Kahit holy week: Pag-imprenta ng mga balota tuloy

mula sa Pilipino Star Ngayon
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=558622&publicationSubCategoryId=92

MANILA, Philippines - Tuluy-tuloy ang pag-imprenta ng mga balota sa National Printing Office (NPO) at hindi umano nila papayagang magkaroon ng sagabal upang maantala ito.

Ayon kay Comelec Commissioner Gregorio Larrazabal, kahit Sabado, Linggo at piyesta opisyal ay ipinagpapatuloy nila ang paglilimbag ng mga balota.

Aniya, bukod pa sa 24 oras ang printing, tinaasan na rin nila ang production output mula 70,000 patungo sa mahigit 100,000 balota araw-araw.

Ang kanilang desisyon ay upang matugunan ang mas malaki at mas mabilis na demand para sa natu­rang mga balota.

Sa ngayon ay aminado ang Comelec na napakaliit pa ng bilang na kanilang nailimbag, kumpara sa kanilang target output noon.

Aabot pa lang kasi anila sa 17-milyon ang natatapos nilang official ballots at lubhang malayo pa ito sa 50 milyong kinakailangan sa Mayo 10, 2010. (Doris Franche)

Election body to use stronger indelible ink to stop flying voters

By Kristine L. Alave (Philippine Daily Inquirer) 
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20100317-259148/Election-body-to-use-stronger-indelible-ink-to-stop-flying-voters

MANILA, Philippines—The chemical composition of the indelible ink is being strengthened to clip the wings of flying voters in the upcoming elections, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said Tuesday.

Voters are being asked to dip their forefinger in the indelible ink well to show that they had voted, according to Comelec procedures.

Commissioner Rene Sarmiento said that the poll body was increasing the silver nitrate concentration in the indigo ink that produces the stain on the finger to make it more difficult to remove and thus prevent multiple voting.

In the bidding for the supply of the ink, he said the Comelec was requiring a silver nitrate concentration of 20 percent, up from the previous 5 percent. He noted that in India, the compound was up to 25 percent.

Stays for 2-3 days

Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said a low silver nitrate solution would be a boon to unscrupulous voters who erase ink on their fingers using acetone once they leave the precincts.

With the stronger ink, Jimenez said, the mark should stay for two to three days.

Comelec sets up express lanes for old, sick, clueless voters

By Leila Salaverria (Philippine Daily Inquirer)

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20100317-259147/Comelec-sets-up-express-lanes-for-old-sick-clueless-voters 

MANILA, Philippines—Fear not the digital age.

Help is forthcoming for senior citizens, disabled people, pregnant women and the clueless who are apprehensive about the country’s first nationwide automated elections on May 10.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has ordered the setting up of express lanes or conveniently placed polling places for the old, the infirm and expectant mothers “for humanitarian considerations” in order to give them a hassle-free voting experience.

In its resolution released Tuesday, the poll body said the voting areas for these people should be on the ground floor. If not, they should have their own lanes.

It also noted that it decided to provide special treatment to these vulnerable groups upon the request of Senior Citizens party-list Rep. Godofredo Arquiza and the Federation of Malabon Senior Citizens Association and the Persons with Disabilities of the City of Malabon.

Help desks

For the confused or the clueless, the Comelec in another resolution directed the creation of election day help desks in all polling centers, to be manned by members of its citizens’ arm, the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV).

PARTYLIST-FOR-SALE! Comelec naalarma rin

Nina JUN TADIOS at ROSE MIRANDA (Abante)
http://abante.com.ph/issue/mar1710/news01.htm

Ibinunyag kahapon ng isang opisyal ng Commission on Elections (Comelec) na maraming ‘bogus’ partylist group na posibleng habol lamang ay magkapera sa pamamagitan ng ‘partylist-for-sale’ na diskarte.

Ayon kay Comelec Law Department chief Atty. Ferdinand Rafanan, may mga nakakarating na sa kanilang ulat ukol dito kaya nag-utos na ito ng masinsinang imbestigasyon.

