Philippine Election 2010

PHILIPPINE ELECTION 2010

2010-07-14T17:32:00.000-07:00

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Aquino willing to talk to Gutierrez

2010-07-14T17:19:00.000-07:00

President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III is willing to sit down with Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez instead of backing an impeachment move against her.

“Of course,” Aquino told Palace reporters if he had plans to talk with the Ombudsman.

“Hindi lang sya, mag usap kami kung paano iso-solve ang problema,” he said.

It was Gutierrez who expressed her desire to have a dialogue with the President, after she rejected calls for her to resigns amid questions on her impartiality in investigating cases involving former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and her husband.

The Ombudsman said she was willing to present her accomplishments to the President to justify her continued stay in office.

Aquino said he has questions for the Ombudsman but he has to consult first with his lawyers lest he be accused of interfering in the work of a constitutional body.

“And I don't want to be guilty of that,” Aquino said.

But Aquino could not hide his displeasure with how the Ombudsman handled the fertilizer funds scam. Gutierrez hastily acted on the case only after former Agriculture Secretary Cito Lorenzo returned to the country.

Lorenzo fled the country after he was linked into the controversy.

Aquino noted that the crime was discovered in 2005 but the Office of the Ombudsman started its investigation three years after.

“Mayroon nang witness na nawala. One of the regional directors, who testified in the Senate died. So yung fundamental concept na justice delayed is justice denied tapos ngayon biglang paspas,may pressure,' he pointed out.

But asked if he would support an impeachment move against Gutierrez, Aquino said, “This is not the time to talk about impeachment.”

“This is the time (of ) mapping out judicial reform, one of the major plans in our platform and we are trying to find the best way to afford complete justice for all at the fastest time. So kung madadaan sa pakiusapan yung other branches of government kesa awayan bakit naman hindi,” he further said.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20100715-281149/Aquino-willing-to-talk-to-Gutierrez

Noynoy does 'beso-beso' with Imelda in Binay party

2010-07-13T23:43:00.000-07:00

For the first time since they were both elected into office during the May polls, President Benigno Aquino III and Ilocos Norte Rep. Imelda Marcos crossed paths in a birthday party on Monday night, where they shook hands and kissed each other’s cheeks.

It was Rep. Marcos, wife of late strongman Ferdinand Marcos, who approached Aquino during the 33rd birthday celebration of Makati City Mayor Erwin Binay, son of Vice President Jejomar Binay.

Aquino shook the hands and kissed the cheeks of the former First Lady, who immediately left the scene after their encounter.

Rep. Marcos expressed hopes that her encounter with the President would be “a great start" for unity between her clan and the Aquinos.

“I went to him and greeted him. We had a beso-beso... I pray it would be a good beginning for a united front to do great things for this country," she said in an interview aired over GMA News’ “24 Oras."

The Marcoses and Aquinos have been political rivals since the 1970s. When then President Marcos declared martial rule in 1972, among the first people he ordered arrested was his arch-critic, then Senator Benigno “Ninoy" Aquino Jr., the late President Corazon Aquino’s husband.

Intending to come home from exile to lead a growing anti-dictatorship movement, Senator Aquino was assassinated at the Manila International Airport (now named after him) in 1983. His murder by aviation security troops, presumably the result of a Malacañang plot, further fueled the protest movement that eventually ousted the Marcoses from power in 1986.

Despite the animosity between the two clans, two of Marcos’ children—Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and Ilocos Norte Gov. Maria Imelda “Imee" Marcos—came to the wake of the former President Corazon Aquino last August and extended their sympathies to their rival clan. (See: Bongbong, Imee Marcos visit Cory Aquino's wake)

Bongbong Marcos has also repeatedly expressed his willingness to reconcile with the Aquinos in earlier interviews. President Aquino said, however, that the Marcoses need to acknowledge first the “excesses" they have committed in the past before any talks of reconciliation could proceed.

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/196000/noynoy-does-beso-beso-with-imelda-in-binay-party

MILF denies hand in Lanao del Sur ambush

2010-07-13T23:41:00.000-07:00

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) said it was not involved in the ambush against military troops in Lanao del Sur province yesterday.

MILF spokesman Von Al-Haq said the group has nothing to do with yesterday’s attack against a military convoy in Lanao del Sur that left a soldier dead and five others wounded.

Al-Haq said the prime suspect, Dimaporo Dimasacal, who is likewise being accused of kidnapping Nuralden Yusoph, is not a member of their organization.

Troops under 51st Infantry Battalion were on their way to rescue Yusoph when they were attacked.

Yusoph, son of Commission on Elections commissioner Elias Yusoph, was seized by gunmen last month while on his way home from prayer in a nearby mosque. The kidnappers are demanding around P25 million for his release.

http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=593223&publicationSubCategoryId=200

Aquino chides Ombudsman for 'sins of omission'

2010-07-13T23:38:00.000-07:00

President Benigno Aquino III said he will talk to embattled Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez whom he described as being guilty of "sins of omission" in her work as the country's top anti-graft investigator.

Speaking to Malacañang reporters at a special press dinner Tuesday night, Aquino said he had received reports that Gutierrez is requesting a meeting with him to discuss her office's accomplishments amid news that she will face an impeachment complaint.

Gutierrez, a law school classmate of former First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo, is facing heavy criticism for allegedly sitting on cases involving the Arroyos.

“We will talk. I don't know when exactly...I am not picking a fight just to look for someone to fight. This is the problem, now what's the solution and how do we best solve this? If there's a problem, we need to fix it so we could move on to another problem," he said.

The President said that while he has questions about the actual expiration of Gutierrez's term, he still wants to work with the Ombudsman in pursuing corruption cases against government officials.

He noted, however, that he was surprised by the Ombudsman's lack of interest in pursuing cases against government officials linked to the P728 million fertilizer fund scandal and the botched national broadband deal with China's ZTE Corp.

Aquino said the Ombudsman only filed an administrative complaint against former agriculture secretary Cito Lorenzo after he returned to the country. Lorenzo earlier said he is willing to cooperate in a government investigation on the alleged misappropriation of millions of pesos in fertilizer funds to the campaign kitty of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in 2004.

"Why the sudden interest? Where was the interest before? Those involved in the case never left and the allegations are severe. They should have finished with the people who are already here," he said.

The President said there are pros and cons about the proposed impeachment complaint against Gutierrez in the 15th Congress. He said one goal he wants to pursue is shorten the adjudication process of the Ombudsman from 6 years to 1-2 years.

"Her sins now, according to the reports I've received, are more omission rather than commission. While she's there, how will the cases against government officials push through? It may be that if we push through with impeachment and she fights it, her term would already be over before we're done... If we focus on retaining or impeaching her, it could add to the burden of adjudication of cases," he said.

"At the same time, we also need to look at who has she punished, who has she put in jail? If no one is being punished and being put in jail, then tuloy ang ligaya. The pursuer has nothing to show for it," he said.

Gutierrez earlier said a new impeachment complaint to be filed against her has no basis since her detractors failed to take note of her credentials.

She said her alleged closeness to her former boss, then President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, is not reason enough to be impeached.

She also rejected calls for her to resign from her position, saying that she has a fixed term.

A spokesman for President Aquino, meanwhile, said the administration is not out to persecute Gutierrez amid calls that she exhibit fairness in assessing cases against former president Arroyo.

"The Office of the Ombudsman is an independent body. There’s no persecution insofar as the government is concerned. Some other civil society groups or sectoral groups like Akbayan would want to file a case of impeachment against the Ombudsman precisely because of her past decisions which tend to favor the former First Family. So as far as we’re concerned the government has no position in the Ombudsman," Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda said.

He added that a proposed Truth Commission will actually help the Ombudsman by gathering solid evidence in corruption cases that will stand in court.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/07/14/10/aquino-chides-ombudsman-sins-omission

Aquino open to leasing properties of military

2010-07-12T07:43:00.000-07:00

The military said President Aquino was open to approving the lease of prime properties of the Armed Forces to bankroll its delayed modernization.

In a press briefing following Aquino's first command conference with the military at Camp Aguinaldo Monday, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson Brigadier General Jose Mabanta Jr. said Aquino was in favor of such plan in principle.

Mabanta said the proposal to lease high-value properties of the three major services of the military was brought up by AFP chief of staff Lieutenant General Ricardo David Jr. during the closed-door command conference when issues on the modernization of the 120,000-strong AFP was tackled.

Up for lease are the 25-hectare land of the Philippine Navy; 35-hectare property of the Air Force and the more than 100-hectare land of the Philippine Army, said Mabanta.

"But before we proceed with this plan, everything has to be placed on the President's lap and studied also by our lawyers as to how we can go about it," Mabanta told reporters.

http://www.inquirer.net/propertyguide/buildingblocks/view.php?db=1&article=20100712-280693

2nd impeach raps being readied vs Ombudsman

2010-07-11T07:38:00.000-07:00

A second impeachment complaint is set to be filed against Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez for her supposed inaction on the controversies involving former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

The complaint will be filed by the party-list group Akbayan once the 15th Congress starts its session later this month, according to the group’s statement.

Former Akbayan Rep. Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel said they are “already preparing an impeachment complaint against Gutierrrez" and that she is in communication with the group’s representatives, Walden Bello and Kaka Bag-ao, in readying the complaint.

“The Ombudsman in its present form is the single biggest obstacle in the delivery of justice. If we are sincere in exacting accountability from [Arroyo], then the institution mandated to protect the people from corrupt officials, institutional abuse and inefficiency must be cleansed of the very same people it is supposed to act against," she said.

Hontiveros run for senator under the Aqiuno-led Liberal Party in the recent elections but lost.

The Office of the Ombudsman’s spokesperson, Assistant Ombudsman Jose de Jesus, cannot be reached as of posting time for comment. Gutierrez had recently told The Philippine Star that she will defend her independence from the Arroyo administration.

Seven-year term

Last Friday, presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said Malacañang is studying several options in removing Guiterrez, whose fixed seven-year term ends on December 2012.

Section 11, Article XI of the 1987 Constitution provides that “the Ombudsman and his deputies shall serve for a term of seven years without reappointment."

Lacierda said President Benigno “Noynoy" Aquino III has long been skeptical of Gutierrez’s resolve in going after those involved in corruption issues, particularly those involving Arroyo.

That same day, the Ombudsman said it has included former Agriculture Secretary Luis “Cito" Lorenzo Jr. on the list of people being investigated for the P728-million fertilizer fund scam where money for poor farmer beneficiaries was allegedly diverted to Arroyo’s presidential campaign kitty in 2004.

The Ombudsman has cleared Arroyo of involvement in the controversy.

First complaint

In September 2009, the House justice committee, composed mostly of Arroyo allies, has dismissed the first impeachment complaint against Guttierez, who is widely perceived to have close ties with Arroyo and husband Jose Miguel.

Senate President Jovito Salonga, LP chairman emeritus, led the filing of the complaint in March that year. They charged Gutierrez with betrayal of public trust and culpable violation of the 1987 Constitution in the handling of several controversies involving the First Family and Arroyo’s allies.

These issues include the Mega Pacific and corruption case against former Elections chair Benjamin Abalos Sr., the World Bank mess regarding the sanctioning of three Filipino construction firms over alleged collusion, and the P728-million fertilizer fund scam, among others.

Gutierrez said she feels vindicated by the dismissal. “It’s good that it is already clear that the evidence the complainants have against me have no basis to file an impeachment case against me," she was quoted as saying in media reports.
http://www.gmanews.tv/story/195772/2nd-impeach-raps-being-readied-vs-ombudsman

New DILG chief vows ‘more transparency, accountability’

2010-07-11T07:04:00.000-07:00

One of Jesse Robredo’s priorities as head of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) is to make the agency transparent and more accountable.

“Ninanais po namin na maging transparent ang local government units. Sa transparency and accountability ay dapat kaming mauna (We want all local government units to be transparent, so we have to set an example)," Robredo said Sunday in an interview on radio dzBB.

Robredo, former Naga City mayor, said one of the measures that he would implement is to make public the DILG’s expenditures and procurements.

“Iyong budget po ng DILG, lahat ng procurement, lahat ng tungkol sa pera na aming ginagamit ay kailangang malaman ng mamamayan (All our expenditures and transactions will be open to the public)," he said.

He said President Benigno “Noynoy" Aquino III’s campaign platform “Kung walang corrupt, walang mahirap (Corruption breeds poverty)," will be the governing policy among the DILG’s attached agencies such as the Philippine National Police, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, and the Bureau of Fire Protection.

Robredo’s appointment as DILG chief was announced last Friday.

Former Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno is set to turnover his post to Robredo this week.

Robredo began his career in public service after he left his executive position at San Miguel Corp. during the term of Aquino's mother, the late President Corazon Aquino administration to head the Naga Bicol River Basin Development Program in Naga City. He was elected Naga City mayor in 1988.

Under Robredo’s leadership, Naga City became a model first-class city. In 1999, Asiaweek named Naga City the “most improved city in Asia." The following year, Robredo received the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Public Service.

He had been awarded the Konrad Adenauer Medal of Excellence as Most Outstanding City Mayor of the Philippines in 1998 and received other accolades before that.

Along with former Isabela Gov. Grace Padaca and former Pampanga Gov. Ed Panlilio, Robredo spearheaded the formation of the Kaya Natin! Movement, an organization for good governance and ethical leadership, in 2008.

The group backed Aquino's 2010 presidential bid.
http://www.gmanews.tv/story/195778/new-dilg-chief-vows-more-transparency-accountability

Kris Aquino takes 3-week vacation; to miss SONA

2010-07-10T03:58:00.000-07:00

Actress-TV host Kris Aquino is taking a three-week vacation in the United States after announcing her impending separation from her husband, pro-basketball player James Yap.

Aquino said she and her two children, Joshua and Baby James, will be staying in Orlando, Florida for 3 weeks. Among the tourist spots they will be visiting is the Disney World resort.

The controversial TV host said she would likely miss the State of the Nation Address of her brother, President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III, on July 26.

She added, however, that she will return to the Philippines in time for the death anniversary of her mother, former president Cory Aquino, on August 1.

Aquino was interviewed by ABS-CBN's North America News Bureau while waiting for her connecting flight at the Los Angeles International Airport. She refused to answer questions about the status of her relationship with Yap.

Aquino and her two children left the Philippines Thursday evening on board a Philippine Air Lines 10 p.m. flight bound for Los Angeles.

Kris and her party were able to evade the media with the help of airport authorities who let them in the airport through the tarmac and into the presidential lounge instead of through the passenger entrance gates. The president's sister and her companions stayed in the presidential lounge for almost 2 hours before entering the plane through gate 49 of terminal 2.

Separation

Kris announced on June 27 that she was separating from her husband after six years of marriage.

James, on the other hand, has said he wants to give their marriage another chance.

Kris also quipped during the election campaign that she would leave the Philippines if her brother won the presidential elections in order to spare him from controversy.

Among those who assisted Kris and her party at the terminal were the new airport general manager Angel Honrado, NAIA terminal 2 manager Atty. Butch Bautista, and airport media affairs chief Consuelo Bungag.

Husband James was nowhere to be seen at the airport.
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/entertainment/07/09/10/kris-aquino-takes-3-week-vacation-miss-sona

Aquino command conference with military set Monday

2010-07-10T03:54:00.000-07:00

President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III will have his first command conference and command briefing at the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ General Headquarters on Monday, a military spokesman confirmed Friday.

In a telephone interview with reporters, Brigadier General Jose Mabanta, AFP spokesman, said that top-brass officials from the major service commanders, deputy chiefs of staff and the top three officials of the AFP would conduct the briefing for Aquino.

The meeting on Monday is expected to start at around 9:30 a.m. and is expected to last until noon the same day.

“He [Aquino] will be updated on the present status of the armed forces of the Philippines, its programs with the emphasis on its plans for modernization and to come up with a campaign plan that is attuned with his wishes,” Mabanta said.

He added that among the issues that would be discussed would be the creation of a new program that would replace Oplan Bantay Laya 2, the military program which leftist groups claim is the government’s way to purge militant group members.
“We will be informing the president that we will be crafting new plans and timelines to coincide with the, of course into present, a new dispensation,” Mabanta said.

“We will still be crafting a new campaign plan, together with, in line with this is, in the forefront is HR or human rights as a priority,” he added.

Mabanta said that only generalities were discussed during talks with Aquino during the formal change of command ceremony last week.

“This time we envision that we will go down to the specifics and particular so we anticipate that the president will be coming up with additional policies and instructions for the conduct of ISO, internal security [operations], external security and the conduct of other activities, other than the usual, other than war,” Mabanta said.

He reiterated AFP chief Major General Ricado David Jr.’s pronouncement that the military would defeat communist insurgency nationwide within two to three years but clarified that the timeline was still subject to the approval of Aquino.

“This is the AFP’s self-imposed timeline, we see that we will be able to attain objectives in two to three years but all of these is only recommendatory of course to the president but we see at our level that this is doable, the two to three years timeline,” Mabanta said.

“Of course, all of these are for recommendation for the eventual approval of the President,” he added.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20100709-280131/Aquino-command-conference-with-military-set-Monday

Boy Abunda on govt post: Not for now

2010-06-02T16:33:00.000-07:00

TV host and talent manager Boy Abunda said he is not keen on accepting any offers for a government post, at least for now.

"Am I going to accept a government post? Now, no. That is a categorical no," Abunda said in an interview aired over GMA Network's "Saksi" news program Wednesday night.

He, however, said he is not closing his door to a possible position in the looming administration of Sen. Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III.

"Ang tanong ay (the question is), am I closing my doors? I am not," said Abunda, who is a close friend of Aquino's sister, actress/TV host Kris Aquino-Yap.

He added he has much to attend to right now, such as managing talents and his contract with ABS-CBN. He said he may consider accepting a position in the government once his contract ends next year.

Aquino, who is now in the process of searching for people who will compose his official family once he assumes the presidency, said he is considering Abunda as his Tourism secretary owing to his communication skills.

Abunda, in the interview, admitted being hurt by statements questioning his ability to take on a government position.

"For people who think, 'he's just an entertainer, why don't you give him a job just in entertainment?' (The word) ‘just’ bothers me," he said.

"Pag magdesisyon akong magtrabaho sa gobyerno, paghahandaan ko naman ito (If I decide to work in the government, of course I'll prepare for it)," Abunda added.

Abunda co-hosted Startalk and Show and Tell on GMA Network before transferring to ABS-CBN in 1999.

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/192503/boy-abunda-on-govt-post-not-for-now

No proof of Binay desertion — Erap camp

2010-06-02T16:29:00.000-07:00

There is no evidence showing that leading vice presidential candidate Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay deserted his partner, former President Joseph “Erap" Estrada, during the May 10 automated elections.

“While it is true that the Erap camp has received various speculations and reports alleging that Mayor Binay ‘junked’ President Estrada, so far, there has been no hard evidence of this," Estrada’s spokesperson, Margaux Salcedo, said in a text message to GMANews.TV.

Salcedo added that Estrada is studying the “possibility of electoral cheating" in areas where the former President’s votes were far lower than those received by Binay.

Estrada received a single-digit percentage of votes in the provinces of Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao where Binay got the most votes based on GMA News’ unofficial tally of votes.

GMA News’ tally also shows Estrada at a distant second to Senator Benigno “Noynoy" Aquino III in the presidential race.

Binay, on the other hand, continues to lead the vice-presidential race by a slim margin over Aquino's running-mate, Senator Manuel Roxas II.

PMP spokesperson Rafael Calinisan admitted that although a number of supporters believed “that some form of junking indeed happened," the party is still supportive of Binay.

“We still recognize and support our vice-presidential candidate, Mayor Jejomar Binay," he said in a separate text message to GMANews.TV.

Salcedo said Estrada’s confidence still remains with Binay despite issues being hurled toward their tandem.

“President Estrada’s confidence in Mayor Binay’s loyalty and friendship remains strong, especially because Binay was not only President Erap’s running mate but also his good friend," she said.
http://www.gmanews.tv/story/192499/no-proof-of-binay-desertion-erap-camp

Jinggoy: Let's unite, rally behind President Noynoy

2010-06-02T16:21:00.000-07:00

Senate President Pro-Tempore Jinggoy Estrada yesterday called on the entire nation to rally behind the next president in a bid to unite the country.

Estrada called on the people to unite behind and support presidential frontrunner Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III whom he called “President Noynoy Aquino.”

“The entire Filipino nation must rally behind President Noynoy Aquino,” Estrada said in an interview with GMA-7 news program “24 Oras.”

But when he was contacted by The STAR later last night, Estrada qualified his answer.

“The entire Filipino nation must rally behind the next president, whoever he or she may be, in order not to divide the nation,” he said.

Estrada stressed there should be a stop to the divisiveness in the country brought about by the administration of President Arroyo.

When asked if his call for support extends to Aquino, Sen. Estrada replied, “Then the people should rally behind him.”

When reminded that his father, the former president has not yet conceded to Aquino, Sen. Estrada said that is because the canvassing is not yet finished.

Lawmakers, however, are in a rush to finish the canvassing and proclaim the winning candidates by next week.

Speaker Prospero Nograles said the winning presidential and vice presidential candidates may be proclaimed on Monday.

“If there are no interruptions, we can finish the canvass today. But for sure, we can complete it tomorrow so that we can proclaim the winners on Monday,” he said.

This means that Congress is completing the tally and proclamation eight days earlier than its self-imposed deadline on June 15, Nograles declared.

But yesterday’s congressional canvass moved at a snail’s pace, slowed down again by issues related to the automation of the May 10 elections.

As of 6:30 p.m. or five hours into its session, the joint Senate-House canvassing committee had tallied only five certificates of canvass (COCs), a far cry from its seven-COC-per-hour average on Tuesday.

Still, the committee is on track to finish the canvass today and proclaim the winners on Monday, beating the deadline for Congress to declare the winners in the presidential and vice presidential race on June 30.

At the start of the proceedings, Maguindanao Rep. Didagen Dilangalen brought up a memorandum issued on May 9, or the eve of the elections, by Commission on Elections (Comelec) executive director Jose Tolentino allotting an extra 20 blank compact flash (CF) memory cards and two card burners for every province just in case the CF cards previously deployed malfunctioned.

Dilangalen hinted that provincial election officers to whom they were given might have manipulated the extra cards.

This might be a case of “garbage in, garbage out,” he said.

Nograles tried to take up the point of Dilangalen by asking Tolentino why he sent the CF cards to Comelec provincial officers and allowed them to configure the cards.

Parañaque Rep. Roilo Golez attempted to put things in proper perspective by informing his colleagues that based on the May 9 memorandum, although Tolentino sent 10 extra memory cards to his provincial officers, it was the provincial director of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) that was authorized to configure them if needed.

Golez, of the Liberal Party (LP), said Nograles was “crafting an inaccurate question based on inaccurate information from the gentleman of Maguindanao.”

“This matter has been discussed in the hearings of the House committee on suffrage and electoral reform and in its visit to Cabuyao (Laguna), but unfortunately, the gentleman from Maguindanao was not there,” he said.

Dilangalen resented his colleague’s remarks, and in a raised voice accused him of making “sipsip” or bootlicking, prompting the joint canvassing committee’s presiding officers to suspend the session.

When session resumed, the committee tackled the certificate of canvass (COC) from Ilocos Sur that was manually delivered to the Senate and which was earlier set aside because its electronic version was not received by the congressional canvass server.

On orders from the canvassing committee, the heads of the canvassing boards in provinces where COCs were not electronically received by the Congress server appeared before the panel to explain if they transmitted the certificates, and if they did, why they were not received.

Their testimonies contributed to the snail’s pace of last night’s canvassing.

Aquino kept his lead over Estrada in last night’s congressional tally as of 7 p.m.

Aquino received 9,931,188 votes against Estrada’s 6,271,431, or a 3.7 million margin. They were followed by Sen. Manuel Villar Jr. with 3,601,085 and Gilberto Teodoro Jr. with 2,601,806 votes.

Estrada’s running mate, Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay, maintained his lead over Aquino’s teammate Sen. Manuel “Mar” Roxas II.

Binay had 9,509,446 while Roxas garnered 9,153,971 votes. They were followed by Sen. Loren Legarda with 2,794,664 and Bayani Fernando at 622,744.

The canvassing committee had tabulated a total of 22,918,653 votes for vice president and 23, 715,624 presidential votes.

It added only 1.2 million votes to Tuesday night’s tabulation of 22.5 million tally level.

Explanations

Ilocos Sur provincial election officer Marino Salas testified that based on their records, their COC was electronically transmitted to the Congress server.

He said if it was not received, the joint committee could use the compact disc (CD) containing the results that was included in the ballot box he delivered to the Senate.

Instead of abbreviating the proceedings by agreeing to Salas’ suggestion, Sen. Rodolfo Biazon proposed that the committee could use the COC that the Ilocos Sur canvassing board sent electronically to the Comelec central office, which was not immediately available.

Camarines Norte Rep. Liwayway Vinzons Chato contributed to the extended debate by going back to the failed electronic transmission of the COC to the Congress server.

“What is the reason for the failure? Is it true that if the results are rigged, there is failure to transmit?” she asked.

At this point, an exasperated Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile reminded his colleagues that “this is a canvassing board.”

“I suggest that we proceed with the canvassing,” he told them.

House Majority Leader Arthur Defensor observed that “we are beginning to lose track of the mandate of this committee.”

The committee later decided to disregard Biazon’s proposal and heeded Salas’ suggestion that the CD containing the Ilocos Sur election results be opened.

Resorting to the CD was first proposed by lawyer Romulo Macalintal on Tuesday to obviate the need for the canvassing committee to require the members of the provincial canvassing boards to appear before it.

However, the canvassing panel ignored the proposal of Macalintal, who is representing Teodoro in the canvassing, and ordered canvassers in provinces where COCs were not electronically received to fly to Manila right away.

Just the same, the canvassing panel relied on the CDs after hearing the provincial canvassers.

Former assemblyman Homobono Adaza, representing Sen. Jamby Madrigal in the canvassing, joined last night’s fray by questioning the constitutionality of the canvass proceedings.

Adaza argued that the canvassing of votes be done by the Senate and the House in a joint public session.

Enrile dismissed Adaza’s statements by saying the Constitution allows Congress to promulgate its canvassing rules, including the formation of a joint committee that would actually do the tally.

It was relatively easy last Tuesday when the tally had already reached the 22.5-million-vote level. More than 37 million, out of 51 million registered Filipino voters, are believed to have voted on May 10.

The 22.5 million votes came from 51 provinces and cities, and from overseas and local absentee voters.

The tabulation picked up speed on Tuesday, with the joint Senate-House canvassing committee tallying about 21.7 million votes in seven hours.

The avalanche of votes from vote-rich provinces enabled Aquino to pull away from Estrada.

The tally level on Monday night, when Estrada led Aquino, was only about 800,000 votes.

The null votes

As of yesterday, votes from only 30 provinces and cities remained to be tabulated.

Nograles said the canvassing committee could not include some 1.3 million “null” or void votes that were recorded on Tuesday.

This is because the panel has no way of determining to whom it would credit the votes, he said.

“These were machine-dictated. The (precinct count optical scan) machine just didn’t read the votes for various reasons known only to the machine and how they were programmed to read the ballots,” he explained.

Null votes represented ballots that the PCOS machines did not read for any candidate.

So far, there were 500,000 void votes for presidential candidates and 800,000 for vice presidential candidates.

http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=580918&publicationSubCategoryId=63

Aquino proclamation set

2010-06-02T16:15:00.000-07:00

Congress poised to declare next president, VP on June 7

The next president, likely Liberal Party (LP) standard-bearer Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, and possibly the next vice president of the country are expected to be officially proclaimed on Monday, June 7.

This was revealed Monday night by Speaker Prospero Nograles as he noted that less than 35 percent of the 278 certificates of canvass (CoCs) have not yet been tabulated with the joint national canvassing committee left two days to count the remainder.

Pointing out that Congress has done its part of speeding up the canvassing of election returns for the presidential and vice presidential races and the eventual proclamation of the winners, Nograles said he also expects the Supreme Court, which will act as the Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET), to fast-track its decision on electoral protests should there be one.

Aquino s predicted to win the presidential race having led almost throughout the national canvassing of votes by the 18-man committee composed of House of Representatives and Senate members.

Running second to Aquino is former President Joseph Estrada of the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) who garnered 5,927,990 votes.

With the deferment of tabulation of 14 CoCs as of Tuesday night, a forecast of the vice presidential race winner is not possible.

Aquino’s runningmate, Sen. Manuel Roxas, and Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay of the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino are still slugging it out for the lead, although the latter has maintained a slim lead as of press time yesterday.

Binay posted 9,048,351 votes on Tuesday night while Roxas chalked up 8,749,968 after the canvassing of 189 of 278 CoCs, or a difference of 298,383 votes.

Lawyers for several candidates appeared headed to the PET as they continued to badger the canvassing panel with objections on various issues that could set the stage for an election protest.

Lawyers for Roxas, together with Senator Jamby Madrigal, sought the deferment of canvassing in cities and provinces where counting were allegedly discontinued to pave the way for the early proclamation of winning local candidates.

They cited a certification issued by Commission on Elections (Comelec) Executive Director Jose Tolentino that the poll body agreed to lower the threshold of counting in areas where there is no possibility that vote margins posted by leading candidates can still be overtaken.

The huge number of null votes for vice president, reaching 800,000 as of 4 p.m. Tuesday, is also expected to be brought to the PET. The number represents nearly 12 percent of all votes canvassed.

“We in the joint canvassing committee are tasked to make sure that all votes cast by our people on May 10 are counted properly. It will be a disservice to our people if we do an incomplete canvass at the national level,” said Camarines Norte Rep. Liwayway Vinzons-Chato, an ally of Roxas.

In four days of canvassing, Congress, acting as the National Board of Canvassers, was able to canvass an average of 47 CoCs per day, starting off with the manually transmitted returns from 174 overseas absentee voting centers throughout the world.

Nograles said there remained a possibility that proclamation can be made Thursday but the June 7 schedule is a “safe” prediction.

Earlier, the House leader set June 4 as the target of proclamation of the winners in the presidential and vice presidential race but the closing ceremonies of the Lower House made it impossible for the joint canvassing panel to meet the schedule.

Last Monday, Nograles and Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, who both head the canvassing body, agreed to defer canvassing session on Friday to give way to the closing ceremonies of both chambers.

Aquino won in almost all provinces and cities. Among these are: Surigao del Norte; Bulacan, Catanduanes, Laguan, Benguet, Masmate, Albay, Paranaque City, Sorsogon, Aklan, Bohol, Cebu, Camarines Sur, Agusan del Norte, Compostela Valley, Tarlac, Cavite, Marinduque, Mandaluyong City and Bataan.

On the other hand, Estrada took Misamis Oriental, Cagayan, Occidental Mindoro, Saranggani, Isabela, Quirino, and Zamboanga City.

Lakas-Kampi-CMD presidential bet Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro Jr., who is number 4 in the race, won in Camiguin, Dinagat Island, and Guimaras.

In the vice presidential race, Binay enjoyed the lead in the following cities and provinces: Nueva Vizcaya, Paranaque City, Cagayan, Sorsogon, Occidental Mindoro, Saranggani, Isabela, Misamis Oriental, Bulacan, Manila, Catanduanes, Laguna, Quirino, Compostela Valley, Zamboanga City, Bataan, Cavite and Mandaluyong City.

