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."

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.

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-polls

MANILA, 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.

Election 2010 News - April 7, 2010

• 41 Governors show up for Gibo  (Manila Bulletin)
• Gloria rallies Lakas-Kampi behind Gibo (Malaya)
• Back Gibo, GMA order allies (The Manila Times)
• Palace assures holding of May 10 Elections (The Manila Times)
• Baby James campaigns for Villar (The Philippine Star)
• Comelec defends price tag on folders (The Philippine Star)
• No election hotspots yet, NCRPO says (Manila Bulletin ) 
• Senatorial debate nauwi sa pikunan (Tonite)

41 governors show up for Gibo

By ARIS R. ILAGAN
From Manila Bulletin
Link: http://mb.com.ph/articles/251417/41-governors-show-gibo

At least 41 provincial governors belonging to the League of Provinces Tuesday showed up during a “loyalty check” initiated by Albay Governor Joey Salceda to reaffirm their support for the presidential bid of former Defense secretary and now Lakas-Kampi-CMD standard-bearer Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. amid pressing problems now hounding the ruling party.
 

The 41 governors were among the 51 provincial chief executives who signed a manifesto of support for Teodoro last month.

Salceda said that they have to check the status of other governors who were absent, adding they might have valid reasons for not being able to appear during the meeting.

“In this kind of (political) climate, physical presence is already very important,” Salceda pointed out.

Gloria rallies Lakas-Kampi behind Gibo

BY REGINA BENGCO
From Malaya
Link: http://www.malaya.com.ph/04072010/news5.html

PRESIDENT Arroyo yesterday ordered the leaders of her party, Lakas-Kampi-Christian Muslim Democrats, to work for the victory of its standard-bearer Gilberto "Gibo" Teodoro Jr. in the May 10 elections.

Arroyo issued the directive during the meeting of the Lakas-Kampi-CMD national executive committee, which was called following the resignations of its top leaders and reports of defections, lack of funding, and of a "secret candidate" of Arroyo and her husband, Jose Miguel Arroyo.

"Definitely, the President’s instruction was to campaign for Gibo and make him win on May 10, and of course the vice president and the six senatorial candidates," said Prospero Pichay, presidential political adviser and Lakas-Kampi vice president for membership.

"I think we should put an end to speculations, we should stop putting in print, on radio, and on TV, gossip and speculations, because the order of the President is to campaign solidly behind Gilbert Teodoro, Edu Manzano and the six senatorial candidates," he added.

Back Gibo, GMA orders allies

BY JEFFERSON ANTIPORDA Reporter
From The Manila Times
Link: http://www.manilatimes.net/index.php/top-stories/14721-back-gibo-gma-orders-allies

PRESIDENT Gloria Arroyo on Tuesday ordered all officials and members of Lakas-Kampi Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD) to campaign for the party’s standard-bearer Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro and make him win in the May 10 elections.

The order, given during a meeting of the executive committee of the administration party held at Linden Suites in Pasig City (Metro Manila), was seen to have disproved rumors about an allegedly secret alliance between President Arroyo and Sen. Manuel Villar Jr., the candidate for president of the Nacionalista Party.

It was possibly the first time that the President publicly declared her full support for Teodoro since the campaign period for national candidates began in February.

Mrs. Arroyo attended the closed-door meeting of the executive committee and stayed for at least 15 minutes.

Palace assures holding of May 10 elections

BY ANGELO S. SAMONTE Reporter
From The Manila Times
Link: http://www.manilatimes.net/index.php/top-stories/14722-palace-assures-holding-of-may-10-elections

Malacañang once again made an assurance that the May 10 elections will proceed and that Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro will remain the administration candidate for president in next month’s polls.

During a press conference on Tuesday, Press Undersecretary Rogelio Peyuan said that the Lakas-Kampi CMD remains committed to the candidacy of Teodoro and it will continue to support him until the elections.

Peyuan brushed off allegations that say President Arroyo only uses Teodoro for her own political survival. “The Arroyo administration remains committed to the Lakas-Kampi CMD and everything will remain unchanged with regard to the presidential bet it supports,” he said. “And, I suppose that until the elections, Gilbert Teodoro will be Lakas-Kampi CMD’s presidential bet.”

Baby James campaigns for Villar

By Christina Mendez
From The Philippine Star
Link: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=564261&publicationSubCategoryId=63

BANGUI, Ilocos Norte, Philippines – Nacionalista Party (NP) standard-bearer Sen. Manuel Villar received some consolation during the campaign here in Ilocos where he learned that his rival’s famous nephew had inadvertently endorsed him.

Villar, who has seen his ratings drop in the surveys, said a child does not tell lies.