Ang modus-operandi umano sa ipinagbibiling partylist ay bubuo at mag­hahain ng accreditation sa Comelec ang mga lehitimong marginalized group.

Kalaunan oras na mapagbigyan ang aplikas­yon, naghahanap umano ang accredited partylist ng nominees at aalukin ang mga ito ng malaking pres­yo para maging kinatawan ng grupo sa Kamara oras na lumusot sa 2% votes.

Posibleng dito, aniya, pumapasok ang maiimpluwensyang personalidad gaya ng opisyal ng gobyerno, kaanak ng mga pulitiko at mapeperang indibidwal dahil sila ang may kakayahang tapatan ang inaalok na presyo ng party-list group.

Samakatuwid, sa ganitong sistema marami umanong partylist nominees na hindi naman galing sa sektor o organisasyon ng ikinakatawang margina­lized group.

May duda na ang Comelec na nangyayari ang ganitong sistema, subalit hindi nagbigay ng pangalan si Rafanan kung aling grupo ang hinihinala nilang nakikinabang sa ‘partylist-for-sale’.
Aniya, gumugulong na ang imbestigasyon ng Comelec Law Department para tukuyin ang mga party-list group na pumapasok sa kompromiso.

Bagama’t may kaunting nalalaman ang komisyon, hinimok ni Rafanan ang publiko na mayroong direktang nalalaman sa ganitong sistema na maghain ng pormal na reklamo sa Comelec upang malapatan agad ng karampatang atensyon at resolusyon.

Ngunit nilinaw din ng opisyal na kailangang dumaan ito sa pagtalakay ng En Banc kung saan sasalain ang mga ihaharap na impormasyon at alegasyon.

Kamakalawa, nagpiket ang grupong ‘Kontra Daya’ sa Comelec upang ipro­testa ang pagtahimik ng komisyon sa pagdami ng ‘bogus’ partylist.

Inihalimbawa ng grupo ang umano’y naulinigan nilang impormasyon na isinusulong ng dalawang partylist group bilang first nominee sina presidential son at Pampanga Rep. Juan Miguel ‘Mikey’ Arroyo at Energy Sec. Angelo Reyes.

Sumama na rin sa pagkastigo ang election watchdog na Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) laban sa mga pekeng partylist group.

Samantala, itinatwa ng Malacañang ang mga party-list groups na nauugnay sa kanila sa pagsasabing hindi nila pakawala ang mga ito.

Kapwa sinabi nina depu­ty presidential spokespersons Gary Olivar at Charito Planas na walang kaugnayan ang palasyo sa mga inaakusahang “peke at pro-administration” party-list groups kung kaya paalma na sinabihan ng mga ito ang mga kritiko na huwag nang isabit ang Malacañang sa usapin at sa halip ay iakyat sa Comelec ang lahat ng kanilang hinaing.

“To my knowledge, this is not something that is being done. Kaya ang kausapin nila ang Comelec, huwag nilang kausapin ang Malacañang. E maski papaano nasiraan na ‘yung Malacañang tapos sasabihin nila niluto. E ito, no-win si­tuation palagi ang ibinibigay sa atin. Ilabas n’yo na ang Palasyo dito,” ani Olivar.

Sinabi rin ng dalawang palace officials na mas makakabuti na hintayin muna ang resulta ng imbestigasyon ng Comelec sa mga iniimbestigahang partylist groups bago agad na husgahan na pakawala nga ng Malacañang ang mga ito.

Election 2010 News - March 16, 2010

• Makinarya, kabataan partido ni Gibo, rating raratsada pa (Pilipino Star Ngayon) 
• Gibo's aces  (Manila Standard)
• Youth, smarter voters key to 'Gibo' rating surge - ally  (Manila Bulletin)
• Teodoro urges Mindanao residents to stop culture of violence (Philippine Star)
• Palace: Poll observers welcome, but must obey Comelec rules  (Manila Bulletin)
• 17M ballots printed for May polls--Comelec  (Philippine Daily Inquirer)
• Probe sought on 6 party-list groups (Philippine Star)

Makinarya, kabataan partida ni Gibo, rating raratsada pa

mula sa Pilipino Star Ngayon

http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=558475&publicationSubCategoryId=92

MANILA, Philippines - Inihayag ngayon ng isang kilalang pollster na malamang lalo pang umangat ang rating ni Lakas-Kampi presidential candidate Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro.

