March 1, 2010 Major News Stories

RP east coastlines spared from tsunami disaster

There were no waves of gigantic proportions. Not even the meter-high ones that the weather bureau warned people about. The country's east coast was clear.

Naval, police forces patrolled beaches during tsunami alert

Thousands of security forces roamed the country's coastal villages facing the Pacific Ocean, on Sunday, to make sure residents stayed away from the shorelines as tsunami waves rolled through the vast seas following the fierce quake that rocked Chile on Saturday.

With tsunami threat over, Davao Oriental folk share snacks

Residents and officials in Davao Oriental heaved a sigh of relief following the lifting of tsunami alert in the province's coasts late Sunday afternoon.

DFA: Filipinos in Chile, Argentina safe after quake

by abs-cbnNEWS.com

MANILA, Philippines - Filipinos in Chile are safe after the South American country was hit by an 8.8-magnitude earthquake on Saturday, the Philippine Embassy in Chile reported Sunday.

Tsunami warning canceled for all countries – US govt

WASHINGTON – (UPDATE) The US government on Sunday canceled a tsunami warning for all Pacific nations that had been issued in the wake of a 8.8-magnitude earthquake in Chile.

Northern Japan port area flooded after tsunami

TOKYO – A tsunami flooded the port area of Japan's northern city of Nemuro on Hokkaido island on Sunday, television images showed a day after Chile's earthquake sent a wave barreling across the Pacific.

Priests in Cebu to pray for rain

Priests across the province will say the Oracio Imperata in their masses starting today to ask for rain with the advent of the El Niño, said Msgr. Esteban Binghay, Episcopal Vicar for Metro Cebu - South.

Energy chief asks Arroyo: Use emergency powers

A power crisis in Mindanao must be declared in Mindanao to allow the government to use "emergency powers" in addressing the worsening supply shortage in the island, Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes said.

Court asked to defer arraignment of Dumpit

The legal counsel of SPO1 Adonis Dumpit has filed a motion for reconsideration with motion to defer the arraignment of the case following the recent omnibus order of Regional Trial Court Branch 6 Judge Ester Veloso denying a motion that sought to downgrade the charges against the policeman from murder to homicide.

Smartmatic TIM delivers all 82,200 poll counting machines

Smartmatic-TIM has delivered all 82,200 counting machines to be used in the automated elections May 10, the Commission on Elections announced on Sunday.

Influential pastor's name listed twice in voter's list -PPCRV

Is Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, an influential religious leader courted by several presidential candidates, a "flying voter?"

Documents gathered by the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) shows that Quiboloy's name was among some 40, 000 voters entered as "double, multiple, or dead registrants" in the May 10 elections.

The count included questionable voters in Davao City and Davao del Sur alone, according to PPCRV lawyer Howard Calleja, who called on volunteers nationwide to examine the official "posted computerized voters' list" (PCVL) in their areas.

In Davao City, Calleja said his group had uncovered at least 940 "zombies" or deceased people still registered as active voters.

"This should serve as a wake-up call," he told the Philippine Daily Inquirer in an interview on Sunday. "Let us fix the voters' list because this is one way of cheating in this election."

Calleja is set to file on Monday morning a manifestation urging the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to clean up all PCVLs around the country with still two months before the local and national elections.

He will bring to the Comelec office copies of the 40,000 plus bogus entries which, he said, could still increase once the PPCRV volunteers in Davao completed their investigation.

On the Davao list, copies of which were shown to the Inquirer, two voters were registered as Apollo Carreon Quiboloy with the same birthday on April 25, 1950.

But one was a voter in Barangay Buhangin Poblacion in the second district, while the other supposedly resided in Barangay Tamayong in the third district.

"How could this happen?" Calleja asked. "That's what we call a double registrant."

It's unclear if the Quiboloy referred to on the list is the same man who claims to be the "Appointed Son of God" heading the religious group called "Kingdom of Jesus Christ, The Name Above Every Name." The group reputedly has 6,000 members.

Leading presidential candidates are courting Quiboloy and have reportedly agreed to attend a debate to be hosted by the group on March 9 at his nine-hectare compound called "Prayer Mountain" in Davao City.

Calleja said the case of Quiboloy and of thousands of other names on the Davao list could have been the result of an error or it could mean that someone was "using" them for possible cheating.

"Double registration doesn't necessarily mean that it was their fault," he clarified. "I'm not saying that they did something wrong."

But many other cases were indicative of what Calleja called a "malicious" effort to manipulate the election results.

One woman was registered as Imelda Ape Ababa, born Oct. 14, 1966, and a resident of Barangay Marapangi in the third district. But another entry carried the same birthday and practically the same name—only that "Imelda" was listed as the last name.

