANILA, Philippines—The Nacionalista Party (NP) on Thursday urged Liberal Party standard-bearer Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III to tell the truth regarding his involvement in a security agency that obtained government contracts during his mother’s presidency.
NP spokesperson Gilbert Remulla scoffed at Aquino’s claim that he had divested from Best Security Agency (BSA) when his mother, Corazon Aquino, became president.
In an interview, Remulla said BSA’s Articles of Incorporation on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) showed the agency was formed in November 1986, well after Aquino’s mother had assumed the presidency.
“The truth is that Noynoy put up BSA on Nov. 6, 1986, or nine months into the presidency of his mother,” said Remulla, an NP senatorial candidate.
Villar, NP court Muslim vote
By Christina Mendez ( The Philippine Star)
Link: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=566931&publicationSubCategoryId=63
MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur , Philippines – Nacionalista Party (NP) presidential candidate Sen. Manuel Villar Jr. and the party’s senatorial slate yesterday received a strong show of support from local leaders who gathered 20,000 supporters for their political rally in Barangay Banggolo.
The NP has allied with local party Ummah-Ompia led by re-electionist Gov. Omar Ali Solitario and sworn in local leaders from the province’s 38 municipalities.
In expressing his support for Villar, Marawi second district congressional candidate Jun Macarambon took potshots at other presidential candidates who he claims are “insensitive” to the Mindanao peace process.
Macarambon claimed that Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino standard-bearer former President Joseph Estrada practically declared an all-out war in Mindanao when he delivered a speech during his campaign sortie in Davao.
Link: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=566931&publicationSubCategoryId=63
MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur , Philippines – Nacionalista Party (NP) presidential candidate Sen. Manuel Villar Jr. and the party’s senatorial slate yesterday received a strong show of support from local leaders who gathered 20,000 supporters for their political rally in Barangay Banggolo.
The NP has allied with local party Ummah-Ompia led by re-electionist Gov. Omar Ali Solitario and sworn in local leaders from the province’s 38 municipalities.
In expressing his support for Villar, Marawi second district congressional candidate Jun Macarambon took potshots at other presidential candidates who he claims are “insensitive” to the Mindanao peace process.
Macarambon claimed that Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino standard-bearer former President Joseph Estrada practically declared an all-out war in Mindanao when he delivered a speech during his campaign sortie in Davao.
Election failure to favor Arroyo Think tank cites 14 danger signs
By Tony Bergonia (Philippine Daily Inquirer)
Link: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20100416-264500/Election-failure-to-favor-Arroyo
MANILA, Philippines—A multinational firm doing intelligence work for a host of embassies and some of the world’s top corporations has said signs that the Philippines’ first automated balloting on May 10 would fail are getting clearer as the elections draw closer.
In a paper entitled “Assessing 2010 Elections Automation in the Philippines,” Pacific Strategies and Assessments (PSA) said it had found 14 danger signs that the elections were bound to run into a wall of problems, or worse, completely fail.
The paper, submitted to PSA clients that include top US officials in Manila, said that the Arroyo administration was doing very little to assure people of fair and honest elections and might even benefit from failed elections.
“The automation project has been a sideshow to the ongoing shenanigans of sitting President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo who is trying to dominate the Lower House after the 2010 elections,” the PSA paper said.
“There is widespread suspicion that Arroyo will somehow capitalize on automated elections problems or failure to advance her and her family’s interests and perpetuate herself in power,” it said.
Link: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20100416-264500/Election-failure-to-favor-Arroyo
MANILA, Philippines—A multinational firm doing intelligence work for a host of embassies and some of the world’s top corporations has said signs that the Philippines’ first automated balloting on May 10 would fail are getting clearer as the elections draw closer.
In a paper entitled “Assessing 2010 Elections Automation in the Philippines,” Pacific Strategies and Assessments (PSA) said it had found 14 danger signs that the elections were bound to run into a wall of problems, or worse, completely fail.
The paper, submitted to PSA clients that include top US officials in Manila, said that the Arroyo administration was doing very little to assure people of fair and honest elections and might even benefit from failed elections.
“The automation project has been a sideshow to the ongoing shenanigans of sitting President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo who is trying to dominate the Lower House after the 2010 elections,” the PSA paper said.
“There is widespread suspicion that Arroyo will somehow capitalize on automated elections problems or failure to advance her and her family’s interests and perpetuate herself in power,” it said.
Villar, Noy both GMA bets - PMP
By Perseus Echeminada (The Philippine Star)
Link: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=566922&publicationSubCategoryId=63
MANILA, Philippines - A campaign manager of former President Joseph Estrada has tagged Nacionalista Party (NP) standard-bearer Sen. Manuel Villar and Liberal Party (LP) standard-bearer Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III as President Arroyo’s secret candidates.
Outgoing Navotas City Mayor Toby Tiangco told The STAR that the exodus of Lakas-Kampi-CMD stalwarts to NP and LP has exposed Mrs. Arroyo’s support for Villar and Aquino in her bid to promote her political agenda beyond the May elections.
Tiangco, who is on his third and last term, said the latest defection of Albay Gov. Joey Salceda to LP is a clear sign that the President has scattered her political allies to the two parties so she can continue her agenda even after the polls.
“Senators Villar and Aquino should stop accusing each other of being an Arroyo front because both of them are allies of the President,” he said.
Link: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=566922&publicationSubCategoryId=63
MANILA, Philippines - A campaign manager of former President Joseph Estrada has tagged Nacionalista Party (NP) standard-bearer Sen. Manuel Villar and Liberal Party (LP) standard-bearer Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III as President Arroyo’s secret candidates.
Outgoing Navotas City Mayor Toby Tiangco told The STAR that the exodus of Lakas-Kampi-CMD stalwarts to NP and LP has exposed Mrs. Arroyo’s support for Villar and Aquino in her bid to promote her political agenda beyond the May elections.
Tiangco, who is on his third and last term, said the latest defection of Albay Gov. Joey Salceda to LP is a clear sign that the President has scattered her political allies to the two parties so she can continue her agenda even after the polls.
“Senators Villar and Aquino should stop accusing each other of being an Arroyo front because both of them are allies of the President,” he said.
April 15, 2010
Election 2010 News - April 15, 2010
- Villar takes up Aquino challenge on lifestyle check (Business Mirror)
- Lakas vows 16 million votes to ensure Gibo win (The Manila Times)
- Comelec affirms ruling on NP-NPC coalition (Manila Bulletin)
- Teodoro, Nograles trade barbs (Philippine Daily Inquirer)
- Most wanted on May 10: An educational president (Philippine Daily Inquirer)
- Comelec urged to allow media to vote early (The Philippine Star)
- Miriam to NP, LP: Stop the mudslinging (The Philippine Star)
- Comelec eyes expanded random manual audit (The Philippine Star)
Villar takes up Aquino challenge on lifestyle check
Written by Butch Fernandez / Reporter (Business Mirror)
Link: http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=24140:villar-takes-up-aquino-challenge-on-lifestyle-check&catid=26:nation&Itemid=63
NACIONALISTA Party (NP) presidential bet Sen. Manuel Villar took up the challenge hurled by his rival, Liberal Party (LP) standard-bearer Sen. Benigno Aquino III, for candidates to undergo a lifestyle check.
“They may be the ones to lose face because my family and I lead simple lives,” Villar told reporters, saying he has no problem with that. “My wealth was built on hard work and perseverance. I shed sweat and blood to earn a living, so I wont waste my hard-earned money for luxury,” he added.