Bunga ito ng lumala­kas na suporta ng mga kabataan at ang malakas na makinaryang pampulitika, ayon sa analysis ng isang independent research firm.

Sinabi ng Campaigns & Image Group na ni­lampasan na ngayon ni Teodoro sa rating si Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, na dating nasa ikalawang pwesto, sa kanilang pinakahuling pambansang survey sa presidentiables.

Sinabi ng CIG na, base sa ginawa nitong survey sa pakikipagtulungan sa Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting, ang rating ni Teodoro ay umakyat na mula sa single-digit noong nakaraang Disyembre patungong 24% ngayong Marso dahil sa political machinery ng administration party at sa pagsisikap niyang maki­pag-ugnayan nang husto sa mga pulitiko sa local level na naghahangad ng re-election sa iba’t ibang posisyon.

Binigyang-pansin din nito na ang kampanya ni Teodoro ay umaasa sa malawak na network ng mga kabataang volunteer sa mga kolehiyo at unibersidad na naglagay sa kanya sa kaisipan ng mga botanteng nasa 18-28 at 29-39 age bracket.

Gibo’s aces

by Fel V. Maragay (Manila Standard)

Link:http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/insideOpinion.htm?f=2010/march/15/felmaragay.isx&d=2010/march/15

In presidential debates sponsored by various groups, former Defense Secretary Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro always shines because of his wide range of knowledge about statecraft and the economy. He has a flair for presenting his plans and policies with clarity and conviction. He is clearly an intellectual. He is always rated as either number one or number two by the panel of moderators or jurors who assess the performance of the presidential wannabes in public forums.

After every presidential debate, public esteem and admiration for Teodoro inch several notches higher. On the other hand, those who fumble or make fools of themselves in the rhetorical exchange with their rivals have a cloud of doubt hanging over their heads. Do they actually have the ability to lead the nation? As a consequence, these pretenders to the presidential throne beg off from and skip forums where they will share center stage with their adversaries. Such show of poor sportsmanship and defeatist attitude could not but frustrate the electorate.

Despite having shown his mettle as a leader of high caliber in these verbal exercises, a lot of people remain cynical about Teodoro’s chances of winning the presidential derby. This is primarily because he has registered unimpressive ratings in surveys conducted by better known research outfits.

Such frustrating survey trend is enough to make candidates of lesser stuff throw in the towel half-way through the bruising electoral battle. But not Teodoro. On the contrary, not once has he shown any sign of vacillation about his presidential goal. Instead, he always exudes zeal, consistency and will to win and give his opponents a good fight.

“I will not stop until I am number one,” the Lakas-Kampi-CMD boldly declared before newsmen a few days ago.

Youth, smarter voters key to ‘Gibo’ rating surge – ally

By Aris R. Ilagan With a report from Roy C. Mabasa (Manila Bulletin)

Link: http://mb.com.ph/articles/247944/youth-smarter-voters-key-gibo-rating-surge-ally

The ratings of Lakas-Kampi-CMD presidential candidate Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. are expected to shore up further with the ever-growing support of the youth sector, more intelligent voters, and the party’s formidable political machinery, campaign spokesman Mike Toledo said Monday.

In the latest survey of the Campaign and Images, Teodoro has already overtaken Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III from the No. 2 slot.

The survey said Gibo’s ratings took off from single-digit levels in December 2009 to 24 percent in March due to “the political machinery of the administration party and (his efforts of) touching base with local government politicians seeking re-election into various offices.”

It also noted that Teodoro’s campaign relies heavily on “a large network of volunteers… in colleges and universities that by far put him well-entrenched in the psyche of voters across the 18-28 and 29-39 age brackets.”