Such was also the case of Margie Abellana Uyanguren who appeared on the same list as Margie Uyanguren Abellana. Both of them were born on June 1, 1978, and resided in Barangay Cabantian in the second district.

But one of them was registered voter in precinct 1837A while the other was in 1842A.

"This is funny. They just rambled the names," Calleja said.

Calleja said other entries contained subtle differences in information, but were detected by PPCRV volunteers anyway.

Two persons were registered as Oscar Castro Carsido. But one of them was born on June 1, 1950, and the other, the following year. One was a resident of the first district while the other lived in the second district.

"They just changed the birthday by one year, in some cases, by one month or by how many days. Obviously in cases like this, you'd think something's fishy," Calleja said.

The lawyer pointed out that the estimated 40,000 bogus entries on the Davao voters' list could "make or break a local election."

Assuming that such a number also existed in other provinces, he said the total could reach more than three million votes nationwide, which would be enough to manipulate the results of even the presidential race.

"We're letting all election officers nationwide know that they should not fool around because we're watching them," he said.

Philippines' Aquino may impose new taxes if elected

by By Rosemarie Francisco, Reuters

Noynoy rethinks position on taxes and Charter change in an interview with Reuters CEBU, Philippines - Philippine Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III, frontrunner in the presidential race, said he may consider raising taxes if elected if the budget gap was not cut quickly by moves to crack down on tax evasion.

Tycoon's daughter enters wild world of Philippine politics

by by Mynardo Macaraig, Agence France-Presse

MANILA, Philippines - A daughter of tycoon Lucio Tan says she is defying the wishes of her famous father by seeking to become the first family member to directly enter the Philippines' wild world of politics.

"My family does not understand why I am getting into politics. (My father) does not really want me to run. His advice to me was to stay in the private sector if I want to help," said Vivienne Tan, an entrepreneur and educator.

Despite this, the slim, smartly-dressed Tan is throwing herself completely into the role of candidate, mixing with the weathered, sun-tanned street vendors and bus drivers whose votes she is seeking.

Tan, 41, is running in the May national elections for a congressional seat in a grimy, blue-collar suburb of the Philippine capital, a long way from the skyscrapers of Manila's financial district in which her father rules.

Her opponent is incumbent congressman Vicente Crisologo, a scion of an established political family known to play rough in elections.

Bishops urge Comelec to probe Villar"s "vote-buying"

Two Catholic bishops urged the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Sunday to investigate presidential aspirant Senator Manuel Villar Jr. for alleged vote-buying.

"Permit-to-campaign" leads to peaceful polls, CPP claims

The communist movement sees no wrong in implementing its "permit-to-campaign" policy in areas considered as bailiwicks of its armed wing, the New People"s Army (NPA).

Military on heightened alert against Abu Sayyaf

The military has been instructed to go on ``heightened alert'' in southwestern Mindanao, particularly in Sulu and Basilan, to prevent a repeat of Saturday's attack by Abu Sayyaf bandits on a community in Basilan that left 11 people dead.

Hunt intensified for bandits who attacked Basilan village

by By Dyborrhae Jewel M. Reyes, ABS-CBN News Zamboanga

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - Authorities intensified on Sunday pursuit operations against armed bandits who attacked the village of Tubigan in Maluso town in Basilan province Saturday dawn.

Arroyo to honor PMA batch 2010 graduates Monday

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will honor this year's Philippine Military Academy Class 2010 as she leads their commencement exercises in Baguio City Monday.

Illegal gamble witness vs First Gentleman killed

(UPDATE 2) A witness who implicated the First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo and several other government officials for allegedly receiving jueteng (an illegal numbers game) payola was killed in Paranaque city Sunday morning, police said.

Senior Superintendent Raul Petrasanta, Pasay police chief, identified the victim as Wilfredo "Boy" Mayor, 54, who died in treatment.

The victim and his two companions were on board a dark blue Volvo (license plate RRR-606) from a casino in Malate

The victim, his son-in-law and driver Alan Castro, and nephew Rommel Mayor came from a Casino in Malate when their blue Volvo (license plate RRR-606) when at least two suspects on board a motorcycle shot at them at about 4:30 am, Sunday, Petrasanta said.

Greg Reverente, a close family friend said the motorcycle-riding attackers, armed with an M16 assault rifle and a .45-caliber hand gun, approached the victims' car and peppered it with bullets that hit Mayor in various parts of the body.

Castro was also hit while Mayor's nephew Rommel, who was at the car's back seat, was unhurt.

Mayor and his companions were rushed to a hospital but he was declared dead on arrival while Castro was still in critical condition.

Attending doctors said Mayor sustained multiple gunshot wounds in the body and head.

The gunmen immediately fled after the attack.

