P3 per voter for Barangay and SK candidates

The COMELEC announced that candidates for the upcoming local barangay and SK election can spend P3 per voter only. This was included in the Resolution No. 9043 issued by the COMELEC.

an excerpt from the PhilStar:

"No candidate shall spend for his election campaign aggregate amount exceeding P3 for every registered voter in the barangay where he seeks to be elected, the Comelec said in Resolution No. 9043, which contains the rules and regulations governing election campaign, propaganda, contributions and expenditures of candidates. Comelec said the resolution is in line with Republic Act 9006, or the Fair Elections Act.

Under the resolution, candidates, their spouses or any relative to the second civil degree of consanguinity or affinity or their campaign managers, agents or representatives shall not directly or indirectly make any donation, gift in cash or in kind or contribute to the construction or repair of any infrastructure during the campaign period that runs from Oct. 14 to 23."


Common Poster Area will be Designated on October 10.

Areas/Places not allowed to Post any campaign Materials:

trees,
electric posts or wires,
shrines,
bridges,
public structures or buildings,
schools,
streets or main thoroughfares.

Unlawful acts:

it is unlawful for any person to remove, destroy, obliterate, deface or tamper with, or prevent the distribution of any lawful election propaganda.

19 Billion grant from the US Aimed to Stop Corruption and Improve Economy

The grant is one of the highlights in President Aquino's trip to the US. The $434 million is part of the Millennium Challenge Corp. (MCC) financial aid to the country. This will be used in the construction of new roads and bridges particularly in Samar area.

The remaining funds will be spent on new school buildings, water systems,and clinics. Portion of the fund will also go to the computerization of the BIR to fight corruption and increase and become more effective in tax collection.

The Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has this to say about the financial aid given to the country.

“This was a negotiated agreement. This was not a decision just to give the Philippines some money ... This was a negotiation. Because that’s the whole idea behind the MCC. There are certain principles that we believe in, and the Philippines has made a commitment to these principles. We believe that you can unleash the human potential in a country like the Philippines by tearing down the barriers to economic growth and fighting corruption, which is like a cancer in the economy and society,” she said.

We just hope that this money will go the the intended beneficiaries. And no more kickbacks from the implementing agencies or percentages given to the directors, governors and mayors.

President PNoy Named People Responsible in the Hostage Crisis

The names of several people and entities who should be held responsible in the hostage crisis were made public. President Aquino said in a press conference that a review will be made on the report submitted to him so that appropriate charges will be given. Based on the investigation, the government could file administrative and criminal charges.

Names of Person and Entities:

former Philippine National Police Chief Jesus Verzosa;
PNP’s Chief Superintendent Rolando Magtibay;
NCRPO chief Leocaldo Santiago;
DILG Usec Rico Puno;
Senior Superintendent Orlando Yebra;
the head of the SWAT team;
Ombudman Merceditas Gutierrez;
a Deputy Ombudsman;
News anchors Erwin Tulfo and Mike Rogas;
Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim;
Vice Mayor Isko Moreno;
and some officials from three TV news networks.

"The report is recommendatory in nature. I have forwarded it, and its recommendations, to a legal team composed of the Executive Secretary and the Chief Presidential Legal Counsel to make a thorough review of the IIRC’s recommendations. We are committed to implementing the necessary changes to upgrade the capabilities of our local government units, police and security forces, to ensure the safety of the public. We have also been working to review and improve our procedures and protocols for emergency and crisis situations and a draft of a new crisis management manual is now being prepared," said the president in a press conference.

Result of Investigation of hostage Crisis in Manila

It is expected that this week the joint committee conducting the investigation in the hostage crisis in Manila will be making an announcement of their findings. Justice de Lima who heads the panel assures the public that their report will be unbiased and the truth will come out.

By the way, the digital or animated presentation of the bus used in the hostage taking costs the government at least 2 million pesos according to online reports. We just hope that there was proper bidding on this. 2 million is like buying the equipment used in the digital animation.

Officials should be made responsible for their lapse of judgment in the incident. Heads should roll including some top officials in Malacanang.