More party-list groups proclaimed, granted House seats

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has proclaimed the second batch of winner partylist groups on Tuesday.

Here is the list  of winnning party-lists proclaimed by Comelec and the number of seats each earned.

• Buhay - 3 seats
• A Teacher - 2 seats
• BayanMuna - 2 seats
• 1CARE - 2 seats
• Akbayan - 2 seats
• Abono - 2 seats
• Ako Bicol - 2 seats
• OFW Family - 2 seats
• Gabriela - 2 seats
• COOP-NATCCO - 2 seats
• Agap - 2 seats
• Cibac - 2 seats
• Magdalo - 2 seats
• An Waray - 2 seats
• Abamin - 1 seat
• Act Teachers - 1 seat
• Butil - 1 seat
• Amin - 1 seat
• ACT-CIS - 1 seat
• Kalingga - 1 seat
• LPGMA - 1 seat
• TUCP - 1 seat
• Yacap - 1 seat
• Agri - 1 seat
• Angkla - 1 seat
• ABS - 1 seat
• Diwa - 1 seat
• Kabataan - 1 seat
• Anakpawis - 1 seat
• Alay Buhay - 1 seat
• Aambis Owwa - 1 seat
• 1 Sagip - 1 seat
• AVE - 1 seat
• Ating Coop - 1 seat
• Abakada - 1 seat
• AMA - 1 seat
• Ang Nars - 1 seat

Comelec last Friday initially proclaimed 14 partylist groups, with Buhay getting the biggest share of votes, which had obtained at least two percent of the total votes cast.

Party-list groups that make the cut are guaranteed at least one seat in the House of Representatives. Another seat will be given if they manage to get more than two percent.

Is May 13 (election day) a holiday?

Many of you might be wondering if May 13, Election Day in the Philippines, is a holiday this year. The answer is yes; in fact, it's a non-working holiday throughout the country as declared by President Aquino by virtue of Proclamation No. 571 s. 2013. 

This is in order for the people to be given the chance to exercise their right to vote in the upcoming national and local elections.

The Proclamation states that, “the Constitution designates national and local polls to be held on the second Monday of May." 

Lacierda announced, "the President wishes to enable the Filipino people to exercise their right to suffrage. We enjoin all eligible to use this non-working holiday to participate in the electoral process that forms the bedrock of our democracy.”

Cynthia Villar says 'sorry' to nurses

Liberal Party senatorial candidate Cynthia Villar has apologized to nurses for her highly criticized statement on national TV during a senatorial debate on GMA New TV's "Pagsubok ng mga Kandidato" two weeks ago.

For what she said, she had written a letter of apology to the Philippine Nurses Association (PNA).

Photo Courtesy: LP website

“I truly am sorry for having offended the feelings of your members. It was never my intention to belittle anyone, least of all, the valiant members of the nursing profession," she said.

Villar explained Monday that "lack of time and the complexity of the issue" regarding a closure order issued by the CHED years ago hindered her from answering the question "in a clear and concise manner."

“Mahirap po talagang pagkasyahin sa loob ng isang minuto at kalahati ang lahat ng gusto kong sabihin tungkol sa mga naging problema ng mga mag-aaral ng nursing noon at hanggang ngayon. Napakalaki ng aking paghanga sa mga nars, saan man sila naglilingkod kaya’t nalulungkot ako dahil nagkulang ang aking pagpapaliwanag," she said.

Aside from that, she was unable to complete her answer because the time limit for the first answer and the thirty seconds allotted for a follow-up reply "quickly lapsed."

“What I was trying to say during that media forum was that nursing students affected by a CHED closure order several years ago deserved concrete and better career and academic options other than just an abrupt closure of the institutions that they were currently enrolled in,” she said.

During that time, she was part of a legislative oversight committee that "had to intervene" to ensure that the welfare and rights of nursing students, their parents, and teachers were provided "sufficient thought and consideration" by CHED and the school owners.

To know what happened and why representative Cynthia Villar caused public outrage on the issue of nurses, read here.

-with reports from Kimerly K Tan of GMA News

ELEKSYON 2013: Pinoy artists take election advocacy online

OPM artists, as well as the media, have began using their influence to campaign for an informed election and to call for change in the mindset of some by choosing to vote wisely.

Here are some of the influential videos currently circulating the web and gathering positive remarks.

Video Courtesy: Youtube channel gmanews

Video Courtesy: Youtube channel KAMIKAZEEonTV

ELEKSYON 2013: Are you a registered voter? Verify it here.

Are you a registered voter in the forthcoming 2013 PH general election? Not sure if you are? Find out if you are in the voters list by visiting the Precinct Finder Form.

Upon clicking the link, you will be led to a page showing the image below:

All you need to do is key in your name and birthday details. Then, click on the Search button; a dialogue box will pop out asking you to continue. You will then be directed to another page.

What you see above are the details of your registry as a voter. Problems may arise if you have not printed your voters ID yet, so it's best that you check out the site to see if you could vote in order to avoid any hassle/inconvenience on the day of the Philippine midterm elections, dubbed as Halalan 2013.

Official List of 2013 Senatorial Candidates

An official list of senatorial candidates (senatoriables) for the upcoming May 2013 senatorial elections, at least consisting of four (4) former lawmakers, five (5) incumbent senators, one (1) congressman, and one (1) Cabinet official, was issued by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) last month.

52 out of the 82 candidacy aspirants were declared nuisance candidates by the COMELEC.

The official candidates for the  2013 senatorial elections are the following:

1. Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel (Akbayan)
2. John Carlos de los Reyes (Ang Kapatiran)
3. Marwil Llasos (Ang Kapatiran)
4. Rizalito David (Ang Kapatiran)
5. Greco Belgica (Democratic)
6. Baldohero Falcone (Democratic)
7. Christian Señeres (Democratic)
8. Francis Escudero (Independent)
9. Grace Poe-Llamanzares (Independent)
10. Ramon Montaño (Independent)
11. Edward Hagedorn (Independent)
12. Ricardo Penson (Independent)
13. Juan Edgardo Angara (LDP)
14. Bam Aquino (Liberal)
15. Jamby Madrigal (Liberal)
16. Ramon Magsaysay, Jr. (Liberal)
17. Teodoro Casiño (Makabayan)
18. Alan Peter Cayetano (Nacionalista)
19. Antonio Trillanes IV (Nacionalista)
20. Cynthia Villar (Nacionalista)
21. Loren Legarda (NPC)
22. Jack Enrile (NPC)
23. Aquilino Pimentel III (PDP-Laban)
24. Samson Alcantara (Social Justice Society)
25. Nancy Binay (UNA)
26. Tingting Cojuangco (UNA)
27. JV Ejercito (UNA)
28. Richard Gordon (UNA)
29. Gregorio Honasan (UNA)
30. Ernesto Maceda (UNA)
31. Mitos Magsaysay (UNA)
32. Juan Miguel Zubiri (UNA)

Whom would  you vote for? Comment them down below and voice out your reasons for voting them.

Repost: Comelec chief to politicians: Respect the dead, don't campaign during 'Undas'

MANILA, Philippines -- Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. on Wednesday reiterated his call for those running in the 2013 midterm polls to refrain from campaigning in cemeteries on All Saints Day.

"Bigyan natin ng respeto ang namatay. Kung pupunuin ang sementeryo ng campaign materials iyong mga patay ang boboto sa inyo hindi iyong mga taumbayan na magmememorya pa ng mga mukha ninyo, makakalimutan pa iyong mukha ninyo pagdating ng eleksyon," Brillantes said in a radio interview.

In his official Twitter account, Brillantes said political aspirants giving out food and water at cemeteries is considered campaigning as he appealed to them to spare these areas where thousands go to pay respects to their departed loved ones.

"Bagama’t hindi bawal, pero kakapalan pa rin po ng mukha 'yan. Kaunting hiya naman po sana," he said.

Brillantes said he has received reports that some candidates are taking advantage of the observance of All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day by putting up tarpaulins and streamers bearing their names in different cemeteries.

On the last day of voter's registration period today, Brillantes also told registrants not to blame the poll body if they fail to register before 5 p.m.

Brillantes said the Comelec was not remiss in reminding the public of early registration so as to avoid long queues in Comelec offices. 

The Comelec chief reiterated that the poll body would not extend the deadline for voters' registration. 

"Walang sisihan ‘yan. Paulit-ulit namin sinasabi na Oct. 31 ‘yan," Brillantes stressed.

Article Source: Philippine News Agency (for InterAksyon)

Senator Ralph Recto resigns as Ways and Means Committee chair, withdraws sin tax bill report

Senator Ralph Recto on Monday, October 15, has resigned as the chairman of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, ABS-CBN News’ Ryan Chua reported on ANC.

“I want to be relieved of my resident kontrabida role,” said Recto on the reason why he had chosen to give up chairmanship.

The report furthered, Recto stepped aside to give way to “a senator who can better fight for what the Department of Finance wants.” Recto reportedly withdrew the controversial committee report of the sin tax bill. 

Comelec disqualifies Ako Bicol party-list, 12 others

12 party-lists planning to run in the 2013 elections, aside from Ako Bicol party-list, were disqualified by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for failing to represent any particular sector.

Ako Bicol partylist was disqualified, with a unanimous 6-0 vote, due to the presence of its three incumbent nominees in the Congress. Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes said the group’s incumbent lawmakers will be allowed to finish their terms until June 30 next year but they can no longer run in the 2013 polls.

The 12 other party-lists disqualified were:

• 1-AANI
• 1-BRO PGBI
• 1GANAP/GUARDIANS
• 1st PRISA
• A Blessed
• Alliance for National Urban Poor Organizations Assembly, Inc. (ANUPA)
• Alliance for Rural Concerns (ARC)
• Association for Righteousness Advocacy on Leadership (ARAL)
• Atong Paglaum
• Organization of Regional Advocates for Good Governance Onward Nation-Building (Oragon)
• United Movement Against Drug Foundation, Inc. (UNIMAD)
• Yes We Can.

Three Pacquiaos to run for office in 2013 elections

Three (3) members of the Pacquiao clan will run for government positions next year as they filed their certificates of candidacy (COC) for next year's midterm elections.

Filipino boxing pride Manny Pacquiao will run again as representative of Saranggani's lone district, while his wife Jinkee will aim for the position of Vice Governor. Jinkee, who never expressed interest in running for public office, revealed she decided to run for Vice Governor to help her husband carry out his public works in the province.

Pacquiao's younger brother Roel filed his COC Thursday. He will run for a House of Representatives seat in Koronadal City, South Cotabato's 1st District.

Pacquiao is supported by UNA's kings, Vice President Jejomar Binay and former President Joseph Estrada.

Get to Know: Senators for the Cybercrime Law | Senators for the Amendment of the Cybercrime Law

Get to know who among today's senators agree with all the provisions of the Cybercrime Law and who among them want to amend it. Click here to be directed to the page of senators pro- and anti-ammendment of the RA 10175.

Sandiganbayan issues arrest warrant for former President Arroyo over PCSO fund plunder

Warrant of arrest

The first division of the Sandiganbayan has issued an arrest warrant for former President, now-Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (GMA) for her, and nine others', alleged involvement in the plunder of Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) funds worth P366 million.

If found guilty of the non-bailable crime, the accused may be sentenced to reclusion perpetua or imprisonment with terms from 20 years and a day to 40 years.

Liberal Party (LP) senatorial candidates revealed

The Liberal Party (LP) announced on Monday its senatorial slate for the 2013 midterm elections at the Club Filipino in Greenhills, San Juan.

The list of the 12 senatorial candidates endorsed by the Liberal Party are the following:

• Senator Loren Legarda
• Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero
• Senator Koko Pimental
• Senator Allan Cayetano
• Senator Antonio Trillanes IV

Senator Escudero seeks re-election, to file COC on October 2

Senator Chiz Escudero, allegedly linked to GMA 7 personality Heart Evangelista, will seek re-election and run as independent in the 2012 midterm elections. 

Photo Courtesy: Philippine Entertainment Portal

The Senator will file his certificate of candidacy on Oct 2 "without fanfare".

It can be recalled that he was mentioned in the potential senatorial slate of both the Aquino-led Liberal Party and the Binay-Erap coalition UNA Party, an entity merged from Vice President Binay's PDP-Laban party and former President Estrada's Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP).

When asked which group he would likely join, he refused to answer it and left it up to both parties for the final decision.

- with supporting article from Inquirer.

Philippine News Bits 3 (September 2012)

Binay-led UNA political party swears in Metro Manila candidates for 2013 polls

Metro Manila candidates for the 2013 elections took their oath before members of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) on Wednesday, September 26. Among those who took oath before Vice President Jejomar Binay include Caloocan City 1st District Rep. Oscar Malapitan, Muntinlupa City Mayor Aldrin San Pedro, and Rita Crisologo, wife of Quezon City 1st District Rep. Vicente Crisologo. 

S&P hikes PH growth forecast

International ratings agency Standard & Poor's raised its growth forecast for the Philippines this year from 4.3 percent to 4.9 percent, particularly attributed to the country's lesser reliance on exports to propel its economic growth as factor of emerging resilience against the unfavorable economic prospect in Europe and the US. Meanwhile, S&P downgraded its growth forecast for Hong Kong (1.8 from 2.8 percent), India (5.5 from 6.5 percent), China (7.5 from 8.0 percent), Japan (2 from 2.5 percent), South Korea (2.5 from 3 percent), Singapore (2.1 from 2.6 percent), Taiwan (1.9 from 2.4 percent), and Australia  (3 from 3.2 percent). About 30 percent of the PH's GDP comes from export earnings, while in neighboring countries, exports account for 50 percent.

Loren Legarda, Chiz Escudero top senatorial candidate bets survey

Senator Loren Legarda and Senator Chiz Escuder lead in a recent survey conducted by Pulse Asia Inc. that enlists the top choice senators to get a seat in the 2013 Elections, if the elections were held in September.