Aquino, responding to Villar’s dare that presidential candidates take psychiatric tests to determine their mental fitness, countered that he and Villar should first undergo a lie detector test and lifestyle check, amid talks that Villar outspends his rivals in the May 10 elections.
Villar, who made billions in the real-estate business, said he still “prefers boiled kamote [sweet potato] and bananas for breakfast,” adding that people close to him can attest to his simple lifestyle.
Link: http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=24140:villar-takes-up-aquino-challenge-on-lifestyle-check&catid=26:nation&Itemid=63
NACIONALISTA Party (NP) presidential bet Sen. Manuel Villar took up the challenge hurled by his rival, Liberal Party (LP) standard-bearer Sen. Benigno Aquino III, for candidates to undergo a lifestyle check.
“They may be the ones to lose face because my family and I lead simple lives,” Villar told reporters, saying he has no problem with that. “My wealth was built on hard work and perseverance. I shed sweat and blood to earn a living, so I wont waste my hard-earned money for luxury,” he added.
Aquino, responding to Villar’s dare that presidential candidates take psychiatric tests to determine their mental fitness, countered that he and Villar should first undergo a lie detector test and lifestyle check, amid talks that Villar outspends his rivals in the May 10 elections.
Villar, who made billions in the real-estate business, said he still “prefers boiled kamote [sweet potato] and bananas for breakfast,” adding that people close to him can attest to his simple lifestyle.
Lakas vows 16 million votes to ensure Gibo win
BY JAMES KONSTANTIN GALVEZ Reporter (The Manila Times)
Link: http://www.manilatimes.net/index.php/top-stories/15286-lakas-vows-16-million-votes-to-ensure-gibo-win
Despite the reported exodus of members of the ruling coalition, leaders of the administration party Lakas-Kampi Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD) on Wednesday insisted that their standard-bearer Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro will win the May 10 elections.
“We have a massive base of local government officials from barangay [village] captains, councilors, mayors, congressmen and governors. Basing on our computations, we can deliver 10 million to 16 million solid votes for our candidate, Gibo Teodoro,” Lakas-Kampi CMD Chairman Amelita Villarosa said during a press briefing in Malacañang.
She pointed out that reported “personal choices and announcements” of some party members did not affect the program that has been set up by Lakas-Kampi CMD.
“Everything is on schedule” where the administration party and the candidacy of Gibo are concerned, said Villarosa, also the House Deputy Speaker.
Link: http://www.manilatimes.net/index.php/top-stories/15286-lakas-vows-16-million-votes-to-ensure-gibo-win
Despite the reported exodus of members of the ruling coalition, leaders of the administration party Lakas-Kampi Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD) on Wednesday insisted that their standard-bearer Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro will win the May 10 elections.
“We have a massive base of local government officials from barangay [village] captains, councilors, mayors, congressmen and governors. Basing on our computations, we can deliver 10 million to 16 million solid votes for our candidate, Gibo Teodoro,” Lakas-Kampi CMD Chairman Amelita Villarosa said during a press briefing in Malacañang.
She pointed out that reported “personal choices and announcements” of some party members did not affect the program that has been set up by Lakas-Kampi CMD.
“Everything is on schedule” where the administration party and the candidacy of Gibo are concerned, said Villarosa, also the House Deputy Speaker.
Comelec affirms ruling on NP-NPC coalition
By RAYMUND F. ANTONIO (Manila Bulletin)
Link: http://mb.com.ph/articles/252568/comelec-affirms-ruling-npnpc-coalition
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Tuesday stood pat in its decision to grant accreditation to the coalition of the Nacionalista Party (NP) and the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NCP) in spite the NPC’s failure to meet the deadline for registration of political parties.
“That provision refers to groups that are not yet registered as parties. The NP registered even before you were born. And NPC has been long time registered. So, these are registered organizations. They do not come under that provision, which gives deadline,” said Comelec Commissioner Nicodemo Ferrer.
Ferrer, who heads the poll body second division, issued the statement as the Comelec came under fire for its approval of the NP-NPC coalition.
Link: http://mb.com.ph/articles/252568/comelec-affirms-ruling-npnpc-coalition
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Tuesday stood pat in its decision to grant accreditation to the coalition of the Nacionalista Party (NP) and the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NCP) in spite the NPC’s failure to meet the deadline for registration of political parties.
“That provision refers to groups that are not yet registered as parties. The NP registered even before you were born. And NPC has been long time registered. So, these are registered organizations. They do not come under that provision, which gives deadline,” said Comelec Commissioner Nicodemo Ferrer.
Ferrer, who heads the poll body second division, issued the statement as the Comelec came under fire for its approval of the NP-NPC coalition.
Teodoro, Nograles trade barbs
By Gil C. Cabacungan Jr., TJ Burgonio (Philippine Daily Inquirer)
Link: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20100415-264362/Teodoro-Nograles-trade-barbs
MANILA, Philippines—Saying that Lakas-Kampi-CMD standard-bearer Gilbert Teodoro faced “irreversible defeat” in the May elections, House Speaker Prospero Nograles is consulting with former President Fidel V. Ramos and other senior Lakas leaders on how to save the party and stop the wave of defections.
“Defeat appears irreversible for the Lakas-Kampi-CMD standard-bearer. It was a mistake to choose him in the first place. In the past several months that he promised to reverse the trend of defeat, nothing happened. It only led to defections left and right, and disenchantment everywhere,” Nograles said in a statement.
Nograles doubted that Teodoro can win, even in the administration’s traditional bailiwick of Mindanao, because he said he has done nothing while the coalition’s key leaders in the region jump to rival parties.
Link: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20100415-264362/Teodoro-Nograles-trade-barbs
MANILA, Philippines—Saying that Lakas-Kampi-CMD standard-bearer Gilbert Teodoro faced “irreversible defeat” in the May elections, House Speaker Prospero Nograles is consulting with former President Fidel V. Ramos and other senior Lakas leaders on how to save the party and stop the wave of defections.
“Defeat appears irreversible for the Lakas-Kampi-CMD standard-bearer. It was a mistake to choose him in the first place. In the past several months that he promised to reverse the trend of defeat, nothing happened. It only led to defections left and right, and disenchantment everywhere,” Nograles said in a statement.
Nograles doubted that Teodoro can win, even in the administration’s traditional bailiwick of Mindanao, because he said he has done nothing while the coalition’s key leaders in the region jump to rival parties.
Most wanted on May 10: An education president
By Philip Tubeza (Philippine Daily Inquirer)
Link: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20100415-264344/Most-wanted-on-May-10-An-education-president
MANILA, Philippines—While the Arroyo administration trumpets improvements in education
Former Education Undersecretary Jose Miguel Luz says it’s a case of “arrested development.”
“It’s flat. In this business, flat is not good. Going 1 or 2 percent up is not good. You’ve got to be going up 5, 8, or 10 percent,” says Luz, associate dean at the Asian Institute of Management’s Center for Development Management.
“In this business, if you are not getting better, you are falling farther and farther behind. And that’s the problem. When we compare ourselves to where we were and compare ourselves to our neighbors, we’re not getting better. They’re getting much better than us. They’re improving at a faster rate.”
Luz is one of the key advisers of Sen. Benigno Aquino III, the Liberal Party candidate for president in the May 10 elections. He has been on the forefront of a movement in the Philippines over the past dozen years to improve the quality of education—the main vehicle for social mobility among the large impoverished segment of the population that has little access to wealth, because of the failure of agrarian reform, or capital. His ideas are reflected in Aquino’s education program, regarded as one of the most progressive among the presidential candidates.
Link: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20100415-264344/Most-wanted-on-May-10-An-education-president
MANILA, Philippines—While the Arroyo administration trumpets improvements in education
Former Education Undersecretary Jose Miguel Luz says it’s a case of “arrested development.”
“It’s flat. In this business, flat is not good. Going 1 or 2 percent up is not good. You’ve got to be going up 5, 8, or 10 percent,” says Luz, associate dean at the Asian Institute of Management’s Center for Development Management.
“In this business, if you are not getting better, you are falling farther and farther behind. And that’s the problem. When we compare ourselves to where we were and compare ourselves to our neighbors, we’re not getting better. They’re getting much better than us. They’re improving at a faster rate.”
Luz is one of the key advisers of Sen. Benigno Aquino III, the Liberal Party candidate for president in the May 10 elections. He has been on the forefront of a movement in the Philippines over the past dozen years to improve the quality of education—the main vehicle for social mobility among the large impoverished segment of the population that has little access to wealth, because of the failure of agrarian reform, or capital. His ideas are reflected in Aquino’s education program, regarded as one of the most progressive among the presidential candidates.
Comelec urged to allow media to vote early
By Sheila Crisostomo (The Philippine Star)
Link: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=566618&publicationSubCategoryId=63
MANILA, Philippines - Party-list group Alyansa ng Media at Showbiz (AMS) yesterday asked the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to allow members of media to vote ahead of the May 10 elections.
In a three-page petition, the party reasoned that media workers might not be able to vote on election day because they have to work to cover the polls.
“The worst thing that could happen to a Filipino citizen is to be deprived of his right to vote,” the group said.
The group asked the Comelec to allow members of the media to vote during their systems test, and use this opportunity to identify problems in the use of the precinct count optical scan (PCOS) machines.
Link: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=566618&publicationSubCategoryId=63
MANILA, Philippines - Party-list group Alyansa ng Media at Showbiz (AMS) yesterday asked the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to allow members of media to vote ahead of the May 10 elections.
In a three-page petition, the party reasoned that media workers might not be able to vote on election day because they have to work to cover the polls.
“The worst thing that could happen to a Filipino citizen is to be deprived of his right to vote,” the group said.
The group asked the Comelec to allow members of the media to vote during their systems test, and use this opportunity to identify problems in the use of the precinct count optical scan (PCOS) machines.
Miriam to NP, LP: Stop the mudslinging
By Christina Mendez (The Philippine Star)
Link: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=566617&publicationSubCategoryId=63
MANILA, Philippines - Re-electionist Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago has called for an end to the mudslinging between the Nacionalista Party (NP) and the Liberal Party (LP), whose two presidential aspirants, senators Manuel Villar Jr. and Benigno Aquino III, have been swapping charges over Villar’s origins as a poor boy and Aquino’s mental health.
“I am calling for a halt to all these mudslinging. Some people are already commenting that this has become the dirtiest campaign in recent history and I join that view,” Santiago said after delivering a speech at the NP rally in Valenzuela last Tuesday evening.
“Can we please discuss issues here? In Politics 101, we are all taught that we must discuss fully every issue… but never dealing with personalities like where Villar really lived exactly in Tondo because he might have been living in a rich man’s enclave in Tondo,” said the feisty senator, who is seeking re-election as guest candidate of the NP, Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino and the administration’s Lakas-Kampi.
Link: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=566617&publicationSubCategoryId=63
MANILA, Philippines - Re-electionist Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago has called for an end to the mudslinging between the Nacionalista Party (NP) and the Liberal Party (LP), whose two presidential aspirants, senators Manuel Villar Jr. and Benigno Aquino III, have been swapping charges over Villar’s origins as a poor boy and Aquino’s mental health.
“I am calling for a halt to all these mudslinging. Some people are already commenting that this has become the dirtiest campaign in recent history and I join that view,” Santiago said after delivering a speech at the NP rally in Valenzuela last Tuesday evening.
“Can we please discuss issues here? In Politics 101, we are all taught that we must discuss fully every issue… but never dealing with personalities like where Villar really lived exactly in Tondo because he might have been living in a rich man’s enclave in Tondo,” said the feisty senator, who is seeking re-election as guest candidate of the NP, Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino and the administration’s Lakas-Kampi.
Comelec eyes expanded random manual audit
By Helen Flores (The Philippine Star)
Link: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=566611&publicationSubCategoryId=63
MANILA, Philippines - The Commission on Elections (Comelec) might expand the coverage of random manual audit of ballots from a single precinct for every congressional district to five per district.
Election Commissioner Gregorio Larrazabal said the Comelec is expected to issue a resolution on the proposed expansion of the manual audit of ballots next week.
“Let’s wait for the resolution to be issued by en banc but it looks like five precincts per district. The other matters will be contained in the resolution. I don’t want to preempt (the decision),” Larrazabal said.
Electoral reform groups Automated Election System Watch, Center for People Empowerment in Governance and Consortium on Electoral Reforms have asked the Comelec to conduct a wider manual audit of ballots before the proclamation of election winners because a limited one would cast doubt on the results of the automated polls.
Link: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=566611&publicationSubCategoryId=63
MANILA, Philippines - The Commission on Elections (Comelec) might expand the coverage of random manual audit of ballots from a single precinct for every congressional district to five per district.
Election Commissioner Gregorio Larrazabal said the Comelec is expected to issue a resolution on the proposed expansion of the manual audit of ballots next week.
“Let’s wait for the resolution to be issued by en banc but it looks like five precincts per district. The other matters will be contained in the resolution. I don’t want to preempt (the decision),” Larrazabal said.
Electoral reform groups Automated Election System Watch, Center for People Empowerment in Governance and Consortium on Electoral Reforms have asked the Comelec to conduct a wider manual audit of ballots before the proclamation of election winners because a limited one would cast doubt on the results of the automated polls.
April 14, 2010
Election 2010 News - April 14, 2010
- MMDA to remove all illegal campaign posters (Malaya)
- Comelec, NPD, DPWH intensify drive vs illegal campaign posters (The Daily Tribuene)
- Firm's control on May 10 polls expanded Smartmatic bags P500-M ballot every deal (The Daily Tribune)
- NP: Noynoy broke the law during Cory's term Security agency bagged gov't contracts (Philippine Daily Inquirer)
- Gibo: I'm not giving up (The Philippine Star)
- Nograles to Gibo: Shape up or ship out of Lakas (The Philippine Star)
MMDA to remove all illegal campaign posters
By: Ashzel Hachero (Malaya)
Link: http://www.malaya.com.ph/04142010/metro1.html
THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and the Commission on Elections will join forces next week in a major cleanup to remove all illegally posted campaign materials in Metro Manila.
MMDA chairman Oscar Inocentes said around 700 members of the MMDA’s Sidewalk Clearing Operations Group, Road Clearing Operations Group, and Landscape Management Office will begin the cleanup on April 19, backed by a security contingent from the Philippine National Police.
The MMDA earlier augmented its sidewalk clearing group by 200 additional personnel.
"This isn’t merely a show of force. We want all the political parties and candidates, whether they belong to the administration or opposition, to know that we are dead serious in implementing the Comelec policy against illegal posting of campaign materials," Inocentes said.
Link: http://www.malaya.com.ph/04142010/metro1.html
THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and the Commission on Elections will join forces next week in a major cleanup to remove all illegally posted campaign materials in Metro Manila.
MMDA chairman Oscar Inocentes said around 700 members of the MMDA’s Sidewalk Clearing Operations Group, Road Clearing Operations Group, and Landscape Management Office will begin the cleanup on April 19, backed by a security contingent from the Philippine National Police.
The MMDA earlier augmented its sidewalk clearing group by 200 additional personnel.
"This isn’t merely a show of force. We want all the political parties and candidates, whether they belong to the administration or opposition, to know that we are dead serious in implementing the Comelec policy against illegal posting of campaign materials," Inocentes said.
Comelec, NPD, DPWH intensify drive vs illegal campaign posters
By: Arlie O. Calalo
Link: http://www.tribune.net.ph/
Link: http://www.tribune.net.ph/
Operatives of the Commission on Elections (Comelec), Northern Police District (NPD) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) have stepped up the drive against illegal propaganda materials by removing oversized posters and those that were posted in places other than the designated common poster areas.
Dismantled were those attached to trees in parks and electric posts all over the northern part of the metropolis, according to NPD director Chief Supt. Samuel Pagdilao Jr. who led last Monday morning representatives from Comelec and DPWH in implementing the Fair Election Law on illegally posted campaign materials.
Aside from Pagdilao, members of the Camanava (Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, Valenzuela) Joint Security Control Center led by its chairman lawyer Patrick Enaje and Comelec National Capital Region (NCR) director Mike Dioneda removed illegal campaign materials along Samson Road in Caloocan City.
FIRM’S CONTROL ON MAY 10 POLLS EXPANDED Smartmatic bags P500-M ballot delivery deal
By Aytch S. de la Cruz (The Daily Tribune)
Link: http://www.tribune.net.ph/
Automated polls supplier Smartmatic Corp. is one extremely lucky firm, as it has also become the delivery handler of official ballots for the May 10 elections after it cornered a half-a-billion-peso contract from the poll body last March 24 aside from the P11.3-billion deal for the supply of the computerized elections equipment.
The Bids and Awards Committee of the Comelec in Resolution No. 95-2010 last March 24 named Smartmatic as the winner of the contract and the awarding was approved by the Commission on Elections (Comelec)
En Banc on the same day.
With the contract, Smartmatic practically has full control of the conduct of the elections a month from now where fears of a new form of automated cheating are currently being raised.
Link: http://www.tribune.net.ph/
Automated polls supplier Smartmatic Corp. is one extremely lucky firm, as it has also become the delivery handler of official ballots for the May 10 elections after it cornered a half-a-billion-peso contract from the poll body last March 24 aside from the P11.3-billion deal for the supply of the computerized elections equipment.
The Bids and Awards Committee of the Comelec in Resolution No. 95-2010 last March 24 named Smartmatic as the winner of the contract and the awarding was approved by the Commission on Elections (Comelec)
En Banc on the same day.
With the contract, Smartmatic practically has full control of the conduct of the elections a month from now where fears of a new form of automated cheating are currently being raised.
NP: Noynoy broke the law during Cory’s term Security agency bagged gov’t contracts
By Michael Lim Ubac (Philippine Daily Inquirer)
Link: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20100414-264165/NP-Noynoy-broke-the-law-during-Corys-term
MANILA, Philippines—Soon after Corazon Aquino became president, her son Benigno III or “Noynoy,” along with some relatives and friends, put up a security agency that obtained contracts from the government.
Then a private citizen, Noynoy Aquino listed the Arlegui residence of his mother located in the Malacañang compound as the business address of Best Security Agency (BSA), the Nacionalista Party (NP) charged.
“He committed a crime as the son of the president, while he was still in Malacañang,” said NP senatorial candidate Gilbert Remulla in a press conference on Monday.
In the same press conference, NP senatorial candidates Adel Tamano, Susan Ople and Col. Ariel Querubin, represented by his stepson Martin Loon, said Aquino and his relatives violated the Constitution and the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, or Republic Act No. 3019, when they put up BSA in 1986.
Link: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20100414-264165/NP-Noynoy-broke-the-law-during-Corys-term
MANILA, Philippines—Soon after Corazon Aquino became president, her son Benigno III or “Noynoy,” along with some relatives and friends, put up a security agency that obtained contracts from the government.
Then a private citizen, Noynoy Aquino listed the Arlegui residence of his mother located in the Malacañang compound as the business address of Best Security Agency (BSA), the Nacionalista Party (NP) charged.
“He committed a crime as the son of the president, while he was still in Malacañang,” said NP senatorial candidate Gilbert Remulla in a press conference on Monday.
In the same press conference, NP senatorial candidates Adel Tamano, Susan Ople and Col. Ariel Querubin, represented by his stepson Martin Loon, said Aquino and his relatives violated the Constitution and the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, or Republic Act No. 3019, when they put up BSA in 1986.
Gibo: I'm not giving up
By Edith Regalado (The Philippine Star)
Link: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=566317&publicationSubCategoryId=63
DAVAO CITY , Philippines – Lakas-Kampi-CMD standard-bearer Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro assured the people yesterday that he would not give up the fight despite the reported problems in the administration party and his poor showing in surveys for aspirants in the May 10 elections.
“I am not giving up. I am fighting to win. I am fighting to win against Villar (Nacionalista Party presidential candidate Sen. Manuel Villar) and Noynoy (Liberal Party standard-bearer Sen. Benigno Aquino III),” Teodoro told The STAR.
Teodoro, who earlier resigned as chairman of Lakas-Kampi, said he is running to win the elections and not just to compete in the presidential race. – With Jaime Laude
Link: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=566317&publicationSubCategoryId=63
DAVAO CITY , Philippines – Lakas-Kampi-CMD standard-bearer Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro assured the people yesterday that he would not give up the fight despite the reported problems in the administration party and his poor showing in surveys for aspirants in the May 10 elections.
“I am not giving up. I am fighting to win. I am fighting to win against Villar (Nacionalista Party presidential candidate Sen. Manuel Villar) and Noynoy (Liberal Party standard-bearer Sen. Benigno Aquino III),” Teodoro told The STAR.
Teodoro, who earlier resigned as chairman of Lakas-Kampi, said he is running to win the elections and not just to compete in the presidential race. – With Jaime Laude
Nograles to Gibo: Shape up or ship out of Lakas
By Delon Porcalla (The Philippine Star)
Link: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=566311&publicationSubCategoryId=63a
MANILA, Philippines - Speaker Prospero Nograles clarified yesterday that he is not leaving Lakas-Kampi-CMD, but he warned the party’s presidential bet Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. to “shape up or ship out.”
In a statement, Nograles, the party’s vice chairman, said he would not resign from Lakas-Kampi.
He enumerated several mistakes in the campaign that were made by Teodoro, whose ratings remained at seven percent in recent surveys of presidential aspirants, and gave suggestions on how to solve them.
“Enough is enough. Gibo must shape up – address the grievances of Lakas members, recover their confidence, motivate the party - or he (Teodoro) ships out of the party,” he warned, citing Teodoro’s abrupt resignation as Lakas-Kampi chairman without consulting other party leaders.
Link: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=566311&publicationSubCategoryId=63a
MANILA, Philippines - Speaker Prospero Nograles clarified yesterday that he is not leaving Lakas-Kampi-CMD, but he warned the party’s presidential bet Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. to “shape up or ship out.”