A video clip showed Baby James Yap, nephew of Liberal Party (LP) standard-bearer Sen. Benigno Aquino III, being presented to a crowd by his mother Kris during a campaign sortie.

Kris was urging her son to say hello to the crowd but to her surprise, after saying hello, Baby James suddenly blurted out “Villar.”

Villar thanked Baby James for the “endorsement,” saying that it was proof than even children caught on with his campaign ads.

Comelec defends price tag on folders

By Sheila Crisostomo – With Mayen Jaymalin, Marvin Sy, Eva Visperaz, Jose Rodel Clapano
From The Philippine Star
Link: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=564258&publicationSubCategoryId=63

The Commission on Elections says the ballot secrecy folder deal, although exorbitant in cost, was not overpriced since it was considered a special design project. Edd Gumban

MANILA, Philippines - The Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) yesterday defended its price recommendation for the planned purchase of ballot secrecy folders, saying P380 apiece was “reasonable.”

In an interview, BAC director Maria Lea Alarkon said the proposed price per folder is acceptable, based on the price of the binders used for the Book of Voters in the 2004 national elections. The Comelec purchased the binders for P320 each.

“Considering that the (ballot secrecy) folders are twice the size of the binders we usually buy, we considered it reasonable. And also, some of the canvass prices submitted to us were P500, P400,” Alarkon explained.
 

No election hotspots yet, NCRPO says

By JEAN FERNANDO
From Manila Bulletin
Link: http://mb.com.ph/articles/251363/no-election-hotspots-yet-ncrpo-says

Seven cities in Metro Manila are under close surveillance but have yet not been declared nor considered as election hotspots, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Director Roberto Rosales said Tuesday.

Rosales said Manila, Quezon, Makati, Pasay, Taguig, Muntinlupa and Paranaque are being watched closely by the police because of the possible intense rivalry among supporters of local candidates that could lead to violence.

But, these cities have not officially been classified as an Area of Concern, he stressed, adding that these areas were placed under close watch by the police and strict monitoring because of the close contest among candidates for positions of mayor, councilor, and congressman.

Records showed that since the start of the campaign period for the national positions last February 9 and local last March 26 started not a single election-related violent incident (ERVI) has been recorded, Rosales said.

Senatorial debate nauwi sa pikunan

By Jun Tadios
From ToniteLink: http://www.abante-tonite.com/issue/apr0710/news_story4.htm

 
Nauwi sa batuhan ng putik ang inorganisang senatorial forum ng Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) na layon sanang salain ang mga kandidatong tunay ang malasakit at pagmamahal sa bayan.

Kasama sa forum bilang audience at observer ang mga katutubong aeta, mga magsasaka, maralitang taga-nayon, at iba pang sektor.

Uminit ang debate nang magtanong ang organizer ng debate kung sang-ayon ang mga kandidato na ma­ging pangunahing agenda ng susunod na pangulo ng bansa ang land reform.

Tanging si Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) senatorial candidate Juan Ponce Enrile ang sumagot na hindi sang-ayon kasu­nod ang pag-lecture tungkol sa land reform.

Election 2010 News - April 6, 2010

• Gibo lays claim to poll win Administration bet ditches surveys  (The Manila Times)
• Comelec rescinds P689M poll folder contract overpricing seen (Malaya)
• Wrong ink prompts Comelec to buy UV lamps for P30 million  (The Philippine Star)
• Gordon: Lapid a better presidential bet than Aquino (Philippine Daily Inquirer)
• Victory or nothing for Gibo Palace bet says power-hungry behind rumors to withdraw (The Manila Times)
• Teodoro urged to sever ties with 'Villar-leaning' GMA  (The Daily Tribune)
• Gordon: Gibo needs more experience in executive duties (The Philippine Star) 
• No other speaker for Lakas but GMA'   (The Philippine Star)

Gibo lays claim to poll win Administration bet ditches surveys

BY RHAZDZ BARCIA Correspondent and JEFFERSON ANTIPORDA Reporter With reports from Angelo S. Samonte, Cris G. Odronia and Francis Earl A. Cueto
From The Manila Times
Link: http://www.manilatimes.net/index.php/top-stories/14650-gibo-lays-claim-to-poll-win

LEGAZPI CITY, Albay: Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro on Monday ditched the surveys and declared virtually his the presidency at stake in the May 10 elections.

“We’re heading to victory. [We are] the strongest political force and party in the country and I don’t care about surveys,” Teodoro told reporters during a press conference here held at the residence of Rep. Edcel Lagman of Albay (first district) and concurrent Bicol regional chairman of the ruling party, Lakas-Kampi Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD).

The standard-bearer of the administration coalition cited the support of 85 percent of their political allies in local governments across the country.

After a motorcade through parts of the first district where he was cheered by thousands of supporters, Teodoro attended the opening of Magayon Festival, a month-long economic and cultural celebration in Albay province.

Main roads of the province significantly turned green, the campaign color of the Malacañang candidate for president.

Comelec rescinds P689M poll folder contract; overpricing seen

BY GERARD NAVAL
From Malaya
Link: http://www.malaya.com.ph/04062010/news7.html

THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) en banc yesterday rescinded the P689.7-million project contract with OTC Paper Supply for the procurement of more than 1.8 million ballot secrecy folders for the May 10 polls.

Comelec said upon closer review of the contract it discovered that the purchase price of each ballot secrecy folder was pegged at P380 each.

"(It) is extravagant beyond the ordinary needs of the commission," the three-page resolution said.

The poll body said it was surprised by the computations used by the Comelec-Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) as instead of multiplying the 22 ballot secrecy folder per precinct to the 76,340 clustered precincts, the BAC computed the folders to be purchased for 82,500.

"The Commission was insufficiently informed of such computation," the resolution said

Wrong ink prompts Comelec to buy UV lamps for P30 million

By Sheila Crisostomo – With Evelyn Macairan
From The Philippine Star
Link: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=563960&publicationSubCategoryId=63

MANILA, Philippines – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) would have to spend approximately P30 million to purchase portable UV lamps after the ultraviolet ink readers of the precinct count optical scan (PCOS) machines were turned off.

Comelec Commissioner Gregorio Larrazabal said bidding had already been initiated for the purchase of some 80,000 hand-held UV lamps to be used on election day.

Larrazabal noted that the bidders are still undergoing post-qualification screening but bidding might be completed in about a week.

The automatic verification system of the PCOS units had been shut off after failing to read the UV ink used in the ballots as a security marking.

Because of this, the Comelec will instruct the teachers serving as Board of Election Inspectors (BEIs) to use the portable UV lamps to check on the UV marks on the ballots.

Gordon: Lapid a better presidential bet than Aquino

By Delfin Mallari Jr., Inquirer Southern Luzon
From Philippine Daily Inquirer
Link: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20100406-262627/Gordon-Lapid-a-better-presidential-bet-than-Aquino

LUCENA CITY—Sen. Lito lapid for president? Why not, in the opinion of Bagumbayan presidential candidate Richard Gordon.
 

Lapid, a reelectionist, is better qualified to run for president than Liberal Party standard-bearer Benigno Aquino III, according to Gordon.

“Nine years in Congress, what bill did he (Aquino) pass? Three years in the Senate, what bill did he pass? Lito Lapid is much better for he was able to pass one bill,” said Gordon in a talk with reporters during a campaign stop in Lucena City Monday.
 

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo last month signed Republic Act No. 9999, the Free Legal Assistance Act of 2010.

Victory or nothing for Gibo Palace bet says power-hungry behind rumors to withdraw

BY JEFFERSON ANTIPORDA Reporter With reports from Angelo S. Samonte and Jomar Canlas
From The Manila Times
Link: http://www.manilatimes.net/index.php/top-stories/14579-victory-or-nothing-for-gibo

Former Defense Secretary Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro said that he would never waver in his determination to win the May 10 race for president despite supposed disarray within the ruling coalition caused by alleged lack of funds for its more than 12,000 other candidates.

The standard-bearer of the administration party, Lakas-Kampi Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD), at the same time dismissed talks about his planned withdrawal from next month’s elections, which will pick President Gloria Arroyo’s successor.

“Rumors have been circulating that I will allegedly call a press conference this Monday [April 5] to announce my withdrawal from the race [to Malacañang]. Such rumors are originating from sectors that will cast aside all notions of decency to satiate their salivation and hunger for power through the presidency,” Teodoro said over the weekend.

Teodoro urged to sever ties with ‘Villar-leaning’ GMA

By Mario J. Mallari, Marie A. Surbano and Aytch S. de la Cruz
From The Daily Tribune
Link: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20100406nat2.html

Administration standard-bearer in the elections next month, Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. is being urged to sever ties with President Arroyo, who has reportedly been secretly supporting the candidacy of Nacionalist Party presidential bet, Sen. Manuel “Manny” Villar Jr.

In a statement released to the media yesterday, Detained Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim called on Teodoro, the Lakas-Kampi-Christian-Muslim Democrats’ presidential bet, to immediately cut ties with Arroyo if he wants to get rid of the “decoy candidate” tag.

Lim said Arroyo only serves to pull down Teodoro’s image and reputation as a very credible presidential candidate and unfairly drags him to the so-called “VillArroyo” issue.

Rumors circulated over the weekend, saying Teodoro had decided to quit his post as chairman of the administration party due to Arroyo’s lack of support to his presidential campaign and due to it he is deemed as a “dummy candidate” of the administration.