Roxas won in Negros Oriental, Guimaras, Marinduque, Cebu, Camarines Sur, Agusan del Norte, Tarlac, Surigao del Norte, Benguet, Masbate, Albay, Aklan, Bohol, and Zamboanga del Norte.

Actor Edu Manzano, Teodoro’s running mate, led in Camiguin and Dinagat Island. Like Teodoro, Manzano is ranked fourth.

Official count as of 9 p.m. on June 1:

For President: Benigno C. Aquino III , 9,564,943; Joseph Estrada, 5,927,990; Manuel Villar, 3,333,558; Gilberto Teodoro Jr., 2,480,185; Eduardo Villanueva, 722,857; Richard Gordon, 270,781; Vetellano Acosta, 118,351; Nicanor Perlas, 33,730; Jamby Madrigal, 30,553; JC de los Reyes, 28,297.

For Vice President: Jejomar Binay, 9,048,351; Manuel Roxas, 8,749,968; Loren Legarda, 2,570,103; Bayani Fernando, 582,162; Edu Manzano, 497,296; Perfecto Yasay, 232,135; Jay Sonza, 37,919.
http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/260305/aquino-proclamation-set

Erap camp to present evidence of e-fraud

2010-05-26T04:20:00.000-07:00

As lawmakers prepare to buckle down to canvass the votes for president and vice-president, they will be faced with possible complaints on the ballots.

The Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) plans to present to Congress on Wednesday evidence that will supposedly prove electronic fraud or e-fraud was committed during the elections.

Speaking on ANC's "The Rundown" on Tuesday, PMP lead counsel George Garcia says former President Joseph Estrada lost a lot of votes due to the alleged fraud.

"We would like to establish that certain votes were deducted from him," Garcia says. "There was certain evidence to prove there were data coming from other systems other than the systems set up by Smartmatic. We will try to prove there was cheating that benefitted certain candidates, not necessarily the leading presidential candidate. If that is established, that is also to the benefit of Senator Aquino if he will become the next president, because you wouldn't want to start your presidency your term, where there is a doubt as to your legitimacy."

Garcia says he hopes the move would not be taken to mean the PMP is questioning the mandate or legitimacy of the next president.

"It should be construed to mean the process as well as the evidence and provision of the rules adopted by Congress. Should we rely on the printed results, it should always tally with electronically-printed results," Garcia notes.

The joint committee is expected to decide on these matters.

LP: For protest, go to PET

But Liberal Party deputy spokesperson Liwayway Vinzons-Chato says the PMP's concern goes beyond the scope of the special canvassing committee. She adds it should in no way delay the committee's work to canvass the votes.

"Congress will have to proceed with the canvassing, and if there's any question as to fraud, they can bring it up during canvassing. But their venue should be the [Presidential] Electoral Tribunal (PET) if they question the win of the president," Chato says. "They can bring those matters up, put it on record if they want to, but that should not result in the delay of the canvassing and the eventual proclamation."

Complaints like the one raised by the PMP are expected to be raised during canvassing. But Atty. Koko Pimentel, lead counsel for vice-presidential bet Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay, says this should not stall the canvassing itself.

"Even though the race is close, if the electronic documents are in order, there should be no cause for delay," Pimentel says. "One to two days for preliminary matters should not harm the process. Maybe if the delay is five days, then we will start to complain."

Watch for uncanvassed votes

Both the camps of the Liberal Party and Binay believe they will be able to corner the remaining 9.5% of uncanvassed votes once all the certificates of canvass are counted.

"We are not worried about the 9.5%," Pimentel says. "It will follow the general trend, so the lead of Mayor Binay will increase. We're predicting that his lead will be in the 900,000 plus votes."

"We're also predicting that that 9.5% would give our candidate [Mar Roxas] the lead," Chato adds.

The completion of the canvassing by Congress is expected to settle the winner in the vice-presidential race, reason enough for the Liberal Party to continue watching the votes of its vice-presidential candidate.

"When all the tallies have come in, especially the 9.5% which would give a bigger lead to Mayor Binay, then graciously our vice-presidential candidate would accept what the results would be. However if that 9.5% would be in favor of Mar Roxas, why would we give up," Chato says.

Estrada rules out concession

In the end, however, it may just be Estrada who will question the election results. More than two weeks after the elections, he continues to say he has no plans of conceding the presidential race.

Meantime, the PMP plans to raise their concerns before the joint committee. They also plan to ask Congress to subpoena telephone companies, as well as their audit logs, to determine the authenticity of the electronic transmissions of votes.http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/05/25/10/erap-camp-present-evidence-e-fraud

Enrile pleads for 'orderly' canvassing

2010-05-26T04:16:00.001-07:00

Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile urged lawmakers to observe "complete decorum" as both chambers of Congress convened again on Wednesday for the canvassing of votes for president and vice president.

"The function of this proceeding is in accordance with the Constitution. It conforms to the function of a national canvassing board, for no other purpose than to determine who won in the last elections for president and vice president. This proceeding is not a board of inquiry," Enrile clarified in his opening statement.

He asked lawmakers and senators present, including members of the joint canvassing committee, to avoid raising inquiries with "hearsay evidence" and ask questions in "an orderly manner."

"Nobody is going to insult anybody. Nobody’s going to be insulted... We are not going to allow dilatory tactics or effort to delay any proceeding," he said.

He added that only those with concrete facts will be allowed by the committee to inquire with members of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and the Smartmatic-TIM, who were invited to clarify concerns about the supposed discrepancies in the automated elections.

The canvassing committee was expected to grill Comelec and Smartmatic officials and initially talk about the supposed absence of digital signatures in election returns (ERs) churned out by the Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS) machines during the elections.

There are suggestions that without the digital signatures, the ERs cannot be considered as official election documents and legal bases for the proclamation of winning candidates, including those who ran for president and vice-president.

This is based on the Comelec's resolution issued last March 4, ordering the Board of Election Inspectors (BEIs) not to affix their digital signatures on the ERs before the transmission of votes to canvassing centers.

The Comelec has explained that the BEIs' digital signatures would be a redundant feature since the PCOS machines already have the same security feature.

Some lawmakers believe the Comelec's resolution was in violation of the Automated Elections Law and the E-Commerce Law.

'Hell will break loose in Congress'

Maguindanao Rep. Didagen Dilangalen, a member of the House canvassing panel, earlier told ANC's Headstart on Tuesday that he expected chaotic proceedings once congressmen and senators start throwing questions at Comelec and Smartmatic officials.

"Maraming magtatanong dyan. Imagine 274 congressmen... I tell you, hell will break lose in Congress, pero hindi ako kasama dyan," Dilangalen said.

He said he sees a chaotic scenario because of the joint canvassing committee's decision allowing poll fraud complainants, mostly losing congressmen, to grill Comelec and Smartmatic officials.

He said the complaints of poll fraud should just be tackled in a joint public hearing.

Dilangalen insisted that the joint canvassing committee's task was simply to count votes for president and vice president and determine the authenticity of the election documents that will be used as basis for the proclamation of the winning candidates.
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/05/26/10/enrile-pleads-orderly-canvassing

Old, new faces line up for job vacancies in Aquino gov’t

2010-05-26T04:14:00.000-07:00

The Times Street residence of President-apparent Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III has been virtually transformed into an employment agency as scores of applications for various positions in the government continue to pour in even as the presidential front-runner remains to be tight-lipped on his choices for Cabinet positions.

Mar Rodriguez, personal staff of Aquino, said in one week alone they already received 170 letters consisting of applications for personal security or as head of particular departments and government agencies.

Greeting cards were also received from various parts of the world.

“We accept all the applications submitted to us, we do not throw anything,” Rodriguez told reporters.

He said all the letters and applications were eventually forwarded to the Senate office of Aquino where it will be logged in for appropriate actions.

Rodriguez also revealed that there were also prominent personalities who visited Times St. to submit their applications.

“There are people who come here with recommendations from prominent personalities,” he said.

Meanwhile, more and more names have surfaced as possible Cabinet officials under the looming administration of Aquino.

The list includes old faces such as former Cabinet officials Jaime Galvez Tan (Health), Dinky Soliman (Social Welfare), Roberto de Ocampo (Finance), Philip “Popoy” Juico (Agrarian Reform), Sonny Dominguez (Agriculture), and Butch Abad (Education).

Other old faces eyeing Cabinet positions are: Cesar Purisima (Finance), as Department of Trade and Industry secretary; Cesar Sarino (Local Government), as head of Social Security System; Ramon del Rosario (Finance), as secretary of Foreign Affairs; Avelino Cruz (Defense), as Department of Justice secretary; and Marge Juico, former appointments secretary of President Cory Aquino as head of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

Other possible candidates include close friends such as Bong Naguiat as head of the Philippine Amusements and Gaming Corporation; an old friend and Ateneo classmate of Aquino, Jose “Pete” Prado, for the Department of Transportation and Communications; Manila Water President Rene Almendras as secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways; Arben Santos for the Bureau of Customs; Eddie Gana for the Government Service and Insurance System; Jun Simon for the Department of the Interior and Local Government; Johnny Santos for the Department of Tourism; and Executive Secretary Jojo Ochoa.
http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/259211/old-new-faces-line-job-vacancies-aquino-gov-t

Nullification of Congress canvass possible – Aquino ally

2010-05-26T04:10:00.000-07:00

Liberal Party (LP) stalwart in the House of Representatives warned Wednesday the joint national canvassing committee of a possible nullification by the Supreme Court of the canvass results unless the body abides by all legal provisions concerning the determination of the authenticity and due execution of the certificates of canvass (CoCs).

Batangas Rep. Hermilando Mandanas aired this concern in a letter he sent to Speaker Prospero Nograles and Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, co-chairmen of the joint canvassing panel which convened Wednesday to prepare for the presidential and vice presidential election count.

Upon convening, the 18-man committee was briefed by officials of the Smartmatic-TIM and the Commission on Elections (Comelec) as to the controversies surrounding the first automated elections conducted in the country.

During the proceedings, Nograles and Enrile said proclamation of the winning presidential and vice presidential candidates in the May 10 elections may not be done separately.

Mandanas, partymate of winning presidential bet Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, said the rules on canvassing approved on Monday in a joint session of Congress “did not include all the provisions of the existing and prevailing law” related to the determination of “authenticity and due execution of CoCs”

There are three laws, namely, Republic Act Nos. 9369, 8436 and 7166, that govern the manner by which the authenticity and due execution of a CoC should be considered.

“I am of the opinion that this will be justiciable issue that will be brought to the Supreme Court by any presidential or vice presidential candidate who will lose in the canvassing,” he stressed.

The former Batangas governor said the joint session should “take the right and proper steps to be compliant to the Constitution” to avoid delays in the canvassing proceedings. He warned that there is also the possibility that the SC will nullify the results of the canvass.

However, Nograles said that he is convinced the High Court will not act on any issue that concerns the constitutional mandate of Congress to canvass the votes for presidential and vice presidential races.

Nograles, however, said he does not believe that the Supreme Court, as a co-equal branch of government, will stop the canvassing if the various legal questions are brought to it.

The House leader, who lost his mayoral bid in Davao City against Sarah Duterte, warned of the recurrence of “prejudicial questions” in the canvassing process but would not say if this could block of even delay Aquino’s proclamation.

Nograles’ son Carlo,who is set to takeover his father’s post as representative of Davao City in the 15th Congress, hinted at the possibility of “failure of automation.”

Another issue raised to Comelec was the manner by which a digital signature of the board of election inspector chairman is to be determined.

Among the questions raised was the concern of Rep. Edcel Lagman (Lakas-Kampi-CMD, Albay) that the House based the results on the electronically transmitted CoCs pursuant to the automated election law instead of the printed ones, noting that there should be no discrepancy anyway.
http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/259205/nullification-congress-canvass-possible-aquino-allyNullification of Congress canvass possible – Aquino ally

Congress to start canvassing votes on Wednesday

2010-05-25T06:33:00.000-07:00

Congress will finally start at 2 p.m. on Wednesday the official counting of the votes cast for president and vice-president.

The Senate and the House of Representatives convened as the National Board of Canvassers on Tuesday to approve the rules on the canvassing of the results of the country's first automated elections.

After long deliberations on the Rules of the Joint Public Session of Congress on Canvassing of the Votes Cast for the President and Vice-Presidential candidates, both Houses approved it before 5 p.m.

While the 12 senators have been proclaimed based on the tally of the Commission on Elections (Comelec), the Constitution mandates that the National Board of Canvassers count the votes and proclaim the winners of the presidential and vice-presidential elections.

The Comelec tally--which comprises around 90% of precincts nationwide--shows that Aquino will win the presidential election with around 14 million votes. His closest rival, former President Joseph Estrada, has around 9 million votes.

The vice-presidential election, however, is still too close to call. Leading candidate Makati Mayor Jejomar "Jojo" Binay has a slim lead of 800,000 votes over Senator Manuel "Mar" Roxas II. Binay has 13.6 million votes so far. Roxas has 12.8 million.

(See ABS-CBN tally:)

Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile said they will proclaim the next president and vice-president on or before June 15, or two weeks before the positions will be constitutionally vacant on June 30.

Delays

The joint session of the Senate and the House of Representatives started at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, but the process was delayed when congressmen questioned the rules of canvassing. New rules were drafted for the first nationwide automated elections.

The senators quickly approved the Rules of the Joint Public Session of Congress on Canvassing of the Votes Cast for the President and Vice-Presidential candidates, but congressmen expressed various concerns on the authenticity of the electronically-transmitted election results.

The House approved the rules at 4:54 p.m.

Maguindanao Rep. Didagen Dilangalen questioned the alleged absence of digital signatures on the certificates of canvass (COCs).

Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman asked what ought to be done in case of discrepancies between the electronically-transmitted results and the printed COCs.

The Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS) machine used in the May 10 elections printed the election returns and then sent the results electronically to the various servers.

Based on the rules, the National Board of Canvassing will consider both the electronic results and the printed COCs.

While House Speaker Prospero Nograles allowed the congressmen to express their concerns before the joint session on Tuesday, he ruled that these issues will be dealt with if the problems arise during the canvassing.

"We will follow the provisions of the law," vowed Nograles.

Nograles himself filed before the Comelec an election protest against the proclamation of his rival, Sara Duterte, in the mayoralty race in Davao City.

Joint Panel

Instead of the entire Congress, the senators and the congressmen created a joint committee panel to compose the National Board of Canvassers. The Senate and House have nine members each in their respective panels.

The members from the Senate are Senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Juan Miguel Zubiri, Rodolfo Biazon, Alan Peter Cayetano, Aquilino Pimentel, Gregorio Honasan, Edgardo Angara, Ramon Revilla Jr., and Joker Arroyo.

Representatives Prospero Nograles (Davao City), Arthur Defensor Sr. (Iloilo), Ronaldo Zamora (San Juan), Neptali Gonzales II (Mandaluyong), Jesus Crispin Remulla (Cavite), Roilo Golez (Parañaque), Didagen Dilangalen (Maguindanao), Michael John Jack Duavit (Rizal), and Matias Defensor (Quezon City).

The alternate members of the board are Senators Francis Pangilinan, Lito Lapid, Jinggoy Estrada, Pia Cayetano, and representatives Simeon Datumanong, Teodoro Locsin, Rufus Rodriguez, Lorenzo Tañada III, Liwayway Chato, Pedro Romualdo, Joseph Emilio Abaya, Eduardo Zialcita, Giorgidi Aggabao, and Darlene Antonino Custodio.
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/05/25/10/congress-start-canvassing-votes-wednesday

Palace won’t stop Noynoy from smoking

2010-05-25T06:29:00.000-07:00

It is up to President-apparent Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III if he will quit smoking or not.

Deputy Presidential spokesperson Rogelio Peyuan on Tuesday said they will not call for Aquino to stop smoking since it is his own prerogative to do what he wants to do when it comes to his personal habits.

Peyuan said the Palace cannot impose on Aquino to quit his unhealthy habit even if it counters anti-smoking campaign of the administration.

“Ito ay isang patuloy na kampanya na iiwanan hndi lamang ng kasalukuyang asdministrasyon maging ang nakaraan at ipapauaya na natin sa susunod na administrasyon kung paano nila ikukumpara at paano sila mapipiglan alinsunod sa hinihingi ng kapaligiran at mga nakapaligid sa kanila,” he said.

In a separate interview with Health Secretary Esperanza Cabral, she echoed the view of Peyuan but noted that it would be a big sacrifice and an achievement for Aquino if he quits smoking.

“Well every person is entitled to do what he wants to do,” she said.

“If he makes that sacrifice it would be a big sacrifice to stop smoking particularly if you are addicted to nicotine. That is a form of addiction. Nicotine is one of the strongest addicting substances that man consumes,” added Cabral.

Aquino said he cannot quit smoking at this time because it is his way of easing tension and pressure brought about by his job.
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/network/palace-won%E2%80%99t-stop-noynoy-smoking-1209-pm

Noynoy urged to address declining education

2010-05-25T06:27:00.000-07:00

Leading presidential contender Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III was urged Tuesday to seriously address the country’s declining education system.

Sen. Edgardo Angara said Philippine schools need a boost and the incoming administration must ensure these needs are met in the next six years.

Angara emphasized the need for the government to address the lack of competent teachers, low and poor supply of school books, dilapidated buildings and facilities and the outdated modules public schools use especially in rural areas.

“We need the remedy of these issues to maximize the talents of Filipinos and to put them in a vantage point in the domestic and global labor market,” said Angara.

Angara is chairman of the Congressional Commission on Science and Technology and Engineering (COMSTE).

The government, he said, should also work on improving the ratio of teachers and classes in all levels and also increase the salary grade of teachers.

Angara said he has called for a raise in the monthly salary of teachers to SG 13 or to P21,293 – up 77 percent from the current salary level—to foster competitiveness in the country’s educational system.

“The persistent issue of the lack of books for public school children shows the declining quality of education, especially among government-run institutions. This needs to be addressed so we can give our children the education they need,” Angara said.

He said the Department of Education (DepEd) must carefully allocate books for those in public schools and maximize resources to fully equip school children with basic supplies.

Angara lamented the drop in the country’s basic literacy rate to 88.5 percent from 93.5 percent in the 1990s.

“Education is a critical area that the new administration needs to focus on, among the nation’s many problems,” he said.
http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/258970/noynoy-urged-address-declining-education

‘Thanks for the offer,’ Noynoy tells Arroyo gov't

2010-05-25T06:26:00.000-07:00

Thanks, but no thanks.

This is what presidential front-runner Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III virtually said when asked if he would be amenable with the offer of assistance from the present administration during his possible inauguration.

“Thanks for the offer but I think a lot of our friends already know the routine so I guess we can handle it,” Aquino told reporters in an ambush interview.

Aquino said he has not personally received any offer of assistance from Malacañang at the moment.

He said should there be an offer, he would politely turn it down.

“Our views are different with regards to governing. So maybe we also have different views when it comes to the actual inauguration,” he pointed out.

But Aquino said it would be presumptuous on their part if the national canvassing has not yet started and if his camp begins to draw up plans for the inauguration.

“We’re going through different scenarios. At this time canvassing has not yet began we might be labeled as eager-beaver,” Aquino said.

The Senate, meeting in closed-door caucus on Monday, completed the composition of its nine-man panel that would conduct with the House of Representatives the actual canvassing of votes cast in the presidential elections.

Among those nominated to sit in the canvass committee were Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, Majority Leader Miguel Zubiri, Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr., and Sens. Joker Arroyo, Edgardo Angara, Gregorio Honasan, Ramon Revilla, Rodolfo Biazon, and Alan Peter Cayetano.
http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/259005/thanks-offer-noynoy-tells-arroyo-govt

Militants seized, woman killed in Basilan

2010-05-21T22:34:00.000-07:00

Thirty suspected members of the Abu Sayyaf Group seized and killed a a woman in Southern Philippines on Friday, police said on Saturday.

The victim was Shirley Flores y Alvarez, 35 years old, married, and was a resident of Lantawan, Basilan province.

Basilan Provincial Police Director Supt. Antonio Mendoza disclosed that around 9 a.m. Flores together with her husband Danny and their son were at their farm when the bandits arrived.

Danny told the police that the gunmen were wearing camouflage uniform with bonnets and forcibly took his wife.

At this point, Danny and their son managed to run away to save themselves from getting harm.

Police said that the gunmen left the place, taking Shirley.

The incident was reported to the police for the possible recovery of the victim.

However, around 1 p.m. the authorities recovered the body of Shirley with bullet wounds in a nearby village.

Mendoza said that the police and military were still conducting pursuit operations against the gunmen.

A police source said that Shirley's brother is a member of the Citizen Armed Forces Geographical Unit whose group clashed with ASG bandits several months ago.
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=577461&publicationSubCategoryId=200

No Senate seat, but Joey de Venecia lands a bride

2010-05-21T22:20:00.000-07:00

He may have failed to get a seat in the Senate, but Jose “Joey” De Venecia III, who stood up to say that the government telecommunications deal with the Chinese firm ZTE was overpriced, is sure to land a bride before June 30 this year.

Instead of filing an election protest, the also-ran Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino senatorial candidate, with his fiancée Karen Batungbacal, filed an application for a marriage license at the Makati Civil Registry office on Friday morning.

“This is our third try. Since 2007, the wedding has always been called off because of so many factors,” De Venecia told the Inquirer.

It is also his second wedding, the first with Selina Gecolea, a union that has presumably been annulled.

De Venecia, namesake and son of former Speaker Jose de Venecia, failed to land in the Senate race’s top 12.

He said he had accepted his defeat, and planned to file no election protest despite the growing noise about poll rigging. “It’s premature to say that there was massive cheating when we’re not yet done with the random manual audit,” he said.

He declared that his attention was now focused on his family and his upcoming wedding.

The wedding was first set on Dec. 20, 2007, but was cancelled because, according to De Venecia, he had been getting death threats after he blew the whistle on the $329-million contract with ZTE, which has since been aborted.

“Finally, there is no stopping the wedding now,” he said. He added that under a new administration, he thought “security threats” would no longer present a serious problem.

He and his fiancée plan to have a simple civil wedding ceremony at the Makati City Hall before June 30.

“There’s no exact date yet. But we want it to be before June 30 because we want Mayor (Jejomar) Binay to officiate at the wedding,” he said.

His fiancée, a chemical engineering graduate at Princeton University, is the president and chief executive officer of business process outsourcing company ICT Group, Inc. for Asia Pacific.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20100522-271434/No-Senate-seat-but-Joey-de-Venecia-lands-a-bride

Gecko keeps Arroyo home pest-free

2010-05-21T22:17:00.000-07:00

Keep a gecko at home and help prevent global warming.

In her home in Lubao, Pampanga, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has junked insect sprays in favor of a four-legged nocturnal creature to catch mosquitoes and roaches.

It may seem odd to some, but this is a practical way to prevent global warming, Ms Arroyo said Friday before Lions Club members in Quezon City.

She said climate change brings about risks to personal health, like the debilitating viral disease of dengue that is transmitted by mosquitoes, hence the need for environment-friendly pest control.

“For instance, in my son’s home, and in my home in Lubao, Pampanga, we don’t use chemical pest control for mosquitoes and cockroaches. We use a gecko. We call that integrated pest management,” she said at the Araneta Coliseum.

The speech was aired live over government-run dzRB.

Ms Arroyo has won a congressional seat in her home province’s second district, a seat previously held by her son Rep. Juan Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo.

In her talk at the Lions Club convention, Ms Arroyo spoke about the adaptation and mitigation measures that the government and the public could take against the extreme effects of climate change.

On adaptation, she suggested building “green homes” like those with gardens on their roofs, using less air-conditioning, harvesting rain for the season of drought and relocating people living in areas vulnerable to flooding.

“That’s part of our framework strategies for climate change adaptation,” she said.

To mitigate climate change, Ms Arroyo proposed energy efficiency and conservation, sustainable infrastructure, environmentally sustainable transport, measures to address forest degradation, and waste management.

“We should put importance on materials recovery facilities (where segregated household trash is recycled). If you have facilities for street children, you should have facilities for MRFs,” she said.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20100522-271410/Gecko-keeps-Arroyo-home-pest-free

Aquino friend seen as ‘Little President’

2010-05-21T22:15:00.000-07:00

Apparent president-elect Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III let the cat out of the bag Friday regarding his Cabinet choices, saying the guests at his victory bash in Quezon City on Thursday night presented a preview of his official family.

Aquino told the Inquirer that some of his Cabinet men were indeed sprinkled in the celebration, which was notable for having no bigwig from the Liberal Party, the “Hyatt 10” of former Arroyo administration Cabinet members or The Firm (the Villaraza Cruz Marcelo & Angangco law office), which used to be associated with the First Couple, present.

But among the dozens of classmates, family friends, lawyers and organizers in the poolside party, none stood taller in Aquino’s eyes than lawyer Paquito “Jojo” N. Ochoa, who is touted to be the next “Little President.”

Aquino sidestepped questions on whether he has picked Ochoa as his Executive Secretary, saying that he had left the details of the selection process to a committee whose members he had not yet identified.

Aquino praised the lawyer in a press conference: “Jojo Ochoa has been my principal legal counsel from the time I entered public service in 1998. If ever I stated a position with regards to the law, I don’t think I have ever been proven wrong in the position I took. And I have to credit him with a lot of sound advice.”

Aquino consulted Ochoa regarding the former’s hardline opposition to the appointment of Chief Justice Renato Corona on Monday, among other delicate positions.

Although his designation has yet to be made public, Aquino has already come forward to defend Ochoa from critics. “He has agreed to help me until the work in the transition period is done but he already has been getting criticisms left and right,” Aquino said.

Ochoa himself refused requests for an interview, saying, “Not now, maybe later.”

Ochoa, whose father is a former mayor of Pulilan, Bulacan and a friend of Aquino’s father, was the head of Aquino’s legal team for the campaign, Pinoy Lawyers.

He is an economics graduate of University of Santo Tomas and got his law degree from the Ateneo School of Law. He was appointed city administrator of Quezon City in 2003.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20100522-271418/Aquino-friend-seen-as-Little-President

Palace, says Locsin; a losing ‘presidentiable,’ says Comelec

2010-05-21T22:06:00.000-07:00

Who let the “Koala Bear” cut?

A Commission on Elections (Comelec) official on Friday said his information was that it was let loose by one of the losers in the presidential race.

Makati Rep. Teodoro Locsin Jr. was more definite: The Koala Bear sprang out of Malacañang.

Speaking at the resumption of the House of Representatives committee hearing on allegations of election fraud, Locsin said: “I know who you are. Do not provoke me to name you.”

Locsin was reacting sharply to a Malacañang call for Congress to stop its probe into reported cheating during the recent elections.

“It has been said by Malacañang no less that this committee should adjourn and leave Comelec to do its job,” Locsin said.

“That is surely rich, coming from the people who are behind the Koala Bear gimmick designed to throw into total discredit the superb leadership of the Comelec, which tried, not always with success, to prevent embedded operators and syndicates from capturing the new election system.”

Real identity

Last Wednesday, the House committee on suffrage chaired by Locsin heard a video of a masked man claiming the automated polls had been rigged. Locsin branded the witness as a “Koala Bear” based on his appearance.

Known as bears, koalas are actually marsupials, related to the kangaroo and the wombat. Koalas have dense grayish fur, large ears, and sharp claws and feed chiefly on the leaves of eucalyptus trees.

At the hearing’s resumption, Locsin challenged those behind the masked witness to have him reveal his real identity.

“You say he is afraid and wants security. You, who abducted Jun Lozada, should know about security better than anyone else. Give him security and let him speak in the open,” the Makati lawmaker said.

Sounding confident about his information on the people behind the masked man, Locsin also said: “You should have hired a stylist before floating that marsupial with the big black nose so as to give him the credibility you are telling me he deserves. Well, until he removes his fur, I will not credit him with anything but a very good impersonation of a New Zealand (sic) creature.”

With eucalyptus leaves

Locsin immediately left the hearing after his opening statement, saying he was to meet with the gardener of his father’s grave at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.

Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said the poll body had an idea who foisted the masked man on the public.

Jimenez said “informal” reports from several government agencies pointed to a “losing presidential candidate” as the mastermind behind the “Koala Bear.”

“We have an idea on who holds the eucalyptus leaves. We suspect that it is a losing presidential candidate,” Jimenez said in a press briefing.

Asked if his suspect was one of those who recently raised complaints about alleged massive electoral fraud, Jimenez only said that it did not appear to be from a “coalition of losers.”

Jimenez said what they received from their sources were “initial reports.” At this point, the information was “very, very difficult to substantiate,” but Jimenez said they trusted their sources.

The Comelec, he said, was in the process of verifying the information.

Jimenez said the only thing they were sure about was the fact that “Robin,” the man in the video, was not an employee of the Comelec.

Jimenez said his video testimony had plenty of holes and internal inconsistencies. The man, he said, did not appear to know how electoral canvassing works.

Whoever was behind the masked man was out “to discredit the elections,” he said.

He said it was likely that the mastermind paid the masked man to concoct his story of massive fraud.

Should the Comelec find out who engineered the masked man’s revelation, the mastermind will surely face sanctions for trying to undermine the credibility of the elections, Jimenez said.

Even the fiercest critics of the Comelec said they were wary of the allegations of the masked man. But even if he appeared to be a fraud, this did not mean that there were no electoral shenanigans that occurred to benefit some candidates, the poll watchdogs said.

Like a clown

Officials of the National Citizens Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel) and the Philippine Computer Society (PCS) expressed incredulity at the allegations of fraud presented by the man.

Namfrel secretary general

Eric Alvia said it was difficult to believe Robin’s story of fraud. “It sounds improbable. It doesn’t look like first-hand information,” he said.

PCS official Edmundo Casiño said the arguments for poll fraud presented by Robin were “weak” and that he looked like a “clown.”

“Mere hearsay is tantamount to rumor mongering,” he added.

Palace denial

Malacañang dismissed as “unsubstantiated” Locsin’s claim that it orchestrated the testimony of the “Koala Bear.”

“After media questioned Representative Locsin about the basis of his statement, then we may have something substantive to respond to. We don’t comment on unsubstantiated claims,” Secretary Ricardo Saludo, presidential spokesperson, said in a text message.

Gary Olivar, deputy presidential spokesperson, said Locsin’s statement was “illogical as well as unsubstantiated.”

“Thus there is nothing the Palace can respond to. Now Rep. Locsin ... is a Harvard-trained lawyer, and so we trust that he knows he has to follow up his initial statement, which we shall await if and whenever forthcoming,” he said.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20100522-271387/Palace-says-Locsin--a-losing-presidentiable-says-Comelec

Palace: Aquino meeting with US envoy ‘good sign’

2010-05-21T22:05:00.000-07:00

Malacañang on Saturday considered as a “good sign" the meeting between President-apparent Sen. Benigno Simeon “Noynoy" Aquino III and new US ambassador to Manila Harry K. Thomas Jr.

Presidential spokesman Ricardo Saludo said that while the Palace does not usually comment on such meetings, the one on Friday was a sign of continuous and robust US-Philippine relationship.

