The 10 Commandments for Responsible Voting

Voters guide in choosing the right candidates in the May 2013 Elections

Source: http://ph.news.yahoo.com/photos/how-should-you-vote-ppcrv-issues-guide-slideshow/ten-commandments-of-voting-photo-1755814534.html

Candidates' Internet Advertising to be Regulated by COMELEC

advertisements on election

The COMELEC is set to regulate advertising on the internet by candidates running in the May 2013 Senatorial Elections. The spokesman of the poll body said in an interview that online advertisements will be limited to 3 days per week. 

However, it is not yet clear if they can still monitor these advertisements. Spokesman Jimenez only mentioned about the ads on online newspapers. He said that regardless of the size of the banner or even if it is a small button, they must only appear three times per week.

Websites maintained by the candidates are exempted from the new regulation. According to the poll body, it is considered as, or is similar to campaign headquarters.

But it is not clear whether they can, or will monitor other medium of online advertisements such as the social media, PPC advertising, and banner exchanges.

Senators Who Voted for the RH Bill

RH Bill -Senate and Lower House

The controversial Reproductive Health Bill will be in the President's office before the season ends. This is according to pro-RH bill lawmakers.


Here are the list of Senators who voted and opposed the passage of the RH Bill.

The 13 senators who voted in favor of the bill are:


Miriam Defensor-Santiago
Pia Cayetano,
Alan Peter Cayetano,
Joker Arroyo
Franklin Drilon
Edgardo Angara
Francis Escudero
Teofisto Guingona III
Panfilo Lacson
Loren Legarda
Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Francis Pangilinan
Ralph Recto

The 8 Senators who voted against the RH Bill:

Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile

Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada

Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III

Antonio Trillanes IV

Manuel Villar

Bong Revilla

Vicente Sotto III

Gregorio Honasan

While at the House of Representatives, the legislators already approved its version of the reproductive Health Bill on third and final reading.  The congressmen  who are in favor-133, opposed the bill - 79, and 7 abstained.

Election Hotspots in the Philippines Identified

The DILG Secretary recently announced the country's election hotspots for the 2013 Senatorial Elections. The provinces declared as high risk areas were based on various factors such as the number election related violence, family feuds, private armies, and rebel groups. The existence of gangs and crime groups were also considered.

15 Hotspot Provinces 

Abra
Pangasinan
La Union
Ilocos Sur
Cagayan
Cavite
Pampanga
Nueva Ecija
Batangas
Masbate
Samar
Misamis Occidental
Maguindano
Lanao del Sur
Basilan

The Secretary also added that other areas in the country will still be monitored during the election. Total gun ban will be strictly implemented, private armies will be closely monitored, creation of joint task force between PNP and Philippine Army, establishing of media centers, reshuffle of bodyguards, and audit of provincial jails are just some of the plans of the government in ensuring a peaceful election in 2013.

There are cities and municipalities that will be under strict monitoring because they were also classified as election hotspots in the Philippines.