Reverente said police were still determining the motive of the killing.

Mayor's two companions survived the attack and are being treated at a hospital for gunshot wounds.

Mayor linked the First Gentleman and other government officials in a Senate inquiry on jueteng in 2005.

Jueteng witness had a bad feeling days before slay -- Cam

Just days before he was gunned down, jueteng whistle-blower Wilfrido "Boy" Mayor had an ominous feeling that something was going to go wrong, according to his close friend Sandra Cam.

Filipino sailors' remittances up 12% to $366M

Filipino sailors aboard foreign ocean-going vessels wired home a total of $3.4 billion in 2009, up $366 million or 12.06 percent from $3.034 billion in 2008, the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) said in a news release over the weekend.

RP repatriates 39 workers from Dubai

Thirty-nine female overseas Filipino workers from Dubai, most of whom ran away from their employers, arrived in Manila on Saturday after being repatriated by the Philippine government.

Ask Thai govt. to stop migrant's crackdown

An alliance of Filipino migrant workers in the Middle East urged the government to formally ask the Thai government to stop the on-going crackdown of migrants in its territory.

Somali pirates free Greek-owned freighter, 18 Pinoy crew

by Agence France-Presse

BRUSSELS - Somali pirates released Sunday a Greek-owned freighter and its crew of 19, captured two months ago, after receiving a ransom payment, the EU's naval force announced.

DFA passport process to move to new building by March 8

Starting March 8, passport operations will be moved from the Department of Foreign Affairs offices to its new Office of Consular Affairs (OCA) building at the corner of Bradco and Macapagal Avenues in Aseana Business Park, the DFA said in a news release.

Militants win PAL union elections

Militants won a landslide victory in the elections for the Philippine Airlines (PAL) ground crew union on February 25, twelve years after the controversial moratorium in the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) of 1998, the PAL Employees Association (Palea) said in a news release over the weekend.

Govt seeks SC help in chief justice issue

The government has asked the Supreme Court to compel the Judicial and Bar Council to submit its shortlist of nominees for the chief justice position to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Pope appoints engineer as Malaybalay bishop

Pope Benedict XVI has appointed a chemical engineer as bishop of Malaybalay, Bukidnon province in Mindanao, the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines said.

Malaybalay Bishop Jose Araneta-Cabantan has a degree in chemical engineering before he entered the seminary as a "late bloomer."

"I felt humbled by the appointment," he said. No date had been set for his installation, the CBCP said.

Cabantan will succeed Bishop Honesto Pacana, who resigned upon reaching the age of 75. Pacana is now 77 years old.

The CBCP said Cabantan was ordained in 1990 and is the priest of the Miraculous Medal Parish and Social Action Center Director of the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro.

He was born in Lagonglong town in Misamis Oriental in 1957.

One of his predecessors at his new post is Manila cardinal Gaudencio Rosales, who was bishop of Malaybalay from 1984 to 1992.

The Diocese of Malaybalay has 80 priests and 164 religious, and has a 1.4-million Catholic population.

The CBCP said Cabantan is a chemical engineer by profession before he entered the seminary in Cagayan de Oro City in 1983.

Cabantan took a "late vocation" after taking his Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering at the Cebu Institute of Technology and graduated in 1979.

Upon graduation he went home to teach Chemistry at the RVM-run St. John the Baptist High School.

After passing the board exams, he worked for Nonoc Mining in Surigao City.

Realizing his vocation for the priesthood, he entered the San Jose de Mindanao College Seminary in Cagayan de Oro City in 1983.

After finishing philosophy, he became part of the pioneer batch of seminarians at the St. John Vianney Major Seminary and was ordained in 1990.

Chile races to find survivors after monster quake

Chilean rescue teams raced Sunday to find survivors in mountains of rubble after one of the biggest earthquakes on record killed more than 300 people and left scores trapped in ruined buildings.

New 6.1 aftershock strikes Chile: US agency

WASHINGTON—(UPDATE) Powerful new aftershocks rattled Chile early Sunday in the wake of the massive 8.8-strong earthquake that killed more than 300 people, a US government agency reported.

Pope expects 'solidarity' after Chile quake

VATICAN CITY-- Pope Benedict XVI said Sunday he was praying for victims of Chile's quake and expected that support for them "would not fall short", particularly from church organizations.

Security tightened in Bangkok after bank blasts

by by Ambika Ahuja, Reuters

BANGKOK, Thailand - Thailand Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Sunday ordered security tightened in Bangkok after two hand grenades exploded outside branches of the country's biggest bank, causing light damage but no injuries.

Mayol retains WBC title despite knockout

MEXICO CITY – Rodel Mayol of the Philippines retained his WBC straw-weight world title in a controversial finish to his defense against Mexico's Omar Nino in Guadalajara late Saturday.

Vazquez spoils Sonsona"s title bid with KO win

Marvin Sonsona failed to crash into the roster of champions again after getting knocked out by Puerto Rican Wlifredo Vazquez, Jr. in their clash for the vacant WBO junior featherweight crown Saturday at the Coliseo Ruben Rodriguez in Bayamon, Puerto Rico.

Giants hacked out Alaska

Purefoods proved steadier in the stretch as the Giants hacked out a come-from-behind 79-78 victory over the Alaska Aces last night to gain a commanding 3-0 lead in their KFC PBA Philippine Cup best-of-seven championship series at the Araneta Coliseum.

Betting on poll results a crime, warns poll exec

It's okay to root for Noynoy, or Manny, or Erap or Gibo, but just don't bet on any one of them winning in the May 10 elections. It could land you in jail.

ABS-CBN a big winner at the Gandingan Awards

by abs-cbnNEWS.com

MANILA, Philippines – Giant network ABS-CBN was a big winner at the recently concluded "Gandingan 2010: The UPLB Isko't Iskas Broadcast Choice Awards" after bagging 16 of the 24 major prizes.

The Kapamilya network clinched the 2 major awards, namely best TV station and most development oriented TV station.

Kim Atienza took home the Gandingan ng kabataan, Gandingan ng kalikasan, and Gandingan ng edukasyon awards. His show, "Matanglawin," was named best environment oriented program and best education program.

ABS-CBN's primetime newscast "TV Patrol World" grabbed the best news TV program award, while its anchor, Ted Failon, was named best news anchor.

Other awards won by the network were best morning show (Umagang Kay Ganda), best youth oriented program (Y Speak), best woman oriented program (Wonder Mom), Gandingan ng kababaihan (Karen Davila), best livelihood oriented program (Kabuhayang Swak na Swak), best AM station (dzmm), and best AM announcer (Failon).

Roxanne Guinoo expecting a child

by abs-cbnNEWS.com

MANILA, Philippines – Roxanne Guinoo and her 20-year-old Chinese-Filipino fiancé are expecting their first child.

Nora Aunor shows off new look of a superstar

Ipinasilip na ni superstar Nora Aunor sa kauna-unahang pagkakataon ang resulta ng kanyang pagpapa-retoke sa Tokyo, Japan! Matapos ang kanyang make-over, reding-ready na si Ate Guy sa inaabangan ng kanyang fans na showbiz comeback!

Chilean quake among top 10 strongest on record

The 8.8 magnitude earthquake that slammed central Chile on Saturday is among the top 10 strongest on record, according to data from the US Geological Survey, which monitors earthquakes around the world.

Eighteen of the top 20 most powerful earthquakes, including the strongest, struck in a zone of volcanic instability that encircles the Pacific Ocean known as the "Ring of Fire."

The "Ring" stretches along the western coast of the Americas through the island nations of the South Pacific and on through Southeast Asia.

Half of the top 20 strongest earthquakes struck the Pacific coast of the Americas, and six of those -- including four in Chile -- struck south America.

The most powerful earthquake ever, a magnitude 9.5 whopper, struck Chile on May 22, 1960 not far from the epicenter of Saturday's earthquake.

The 1960 quake, known as the Valdivia quake, killed 1,655 people, injured 3,000 and left two million homeless. It triggered a tsunami that killed 61 people in Hawaii, 138 in Japan and 32 in the Philippines.

The top 20 earthquakes, according to the USGS and not counting Saturday's are:

- May 22, 1960 - south-central Chile - magnitude 9.5

- March 28, 1964 - Prince William Sound, Alaska - magnitude 9.2

- December 26, 2004 - Sumatra-Andaman Islands - magnitude 9.1

- November 4, 1952 - Kamchatka peninsula, former Soviet Union - magnitude 9.0

- August 13, 1868 - Arica, Peru (now Chile) - magnitude 9.0

- January 26, 1700 - Cascadia Subduction Zone (north-western US coast/southern British Columbia, Canada) - magnitude 9.0

- January 31, 1906 - Off the Coast of Esmeraldas, Ecuador - magnitude 8.8

- February 4, 1965 - Rat Islands, Alaska - magnitude 8.7

- November 1, 1755 - Lisbon, Portugal - magnitude 8.7

- July 8, 1730 - Valparasio, Chile - magnitude 8.7

- March 28, 2005 - Northern Sumatra, Indonesia - magnitude 8.6

- March 9, 1957 - Andreanof Islands, Alaska - magnitude 8.6

- August 15, 1950 - Assam - Tibet - magnitude 8.6

- September 12, 2007 - Southern Sumatra, Indonesia - magnitude 8.5

- October 13, 1963 - Kuril Islands, former Soviet Union - magnitude 8.5

- February 1, 1938 - Banda Sea, Indonesia - magnitude 8.5

- February 3, 1923 - Kamchatka peninsula - magnitude 8.5

- November 11, 1922 - Chile-Argentina Border - magnitude 8.5

- June 15, 1896 - Sanriku, Japan - magnitude 8.5

- October 20, 1687 - Lima, Peru - magnitude 8.5

February 26, 2010 Major News Stories

Fish kill reports mount due to drought

Fishermen here said they lost 30 tons of tilapia cultured in fish cages and pens along the Magat River as the water level there has started to drop due to the prolonged dry spell and the absence of rainfall, so far, in 2010.

BFAR monitoring reported fish kill, red tide

Low levels of dissolved oxygen in fish ponds due to the dry spell have resulted in fish kills in aquaculture areas in Central Luzon and Isabela province, but authorities quickly said the problem can still be mitigated.

Palace downplays El Nino effect on country's output

by abs-cbnNEWS.com

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang on Thursday downplayed the impact of the El Nino phenomenon on the country's output.

Heat kills hundreds of chickens in La Union

by abs-cbnNEWS.com

MANILA, Philippines - From brownouts to dried up crops, the dry spell has also taken its toll on chickens in La Union province.

FAO okays $6.6-M food projects for RP

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has approved three agriculture-related projects worth almost $7 million for the Philippines to address food security that is threatened by the ongoing El Niño episode, Ambassador Philippe J. Lhuillier said on Thursday.

Wednesday warmest day of the year; hotter times ahead

The hottest day of the year so far was recorded on Wednesday afternoon at 34.5 degrees Celsius, but state weather forecasters expect even hotter days ahead. A 40-degree weather is possible. PAGASA advised the public to avoid exposure to the sun especially between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. and take precautions against sunburn.

Fire destroys 4 houses in Mactan

Fire destroyed four houses in sitio Dapdap, barangay Mactan, Lapu-Lapu City alleged to have been set off by faulty electrical wiring.

PRC: 621 new physicians

by abs-cbnNEWS.com

MANILA, Philippines - The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) on Thursday announced that 621 out of 1,344 passed the Physician (Complete, Finals and Finals with Prelims) Licensure Examination.

FEU graduate tops medical board exam

A Far Eastern University-Nicanor Reyes Medical Foundation graduate topped the 621 who passed the physician licensure examination this month, the Professional Regulation Commission announced on Thursday.

Marie Jo-Ann Beltran Cabanting got an 85.42 rating in the tests taken by 1,344 medical graduates.

Arlyn Dizon Salut of the Our Lady of Fatima University-Valenzuela obtained the second highest rating at 85.08, followed by Reginald Ricasa Cordial, also of Our Lady of Fatima University, 84.92.

Two other Fatima graduates made it to the top 10—Rod Mark Memoracion Clavel, 84.67 (4th), and Jan Edward Espino Sayco, 84.08 (7th).

Bianca Katrina Escaro Villanueva of the University of the East-Ramon Magsasay Memorial Medical Center ranked fifth with a rating of 84.25.

Following are rest on the list of top 10 examinees:

6) Charlene Rose Khe Haw, University of Santo Tomas—84.17
8) Michael Ramos Arrosas, West Visayas State University-La Paz—84
9) Noreen Antoinette Garcia, Ateneo de Zamboanga, 83.92
10) Suzette Bungay Sagun, University of the Philippines-Manila, 83.83

Read complete list of successful examinees

List of successful examinees for the Physician Licensure Examination (PDF, 65.55 kb)

List of successful examinees who garnered the ten (10) highest places in the Physician Licensure Examination

20100225_PHYS_Top10

Roxas: HIV threat should not overshadow benefits of BPOs

- Liberal Party vice presidential candidate Sen. Mar Roxas said he is not worried of reports of increasing HIV cases among call center agents because steps can be undertaken to counter the risk.

Shippers ready to cancel strike

IF the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) suspends the circulars Cebu-based shipping operators have been opposing, the latter would postpone a province-wide strike planned for Marc

Brgy capt. Charged for illegal detention

A criminal complaint for unlawful arrest and arbitrary detention were filed against a barangay captain in Carcar City and seven of his tanods for allegedly detaining two people they caught transporting minerals without a delivery receipt and transport permit.

Lawyer Rodolfo Dacalos, Jr., on behalf of his client Liberato Bitangga, filed the complaint before the Cebu Provincial Prosecutor's Office against Guadalupe barangay captain Leopoldo Alcordo and barangay tanods Manuel Ferrer, Michael Canape, Trinidad Canada, Romy Elorde, Araceli Genobisa, Arvin Ababa and Juanito Alcuirez.