“The survey, ending March 7, shows that the Filipino voter is no longer swayed by candidates' staged spectacles and unsubstantiated self promotion gimmicks.” Toledo said, adding that “the survey convinces us that we can be confident that today's voters, especially the youth are discerning and can recognize a candidate's true worth.”

“Gibo's campaign will not engage in condescending methods of bringing 'artistas' because we want our platforms to be the basis for our candidates to be chosen. We recognize that a voter's intelligence and discernment is equal among the social classes despite differences in economic standing. Intelligent discussion of a candidate's platforms and qualifications is not a monopoly of the A&B classes."

Teodoro urges Mindanao residents to stop culture of violence

By Jaime Laude (The Philippine Star)
Link: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=558467&publicationSubCategoryId=63

MANILA, Philippines - Lakas-Kampi-CMD presidential candidate Gilberto Teodoro Jr. yesterday urged Mindanao residents to stop the culture of violence that has been hampering development in the region and instead promote lasting peace.

Teodoro was referring to the practice of “rido” or blood debt, which he said stands in the way of progress in Mindanao.

The rido culture, a ritual killing anchored on revenge, is most common among Muslim clans as well as other tribes in the region.

“If we would persist in implementing the ‘eye for an eye’ for every offense committed against us, then the whole world will go blind,” Teodoro told local political and tribal leaders in Mindanao in a recent dialogue.

He said that while he respects Muslim traditions, there are some practices that spawn hatred and murder among members of the religion.

“If we can get our Muslim brothers to forget about this senseless tradition of rido and get them to stop carrying guns in their culture, I believe that Mindanao will be able to reach its maximum economic potential,” the presidential aspirant said.

Palace: Poll observers welcome, but must obey Comelec rules

By Genalyn Kabiling (Manila Bulletin)

Link: http://mb.com.ph/articles/247885/palace-poll-observers-welcome-must-obey-comelec-rules

 
Local and foreign election watchdogs are welcome in the country but they should abide by rules governing the coverage of the May national and local elections, a Palace official said Monday.

Deputy Presidential Spokesman Gary Olivar said the government would not suppress the election observers from reporting the country’s automated polls although it expects them to report fairly.

“The President extended the welcome not only to election observers but to anyone who wishes to observe the electoral process in May. Having said that, these observers must subject themselves to the supervision of Comelec (Commission on Elections),” he said in a news conference in the Palace.

“There are certain rules and guidelines that they will have to follow which are set and enforced by Comelec applicable to all observers,” he said.

While the election observers are required to follow Comelec guidelines on poll coverage, Olivar said the government would “not censor” their reports “otherwise the point of the whole exercise is lost.”

“We trust that they will report fairly on what they will see during the elections,” he said.

President Arroyo earlier encouraged local and foreign election observers to verify the upcoming automated elections are free, fair, and results valid without any political interference.

17M ballots printed for May polls—Comelec

By Anna Valmero (Philippine Daily Inquirer)

Link: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20100315-258879/17M-ballots-printed-for-May-pollsComelec

 
MANILA, Philippines – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said Monday that about 17 million ballots have already been printed for the country’s first ever automated elections in May.

“Right now, we have printed 17 million out of the total 50 million ballots. The newly printed ballots are to be used in polling precincts mostly in Visayas and Mindanao and some Luzon areas,” said Comelec Commissioner Gregorio Larrazabal, who chairs the steering committee on automation.

With a fifth printer set to arrive by March 20 at the National Printing Office (NPO), Comelec expects to finish the printing of all 50 million ballots by April 25—also the start of the shipment of ballots, the poll machines, ballot boxes and other election paraphernalia, said the poll official.

When the additional printer arrives, Larrazabal said they expect to ramp up production of 900,000 ballots printed daily, up from the current daily output of 650,000 to 700,000.

“When the fifth printer arrives next week, the earliest on March 20, we see production of up to 900,000 ballots per day. This would enable us to finish printing all ballots by April 25,” he noted.

