Senator Loren Legarda Runs for Vice President

Senator Loren Legarda already announced her bid to run for vice president in the 2010 elections. However, she did not mentioned her running mate. There are speculations that the Senator is still considering the invitations of other Presidentiables like Senator Manny Villar of NP.

This will also prove that that there might be a problem within the NPC. There were previous reports that other members of the party wants Loren Legarda to the standard bearer but with the endorsement of Chiz Escudero as their candidate for President, it may divide the party.

The only sealed tandem as of this moment are Noynoy Aquino-Mar Roxas of the Liberal Party and Former President Erap Estrada-Jejomay Binay of the united opposition/pwersa ng masa.

Former President Erap Declared His Presidential Bid in Tondo

Most of us were not surprised on the announcement of Former President Erap Estrada that he will run for President in the 2010 national elections. He already made previous statements that if the opposition can't find a common candidate against the administration, he will run. Right now the opposition will be fielding at least 4 presidentiables which may just divide the peoples decision to have a new president who can promise change and development for the country.

Estrada's camp chose Tondo as the venue of the Pronouncement because they believe that the masses still support him. It also portrays the existing scenario or condition of the Filipino people. He focused on the failure of the current administration to address poverty and corruption. He made mentioned of the surveys of the SWS that almost 50 percent of filipinos consider themselves as poor.




The speech which lasted for minutes is just another traditional speech from a politician. Nothing new, except for his statement that he suffered injustice from the current administration. This time he denied all the accusations against him which landed him 6 years in prison.

Political analyst are divided whether the Former President, who was convicted with plunder, can still run for President or any position in the government. Lets just wait when Erap files his candidacy at Comelec. Expect that cases for disqualification will be filed against Him since the former President is still a threat to other Presidentiables.

Erap's vice president is Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay.

Senator Chiz Escudero Running For President

Senator Chiz Escudero is now eligible to run for President in the 2010 national elections when he celebrated his 40th birthday last Saturday. In an interview, Chiz Escudero confirms that he will run in the next election but does not confirm it yet since the party have not made any announcement on their standard bearer.

He said that it is time for him to serve the country especially that the government failed to address the problems of the people during disasters and emergencies.

There were some rumors that the camp of FPJ already decided to support Chiz Escudero on his bid to become the next President of the Philippines. FPJ's daughter denied this news and told the media that they will be waiting for the right time.

Other possible candidates that may be endorsed by FPJ's supporters include former President Erap Estrada and Senator Noynoy Aquino.

Senator Loren Legarda could be the running mate of Senator Chiz Escudero. Both are still waiting for the confirmation of the party.

News update: Philippine headlines on politics and government

Flood control equipment installed in Metro Manila was a waste because of MMDA's negligence according to DPWH sources. If it was properly maintained, casualties and damages may be minimal. However, Bayani Fernando said that the equipment is already obsolete and defective.

Unidentified uniformed men numbering 15 sprayed more than a hundred of bullets on the home of SSS Chairman Romulo Neri. The chairman was safe but the motive is still unclear. There are speculations that it is about the involvement of Neri in the ZTE-NBN Scandal.


Senator Loren Legarda may opt to run for the vice president position giving way to Senator Chiz Escudero as their standard bearer.

Typhoon Pepeng caused major destruction in northern Luzon, flooding major cities and towns of Pangasinan and Benguet and other nearby provinces. Deaths continue to rise as more people are recovered from landslides and flashfloods. flooding was also attributed to the release of water from 2 dams in the provinces.


Representatives from LGU's were not satisfied with the 4 presidentiables present in the ANC forum. The presidentiables were asked about their plans on calamities and disasters. Some of the presidential candidates present were Senator Chiz Escudero, Senator Manny Villar, Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, and Senator Noynoy Aquino. It was a four-hour forum, hosted by ABS-CBN, which sparked a debate over small-versus-big government, the issue of pork barrel, calamity funds, IRA and other local government units issues and problems.

State of Calamity Would Stay Up to 2010

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo declared Metro Manila and nearby provinces under a state of calamity when it was devastated by Typhoon Ondoy last September 26. The president extend its coverage nationwide when Typhoon Peping entered into the country. Deputy presidential spokesman Anthony Golez said in a press conference that the declaration of state of calamity is aimed at allowing the government and the public to immediately respond to weather disturbances that have become increasingly deadly and destructive in the last few years.

The damages to properties and infrastructure could reach more than 9 billion pesos including the damages of Typhoon Pepeng. Rehabilitation efforts could also extend to more than a year according to some experts. The food supply will be affected and the effect will be felt next year. Rice and corn will definitely the most affected commodity and price increase is also expected.

The government is implementing price control on basic commodities especially in areas affected by the typhoon. The DTI is continuously monitoring establishments if they are complying with the directive.

Golez said the calamity fund of the national government is P2 billion while the the LGUs have access to P20 billion. We just hope that this will not be used for corruption. Our government officials should prioritize the needs of those who are greatly affected by the disaster and should not get commissions from the purchases and delivery of other services. Some people fear that this situation could be used by the administration to fund their campaign in the 2010 national election.

Source Code of Counting Machines Urge to be Made Public

A non-government association is urging the COMELEC to release the source code of the software to be used in the 2010 national and local elections. The Center for People Empowerment in Governance (CenPeg) already filed a petition for mandamus before the Supreme Court to compel the Commission on Elections in disclosing the source code of the precinct count optical scan (PCOS) machines to the public.