“Siyempre usually di tayo nagko-comment sa ginagawa ng dayuhan (pero) ito mukhang magandang senyal ito na ang US ay masigasig na ipagpatuloy ang magandang samahan. Siyempre suportado natin ang patuloy na magandang pagtutulungan pagugnayan ng Pilipinas at Estados Unidos (Of course we do not usually comment on foreigners’ actions. But this appears to be a good sign that robust relations between the Philippines and the United States will continue. Of course we support anything that will lead to continued good relations between the Philippines and the US)," Saludo said on government-run dzRB radio.
President-apparent Sen. Benigno Simeon "Noynoy" Aquino III and US Ambassador Harry Thomas Jr. face media after their meeting in Aquino's Quezon City house Friday afternoon. GMANews.TV
But militants were not happy with the meeting, and challenged Aquino to uphold independence from the US once he assumes the presidency.

The Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) said Aquino’s meeting with Thomas last Friday raises questions what direction foreign policies of the new administration would take.

“The next president must show independence from US dictates. It is highly important that national sovereignty be given priority over imperial dictates such as the Visiting Forces Agreement and the neo-liberal globalization of the economy," Bayan secretary general Renato Reyes Jr. said in an article on the Bayan website.

Aquino and Thomas met for over an hour in Aquino’s Quezon City house.

During the meeting, Thomas congratulated the Filipino people for a relatively peaceful election.

“Sinabi ko sa kanya, Maligayang Bati (I told him Congratulations) ... I think as you have seen, we congratulated the Filipino people on this election process ... there were some bumps and bruises but that is to be expected, we have that in the United States. But the will of the Filipino people has been respected," Thomas told reporters after the meeting.

However, Reyes said the meeting also signifies the US government’s recognition of the Aquino administration, and sends a signal to all factions of the ruling class to fall in line and recognize the Aquino presidency.

“We’re not at all thrilled by this early meeting. The US wants to ensure that there will be a peaceful transfer of power and that its economic, political and military interests in the country will be preserved under the next administration. For the US government, Aquino is the man. The US now wants to make sure Aquino is THEIR man," he said.

Bayan said that under the Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo administration, the prolonged presence of US troops under the Visiting Forces Agreement and the rape of a Filipina by a member of the US Marine were highly controversial issues that placed RP-US relations in the spotlight.

It added US military aid to the Philippines was also briefly affected by the spate of human rights violations under the Arroyo administration.

“Behind ambassador Thomas’ rhetoric of ‘common goals’ and ‘deepening friendship and partnership’ is the sad historical fact that the relations between the US and the Philippines have always been one-sided. Mr. Aquino should see that as a starting point and basic premise in any dealings with the US," Reyes said.
http://www.gmanews.tv/story/191575/palace-aquino-meeting-with-us-envoy-good-sign

Soon to be Philippine President Nonoy Aquino vs Political Dynasties

2010-05-21T04:29:00.000-07:00

News Today reports that the greatest challenge when Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III will take the seat as President of the Philippines is how to break down the political dynasties that have plagued the Philippine political scene. When his predecessor president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo would take her leave, his quest will begin and this is to, for the long time running to restore democracy, and destroy decades-old political dynasties.

This will be the most difficult task that our soon to be President would encounter. An example of Political Dynasty are the people involve in the Maguindanao massacre, the biggest Political Dynasty in the South the Ampatuan Clan. The rise of Political Dynasty was said to have started from the administration of former-President Ferdinand Marcos.

The Marcoses in Ilocos Norte has now taken almost all of the positions in government from local to national. Former First Lady Imelda Marcos, her daughter Imee Marcos and also Ferdinand Marcos Jr were elected as congressman, governor and senator respectively.

This will be a great battle that Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino will face, hopefully everything will be alright.

http://www.worldbuzznow.com/philippine-elections-2010-latests-updates-nonoy-aquino’s-biggest-challenge-as-president/10241

US ambassador greets Noynoy at Times St.

2010-05-21T04:25:00.000-07:00

High-ranking officials of the United States embassy in the Philippines visited incoming President Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III on Friday.

US Ambassador Harry Thomas Jr. met with Aquino in his home in Times St., Quezon City, accompanied by other embassy officials, Leslie Bassett, deputy chief of mission; Brian Doherty, economic counselor; David Eiseenberg, deputy political counselor; Richard Nelson, public affairs counselor.

Thomas said the visit should not be seen as an indication that the US is already recognizing Aquino as the next president of the Philippines.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) partial results of votes for president as of May 18, 2010 showed Aquino with a commanding lead of 5 million votes. He had 13,165,152 votes while former President Joseph Estrada had 8,425,800.

Thomas said they respect the election process and would wait until the official canvassing by Congress and the formal proclamation of the winners in the presidential and vice-presidential elections before issuing any statement.

Aquino said he expects bilateral ties between the Philippines and the US to improve under the new administration.
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/05/21/10/us-ambassador-greets-noynoy-times-st

Mar to play active role in new admin, says Noynoy

2010-05-21T04:24:00.000-07:00

Whether Senator Manuel “Mar” Roxas II wins or loses in the vice presidential race, he will have an active role to play in the administration of his running mate, apparent President-elect Senator Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” Aquino III.

This is what Aquino disclosed to the media in an interview during a thanksgiving party for his campaign volunteers held in Quezon City last Thursday night.

If Roxas will be unfortunate to lose his bid for the second highest post in the land, Aquino said he has plans for the Liberal Party (LP) president, who has sacrificed his presidential bid and gave way to Aquino’s candidacy.

“I have plans for him. If we go back during the campaign, the two of us were able to do things because we share in the responsibilities. We help each other, share the burden and understand one another despite the intrigues thrown against us,” he said.

“If our capabilities are combined, it will be greater compared to the individual component so if the two of us will work toward the same agenda, it’ll be materialized sooner than if I will be pursuing it alone,” he added.

Asked what position in government will he entrust Roxas with, Aquino said nothing but “let’s wait for one year.”

Roxas was not seen during the thanksgiving party held at the residence of a known supporter of Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero, Roxas’ likely rival for the presidency come 2016.

Aquino belied rumors that Roxas was not invited in the celebration, adding that Roxas is out-of-town at that time.

Aquino said Roxas and himself are set to meet with United States Ambassador Harry Thomas, Jr. and several heads of state in the coming days.

This developed as the camp of leading vice presidential candidate Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay criticized the camp of Roxas for its alleged “tempered enthusiasm” on the battle for the second highest elective post in the country.

Binay’s spokesman Lito Anzures made the statement in reaction to Roxas’ print advertisement, which came out in some broadsheet and tabloid newspapers Friday. Anzures branded the ad as “copycat” and less than truthful.”

“We are glad that the Roxas camp has tempered its enthusiasm by avoiding any outright claim that their candidate will win the vice presidency,” Anzures said in a statement.

He noted that from earlier claims of Roxas winning by as much as 400,000 to a “hairline,” Anzures said LP officials are now saying that they cannot honestly say who will win the canvass.

He also said that the ad of Roxa is “less than truthful” since “it failed to say that Binay won in 66 of the country’s 81 provinces during the May 10 elections.”

“We don’t really mind if they copied the ad, but they should have been more truthful in presenting the provincial results,” Anzures said, referring to Binay’s ad last Tuesday, which showed the United Opposition (UNO) bet “winning in 14 out of 17 regions.”

Anzures said the ad included Roxas' votes from cities, “thus bloating the figures.”

“I thought the Roxas camp had said we should all wait for the results of the canvass. But here they are again, misleading the public,” he said.

Anzures said that the Roxas camp has earlier failed to say that the votes from their bailiwick, which they claim would swing the tide in their favor, account for only less than 20 percent of the total number of votes cast.
http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/258353/mar-play-active-role-new-admin-says-noynoy

Noynoy warned on placing Arroyo allies in DoTC

2010-05-21T04:21:00.000-07:00

Militant transport group Pinag-isang Samahan ng Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (PISTON) urged the president-in-waiting, Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III to be wary of placing people identified with the Arroyo administration in key positions in the transport sector.

PISTON secretary general George San Mateo said that President Arroyo’s supporters should not be given positions in the Department of Transportation and Communications (DoTC), the Land Transportation Regulatory and Franchising Board, and the Land Transportation Office.

San Mateo said that his group would vehemently oppose giving posts in the new government to people identified with Arroyo.

He mentioned 1-UTAK representative Vigor Mendoza as one of the foremost allies of the Arroyo administration that Aquino should be wary of.

“Mendoza dreams of becoming DoTC chief for the longest time,” San Mateo said.

“And aside from 1-UTAK, Alliance of Concerned Transport Organizations (ACTO) and Land Transportation Organization of the Philippines (LTOP) have not been partial to operators and drivers.
http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/258374/noynoy-warned-placing-arroyo-allies-dotc

Noynoy wants dialogue with Gutierrez

2010-05-21T04:19:00.000-07:00

Dialogue first before anything else.

This was according to leading presidential contender Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III with regards to what will be the fate of Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez as soon as he takes over as president.

“The role of the Ombudsman is important with regards to our fight against corruption. For example there is the fertilizer scam. How long will it take to conduct an investigation and arrive at a definite conclusion with regards to the architect of the scam namely former Agriculture undersecretary Jocelyn “Joc-Joc" Bolante?

The fertilizer issue surfaced in 2004 and investigations began in 2008 and it is already 2010,” Aquino said.

Aquino is referring to the involvement of Bolante in maneuvering the diversion of P728-million in fertilizer funds to the campaign kitty of President Arroyo in 2004.

According to Aquino the fixed term on the office of the Ombudsman is still debatable.

“There are many who argue that Gutierrez is only completing the term of her predecessor. There are others who say that she is serving a new term. We have to first determine what is the truth,” Aquino said.

Gutierrez, who was appointed by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in December 2005, would leave her office in December 2012 because the Charter gives her office a fixed term of seven years.

Being the batchmate of First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo at the Ateneo de Manila University College of Law, she has been accused of sitting on controversial cases that involved the First Family. Gutierrez has since denied the allegations.

In September last year, the House of Representatives’ justice committee, composed mostly of Arroyo allies, dismissed an impeachment complaint against Gutierrez due to insufficiency in substance.
http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/258386/noynoy-wants-dialogue-with-gutierrez

Comelec knows VP winner but isn’t talking

2010-05-19T21:29:00.000-07:00

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has tallied 99 percent of the certificates of canvass (CoCs) for the senatorial and party-list elections and thus can count the votes for the vice presidential and presidential races.

But the poll body is not releasing its unofficial tallies for the vice presidential contest despite the escalating war of words between Sen. Manuel “Mar” Roxas II and Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay, who are in a close fight for the second highest elective post.

Presidential candidate Benigno Aquino III and Binay continue to lead in the tallies so far released by the Comelec and the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV).

Aquino’s lead of some 5 million votes over former President Joseph Estrada in the PPCRV unofficial count is considered insurmountable.

“We won’t anymore,” Comelec Commissioner Lucenito Tagle said when asked if the Comelec would release the results from the election returns (ERs) just to quiet the accusations of fraud in the vice presidential race.

“It’s in Congress already,” Tagle said in a telephone interview. “We stopped because the Congress might think that we are doing its job.”

He acknowledged that the lack of official results on the vice presidential contest had generated theories of cheating in the last May 10 automated elections.

“That’s the result because they conduct their own unofficial counts,” Tagle said, referring to the tallies from the Binay and Roxas camps.

Even if the Comelec issues the tallies, it would not be official as the numbers were only based on tabulations from ERs and not on canvassed results, Tagle said.

The Comelec is tasked with not only canvassing the votes for the senatorial candidates and party-list groups, but also proclaiming the winners.

The joint session of the Senate and the House of Representatives is empowered to canvass votes for the presidential and vice presidential candidates and to proclaim the winners.

Only Lanao del Sur CoC

The Comelec has tallied all the votes from 102 of the 103 provincial and city CoCs. Only the CoC from Lanao del Sur, where seven municipalities still have to hold elections, remains uncanvassed.

A CoC is a document in electronic and printed form containing the total votes obtained by each candidate in a city, municipality, district or province. An ER is a document in electronic and printed form containing the total votes obtained by each candidate in a precinct.

Tagle said the poll body had data of the votes but cannot issue tallies based on the CoCs for the presidential and vice presidential races even if the numbers were “almost complete.”

“People should wait for Congress to finish its work,” he said.

If people are curious about the results for the vice presidential race, they could check the Comelec website that contains the results based on ERs, Tagle said.

Proclamation by June 4

Congressional leaders are expecting to complete the canvassing of the votes for president and vice president and proclaim the winners before Congress goes on adjournment on June 4.

Congress will open next week its joint session on Monday, a week earlier than scheduled to speed up the proclamation of winners.

Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile said fresh allegations of cheating would not affect or delay the canvassing of the votes for the two top elective posts.

“That is beyond the function of the Congress as the national board of canvassers,” Enrile said in reference to allegations of cheating in the polls.

He said those who were victims of electoral fraud should go to the appropriate electoral tribunal and file a case because Congress was not the body tasked to handle it.

Questions on the authenticity of the ERs and CoCs may derail the canvassing of the votes for the president and vice president candidates, lawmakers said Wednesday.

Digital signatures

Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Villafuerte said the issue of “digital signatures” was crucial considering that Estrada had refused to concede until all the votes shall have been canvassed.

Roxas also has not conceded to Binay in the vice presidential contest.

“We cannot start the canvass until the issue of authenticity has been resolved. The law is clear that a digital signature is required. If it is not digitally signed, it does not comply with the Constitution,” Villafuerte said at the hearing of the House committee on suffrage and electoral reforms.

He said the canvassing could be delayed by the “tedious scrutiny” of the authenticity of the ballots.

Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, a legal adviser of Estrada, said the poll automation law required that the ERs and CoCs be digitally signed.

Rodriguez said the law specified that representatives of the board of election inspectors (BEI) sign the digital transaction themselves but the Comelec and Smartmatic-TIM, supplier of the counting machines, argued that the digital ID from the source of the ERs and CoCs was enough.

“I think this will cause delay in the proclamation because there should be a digital signature in each document. The authenticity of the ERs and CoCs is important because of allegations that the PCOS (precinct count optical scan) machines might have been preprogrammed and that some of the results were transmitted from unauthorized machines,” Rodriguez said.

Makati Rep. Teodoro Locsin, chair of the committee, said Congress could continue its probe of alleged election cheating while proceeding with its canvassing.

Enrile told reporters that he and Speaker Prospero Nograles had a “tentative” agreement that the two chambers of Congress would finish the canvassing of the votes for president and vice president by June 4.

He said he could not say when Congress could actually proclaim the winners of the president and vice presidential races but gave assurance “we will proclaim before June 30,” the day the Arroyo administration steps down and the new administration comes in.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20100520-271040/Comelec-knows-VP-winner-but-isnt-talking

Melo dismisses election fraud charges

2010-05-19T21:25:00.000-07:00

Chairman Jose Melo of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Wednesday said that allegations of fraud in the May 10 fully automated polls were meant to delay the proclamation of winners, especially of the race for president and that for vice president.

Melo made the statement at the start of a congressional inquiry into the accusations of cheating thrown the Comelec’s way by apparent losers in last Monday’s digital balloting, the first in the Philippines and Asia.

He said that the charges, which were made by a supposed whistleblower, “obviously [were ploys to] derail [results of] the elections.

The informer, in an apparent attempt to validate his allegations of fraud, had named the top two candidates for vice president—Mayor Jejomar “Jojo” Binay of Makati City (Metro Manila) and Sen. Manuel “Mar” Roxas 2nd—both of whom he said spent at least a combined P1 billion for cheating.

“The only serious thing I heard was that Mayor Binay gave P1 billion for this [fraud] operation and Sen. Roxas also gave some money but it was not that much,” Melo said.

He dared the whistleblower to come out and be more specific with the charges.

The same challenge was made separately by Executive Secretary Leandro Mendoza and Msgr. Pedro Quitorio 2nd, the spokesman for the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines.

Where he was concerned, Quitorio said, the automated elections were “scientifically credible” unless new data would be presented disputing his view.

Mendoza said that the digital polls were a “success.”

All the Comelec commissioners—Rene Sarmiento, Nicodemo Ferrer, Lucenito Tagle, Armando Velasco, Elias Yusoph and Gregorio Larrazabal—showed up at the hearing conducted by the House of Representatives.

The chamber’s committee on suffrage will look into the allegations of irregularities surrounding Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS) machines in the nation’s first computerized elections, Rep. Matias Defensor of Quezon City, the committee vice chairman, said.

“It seems that the complaints were not isolated but came from all over the country,” Defensor added.
Congress is set to convene next Monday to confirm the apparent winner, Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino 3rd, as the next president of the Philippines.

More than 17,000 other positions were contested from vice president to local town mayors.

While Aquino’s lead over his rivals was so big that the final verdict appeared not to be in doubt, some of his losing rivals alleged that some of the results had been pre-programmed in computer memory cards.

A memory card gives instruction to a PCOS machine on how to read and count votes in a ballot.

Other complaints have focused on contests for lower positions.

House Speaker Prospero Nograles, who lost his bid to become mayor of Davao City in southern Mindanao, urged the government to withhold payments to the private contractors of the automated ballot, Smartmatic-Total Information Management, until the complaints were cleared up.

“The remedy is not to pay them until the air is clear,” Nograles said.

But the ruling party Lakas-Kampi Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD), which did badly in the elections with its standard-bearer Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro coming in a distant fourth, said that there had been no widespread fraud.

“Unless proved otherwise, we believe that these automated elections were a big success,” said Lakas-Kampi CMD’s Prospero Pichay, also an adviser to President Gloria Arroyo.

“Maybe, we should look into [the allegations], but . . . the people have spoken and you have to respect that,” Pichay added.

Few discrepancies
Accredited poll watchdog Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting said that it had seen few discrepancies.

Still, the Liberal Party (LP) also on Wednesday urged the House of Representatives and the Comelec to look into the allegations that Binay of Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP), had cheated to ensure his victory over Roxas, the running mate of Aquino.

The Binay camp branded the allegations as black propaganda aimed to tarnish the mayor’s reputation and those of the Comelec and the PPCRV.

“It is obvious that the black propaganda continues,” Lito Anzures, Binay’s spokesman, earlier said in a text message forwarded to The Manila Times by Joey Salgado, the mayor’s media officer.

The whistleblower on Tuesday revealed details of the allegedly massive rigging of the May 10 automated elections, tagging, among others, Binay as among those who paid “players” to manipulate voting results.

Identifying himself as among those who manipulated last Monday’s elections, he claimed that Binay paid P1 billion to pad his votes by seven million.

He said that Roxas also paid another group of “players” to rig the election results for him.

Roxas was trailing Binay by about 800,000 votes based on the PPCRV’s latest partial and unofficial tally.
http://www.manilatimes.net/index.php/component/content/article/42-rokstories/17767-melo-dismisses-election-fraud-charges

Comelec: No big discrepancies in Random Manual Audit

2010-05-19T21:24:00.000-07:00

Results of the random manual audit (RMA) so far show no significant discrepancies between the PCOS machines' count and the manual count, and that the discrepancies are not due to fraud but to different ways the machines and the RMA teams appreciate ballots, a Commission on Elections (Comelec) official said Wednesday.

Commissioner Lucenito Tagle, co-chair of the RMA committee, said the discrepancies are negligible, ranging from only one to two votes in some precincts. He explained that this happens because RMA teams count votes that the Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS) machines would not read, like checks, crosses, dots, and other improper ways of shading the ovals.

Under the RMA rules, even ovals that are not properly shaded will be counted in the audit, but that doing so should be recorded in each team's minutes. The problem, Tagle said, is that this was not included in the minutes of all reports they have received so far.

"Kung bakit naging improper shading, hindi sinabi," Tagle said, referring to members of the RMA teams.

"Hindi sila nagbigay ng remarks eh. Hindi namin alam kung ano ang reason bakit nila sinabing -1, -2."

One precinct in the National Capital Region, for instance, registered a -53 discrepancy, meaning the RMA team counted more votes than the PCOS did. However, aside from not including the reason for the discrepancy, the minutes also does not state which position had the discrepancy or if it involves more than one position.

Tagle sees this as no more than a procedural problem, not a cause for alarm, because after all, the discrepancies between the PCOS and manual counts are insignificant so far.

"Wala kaming nakikitang something that will really shock us," he said.

Only if they see a huge discrepancy will there be an investigation to determine its "root cause," Tagle said. But what constitutes a "huge discrepancy" has yet to be determined.

"Overall mukhang nagtutugma ang bilang ng PCOS machine at ng audit natin. Karamihan 0 [ang discrepancy]," he added.

To date, the Comelec has received and verified 726 RMA reports. It promises to finish and release the overall results on or before May 24.

In cooperation with the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting and the National Statistics Office, the Comelec conducts the random manual audit to check the accuracy of the automated count as mandated by the poll automation law.
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/05/19/10/comelec-no-big-discrepancies-random-manual-audit

Malacañang believes Gibo was not cheated

2010-05-19T21:22:00.000-07:00

Malacañang on Wednesday said an alleged poll fraud operator's claim that 5 million votes were shaved from administration presidential candidate Gilberto "Gibo" Teodoro was unbelievable.

"Ano ba ang basis niya (What is his basis)? That will be tantamount to conspiracy of Comelec (Commission on Elections)," presidential political affairs adviser Prospero Pichay told reporters.

Pichay was reacting to a masked man's claim on Tuesday that they were paid to shave off millions of votes from presidential and vice-presidential candidates and padded them to leading bets Sen. Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III and Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay.

He suspects that the people behind the supposed whistleblower are candidates who cannot accept defeat.

Teodoro and Nacionalista Party presidential candidate Sen. Manny Villar have conceded to Aquino.

The witness said his group was able to cut a P1.7 billion deal with Binay in exchange for 7 million votes. He added that the deal included another 7 million votes for the presidential elections.

He said Binay picked Aquino as the other beneficiary of the electronic poll fraud.

The witness claims that they shaved and padded votes by cutting off the transmission of the Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS) machines and instead, sent fake results to the Comelec central server.

He said 4 million votes were shaved from Binay's running mate, former president Joseph Estrada, and 2 to 3 million votes from evangelist Brother Eddie Villanueva.

Binay has belied the allegations of the witness. He denied being involved in poll fraud, adding the support he got was the result of voters' belief in him and in his experience as a local chief executive.

Pichay said the witness' claim is meant to cast doubt on the successful nationwide automated elections last May 10.

"Unless proven otherwise, this automated elections is a big success. Let us not discredit this election. The people have spoken. Let us not tarnish this elections," he said.
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/05/19/10/malaca%C3%B1ang-believes-gibo-was-not-cheated

COPA's Boy Saycon: No Roxas betrayal

2010-05-19T21:16:00.000-07:00

A staunch supporter of Senator Benigno Aquino III says there is no truth to rumors of a supposed rivalry among factions behind the candidacies of Aquino and his running mate Sen. Manuel "Mar" Roxas. Pastor "Boy" Saycon, secretary-general of the Council for Philippine Affairs, issued the denial on ANC's "The Rundown" on Wednesday night.

In a Newsbreak article, Fr. Eliseo Mercado, a supporter of the Aquino-Roxas tandem had claimed a faction among Aquino's relatives had junked Roxas in favor of Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay, saying Aquino's aunt, Margarita Conjuangco, had campaigned for a Noy-Bi [Noynoy-Binay] ticket in Mindanao. Cojuangco had denied the allegation, even as she admitted there was a rift between her family and the Roxas camp. Then there's Senator Chiz Escudero, who came out in an ad openly campaigning for a Noy-Bi ticket.

Amid allegations of cracks in the Aquino-Roxas campaign due to divergent choices by the "Hyatt 10," composed of former Arroyo Cabinet and senior officials, the so-called Kamaganak Inc. [Relatives Inc.] led by Aquino's uncle, former Tarlac Congressman Peping Cojuangco, volunteer organizations, and Senator Francis Escudero's team, Saycon denies that Cojuangco ever supported a Noy-Bi ticket.

"The Cojuangcos have carried Noy-Mar, and it shows in the results of how Tarlac voted for Noy-Mar, and he [Mar] has an almost 200,000 difference over Binay's votes in Tarlac alone, even in other areas, in Davao del Norte," Saycon says. "And I've heard how Congressman Cojuangco has been pushing for Noy-Mar in Davao del Norte."

No Roxas betrayal

Dismissing allegations of a rift in the Aquino-Roxas camp, Saycon, a colleague of Cojuangco in COPA, says the supposed betrayal of Roxas is far-fetched.

"How can there be a betrayal if there was transparency," Saycon insists. "What we're doing is independent with what they're doing. We do not belong to the Liberal Party. There is nothing that says in an election you can't choose your leaders. They have to respect our choices."

Saycon says they've always campaigned for a Noynoy-Binay ticket, saying Binay, who was an ally as far back as the first EDSA People Power, has proven to be supportive in the fight for democracy and genuine reform.

Birth pains of forming a new team

Saycon says what matters is the bottomline--supporting an Aquino presidency, one that was always a matter of personal choice.

"This is a decision that COPA does not have to decide but individual members have. There are many in the COPA who support Noynoy-Mar, and many have been supportive of Binay even before Noy wanted to run for president. The support for Noynoy is what matters most because as president he's the only one who can exact the changes that we all aspire for," Saycon says.

Dismissing supposed fractional problems in the campaign as "birth pains" in forming a new team, Saycon believes small irritations hounding the campaign will be overcome and personal interests will take a back-seat once the new government gets down to the business.

A sacred pledge

Amid supposed jockeying for position among groups who supported Aquino, Saycon insists, in the same way that the cause-oriented group did not aspire for any position in the administration of Fidel V. Ramos in 1992, pushing for a role in Aquino's government is not part of their advocacy. He says he expects nothing less of other Aquino supporters who may feel Aquino owes them a debt of gratitude.

"I have challenged them in all interviews: Let us all sign a document and a pledge not to aspire for any position and allow the incoming president to have a free-hand to choose those he believes can help with governance," Saycon says.

Saycon insists, COPA, which helped bring Ramos, Joseph Estrada, and Gloria Arroyo to power, is committed to helping the incoming administration, while at the same time remaining vigilant in making sure the new government delivers what it sought to do for the country.

"COPA is committed to help any government as we helped Gloria, Ramos, Estrada (in the beginning) but when things are not done well and there are anomalies happening left and right, it is incumbent upon cause-oriented groups like us and others in the campaign groups of Noynoy to speak aloud and talk against these anomalies that happen and may have escaped Noynoy's attention. We will be as vigilant not because we don't trust Noynoy. No, we want to help him."
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/anc/05/20/10/copas-boy-saycon-no-roxas-betrayal

Will Noynoy do a Cory on overseas labor export?

2010-05-19T21:14:00.000-07:00

Is Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” Aquino III his mother’s son when it comes to overseas labor export?

Aquino, set to become the 15th Philippine president, may opt to follow-through with his mother’s institutionalization of the economy’s resilient force: overseas Filipino workers.

Under his mother, the late President Corazon Aquino, government hand in the deployment of OFWs was subsumed under one agency, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA).

Overseeing Filipinos’ lot in host countries, on the other hand, was cauterized from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and appended to another unit, the Overseas Workers’ Welfare Administration (OWWA).

“Noynoy,” like his mother, should have a direct hand in labor migration, said Tomas Achacoso, POEA administrator under Mrs. Aquino.

Achacoso said having a “direct hand” involves not only improving the system of informing prospective overseas Filipinos of migration’s risks but also in shaping policy issues focused on labor migration and national development.

“The success of labor migration (in the Philippines) has distracted policy-makers from the original temporary role of the program,” the former POEA chief told the OFW Journalism Consortium.

The program of sending out Filipinos to work overseas under POEA predecessors Overseas Employment Development Board (OEDB) and National Seamen’s Board (NSB) was used by then-President Ferdinand Marcos to beef up the country’s dollar reserves amid runaway unemployment.

With foreign investors cashing out of the Philippines under Mrs. Aquino’s time and with a foreign debt, money from OFWs propped up a cash-strapped People Power-born government beginning 1986.

Economists also credited money from OFWs, now nearly 10% of the country’s population, for having arrested the downward spiral of the economy during the 1997 Asian financial crisis and the collapse of the global financial system a decade later.

“Labor migration as the solution to the Philippines’ economic problem is erroneous, and addresses only one aspect of the [domestic employment] problem,” Achacoso said of government’s overseas employment framework.

Fungible

Economist Alvin Ang notes that for a long time, overseas work and remittances mitigated Philippine economic problems such as a feeble fiscal position and lack of jobs.

But since the word mitigation is “fungible,” which in economics means something can be substituted into a resource; remittances from Filipinos abroad “should not just be band aid.”

Ang agrees with Achacoso that the 6 years under the Aquino administration beginning June is crucial.

Ang echoes his theory of “diasporic dividend” –“net of net” benefit from the country’s migration phenomenon: Now is the time for a Philippine government to explicitly encourage overseas Filipinos to invest in their hometowns.

He says by sending clear signals to local government units, this could happen.

“National government may set the policy environment about luring remittances for development, but many local governments are not minding this potential resource —thus the policy disconnect,” Ang told the OFW Journalism Consortium.

Remittances are sterilized into merely circulating the financial system and going to consumption, Ang explained, especially since these are money of individual migrant workers and their families.

Thus, while the impact of remittances on Philippine development is macro, the vehicle to lure these for development is micro, Ang said.

“That way, and if the local government is involved, then you can target development,” Ang adds.

The policy should be explicit and leave no room for doubt in the Medium-Term Philippine Development Plan.

Ang said that government should actively instill a consciousness among prospective Filipino workers that their migration is only temporary; that they do not merely return here to retire after a long overseas stint, but “to work” and remain productive for themselves and for the economy.

Aquino’s campaign platform is to boost foreign investment, pour more resources to education, and generate more jobs locally through agriculture, business process outsourcing, infrastructure, manufacturing, logistics, mining, and tourism.

“If there is no production here, the Philippines will not have any productivity,” Ang said.

“Or else, this country will remain consumption driven —a situation that not even a thousand Noynoys can remedy.”

Steps

As a first step, Ang proposes an overhaul of government’s information campaign on migration.

The government’s current pre-employment orientation seminar should be made optional while information should be specific to separately cater to high-skilled and low-skilled workers.

There should be “complete information disclosure of a destination country’s conditions, not just the pay. That way, information on the country where the worker will migrate to would be clearly disseminated.”

Achacoso, for his part, recommends government to address the concerns of labor migration from a “holistic standpoint” by explaining “how labor migration affects national development”.

Given the Philippines’ respectable global stature as regards labor migration, Achacoso said the DFA “should be taught about the principles and mechanics of labor migration, so that they can better argue with host countries about adjustments to make the life of migrants much easier.”

He also hopes the Philippines will request host countries for some compensating payment in return for the skilled workers lost here and hired abroad, such as nurses and doctors.

Achacoso also hopes no less than the President of the Republic sustains “a continuing interest in policy issues that affect labor migration, and intervenes every so often to shape and direct policies and programs.”

Again, though, these policies should not be merely about “consolidating the Philippines’ share of the [overseas job] market over which it has little real control”.

Something also is essential for the incoming president to do, Achacoso said: a better approach to address the lack of programs to create jobs domestically.

“Labor migration as the solution to the Philippines’ economic problem is erroneous, and addresses only one aspect of the [domestic employment] problem.”

Ang noted that the Aquino administration has the wherewithal to hit the diasporic dividend.

“He [Aquino] can help turn remittances into concrete investments.”

Preventing overseas movement of workers is unacceptable, yet the Philippine government should not rely on demand-driven job markets abroad to sustain the economy, Achacoso and Ang said.
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/global-filipino/05/19/10/will-noynoy-do-cory-overseas-labor-export

Noynoy voters pick Mar more than Binay – SWS

2010-05-19T21:07:00.000-07:00

ONLY 1 in 4, or 26.4 percent, of those who voted for apparent president-elect Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino 3rd voted Mayor Jejomar “Jojo” Binay of Makati City for vice president, results of the recent TV5-Social Weather Stations (SWS) exit poll showed.

And a larger percentage of those who voted for Aquino picked Sen. Manuel “Mar” Roxas 2nd (64.4 percent), his official running mate.

Seven out of 10 (71.5 percent) of those who voted for former President Joseph “Erap” Estrada also voted for Binay.

Both Binay and Roxas admit that the endorsement of Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero of the Aquino-Binay tandem, also known as “NoyBi” resulted in a surge in Binay’s ratings.

Meanwhile, with results of its exit poll finally complete, SWS said that Aquino has won the elections by a large margin over Estrada, his closest opponent.

Many have regarded Aquino as the president-elect since he leads Estrada by more than five million votes based on the latest tally of poll watchdog Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV).

Results of the TV5-SWS exit poll showed that Aquino got 43.3 percent, 16.9 percentage points more than what Estrada got (26.4 percent). Aquino was also the most voted candidate in all classifications by class, education and religion.

Villar, Teodoro ranking

Sen. Manuel “Manny” Villar Jr. placed third with 14.7 percent; administration bet Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro fourth with 10.3 percent; evangelist Eduardo “Brother Eddie” Villanueva fifth with 3.4 percent; and Sen. Richard “Dick” Gordon sixth with 1.4 percent.

Sen. Anna Consuelo “Jamby” Madrigal got 0.23 percent, John Carlos de los Reyes 0.15 percent and Jesus Nicanor “Nick” Perlas 0.13 percent.

Votes for disqualified candidate Vetallano “Dodong” Acosta were not counted.

In the race for vice president, Binay (42.5 percent) led Roxas (39.2 percent) by 3.3 percentage points.

Sen. Loren Legarda was at third place with 11.5 percent, former Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Bayani Fernando fourth with 2.9 percent, former Optical Media Board head Eduardo “Edu” Manzano 1.8 percent and former Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chairman Perfecto Yasay 1.4 percent.

For the senatorial candidates, the winning 12 based on the exit poll, ranked highest to lowest, were: Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada, Miriam Defensor Santiago, Franklin Drilon, Juan Ponce Enrile, Pilar Juliana Cayetano, Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., Vicente Sotto 3rd, Sergio “Serge” Osmeña 3rd, Ralph Recto, Teofisto “TG” Gunigona 3rd and Manuel “Lito” Lapid.

The exit poll’s magic 12 were the ones who were also officially proclaimed winners by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in the senatorial race.

The survey also showed that personality (45.9 percent) and platform (45.6 percent) were the bases of voters in choosing a candidate for president.

According to SWS, majority of the voters (50.7 percent) decided on whom to vote for president in February or earlier.

Half of the voters (51 percent) also thought that the voting is easier now than in previous elections. Some 31.4 percent said it is more difficult now.

The TV5-SWS exit poll was conducted at 802 polling centers nationwide. SWS previously conducted exit polls in the national elections of 1995, 1998, 2001 and 2004. Those previous polls were all conducted on election day in the homes of a random sample of respondents who voted earlier in the day.

This year, the TV5-SWS exit poll was conducted 50 meters away from the polling centers.

The TV5-SWS exit poll had a national sample of about 52,573 voters. The national sampling error is below 1 percent.
http://www.manilatimes.net/index.php/top-stories/17758-noynoy-voters-pick-mar-more-than-binay--sws

Erap camp sees 'overwhelming' victory by Binay

2010-05-19T21:05:00.000-07:00

The camp of former President Joseph Estrada believes that Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay will win overwhelmingly over his closest rival Sen. Mar Roxas in the vice-presidential race.

"This is not a tight race. This is not a see-saw battle as the Liberal Party claims it to be," Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino spokesman JV Bautista said at a media forum today in Greenhills, San Juan City.

Bautista noted that in the current vice-presidential race, Roxas has not even caught up with Binay when the Commission on Elections (Comelec) began counting the certificates of canvass from the May 10 automated polls.

"Roxas hasn’t forced a tie nor has he started to catch up in the tally," he said.

Bautista stressed that Binay still leads Roxas in the Comelec count by 800,000 votes.

"If you do the math, the Comelec has only 2 percent or roughly 500,000 votes (still to be counted). So how can it lift Roxas' ranking?" the spokesman added.

He said the LP camp has itself to blame because it has neglected Roxas during the campaign.

"They (LP) have become so complacent because of Roxas' previous showing in the surveys," said Bautista, who ran for senator under the PMP but lost.
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=576560&publicationSubCategoryId=200

Aquino camp shrugs off poll fraud claim

2010-05-19T21:00:00.000-07:00

The camp of president apparent Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III insisted Wednesday he won in a clean and honest elections contrary to allegations of vote- padding and vote-shaving supposedly to favor him and leading vice presidential candidate Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay.

Besides, Aquino “has no capacity” or resources to cheat in the last elections, his spokesman, Edwin Lacierda, said over the phone.

“First, we don’t know this guy. Second, he (Aquino) has no capacity to cheat. He’s not in a position to cheat in the last elections,” Lacierda said over the phone.

Lacierda was referring to the masked man in a video presented at a forum Tuesday where he narrated his supposed involvement in the vote-padding and shaving in favor of the frontrunners in the first automated elections in the country.

Lacierda said Aquino could not be a beneficiary of this supposed electronic cheating because he was an enemy of the present administration.

“He’s the enemy of the administration. Why will he be favored by this vote padding?” he asked.

“The votes garnered by Senator Aquino are indicative and consistent with the results of the pre-election surveys,” he said, “He has a clear mandate. He won overwhelmingly.”

Aquino’s camp was confident no election protest against him would succeed considering the overwhelming votes he received from the people.

“His lead is overwhelming and any claim that he cheated will not fly as validated by exit polls and pre-election surveys,” Lacierda said.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20100519-270920/Aquino-camp-shrugs-off-poll-fraud-claim

Erap would have won if not for Cory's death, Palace exec says

2010-05-19T20:59:00.000-07:00

A Palace official on Wednesday admitted it was Sen. Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III's destiny to win in the first-ever automated elections, attributing his victory to the death of his mother, the late president Corazon Aquino.

In a news briefing in Malacañang, Presidential Political Affairs Adviser Prospero Pichay even said that if it weren't for sympathy votes in favor of the younger Aquino, deposed President Joseph Estrada might have ended up regaining the top post in the land.

"It was his [Noynoy's] destiny. His mother died and he got sympathy votes. If Cory didn’t die, Erap would have been President," Pichay said.

The death of Mrs. Aquino — known as an icon of democracy around the world — due to colorectal cancer in August 2009 brought forth national mourning, which eventually prompted her son, Noynoy to finally heed calls to run for president.

Results of a number of pre-election preferential surveys showing Aquino consistently on top of the list were validated after partial counts of the May 10 elections produced similar outcomes.

"We recognize the people have spoken and they have chosen Sen. Aquino. We have to move on," Pichay said.

The Palace does not think widespread cheating happened in the recently-concluded elections, even if administration bet Gilberto Teodoro Jr. lost, Pichay added.

"Some people cannot really accept defeat and they try to discredit the election. We should stop this because I don’t believe cheating was that rampant also," said Pichay, who is also Lakas-Kampi-CMD vice president for recruitment and membership.

Days after the elections, several individuals, including losing presidential aspirants Jamby Madrigal, JC de los Reyes, and Nicanor Perlas criticized reproted poll irregularities.

Both Madrigal and Estrada — who trails presumptive winner Benigno Aquino III in partial results — alleged that pre-programmed Compact Flash cards were used to favor certain candidates.

But Pichay said it would have been impossible to carry out large-scale cheating without the blessing of poll officials themselves.

"The only way to undertake massive cheating in this election is if everybody cooperates because there are codes only the chairman knows," Pichay said.

Executive Secretary Leandro Mendoza said even President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo took delight over the conduct of elections. She won as congressman of Pampanga's second district.

"Automation is still a success. It was really a very successful elections... [Mrs. Arroyo] was very happy this came through,"said Mendoza.

Party machinery

Aside from validating Aquino's force in this year's elections, the Palace said it was also able to prove that "party machinery" no longer works in Philippine elections with the introduction of new media and poll automation.

"One guy with enough resources can run even without a party. A party can win elections… due to electronic media. It's because of the packaging [and] if you have a good handler. You don’t even need watchers anymore because of automated elections," Pichay said.

"It’s a realization party machinery wont work anymore," he added.

Pichay admitted knowing all along that fielding Teodoro against powerhouse politicians like Estrada and Sen. Manuel "Manny" Villar Jr. would spell "an uphill battle" for the administration.

He said that Teodoro — who has never run for national office before his 2010 bid — had the burden of introducing himself to voters who barely had any knowledge of his political track record.

"We were not delivering right message. He had lower awareness and approval rating. We didn’t have time… If [Teodoro's bid] started years back, maybe he would have had a chance," Pichay said.
http://www.gmanews.tv/story/191327/erap-would-have-won-if-not-for-corys-death-palace-exec-says

Kris on calls for her to exit RP: ‘I intend to stay put, sorry’

2010-05-16T21:30:00.000-07:00

There will be no need for a despedida for Kris Aquino, who declared she is staying in the country despite the clamor for her to leave.

“I intend to stay put, sorry. Wag niyo muna akong paalisin. Sabi ni Noy hindi ako masamang tao,” Kris announced on “The Buzz,” May 16.

A Facebook group called “Kris Aquino’s Despedida” made waves recently because of its call for the Queen of All Media to fulfill her “promise” to leave the Philippines once her president-apparent brother, Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, gets elected.

As of this writing, the group has 19, 962 members.

A “more mature” and “behaved” Kris---as she described herself during the show’s episode---addressed the issue anew squarely, saying, “Ang sinabi ko po dati is kung makakasira ako kay Noy, then by all means lalayas ako.”

While critics think of her as a “liability” for Noynoy, she believes otherwise.

“Sana ho hindi niyo ho i-take as being mayabang, it’s just a fact. Nakatulong po ako sa kapatid ko,” she crowed.

Prior to the start of the campaign period, the ever-controversial host-actress took a temporary absence from her late night entertainment news show, “Showbiz News Ngayon (SNN),” and primetime drama, “Kung Tayo’y Magkakalayo (KTM),” to help in his brother's campaign. From March 10 to May 7, Kris went around various cities and provinces to woo Filipinos to vote for her brother.

She thanked Noynoy for standing by her amid the denigration she received from critics during the campaign. "Instead of just enjoying his victory, kailangang i-defend pa niya ang kapatid niya. Thank you, Noy. I love you,” she said.

Fans in the audience shouted “We love you Kris!” during the Kapamilya prized star’s speech which she echoed back.

“At wag na kayong makipag-away sa Twitter at Facebook. Dedma na dun!” she told them.

Setting the issue aside, Kris vowed to help the soon-to-be 15th president of the Republic of the Philippines “in every possible way that I can for as long as he wants me to help him,” even if it means sacrificing her career.

“I am not at liberty po to disclose to you certain career changes for me kasi sa Tuesday (May 18) pa po namin kakausapin ang mga bosses dito sa ABS-CBN. Meron po akong mga programa na after June 30 (when her brother begins his six-year term) kailangan kong i-give up. It’s a sacrifice. It’s something I’m willingly going to do for my family,” she intimated.

Kris hinted she might relinquish “certain areas in my career that caused Noy difficulty.”

“Alam ko po na may mga instances na meron po akong nasasabi na kawawa naman ang kapatid ko, na ngayon magiging presidente na, siya pa ‘yung kailangang managot. So ako po mismo, it came from my heart: ‘Noy, I’ll give it up for you.’”

While talks between her and ABS-CBN are yet to take place, the influential celeb will resume hosting for “SNN” and portraying her character Celine, whom she said will “rise from the dead” on “KTM.”

Kris' big career move, she said, is for her family's “peace of mind,” in fulfillment of the promises she gave in behalf of her elder brother during the campaign.

“Ang dami ko kasing probinsyang napuntahan na napangakuan ng napakarami. And I have to be true to my word. Lahat nung mga pinangako kong tulong na ipapaabot ni Noy kailangan ko pong magampanan because they trusted us,” she related.

Kris intends to begin fulfilling that promise by donating school supplies (not cellphone load, which was reportedly guaranteed in a bogus text message) to children who live in areas where Noynoy got plenty of votes. Mongol Pencils pledged to donate one million worth of school supplies, to which Kris said she will add another million pesos from her own pocket.

Their mother, the late President Cory Aquino, may not have received the miracle of a longer life, but the miracle of fulfilling her dream “na maging okay ang Pilipinas” was realized through Noynoy’s victory, Kris reflected.

“So I know that Mom is happy and Mom knows that her kids ay mas lalong naging close dahil sa experience na ‘to.”

On a lighter note, Kris made a “love love love” shout out to her brother’s girlfriend, Shalani Soledad, with whom she was once rumored to be not in good terms.

“She proved to me how much she truly cared for Noy by campaigning 100 percent. Kakampi mo na ko,” she said.
http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/257695/kris-calls-her-exit-rp-i-intend-stay-put-sorry

VP race remains tight speculation must end

2010-05-16T21:27:00.000-07:00

Drilon says: Thanks Negrenses, for votes

Newly re-elected senator Franklin Drilon yesterday said he welcomes the early canvassing of votes for the presidential and vice presidential race by Congress, saying it will serve everybody’s interest and end so much speculation.

“There is so much speculation and mind conditioning coming from the camp of (Makati Mayor Jejomar) Binay,” the Ilonggo senator said.

Binay, who has taken an early lead in the vote count for vice president followed closely by Senator Mar Roxas, had earlier said he has won the vice presidential race.

Drilon told the DAILY STAR the election returns in the possession of the Liberal Party show that Roxas has a chance of winning the vice presidential race.

“We should start off with the official canvassing so we can put this issue to rest and end so much speculation,” the Ilonggo senator said.

The congressional canvas has been moved up from May 31 to May 24.

Meanwhile, Drilon who was among the top nine senators proclaimed winners Saturday said, “I thank the people of Negros for their very solid support for my candidacy.” He was number one among the top 12 senate winners in Bacolod City and in third place in Negros Occidental.

LP general campaign manager Florencio “Butch” Abad yesterday also thanked Negrenses for their overwhelming support for LP presidential candidate Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino and Roxas.

The Comelec tally gave Aquino 644,574 votes and Roxas 706,897 votes in Negros Occidental and Bacolod City.

Roxas was ahead by 485,329 over Jejomar Binay’s 221,568 votes in Negros Occidental and Bacolod City, the Comelec tally also showed.

Abad told the DAILY STAR the race for the vice presidency “Is a tight contest, it is difficult to say how it will go.”

Based on their count of 80 of 107 Certificates of Canvass Roxas is ahead, he said, but he cannot conclusively say who won yet.

Abad said aside from Roxas leading in the Visayas, COCs gathered by the Liberal Party and the Aquino-Roxas Bantay Balota poll watch group shows Roxas also won by close to 270,000 votes over Binay in Pampanga and Pangasinan.

Roxas led over Binay by 192,659 votes in Pampanga while the tally in Pangasinan gave the LP bet a 76,508 vote-lead over Binay, he said.

“These are accurate figures because these came from the Election Results and Certificates of Canvass that the Liberal Party, as the dominant minority party, is entitled to get. The so-called United Opposition and the Partido ng Masang Pilipino do not have access to these documents. The figures that Binay are showing are either fabrications or, at best, tainted and therefore, inaccurate,” Abad said.
http://www.visayandailystar.com/2010/May/17/topstory1.htm

Binay won in all age-brackets except for seniors – exit polls

2010-05-16T21:23:00.000-07:00

Leading vice presidential bet Jejomar Binay prides himself in supposedly turning Makati City into a "Mecca of Senior Citizens" as mayor of the country's financial capital but ironically more elderly Filipinos supported his rival Liberal Party bet Sen. Mar Roxas during the May 10, 2010 automated elections.

According to exit polls undertaken by TV5-Social Weather Stations, Binay beat Roxas in all age groups, save for those aged 55 and older.

The opposition leader got 46.9 percent of the votes from those in the 18-24-year-old bracket, 42.5 percent from the 25-34 segment, 42.5 percent from the 35-44 bracket and 40.3 percent in the 45-54 segment. In the 55 and above bracket, Roxas got 43.4 percent while Binay had 34.9 percent.

During his interviews with the media, the 67-year-old Binay claimed he had the support of the elderly — about seven million in number according to his estimate — saying that he has turned Makati City into a "Mecca of Senior Citizens.”

He was referring to his program granting numerous benefits and privileges to elderly Filipinos which include: exemption from the payment of individual income tax; 20 percent discount from all establishments relative to utilization of transportation services, hotels and similar lodging establishments, restaurants and recreation centers, and on purchases of medicine; and free admission to movie houses anywhere in the city; and a minimum of 20 percent discount on admission fees charged by concert halls, circuses, carnivals, and other similar places of culture, leisure, and amusement.

The United Opposition (UNO) president however emerged winner in the exit polls with 35,825 voters from 731 of 802 sampled polling centers all over the country. He had 40.7 percent against Roxas' 38.3 percent.
http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/257637/binay-won-all-agebrackets-except-seniors-exit-polls

Tough choices

2010-05-16T21:19:00.000-07:00

It is a given that the successor of the scandal-tainted Arroyo administration bears the heaviest burden in nation-building. Thus, even before setting foot in Malacañang, incoming President Noynoy Aquino is already faced with a myriad of tough choices. No thanks to his “high-and-mighty” and rather insensible predecessor whose appointment of the next Chief Justice of the Supreme Court is fraught with constitutional and ethical issues.

I join the clamor of the legal community for Justice Corona or any appointee for the position to decline the Arroyo appointment. It is the most honorable and patriotic thing to do, under the circumstances. It is a big sacrifice, but it is what the situation demands. The last thing we need is a politicized and credibility-challenged judiciary.

President-elect Aquino’s mandate from the people is proof that there is a massive cry for change. Let us respect and bow to the will of the people. Let the new President exercise the crucial power of appointment to the highest position of a co-equal body.

The Constitution only requires that the vacancy be filled within ninety days. SC Chief Justice Puno formally retires today, his birthday. The designation of his successor can be done by the new President. Since the Supreme Court is a collegial body, a vacancy in the office of the Chief Justice will not trigger a collapse of the judiciary.

The elections showed that the people’s distrust for the appointment power-hungry Arroyo is immense, affirming the SWS surveys of GMA as the president with the lowest negative rating in our nation’s history. No wonder her chosen one got a beating in the presidential race. Even those who laughed at Erap were surprised that he managed to beat the candidates, except Noynoy, of course. This observation led my precocious nephew, Lylie, to ask his mom, “If Ninoy did not win, would Erap have been the President?”

President-elect Aquino’s plan to take his oath of office before a Barangay Head is legal, although it breaks away from the practice of swearing before a Supreme Court Chief Justice, like what the Americans do. But, he is not the first President not to take an oath before the Chief Justice.

Noynoy is in fact, unintentionally, following the tradition set by his mother. President Cory Aquino swore, not before the then-Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, who was perceived to be close to Marcos, but before Associate Justice Claudio Teehankee.

Aquino’s move should in fact set a new tradition which is distinctly ours, which is most welcome and timely. It highlights the crucial role of barangays, as the most important local government unit. I resent it being called “lowly” because barangays can and do “break or make a nation.”

Laws are enforced at the grassroots level by our 42,000 plus barangays. The almost nil implementation of our environmental laws speaks of the tremendous lack of capacity and political will of such an important institution and the executive department, of which it is a part.

Genuine participatory governance happens through the barangay development councils, like what 2009 Galing Pook awardee Barangay Luz exemplifies. Imagine if the barangays comply with the Local Government Code and have thriving policy-making bodies called Barangay Development Councils (BDC), where 25% of the members are from the civil society, a new era of genuine people participation in governance will transform our country.

During the presidential forum hosted by the Cebu Business Club, this writer-cum-good-governance-fanatic was struck by then candidate Noynoy Aquino’s statement that “a President is not a miracle worker.” He called for participation by the stakeholders in the decision-making process. He instead promised to lead by example and facilitate the promotion of good values. Good citizenship is one such value and cannot be made a reality through passivity.

Aquino’s action to take his oath before the Barangay Head is perfectly in accord with his declaration for participatory governance, starting at the barangay level. I salute this move.

As an environmental crusader, I hope that the Aquino administration will prioritize “energy, climate and the environment,” like what newly-installed UK Prime Minister David Cameron is doing. Aware of the dangers and threats that climate change poses, Cameron intends to have the “greenest government ever.” He ordered all central government agencies to cut down their carbon emission by ten percent within one year, with a clear program of action and a real time online report of their respective energy use. He expects the public to hold the officials accountable for failure to comply with the undertaking. This is climate leadership at its inspiring best, this year.

Being naturally vulnerable to disasters and labeled the “hottest of the hot spots” among the 17 megadiversity countries, the Philippines does require a climate leader like Cameron who knows that tackling climate change through clean and efficient energy and biodiversity conservation is the smarter way to go.

The incoming DENR Secretary, like Aquino, has challenging times ahead. He or she, who must be of unquestionable integrity, is assured of the support and involvement of the environmental crusaders, if the unsustainable projects of the Arroyo administration will be re-examined and the law respected through no-nonsense implementation.

It is time for the nation to heal and start afresh. All should help steer the ship that for so long has been rocked by tumultuous waves of scandals, human rights abuses and corruption issues that left us feeling apprehensive about tomorrow.

Congratulations to the Filipino people for again defying the odds. We have made a tough but resounding choice. Our generally peaceful and credible automated elections showed the world that patiently we can achieve our goal of a strengthened democratic way of life.

Let us continue to do our share in nation-building by being part of the Mamamayang Nakikialam or Katawhang Nagpakabana in our own community. Be a member of the BDC and push for its existence, if there is none.

Remember: the power is in our hands. Our sustainable future is ours to make.
http://globalnation.inquirer.net/cebudailynews/opinion/view/20100517-270522/Tough-choices

Kris Aquino reacts to calls for her to leave the country after an apparent Noynoy win

2010-05-13T00:44:00.000-07:00

Kris Aquino is becoming the target of people who do not want an Aquino presidency.

An avid campaigner for leading presidential candidate Sen. Noynoy Aquino, Kris went great lengths to help get her brother to Malacañang.

A popular TV host, actress, and commercial endorser herself, Kris spent her own money to fund some of Noynoy Aquino's TV ads. She even planned and attended her own campaign sorties in the provinces, including those in Batangas, Nueva Ecija, and Pampanga towards the end of the campaign period.

Thus, the spotlight was trained on her—everytime a mudslinging attack is launched against Sen. Noynoy Aquino, the media always has to take Kris's defense. Her reaction to the bogus psychological report against her brother was: "Dedma na kasi wala namang naniwala sa kanila. Kaya buti nga sa inyo!"

Still, many other mudslinging attacks were for Kris. At the start of the campaign period, many wondered whether Kris will meddle with her brother's affairs while in power (she said she won't), whether she will be Noynoy's real first lady (she said it's ridiculous), or whether she will make Malacañang Palace her home (she said she will stay in her current home in Makati).

"DESPEDIDA" FOR KRIS. Now that Noynoy Aquino is poised to become the next President, another negative issue is being thrown at Kris's way.

Members of a group in Facebook called "Kris Aquino's Despedida" are growing fast. Currently at 6,669 members as of posting time, the group wants Kris out of the country.

According to the group's info page, Kris Aquino promised to leave the country if her brother wins. "If [Noynoy] does win and I'm a cause of stress for him and his presidency, I'll gladly take my two boys and live anywhere there is TFC [ABS-CBN's The Filipino Channel] overseas," the group quoted Kris as saying.

Kris made the statement in the heat of an altercation with Ruffa Gutierrez and Annabelle Rama two months ago. Annabelle, a sharp-tongued talent manager and the matriarch of the Gutierrez clan, said that Kris will be "more arrogant" if Sen. Noynoy Aquino becomes President.

Although the page was "created purely out of fun," members of the Facebook fan page are still taking Kris's statement to heart.

Recent comments by members include:

"Ay please please please. Make Kris ambassador to some little island far away. Please spare us all the cry cry cry. O please. Overdose period. No more teleseryes, commercials, talkshows, magazines, radio shows, ads, ........etc etc etc. whatever. Just please give us some quiet!!!!!!!"

"six yrs without KRIS is................... PEACE! gawin na lang syang ambasador to wherever there if TFC. bring TFC to Haiti maybe."

"Kris should leave the country the soonest. She is a security risk to their rivals. Imagine gusto manaksak!"

KRIS IS NOT LEAVING. But eat your heart out. Yes, Kris Aquino is leaving the country, but only temporarily.

This morning, May 13, PEP's Jo-Ann Maglipon sent a text message to Kris Aquino to get her reaction. She replied at around 1 p.m.

Kris's full text message can be read below:

"Hello Jo-ann from Boracay. Slept 14 hours, now watching baby james & josh swim in the villa pool that faces the sea.

"Yes, I am leaving for a Disney vacation abroad w/ my kids but after Pilipinas Got Talent & my obligation to KTM [Kung Tayo'y Magkakalayo] finishes. I will be gone for at least 3 weeks then to give my kids the vacation we postponed last year because of mom's [the late Pres. Cory Aquino] deteriorating health. I will be back on SNN on Monday, May 17.

"During the entire campaign it was a non stop assault on me as a person, a mother & a sister. Well they didn't succeed then & w/ the love & support of my sisters & my brother they won't succeed now."
http://www.pep.ph/news/25578/PEP-EXCLUSIVE:-Kris-Aquino-reacts-to-calls-for-her-to-leave-the-country-after-an-apparent-Noynoy-win

PPCRV, nakapagbilang na ng 89. 41% ng transmitted result; Aquino at Binay, nangunguna pa rin sa partial unofficial count (as of 11:09 a.m.)

2010-05-12T23:27:00.000-07:00

Umabot na sa 89.41 percent na transmitted result o kabuuang 68, 373 clustered precincts ang nabibilang ng Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) sa kanilang partial unofficial tally sa Pope Pius Catholic Center sa Maynila.

Partial unofficial tally as of 11:09 a.m:

President:

Noynoy Aquino, 13, 744, 299

Joseph Estrada, 8, 693, 793

Manny Villar, 4, 966, 821

Gilbert Teodoro, 3, 654, 000

Eddie Villanueva, 1, 019, 406

Richard Gordon, 465, 250

Nicanor Perlas, 48, 647

Jamby Madrigal, 41, 879

JC Delos Reyes, 39, 838

Vice-President:

Jejomar Binay, 13, 389, 291

Mar Roxas, 12, 602, 550

Loren Legarda, 3, 767, 683

Bayani Fernando, 932, 536

Edu Manzano, 702, 377

Perfecto Yasay 329, 088

Jay Sonza 57, 366

Dominador Chipeco 47, 112

　

Senators:

Bong Revilla, 17, 695, 515

Jinggoy Estrada 17, 291, 504

Miriam Defensor-Santiago, 15, 825, 205

Franklin Drilon, 14, 477, 442

Juan Ponce-Enrile 14, 304, 433

Pia Cayetano, 12, 526, 745

Bongbong Marcos, 12, 059, 997

Ralph Recto, 11, 324, 648

Tito Sotto, 10, 875, 172

Serge Osmeña, 10, 637, 626

Lito Lapid, 9, 987, 648

TG Guingona 9, 418, 711
http://www.dzmm.com.ph/tabid/82/Article/9212/PPCRV-nakapagbilang-na-ng-89-41-ng-transmitted-result-Aquino-at-Binay-nangunguna-pa-rin-sa-partial-unofficial-count-as-of-11-09-a-m-.aspx

Erap seeks parallel manual count in Congress (1:18 p.m.)

2010-05-12T23:24:00.000-07:00

Former President Joseph "Erap" Estrada, through his lawyer, said they will ask the Congress when session resumes to conduct a parallel manual count as their camp discovered "election irregularities".

Lawyer George Erwin Garcia told reporters that Estrada's camp is set to present evidence to Congress on May 31 when it starts canvassing the votes for president and vice president.

“If only Comelec (Commission on Elections) conducted a parallel manual count then we would not have these arguments...There are also some local bets who are claiming that there are irregularities,” Garcia said.

Several groups have earlier asked the poll body to conduct a manual count to countercheck the result produced by the precinct count optical scan (PCOS) machines.

Estrada, who still occupies second place according to the unofficial count of the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV), has 8,693,793 votes compared to leading candidate Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III with 13,744,299.
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/network/erap-seeks-parallel-manual-count-congress-118-pm

Huge challenges face Philippine heir apparent Aquino

2010-05-12T08:03:00.000-07:00

There is a saying in the Philippines that in an election there are no losers - only winners and those who have been cheated.

It is not hard to see why people here might think that - elections are invariably followed by allegations of vote-buying, ballot-tampering and corruption, not to mention scores of poll-related deaths.

This time, though, despite malfunctioning voting machines, long queues at polling stations and several violent attacks in the south of the country, the polls have gone relatively smoothly, at least by Philippine standards.

The outcome seems virtually certain - Benigno Aquino, more commonly known as Noynoy, is yet to be officially declared the country's next president, but he already has an unassailable lead.

All his rival candidates bar one, former President Joseph Estrada, have already conceded defeat.

"I'm smiling again," the visibly relieved Election Commision chairman, Jose Melo, told reporters late on Tuesday. "Things went much better than expected," added Telibert Laoc, an election monitor.

Combating corruption

So attention is now turning to what the quiet, unassuming 50-year-old bachelor will do during his six-year term in office.

I will not only not steal, but I will run after thieves
Benigno Aquino

Philippines election: Voters' views

At the moment he is better known for his parents than for any of his own achievements - and there is little doubt that what propelled him into office was the fact his mother was the former President Cory Aquino, and his father the pro-democracy hero Ninoy Aquino.

Throughout the gruelling three months of electioneering, Noynoy has talked a lot about emulating his mother, and carrying on her pro-democracy agenda.

His other main campaign pledge has been to combat corruption - something he reaffirmed late on Tuesday, when it became clear he would win.

"I will not only not steal, but I will run after thieves," he told reporters. "The first priority has to be to address the issue of corruption - get government's power back so that they can empower the people."

Mr Aquino has already indicated that this anti-corruption drive might include bringing down some powerful people - he even plans to have his predecessor Gloria Arroyo investigated for alleged vote-rigging in the 2004 presidential election, an accusation she denies.

"He wants to get the big fish," said political analyst Marites Vitug.

One of Mr Aquino's other clear priorities is to tackle the grinding poverty in many areas of the country; a third of the 90 million population lives on just one US dollar a day.
Milf rebels in the Philippines (file image)
Rebel violence will be pressing concern for the new president

This he also links to corruption - his campaign slogan read "When no one's corrupt, no one will be poor" - and he has calculated that by strengthening tax collection and clamping down on corruption, the government will gain an additional 400 billion pesos ($8.9bn: £5.7bn) to help the poor.

But many of his other priorities are still unclear - not an unusual state of affairs in the Philippines, where personalities rather than policies are the focus of election campaigns.

One of the key problems Mr Aquino will inherit from Mrs Arroyo is the high level of localised violence, particularly on the southern island of Mindanao, where the armed forces are fighting both Islamic and communist rebels.

Mr Aquino has vowed to pursue the current administration's peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (Milf) rebels in the south, but few exact details have been given so far.

Another area of concern is the estimated 112 private armies spread around the country, many of which are maintained by powerful local warlords.

Last month the campaign group Human Rights Watch criticised Mr Aquino for failing to take a tougher stance on stamping these "unaccountable armed forces" out.

Immediate plans

But for now the president-in-waiting has more immediate concerns.

Imelda Marcos campaigning in Ilocos norte province, Philippines (23 March 2010)

Philippine poll: Key candidates
Personality and patronage

He is still waiting to see if his running mate Mar Roxas wins the vice-presidential race; candidates are all voted for separately in the Philippines, and Mr Roxas is currently vying with Jojo Binay in a closely-fought contest.

There is also the prospect that Mr Estrada, who looks likely to have come second to Mr Aquino in the presidential contest, could question the results.

Then there is the fact that Mr Aquino is likely to face some tough - and familiar - adversaries.

Gloria Arroyo, barred from running again for the presidency, easily won a seat in Congress, and the Marcoses - the other big political family in the Philippines, and historical arch-enemies of the Aquinos - are also rising up the political ladder.

Imelda, the wife of former President Ferdinand Marcos, has won a congressional seat, her daughter is now a provincial governor and her son is almost certain to gain a seat in the Senate.

But perhaps Mr Aquino's greatest challenge is to step out of the shadow of his famous family.

Statues, parks, stadiums, and even the international airport named are after his parents, but until he ran for president Noynoy himself was relatively unknown.

Critics say he looks uneasy and lacks charisma, while a recent blog in the Huffington Post describes him as "Mr Vanilla of Manila".

His first challenge has to be to prove his detractors wrong - and show he has the strength to be this nation's new leader.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8677574.stm

Leading party lists in Comelec Count

2010-05-12T05:11:00.000-07:00

PRESIDENT
Comelec Tally as of May 12,2010 (Votes from 88.95% of clustered precincts)
COMELEC PERCENTAGE
1. Ako Bicol Political Party 1,396,904 4.08%
2. Coalition of Association for Senior Citizens Inc. 1,177,56 3.44%
3. Buhay Hayaang Yumabong 1,169,692 3.42%
4. Akbayan Kalusugan Inc. 1,076,304 2.85%
5. Cooperative NATCCO Network Party 843.294 2.46%
6. Bayan Muna 686,775 2%
7. First Consumers Alliance for Rural Energy 671,865 1.96%
8. Abono 641,702 1.87%
9. An Waray 636,047 1.85%
8. Citizen's Battle Against Corruption 603,100 1.76%
9. Advocacy for Teacher's Empowerment 559,504 1.63%
8. Agapay ng Indigenous People's Rights Alliance Inc. 480,524 1.40%
9. Butil Farmers Party 458,416 1.32%
8. Alliance for Barangay's Concerns Party 434,702 1.27%
9. Anakpawis 407,699 1.19%
8. Ang Kabataan 384,369 1.12%
9. LPG Marketers Association Inc. 383,825 1.12%
8. Abante Mindanao Inc. 359,994 1.04%
9. Alliance of Concerned Teachers 334,424 .97%
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=574650&publicationSubCategoryId=200

Arroyo, Pacman, Imelda win; Jocjoc, Ermita, Montano losing

2010-05-12T05:06:00.001-07:00

They are popular and controversial candidates that local pundits thought had victory in the palms of their hands.

Some are facing the possibility of defeat: Scandal-riddled former Agriculture Undersecretary Jocelyn “Jocjoc” Bolante, priest-on-leave Eddie Panlilio, actor Cesar Montano, former Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez, and many former police and military generals.
Others have sealed or are sensing inevitable triumph: World boxing champion Manny Pacquiao, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, actress Vilma Santos, the Marcoses, Singsons, Dutertes, Dazas and other political dynasties.

Bolante was being trounced by incumbent Gov. Victor Tanco in the closely watched gubernatorial race in Capiz, according to partial election results of the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

Based on results of the Comelec tally covering nine towns and Roxas City, Bolante got 79,520 votes behind Tanco’s 126,941. Capiz has 431,368 registered voters.

Bolante of the Ugyon Kita Capiz (UKC) is lagging by a wide margin despite the declared support of 12 of the 17 mayors, including former Liberal Party (LP) stalwart Vicente Bermejo of Roxas.

Bermejo (UKC) was defeated in a close race by Vice Mayor Alan Celino (LP). Celino got 33,122 votes while Bermejo had 32,431, according to final and official tally results.

Sen. Manuel “Mar” Roxas II, LP vice presidential candidate, earlier vowed to ensure the defeat of Bolante, who continues to be hounded by allegations on his role in the P728-million scam, which involved the alleged misuse of Department of Agriculture funds for fertilizers to support the campaign of President Macapagal-Arroyo in 2004.

Pacquiao, Among Ed

World boxing champion and candidate Manny Pacquiao is having an early lead over rival Roy Chiongbian in the fight for the lone congressional seat in Sarangani.

Official tally as of 9 a.m. on Tuesday showed that Pacquiao garnered 73,472 votes as against Chiongbian’s 35,315. Votes from seven towns still have to be canvassed.

As of 5:07 p.m., precinct votes fed by the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting to gmanews.tv reached 85 percent of the total votes. Pacquiao led with 98,951 over Chiongbian, 49,442.

There was no repeat of the “miracle” that propelled Catholic priest Eddie Panlilio to Pampanga’s capitol in 2007.

In this year’s election, Lilia Pineda, who started as a coconut juice vendor at cockpits, made sure that she would win convincingly against Panlilio. The new governor is the wife of long-suspected “jueteng” lord Bong Pineda.

In her second try to win the governor’s seat, Pineda (Lakas-Kampi-CMD) got 269,042 votes as against 117,752 votes for Panlilio, partial Comelec results showed. The tally of her party showed she garnered 483,310 votes while Panlilio (LP) received 237,005.

But Panlilio said while the good governance crusade failed to mount a miracle like in the 2007 elections, he said “it isn’t dead and over yet.”

Panlilio said the nearly 300,000 votes that he and his running mate, Marco Lazatin, received indicated there “really is a growing constituency” for good governance in the province.

“There’s victory here already because those who voted for us did not ask anything in return. Theirs were honest votes,” he said.

Unlike in 2007 when her allies made a premature announcement of her supposed victory, this time Pineda made herself scarce and quiet.

In a phone interview on Tuesday, Pineda, 59, said she slept almost the whole day to ease body aches from weeks of campaigning.

Pineda is bound to be the first elected woman governor of Pampanga. Former Gov. Juanita Nepomuceno was appointed in the 1970s to replace then ailing Gov. Brigido Valencia.

“I hope my critics will give me the chance to prove I can serve,” said Pineda, who has nurtured a 30-year-old friendship with President Macapagal-Arroyo.

Easy Arroyo win

In Pampanga, Ms Arroyo, as expected, breezed through the race in the second congressional district and will replace her son, Rep. Juan Miguel Arroyo, a nominee of the party-list group Ang Galing.

Partial official results from the Comelec showed that in five of six towns except Porac, Ms Arroyo received 137,410 votes, beating her opponents, Filipinas Sampang (17,413), Feliciano Serrano (2,111) and Adonis Simpao (17,611).

Lastimoso, other ex-cops losing

Former Philippine National Police chief Roberto Lastimoso of the LP was losing to Jane Tan-Castro (Lakas-Kampi-CMD) in the congressional race in the second district of Capiz.

In Antique, retired Chief Supt. Robert Delfin, former PNP intelligence director, is trailing behind his rivals for the lone congressional district.

In Malinao town in Aklan, retired Lt. Gen. Pedro Ike Inserto, former commander of the Cebu-based Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Central Command (Centcom), lost to Malinao Councilor Wilbert Ariel Igoy in the mayoral race.

In Iloilo, retired Chief Supt. Restituto Mosqueda (LP), the incumbent mayor of Estancia town lost to Rene Cordero (Lakas-Kampi-CMD).

But former PNP Deputy Director General Gerardo Flores, who is running unopposed, won a seat in the provincial board.

In Lambunao town, retired Chief Supt. Reynor Gonzales, former director of the PNP Narcotics Group, was reelected.

Ebdane winning

In Zambales, former Public Works Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane Jr., a retired PNP chief, appeared headed to become the next governor, derailing the reelection bid of Amor Deloso of the LP.

Reelectionist Mayor James Gordon Jr. maintained the family’s hold of Olongapo City by beating former Gov. Vicente Magsaysay.

Raul Gonzalez, son trailing

In Iloilo City, former Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Raul Gonzalez and his son and namesake, Iloilo Rep. Raul Gonzalez Jr., are behind their rivals, based on partial official results.

The elder Gonzalez (Lakas-Kampi-CMD) was trailing incumbent Vice Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog (LP) in the mayoral race. Mabilog had 25,925 votes against Gonzalez’s 22,823, as of 1:35 p.m. on Tuesday from 114 of the 344 clustered precincts in the city.

Running third was former Presidential Assistant on Waters Larry Jamora with 12,379. Jamora conceded to Mabilog on Tuesday morning.

In the congressional race, outgoing Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas (NP) was ahead with 32,891 votes followed by Rep. Gonzalez (Lakas-Kampi-CMD) with 26,289 and former Iloilo City mayor Mansueto Malabor, 2,037. The city has 242,033 registered voters.

Treñas and Mabilog are former allies of the Gonzalezes.

Imee, Imelda

Ilocos Norte voters once again proved their loyalty to the Marcos family when they elected Imee Marcos governor over her cousin, reelectionist Gov. Michael Keon.

Her mother, former first lady Imelda Marcos, also won over former ally, Mariano Nalupta Jr., in the second congressional district seat. Imelda’s son, Rep. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will vacate the post as he appears to be headed for a Senate win under the Nacionalista Party (NP).

Another Marcos cousin, Angelo Barba, won as vice governor.

Imelda and Imee were proclaimed at the provincial capitol at 3 p.m.

“We are the comeback kids,” Imee said. She thanked their supporters who stuck with them through the campaign. She extended her “hand of friendship” to Keon. She hinted that her cousin could still work with them for the benefit of the province.

Early Padaca lead

In Isabela, reelectionist Gov. Maria Gracia Cielo Padaca posted an early lead against Rep. Faustino Dy III in the gubernatorial race.

As of 3:10 p.m. on Tuesday, records of the provincial board of canvassers showed Padaca with 211,057 votes and Dy with 169,246. The votes came from 28 towns out of 35 towns and a city in the province.

This year’s race was Padaca’s third against a member of the Dy political family that ruled Isabela for more than 30 years before she stopped their reign in 2004. Padaca lost to Dy III in the congressional race in the third district in 2001.

Cesar Montano concedes

Bohol gubernatorial candidate Cesar Montano (LP) has conceded defeat, hurt by the official outcome of votes from the capital city of Tagbilaran and the 46 towns that saw him trailing third behind first district Rep. Edgar Chatto (Lakas-Kampi-CMD) and Vice Gov. Julius Herrera of the Nacionalista Party (NP).

Based on the last partial count released by the Comelec, Chatto garnered 163,730 votes; Herrera, 126,362; and Montano, 101,718 votes.

Happy Goma

Actor Richard Gomez seemed to have a reason to be happy. His wife, Lucy Torres Gomez, who replaced him in the race for the fourth congressional district seat in Leyte, appeared headed for victory.

The final and official results from Ormoc City and four towns covered by the district showed Lucy Torres Gomez leading at 88,156 votes against her opponent, Eufrocino Codilla Jr., 60,813.

The figures do not include the results of two other towns in the district.

Gov Vi, again, Ermitas lose

Gov. Vilma Santos-Recto won in 24 towns and one city in Batangas province over Mayor Edna Sanchez of Sto. Tomas town, a last-minute substitute for her husband Armando who died from a stroke during a campaign sortie to regain the gubernatorial post.

The incumbent governor garnered 364,223 votes while Sanchez got 243,729, based on final Comelec results.

Vice Gov. Marc Leviste had 406,541 while Edwin Ermita, a son of former Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, had 161,094.

The former Malacañang official himself was losing in the congressional race in the first district based on the Comelec’s partial tally as of 12:37 p.m. on Tuesday. Ermita had 97,493 votes behind Tomas Apacible’s 116,624.

‘Manay’ leading

“Manay” Gina de Venecia, wife of outgoing Pangasinan Rep. Jose de Venecia Jr., is leading in the first congressional district race in the province. Her opponent is “Manang” Celia Lim, wife of former Dagupan City Mayor Benjamin Lim.

In another congressional race, former Bolinao Mayor Jesus Celeste would likely succeed his brother, outgoing Pangasinan Rep. Arthur Celeste, after gaining a comfortable lead over his closest opponent, former television reporter Maki Pulido.

Arthur, however, was trailing reelectionist Mayor Hernani Braganza in the Alaminos mayoral race.

Reelectionist Gov. Amado Espino Jr. took an early lead against Rep. Victor Agbayani.

In the mayoral race in Dagupan, former Mayor Lim maintained a slim lead over reelectionist Mayor Alipio Fernandez Jr.

Dutertes win

Davao City Vice Mayor Sara “Inday” Duterte and her father-mayor, Rodrigo, successfully swapped posts despite a serious challenge from their rival, Speaker Prospero Nograles.

As of 4 p.m. on Tuesday, when at least 97 percent of the total votes had been canvassed at City Hall, Sara garnered 380,268 votes compared to Nograles’ 157,615 in the mayoral race. Nograles hadn’t conceded though.

In the vice mayoral race, Rodrigo received 431,244 votes while former Mayor Benjamin de Guzman got 103,963.

Nograles’ son, Carlo, had a little luck in his bid to replace his father in Congress. He got 98,929 votes, defeating Councilor Mabel Sunga’s 90,750.

Mitra leads Alvarez

The hotly contested gubernatorial post in Palawan is close to being resolved, with Rep. Abraham Kahlil Mitra (LP) leading businessman Jose Chavez Alvarez by a comfortable margin in both the Comelec and PPCRV counts.

Mitra, son of the late Speaker Ramon V. Mitra, dominated most of the major towns with large voting populations, including Roxas, Narra, Brooke’s Point and Bataraza. He ran for governor after completing three terms as congressman.

Allies of Alvarez, a neophyte candidate who once owned a major logging concession based in the northern town of San Vicente, filed a disqualification case against Mitra for questionable residency. The case is still pending at the Supreme Court.

Ortegas, again

In La Union, the Ortega clan solidified its leadership in the province with members of the family who ran in this year’s elections clinching wins.

Leading the winners in the family are reelected Rep. Victor Ortega, who ran unopposed in the first district, and his reelectionist brothers, Gov. Manuel Ortega and San Fernando City Mayor Pablo Ortega.

An ally, former Agoo Mayor Eufranio Eriguel, beat reelectionist Rep. Thomas Dumpit Jr. in the second congressional district race.

Singsons, too

In Ilocos Sur, 13 members of the Singson family, led by comebacking Gov. Luis “Chavit” Singson, won.

Singson bested erstwhile ally, former Board Member Efren Rafanan. His son, Rep. Ronald Singson, won his reelection bid, while another son, Ryan, won as vice mayor of Vigan City.

A niece, reelectionist Vigan Mayor Eva Marie Singson Medina, ran unopposed.

Eric Singson Jr., son of outgoing Rep. Eric Singson, won the seat that will be left by his father. His brother, Allen, won his third term as Candon City mayor.

Also Garcias

In Bataan, three members of the Garcia family won their reelection bids in key positions in the province.

Gov. Enrique Garcia won as governor while his son Albert Raymon won as representative of the second district. Another son, Jose Enrique III, was reelected mayor of Balanga City, but a daughter, Maria Angela, lost in her congressional bid in the first district against reelectionist Rep. Herminia Roman.

New Ecija dynasty?

In Nueva Ecija, reelectionist Gov. Aurelio Umali appeared headed to become the leader of an emerging political dynasty as he, his wife, and brother were leading their rivals, who belong to the Joson family.

Umali was leading Vice Gov. Edward Thomas Joson in the gubernatorial race while his wife, reelectionist Rep. Czarina Umali (third district), was leading her closest rival, former Vice Gov. Eduardo Joson IV. Umali’s brother, Emmanuel Anthony, is leading the race in the provincial board.

The Josons’ political party, Bagong Lakas ng Nueva Ecija (Balane), has been a party to reckon with in past elections. Novo Ecijanos elected a Joson as governor for almost 50 years until Umali won as governor in 2007.

Former Gov. Tomas Joson III, chair of Balane and father of Edward Thomas, said he respected the voters’ decision.

“We did our best. We have nothing to be ashamed of,” he said on Tuesday.

His brother, former Vice Gov. Mariano Cristino, however, is headed to capture the mayoral seat of Quezon town while former Rep. Josefina Manuel-Joson, wife of Mariano Cristino, was leading the race in the first congressional district seat.

A son of outgoing Rep. Edno Joson, a brother of Tomas III, appeared headed to get a seat in the provincial board.

Dazas ahead

In Northern Samar, the partial election results from six towns showed that Raul Daza and his son Paul, both LP candidates, were leading the races for congressman and governor, respectively.

Based on the tally of the provincial board of canvassers as of 2 p.m. on Tuesday, the older Daza got 28,242 while his opponent, provincial Board Member Francisco Rosales, got 16,431.

Paul was leading Harlin Abayon by some 4,000 votes.

Nearing retirement

In Benguet, reelectionist Gov. Nestor Fongwan looked headed to send Rep. Samuel Dangwa, 74, into retirement when he took a commanding lead over his rival in partial and unofficial vote count released by the provincial board of canvassers.

Fongwan got 54,498 votes from 9 of the province’s 13 towns as of 3 p.m. Tuesday while Dangwa (Independent), who is on his last term as representative, trailed with 27,797 votes. Former Gov. Raul Molintas (NPC) had 13,363 votes.

In the race for the lone congressional seat, lawyer Ronald Cosalan (LP) was ahead in the counting with 32,229 votes from nine towns. Cosalan’s victory would bring him back to Congress where he served for two terms.

Other provinces

In Abra, congressional aspirant Joy Valera-Bernos maintained a slight edge over reelectionist Rep. Cecilia Luna, based on election returns from 10 towns.

In Cagayan, reelectionist Gov. Alvaro Antonio was leading Rep. Manuel Mamba in the gubernatorial race, partial results from the Comelec showed.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20100512-269524/Arroyo-Pacman-Imelda-win-Jocjoc-Ermita-Montano-losing

PPCRV: Binay takes 14 of 17 regions but Roxas still sees ‘hairline win’

2010-05-12T04:58:00.000-07:00

Leading by at least 800,000 votes with about 86 percent of the election returns electronically tallied, Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay Tuesday said his impending victory in the vice presidential race was written in the stars.

Binay took 14 of the country’s 17 regions, according to the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV), the Commission on Election’s citizen arm.

“Now the one given no chance of winning turned out to be the winner. Just look at it. In short, that’s all according to destiny. It happens, it happens,” said Binay, running mate of former President Joseph Estrada, in his 21st floor office the day after Election Day.

The tallies of the Comelec and the PPCRV had yet to be completed at the time but Binay’s campaign center had reported to him that the vice presidency was already in the bag.

But the camp of Sen. Manuel “Mar” Roxas II, running mate of front-runner Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, said Binay was speaking too soon.

Liberal Party officials said results of exit polls that the party conducted showed that Roxas won the vice presidency “by a hairline.”

The Comelec tally showed Binay leading with 12,921,315 votes, while Roxas had 12,072,145 votes as of 3:57 p.m. Tuesday.

As of 4 p.m., Binay had 12,921,315 votes or 40.95 percent of the ballots based on 85.86 percent of the election returns electronically tallied by the PPCRV in its command center at the Pope Pius XII Catholic Center in Manila.

Roxas had 12,072,145 votes (38.25 percent) more than 20 hours since the historic automated elections was conducted.

Roxas said he was “keeping the faith” and was confident the votes from the Visayas would get him past Binay.

He said he was waiting for the results from his bailiwicks in the Visayas, particularly from western and central Visayas, to see if he could still overcome Binay’s lead.

The more than 12 million votes that pulled Binay to the top of the vice presidential race came from 14 of the 17 regions of the country, data from the PPCRV showed at 10 Tuesday night.

In an illustration, the accredited citizens’ arm of the Comelec showed that Roxas topped the race only in three regions – western Visayas (Region VI), central Visayas (Region VII) and Caraga (Region XIII).

Darker shade for Binay

A map of the Philippines was shown to the media in which a greater portion was in a “darker shade” to represent Binay’s bailiwicks. The regions shaded yellow showed where Roxas garnered much of his votes.

Binay won in the vote-rich Bicol region, Calabarzon or (Region IV-A) and Mimaropa (Region IV-B).

PPCRV legal chair Howard Calleja said only 957 precincts of the 6,406 precincts had yet to transmit election returns through the PCOS machines in western Visayas.

In central Visayas, which had recorded the “lowest” transmission rate of 77.47 percent, 1,253 precincts had not electronically sent election returns to the PPCRV servers.

The PPCRV was still waiting for 246 precincts to send election returns from the Caraga region.

Calleja said the center came out with the data to show that “we did not do trending nor do we favor any particular region or candidate.”

“[Let us be reminded] that the election returns came straight from the PCOS machines.”

He noted that the data were based on the election returns that were transmitted to the PPCRV server as of 3 p.m.

But Aquino remained optimistic Roxas would edge out Binay of the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino. “Our priority today is that every vote for Mar Roxas is counted fairly and honestly,” Aquino said in a press conference.

Aquino said that with the votes from the Visayas and Mindanao, where Roxas has a significant margin over Binay, still coming in, his partner still had a chance to overtake Binay.

Trailing far behind Roxas was Nacionalista Party’s Sen. Loren Legarda who got 11.43 percent of the votes counted or 3,607,753. Legarda conceded defeat Tuesday.

Bayani Fernando of the Bagumbayan Party got 899,844 votes (2.85 percent). Edu Manzano of the Lakas-Kampi-CMD party was in fifth place with 668,242 votes (2.13 percent).

Perfecto Yasay got 315,838 votes (1.01 percent); Jay Sonza, 54,887 (0.17 percent); and Dominador Chipeco, 45,074 votes (0.14 percent).

In the senatorial race, Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. was leading with more than 17 million votes.

“Of course, I’m humbled by the results. I’m sending my sincerest thanks to those who supported me,” Binay told reporters at a news conference at around noon.

Despite a long night and just two hours and 45 minutes of sleep, Binay was all smiles and in high spirits when he faced the media.

He said his rise as an elected official was all according to destiny.

“Each one has his own destiny. How did I become mayor? It just so happened that I was beside Nene (Aquilino Pimentel Jr., the interior secretary of then President Corazon Aquino after Edsa I in 1986) and I was appointed mayor,” Binay said.

Binay’s political career began when the Aquino administration fired all local executives and appointed officers in charge, including Binay in Makati.

Elected six times to the mayoral post, Binay’s administration was interrupted only when his wife Elenita ran and won in 1998. Term limits prevented him from running for more than three consecutive terms.

Binay said he wasn’t surprised that he was winning over Roxas despite the Liberal Party candidate’s seemingly insurmountable lead when the campaign period started in February.

The mayor said there was a time when Roxas’ survey rating had risen to 57 percent, while his was at a measly 3 percent.

“At the outset, I was very optimistic,” the mayor said.

His family and friends weren’t as positive, though.

“Even my family didn’t believe I was going to win,” he said.

Had he known that his wife and children—including Mayor-elect Junjun Binay and Representative-elect Abigail Binay—had doubts about his chances, Binay said he would have withdrawn his candidacy.

“Come to think of it, it turned out I had no moral support,” he said laughing.

Binay said his family and friends just didn’t know of his experiences with the electorate whenever he went out to campaign.

Most organized

He said his campaign could have been one of the most organized, if not the most organized, for the 2010 elections.

Binay said his campaign workers didn’t have payroll loyalty. “They were real volunteers,” he said.

Binay counts among them his fraternity brothers in Alpha Phi Omega who welcomed him on many of his sorties in the provinces.

He said volunteers of the late actor and 2004 presidential candidate Fernando Poe Jr. backed his candidacy as did the religious group Ang Dating Daan. Members of the Catholic charismatic group El Shaddai also supported him toward the end of the campaign.

Binay said the endorsement given by popular Sen. Francis Escudero and the backing of executives from local governments that have sister-city status with Makati also boosted his ratings.

He said he also owed a debt of gratitude to Joseph Estrada and his Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino “although in the latter part of the campaign I was already the one pulling them up.”

“Even when I become vice president, we will always recognize him as our leader,” Binay said of Estrada.

Estrada is lagging behind Aquino in the presidential race.

Binay also indicated there was complacency on the part of Roxas.

“As (former Sen. Sergio Osmeña III) said, they were caught napping,” Binay said.

He, however, had good words for his rival. “He’s a good leader,” Binay said.

Asked if his sleep of a couple of hours was the best he ever had, Binay said: “I’m still worried about the special operations.”

Binay said there were still people who wanted to engage in last-minute electoral fraud through “operators.” “There’s a lot of things happening now in Mindanao,” he said.

Binay’s spokesperson Lito Anzures has asked former Defense Secretary Avelino Cruz, an Aquino supporter, to shed light on alleged election-related “special operations” to be conducted by supporters of Roxas in Mindanao and in central and western Visayas.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20100512-269523/PPCRV-Binay-takes-14-of-17-regions-but-Roxas-still-sees-hairline-win

Arroyo proclaimed as Pampanga congresswoman

2010-05-12T04:54:00.000-07:00

Outgoing President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has been proclaimed as the winner of the congressional race in Pampanga's second district.

She was proclaimed around 7 p.m. Wednesday after winning by landslide over her three rivals, including Liberal Party's Adonis Simpao.

The post will be vacated by her son, Juan Miguel "Mikey" Arroyo.

Mrs. Arroyo's bid for the House of Representatives is seen by her critics as an attempt to stay in power by getting elected as House Speaker and then leading moves to amend the Constitution.

An amendment in the Constitution could pave the way for her to become prime minister.

Mrs. Arroyo's brother-in-law, Negros Occidental Rep. Ignacio "Iggy" Arroyo Jr., said the President is likely to target the House Speakership when the new Congress opens in July.
http://www.gmanews.tv/story/190811/arroyo-proclaimed-as-pampanga-congresswoman

Roxas, Binay camps trade barbs as VP race heats up

2010-05-12T04:51:00.000-07:00

The race to the vice presidency heats up as the camps of Senator Manuel “Mar” Roxas and Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay, the frontrunners for the second highest position in the land, trade accusations as the contest threatens to go down the wire.

It started when Dr. Marichi Ramos, a campaigner of Binay in Negros Occidental, admitted on Wednesday that she passed on a text message alleging an attempt to rig the returns in Western Visayas in favor of Roxas due to a “sudden surge” in votes for the senator.

The same text message forwarded by Ramos to the Philippine Daily Inquirer also said that Sigma Rhoan lawyers headed by former defense secretary Avelino Nonong Cruz and former Negros Occidental governor Daniel Lacson were trying to rig the election returns in Negros Occidental. The text message also warned about alleged attempts to commit fraud in Ilonggo bailiwicks of Western Visayas.

But Provincial Election Officer Jessie Suarez quickly denied Ramos’ claim, saying the returns from the towns and cities have shown a higher turnout rate.

Senator Franklin Drilon and one of the leaders of the volunteers for the Liberal Party in Negros Occidental disputed the allegation, with Drilon accusing Binay of allegedly conditioning the minds of the people "with irresponsible and unfounded insinuations."

Ramos claimed that Suarez told their camp about a low turnout of voters in Negros Occidental and only more than 500,000 voters had voted.

But Suarez denied this, saying that of the 1.5 million voters of Negros Occidental, 80 percent had voted.

Ramos also claimed that on Tuesday night she recorded 300,000 plus votes for Roxas and about 106,000 for Binay at the Provincial Canvassing center at the Capitol in Bacolod City but she left the room to check the reported commotion in the Bacolod canvassing in another venue.

She said that when she returned about two hours later, she noted a sudden surge of votes for Roxas by 100,000 recorded by the provincial board of canvassers from Victorias City, which she considered improbable.

Suarez, however, disputed the allegations of Ramos.

The Commission on Elections records showed that during the time Ramos said the surge occurred, the provincial board of canvassers had received a lot of returns, including those coming from Kabankalan City, Silay City, Moises Padilla, Ilog, Isabela, Hinobaan and Murcia, between 8:30 p.m. and a little after 11 p.m., he pointed out.

Suarez said the provincial board of canvassers received the returns from Victorias City at 3 a.m. Wednesday, contrary to the Ramos' allegations that the city poll results were being tallied at the time the surge occurred Tuesday evening.

"We are just doing our job. If they can show, even just one iota of proof [of cheating], I will resign," Suarez said.

Meanwhile, Drilon told a press conference later Wednesday that Binay continued to spread intrigues even when the campaign was over.

"He should stop conditioning the minds of the people with irresponsible and unfounded insinuations. This is a closer race than he would want the people to believe," said Drilon, also former president of the Liberal Party now headed by Roxas.

The truth is, Drilon said, Roxas would claim victory in the end by a "hairline."

He pointed out in a separate statement that 22 percent or up to roughly 6-7 million votes have yet to be transmitted to the servers of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Manila and have yet to be tallied, based on Comelec’s own pronouncement to stop its tally after accounting for 78 percent of votes cast.

"The voices of around five to six million voters have not yet been included in Comelec’s own tally. This gives us the confidence that Mar will win after all of this," he said.

"Comelec stopped its tally after counting 78 percent of total votes cast, in deference to Congress who is mandated by law to canvass the votes for President and Vice President. Once the votes from our bailiwicks are fully transmitted to Comelec, we are hoping that Mar will catch up and take the number one spot," he stressed.

If 15-20 percent of the 76,340 precinct count optical scan (PCOS) machines have yet to transmit votes, Drilon said, then roughly 5-7 million votes have yet to be tallied, assuming an average of 500 voters per PCOS, and a 75 percent voter turnout nationwide.

He said Binay's camp might have "done their own math," and has seen the reality that the Makati mayor’s lead could disappear into thin air once the votes from the bailiwicks of Roxas were taken into account.

"They are now very, very worried that they could lose. And the best way for them to discredit any possible surge from us is to throw wild and outrageous accusations of so-called ‘special operations’ in Mindanao," said Drilon.

Drilon reported that in Iloilo, Roxas has a lead of around 310,000 votes, with eight towns and a component city yet to be canvassed.

He said he also received information from former National Power Corp. president Jesus Alcordo in Cebu that Roxas won by roughly 1.05 million votes over Binay in the vote-rich province; and from Negrenese businessman Bitay Lacson that Roxas’ lead there was more than 500,000 votes.

"This already gives Mar more than one and a half million votes from these Visayan bailiwicks alone, as against Binay’s lead which now stands at roughly 800,000 votes," Drilon pointed out.

Roxas is from Capiz and his mother is Judy Araneta Roxas Araneta. He has been leading in the Western Visayas poll count.

But Lacson, one of the leaders of the Aquino-Roxas volunteers in the province, on Wednesday said people who have been making accusations of cheating should better back up what they were saying "because if that is not fair to us then we will also do what is necessary to protect our reputation."

"Let it be said that as early as three weeks ago we were the ones who were calling for a parallel manual count," he said, adding that their camp wanted to see the canvassing over as soon as possible "as we are all tired."

Lacson also maintained that if there were malfunctioning PCOS machines, the complaints should be addressed to the Comelec.

On the other hand, Comelec Western Visayas director Ray Rene Buac on Wednesday assured that elections results could not be changed undetected despite the delays in the transmission of results from Western Visayas, a bailiwick of Roxas who has been behind Binay by 800,00 votes in the vice presidential race.

"Any discrepancy with the transmitted data will be immediately noticed," Buac told the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

The Board of Election Inspectors (BEI) in each precinct is required to print an initial eight copies of the election return (ER) from the Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS) machine before they transmit simultaneously to servers of the municipal or city board of canvassers, provincial board of canvassers and the national board of canvassers.

After the transmission, the BEIs print an additional 22 copies of the ER.

"The possibility of tampering and changing the data without being detected is almost impossible," Buac said.

But he added that "Until all the winners are proclaimed, let us all be vigilant."
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/topstories/topstories/view/20100512-269597/Roxas-Binay-camps-trade-barbs-as-VP-race-heats-up

Tagbilaran City Final Result Local

2010-05-11T23:28:00.000-07:00

PROVINCIAL GOVERNOR of BOHOL

Candidate Party Votes Percentage
CHATTO, Edgardo M. LAKAS KABALIKAT NG MALAYANG PILIPINO CHRISTIAN MUSLIM DEMOCRATS 15783 41.80%
MONTANO, Cesar D. LIBERAL PARTY 10883 28.82%
HERRERA, Julius Caesar F. NACIONALISTA PARTY 10860 28.76%
CAMPO, Eunice C. PHILIPPINE GRREN REPUBLICAN PARTY 140 0.37%
RAMADA, Jetur T. INDEPENDENT 95 0.25%
Statistics
Total number of Voters who actually voted 40690

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PROVINCIAL VICE-GOVERNOR of BOHOL

Candidate Party Votes Percentage
ABAPO, Tomas Jr. D. NACIONALISTA PARTY 15100 42.54%
JALA, Elpidio M. LIBERAL PARTY 11855 33.40%
LIM, Concepcion O. LAKAS KABALIKAT NG MALAYANG PILIPINO CHRISTIAN MUSLIM DEMOCRATS 7509 21.15%
ALTURAS, Cresencio P. INDEPENDENT 1033 2.91%
Statistics
Total number of Voters who actually voted 40690

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MEMBER, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES of BOHOL - FIRST LEGDIST

Candidate Party Votes Percentage
GLOVASA, Oscar B. NATIONALIST PEOPLES COALITION 17404 46.38%
RELAMPAGOS, Rene L. LABAN NG DEMOKRATIKONG PILIPINO 16030 42.72%
KAPIRIG, Edgar L. LIBERAL PARTY 3833 10.21%
MAGAT, Mario Jr. S. INDEPENDENT 258 0.69%
Statistics
Total number of Voters who actually voted 40690

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MEMBER, SANGGUNIANG PANLALAWIGAN of BOHOL - FIRST PROVDIST

Candidate Party Votes Percentage
BANTUGAN, Danilo A. NACIONALISTA PARTY 18084 20.02%
MONTON, Nemesio C. LIBERAL PARTY 15870 17.57%
DAMALERIO, Abeleon R. LAKAS KABALIKAT NG MALAYANG PILIPINO CHRISTIAN MUSLIM DEMOCRATS 13359 14.79%
LOPEZ, Cesar Tomas M. PARTIDO DEMOKRATIKO PILIPINO LAKAS NG BAYAN 12319 13.64%
ARCAMO, Venzencio B. LAKAS KABALIKAT NG MALAYANG PILIPINO CHRISTIAN MUSLIM DEMOCRATS 9975 11.05%
BARBARONA, Raul P. INDEPENDENT 8031 8.89%
OBENA, Doris D. NACIONALISTA PARTY 6673 7.39%
ESPERANZA, Cirilo Jr. M. LIBERAL PARTY 3696 4.09%
DESCALLAR, Zeus Manuel R. LIBERAL PARTY 1591 1.76%
CAÑIZARES, Rodolf R. INDEPENDENT 713 0.79%
Statistics
Total number of Voters who actually voted 40690

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MAYOR of BOHOL - TAGBILARAN CITY

Candidate Party Votes Percentage
LIM, Dan N. NATIONALIST PEOPLES COALITION 24061 60.47%
VELOSO, Jose Antonio S. LAKAS KABALIKAT NG MALAYANG PILIPINO CHRISTIAN MUSLIM DEMOCRATS 15726 39.53%
Statistics
Total number of Voters who actually voted 40690

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

VICE-MAYOR of BOHOL - TAGBILARAN CITY

Candidate Party Votes Percentage
MONTES, Nuevas T. NATIONALIST PEOPLES COALITION 23184 61.20%
DE LA SERNA, Glorivic Y. LAKAS KABALIKAT NG MALAYANG PILIPINO CHRISTIAN MUSLIM DEMOCRATS 12801 33.79%
DE LA SERNA, Rosalina G. INDEPENDENT 1899 5.01%
Statistics
Total number of Voters who actually voted 40690

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MEMBER, SANGGUNIANG PANLUNGSOD of BOHOL - TAGBILARAN CITY - LONE DIST

Candidate Party Votes Percentage
YAP, John Geesnell II L. NATIONALIST PEOPLES COALITION 26300 8.20%
BOMPAT, Edgar R. NATIONALIST PEOPLES COALITION 22014 6.87%
BORJA, Leonides L. NATIONALIST PEOPLES COALITION 19714 6.15%
ZAMORA, Nerio II D. NATIONALIST PEOPLES COALITION 17932 5.59%
BALBIN, Lucio R. NATIONALIST PEOPLES COALITION 17259 5.38%
LAGUNAY, Lucille Y. NATIONALIST PEOPLES COALITION 16832 5.25%
TORRALBA, Alberta C. LAKAS KABALIKAT NG MALAYANG PILIPINO CHRISTIAN MUSLIM DEMOCRATS 15172 4.73%
PIQUERO, Doni D. NATIONALIST PEOPLES COALITION 14657 4.57%
OPPUS, Anne Mariquit D. LAKAS KABALIKAT NG MALAYANG PILIPINO CHRISTIAN MUSLIM DEMOCRATS 14632 4.56%
INTING, Bebiano M. LAKAS KABALIKAT NG MALAYANG PILIPINO CHRISTIAN MUSLIM DEMOCRATS 13984 4.36%
PABE, Jeremias C. PARTIDO DEMOKRATIKO PILIPINO LAKAS NG BAYAN 12836 4.00%
RAMA, Zenaido M. LAKAS KABALIKAT NG MALAYANG PILIPINO CHRISTIAN MUSLIM DEMOCRATS 12645 3.94%
GALIA, Benjamin A. NATIONALIST PEOPLES COALITION 12479 3.89%
LOQUELLANO, Vicente T. NATIONALIST PEOPLES COALITION 12126 3.78%
OLARIO, George R. NATIONALIST PEOPLES COALITION 11424 3.56%
BUTALID, Jose Esteban T B. LAKAS KABALIKAT NG MALAYANG PILIPINO CHRISTIAN MUSLIM DEMOCRATS 11420 3.56%
CABALIT, Charles T. PARTIDO DEMOKRATIKO PILIPINO LAKAS NG BAYAN 9727 3.03%
MENDEZ, Norberto, Jr. P. LAKAS KABALIKAT NG MALAYANG PILIPINO CHRISTIAN MUSLIM DEMOCRATS 8183 2.55%
GATAL, Greggy S. LAKAS KABALIKAT NG MALAYANG PILIPINO CHRISTIAN MUSLIM DEMOCRATS 8084 2.52%
BUMA-AT, Panfilo H. LAKAS KABALIKAT NG MALAYANG PILIPINO CHRISTIAN MUSLIM DEMOCRATS 7204 2.25%
ALBA, Roberto C. INDEPENDENT 7175 2.24%
SARABIA, Jerome G. LAKAS KABALIKAT NG MALAYANG PILIPINO CHRISTIAN MUSLIM DEMOCRATS 5257 1.64%
ENERIO, John G. LIBERAL PARTY 4327 1.35%
CABALIT, Garizalde V. INDEPENDENT 4217 1.32%
MIÑOZA, Cecilio, Jr. B. INDEPENDENT 3018 0.94%
BINAMIRA, Boler B. PARTIDO DEMOKRATIKO PILIPINO LAKAS NG BAYAN 2619 0.82%
DANO, Andres L. INDEPENDENT 2491 0.78%
TRIGO, Franco S. INDEPENDENT 2138 0.67%
TAC-AN, Edgar Allan J. LIBERAL PARTY 1864 0.58%
OCHAVILLO, Zotico A. INDEPENDENT 1794 0.56%
MONTERON, Nelson B. INDEPENDENT 1133 0.35%
Statistics
Total number of Voters who actually voted 40690

Tagbilaran City Final National Election Result

2010-05-11T23:20:00.000-07:00

PRESIDENT of PHILIPPINES

Candidate Party Votes Percentage
AQUINO, Benigno Simeon III C. LIBERAL PARTY 18292 46.20%
ESTRADA EJERCITO, Joseph M. PWERSA NG MASANG PILIPINO 8935 22.57%
TEODORO, Gilberto Jr. C. LAKAS KABALIKAT NG MALAYANG PILIPINO CHRISTIAN MUSLIM DEMOCRATS 6804 17.18%
VILLAR, Manuel Jr B. NACIONALISTA PARTY 3308 8.35%
VILLANUEVA, Eduardo C. BANGON PILIPINAS 1215 3.07%
GORDON, Richard J. BAGUMBAYAN-VNP 564 1.42%
ACOSTA, Vetellano S. KILUSANG BAGONG LIPUNAN 292 0.74%
PERLAS, Jesus Nicanor P. INDEPENDENT 86 0.22%
DE LOS REYES, John Carlos G. ANG KAPATIRAN PARTY 57 0.14%
MADRIGAL, Jamby A. INDEPENDENT 43 0.11%
Statistics
Total number of Voters who actually voted 40690

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

VICE-PRESIDENT of PHILIPPINES

Candidate Party Votes Percentage
BINAY, Jejomar C. PARTIDO DEMOKRATIKO PILIPINO LAKAS NG BAYAN 20447 52.15%
ROXAS, Manuel A. LIBERAL PARTY 14653 37.37%
LEGARDA, Loren B. NATIONALIST PEOPLES COALITION 2176 5.55%
FERNANDO, Bayani F. BAGUMBAYAN-VNP 775 1.98%
MANZANO, Eduardo B. LAKAS KABALIKAT NG MALAYANG PILIPINO CHRISTIAN MUSLIM DEMOCRATS 560 1.43%
YASAY, Perfecto R. BANGON PILIPINAS 521 1.33%
SONZA, Jose Y. KILUSANG BAGONG LIPUNAN 46 0.12%
CHIPECO, Dominador Jr F. ANG KAPATIRAN PARTY 33 0.08%
Statistics
Total number of Voters who actually voted 40690

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SENATOR of PHILIPPINES

Candidate Party Votes Percentage
BONG REVILLA, Ramon, Jr. B. LAKAS KABALIKAT NG MALAYANG PILIPINO CHRISTIAN MUSLIM DEMOCRATS 21118 5.87%
DEFENSOR SANTIAGO, Miriam P. PEOPLES REFORM PARTY 19894 5.53%
DRILON, Franklin M. LIBERAL PARTY 19882 5.52%
ENRILE, Juan Ponce -. PWERSA NG MASANG PILIPINO 18454 5.13%
ESTRADA, Jinggoy E. PWERSA NG MASANG PILIPINO 18237 5.07%
OSMEÑA, Sergio III D. INDEPENDENT 16991 4.72%
CAYETANO, Pilar Juliana S. NACIONALISTA PARTY 16483 4.58%
RECTO, Ralph G. LIBERAL PARTY 16144 4.48%
ROCO, Sonia M. LIBERAL PARTY 14561 4.04%
GUINGONA , Teofisto III D. LIBERAL PARTY 12848 3.57%
ACOSTA, Jr. Nereus O. LIBERAL PARTY 12840 3.57%
HONTIVEROS-BARAQUEL, Ana LIBERAL PARTY 12630 3.51%
SOTTO , Vicente III C. NATIONALIST PEOPLES COALITION 12078 3.36%
DE VENECIA, Jose III P. PWERSA NG MASANG PILIPINO 11662 3.24%
LIM, Danilo D. INDEPENDENT 10663 2.96%
BIAZON, Rozzano Rufino B. LIBERAL PARTY 10326 2.87%
REMULLA, Gilbert Cesar C. NACIONALISTA PARTY 10088 2.80%
LAPID, Manuel M. LAKAS KABALIKAT NG MALAYANG PILIPINO CHRISTIAN MUSLIM DEMOCRATS 9534 2.65%
MARCOS, Ferdinand, Jr. R. NACIONALISTA PARTY 8545 2.37%
PIMENTEL, Gwendolyn D. PARTIDO DEMOKRATIKO PILIPINO LAKAS NG BAYAN 7973 2.21%
QUERUBIN, Ariel O. NACIONALISTA PARTY 7812 2.17%
OSMEÑA, Emilio Mario R. ABAG PROMDI 6130 1.70%
LACSON, Alexander L. LIBERAL PARTY 5967 1.66%
TATAD, Francisco S. GABAYBAYAN/GAD 5755 1.60%
LOZADA, Jose Apolinario Jr L. PWERSA NG MASANG PILIPINO 5142 1.43%
PLAZA, Rodolfo G. NATIONALIST PEOPLES COALITION 5073 1.41%
BELLO, Silvestre III H. LAKAS KABALIKAT NG MALAYANG PILIPINO CHRISTIAN MUSLIM DEMOCRATS 3737 1.04%
TAMANO, Adel A. NACIONALISTA PARTY 3486 0.97%
MITRA, Ramon B. NACIONALISTA PARTY 3233 0.90%
OPLE, Susan V. NACIONALISTA PARTY 3202 0.89%
MAZA, Liza L. INDEPENDENT 2805 0.78%
BAUTISTA, Martin D. LIBERAL PARTY 2397 0.67%
LAO, Yasmin B. LIBERAL PARTY 2309 0.64%
OCAMPO, Saturnino C. BAYAN MUNA 2197 0.61%
LANGIT, Rey M. LAKAS KABALIKAT NG MALAYANG PILIPINO CHRISTIAN MUSLIM DEMOCRATS 2168 0.60%
PAPIN, Imelda A. KILUSANG BAGONG LIPUNAN 1414 0.39%
BAUTISTA, J.V. L. PWERSA NG MASANG PILIPINO 1303 0.36%
MAAMBONG, Regalado E. KILUSANG BAGONG LIPUNAN 1288 0.36%
VILLANUEVA, Hector L. KILUSANG BAGONG LIPUNAN 1188 0.33%
GUICO, Ramon, Jr. N. LAKAS KABALIKAT NG MALAYANG PILIPINO CHRISTIAN MUSLIM DEMOCRATS 1173 0.33%
INOCENCIO, Ma. Katherine L. R. BANGON PILIPINAS 1135 0.32%
OCAMPO, Ramoncito P. BANGON PILIPINAS 1051 0.29%
LAMBINO, Raul L. LAKAS KABALIKAT NG MALAYANG PILIPINO CHRISTIAN MUSLIM DEMOCRATS 1023 0.28%
PALPARAN, Jovito Jr S. INDEPENDENT 914 0.25%
TAMAYO, Reginald B. ANG KAPATIRAN PARTY 683 0.19%
TINSAY, Alexander B. BANGON PILIPINAS 680 0.19%
PAREDES, Zosimo Jesus II M. ANG KAPATIRAN PARTY 675 0.19%
ALONTO, Zafrullah M. BANGON PILIPINAS 582 0.16%
IMBONG, Jo Aurea M. ANG KAPATIRAN PARTY 548 0.15%
VIRGINES, Israel N. BANGON PILIPINAS 548 0.15%
SISON, Adrian O. ANG KAPATIRAN PARTY 532 0.15%
ESPINOSA, Nanette M. KILUSANG BAGONG LIPUNAN 509 0.14%
DAVID, Rizalito Y. ANG KAPATIRAN PARTY 412 0.11%
PRINCESA, Reynaldo R. INDEPENDENT 404 0.11%
ALBANI, Shariff Ibrahim H. KILUSANG BAGONG LIPUNAN 379 0.11%
NIKABULIN, Adz G. BANGON PILIPINAS 364 0.10%
CAUNAN, Henry B. PARTIDO DEMOKRATIKO PILIPINO LAKAS NG BAYAN 199 0.06%
VALDEHUESA, Manuel Jr E. ANG KAPATIRAN PARTY 189 0.05%
LOOD, Alma A. KILUSANG BAGONG LIPUNAN 170 0.05%
RIÑOZA-PLAZO, Maria Gracia D. ANG KAPATIRAN PARTY 149 0.04%
TARRAZONA, Hector M. ANG KAPATIRAN PARTY 120 0.03%
Statistics
Total number of Voters who actually voted 40690

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PARTY LIST of PHILIPPINES

Candidate Party Votes Percentage
DEMOCRATIC INDEPENDENT WORKERS' ASSOCIATION, INC. DEMOCRATIC INDEPENDENT WORKERS' ASSOCIATION, INC. 2957 9.54%
COOPERATIVE NATCCO NETWORK PARTY COOPERATIVE NATCCO NETWORK PARTY 2896 9.34%
AKBAYAN! CITIZEN'S ACTION PARTY AKBAYAN! CITIZEN'S ACTION PARTY 1967 6.35%
COALITION OF ASSOCIATIONS OF SENIOR CITIZENS IN THE PHILIPPINES, INC. COALITION OF ASSOCIATIONS OF SENIOR CITIZENS IN THE PHILIPPINES, INC. 1683 5.43%
BUHAY HAYAAN YUMABONG BUHAY HAYAAN YUMABONG 1559 5.03%
ASSOCIATION OF LABORERS AND EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION OF LABORERS AND EMPLOYEES 1470 4.74%
GABRIELA WOMENS PARTY GABRIELA WOMENS PARTY 1423 4.59%
ADVOCACY FOR TEACHER EMPOWERMENT THROUGH ACTION COOPERATION AND HARMONY TOWARDS EDUCATIONAL REFORMS ADVOCACY FOR TEACHER EMPOWERMENT THROUGH ACTION COOPERATION AND HARMONY TOWARDS EDUCATIONAL REFORMS 1135 3.66%
LPG MARKETERS ASSOCIATION, INC. LPG MARKETERS ASSOCIATION, INC. 875 2.82%
BAYAN MUNA BAYAN MUNA 784 2.53%
ACT TEACHERS ACT TEACHERS 694 2.24%
ALLIANCE FOR NATIONALISM AND DEMOCRACY ALLIANCE FOR NATIONALISM AND DEMOCRACY 646 2.08%
CITIZENS' BATTLE AGAINST CORRUPTION CITIZENS' BATTLE AGAINST CORRUPTION 603 1.95%
CHAMPIONS FOR INNOVATIVE EMPLOYMENT CHAMPIONS FOR INNOVATIVE EMPLOYMENT 493 1.59%
KABATAAN PARTYLIST KABATAAN PARTYLIST 488 1.57%
ALYANSANG BAYANIHAN NG MGA MAGSASAKA, MANGGAGAWANG-BUKID AT MANGINGISDA ALYANSANG BAYANIHAN NG MGA MAGSASAKA, MANGGAGAWANG-BUKID AT MANGINGISDA 407 1.31%
ANAKPAWIS ANAKPAWIS 325 1.05%
PUWERSA NG BAYANING ATLETA PUWERSA NG BAYANING ATLETA 309 1.00%
1ST CONSUMERS ALLIANCE FOR RURAL ENERGY 1ST CONSUMERS ALLIANCE FOR RURAL ENERGY 279 0.90%
AGRICULTURAL SECTOR ALLIANCE OF THE PHILIPPINES, INC. AGRICULTURAL SECTOR ALLIANCE OF THE PHILIPPINES, INC. 270 0.87%
AKO BICOL POLITICAL PARTY AKO BICOL POLITICAL PARTY 256 0.83%
UNA ANG PAMILYA FORMERLY ALLIANCE OF NEO-CONSERVATIVES UNA ANG PAMILYA FORMERLY ALLIANCE OF NEO-CONSERVATIVES 256 0.83%
1-AKO BABAENG ASTIG AASENSO 1-AKO BABAENG ASTIG AASENSO 230 0.74%
ALLIANCE FOR RURAL CONCERNS ALLIANCE FOR RURAL CONCERNS 226 0.73%
ADHIKAING TINATAGUYOD NG KOOPERATIBA ADHIKAING TINATAGUYOD NG KOOPERATIBA 210 0.68%
WOMENPOWER, INC. WOMENPOWER, INC. 201 0.65%
AANGAT TAYO AANGAT TAYO 201 0.65%
ALYANSA NG MGA GRUPONG HALIGI NG AGHAM AT TEKNOLOHIYA PARA SA MAMAMAYAN, INC. ALYANSA NG MGA GRUPONG HALIGI NG AGHAM AT TEKNOLOHIYA PARA SA MAMAMAYAN, INC. 200 0.65%
AKBAY PINOY OFW-NATIONAL, INC. AKBAY PINOY OFW-NATIONAL, INC. 200 0.65%
ALLIANCE FOR BARANGAY CONCERNS PARTY ALLIANCE FOR BARANGAY CONCERNS PARTY 199 0.64%
ALYANSA NG OFW PARTY ALYANSA NG OFW PARTY 197 0.64%
ANG ASOSASYON SANG MANGUNGUMA NGA BISAYA-OWA MANGUNGUMA, INC. ANG ASOSASYON SANG MANGUNGUMA NGA BISAYA-OWA MANGUNGUMA, INC. 187 0.60%
ANG ASSOSIASYON NG MGA TRABAHADOR AT PAHINANTE ANG ASSOSIASYON NG MGA TRABAHADOR AT PAHINANTE 179 0.58%
BAGONG HENERASYON BAGONG HENERASYON 175 0.56%
VETERANS FREEDOM PARTY VETERANS FREEDOM PARTY 164 0.53%
ANG TAGAPAGTAGUYOD NG SIKAP SA IKAUUNLAD NG MGA PINOY ANG TAGAPAGTAGUYOD NG SIKAP SA IKAUUNLAD NG MGA PINOY 163 0.53%
BAGONG BAYAN NA NAGTATAGUYOD NG DEMOKRATIKONG IDEOLOHIYA AT LAYUNIN BAGONG BAYAN NA NAGTATAGUYOD NG DEMOKRATIKONG IDEOLOHIYA AT LAYUNIN 162 0.52%
ANGAT ATING KABUHAYAN PILIPINAS, INC. ANGAT ATING KABUHAYAN PILIPINAS, INC. 160 0.52%
CONFEDERATION OF NON-STOCK SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATIONS, INC. CONFEDERATION OF NON-STOCK SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATIONS, INC. 156 0.50%
ANG KALUSUGAN PARA SA PINOY, INC. ANG KALUSUGAN PARA SA PINOY, INC. 148 0.48%
BABAE PARA SA KAUNLARAN BABAE PARA SA KAUNLARAN 147 0.47%
THE TRUE MARCOS LOYALIST (FOR GOD COUNTRY and PEOPLE) ASSOCIATION OF THE PHIL., INC. THE TRUE MARCOS LOYALIST (FOR GOD COUNTRY and PEOPLE) ASSOCIATION OF THE PHIL., INC. 145 0.47%
AKAP BATA, INC. AKAP BATA, INC. 141 0.45%
1-UNITED TRANSPORT KOALISYON 1-UNITED TRANSPORT KOALISYON 141 0.45%
BUTIL FARMERS PARTY BUTIL FARMERS PARTY 138 0.45%
KATIPUNAN NG MGA ANAK NG BAYAN ALL FILIPINO DEMOCRATIC MOVEMENT KATIPUNAN NG MGA ANAK NG BAYAN ALL FILIPINO DEMOCRATIC MOVEMENT 134 0.43%
BARANGAY NATIN BARANGAY NATIN 132 0.43%
TRADE UNION CONGRESS PARTY TRADE UNION CONGRESS PARTY 131 0.42%
ALAY BUHAY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION, INC. ALAY BUHAY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION, INC. 125 0.40%
ONE ADVOCACY FOR HEALTH, PROGRESS AND OPPORTUNITY ONE ADVOCACY FOR HEALTH, PROGRESS AND OPPORTUNITY 116 0.37%
ACTION LEAGUE OF INDIGENOUS MASSES ACTION LEAGUE OF INDIGENOUS MASSES 115 0.37%
ALLIANCE OF PEOPLE'S ORGANIZATIONS ALLIANCE OF PEOPLE'S ORGANIZATIONS 109 0.35%
ATONG PAGLAUM ATONG PAGLAUM 104 0.34%
KABALIKAT NG MAMAMAYAN KABALIKAT NG MAMAMAYAN 103 0.33%
AKO AYOKO SA BAWAL NA DROGA AKO AYOKO SA BAWAL NA DROGA 101 0.33%
ACTION BROTHERHOOD FOR ACTIVE DREAMERS, INC. ACTION BROTHERHOOD FOR ACTIVE DREAMERS, INC. 97 0.31%
ANG LADLAD LBGT PARTY ANG LADLAD LBGT PARTY 96 0.31%
UGNAYAN NG NAGKAKAISANG LAYUNIN AT ADHIKAING DAKILA UGNAYAN NG NAGKAKAISANG LAYUNIN AT ADHIKAING DAKILA 95 0.31%
COCOFED-PHILIPPINE COCONUT PRODUCERS FEDERATION, INC. COCOFED-PHILIPPINE COCONUT PRODUCERS FEDERATION, INC. 93 0.30%
AGILA NG KATUTUBONG PILIPINO, INC. AGILA NG KATUTUBONG PILIPINO, INC. 92 0.30%
KALINGA-ADVOCACY FOR SOCIAL EMPOWERMENT AND NATION BUILDING THROUGH EASING POVERTY, INC. KALINGA-ADVOCACY FOR SOCIAL EMPOWERMENT AND NATION BUILDING THROUGH EASING POVERTY, INC. 88 0.28%
KASANGGA SA KAUNLARAN, INC. KASANGGA SA KAUNLARAN, INC. 88 0.28%
PASANG MASDA NATIONWIDE, INC. PASANG MASDA NATIONWIDE, INC. 88 0.28%
ALLIANCE OF ASSOCIATIONS OF ACCREDITED WORKERS IN THE WATER SECTOR ALLIANCE OF ASSOCIATIONS OF ACCREDITED WORKERS IN THE WATER SECTOR 87 0.28%
ABAKADA GURO ABAKADA GURO 81 0.26%
ASSOCIATION OF PHILIPPINE ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES ASSOCIATION OF PHILIPPINE ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES 77 0.25%
ANG KAPISANAN NG MGA SEAMAN ANG KAPISANAN NG MGA SEAMAN 74 0.24%
PARTIDO NG MANGGAGAWA PARTIDO NG MANGGAGAWA 72 0.23%
AHON PINOY AHON PINOY 70 0.23%
AGBIAG! TIMPUYOG ILOCANO, INC. AGBIAG! TIMPUYOG ILOCANO, INC. 67 0.22%
ADHIKAIN AT KILUSAN NG ORDINARYONG TAO PARA SA LUPA, HANAPBUHAY AT KAUNLARAN ADHIKAIN AT KILUSAN NG ORDINARYONG TAO PARA SA LUPA, HANAPBUHAY AT KAUNLARAN 65 0.21%
PILIPINO ASSOCIATION FOR COUNTRY - URBAN-POOR YOUTH ADVANCEMENT AND WELFARE PILIPINO ASSOCIATION FOR COUNTRY - URBAN-POOR YOUTH ADVANCEMENT AND WELFARE 64 0.21%
AGRI-AGRA NA REPORMA PARA SA MAGSASAKA NG PILIPINAS MOVEMENT AGRI-AGRA NA REPORMA PARA SA MAGSASAKA NG PILIPINAS MOVEMENT 64 0.21%
BAYANI BAYANI 63 0.20%
KAUNLARAN NG AGRIKULTURA, ASENSADONG PROBINSYA ANGAT NG BAYAN KAUNLARAN NG AGRIKULTURA, ASENSADONG PROBINSYA ANGAT NG BAYAN 62 0.20%
ASOSASYON NG MGA MALILIIT NA NEGOSYANTENG GUMAGANAP ASOSASYON NG MGA MALILIIT NA NEGOSYANTENG GUMAGANAP 62 0.20%
ANG TAO MUNA AT BAYAN ANG TAO MUNA AT BAYAN 59 0.19%
1GUARDIANS NATIONALIST OF THE PHILIPPINES, INC. 1GUARDIANS NATIONALIST OF THE PHILIPPINES, INC. 59 0.19%
A BLESSED FEDERATION OF FARMERS AND FISHERMEN INTERNATIONAL, INC. A BLESSED FEDERATION OF FARMERS AND FISHERMEN INTERNATIONAL, INC. 57 0.18%
BIYAYANG BUKID BIYAYANG BUKID 57 0.18%
VENDORS AND TRADERS ALLIANCE OF PHILIPPINES PARTY VENDORS AND TRADERS ALLIANCE OF PHILIPPINES PARTY 57 0.18%
KASOSYO PRODUCER-CONSUMER EXCHANGE ASSOCIATION, INC. KASOSYO PRODUCER-CONSUMER EXCHANGE ASSOCIATION, INC. 57 0.18%
ABANTE KATUTUBO , INC. ABANTE KATUTUBO , INC. 55 0.18%
ADHIKAING ALAY NG MARINO SA SAMBAYANAN, INC. ADHIKAING ALAY NG MARINO SA SAMBAYANAN, INC. 54 0.17%
AN WARAY AN WARAY 53 0.17%
BAGONG KOALISYON NG NAGKAKAISANG SAMAHAN SA SEKTOR NG TRANSPORTASYON BAGONG KOALISYON NG NAGKAKAISANG SAMAHAN SA SEKTOR NG TRANSPORTASYON 52 0.17%
GREEN FORCE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT-SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF MOTHER EARTH GREEN FORCE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT-SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF MOTHER EARTH 51 0.16%
YES WE CAN, INC. YES WE CAN, INC. 50 0.16%
AABANTE EMMANUEL CIVIC ASSOCIATION AABANTE EMMANUEL CIVIC ASSOCIATION 48 0.15%
SAGIP KAPWA FOUNDATION, INC. SAGIP KAPWA FOUNDATION, INC. 48 0.15%
UNITED FILIPINO SEAFARERS UNITED FILIPINO SEAFARERS 47 0.15%
NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR COMMUTERS PROTECTION NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR COMMUTERS PROTECTION 47 0.15%
ADVOCATES FOR SPECIAL CHILDREN AND HANDICAPPED MOVEMENT ADVOCATES FOR SPECIAL CHILDREN AND HANDICAPPED MOVEMENT 46 0.15%
AKAP KAPATIRAN PARA SA TANGKILIKAN NG MGA OBRERO AKAP KAPATIRAN PARA SA TANGKILIKAN NG MGA OBRERO 46 0.15%
ASSOCIATION FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS ADVOCAY IN LEADERSHIP ASSOCIATION FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS ADVOCAY IN LEADERSHIP 46 0.15%
ALAGAAN NATIN ATING KALUSUGAN ALAGAAN NATIN ATING KALUSUGAN 45 0.15%
ALLIANCE OF BELIEVERS BRIDGE IN ATTAINING ACCURATE AND MEANINGFUL ADVANCEMENT ALLIANCE OF BELIEVERS BRIDGE IN ATTAINING ACCURATE AND MEANINGFUL ADVANCEMENT 44 0.14%
ALAGAD PARTY-LIST ALAGAD PARTY-LIST 43 0.14%
PAMILYANG OFW-SME NETWORK FOUNDATION PAMILYANG OFW-SME NETWORK FOUNDATION 40 0.13%
PARENTS ENABLING PARENTS COALITION PARTY PARENTS ENABLING PARENTS COALITION PARTY 39 0.13%
BIYAHENG PINOY LABOR ASSOCIATION, INC. BIYAHENG PINOY LABOR ASSOCIATION, INC. 39 0.13%
ANG MATA'Y ALAGAAN ANG MATA'Y ALAGAAN 39 0.13%
ARTS BUSINESS AND SCIENCE PROFESSIONALS ARTS BUSINESS AND SCIENCE PROFESSIONALS 38 0.12%
ADVOCATES FOR PENOLOGY ENHANCEMENT AND LEGAL ASSISTANCE ADVOCATES FOR PENOLOGY ENHANCEMENT AND LEGAL ASSISTANCE 38 0.12%
KAPATIRAN NG MGA NAKULONG NA WALANG SALA KAPATIRAN NG MGA NAKULONG NA WALANG SALA 36 0.12%
ASSOCIATION OF ADMINISTRATORS, PROFESSIONALS AND SENIORS ASSOCIATION OF ADMINISTRATORS, PROFESSIONALS AND SENIORS 35 0.11%
ALLIANCE OF NATIONAL URBAN POOR ORGANIZATIONS ASSEMBLY, INC. ALLIANCE OF NATIONAL URBAN POOR ORGANIZATIONS ASSEMBLY, INC. 31 0.10%
KABABAIHANG LINGKOD BAYAN SA PILIPINAS KABABAIHANG LINGKOD BAYAN SA PILIPINAS 31 0.10%
ALLIANCE FOR COMMUNITY TRANSFORMATION AND SERVICE ALLIANCE FOR COMMUNITY TRANSFORMATION AND SERVICE 30 0.10%
KALAHI SECTORAL PARTY KALAHI SECTORAL PARTY 28 0.09%
YOU AGAINST CORRUPTION AND POVERTY YOU AGAINST CORRUPTION AND POVERTY 28 0.09%
ALYANSA NG MEDIA AT SHOWBIZ ALYANSA NG MEDIA AT SHOWBIZ 26 0.08%
ABANTE MINDANAO, INC. ABANTE MINDANAO, INC. 25 0.08%
1-AANI 1-AANI 25 0.08%
ALLIANCE OF ADVOCATES IN MINING ADVANCEMENT FOR NATIONAL PROGRESS ALLIANCE OF ADVOCATES IN MINING ADVANCEMENT FOR NATIONAL PROGRESS 24 0.08%
ALLIANCE FOR RURAL AND AGRARIAN RECONSTRUCTION, INC. ALLIANCE FOR RURAL AND AGRARIAN RECONSTRUCTION, INC. 23 0.07%
AKBAY KALUSUGAN, INC. AKBAY KALUSUGAN, INC. 23 0.07%
1-AANGAT KA PILIPINO 1-AANGAT KA PILIPINO 23 0.07%
FREE WORKERS FREE WORKERS 22 0.07%
ABOT TANAW ABOT TANAW 19 0.06%
ANG LABAN NG INDIGONG FILIPINO ANG LABAN NG INDIGONG FILIPINO 19 0.06%
ABANTE TRIBUNG MAKABANSA ABANTE TRIBUNG MAKABANSA 18 0.06%
A CONVERGENCE FOR MINDANAO AGENDA, INC. A CONVERGENCE FOR MINDANAO AGENDA, INC. 18 0.06%
PRO-ACTIVE ON CLIMATE CHANGE LEADERS, INC. PRO-ACTIVE ON CLIMATE CHANGE LEADERS, INC. 17 0.05%
ALLIANCE OF REGIONAL COALITIONS AGAINST PEOPLE'S POVERTY, INC. ALLIANCE OF REGIONAL COALITIONS AGAINST PEOPLE'S POVERTY, INC. 16 0.05%
SOCIAL MOVEMENT FOR ACTIVE REFORM AND TRANSPARENCY SOCIAL MOVEMENT FOR ACTIVE REFORM AND TRANSPARENCY 16 0.05%
ALLIANCE OF MINDANAO ELDERS ALLIANCE OF MINDANAO ELDERS 15 0.05%
ALLIANCE FRO PHILIPPINES SECURITY GUARDS COOPERATIVE ALLIANCE FRO PHILIPPINES SECURITY GUARDS COOPERATIVE 15 0.05%
BAGO NATIONAL CULTURAL SOCIETY OF THE PHILIPPINES BAGO NATIONAL CULTURAL SOCIETY OF THE PHILIPPINES 15 0.05%
ABANTE ILONGGO ABANTE ILONGGO 15 0.05%
ANGKAN KATUTUBO, INC. ANGKAN KATUTUBO, INC. 15 0.05%
DAMAYAN ALLIANCE OF THE AGING and DISABLED FILIPINOS, INC. DAMAYAN ALLIANCE OF THE AGING and DISABLED FILIPINOS, INC. 14 0.05%
ALMA SA PAGKAHIKAOS AT IGNORANSIYA ALMA SA PAGKAHIKAOS AT IGNORANSIYA 13 0.04%
BINHI: PARTIDO NG MGA MAGSASAKA PARA SA MGA MAGSASAKA BINHI: PARTIDO NG MGA MAGSASAKA PARA SA MGA MAGSASAKA 13 0.04%
ONE NATION EMPOWERED BY TECHNOLOGY ONE NATION EMPOWERED BY TECHNOLOGY 13 0.04%
ABONO ABONO 13 0.04%
COCONUT FARMERS ASSOCIATION OF LINAMON, LANAO DEL NORTE, INC. COCONUT FARMERS ASSOCIATION OF LINAMON, LANAO DEL NORTE, INC. 13 0.04%
FIRST PEOPLE'S REPRESENTATIVE FOR INDIGENT STUDENT ATHLETES FIRST PEOPLE'S REPRESENTATIVE FOR INDIGENT STUDENT ATHLETES 12 0.04%
PARTIDO NG KATUTUBONG PILIPINO PARTIDO NG KATUTUBONG PILIPINO 12 0.04%
SECTORAL PARTY OF ANG MINERO (ANG MINERO) SECTORAL PARTY OF ANG MINERO (ANG MINERO) 12 0.04%
ANAK MINDANAO ANAK MINDANAO 12 0.04%
KOALISYON NG KATUTUBONG SAMAHAN NG PILIPINAS KOALISYON NG KATUTUBONG SAMAHAN NG PILIPINAS 12 0.04%
ALLIANCE OF VOLUNTEER EDUCATORS ALLIANCE OF VOLUNTEER EDUCATORS 11 0.04%
KATRIBU INDIGENOUS PEOPLE'S SECTORAL PARTY KATRIBU INDIGENOUS PEOPLE'S SECTORAL PARTY 11 0.04%
AKO AGILA SA NAGKAISANG MAGSASAKA AKO AGILA SA NAGKAISANG MAGSASAKA 11 0.04%
YOUTH LEAGUE FOR PEACE AND ADVANCEMENT YOUTH LEAGUE FOR PEACE AND ADVANCEMENT 11 0.04%
ACTION FOR DYNAMIC DEVELOPMENT, INC. ACTION FOR DYNAMIC DEVELOPMENT, INC. 9 0.03%
KABUKLURAN NG MGA KABABAIHANG FILIPINA SA TIMOG KATAGALUGAN KABUKLURAN NG MGA KABABAIHANG FILIPINA SA TIMOG KATAGALUGAN 9 0.03%
ADHIKAIN NG MGA DAKILANG ANAK MAHARLIKA ADHIKAIN NG MGA DAKILANG ANAK MAHARLIKA 9 0.03%
ALLIANCE AND ADVOCATES FOR SENIOR CITIZENS' AFFAIRS ALLIANCE AND ADVOCATES FOR SENIOR CITIZENS' AFFAIRS 9 0.03%
ALAY SA BAYAN NG MALAYANG PROPESYONAL AT REPORMANG KALAKAL ALAY SA BAYAN NG MALAYANG PROPESYONAL AT REPORMANG KALAKAL 9 0.03%
AKSYON MAGSASAKA PARTIDO TINIG NG MASA AKSYON MAGSASAKA PARTIDO TINIG NG MASA 8 0.03%
ITENERANT VENDORS ALLIANCE OF THE PHILIPPINES ITENERANT VENDORS ALLIANCE OF THE PHILIPPINES 8 0.03%
1ST KABALIKAT NG BAYAN GINHAWANG SANGKATAUHAN 1ST KABALIKAT NG BAYAN GINHAWANG SANGKATAUHAN 8 0.03%
UNITED MOVEMENT AGAINST DRUGS FOUNDATION, INC. UNITED MOVEMENT AGAINST DRUGS FOUNDATION, INC. 8 0.03%
ALLIANCE TRANSPORT SECTOR ALLIANCE TRANSPORT SECTOR 7 0.02%
ANG PARTIDO DEMOKRATIKO RURAL ANG PARTIDO DEMOKRATIKO RURAL 7 0.02%
ALYANSA LUMAD, INC. ALYANSA LUMAD, INC. 7 0.02%
UNITED CADDIES AND GREEN KEEPERS ASSOCIATION OF THE PHILIPPINES UNITED CADDIES AND GREEN KEEPERS ASSOCIATION OF THE PHILIPPINES 7 0.02%
AGAPAY NG INDIGENOUS PEOPLES RIGHTS ALLIANCE, INC. AGAPAY NG INDIGENOUS PEOPLES RIGHTS ALLIANCE, INC. 7 0.02%
ABANG LINGKOD, INC. ABANG LINGKOD, INC. 6 0.02%
AKSYON NG MAMAMAYANG NAGKAKAISA AKSYON NG MAMAMAYANG NAGKAKAISA 6 0.02%
FIRM 24-K ASSOCIATION, INC. FIRM 24-K ASSOCIATION, INC. 6 0.02%
ANTI WAR / ANTI TERROR MINDANAO PEACE MOVEMENT ANTI WAR / ANTI TERROR MINDANAO PEACE MOVEMENT 6 0.02%
PEOPLES FREEDOM PARTY PEOPLES FREEDOM PARTY 5 0.02%
ALLIANCE OF BICOLNON PARTY ALLIANCE OF BICOLNON PARTY 5 0.02%
FILIPINO MUSLIM ORGANIZATION FILIPINO MUSLIM ORGANIZATION 5 0.02%
ABANTE BICOL ORAGON INC. ABANTE BICOL ORAGON INC. 4 0.01%
CITIZEN POWER MOVEMENT, INC. CITIZEN POWER MOVEMENT, INC. 4 0.01%
ALAY SERBISYO (WORKERS IN THE INFORMAL SECTOR ECONOMY) ALAY SERBISYO (WORKERS IN THE INFORMAL SECTOR ECONOMY) 4 0.01%
ANG AGRIKULTURA NATIN ISULONG ANG AGRIKULTURA NATIN ISULONG 4 0.01%
SULONG! BARANGAY MOVEMENT SULONG! BARANGAY MOVEMENT 4 0.01%
ORGANIZATION OF REGIONAL ADVOCATES FOR GOOD GOVERNANCE ONWARD NATION-BUILDING ORGANIZATION OF REGIONAL ADVOCATES FOR GOOD GOVERNANCE ONWARD NATION-BUILDING 3 0.01%
ANG GALING PINOY ANG GALING PINOY 3 0.01%
ALYANSA LUMAD MINDANAO, INC. ALYANSA LUMAD MINDANAO, INC. 3 0.01%
ALLIANCE OF VIGILANT PROTECTORS OF AQUATIC PRODUCTS ALLIANCE OF VIGILANT PROTECTORS OF AQUATIC PRODUCTS 3 0.01%
BATANG IWAS SA DROGA FOUNDATION, INC. BATANG IWAS SA DROGA FOUNDATION, INC. 2 0.01%
ANG SAMAHAN PARA SA MAGANDANG KABUHAYAN ANG SAMAHAN PARA SA MAGANDANG KABUHAYAN 2 0.01%
ALYANSA NG MAMAMAYANG NAGHIHIRAP ALYANSA NG MAMAMAYANG NAGHIHIRAP 2 0.01%
BIGKIS PINOY MOVEMENT BIGKIS PINOY MOVEMENT 2 0.01%
AGRARIAN DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION AGRARIAN DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION 1 0.00%
ALYANSA NG MGA NAULILA NG MGA TAGAPAGTANGGOL NG BAYAN ALYANSA NG MGA NAULILA NG MGA TAGAPAGTANGGOL NG BAYAN 1 0.00%
ACTION FOR DEMOCRACY AND DEVELOPMENT FOR- THE TRIBAL PEOPLE ACTION FOR DEMOCRACY AND DEVELOPMENT FOR- THE TRIBAL PEOPLE 1 0.00%
BINIGKIS NA INTERES NG MGA DRAYBER SA ADHIKAIN, INC. BINIGKIS NA INTERES NG MGA DRAYBER SA ADHIKAIN, INC. 0 0.00%
ANG NATIONAL COALITION ON INDIGENOUS PEOPLE'S ACTION ANG NATIONAL COALITION ON INDIGENOUS PEOPLE'S ACTION 0 0.00%
SMALL FARMERS AND LAND TILLERS ASSOCIATION OF THE PHILIPPINES SMALL FARMERS AND LAND TILLERS ASSOCIATION OF THE PHILIPPINES 0 0.00%
ALLIANCE OF NATIONALISTIC AND GENUINE PROGRAM FOR AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT TOWARDS ECONOMIC REFORM ALLIANCE OF NATIONALISTIC AND GENUINE PROGRAM FOR AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT TOWARDS ECONOMIC REFORM 0 0.00%
Statistics
Total number of Voters who actually voted 40690

National Election Results (As of May 12)

2010-05-11T22:37:00.000-07:00

PRESIDENT
Source:

PPCRV 9:05 a.m.May 12, 2010 (Votes from 88.6% of clustered precincts)

Comelec 6:15 a.m. May 11, 2010 (Votes from 78% of clustered precincts)
PPCRV COMELEC
1. AQUINO, Benigno Simeon III C. 13,592,809 12,223,002
2. ESTRADA EJERCITO, Joseph M. 8,616,212 7,749,597
3. VILLAR, Manuel Jr B. 4,919,314 4,329,215
4. TEODORO, Gilberto Jr. C. 3,624,820 3,243,688
5. VILLANUEVA, Eduardo C. 1,010,756 916,543
6. GORDON, Richard J. 461,997 431,954
7. PERLAS, Jesus Nicanor P 48,336 42,205
8. MADRIGAL, Jamby A. 41,520 37,119
9. DE LOs REYES, John Carlos G. 39,521 34,833

VICE PRESIDENT
PPCRV COMELEC
1. BINAY, Jejomar C. 13,265,186 12,025,429
2. ROXAS, Manuel A. 12,470,420 11,213,563
3. LEGARDA, Loren B. 3,725,984 3,259,963
4. FERNANDO, Bayani F. 925,992 847,100
5. MANZANO, Eduardo B. 696,145 593,653
6. YASAY, Perfecto R. 326,533 295,558
7. SONZA, Jose Y 56,863 50,702
8. CHIPECO, Jesus Nicanor P 46,742 40,335

SENATORS
PPCRV COMELEC
1. BONG REVILLA, Ramon Jr. B. 17,504,237 15,813,329
2. ESTRADA, Jinggoy E. 17,110,493 15,567,636
3. DEFENSOR-SANTIAGO, Miriam P. 15,607,404 14,303,901
4. DRILON, Franklin M. 14,367,830 13,088,779
5. ENRILE, Juan Ponce 14,154,578 12,934,515
6. CAYETANO, Pilar Juliana S. 12.401,747 11,331,676
7. MARCOS, Ferdinand Jr. R. 11,928,704 10,300,495
8. RECTO, Ralph G. 11,308,480 10,208,616
9. SOTTO, Vicente III C. 10,751,224 9,952,406
10. OSMENA, Sergio III D. 10,542,996 9,547,093
11. LAPID, Manuel M. 9,867,268 8,916,136
12. GUINGONA, Teofisto III D. 9,328,369 8,493,334
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=574482&publicationSubCategoryId=200

Maguindanao Tally

2010-05-11T04:35:00.000-07:00

Governor
1 MANGUDADATU, Esmael G. 92,562
2 MIDTIMBANG, Midpantao M. 46,097
3 SINSUAT, Datu Ombra Q. 85,601

Vice-Governor
1 ABUTAZIL, Shaydee A. 2,611
2 AMPATUAN, Andal Sr S. 88,386
3 CANDAO, Ma-Arouph B. 11,590
4 MASTURA, Ismael V. 105,585

MEMBER, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES of MAGUINDANAO - FIRST LEGDIST
1 DILANGALEN, Didagen P. 52,837
2 SEMA, Bai Sandra A. 65,323

MEMBER, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES of MAGUINDANAO - SECOND LEGDIST
1 DATUMANONG, Simeon A. 93,941

Bacoor Cavite Tally as of 2010-05-11 10:19:28 81.20% of ERs

2010-05-11T04:28:00.000-07:00

Mayor
1 CASTILLO, Alexander M. 1,420
2 CASTILLO, Jessie B. 16,597
3 REVILLA, Strike B. 60,906
Vice-Mayor
1 FERNANDO, Rosette M. 57,094
2 ORTIZ, Ma. Magdalena G. 16,152
MEMBER, SANGGUNIANG BAYAN of CAVITE - BACOOR - LONE DIST
1 ALBA, Benito T. 7,856
2 ANTONIO, Angelito D. 6,439
3 CAMPAÑA, Jeffrey P. 19,627
4 DE CASTRO, Venus D. 39,651
5 DE LEON, Bayani M. 35,067
6 ENRIQUEZ, Saturnino Jr. F. 18,647
7 FABIAN, Reynaldo M. 41,546
8 GAWARAN, Edwin G. 47,183
9 JAPSON, Jose Herminio F. 2,681
10 LARA, Peter Simon C. 18,084
11 MANALILI, James Donald L. 25,854
12 MIRA, Eliseo G. 4,116
13 NAVARRETE, Raul M. 16,774
14 OCAMPO, Fernan F. 18,092
15 PALABRICA, Reynaldo D. 37,903
16 REYES, Nicomedes B. 8,422
17 SAN MIGUEL, Janairo C. 37,510
18 SAPANGHILA, Jaime A. 37,270
19 SAQUITAN, Roberto J. 18,427
20 SARTE, Ricardo Jr F. 13,193
21 SOLIS, Avelino B. 46,425

Pampanga Tally as of 2010-05-11 09:31:14 80.26% of ERs

2010-05-11T04:26:00.000-07:00

Governor
1 OCAMPO, Ricardo Sr. S. 8,773
2 PANLILIO, Eddie T. 223,250
3 PINEDA, Lilia G. 450,471

Vice-Governor
1 GUIAO, Joseller M. 363,269
2 LAZATIN, Marcos Jose T. 242,336

MEMBER, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES of PAMPANGA - FIRST LEGDIST
1 BACANI, Luisito N. 3,236
2 LAZATIN, Carmelo F. 135,834
3 YABUT, Ares Y. 32,162

MEMBER, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES of PAMPANGA - FOURTH LEGDIST
1 BONDOC, Anna York P. 125,677
2 MAGLANQUE, Rene E. 80,806

MEMBER, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES of PAMPANGA - SECOND LEGDIST
1 MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, Gloria M. 157,477
2 SAMPANG, Filipinas Rosario D. 6,630
3 SERRANO, Feliciano G. 3,360
4 SIMPAO, Adonis F. 19,394

MEMBER, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES of PAMPANGA - THIRD LEGDIST
1 GONZALES, Aurelio Jr. D. 183,830
2 QUIWA, Jose III D. 22,972
3 SANTOS, Amado D. 2,306

Lemery Batangas Tally as of 2010-05-11 09:31:14 80.26% of ERs

2010-05-11T04:23:00.000-07:00

Mayor
1 ALILIO, Eulalio M. 23,078
2 ORNALES, Geraldine C. 14,267
Vice-Mayor
1 BENDAÑA, Jayvee C. 16,090
2 SOLIS, Honorlito B. 20,486
MEMBER, SANGGUNIANG BAYAN of BATANGAS - LEMERY - LONE DIST
1 ANDAL, Jose Jr C. 14,806
2 BELLO, Christopher J M. 17,857
3 CUEVAS, Nestor D. 11,143
4 DE CASTRO, Rodoldo Jr. A. 16,843
5 DELA LUNA, Romeo T. 14,778
6 DELA ROSA, Juanito L. 15,694
7 ENDOZO, Noriel C. 13,273
8 HOLGADO, Herberto A. 15,818
9 LEYBA, Candido H Jr M. 11,655
10 MARCELLANA, Dante C. 15,337
11 ORLINA, Bienvenido L. 6,133
12 RAZON, Renwick B. 11,566
13 ROSALES, Ma Simonette G. 16,714
14 TERANIA, Floraida C. 8,660
15 VERGARA, Vincent U. 16,959
16 VIDAL, Melecio A. 16,254
17 VILALE, Jerry C. 12,309

Taal Batangas Tally as of 2010-05-11 09:31:14 80.26% of ERs

2010-05-11T04:20:00.000-07:00

Mayor
1 ALBUFERA, Jovito M. 10,594
2 BAUTISTA, Eduardo C. 464
3 MONTENEGRO, Michael D. 12,828
4 VILLAMIN, Aida C. 185
Vice-Mayor
1 ALCANTARA, Severiano C. 9,032
2 ESTACIO, Oswaldo V. 765
3 MERCADO, Fulgencio I. 13,312
MEMBER, SANGGUNIANG BAYAN of BATANGAS - TAAL - LONE DIST
1 ALCAZAR, Eleseo M. 1,405
2 ALVAREZ, Edward E. 14,162
3 ATIENZA, Danilo B. 699
4 BALEROS, Randy V. 8,148
5 BAUTISTA, Ruth D. 4,314
6 BONSOL, Dante Jr. M. 1,837
7 CARAOS, Arnold C. 1,587
8 CASANOVA, Marita B. 5,926
9 DAWIS, Ronnel M. 8,037
10 DE CASTRO, Krystel D. 4,904
11 DELOS REYES, Azucena M. 1,787
12 DE VILLA, Manuelito B. 4,212
13 DIMAANO, Jose V. 1,374
14 FRANCISCO, Zoraida M. 4,222
15 GARCIA, Elmer C. 3,328
16 LASCANO, Erwin M. 5,068
17 LASCANO, Ma. Christina B. 1,982
18 LAVILLA, Renato A. 3,817
19 LEGASPI, Federico B. 9,042
20 LEONOR, Elizalde P. 5,722
21 MANIMTIM, Virgilio Jr. I. 7,935
22 MENDOZA, Larry G. 1,637
23 MERCADO, Jayson B. 5,186
24 RAMIREZ, Emma A. 4,713
25 REYES, Davidson B. 1,074
26 REYES, Emerson B. 8,345
27 REYES, Erwin Jr. I. 9,145
28 REYES, Oscar S. 385
29 SAMSON, Roberto E. 4,338
30 SEMAÑA, Cristeta C. 5,391
31 VERTUCIO, Johnny A. 5,907
32 VILLANUEVA, Ricky B. 8,879

Batangas Regional Election Results Tally as of 2010-05-11 09:31:14 80.26% of ERs

2010-05-11T04:14:00.000-07:00

Governor
1 MANDANAS, SR., Marcos M. 12,188
2 PLATERO, Gaudioso O. 1,613
3 RECTO, Rosa Vilma S. 566,941
4 SANCHEZ, Armando C. 367,573
Back to Top
Vice-Governor
1 ERMITA , Edwin R. 248,325
2 LEVISTE, Jose Antonio II S. 627,838
Back to Top
MEMBER, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES of BATANGAS - FIRST LEGDIST
1 APACIBLE , Tomas V. 116,357
2 ERMITA, Eduardo R. 97,207
Back to Top
MEMBER, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES of BATANGAS - FOURTH LEGDIST
1 BUSTAMANTE, Praxedes D. 13,753
2 MENDOZA, Mark Llandro L. 236,924
Back to Top
MEMBER, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES of BATANGAS - SECOND LEGDIST
1 BERBERABE, Godofredo M. 83,185
2 MANDANAS, Hermilando I. 147,162
Back to Top
MEMBER, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES of BATANGAS - THIRD LEGDIST
1 COLLANTES, Nelson P. 62,118
2 DIMAYUGA, Ma. Chona M. 48,362
3 HERNANDEZ, Nicomedes F. 8,262
4 LAUREL, Luis Carlos R. 33,059
5 REYES, Cristeta C. 54,354
6 REYES, Rodrigo C. 20,676

CITY OF MAKATI as of 2010-05-11 09:31:14 - 80.26% of ERs

2010-05-11T04:10:00.000-07:00

MEMBER, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES of NCR - CITY OF MAKATI - FIRST LEGDIST
1 BARBERS, Robert Dean S. 25,322
2 CARBONELL, Oswaldo A. 644
3 IBAY, Oscar M. 14,551
4 LAGDAMEO, Monique Yazmin M Q. 41,023
5 LOCSIN, Maria Lourdes B. 40,536
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MEMBER, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES of NCR - CITY OF MAKATI - SECOND LEGDIST
1 ASPILLAGA, Ernesto A. 35,497
2 BINAY, Mar-Len Abigail S. 81,475
3 MONTES, John C M. 13,402
Back to Top
Mayor
1 AQUINO, Agapito A. 5,605
2 BINAY, Jejomar E Jr S. 122,050
3 GENUINO, Erwin F. 59,225
4 MERCADO, Ernesto S. 77,710
5 TAGALOG, Edmundo H. 244
Back to Top
Vice-Mayor
1 BALLELOS, Manuel Jr E. 1,451
2 PEÑA, Romulo Jr. V. 102,958
3 PUNO, Enrico D. 90,700
4 SALVADOR, Jobelle S. 34,305
5 YABUT, Miguel Jr B. 22,762
Back to Top
MEMBER, SANGGUNIANG PANLUNGSOD of NCR - CITY OF MAKATI - FIRST DIST
1 BASCON, Feliciano P. 5,313
2 BATALLA, Virgilio R. 18,583
3 BONDAL, Renato L. 28,597
4 CASAL-UY, Marie A S. 47,785
5 DADULA, Pedro P. 13,635
6 DELA CRUZ, Rodelio L. 12,408
7 DEL ROSARIO III, Manuel M T. 47,273
8 ENCISO, Glenn C. 28,665
9 ESTRELLA, Ferdinand V. 42,732
10 EUSEBIO, Ferdinand T. 57,759
11 GONZALEZ, Peter John C. 15,111
12 HILARIO SR., Virgilio V. 49,687
13 ISON, Eduardo M. 27,232
14 JAVIER, Luis Jr S. 41,902
15 JERUSALEM, JR, Remigio M. 2,448
16 JOCHICO, Otelio K. 6,619
17 LIMA, Erlinda M. 5,088
18 MAGPANTAY, Arnold C. 46,170
19 MANALILI, Racquel A. 8,633
20 MEDINA, Romeo C. 43,396
21 ORTEGA, Ma. Arlene M. 39,924
22 PADILLA, Armando P. 41,003
23 PUNO-RAMOS, Tosca C P. 51,565
24 QUIBOLOY, Edwin Lester S. 4,121
25 REYES, Michael Dennis V. 11,191
26 SANTOS, Perfecto M. 6,607
27 TALAG, Wilfredo M. 17,419
28 TRINIDAD, Jessielin O. 20,290
29 UMANDAP, Severino L. 27,688
30 VALENZUELA, Arnold J. 10,671
31 YABUT, Maria Concepcion M. 56,118
Back to Top
MEMBER, SANGGUNIANG PANLUNGSOD of NCR - CITY OF MAKATI - SECOND DIST
1 ALMARIO, Alberto P. 8,546
2 BALAOING, Catalina A. 21,223
3 BANIQUED, Benedict B. 29,514
4 BEARE, Nemesio B. 3,226
5 BIOLENA, Rodolfo D. 7,986
6 BUENAVENTURA, Carlito F. 5,939
7 CALIMBAHIN, Virgilio Jr G. 16,553
8 DELA CRUZ, Juanito L. 33,831
9 DE LARA, Maria Theresa N. 53,938
10 DREU, Abner D. 14,483
11 GATCHALIAN, Angelito D. 51,439
12 IBAY, Joel M. 52,186
13 JACOME, Henry A. 53,184
14 LAPASARAN, Alfredo N. 5,848
15 MACCAY, Elena B. 36,563
16 MAGPANTAY, Leonardo M. 54,312
17 MANALILI, Antonio G. 14,431
18 MAPAGDALITA, Gaspar E. 12,779
19 MIRANDA, Nilo Z. 4,752
20 OLFATO, Jeline M. 36,363
21 PANGILINAN, Salvador D. 55,300
22 PASIA, Nelson S. 57,453
23 PERALTA, Ceferino Jr. V. 18,035
24 RODRIGUEZ, Richard Raymund R. 28,478
25 SESE, Vincent T. 64,968
26 TERCERO, Armando I. 15,952
27 TOLENTINO, Mary Ruth C. 53,423
28 URENA, Wenefreda M. 29,145
29 VILLAMOR, Evelyn D E. 38,965
30 YABUT, Nemesio Jr. S. 61,557

Caloocan Comelec Partial Results as of 2010-05-11 09:31:14 - 80.26% of ERs

2010-05-11T04:07:00.000-07:00

MEMBER, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES of NCR - CALOOCAN CITY - FIRST LEGDIST
1 ADALEM, Ernesto Ray G. 9,632
2 BACOLOD, Gualberto B. 6,802
3 GUANZON, Roberto S. 11,402
4 MALAPITAN, Oscar G. 150,654
5 REGALARIO, Jaime R. 2,622
6 VARELA, Luis Tito Y. 44,541
Back to Top
MEMBER, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES of NCR - CALOOCAN CITY - SECOND LEGDIST
1 ALMEDA, Antonio Mariano C. 35,421
2 CABOCHAN, Carlos V. 16,758
3 CAJAYON, Mary Mitzi L. 76,980
4 CATACUTAN, Tany V. 711
5 CUBE, Enrique A. 216
6 GARCIA, Adoracion E. 295
7 MERCADO, Ma. Milagros S. 13,238
8 SANTOS, John C. 1,319
Back to Top
Mayor
1 ASISTIO, Luis A. 140,211
2 CORDERO, Roberto G. 3,607
3 ECHIVERRI, Enrico R. 236,901
Back to Top
Vice-Mayor
1 ASISTIO, Macario Jr. A. 67,361
2 ERICE, Edgar R. 178,144
3 MALONZO, Reynaldo O. 98,986
4 VALLEGA, Cherry S. 12,788
5 YU, Mariano L. 2,730
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MEMBER, SANGGUNIANG PANLUNGSOD of NCR - CALOOCAN CITY - FIRST DIST
1 AQUINO, Joseph M. 16,998
2 ASISTIO, Andrew K. 67,841
3 BENSON, Rasty C. 4,108
4 BUDAC, Jesus Jr C. 2,428
5 CAMMAYO, Henry P. 68,296
6 CAYETANO, Ireneo D. 57,901
7 CRUZ, Emmanuel V. 6,394
8 CRUZ, Roberto M. 73,619
9 DELA CRUZ, Leonardo S. 8,160
10 DOMINGO, Isaac M. 66,691
11 GOLLAYAN, Garth M. 2,087
12 GONZAGA, Rodolfo M. 8,463
13 GUINO-O, Cristina R. 16,001
14 LUZARES, Virgilio S. 2,360
15 MABAGOS, Andres G. 71,903
16 MALAPITAN, Dale Gonzalo R. 121,408
17 MAYOR, Cenon D. 39,303
18 NUBLA, Nora Z. 120,319
19 PEÑA, Crispin Sr. C. 22,997
20 PERIT, Germel R. 2,490
21 PRADO, Dante P. 106,916
22 PUNZALAN, Susana D. 120,099
23 RABAS, Amie M. 2,476
24 SANCHEZ, Jimmy P. 5,303
25 SAPDIN, Loney D. 1,398
26 TE, Ramon V. 99,597
27 TRILLANES, Juan Antonio F. 43,740
28 TULBO, Jamin E. 1,827
29 VALLEJO, Oscar Benedict Q. 5,923
30 VINOYA, Fernando B. 4,047
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MEMBER, SANGGUNIANG PANLUNGSOD of NCR - CALOOCAN CITY - SECOND DIST
1 ABELARDO, Alvin E. 18,061
2 ABEL, Luis Chito S. 72,649
3 ARCADIO, Roseller N. 14,277
4 ARUELO, Allen Alexander C. 70,866
5 ASISTIO, Macario III E. 75,024
6 BAGUS, Tolentino J. 74,029
7 BARRETTO, Marjorie C. 48,389
8 CUNANAN, Carolyn C. 79,912
9 DIÑO, Tito Herminio F. 4,361
10 DIVINA, Arnold T. 46,568
11 DIVINA, Norlando F. 33,190
12 GONZALES, Jose Isagani M. 4,582
13 GURNOT, Arlan M. 2,584
14 LUZ, Romeo Jr V. 2,343
15 MANALAYSAY, Melvin Louie T. 4,577
16 MAPUE, Joseph Ariestotle D. 8,392
17 MATARAGNON, Jaime Sr. C. 12,843
18 MAURICIO, Jerrboy L. 25,730
19 NADURATA, Roehl C. 14,480
20 OROZCO, Marc Merville T. 19,445
21 PLACER, Serafico G. 10,960
22 REPUNO, Trinidad G. 12,411
23 ROMERO, Ronald G. 16,272
24 SAMSON, Nestor R. 16,202
25 SAMSON, Roberto R. 32,449
26 TIMBOL, Joseph B. 36,104
27 VITUG, Robert Lee N. 4,272

Long queues, faulty PCOS delay voting in many precincts in Cebu

2010-05-10T23:25:00.001-07:00

LONG lines in precincts and malfunctioning poll counting machines triggered numerous complaints from voters yesterday as thousands of Cebuanos trooped to clustered precincts to cast their ballots in the country's first automated elections.