Ballots to be used in Metro Manila would be printed last since shipment would be easier from NPO to municipal treasury offices compared to Visayas and Mindanao regions, he said.

Probe sought on 6 party-list groups

By Sheila Crisostomo With Jose Rodel Clapano (The Philippine Star)

Link: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=558457&publicationSubCategoryId=63

MANILA, Philippines - The Commission on Elections (Comelec) was asked yesterday to investigate six party-list groups for alleged links to President Arroyo.

In a letter to Comelec Chairman Jose Melo, Kontra Daya said Agbiag Timpuyag Ilocano Inc. (Agbiag), Babae Para sa Kaunalaran (Babae Ka), Youth League for Peace Advancement (Lypad) and Kalahi Sectoral Party (Kalahi) would “bastardize” the party-list system if allowed to run on May 10.

In a memorandum dated Oct. 16, 2006, Malacañang’s Office of External Affairs said these party-list groups must be supported, the letter added.

Kontra Daya said Adhikain ng mga Dakilang Anak Maharlika (ADAM) was formed by Energy Undersecretary Zamsamin Ampatuan, while the Binigkis na Interes ng mga Drayber sa Adhikain Inc. (Bida) was founded by Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. chairman Efraim Genuino.

“We urge the Comelec to immediately conduct an investigation and a public hearing on the issues raised,” Kontra Daya said.

“This can serve as an initial step in correcting the abuses of the party-list system.”

The Comelec must be watchful over the possible endorsement of Ang Galing Pinoy (AGP) and 1-Utak whose nominees are Pampanga Rep. Mikey Arroyo and Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes, Kontra Daya added.

JDV III: Protect counting machines

Election 2010 News - March 15, 2010

• Teodoro bets on youth power (The Manila Times) 
• Saving Gibo: Lagging numbers don't faze Palace strategists (Malaya)
• Pagsirit ni Gibo dahil sa intelligent voters - spokesman (Abante)
• Villar on Noynoy's debate challenge: Anytime, anywhere (The Philippine Star)
• Comelec: Double registrants 704, 542, not millions (The Philippine Star)
• Advocacy group formed for orderly 2010 polls (Manila Bulletin)
• Mga obispo nagbigay ng tip sa pagboto (Abante-Tonite)

Teodoro bets on youth power

by Jefferson Antiporda (The Manila Times)

Link: http://www.manilatimes.net/index.php/news/nation/13288-teodoro-bets-on-youth-power

 
Lakas-Kampi CMD presidential candidate Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro has so much confidence in the youth of today, which would not only help pick the country’s next rightful leader but also the key in solving the issues of poverty and peace perennially hounding Mindanao. “[Mindanao] students will be leaders in their own right, leaders of industry and of their communities. They will be leading in various fields,” said Teodoro. “They will have the benefit of two things: open articulation and discussion of issues facing Mindanao now and on the ongoing years.”

With the youth as the future torchbearers of Mindanao, Teodoro emphasized the importance of improving the local education system, which is one plank of his platform of government.

“We hope to spread good education in Mindanao because literacy is a big problem here,” said the administration bet. “With good education, the youth will have had the benefit of experience of learning from past mistakes.”

He added that with good education, the youth in Mindanao would want to build up on the agricultural potentials of Mindanao, as well as the mineral, tourism and national government potentials of the said region.

Ever-growing support of the youth sector will also be the key to Teodoro’s victory in the upcoming May elections and this was felt during the recent survey conducted by an independent survey firm that placed the former defense chief to the No. 2 slot.

The Campaigns & Image Group, which conducted its latest survey in partnership with the Parish Pastoral

Saving Gibo: Lagging numbers don’t faze Palace strategists

By Regina Bengco (Malaya)

Link: http://www.malaya.com.ph/03152010/news3.html

MALACAÑANG yesterday said it is too early for administration presidential candidate Gilberto "Gibo" Teodoro Jr. to throw in the towel especially since a recent survey conducted with the participation of the election watchdog Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting showed him already climbing to second place early March.