In a statement, Nograles, the party’s vice chairman, said he would not resign from Lakas-Kampi.
He enumerated several mistakes in the campaign that were made by Teodoro, whose ratings remained at seven percent in recent surveys of presidential aspirants, and gave suggestions on how to solve them.
“Enough is enough. Gibo must shape up – address the grievances of Lakas members, recover their confidence, motivate the party - or he (Teodoro) ships out of the party,” he warned, citing Teodoro’s abrupt resignation as Lakas-Kampi chairman without consulting other party leaders.
April 12, 2010
Election 2010 News Updates - April 12, 2010
27 Days before Election 2010
- Lakas sets major push for Gibo (The Philippine Star)
- Villar gains slightly in poll; Aquino still up (Philippine Daily Inquirer)
- Noynoy: Please spare my mother (Malaya)
- Erap flays GMA-7 for smear job (The Daily Tribune)
- Speaker, 30 congressmen set to bolt Lakas (The Daily Tribune)
- Manny fights 'Villaroyo' tag, cuts Noynoy's lead to 8 pts (Business Mirror)
- Gordon to Comelec: Ban sample ballots (Philippine Daily Inquirer)
- VP bet Fernando shoots funny video for Web (Philippine Daily Inquirer)
- Comelec claims to be '90% ready' for the May 10 polls (Philippine Daily Inquirer)
- Proper indelible ink to be used in polls - Comelec (The Philippine Star)
Lakas sets major push for Gibo
By Paolo Romero
MANILA, Philippines - Hundreds of pro-administration lawmakers and local officials are set to make a collective push in the remaining 28 days before the May 10 elections to ensure the victory of Lakas-Kampi-CMD standard-bearer Gilbert Teodoro Jr., according to party stalwarts.
Agusan del Norte Rep. Jose Aquino II said more than 100 pro-administration lawmakers, who “stand solidly behind Teodoro,” have vowed to bring him to victory with the elections less than a month away.
“On the part of the members of the House of Representatives, especially those members of the merged Lakas-Kampi-CMD, more than a hundred congressmen, mostly first and second termers, are strongly behind the candidacy of Gilbert Teodoro,” he said.
In a statement, Aquino said lawmakers supporting Teodoro strongly believe in keeping their palabra de honor (word of honor), just like the more than half of the country’s provincial governors.
The first-term members of the House of Representatives believe that Teodoro would emerge the winner in Mindanao, he added.
Teodoro has secured the backing of Mindanao’s local chief executives, who have declared that he would likely rack up some 12 million votes or at least half of the estimated 24 million votes in the South.
The formidable support of Mindanao has given Teodoro a head-start in the race, considering that he is likely to secure, at the minimum, around 45 percent to 50 percent of the South’s estimated 24 million voters, according to Sarangani Gov. Miguel Dominguez and Davao del Norte Rep. Anton Lagdameo.
Ahead of the Lakas-Kampi-CMD national executive meeting last week, some 50 provincial governors from different political parties banded together under “G4G” or “Governors for Gibo,” to reiterate their support for Teodoro.
From The Philippine Star
Agusan del Norte Rep. Jose Aquino II said more than 100 pro-administration lawmakers, who “stand solidly behind Teodoro,” have vowed to bring him to victory with the elections less than a month away.
“On the part of the members of the House of Representatives, especially those members of the merged Lakas-Kampi-CMD, more than a hundred congressmen, mostly first and second termers, are strongly behind the candidacy of Gilbert Teodoro,” he said.
In a statement, Aquino said lawmakers supporting Teodoro strongly believe in keeping their palabra de honor (word of honor), just like the more than half of the country’s provincial governors.
The first-term members of the House of Representatives believe that Teodoro would emerge the winner in Mindanao, he added.
Teodoro has secured the backing of Mindanao’s local chief executives, who have declared that he would likely rack up some 12 million votes or at least half of the estimated 24 million votes in the South.
The formidable support of Mindanao has given Teodoro a head-start in the race, considering that he is likely to secure, at the minimum, around 45 percent to 50 percent of the South’s estimated 24 million voters, according to Sarangani Gov. Miguel Dominguez and Davao del Norte Rep. Anton Lagdameo.
Ahead of the Lakas-Kampi-CMD national executive meeting last week, some 50 provincial governors from different political parties banded together under “G4G” or “Governors for Gibo,” to reiterate their support for Teodoro.
Villar gains slightly in poll; Aquino still up
By Nikko Dizon
MANILA, Philippines—Sen. Manuel Villar, Nacionalista Party standard-bearer, gained a point in a voters’ opinion poll paid for by an ally, but his strongest rival, Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III of the Liberal Party, remained ahead by 8 percentage points.
In the Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey commissioned by San Juan Rep. Ronaldo Zamora and conducted two weeks ago, 37 percent of the respondents said they would vote for Aquino while 29 percent said they would support Villar.
Former President Joseph Estrada got 17 percent, down two points from 19 percent, while administration candidate Gilbert Teodoro gained 2 points, receiving 8 percent.
There was practically no movement in the standings of all the nine presidential candidates as the changes, if any, in their ratings were well within the margin of error of plus or minus 2.1 percentage points.
The survey, conducted from March 28 to 30, covered 2,100 respondents nationwide. The previous SWS survey was conducted from March 19 to 22.
The respondents were asked in Filipino, “Of the names on the list, who would you likely vote for if the presidential election were held today?”
Villar’s confidence of finally overtaking Aquino has not wavered despite the Liberal Party standard-bearer’s 8-point lead.
“Dikit na yan (That’s almost neck and neck) in an election,” Villar said at a press conference at the General Santos City airport Sunday afternoon.
Aquino welcomed the results of the latest SWS survey.
From Philippine Daily Inquirer Link: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20100412-263752/Villar-gains-slightly-in-poll-Aquino-still-up
MANILA, Philippines—Sen. Manuel Villar, Nacionalista Party standard-bearer, gained a point in a voters’ opinion poll paid for by an ally, but his strongest rival, Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III of the Liberal Party, remained ahead by 8 percentage points.
In the Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey commissioned by San Juan Rep. Ronaldo Zamora and conducted two weeks ago, 37 percent of the respondents said they would vote for Aquino while 29 percent said they would support Villar.
Former President Joseph Estrada got 17 percent, down two points from 19 percent, while administration candidate Gilbert Teodoro gained 2 points, receiving 8 percent.
There was practically no movement in the standings of all the nine presidential candidates as the changes, if any, in their ratings were well within the margin of error of plus or minus 2.1 percentage points.
The survey, conducted from March 28 to 30, covered 2,100 respondents nationwide. The previous SWS survey was conducted from March 19 to 22.
The respondents were asked in Filipino, “Of the names on the list, who would you likely vote for if the presidential election were held today?”
Villar’s confidence of finally overtaking Aquino has not wavered despite the Liberal Party standard-bearer’s 8-point lead.
“Dikit na yan (That’s almost neck and neck) in an election,” Villar said at a press conference at the General Santos City airport Sunday afternoon.
Aquino welcomed the results of the latest SWS survey.
Noynoy: Please spare my mother
Also takes umbrage over fitness report
By WENDELL VIGILIA
From Malaya
Link: http://www.malaya.com.ph/04122010/news1.html
LIBERAL Party standard-bearer Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino yesterday warned Sen. Manuel Villar and his Nacionalista Party not to drag his mother, former president Corazon C. Aquino, into their efforts to vilify him through black propaganda.