Alcordo and his tanods arrested Liberato Bitangga and Aurelio Bitangga on October 23, 2009 while transporting rock phosphate from Aloguinsan town. The complainants claimed they were brought to the Carcar Police Station where they were detained for two days despite their protest and presentation of the permit of Erlinda Quiba who owns the minerals they were transporting.

The complainants said they were only released after the Mines and Geo-Sciences Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources ordered their release because they could not be held criminally for transporting minerals.

TRO ISSUANCE SOUGHT: City sues Capitol for DA lot

by By Jasmin Uy Labaco

The Cebu City government yesterday filed a complaint against the provincial government before the Regional Trial Court to prevent the Capitol from taking over the six-hectare lot previously occupied by the Department of Agriculture.

UV raps P19M tax bill

A PRIVATE university yesterday sued the Cebu City Government and City Treasurer Ofelia Oliva, and asked that its tax assessment of more than P19 million be declared void.

DAANBANTAYAN POLITICAL ROW: Judge charged with contempt for issuing writ of execution

Bogo City Regional Trial Court Judge Antonio Marigomen was charged with contempt before the Commission on Elections for issuing a writ of execution to implement his previous decision that declared Augusto Corro and his running mate Jose de Leon as winners in the May 2007 elections in Daanbantayan even before the decision could become final and executory.

60,000 poll machines pass stress tests, ready for polls—Comelec

Over 60,000 poll machines are ready to be used for the first-ever national automated polls in May, Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairman Jose Melo announced on Thursday.

Melo made the announcement after his visit to the Comelec warehouse in Laguna. Melo expressed satisfaction over the results of the laboratory stress tests and other operational tests conducted on the machines.

After all 60,000 poll machines passed the operational and security testing, Melo said they are ready to load the machines with the automation software certified by international agency Systest Labs.

About 13,000 precinct count optical scan machines are set to arrive February 26, two days earlier than the delivery deadline. Installing the certified software on the poll machines will continue until March, when all poll machines have been tested.

Asked to rank in a scale of one to 10, with 10 signaling Comelec as most prepared for the May elections, Melo said "nine", citing the 100 percent passing rate of the poll machines when subjected to several stress and functionality tests.

The poll chief was quoted Wednesday as saying he would quit Comelec "if poll automation fails."

During the testing, the poll machines are fed with hundreds of marked paper ballots to ensure they can read and scan all the shaded ovals opposite all pre-printed names of candidates and, after scanning, that they can print the Election Returns (ERs), said Smartmatic warehouse manager Louie Campos.

Of the 68,000 machines delivered to the Laguna warehouse, only four percent failed the test on the first run but was able to comply with the requirements when tested for the second time, he said.

"The four percent of the machines which failed the tests are quarantined and are subjected to another testing based on the cause of its non-compliance. For example, if the machine fails in the scanning test, we fed it another batch of papers. So it's not the machine's problem but the paper itself and after we diagnose this, the machines pass the test," said Campos.

The warehouse official added that no machine was sent for repair at the warehouse despite the four percent failing the test for the first time due to "scanning problems."

Melo also gave an approval for the printing of the ballots. Presently, six million ballots have been printed at the National Printing Office for use in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and the provinces of Bohol, Cagayan, Batanes and Palawan, among others.

Melo also showed the media that the ballots to be shipped per clustered precinct were sealed in vacuum plastics and placed in black plastic box that is finally covered by a stretch plastic film for protection against humidity, high temperature and sunlight that might damage the invisible UV ink, one of the ballot's main security features.

Also present during the site visit, automation law co-author and Makati Representative Teddy Boy Locsin gave the Comelec "two-thumbs up" for its vigilance to continue the project.

"The Comelec did a great job here and it seems we are sure to have the country's first automated elections in May 10," Locsin told INQUIRER.net.

Comelec installs security features on ballots

To ensure that the ballots would go to its designated municipality and voting precincts, the Commission on Elections has installed redundant security features to the ballots such as putting them in vacuum sealed packages, Chairman Jose Melo said.

6M ballots printed for May polls –Comelec exec

(UPDATE) Six million ballots for the May automated polls were printed at the National printing Office as of Thursday, Comelec Commissioner Gregorio Larrazabal said.

Senators no-show in ballot printing inspection

Ininspeksyon ng Joint Congressional Oversight Committee on Automation ang pag-imprenta ng mga balota para sa halalan pati ang warehouse ng Smartmatic-TIM sa Cabuyao, Laguna. Pero hindi sumipot ang mga senador at mga kongresista lang ang dumalo sa inspeksyon.

