Comelec releases video on dos and don'ts during Election Day

The Commission on Elections released Wednesday its third voters’ education video – this time it is about what voters should do on Election Day.
                                   
Tina Tama and Boy Bawal, the two main characters in the voters' eduction video, joined forces in informing the voters what they should and should not do before, during and after voting.

In the four-minute video, Tina Tama initially told a lady voter to check her name on the list of voters and locate her voting precinct. The voter was also told to bring a valid identification card but not cedula and barangay certificate.

The voter should then present herself to the board of election inspectors who will give her the ballot, marker and ballot secrecy folder.

The voter told to shade the name of 12 senatorial candidates and one party-list organization only because over-voting will invalidate the vote for that position.

Tina Tama said the voter should use the secrecy folder when bringing her ballot to the PCOS (precinct count optical scan) machine and while feeding it to prevent other people from peeking into her ballot.

When the voter successfully feeds her ballot to the machine, she will return to the BEIs who will put indelible ink on her finger.

Boy Bawal said it is prohibited to peek into the ballot of other voters.

He also reminded voters not to bring water or other materials that could smear the ballots.

He added that voters should not put drawings and other marks on their ballots.

Also, voters can bring their cellphone but will not be allowed to take a picture of their ballot.

Boy Bawal also asked the voters to leave the precinct after casting their votes.

In an interview, poll chairman Sixto Brillantes said only a limited number of people are allowed to stay inside the precincts and they are the BEIs, a technician and watchers.

“Very specific kung sino ang pwede pumasok sa presinto,” he said.

He also said media people are not allowed inside the precinct.

“Media, no way. Sa premises lang, hindi pwede sa loob ng presinto. Not inside the precinct, the room itself,” he said.

Brillantes said the video was the culmination of their voters’ education project.

“Ipinakikita lang natin what are the correct things to do and what you are not supposed to do on election day. These are just simple reminders on the voting process. Kailangan paulit ulit,” he said, even as he acknowledged media’s help in thepoll body's voter education project.

“Media has been very helpful, naririnig ko palagi 'yan, kung paano bumoto,” he said.

In the first video where Boy Bawal was introduced, he informed the public the prohibited acts and materials during the campaign period and on election day.

In the second video, Tina Tama taught the people the legal and proper way of campaigning. — LBG, GMA News

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Velarde endorses 3 more candidates

The White Vote Movement led by the Catholic charismatic group El Shaddai endorsed three more senatorial candidates on top of the six it earlier named for the May 13 elections.
In an event held at the Velarde-owned Amvel City in Parañaque City on Saturday, El Shaddai leader and the movement’s spokesman Mike Velarde announced that they were also supporting United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) candidates Nancy Binay, Richard Gordon and Miguel Zubiri.
The three were in addition to the earlier endorsed candidates: UNA’s JV Ejercito, Gringo Honasan, Mitos Magsaysay and Team PNoy’s Koko Pimentel, Antonio Trillanes IV and Cynthia Villar.
In exchange for El Shaddai’s support, Velarde said that the candidates were made to sign a “pledge of commitment” to always fight for the Catholic Church’s stand once they get elected.
“They made a commitment that if they win, they will fight any proposed law that is against the family and anything that will lead to the annihilation of the Filipino race and things that are against the Word of God, against the commandments of God,” said Velarde.
He said the White Vote Movement will also monitor the candidates they endorsed “so we can also guide them.”
Earlier, Velarde explained that the movement was supporting these candidates because they stood with the Church in opposing the reproductive health (RH) law.
Other groups involved in the White Vote Movement include Couples for Christ-Foundation for Family and Life, Catholic Women’s League, Focolare Movement and Bukas Loob sa Diyos.
Velarde said previous experience showed that some candidates the El Shaddai had supported in last elections voted for the RH law.
“I pleaded with them to defer the bill for further deliberations so the people may know the truth and yet when the voting came, they were there. Anyway, there is always a day of reckoning. We won’t get back at them but we will act towards the right direction,” said Velarde in his speech.
The candidates the movement endorsed have also been dubbed “Team Buhay” by the Diocese of Bacolod because they voted against the family planning measure, except for Villar.
But Velarde noted that since Villar’s husband, Sen. Manuel Villar, voted against the RH bill, “his vote can be considered as the vote of the wife.”

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Troops told to pursue talks with communist rebels

MANILA, Philippines - Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin is encouraging military field units to hold localized negotiations with rebels as the peace talks between the national government and the communists remain stalled.
Gazmin said such move could help the military officials attain peace in their respective areas.
“We encourage the military (to hold localized talks) so that there will be peace in their areas of responsibility,” the defense chief said in a press conference Monday.
“If you are going to wait (for the impasse in the national level to be resolved), it will take long before the instruction is relayed (to the ground),” he added.
Gazmin said the supposed differences between the communist leaders in Netherlands and local commanders also delay the relaying of policies in the field.
“If you are a commander and you want peace, you should talk to them (rebels),” he said.

Gazmin believes that the communist leaders negotiating with the government do not feel the sentiments of those in the farms or those struggling in the mountains.

“Some of them (rebels) are tired (of fighting) and they can see the benefits of peace,” he said.
The peace talks between the government and the communists hit an impasse due to differences over jailed insurgents facing criminal cases.
The National Democratic Front (NDF), which represents the rebels in the talks, insists that its jailed leaders be freed since they are covered by immunity guarantees.
The government, however, refused to do so, saying the NDF has no means to prove that the jailed rebels are indeed peace consultants who should be immune from arrests.
Last week, government chief negotiator Alexander Padilla said they are considering a “new approach” to peacefully resolve the conflict with the communists.
Some sectors believe Padilla practically gave up on the peace talks with the NDF when he made the statement.
“We cannot wait forever for the other side if they continually refuse to go back to the negotiating table without preconditions. The government will be taking a new approach to pursue peace,” Padilla said in a statement.
“We have always been open to resume formal negotiations with them, but they keep on insisting on preconditions, such as the release of their detained consultants,” he added.
Padilla said the communists had also demanded that the government abolish its peace and development programs like the conditional cash transfer and Pamana, which aims to promote prosperity in conflict areas.
“These demands are just preposterous. We don’t want to engage in a negotiation where the other party is clearly fooling us,” Padilla said.
Despite the impasse, Gazmin said they still prefer peaceful means to resolve the conflict with the communists.
“We are all Filipinos and it’s about time we sit down and talk so that we save more lives,” he said. – Alexis Romero with C. M.

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El Shaddai leader backed on electoral endorsement

Manila, Philippines --- Retired Novaliches Bishop Teodoro Bacani said as a lay leader, El Shaddai leader Bro. Mike Velarde has the right to endorse candidates in the May 13 polls.
Bacani, El Shaddai’s spiritual director, cited the Second Plenary Council of the Philippines which states that lay people in responsible position are urged to get elected those who are worthy candidates.
“That’s endorsement. They should work to get elected those candidates they deem worthy,” he said in an interview after presiding a Mass for El Shaddai and other members of the White Vote Movement in Parañaque, on Saturday.
In his homily, