Manila, Philippines — A local court has issued an arrest warrant against Senator Panfilo Lacson for the charge of the murder of publicist Salvador “Bubby” Dacer and his driver, Emmanuel Corbito in 2000.
The warrant was issued Friday by Judge Myra Garcia Fernandez of Manila RTC Branch 18.
Lacson who has been out of the country since early January, has been accused of masterminding the murders of publicist Salavador “Bubby” Dacer and driver Emmanuel Corbito.
Manila, Philippines — Less than a hundred days before the May 10 general elections, Senators Aquino and Villar are now statistically tied, according to the January 2010 Pulse Asia survey.
The nationwide survey of 1,800 Filipinos of voting age, with a margin of error of plus or minus two percent, also showed vice-presidentiable Mar Roxas II pulling away from his nearest rival and fellow senator, Loren Legarda.
The survey conducted last January 22 to 26 showed that Aquino was the choice of 37 percent of the respondents while Villar got the 35 percent.
Apart from Aquino and Villar, the voters’ preference for the other presidential bets were: Estrada, 12 percent; former defense secretary Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro, 5 percent; evangelist Eduardo “Eddie” Villanueva, 2 percent; Senator Richard “Dick”Gordon, 1 percent; Senator Ana Consuelo “Jamby” Madrigal, 0.5 percent; Councilor John Carlos “JC” De Los Reyes, 0.3 percent; little known Vetaliano “Dodong” Acosta, 0.2 percent; and environmentalist Nicanor “Nick” Perlas, 0.05 percent.
Based on a predetermined set of reasons for their choice, the respondents said their bet was “not corrupt or has a clean record” (24 percent) and “cares for the poor” (also 24 percent).
Competence – as expressed in the survey as “can do something, is doing something, will do something” (16 percent), “used to governing” (6 percent), and “knowledgeable/intelligent” (4 percent) – did not rank high among the reasons for respondents’ choices.
On the race for the second highest post in the land, Roxas took 47 percent of the respondents’ votes, giving him a good lead over Legarda, with 28 percent. Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay was third with 13 percent.
The other vice-presidential bets’ voters’ preference were: former Metro Manila Development Authority chairman Bayani “BF” Fernando, 2 percent; actor Eduardo “Edu” Manzano, also 2 percent; former Securities and Exchange Commission chairman Perfecto “Kidlat” Yasay, 1 percent; broadcaster Jose “Jay” Sonza, 0.2 percent; and Ang Kapatiran’s Dominador “Jun” Chipeco, 0.07 percent.
THE prospect of reverting to manual elections will be a huge disappointment for President Arroyo who has envisioned the country’s first automated elections before she steps down in office this year, Malacañang said yesterday.
However, Deputy Presidential Spokesman Gary Olivar said that the Palace would still rally behind the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) to ensure peaceful, fair and credible elections regardless if the votes are counted manually or electronically.
Olivar said they have not lost hope over the automated elections and remained confident the poll body could iron out the technical glitches in the poll machines as seen in recent field test.
Olivar added that Malacañang will respect the wisdom of the Comelec if it pursues manual polls in case the automated process fails, adding the electorate should also support the poll body. (PIA)
THE Commission on Elections has set on Feb. 11, 2010 the organization of Special Boards of Canvassers (SBC) in each of the more than 100 countries where there are overseas Filipino workers qualified to vote under the Overseas Absentee Voting Act of 2003.
Under the law, overseas absentee voters are qualified to vote for President, Vice-President, Senators and groups accredited to participate in the party-list elections. They are, however, not qualified to vote for governor, congressman, mayor and other local elective officials.
The Comelec said that except in Singapore and Hong Kong, overseas absentee voting will be conducted manually by the Special Board of Election Inspectors (SBEIs) while the SBC, subject to reasonable exceptions, is mandated to complete the canvass of election returns submitted by SBEIs within 36 hours.
The SBC is required, after canvassing, to prepare eight copies of the Certificates of Canvass for President, Vice-President, Senators, and Party-List Representatives, according to Commissioner Armando Velasco, chairman of the Comelec Committee on Overseas Absentee Voting. (PIA)
Manila, Philippines — Cell phone jammers may be out to disrupt the country’s first automated elections in May.
The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) said on Monday that it had received reports three weeks ago that 5,000 jamming devices had entered the country.
Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said that the devices arrived in one bulk, making it noticeable. Given the nearing date of the election, he said, “We cannot help but be suspicious. And its only prudent that we remain suspicious.” Jimenez did not give details, but said that there was reason to believe that the devices could be used to delay transmission of election results.
“Delay in the transmission of results makes it profitable for those who want to cheat. The delay gives them time to calculate on how many more votes they need to win or overturn the lead of their oponents. ” Jimenez said.
Comelec is currently confirming the reports of the arrival of the jamming devices and working on countermeasures to lessen if not prevent disruption of the automated elections.