CHR chief slams communist rebels' 'permit to campaign'

The Commission on Human Rights on Thursday slammed the New People's Army's "permit to campaign" scheme, calling it an "extortion" by "non-state actors" who have regard for free, fair and genuine elections.

4 soldiers killed in Agusan Sur ambush

(UPDATE 3) At least four soldiers, including a junior officer, were killed when communist rebels set off a landmine in Veruela, Agusan del Sur, the military said Thursday.

PNP preparing list of absentee voters

  The Philippine National Police is preparing the list of those who will avail of the absentee voting this coming April 24, 25, and 26 this year.

5 Arroyo Cabinet members quit for May poll bids

Five members of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's official family no longer waited for the final Supreme Court decision and have tendered their courtesy resignation to prepare for the May 10 local elections.

Leading the way was Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, who is running for congressman in Batangas. He filed his resignation last Tuesday.

Joining him were Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera, Presidential Management Staff chief Hermogenes Esperon Jr, Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya, and Ed Pamintuan, Malacanang's point person in the urban Luzon beltway project.

Ermita said Augusto Syjuco of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authorit (Tesda) had informed him Wednesday night that he, too, was stepping down.

"We are submitting our resignation. It depends on the final decision of the President," Ermita told reporters shortly after Ms Arroyo's inspection of the MRT-LRT "closing the loop" project in Santolan, Quezon City on Thursday.

But Ermita made it clear that Cabinet members seeking elective posts would not violate the law even if they stayed on until the start of the official campaign period on March 26.

"Legally, it's okay for us to still be there because (the SC decision) is not (yet) final and executory," he pointed out.

His position was backed by Romulo Macalintal, Ms Arroyo's election lawyer, who cited a 2009 high court ruling, which said: "A candidate is liable for an election offense only for acts done during the campaign period, not before."

"Government officials shall be deemed resigned only on March 26—the start of their campaign period—and not when they filed their (certificates of candidacy) on Dec. 1, 2009 since, at that time and up to the present, they are not yet considered as 'candidates,'" he said in a statement.

Ermita announced the resignations the day after Ms Arroyo reportedly frowned upon the presence of Cabinet officials earlier named by the SC as considered resigned since filing their COCs.

"All those who were mentioned in the Supreme Court decision, all of you guys are just guests here today," Tourism Secretary Ace Durano quoted his boss as saying at Tuesday's Cabinet meeting.

Pamintuan said his resignation letter would be delivered to the Palace first thing Friday morning.

He criticized the high tribunal for initially ruling that appointed officials were not considered resigned when they filed their COCs on 2009, but only to reverse its position recently.

"How's that? Now, we're considered resigned. Question is, when is the resignation effective? It's not our fault for the SC to flip-flop," he told the Inquirer in a text message.

Thousands celebrate people power at Araneta Coliseum

Thousands of people, all clad in yellow shirts, gathered at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City for the 24th anniversary of the EDSA people power revolt that toppled the dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos.

Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III led the commemoration, which started at around 3:00 p.m.

Prominent personalities were also present to join the celebration like Aquino's running mate, Senator Mar Roxas II, Quezon City Mayor Sonny Belmonte, Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, former Manila Mayor Mel Lopez, and members of Aquino's senatorial slate.

Aquino's girlfriend, Valenzuela Councilor Shalani Soledad, was also present.

Aquino claimed the crowd filled up the coliseum, which has a 20,000 seating capacity.

And he expected more number outside the coliseum.

Singers Ogie Alcasid, Christian Bautista, Jim Paredes, Sponge Cola were among those who performed inside the coliseum while a separate concert was also being held outside the venue.

This is the first time that the country commemorates the so-called historic bloodless revolution without Aquino's mother, the late President Corazon Aquino, who was extolled as an icon of people power.

The former leader died of colon cancer in August last year.

And the thought of this saddened Senator Aquino.

"Yan ang senti moments talaga," he told reporters at the sideline of the event.

But the senator was sure that his mother as well as his father, martyred Senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr., were happy to see that the Filipinos love for each other

are still very much alive.

Roxas was overwhelmed when he saw the huge crowd, who joined the celebration.

"Ang dilaw po ay kulay ng tapang at pag asa. Kulay ni Tita Cory (Yellow is the color of courage and hope. This is the color of Tita Cory," said Roxas in his speech.

"This is our country and we will get it back," he said.

After his speech, actor Ding Dantes was called on the stage to give a brief speech.

Dantes supposedly rejected a big offer to endorse another candidate in exchange for his support for Aquino.

"Simple lang ho yan, ang prinsipyo ko ay walang presyo (It's simple, my principle has no corresponding price)," said the actor in explaining his choice.