The COMELEC already approved their request but until now there is no action from the agency. According to the qroup, the Commision on Elections will be violating Republic Act 9369 or the Poll Automation Law specifically Section 12 which states that once an AES technology is selected for implementation, the Commission shall promptly make the source code of that technology available and open to any interested political party or groups which may conduct their own review thereof. They also feared that the counting machines might be tampered if the code will not be made public.

CENPEG said that the voters must be assured that the machines themselves cannot be used as instruments for cheating, that they have been programmed correctly. Philstar.com identified other petitioners which include the National Secretariat for Social Action, University of the Philippines-Alumni Association, Alliance of Concerned Teachers, National Council of Churches in the Philippines, Ecumenical Bishops Forum, Solidarity Philippines, and various IT experts.

However, there are also some people who are not in favor of making the source code public as it will be more prone to hacking which could be more dangerous because it can also tamper results.

There will be 80,000 counting machines that will be installed in polling precints while an additional 2,000 units will serve as a backup. The machines will make the automatic counting, canvassing, and transmission of votes.

Registration Procedures and Requirements for First Time Voters

For first time voters, you may have so many questions like how to register at Comelec, what are the procedures in registration and the requirements for you to be able to vote in the 2010 National and Local elections. Below are some information that will guide you in your registration at comelec offices. Preparing the requirements beforehand can lessen the burden and problems usually encountered by new voters. Let your vote be counted, register!

Update for the deadline of voters registration for the 2013 Senatorial Elections:
"The COMELEC has extended the registration for new voters up to October 31, 2012".


REGISTRATION PROCEDURES:

1. A qualified applicant need only to appear personally at the local COMELEC office.
2. The applicant's identity and residence will be verified. (Bring a valid ID with photograph and signature.)
3. The applicant's status of registration will also be verified. (NOTE: Your registration status may also be verified here.)
4. After a successful verification, the applicant shall be given an application form to fill up (in 3 copies).
5. The applicant's biometrics will then be digitally captured.
6. An Acknowledgment Receipt will be given to the applicant afterwards.


REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS:

QUALIFICATIONS:
* at least 18 years old;
* 1 year residence in the Philippines;
* 6 months residence in the place wherein he proposes to vote

DISQUALIFICATIONS:
* sentenced by final judgment to suffer imprisonment of not less than 1 year;
* adjudged by final judgment of a competent court;
* insane or incompetent persons as declared by competent authority

IDENTIFICATION DOCUMENTS:
1. Employee’s identification card (ID) with the signature of the employer or authorized representative;
2. Postal ID;
3. Student’s ID or library card, signed by the school authority;
4. Senior Citizen’s ID;
5. Driver’s license;
6. NBI/PNP clearance;
7. Passport;
8. SSS/GSIS ID;
9. Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) ID;
10. License issued by the Professional Regulatory Commission (PRC); and
11. Any other valid ID.


REGISTRATION SCHEDULE:

As Per COMELEC Resolution No. 8514
as amended in COMELEC Resolution No. 8585 (Promulgated: February 12, 2009)


WHEN:
During office hours, from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, (Mondays - Saturdays including holidays)
beginning December 2, 2008 (Tuesday) to October 31, 2009 (Saturday)

WHERE:
at the office of the local COMELEC office where you reside
Satellite registration Schedule for NCR (Metro Manila)

HOW:
personally

COVERAGE:
All cities and municipalities, except the ARMM


source:
http://www.comelec.gov.ph

KAMPI-LAKAS CMD Merger Legal Based on SC Decision

The case filed by former Speaker Jose de Venecia questioning the validity of the merger of two powerful political party in the Philippines was turned down by the Supreme Court. The court said that the merging of Lakas and Kampi followed the procedures set by law. They have complied all the requirements and the petition of De Venecia was not covered by the jurisdiction of the courts.

Here's an excerpt of the report from GMANews

In an 18-page decision penned by Commissioner Elias Yusoph, the poll body's second division said the merger of Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrat and Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino has complied with the requirements stated under Section 60 of the Omnibus Election Code.

“Lakas-Kampi-CMD has fully shown that it is qualified to be registered as a political party and that it has complied with all the procedural requirements needed for it to be registered and accredited as a national political party," the resolution read.

Among the requirements are having a full name for the party, a principal headquarters, name of officers, extent of constituency, program of government, declaration to uphold the Constitution, and to not be funded by any foreign government.

The Comelec however noted that De Venecia was late with his petition, saying it came after the merged party’s accreditation had already been heard by the poll body.

“The July 16 hearing for the accreditation was published five days before in three newspapers of general circulations, all persons who oppose the accreditation are deemed to be notified, any opposition submitted after the hearing should be considered as being filed out of time," it said.

It also said De Venecia failed to present a justiciable issue to back his request to nullify the Lakas-Kampi-CMD merger.

“His alleged cause of action against the interim officers of good standing of Lakas-CMD by scheming ‘to keep the center of power in the hands of a cabal of people for their own personal and selfish ends’ is a political and not a justiciable issue over which the Commission has no jurisdiction," the resolution read.

New Typhoon, New Risk to Metro Manila

The new typhoon will again hit Luzon area which will include Metro Manila. It will again pose danger to the residents especially in places still under flood. Our government officials, the LGU and other NGO's should again prepare for this calamity. Preemptive strategies should be implemented to avoid the casualties and damages that will be caused to properties and infrastructures.

According to the weather bureau, they are expecting that the coming typhoon will also bring heavy rains.

Latest update on Typhoon Ondoy (Ketsana) was reported leaving more than 300 deaths and billions worth of damages.

Its good to see that there are donations (cash and in kind) and other aids coming from private businesses and other politicians. Politics should be set aside during this situation.