"Sa akin, di bale, alam ko ganyan ang mangyayari sa kampanya. Pero kung may issue sa nanay ko na patay na e sinasama pa sa kwentong kabulastugan, sobra-sobra (na iyan)," he said.
Text messages and propaganda have been spreading in cyberspace blaming Mrs. Aquino for the Hacienda Luisita dispute and for the alleged appointments in the government of her relatives during her incumbency.
The NP has been harping on the legacy left by Noynoy’s parents, Cory and Ninoy, saying it does not make him an heir to the presidency.
Aquino said his detractors are already hitting him and his family below the belt in desperation because of his consistent lead over Villar in surveys.
"Sign ’to na desperado na (si Villar). Sa Tagalog, ang tawag kapit sa patalim. Pero lalabas yung katotohanan. Sabi ng tatay ko, `how do we fight falsehoods and lies? With the truth,’" he said.
Aquino’s warning came after the latest attack allegedly by the NP, which portrays him as psychologically unstable based on a fabricated document which the NP allegedly fed to ABS-CBN.
Tina Monzon-Palma, a seasoned broadcaster, informed Aquino in a press conference in Davao City last Friday that the fake psychiatric documents came from the NP, from which news anchor-reporter Ces Oreña-Drilon based her story.
The Ateneo de Manila University Psychology Department has already disowned the documents which alleged that Aquino suffered from depression in 1996.
Its alleged author, Fr. Carmelo "Tito" Caluag, called the document "bogus" while the school noted that he is neither a psychologist nor a psychiatrist.
LIBERAL Party standard-bearer Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino yesterday warned Sen. Manuel Villar and his Nacionalista Party not to drag his mother, former president Corazon C. Aquino, into their efforts to vilify him through black propaganda.
"Sa akin, di bale, alam ko ganyan ang mangyayari sa kampanya. Pero kung may issue sa nanay ko na patay na e sinasama pa sa kwentong kabulastugan, sobra-sobra (na iyan)," he said.
Text messages and propaganda have been spreading in cyberspace blaming Mrs. Aquino for the Hacienda Luisita dispute and for the alleged appointments in the government of her relatives during her incumbency.
The NP has been harping on the legacy left by Noynoy’s parents, Cory and Ninoy, saying it does not make him an heir to the presidency.
Aquino said his detractors are already hitting him and his family below the belt in desperation because of his consistent lead over Villar in surveys.
"Sign ’to na desperado na (si Villar). Sa Tagalog, ang tawag kapit sa patalim. Pero lalabas yung katotohanan. Sabi ng tatay ko, `how do we fight falsehoods and lies? With the truth,’" he said.
Aquino’s warning came after the latest attack allegedly by the NP, which portrays him as psychologically unstable based on a fabricated document which the NP allegedly fed to ABS-CBN.
Tina Monzon-Palma, a seasoned broadcaster, informed Aquino in a press conference in Davao City last Friday that the fake psychiatric documents came from the NP, from which news anchor-reporter Ces Oreña-Drilon based her story.
The Ateneo de Manila University Psychology Department has already disowned the documents which alleged that Aquino suffered from depression in 1996.
Its alleged author, Fr. Carmelo "Tito" Caluag, called the document "bogus" while the school noted that he is neither a psychologist nor a psychiatrist.
Erap flays GMA-7 for smear job
By Gerry Baldo
From The Daily Tribune
Link: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100412hed2.html
As his numbers rise in the surveys, Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) standard bearer former President Joseph Estrada said the media are again demonizing him.
Estrada, in an interview during a campaign rally in Malabon on Friday, accused GMA-7 of kicking off a demolition job on him when it came out with a report about his Statement of Assets Liabilities and Networth (SALN) a few days ago.
“They have started the smear job against me, about my SALN. It was all too sudden after my rating at number three started to go up,” he said.
Estrada expressed apprehensions that the media would again ruin his image similar to when he was ousted in 2001.
“My ratings have started to improve and the demonization scheme was started by Channel 7
yesterday,” he said. He added that despite such efforts from media his supporters had not left him.
“Inspite of the demonization of the media when I was incarcerated, the people has not left me. To prove that, Dr. Loi, my wife, and my son, Jinggoy, were elected as senators even if I was incarcerated. They were elected as senators when I was behind bars. That goes to show that the masses have never left me inspite of the demonization of the media against me,” he said.
Estrada also compared to his past movies where he has portrayed the role of the underdog who later on always won his fight in the end, his bid for the presidency.
“Like in the movies I have always been an underdog, but in the end I always win,” Estrada told reporters.
Estrada, reacting to reports that he is trailing behind the presidential race in a three-cornered fight between him and senators Benigno Aquino III of the Liberal Party and Manny Villar of the Nationalista Party, said that he is taking his chances.
“I’m a risk taker ok, I am a risk taker...” he said in an interview that was incessantly interrupted by campaign jingles of his partymates who were delivering their pieces on the stage set up in the middle of a road in Malabon.
Estrada also said that nobody can stop him from pursuing the presidency that was forcibly taken away from him in 2001.
“Nobody can stop me and nobody can make me withdraw. Only death can make me withdraw,” he said despite offers for him to withdraw from the race and despite the party’s meagre resources.
As his numbers rise in the surveys, Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) standard bearer former President Joseph Estrada said the media are again demonizing him.
Estrada, in an interview during a campaign rally in Malabon on Friday, accused GMA-7 of kicking off a demolition job on him when it came out with a report about his Statement of Assets Liabilities and Networth (SALN) a few days ago.
“They have started the smear job against me, about my SALN. It was all too sudden after my rating at number three started to go up,” he said.
Estrada expressed apprehensions that the media would again ruin his image similar to when he was ousted in 2001.
“My ratings have started to improve and the demonization scheme was started by Channel 7
yesterday,” he said. He added that despite such efforts from media his supporters had not left him.
“Inspite of the demonization of the media when I was incarcerated, the people has not left me. To prove that, Dr. Loi, my wife, and my son, Jinggoy, were elected as senators even if I was incarcerated. They were elected as senators when I was behind bars. That goes to show that the masses have never left me inspite of the demonization of the media against me,” he said.
Estrada also compared to his past movies where he has portrayed the role of the underdog who later on always won his fight in the end, his bid for the presidency.
“Like in the movies I have always been an underdog, but in the end I always win,” Estrada told reporters.
Estrada, reacting to reports that he is trailing behind the presidential race in a three-cornered fight between him and senators Benigno Aquino III of the Liberal Party and Manny Villar of the Nationalista Party, said that he is taking his chances.
“I’m a risk taker ok, I am a risk taker...” he said in an interview that was incessantly interrupted by campaign jingles of his partymates who were delivering their pieces on the stage set up in the middle of a road in Malabon.
Estrada also said that nobody can stop him from pursuing the presidency that was forcibly taken away from him in 2001.
“Nobody can stop me and nobody can make me withdraw. Only death can make me withdraw,” he said despite offers for him to withdraw from the race and despite the party’s meagre resources.
Speaker, 30 congressmen set to bolt Lakas
Ready to endorse Villar — source
By Charlie V. Manalo
From The Daily Tribune
Link: http://www.tribune.net.ph/
Lakas-Kampi presidential bet Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro faces more woes as Speaker Prospero Nograles, together with 30 other congressmen, is said to be ready to bolt the ruling Lakas-Kampi-CMD party and support the presidential candidacy of Nacionalista Party (NP) standard bearer Sen. Manuel Villar Jr., sources close to the administration party said.
“It won’t just be the Speaker who is ready to bolt Lakas. He is bringing along with him 30 congressmen, ready to switch their support to Villar,” the sources told The Tribune yesterday.
According to sources, the 30 still to be identified congressmen who have signified their approval in joining the Speaker in bolting the administration party “are big guns” and have been proven to deliver the votes for whoever they support.
The source refused to name the 30 congressmen but intimated that they are all part of the Speaker’s so-called “core group” in the House of Representatives.
The Tribune reached Nograles through text message confirming dismay over the administration party.
“The candidates in our locals want to support candidates who won’t bring them down in a closely contested local fight. But I know politically they all move differently when their own local fights are close or they get dragged down by national candidates and they won’t risk too much,” Nograles said.
The Speaker, Lakas-Kampi-CMD vice chairman also expressed disappointment at Teodoro and other party leaders who have resigned from their posts last week saying their moves only further confused their members who look upon the party leadership for guidance,
“Many local party mates expect too much from the party and they are confused why so many events are happening nationally which they are ignorant about and party keeps on switching the personalities of the leadership,” said Nograles. “Results are that nobody seems to appear responsible for the locals where to run to, like the song, Who Can I Turn To?”, he added.
Lakas-Kampi presidential bet Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro faces more woes as Speaker Prospero Nograles, together with 30 other congressmen, is said to be ready to bolt the ruling Lakas-Kampi-CMD party and support the presidential candidacy of Nacionalista Party (NP) standard bearer Sen. Manuel Villar Jr., sources close to the administration party said.
“It won’t just be the Speaker who is ready to bolt Lakas. He is bringing along with him 30 congressmen, ready to switch their support to Villar,” the sources told The Tribune yesterday.
According to sources, the 30 still to be identified congressmen who have signified their approval in joining the Speaker in bolting the administration party “are big guns” and have been proven to deliver the votes for whoever they support.
The source refused to name the 30 congressmen but intimated that they are all part of the Speaker’s so-called “core group” in the House of Representatives.
The Tribune reached Nograles through text message confirming dismay over the administration party.
“The candidates in our locals want to support candidates who won’t bring them down in a closely contested local fight. But I know politically they all move differently when their own local fights are close or they get dragged down by national candidates and they won’t risk too much,” Nograles said.
The Speaker, Lakas-Kampi-CMD vice chairman also expressed disappointment at Teodoro and other party leaders who have resigned from their posts last week saying their moves only further confused their members who look upon the party leadership for guidance,
“Many local party mates expect too much from the party and they are confused why so many events are happening nationally which they are ignorant about and party keeps on switching the personalities of the leadership,” said Nograles. “Results are that nobody seems to appear responsible for the locals where to run to, like the song, Who Can I Turn To?”, he added.
Manny fights ‘Villaroyo’ tag, cuts Noynoy’s lead to 8 pts
By Butch Fernandez
From Business Mirror
Link: http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=23993:manny-fights-villaroyo-tag-cuts-noynoys-lead-to-8-pts&catid=26:nation&Itemid=63NACIONALISTA Party (NP) standard-bearer Sen. Manuel Villar bounced back in the end-March Social Weather Stations survey with a 29-percent rating, cutting the lead (from 12 to 8 points) posted by his closest rival, Liberal Party (LP) presidential bet Sen. Benigno Aquino III, in an earlier Pulse Asia survey.
Admitting that his survey ratings were partly affected by the “Villaroyo” tag thrown at him by his opponents, Villar revealed in an interview that he was, in fact, having problems recruiting supporters in the countryside to back the NP campaign because President Arroyo herself had been stopping local leaders from doing so.
“Alam mo, problema ko nga ngayon, mga sumasali sa amin pinipigil ng Pangulo,” Villar said over the weekend. He recalled that since October last year, there were many party recruits who were ready to join the NP campaign “pero tinatawagan ng Pangulo at pinipigil.”
Up to now, he added, the administration Lakas-Kampi-CMD is working on beefing up its ranks, holding party meetings to stop defectors from leaving. “Hanggang ngayon ay nagpapalakas pa ang Lakas at nagpa-meeting at talagang kinukumbinsi lahat na huwag lumipat ng partido.”
This shows, Villar said, that the “Villaroyo” tag and other black propaganda linking him to Arroyo and here husband, Miguel, were all blatant lies spun by his “panicking” political foes. But he added that he expected more of these underhanded tactics to intensify as election day draws near.
“Patuloy ang aming panliligaw sa mga local officials at maraming sumasama sa amin, at syempre marami ring napipigilan ang administrasyon,” he said, even as he insisted that “kalaban namin ang [Arroyo] administrasyon. Nililiwanag namin na oposisyon kami. In fact, hindi pa kami nag-usap ng Pangulo simula na ako ay alisin nila na pangulo ng Senado. Hindi ako humihingi ng pera at wala akong balak na humingi ng pera sa kanila.”
Villar explained that before believing his opponents, voters should realize that he was once Speaker of the House where most of the incumbent congressmen and governors, who were former congressmen as well, were all his allies in the nine years that he served in the House of Representatives.
Gordon to Comelec: Ban sample ballots
by Edson C. Tandoc Jr.
From Philippine Daily Inquirer
Link:http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20100411-263608/Gordon-to-Comelec-Ban-sample-ballots
CEBU CITY, Philippines—Senator Richard Gordon asked the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to issue a resolution banning the distribution of sample ballots to voters, warning that these could be exploited to buy votes and sabotage the automated election.
Gordon on Saturday said that allowing national and local candidates to print and give out sample ballots as campaign paraphernalia was also "environmentally unfriendly" and would be an "insane misuse of valuable resources."
Speaking with reporters in this city, Gordon said: "I am calling on the Comelec not to allow sample ballots."
Gordon, who authored the automated election law, warned that saboteurs could purposely insert the sample ballots, which would be designed to look similar to the actual ballot, to jam the counting machines and delay the election.
The sample ballots could also facilitate vote-buying, he added.
He said the shift to an automated election wiped out "wholesale cheating" in the form of selling tampered certificates of canvass but it will force the return to retail-style cheating through massive vote buying.
He also asked the Comelec to limit the number of allowed poll watchers per candidate or party, saying that some candidates hire as many as five poll watchers per precinct which is already a form of vote-buying.
Gordon said: "Everybody should be vigilant."
CEBU CITY, Philippines—Senator Richard Gordon asked the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to issue a resolution banning the distribution of sample ballots to voters, warning that these could be exploited to buy votes and sabotage the automated election.
Gordon on Saturday said that allowing national and local candidates to print and give out sample ballots as campaign paraphernalia was also "environmentally unfriendly" and would be an "insane misuse of valuable resources."
Speaking with reporters in this city, Gordon said: "I am calling on the Comelec not to allow sample ballots."
Gordon, who authored the automated election law, warned that saboteurs could purposely insert the sample ballots, which would be designed to look similar to the actual ballot, to jam the counting machines and delay the election.
The sample ballots could also facilitate vote-buying, he added.
He said the shift to an automated election wiped out "wholesale cheating" in the form of selling tampered certificates of canvass but it will force the return to retail-style cheating through massive vote buying.