In most precincts, many voters had to wait for four to 8 hours before they could vote.

In many instances, some voters who were already tired and hungry opted to just go home in exasperation, disenfranchising themselves in the process.

A 73-year-old voter fainted in the upland barangay Lawaan in Dumanjug town due to the heat after lining up for eight hours to vote.

Lucia Cañete was taken to the hospital and was not able to vote.

In barangay Apas in Cebu City, angry voters crowded the office of Camp Lapu-Lapu Elementary School Principal Cipriano Balili to complain of the delay in the voting process.

Balili had to request for police assistance after the crowd refused to listen to his explanations.

A Smartmatic personnel assigned at the Camp Lapu Lapu Elementary School also sought police assistance for fear that voters would mob him after he failed to repair a precint count optical scanner (PCOS) machine which bogged down.

Three police patrol cars were sent to the public elementary school to keep peace and order.

Msgr. Ruben Labajo reported to radio dyAB that a brownout hit barangay Bulacao in Talisay City for 5 hours from 6 a.m to 11 a.m.

While the PCOS machines were equipped with batteries, their power was not enough thus it had to be restarted.

Voting in three clustered precincts in Dumlog, Talisay was delayed because the PCOs machine would not start. Election officers had to wait for Smartmatic personnel to check it.

In the northern municipality of Daanbantayan, four PCOS machines malfunctioned.

Two machines assigned to barangay Bagay went off. It was repaired for an hour before the machine could be used again.

The machines in barangays Bakhawan and Paypay also experienced paper jam and had to be repaired by Smartmatic personnel.

Four PCOS machines at the Camp Lapu Lapu Elementary School in barangay Apas in Cebu City also malfunctioned and had to be replaced.

But for Emiliano Sojer, 37, of Ramos Street in Cebu City, the whole process was a breeze. He finished voting in 10 minutes.

“Sayon ra man di ay ni ang automated election,” he said.

Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal also found the automated process easy. He was assisted by Pastoral Planning Board chairman Msgr. Dennis Villarojo in looking for his precinct.

The 79-year-old prelate arrived at the City Central School at 715 a.m., was given a priority number like other voters and waited for his turn. It took him eight minutes to fill up his ballot.

Vidal said he voted according to his conscience, “I have to be an example for others.”

Most voters blamed the delay in the voting on the PCOS machines which suddenly shutdown.

A PCOS machine in Guadalupe Elementary school was replaced after it bogged down.

Melba Gerero, a poll clerk said the machine jammed when a ballot was inserted, then shut down. After being examined by a PCOS technician, it was running again. But it suddenly shut down later. The machine had to be replaced.

After lining up at 8 a.m., Mary Ann Chuntic, 25, finally votes about 3 p.m. But she was dismayed when she saw that the PCOS machine was not functioning.

“Na-disappoint gyud ko, nag dugay pa kayo ko kabutar then only to find out nga nadaot pajud ang machine.” she said.
http://globalnation.inquirer.net/cebudailynews/news/view/20100511-269347/Long-queues-faulty-PCOS-delay-voting-in-many-precincts-in-Cebu

VP race tight in latest PPCRV tally

2010-05-10T23:21:00.000-07:00

The race for vice president is tight as Liberal Party vice presidential candidate Senator Manuel “Mar” Roxas II inches closer to top-ranking Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay in the latest tally of church-group Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV).

In the latest partial, unofficial tally released 9 a.m., Roxas inched closer to Binay as the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino vice presidential bet dropped the lead to less than a million.

The latest tally showed Binay garnering a total of 11,901,607 votes while Roxas garnered 11,087,369 votes.

Nacionalista Party’s Senator Loren Legarda, meanwhile, is tailing at third place with just over three million votes.

The latest tally, which was based on transmitted results from a total of 59,635 clustered precincts nationwide, also showed Liberal Party standard bearer Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III enjoying a wide lead at first place in the presidential race with over 12 million votes.

Former president Joseph Estrada, meanwhile, was trailing at number two with 7,660,547 votes. NP’s Senator Manny Villar was a far third at 4,275,803 and Lakas-Kampi-CMD’s Gilbert Teodoro was 3,205,709.

In the senatorial race, Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. is still at first place with 15,644,435 votes.

Partial, unofficial results for the next top 14 senators are:

Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada (15,411,264), Miriam Defensor-Santiago (14,165,468), Frank Drilon (12,964,007), Juan Ponce Enrile (12,810,644), Pia Cayetano (11,226,840), Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos (10,891,329), Ralph Recto (10,107,910), Vicente Sotto III (9,736,409), Sergio Osmena III (9,450,346), Lito Lapid (8,820,585), Teofisto Guigona III (8,414,340), Risa Hontiveros (7,526,986), Ruffy Biazon (7,084,039), and Jose de Venecia III (6,831,224).

Partial, unofficial results for the rest of the rest of the presidential candidates are:

Eduardo Villanueva (907,523), Vetellano Acosta (137,566), Nicanor Perlas (41,660), Jamby Madrigal (36,712), JC delos Reyes (34,380).

Partial, unofficial results for the other vice presidential candidates are:

Bayani Fernando (839,736), Edu Manzano (582,902), Perfecto Yasay (292,550), Jose Sonza (50,156), and Dominador Chipeco Jr. (39,689).
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20100511-269380/VP-race-tight-in-latest-PPCRV-tally

SENATORIAL RACE- Revilla still ahead in Senate race

2010-05-10T23:18:00.000-07:00

Senatorial reelectionist Ramon Revilla is still leading in the Commission on Elections partial and unofficial tally as of Tuesday morning, the poll body said.

As of 6:15 a.m., Revilla, a reelectionist, remained in the top spot with 15,815,329 votes.

Another reelectionist, Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada is in second with 15,567,636 votes.

Nacionalista Party candidate Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago came in third, with 14,303,091 votes.

Liberal Party senatorial bet Franklin Drilon is in fourth place with 13,088,779 votes.

Two more reelectionists, Senators Juan Ponce Enrile and Pia Cayetano, came in at fifth and sixth place with 12,943,515 votes and 11,331,696 votes, respectively, the Comelec said.

Ilocos Norte representative Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. is in seventh place with 10,984,495 (36.09 percent).

Ralph Recto is ready to make a comeback at the Senate as he places eighth with 10,208,616 votes.

Dangerous Drugs Board chief Vicente “Tito” Sotto and Sergio Osmena III are ninth and 10th, with 9,852,406 and 9,547,093 votes respectively.

In 11th is Senator Lito Lapid with 8,916,136 votes and in 12th place is Bukidnon 2nd District Representative Teofisto Guingona III with 8,493,334 votes.

Liberal Party senatorial bet Risa Hontiveros is at 13th with 7,592,116 votes; Muntinlupa City Representative Ruffy Biazon , 7,147,461; businessman Joey De Venecia, 6,896,671; former news anchor and congressman Gilbert Remulla, 6,227,571; detained Senatorial candidate Brigadier General Danilo Lim, 6,083,433;

Sonia Roco, wife of the late senator Raul Roco, got 5,587,417; Gwendolyn Pimentel, 5,182,574 (17.03 percent); LP senatorial candidate Neric Acosta, 4,843,018; Attorney Alexander Lacson, 4,247,512; lawyer Adel Tamano, NP candidate and spokesman, 3,287,561; and Gabriela Women’s Partylist Representative Lisa Maza, 3,169,923.

The Comelec said it had finished counting votes from 78.55 percent of about 76,000 precincts.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20100511-269391/Revilla-still-ahead-in-Senate-race

Villar concedes

2010-05-10T23:14:00.000-07:00

A day after the election, Nacionalista Party (NP) standard-bearer Senator Manuel Villar has given up the fight for the presidency, conceding to Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III and urging the people to work behind him.

"Nagpasya na ang mga mamamayang Pilipino. Malinaw na sa kabila ng ating pagpupunyagi, hindi tayo nabiyayayaan ng tagumpay sa halalan noong Lunes (The Filipino people have decided. It is clear that despite our efforts, we were not blessed to win in Monday’s elections)," Villar said, reading a prepared statement before members of the media in his headquarters at the Starmall in Mandaluyong.

"Humaharap ako sa inyo ngayon upang tanggapin ang pasyang ito, upang igalang ang boses ng sambayanang Pilipino (I face you now to accept this decision, to respect the voice of the Filipino people)," he added.

"I fought a good fight…I congratulate Senator Noynoy Aquino on his victory. The challenges he and our country face are enormous and we should all work together," Villar, who was clad in white polo barong, said.

Villar will remain a senator as he has yet to finish his six-year term.

Villar lamented that he was the subject of lies during the campaign.

He said he believes he will be given the chance to clear his name before the public.

"Ako ay naniniwala na sa darating na mga araw ako ay mabibigyan ng pagkakataon na linisin ang aking pangalan upang maliwanagan ang ating mga kababayan. Yan ang mahalaga sa akin higit sa anupamang bagay (I believe that someday I will be given the chance to clear my name before our countrymen. That is most important to me now)," he said.

Villar thanked his family, volunteers, supporters, and his party-mates for sticking it out with him in this election.

He said he will also remember the millions of Filipinos he met during the campaign trail, especially the poor.

"For the rest of my life, I will remain their champion. Bagamat ako ay hindi pinalad, ang aking pangarap na tapusin ang kahirapan ay hindi nagwawakas (Even though I wasn’t fortunate, my dream to end poverty is not finished)," he said.

Tuesday's public appearance capped Villar's aspiration for the highest office of the land which some said began as early as 2007 when he was re-elected senator.

Villar has been touted the closest rival of Liberal Party's Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III until the last two weeks of the campaign period when the former began to slip in the surveys.http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20100511-269384/Villar-concedes

Manny Pacquiao wins congressional race in lanslide

2010-05-10T23:11:00.000-07:00

Manny Pacquiao defeated heavily favored Roy Chiongbian in an easy win, according to Aol Boxing FanHouse.

Voting wasn't completed, but as of 10 p.m. Monday night, Pacquiao reportedly had 90,000 of a possible 125,000 votes, making it impossible for his opponent to win the race. Pacquiao, 31, is believed to be the only boxer to hold public office while still an active fighter.
http://www.newsday.com/sports/boxing/the-neutral-corner-1.1276167/report-manny-pacquiao-wins-congressional-race-in-lanslide-1.1905464

It may not be unanimous, but Manny Pacquiao wins his biggest decision yet

2010-05-10T23:06:00.000-07:00

Pacquiao's victory in a congressional election in the Philippines is a dream come true for the boxing champion and cause for celebration in his native land.

From General Santos City, Philippines
The polls close in 30 minutes and the congressional candidate is getting a rubdown on the couch.

It is the last calm before the chaos. In the next 24 hours, his biggest prayer will come true.

It is Monday, Election Day in the Philippines, and there are several ways to describe what goes on here. "Bizarre" works.

The only reason you are reading about this in the sports pages is that the congressional candidate is one of the greatest boxers of all time. To win this election, as he has all his fights since 2005 and 51 of his 56 overall, would be to make history. After all, when was the last time a world-renowned athlete, in his prime, caucused and clenched at the same time?

Manny Pacquiao is on the couch in the family room of his home. They call it The Mansion. It is very nice, but would turn no heads in Beverly Hills. As a young woman named Rachel works his calves and thighs through his blue jeans, Pacquiao juggles several cellphones and a portable radio. Reports are coming in from the field. He is optimistic.

The TV drones on in the background. For hours, the same crawls have drifted across the bottom of the screen: Three voting machines have malfunctioned somewhere. . . . Voting lines are four hours long somewhere else. . . . Manny Pacquiao cast his vote in Sarangani.

This is the first time they have used electronic voting machines in the Philippines. Next up, the introduction of the Easel. There is controversy everywhere. Many hate this newfangled idea, even though a few results of the last big election in 2007, from a hand-counted vote, were reversed as recently as two months ago.

The new setup has people filling out long ballots and inserting them into a machine that resembles a paper shredder. Greasy or smudged hands could void the ballot. Same thing if it's not inserted exactly as the guides on the machine indicate.

Controversy is the order of the day, at least according to TV. It has a bumbling Inspector Clouseau feel to it. Save us, Peter Sellers.

So confident was the man from a company called Smartmatic that created the voting system, that he handed his passport over to Philippine officials late last week. It was quickly accepted.

The Election Day holiday drones on through early afternoon with few developments. Nothing is happening and Philippine television breathlessly reports all of it.

Upstairs, the candidate naps, then emerges about 4:30. He takes command of a dining room table and plops down three cellphones and a walkie-talkie. He is quickly upstaged by his 16-month-old daughter, whose name works perfectly as a description. Dark-eye, cute-as-bug Queen Pacquiao sits in her daddy's lap and tries to get her own answers out of the walkie-talkie.

"She's an American," Pacquiao says. "She was born in Los Angeles."

By 6:30, rubdown time, the day is looking up. Incoming calls bring optimism. It is huge news. Also shocking. His opponent is from one of the most powerful families in the Philippines.

At one point, a smiling Pacquiao puts down his mobile toys and declares that his team has won with special tactics. "We hit them with an atomic bomb," he says.

At 7:30, it is time to go. A short trip away is a small cement-block house, the real command central. People work computers. There is a big board in the middle of the room with precincts and candidates scribbled in grease pen, amid wavy and unkempt lines.

A happy mood gets happier. Each reporting precinct brings an overwhelming victory. Disbelief turns to celebration. But there is a long night and another day of waiting ahead. The voting machines are spitting out results at the speed of an Edsel, but Philippine officials seem thrilled. Apparently, everything is relative.

It is not until late morning Tuesday that Pacquiao's manager and right-hand man, Michael Koncz, the Canadian whose family lives in Orange County while he attends to all things Pacquiao more than 8,000 miles away, brings the news.

"He has won. It is now a matter of fact," Koncz says. "It is mathematically impossible for him to lose now."

As Pacquiao has done so often in the boxing ring with his lethal left hand, he has finished what he set out to do. The Philippine people, having balked in his first congressional attempt three years ago — apparently not wanting to lose a beloved athlete to the shady world of their own politics — nodded this time.

"I believe this is the biggest triumph in his life," says Koncz. "I believe it is bigger than any fight he has ever won."

All indications are that he will continue his boxing career. A November fight date is already the talk. Floyd Mayweather Jr., the obvious next challenge.

That one is tough to call. This one?

With enough precincts reporting, it is another knockout for Manny Pacquiao.
http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-dwyre-pacquiao-20100511,0,1626864.column

Voting easy for Arroyo, Marcos, Pacquiao

2010-05-10T22:59:00.000-07:00

ON HER LAST YEAR in office, President Macapagal-Arroyo went to the polls early Monday and was the first to cast her vote among more than 160 registered voters at Precinct No. 1A at Lubao Elementary Central School in Barangay San Nicolas 1 here.

Alighting from a Lincoln Navigator, Ms Arroyo, who is Voter No. 64 in the precinct, walked straight to a waiting room where some 30 people sat, mingling briefly with them before settling down in a wooden chair to fill out her ballot.

It took 10 minutes for Ms Arroyo, who is running for representative of the second district of Pampanga, to finish voting—from filling out her ballot to having her index finger marked with indelible ink.

Her son, outgoing Rep. Juan Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo, was the second person to cast his vote in the same precinct.

In Ilocos Norte, former first lady Imelda Marcos was the 15th voter in the clustered precinct at Mariano Marcos Memorial Elementary School in Barangay Lacub, Batac City.

Short walk

The precinct is a short walk from the family’s mansion, where the preserved remains of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos are kept in a temperature-controlled crypt.

Comelec officials gave preference to Marcos, who arrived at 7:05 a.m., when they asked some voters already in line inside the precinct to leave the room while she cast her vote. Voters already filling their ballots were not asked to leave.

Marcos, a candidate for representative of the second congressional district of Ilocos Norte, took about seven minutes to fill out her ballot, and left at 7:45 a.m.

The Marcos widow returned at about 10 a.m. with her children—Imee, who is running for governor; Ferdinand Jr. (Bongbong), who is running for senator; and Irene—who voted at the same precinct.

In Nueva Vizcaya, detained Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim, a senatorial candidate of the Liberal Party, cast his vote in his hometown of Solano at 10:35 a.m. accompanied by his wife Aloysia and daughter Antoinette Danika.

Granted a pass

A group of policemen in civilian clothes accompanied Lim, who was granted a pass so he could leave his detention cell in Camp Crame.

In La Union, detained Marine Col. Ariel Querubin, a senatorial candidate of the Nacionalista Party, voted in his hometown of Bauang after 3 p.m. At least six soldiers guarded Querubin.

In Sarangani province, world boxing champion Manny Pacquiao cast his vote just after 8 a.m. at Kiamba Central Elementary School.

Pacquiao, who is vying for a congressional seat against Roy Chiongbian, was accompanied by his wife Jinkee.

Fans, local and foreign journalists followed the Filipino ring hero when he entered the polling precinct until he left on a bullet-proof H2 Hummer vehicle.

In Maguindanao, gubernatorial candidate Esmael Mangudadatu cast his vote at 8 a.m. in Buluan town.

Mangudadatu was up against two candidates perceived to be allies of the Ampatuan clan, suspected to be behind the massacre of 57 people, mostly journalists, in Ampatuan town on Nov. 23 last year.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20100511-269324/Voting-easy-for-Arroyo-Marcos-Pacquiao

Mangudadatu leads Maguindanao gubernatorial race

2010-05-10T22:55:00.000-07:00

Buluan Vice Mayor Esmael "Toto" Mangudadatu could be headed to victory in the Maguindanao gubernatorial race, besting two contenders known to be allies of the rival Ampatuan clan that allegedly ordered the killing of Mangudadatu’s wife and relatives in the November 23 massacre.

On the other hand, political warlord Andal Ampatuan Sr. only ranks second in the vice-gubernatorial derby. The clan patriarch is detained in Taguig City in Metro Manila in connection with the killings.

According to GMA Network’s partial and unofficial tally as of 3:42 a.m., Mangudadatu received 82,885 votes. Mayor Datu Ombra Sinsuat of Datu Odin Sinsuat town got 71,979, while Guindulungan mayor Midpantao Midtimbang got 40,164.

Mangudadatu’s rivals are known allies of the Ampatuan clan, which was supposed to field Datu Unsay mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr. as Maguindanao governor.

Mangudadatu’s plan to seek the governorship did not sit well with the Ampatuans, prompting the powerful clan to supposedly order the killing last November 23 when the Mangudadatu convoy passed by Ampatuan town to file Esmael’s certificate of candidacy in Shariff Aguak town.

Andal Jr. is the prime suspect in the carnage that claimed 57 lives. He is detained with his father and four other relatives at the Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City. Several Ampatuans face murder charges for the November 23 killings.

GMA Network’s partial and unofficial tally also showed Andal Sr. placing second (74,240 votes) to Mangudadatu’s running mate, Ismael Mastura (95,524 votes) under the Lakas-Kampi-CMD banner.

Andal Sr. was a three-term governor of Maguindanao who resigned in January 2009 and returned as OIC governor in late 2009. A Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism report said Andal Sr. was OIC governor when the November 23 massacre happened.

Meanwhile, Ampatuan allies could also be headed for victory in the congressional race for the province’s two districts. Incumbent first district Rep. Didagen Dilangalen (47,454 votes) and incumbent second district Rep. Simeon Datumanong (84,617 votes) could clinch another term.

Maguindanao politics has played a crucial, albeit controversial role, in previous elections.

In 2004, Maguindanao voted 193,938 to 59,892 in favor of Mrs. Arroyo, spelling the political demise of her closest rival, actor Fernando Poe Jr. In the 2007 senatorial race, the administration candidates under Team Unity scored 12-0 in the province against the Genuine Opposition.

Maguindanao officials denied accusations of fraud in 2004 and 2007, but the Center for People Empowerment in its 2007 Elections Forensics Report said Mrs. Arroyo’s political ties to the family of former Gov. Andal Ampatuan Sr. helped her win in the region.

“The Ampatuan dynasty, based in Maguindanao province, is Arroyo’s present conduit to helping ensure her influence over the whole of Mindanao, which hosts many of the country’s grizzled but otherwise powerful political clans," the CenPEG said.

http://wwt.gmanews.tv/story/190646/mangudadatu-leads-maguindanao-gubernatorial-race

Arroyo leads House race in 2D of Pampanga

2010-05-10T22:52:00.000-07:00

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is leading the congressional race in the second district of Pampanga, based on partial and unofficial canvassing of the Commission on Elections board of canvassers.

Mrs. Arroyo dominated elections in four of the six municipalities in the second district that had so far transmitted election returns.

In a report aired past 6 a.m. Tuesday, GMA News said the President received a total of 105,329 votes from the municipalities of Guagua, Lubao, Sta. Rita, and Sasmuan.

In Guagua, the President got 32,460, while Filipinas Rosario Sampang was a distant second with 1,428 votes. Adonis Simpao came in at the third spot with 789, while Feliciano Serrano got 459 votes.

In Lubao, Mrs. Arroyo earned 48,133 votes; Sampang, 1,318 votes; Simpao, 2,214; and Serrano, 487.

In Sta. Rita, the President got 11,872; Sampang, 812; Simpao, 3,426; and Serranno 153.

In Sasmuan, 12,864 voters chose Mrs. Arroyo; 472 voted for Sampang;785 voted for Simpao; while 150 voted for Serrano.

Arroyo was first to cast a vote at Precinct 0001-A at the Lubao Central Elementary School on Monday. She was accompanied by her eldest son, Rep. Juan Miguel "Mikey" Arroyo.

Mrs. Arroyo is aiming to succeed her son Mikey. On the other hand, Mikey is the first nominee of Ang Galing Pinoy party-list group.
http://www.gmanews.tv/story/190643/arroyo-leads-house-race-in-2d-of-pampanga

Aquino opens up commanding lead in Philippine vote

2010-05-10T22:45:00.000-07:00

The son of Philippine democracy icon Corazon Aquino had a wide lead Tuesday in presidential elections after campaigning on a promise to restore the government's credibility by prosecuting corrupt officials.

Despite glitches with new computerized counting machines and violence that claimed at least nine lives, election officials hailed Monday's vote as a success in a country where poll fraud allegations have marred previous contests.

Sen. Benigno Aquino III — whose father was assassinated while opposing a dictatorship and whose mother led the "people power" revolt that restored freedoms — was leading the nine-candidate presidential race with 40.19 percent of the votes from about 78 percent of the precincts, while his closest rival, ousted President Joseph Estrada, had 25.46 percent.

There is no runoff in the Philippines, and whoever has the most votes is declared winner.

Aquino's sudden political rise has bolstered hopes among his supporters for a clean leadership after nine years of a scandal-tainted administration that was rocked by coup attempts and protests.

He campaigned on a strong anti-graft platform, promising to start prosecuting corrupt officials within weeks of his election and restore integrity to Congress and the judiciary.

It was only after former President Corazon Aquino died of cancer last August that her son, a quiet 50-year-old lawmaker and bachelor, decided to run, spurred by the massive outpouring of national grief for the leader who helped oust longtime dictator Ferdinand Marcos in the 1986 "people power" revolt that restored democracy to the Philippines. She had inherited the mantle of her husband, Benigno Aquino Jr., an opposition senator gunned down by soldiers at Manila's airport in 1983 upon return from U.S. exile to challenge Marcos.

Aquino's closest political lieutenant, former Education Secretary Florencio Abad, said he rode on the crest of a national yearning for an honest leader after corruption scandals under outgoing President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

"This means he really has to deal with the problem of corruption and deal with the people identified with nine years of corruption," Abad told The Associated Press.

"The other thing that he needs to do is to translate the dividends of good governance into direct benefits for the poor — education, health, food, lower prices, jobs, basic services," he said.

Some of Aquino's opponents carried the taint of scandal, all too common in the Philippines. The popularity ratings of Sen. Manny Villar, a real estate developer-turned-politician who was neck-and-neck with Aquino in early surveys, plunged after rivals accused him of using his position to enrich himself and avoid a Senate ethics probe.

Villar conceded defeat Tuesday and congratulated Aquino, saying he wanted to work with him to help deal with the enormous challenges facing the Philippines.

"It's clear that despite our efforts, we were not gifted with victory in Monday's elections. I respect the voice of the people," he told a news conference.

Estrada, who largely draws support from the poor, jumped to overtake Villar as No. 2. The former action movie star was removed from office in 2001 and subsequently convicted on corruption charges. He was later pardoned by Arroyo, and he said he decided to run again to clear his name.

Flamboyant former first lady Imelda Marcos also ran for a House seat, as did boxing star Manny Pacquiao. "Pacman" was leading in the count in the southern province of Sarangani, where only about half of 300,000 registered voters cast ballots due to a daylong downpour, election official Michael Abas said.

Marcos and her daughter Imee, who is running for governor of northern Ilocos Norte province, have garnered insurmountable leads and may be proclaimed winners later Tuesday, election official Alipio Castillo said.

For the first time, optical scanning machines counted the votes in 76,000 precincts. A software glitch discovered a week ago nearly derailed the vote, but was fixed at the last minute. Still, some machines malfunctioned in the tropical humidity, including in Aquino's hometown of Tarlac, north of Manila, where the senator had to wait nearly five hours to cast his ballot.

Election Commissioner Gregorio Larrazabal said that about 465 of 76,000 machines had problems but that most were replaced. The computerized machines mean that final results should be available late Tuesday or Wednesday vs. previous waits of weeks for results of manual counts.

Turnout was 75 percent among about 50 million eligible voters, the Elections Commission said.

"The people came in droves, the turnout was very encouraging. The machines worked more than we expected," said Election Commission Chairman Jose Melo. "I would say it was successful."

The country's next leader will face multiple insurgencies. Muslim rebels and al-Qaida-linked militants have long staged terrorist attacks and hostage raids in the south, where U.S. troops have been training Filipino soldiers.

Fighting corruption and other irregularities will be a tough challenge. Arroyo was accused of vote-rigging in 2004 and implicated in several scandals that led to coup attempts and moves to impeach her. Calls for her prosecution have been an important campaign issue.

She denies any wrongdoing and ran for a House seat in Monday's vote, winning with more than 90 percent of the votes in her home province of Pampanga, election official Temie Lambino said.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iRt5YqdKJmsl4rBaF_TDF51zqCQAD9FKD7JO0

Binay proclaimed winner of Makati mayoralty race

2010-05-10T22:39:00.000-07:00

The Makati City board of canvassers Tuesday morning proclaimed Councilor Jejomar Erwin ``Jun-jun’’ Binay as winner of the mayoralty race in Makati City.

Binay, son of vice presidential candidate Jejomar Binay, garnered a total of 125,088 votes, beating by 43,639 votes his closest rival, vice mayor Ernesto Mercado.

Binay is so far the first local government candidate to have been proclaimed winner hours after voting in the country’s first automated polling system was stopped at 7 p.m. by the Commission on Elections.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/metro/view/20100511-269307/Binay-proclaimed-winner-of-Makati-mayoralty-race

Manila Mayor Lim heads towards easy reelection

2010-05-10T22:37:00.000-07:00

Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim appeared headed towards a comfortable reelection when he got 252,889 votes, some 100,000 votes ahead of his closest rival, Lito Atienza, who got 112,129, on Monday night’s counting.

The partial results accounted for 62.38 percent of the votes cast.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/metro/view/20100511-269290/Manila-Mayor-Lim-heads-towards-easy-reelection

Former PNP chief concedes in Manila mayoralty race

2010-05-10T22:31:00.000-07:00

Former Philippine National Police chief Avelino Razon, who ran as Manila mayor has conceded defeat before midnight Monday.

Incumbent Mayor Alfredo Lim is still leading with 96 % of the total votes canvassed.

Canvassing will resume at 1 p.m. today, Tuesday.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/metro/view/20100511-269377/Former-PNP-chief-concedes-in-Manila-mayoralty-race