PPCRV’s call center to receive citizens’ reports on polls

By Pam Brooke A. Casin, Czarina I. Gonzalez
Inquirer
Last updated 10:00pm (Mla time) 05/10/2007

MANILA, Philippines — Citizens can assume a more pro-active role in the coming elections.

The Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) disclosed on Thursday its communication network, similar to the set-up of a call center, which would receive reports from citizens wishing to inform concerned government agencies about election-related crimes and other untoward incidents during the election period.

With PPCRV’s program CHAMP (Clean, Honest, Accurate, Meaningful and Peaceful) Elections for 2007, the Catholic organization intends to “safeguard the election exercise” and “advocate responsible voting” among citizens through their call and text center.

The networking center will be manned by the organization’s own HOPE (Honest, Orderly and Peaceful Elections) volunteers. Representatives from different government agencies will also be present at the center such as the Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Human Rights (CHR), National Capital Region Police Office (NCR-PO) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines-National Capital Region (AFP-NCR).

Ambassador Henrietta T. de Villa, PPCRV Chair said that since “networking is the mode of action,” today, it would be easier to efficiently guard the electoral process.

Calls and text messages will be relayed to agencies concerned for immediate action and response.

She said they expected the responses to be swift as the messages would be handed to the agencies nearest to the reported incidents. This system would help verify the reports and complaints gathered in their database.

Moreover, a news bulletin is said to be released every four hours starting Saturday and every hour come election day containing the number of reports accumulated and the number of reports responded to.

The PPCRV hopes to erase doubts cast on the 2004 Elections through their preemptive election fraud programs.

“We need to cooperate and help each other this coming elections,” de Villa said. “In doing so, an election that is credible, clean and peaceful will be at hand.”

The PPCRV has opened the following hotlines the public can use to transmit their reports to the poll watchdog group:

* Globe — 09167001000
* Smart — 09282867000
* Sun — 09227238080
* Touch Mobile — 09066723911

CBCP head steps into watchdogs’ row

CBCP head steps into watchdogs’ row
By Nikko Dizon, Cathy C. Yamsuan
Inquirer
Last updated 05:19am (Mla time) 05/10/2007
MANILA, Philippines — Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, head of the powerful Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), stepped in Wednesday to stop a brewing conflict among non-government electoral watchdogs — the Parish Pastoral Council of the Philippines (PPCRV), and the National Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel) and the National Secretariat for Social Action, Justice, and Peace (Nassa).

With only five days to go before Election Day, Lagdameo rebuked the PPCRV, the Church’s civic arm, for planning to set up an unofficial quick count separate from that of Namfrel and Nassa at the La Salle Greenhills auditorium.

In a May 2 letter obtained by the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Lagdameo warned that the conflict was creating a “threatening storm” that could lay to waste all their preparations to counter electoral fraud on May 14.

The Namfrel-Nassa coalition is accredited by the Commission on Elections as its citizens’ arm to conduct a parallel quick count. The Namfrel-Nassa will be supplied an official copy of the election returns.

The PPCRV, on the other hand, is the accredited citizen’s arm for poll watching. It said it would field more than one million volunteers as poll watchers, and will receive the COV (Canvass of Votes) from the precincts.

Sought for comment, PPCRV chair Henrietta de Villa told the Inquirer that they are “not going to make a parallel count, contrary to the reports.”

At least not in the national level, said De Villa as she admitted that “some dioceses” want to tabulate the votes of their local candidates directly using the COVs gathered by their poll watchers.

She said the PPCRV board would meet again to clarify this matter.

The controversy came out in the open when PPCRV board member Dr. Ricardo Ledesma revealed the planned parallel count during the Kapihan ng Bayan forum at the Sulo Hotel on Monday.

Ledesma said their poll watchers would report the raw precinct scores directly to the PPCRV headquarters at Pope Pius Center, Manila, without waiting for the official ER.

In a phone interview after the forum, Ledesma told the Inquirer that through this way there would be less chances for figures to be doctored.

Unlike Namfrel, PPCRV’s tally will not have to wait for Comelec ERs before reporting any figure.

“Manipulation happens during the canvassing. This is the stage when ‘dagdag-bawas’ (vote padding and vote shaving) happens. The PPCRV count will definitely be more reliable because there is less manipulation,” he explained.

Ledesma insisted that PPCRV’s activities are not in conflict nor parallel to Namfrel’s quick count.

But Namfrel and CBCP do not agree. They feel such a count will only create confusion. With Kristine L. Alave

***

The idea of Dr. Ricardo Ledesma is simply a proposal as a part of the board members of the PPCRV’s board of directors, it is a proposal and does not reflect the sentiments of the whole PPCRV. This idea was discussed in the meetings held in every dioceses of the country. The Diocese of San Pablo in particular have taken the stand not to do a parallel  count with namfrel using the COV. And  I believe, this is the sentiment of the majority of the PPCRV volunteers. Counting of votes for senators will be done by the Diocesan centre and will be passed on to the national level through electronic mail using the software provided by Namfrel. Local counting whether on parish/municipal level and diocesan/provincial level will be base  on Election Return for the following reasons.

1. ER is the most accurate and legal form in relation to canvassing.

2. COV’s are usually sign by the BEI after the ER is finished (based on experience)

3. It will require additional people and workload for the same job

4. Let us give Namfrel another chance for redemption, to redeem itself.

Fr. Jessie Somosierra, Jr.

Report: Darlene’s supporter murdered in S. Cotabato

05/10/2007 | 06:05 PM
A campaign supporter of reelectionist Rep. Darlene Antonino-Custodio, electoral rival of boxing icon Manny Pacquiao, was gunned down Thursday at Tupi town in South Cotabato, initial television reports said.

Pacquiao earlier accused Custodio’s camp of paying assassins P100 million to have him killed. The lawmaker, however, has denied the claim. The two are contesting the congressional seat in South Cotabato’s first district. – GMANews.TV

INQUIRER.net launches web-based tools for voters

INQUIRER.net launches web-based tools for voters

By Lawrence Casiraya
INQUIRER.net
Last updated 04:58pm (Mla time) 05/10/2007

MANILA, Philippines — INQUIRER.net has launched web-based tools on its Eleksyon 2007 site to help voters in making their choices for Monday’s senatorial and local elections.

The Voter’s Guide helps users rate candidates using a scorecard for pre-defined “roles” (strategist, servant leader, etc) and leadership qualities (honesty, competence, etc.)

The scorecard is based on a research project undertaken by the Personnel Management Association of the Philippines (PMAP) on the Roles of a Good President, which was used in the 2004 presidential elections and updated for this year’s polls.

The scorecard aims to help voters choose candidates in a more structured manner.

The Sample Ballot feature, meanwhile, helps voters come up with a list of names that they can print out and bring to polling precincts to guide them when filling out their ballots.

On the sample ballot form, voters can select senators from the list provided. Clicking on a senator’s name brings up his profile and links to INQUIRER.net’s series of podcast interviews with senatorial candidates. Voters can also add the names of party-list groups and local candidates.

Once done, voters can print out their sample ballots and take it with them to their precinct. The use of a list or “kodigo” is recommended by the Commission on Elections on its information website, BagongBotante.com.

DepEd taps lawyers, police to secure teachers in polls

By Alexander Villafania
INQUIRER.net
Last updated 05:38pm (Mla time) 05/10/2007

MANILA, Philippines — As part of its preparations for next week’s elections, the Department of Education has enlisted the help of the Philippine National Police and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) in protecting the teachers against violence and legal suits.

During the signing of memoranda of agreement with the PNP and the IBP Thursday, Franklin Sunga, education undersecretary for legal affairs, said that there would be over 450,000 public school teachers who would serve as Board of Election Inspectors and Board of Election Canvassers.

“This is necessary so that we can ensure the safety of our teachers.

Likewise, the Commission on Elections has approved the advance release of the P3,000 honorarium for the BEIs and BOCs,” Sunga said.

IBP President Jose Vicente Salazar said that they have tapped all of the provincial chapters of the IBP to provide free legal services to teachers.

Salazar said that legal assistance would be given to teachers who would be harassed, which he claimed was a common occurrence during elections.

He clarified however that cases would have to be evaluated first for merit.

IBP has over 40,000 members composed of lawyers, judges and paralegals.

Meanwhile, PNP Deputy Director General Antonio Billiones said the agency would be deploying over 120,000 policemen throughout the country.

He said the PNP also coordinated with the Armed Forces of the Philippines for the deployment of troops in trouble spots.

“There are 216 high-risk municipalities. The deployment of extra troops and policemen should ensure the security of our policemen,” Billiones said

450,000 teachers on May 14 not enough–education exec

INQUIRER.net
Last updated 05:42pm (Mla time) 05/10/2007

MANILA, Philippines — Although over 450,000 teachers have been tapped to serve as election officials in the May 14 elections, there is still a shortage of 150,000, an education official said.

“We need 600,000 people to handle 45 million voters on Election Day and there are 3,848 established poll precincts. It could be a problem, especially in areas that do not have enough manpower,” said Franklin Sunga, education undersecretary for legal affairs.

But Sunga said that they were tapping private school teachers, civil society groups and even some registered voters, if necessary, to fill in the void.

“We’re assuring everyone that our teachers will do their poll duties despite the manpower shortage,” Sunga said.

With same surnames, bets turn to nicknames to woo votes

By Anselmo Roque
Central Luzon Desk
Last updated 05:57pm (Mla time) 05/10/2007

CABANATUAN CITY, Manila — All three candidates for vice mayor here are using their nicknames to court votes in the elections because they share one family name –Garcia.