He also asked the Comelec to limit the number of allowed poll watchers per candidate or party, saying that some candidates hire as many as five poll watchers per precinct which is already a form of vote-buying.
Gordon said: "Everybody should be vigilant."
VP bet Fernando shoots funny video for Web
by Edson C. Tandoc Jr.
From Philippine Daily Inquirer
Link: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20100411-263615/VP-bet-Fernando-shoots-funny-video-for-Web
MANILA, Philippines—Three weeks after a funny video of presidential candidate Senator Richard Gordon spread on the internet, it's Bayani Fernando's turn to dance and lip-synch with internet comedians Moymoy Palaboy and his brother Roadfill.
Fernando shot a short clip—filmed using a cell phone—on Friday afternoon right after a press conference where Gordon's Bagumbayan Party gathered supporters in a show of force.
It so happened that Moymoy Palaboy, or James Obeso in real life, and his brother Rudolf also attended the press conference to show their support to Gordon's presidential bid.
So, wearing his signature yellow construction hat, Fernando danced with the brothers to the tune of Beastie Boys' "Intergalactic" inside the Barbara's Restaurant, owned by Gordon's sister, in Intramuros, Manila.
The clip will be edited first and is scheduled to be uploaded soon, the duo’s manager Mitch Razote said.
Fernando is known as a singer—he won in GMA7's version of the Celebrity Duets in 2008 and even had concerts with former senator Joey Lina and former energy secretary Angelo Reyes—but he has not been widely seen dancing.
In an earlier interview, Fernando said he could also use his singing skills if he wins as vice president. He said he could provide entertainment in social functions and even wow members of the diplomatic corps and visiting heads of state.
Link: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20100411-263615/VP-bet-Fernando-shoots-funny-video-for-Web
MANILA, Philippines—Three weeks after a funny video of presidential candidate Senator Richard Gordon spread on the internet, it's Bayani Fernando's turn to dance and lip-synch with internet comedians Moymoy Palaboy and his brother Roadfill.
Fernando shot a short clip—filmed using a cell phone—on Friday afternoon right after a press conference where Gordon's Bagumbayan Party gathered supporters in a show of force.
It so happened that Moymoy Palaboy, or James Obeso in real life, and his brother Rudolf also attended the press conference to show their support to Gordon's presidential bid.
So, wearing his signature yellow construction hat, Fernando danced with the brothers to the tune of Beastie Boys' "Intergalactic" inside the Barbara's Restaurant, owned by Gordon's sister, in Intramuros, Manila.
The clip will be edited first and is scheduled to be uploaded soon, the duo’s manager Mitch Razote said.
Fernando is known as a singer—he won in GMA7's version of the Celebrity Duets in 2008 and even had concerts with former senator Joey Lina and former energy secretary Angelo Reyes—but he has not been widely seen dancing.
In an earlier interview, Fernando said he could also use his singing skills if he wins as vice president. He said he could provide entertainment in social functions and even wow members of the diplomatic corps and visiting heads of state.
Comelec claims to be ‘90% ready’ for the May 10 polls
by Leila B. Salaverria
From Philippine Daily Inquirer
Link: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20100411-263652/Comelec-claims-to-be-90-ready-for-the-May-10-pollsMANILA, Philippines -- With a month to go before the country's first automated elections, the Commission on Elections said it was 90 percent ready to conduct the polls, with the remaining weeks to be focused mostly on delivering the voting paraphernalia.
Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said the poll body might set up a “situation room” where the progress of the delivery of ballot boxes, counting machines and other election materials would be tracked and monitored. The area would be open to the public.
“We're thinking of coming up with a monitoring facility here centrally located where we-- I mean the Comelec, the administrators as well as of course members of the media-- will be able to monitor the arrivals and the progress of the various materials that we're transporting,” Jimenez told reporters.
He said the area would be where the reports from all over the country on the status of the delivery of the materials would be sent.
“It will be I think a very, very useful tool for the public to keep informed of the progress of the election,” he added.
Jimenez assessed the Comelec as being very much ready to handle the elections, saying the major components of the event, such as the ballot boxes and the precinct count optical scan machines, have been manufactured and have been placed in the poll body's custody.
“Considering that all the major elements in conducting an election are already in place, I would say we are about 90 percent ready to conduct the elections. The fact that we've already started elections for the overseas absentee voting, that's already a good sign for us,” he said.
The poll body would now need to ensure that the election paraphernalia reach their intended destination. The delivery of the ballot boxes and the PCOS machines has begun, with the Comelec focusing first on the far-flung areas, he said.
“Over the next few weeks, we would be looking at the deliveries. That's where we need to focus our attention, making sure that these elements arrive on time and in the proper order,” he said.
Proper indelible ink to be used in polls - Comelec
by Mayen Jaymalin
from The Philippine Star
Link: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=565761&publicationSubCategoryId=63
MANILA, Philippines - The Commission on Elections (Comelec) yesterday assured the people that an effective indelible ink would be available in the May 2010 elections despite the planned re-bidding and delay in purchase.
Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said the Comelec still has sufficient time to re-bid the supply contract and ensure the quality of the indelible ink.
“Don’t worry about it. (We will make sure) that even if the dye may be removed by a strong enough solvent, the discoloration of the skin cannot be removed,” Jimenez said.
Jimenez said the Comelec could easily handle bidding process for the purchase of indelible ink.
“Madaling procurement lang naman ito. Matagal na namin itong ginagawa. (It would be easy to procure because we have been doing this for sometime). We don’t expect any issue here (that will cause delays),” he said.
Rebidding set this week
He said the Comelec has tentatively set the re-bidding for the indelible ink this week.
Jimenez said a new bidding for the ink could be in the offing after Texas Resources Corp.’s product failed in the first test after the firm won the bidding.
The poll official stressed that a second bidding would be fair for all stakeholders since Texas Corp. had already failed.
The indelible ink plays a crucial role in determining whether an individual had already voted or not.
He said the Comelec is now 90 percent complete with the preparation and fully ready for the conduct of the elections.
“Considering that all major components in the conduct of the elections are already in place, I would say the Commission is now 90 percent ready for the elections,” Jimenez disclosed.
MANILA, Philippines - The Commission on Elections (Comelec) yesterday assured the people that an effective indelible ink would be available in the May 2010 elections despite the planned re-bidding and delay in purchase.
Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said the Comelec still has sufficient time to re-bid the supply contract and ensure the quality of the indelible ink.
“Don’t worry about it. (We will make sure) that even if the dye may be removed by a strong enough solvent, the discoloration of the skin cannot be removed,” Jimenez said.
Jimenez said the Comelec could easily handle bidding process for the purchase of indelible ink.
“Madaling procurement lang naman ito. Matagal na namin itong ginagawa. (It would be easy to procure because we have been doing this for sometime). We don’t expect any issue here (that will cause delays),” he said.
Rebidding set this week
He said the Comelec has tentatively set the re-bidding for the indelible ink this week.
Jimenez said a new bidding for the ink could be in the offing after Texas Resources Corp.’s product failed in the first test after the firm won the bidding.
The poll official stressed that a second bidding would be fair for all stakeholders since Texas Corp. had already failed.
The indelible ink plays a crucial role in determining whether an individual had already voted or not.
He said the Comelec is now 90 percent complete with the preparation and fully ready for the conduct of the elections.
“Considering that all major components in the conduct of the elections are already in place, I would say the Commission is now 90 percent ready for the elections,” Jimenez disclosed.
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