It may be seen that a lot of those included in the Senatorial 2013 Elections survey are current senators of the Philippines, which means the public will definitely be seeing some of these senators running again for an enviable, honorable Senatorial seat.

The list of the most looked-forward bets for Senatorial race, if and when they announce their intent to run, is found below.

1. Senator Loren Legarda: 67.3 percent 
2. Senator  Francis “Chiz” Escudero: 61.2 percent 
3. Senator  Alan Peter Cayetano: 49.9 percent 
4. San Juan Rep. JV Ejercito Estrada: 49.9 percent 
5. Cagayan Rep. Juan Ponce Enrile, Jr.: 47.4 percent 
6. Senator  Antonio Trillanes IV: 41.2 percent 
7. Senator  Gregorio Honasan: 40.6 percent 
8. Senator  Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III: 39.2 percent 
9. Senator  Juan Miguel Zubiri: 37.4 percent 
10. Aurora Rep. Edgardo “Sonny” Angara: 35.9 percent
11. Las Piñas City Rep. Cynthia Villar:32.7 percent
12. Ma. Lourdes Nancy Binay: 27.4 percent 
13. former Seator. Richard Gordon: 26.2 percent
14. Senator  Ramon Magsaysay Jr.: 25.4 percent
15. former Senator Ana “Jamby” Madrigal: 23.2 percent,

Guidelines for 2013 Elections released

Running for a government position in your hometown, city, province, or in the national arena?

The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) has released the official guidelines on filing of certificates of candidacy for the upcoming 2013 automated regional and national elections which will be held on May 13, 2013.

Here are the guidelines on filing of certificates of candidacy for those who would like to run under the banner of  their political party. Guidelines on Filing of Certificates of Candidacy for 2013 Elections - COMELEC

Aquino's 6 senatorial bets

President Aquino gave out 6 names who will be part of his political party's (Liberal Party) 12-man senatorial slate for next year's elections. 

These include MTRCB chair Grace Poe-Llamanzares, former Senator Ramon “Jun” Magsaysay Jr, former Akbayan Rep. Risa Hontiveros, Senator Aquilino Pimentel Jr., and Aurora Rep. Juan Edgardo Angara. One sure seat will be given to either of the Biazon politicians, the son (Customs Chief Rufino Biazon) or the father (former Senator and Muntilupa Rep. Rodolfo Biazon).

Names still on the senatorial pending plate include the President’s cousin, Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino, TESDA chief Joel Villanueva; Quezon Rep. Lorenzo Tanada III, and former Senator Jamby Madrigal.

Close friends Senator Francis Escudero seems to be on the border, as PNoy has kept his opinions regarding Escudero's move, whose path is on a zigzag road being wooed by the rival Binay-Erap tandem, the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA).

Aquino, Binay Win in May 10 Elections

MANILA, Philippines - Incumbent Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III, landed victorious in the presidential race with a wide lead of about five million votes to his closest rival, former president Joseph "Erap" Estrada. Meanwhile, Makati Mayor Jejemor Binay won the vice presidential seat with a sharp edge of over 727, 084 votes over Roxas.

Here is the official tally of votes after the Congress, sitting as the National Board of Canvassers, completed the canvass of 278 certificates of votes after eight days.

PRESIDENT
Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III - 15,208,678 votes
Joseph "Erap" Estrada - 9,487,837 votes
Manuel "Manny" Villar - 5,573,835 votes
Gilbert "Gibo" Teodoro - 4,095,839 votes
Eduardo "Eddie" Villanueva - 1,125,878 votes
Richard Gordon - 501,727 votes
Vetallano Acosta - 181,985 votes
Ma. Ana Consuelo “Jamby” Madrigal - 46,489 votes
Nicanor Pelas - 54,575 votes
JC Delos Reyes - 44,244 votes

VICE PRESIDENT
Jejomar Binay - 14,645,574 votes
Manuel "Mar" Roxas II - 13,918,490 votes
Loren Legarda - 4,294,664 votes
Bayani Fernando - 1,017,631 votes
Edu Manzano - 807,728 votes
Perfecto Yasay - 364,652 votes
 Jay Sonza - 64,230 votes
Dominador Chipeco - 52,562 votes

Source: Inquirer

Complaints Post

To further utilize the use of internet, the page author decided to collect comments or complaints from Filipinos all over the world with respect to the National Elections. Please be guided that the link to the page can be found by clicking the whole paragraph.


Various election-related complaints have already been exposed on the web. Not all of these will be read if the rate flow of complaints becomes turbulent, so the concerned may re-post their comments/ complaints on Boto Mo Ipinatrol Ko blog. Just click the whole paragraph.