Marius Garcia of Lakas-CMD uses the nickname “Jolly,” Ramon Garcia of Kampi-Balane uses “Suka” (vinegar), while Reynaldo Garcia of the opposition PDP-Laban goes by “Colonel Rey.”

Marius and Ramon are first cousins. Reynaldo is a distant relative.

According to the Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) rule, votes cast for “Garcia” will not be credited to any of the three candidates.

Because of this dilemma, the candidates have been urging voters to write their nicknames in the ballots or write the full name of the candidate of their choice.

Slugging it out for the mayoral race here are outgoing Nueva Ecija Governor Tomas Joson III (Kampi-Balane), Raul Mendoza (PDP-Laban), Elpidio Valino (Independent) and Alvin Vergara (Lakas-CMD).

In San Jose City, Councilor Joseph Ortiz, who is running for provincial board member in the second district, said unlike other politicians, his expenses during the campaign period would not exceed P10,000.

In fact, he said, he may be guilty of “under-spending.”

Ortiz said he would not be spending more than P10,000 of his personal money.

He said he does not have campaign posters, streamers and campaign leaflets but only mimeographed copies of his personal, family and professional background. As for campaign sorties, he hitches a ride with other candidates.

“I don’t have much money to use for the election campaign. It’s enough that the people will know my credentials and they will vote for me,” he said.

inquirer 

Remoto: ‘People ready for change’

INQUIRER.net
Last updated 06:08pm (Mla time) 05/10/2007

Manila, Philippines — Neophyte congressional candidate Danton Remoto is confident that he has 50% of the votes in his district based on surveys that have been conducted because “people were ready for change.”

“The people are ready for change,” said Remoto who is running for congressman in the third district of Quezon City against reelectionist Matias Defensor, father of senatorial candidate Michael Defensor.

During a prayer rally Thursday at the Katipunan Avenue, Remoto’s supporters and some members of the Black and White Movement, led by Leah Navarro, released white balloons which, according to BWM convenor Enteng Romano was meant to seek “divine providence” so that the country would be blessed with good governance and to “reaffirm our belief that he [Remoto] will do the right thing.”

Navarro, also a convenor of the BWM, said the group included Remoto in its “white” list of congressional candidates because they believed in his platform.

“We believe that he is an honest person and as an English professor at the [Ateneo de Manila University], he has helped enrich the young,” Navarro said.

When asked about his opponent’s comment on his gender, Remoto laughed it off, stating that Defensor is so “19th century” and “Jurassic,” the last being a reference to a Hollywood film on dinosaurs entitled “Jurassic Park.”

Remoto added that he was confused by Defensor’s statement, claiming that had been endorsed by his opponent’s son.

Foreign media decry military restrictions on interviews

By Christine Avendaño
Inquirer
Last updated 07:06pm (Mla time) 05/10/2007

MANILA, Philippines — The Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (Focap) has protested the barring of two foreign journalists from interviewing suspected coup plotter Antonio Trillanes IV at the military’s Fort Bonifacio on Wednesday.

In a letter to Armed Forces Chief of Staff Hermogenes Esperon Jr., Focap president Manny Mogato asked Esperon to clarify the military’s policy with regard to foreign visitors seeking to enter military camps.

According to Mogato, Sebastien Farcis of Radio French International and Douglas Bakshian of the Voice of America were barred from entering the custodial center where the interview with Trillanes was to take place.

Mogato said the two journalists were asked to present a clearance from the AFP Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence (J2) as required of all foreigners visiting military camps in the country.

“The two reporters did not argue and left because it was impossible to get a J2 clearance in less than an hour or within the day,” said Mogato, who is a reporter of Reuters.

He said the officers of the Manila Barracks of the Philippine Marines ignored the identification card issued to the journalists by the International Press Center of the Office of the Press Secretary.

He said the requirement of a J2 clearance was “absurd.”

Trillanes, a former Navy lieutenant senior grade, is charged and detained for leading junior officers in taking over the Oakwood Hotel Apartments in Makati City in 2003 in what the Arroyo government saw was part of a larger power grab attempt.

Trillanes is running for senator on the Genuine Opposition ticket.

Report: Darlene’s supporter murdered in S. Cotabato

05/10/2007 | 06:05 PM
A campaign supporter of reelectionist Rep. Darlene Antonino-Custodio, electoral rival of boxing icon Manny Pacquiao, was gunned down Thursday at Tupi town in South Cotabato, initial television reports said.

Pacquiao earlier accused Custodio’s camp of paying assassins P100 million to have him killed. The lawmaker, however, has denied the claim. The two are contesting the congressional seat in South Cotabato’s first district. – GMANews.TV