Noynoy calls his "yellow army" to arms

by By Dennis Carcamo

MANILA, Philippines -- Liberal Party standard bearer Sen. Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III  warned  corrupt officials in government tonight that their days are numbered, with the May 10 elections drawing near.

Halalan wrap: LP, NP concerts, Erap and Eddie in the provinces

Mistulang nag-showdown sa concert ang Liberal Party at Nacionalista Party! Sa malalalayong lugar naman nanuyo ng botante sina dating pangulong Joseph Estrada at Brother Eddie Villanueva, habang si Gilbert Teodoro, nangampanya sa mga estudyante. Si JC delos Reyes, nakuha ang suporta ng dalawang obispo.

Villar spent X'mas on streets? Noynoy has own sob story

by by Carmela Fonbuena, abs-cbnNEWS.com/Newsbreak

'I spent X'mas with my innocent dad in jail' MANILA, Philippines - So you think the childhood of Nacionalista Party presidential candidate Manuel Villar Jr. was so bad because--as his popular TV ads tell us--he spent Christmases on the streets and experienced living amid garbage?

AFP chides Villar, partymates for unity walk inside camp

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What was supposed to be a simple visit by the Manny Villar-led Nacionalista Party bets to their fellow senatorial candidate detained inside Camp Aguinaldo turned into a campaign sortie on Thursday when they held a unity walk and raised each other"s hands - a stark violation of a military regulation against campaigning inside camps, according to AFP public information chief Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner Jr.

Abu Sayyaf leadership crippled, demoralized – PNP

With two of its high-ranking officers neutralized, the Muslim extremist Abu Sayyaf group is effectively demoralized and their capabilities reduced, the Philippine National Police said on Thursday.

No widowmaker tag on our planes, please-PAF

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) on Thursday appealed to the media and the public to refrain from using the terms "widowmaker" and "flying coffins" in describing its mostly secondhand aircraft.

EU gives DOH P60-M for reproductive health services

The European Union (EU) on Thursday provided the Department of Health (DOH) with P60 million as support for the government's programs on reproductive health-including the distribution of contraceptives among poor barangays-amid the continuing Church objection to such programs.

Pinoys from cash-strapped casino ship in US arrive home

A total of 44 Filipino seafarers working in a bankrupt casino ship docked in the United States arrived home Thursday, amid assurances from Philippine officials of assistance in getting their back pay.

PCSO stopped from awarding wireless lotto betting deal

The Quezon City Regional Trial Court has temporarily restrained the state-owned Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office from awarding any new contract for wireless lotto betting upon the petition of technology solutions provider DFNN Inc.

Philip Morris, Fortune Tobacco in 'marriage of equals'

by By Ricky Carandang, ABS-CBN News

MANILA, Philippines - It's being called a marriage of equals. Philip Morris, maker of Marlboro, with a 30 percent share of the local cigarette market, and Lucio Tan's Fortune Tobacco, with a 60 percent market share, have agreed to combine their businesses under a 50-50 joint venture company called Philip Morris Fortune Tobacco Corp. (PMFTC) Inc.

11 injured, homes damaged in China quake

BEIJING—At least 11 people were injured and a lot of homes severely damaged by a 5.1-magnitude quake which hit southwest China Thursday, state media reported.

Obama opens health summit with plea for agreement

by by John Whitesides and Patricia Zengerle, Reuters

WASHINGTON D.C., United States - President Barack Obama opened a last-ditch bid to save his stalled healthcare overhaul on Thursday, telling a televised summit that health reform was critical to boosting the ailing economy and emphasizing areas of agreement with Republicans.

Sonsona confident of world title win

by abs-cbnNEWS.com

MANILA, Philippines – "Marvelous" Marvin Sonsona shoots to reclaim boxing glory when he faces Puerto Rican Wilfredo Vazquez, Jr. on Saturday (Sunday in Manila) at the Ruben Rodriguez Coliseum in Bayamon, Puerto Rico.

Pinay gymnast hopes to join RP team

by abs-cbnNEWS.com

MANILA, Philippines -- Filipina gymnast Amanda Louise Alejandrino wants to rejoin the national gymnastics team and get the chance to represent the Philippines in an Olympic qualifier next year.

P12.5 million savings to go to youth sports programs

Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña will be allocating P12.5 million in savings of the city government for its sports program in time for the summer vacation only a month away from now.

Maricel Soriano marks 45th b-day

by abs-cbnNEWS.com

MANILA, Philippines - Seasoned actress Maricel Soriano, or Maria Cecilia Dador Soriano in real life, turned 45 years old today, February 25.

Sam Pinto denies asking P1.5-M talent fee

by abs-cbnNEWS.com

MANILA, Philippines – Even before she can make a mark in show business, former Pinoy Big Brother Double Up housemate Sam Pinto is already being inundated with intrigues.