"Hindi pa po tapos ang laban... it is certainly too early for anybody to say na dapat mag-give up ang administrasyon sa tsansa ng kanilang standard bearer," said Gary Olivar, deputy presidential spokesman.

Olivar said the Palace still believes that Teodoro is the most qualified of all the presidential candidates and hopes that Filipino voters would realize it in the end.

The tracking poll done by political research outfit The Campaigns & Image Group conducted with PPCRV, which was done in the week ending March 7, showed Manuel Villar Jr. (Nacionalista Party) remaining on top with 31 percent of the 5,100 respondent-voters.

Teodoro followed with 24 percent, Benigno Aquino III (Liberal Party) with 20 percent, Joseph Estrada (Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino) with 13 percent, Richard Gordon (Bagumbayan) with 5 percent, and evangelist Eddie Villanueva (Bangon Pilipinas) with 2 percent.

The survey was based on the question: "Who among the 10 presidential candidates do you think is capable of governing the Philippines and for whom will you be voting for the presidency?"

Pagsirit ni Gibo dahil sa intelligent voters – spokesman

Ni JB Salarzon (Abante)

Link: http://abante.com.ph/issue/mar1510/news03.htm

Naniniwala ang kampo ni Lakas-Kampi-CMD stan­dard bearer Gilbert ‘Gibo’ Teodoro Jr. na ang biglang pag-angat ng stan­ding ng una sa ikalawang puwesto sa ginawang nationwide survey kamakailan ay nagpapakita na umangat na ang maturity at kaisipan ng mga botante na naghahangad ng isang malinis at may kredibilidad na halalan sa Mayo 10.

“Ang survey ay nagpapakita lamang na ang bawat Pilipinong botante ay hindi na basta-basta nakukuha sa mga anumang klase ng promos­yon o gimik. Nag-iisip na ngayong ang botante,” ani Mike Toledo, tagapagsalita ng presidential bet.

Sinabi nito na hindi naniniwala si Teodoro sa mga gimik gaya ng pagdadala ng mga artista sa kanyang kampanya para lamang makahatak ng tao kundi ang tanging magdadala sa kanya ay ang tamang pagpapaliwanag sa tao kung ano ang mga isyu ng bansa na dapat resolbahin.

“At mas lalong hindi monopolyo ng Class A and B ang pagresolba sa mga isyu dahil ang malawak na mamamayan ang dapat mapagtanto,” ani Toledo.

Villar on Noynoy's debate challenge: Anytime, anywhere

By Christina Mendez (The Philippine Star)

Link: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=558165&publicationSubCategoryId=63

NAVAL, Biliran, Philippines – Nacionalista Party (NP) standard-bearer Sen. Manuel Villar Jr. yesterday said he is ready for a one-on-one debate with Liberal Party standard-bearer Sen. Noynoy Aquino so long as the debate will be conducted in a “neutral area” and with fair moderators.

“I have long accepted that challenge. My only condition is that the hosts will be neutral and fair,” said Villar at the sidelines of the NP’s campaign sortie at the Naval State University. “Anytime, anywhere.”

NP vice presidential candidate Sen. Loren Legarda said she is also ready to debate with LP vice presidential Sen. Manuel Roxas II, who is leading the surveys.

“If Mar Roxas wants to prove that he’s more fit than I am to be vice president, he should be ready to debate with me on issues,” Legarda said during a break in their campaign in Northern Samar last Saturday.

Legarda expressed displeasure upon learning from her staff that black propaganda text messages against her are spreading.

“It’s one of the oldest tricks in the book,” she said. “Making your opponent look bad so that you look good in comparison. But that’s not going to make him (Roxas) any good as a vice president. Or even a barangay chairman for that matter.”

Comelec: Double registrants 704,542, not millions

By Mayen Jaymalin   – With Jess Diaz (The Philippine Star)

Link: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=558160&publicationSubCategoryId=63

MANILA, Philippines – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) confirmed yesterday the existence of 700,000 double registrants nationwide.

The Comelec’s Information and Technology Department (ITD), with the use of algorithmic matching, found a total of 704,542 voters with double or multiple registration records.

With the discovery, the Comelec immediately issued a resolution to curb the number of double registrants in the coming May elections.

Under Resolution No. 8791, the Comelec en banc directed all Board of Elections Inspectors (BEIs) not to allow voters with double registration to vote in their respective precincts.

The Comelec also ordered the names of double registrants to be deleted in the next Elections Registration Board (ERB) hearings.

The Comelec also tasked the Election and Barangay Affairs Department in coordination with the ITD to implement the resolution.

The ITD printed a list of voters whose registration records are not valid per precinct and per district/municipality/city, and disseminated the same to all Election Officers concerned, the Comelec said.

Earlier, Comelec Commissioner Gregorio Larrazabal refuted the reported existence of some five million double registrants who are likely to vote more than once in the coming elections.

Advocacy group formed for orderly 2010 polls

By Freddie Lazaro (Manila Bulletin)

Link: http://mb.com.ph/articles/247763/advocacy-group-formed-orderly-2010-polls

CAMP BRIG. GEN. OSCAR M FLORENDO, La Union — Ilocos Region police director Chief Supt. Constante D. Azares Jr. reported that an advocacy group was formed to ensure honest, orderly and peaceful elections (HOPE) on May 10, 2010 here.

The group is composed of leaders of the clergies of the four provinces in the region, the police, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Commission on Elections (Comelec), the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV), local officials, and members of the tri-media.

Region 1 comprises the provinces of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, and Pangasinan.

Azares said that a pre-coordinating conference of the advocacy group was held last March 9 to lay out various activities concerning the conduct of smooth elections on May 2010.

Archbishop Ernesto A. Salgado of the Archdiocese of Nueva Segovia in Vigan City, and Bishop Artemi Rillera of the Diocese of San Fernando City led the participants of the forum.

Also present were lawyer Noli Pipo, Region 1 Election Director, Tagudin Mayor Roque Verzosa, the four Region 1 provincial directors, representatives from the AFP and the PPCRV, ranking police officials in the region, members of the tri-media, and other stakeholders.

Mga obispo nagbigay ng tip sa pagboto

Ni Jun Tadios (Abante-Tonite)

Link: http://abante-tonite.com/issue/mar1510/news_story8.htm

 
Nagkasundo ang mga obispo at arsobispo ng Manila Metropolitan Eccle­siastical Province (MMEP) na maglabas ng pastoral letter para paalalahanan ang kanilang mga nasasa­kupan na piliin sa Mayo 10 ang kandidatong sinsero sa paglutas sa mga panguna­hing suliranin ng bansa gaya ng korapsyon at kahirapan.

Isinapubliko ng mga obispo ang kanilang pastoral letter kahapon, Marso 14, ang ika-apat na Linggo ng Kuwaresma.

Ayon sa mga obispo, nakaatang sa kanilang balikat na gabayan at ituwid ang daan ng kanilang nasa­sakupan lalo pa’t ang naka­salalay dito ang kinabukasan ng bayan.

Sa pangunguna ni Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales, nanawagan ang 13 obispo at arsobispo ng iba’t ibang diocese sa kanilang nasasakupan na maging responsable sa pagpili ng susunod na pangulo ng bansa.

Kabilang sa lumagda sa pastoral letter sina Bi­shops Gabriel Reyes (Antipolo), Honesto Ongtioco (Cubao), Luis Antonio Tagle (Imus), Deogracias Iñiguez (Caloocan), Jose Oli­veros (Malolos), Antonio Tobias (Novaliches), Jesse Mercado (Parañaque), Francisco San Diego (Pasig), Leo Drona (San Pablo), Pedro Arigo (Vicar Apos­tolic of Puerto Prin­cesa), Edgardo Juanich at Leo­poldo Tumulak (Vicar Aposto­lic of Taytay Military Ordi­nary), Auxiliary Bishop Francisco De Leon (Antipolo) at Hernadino Cortez at Brode­rick Pabillo, Auxi­liary Bishops ng Archdiocese of Manila.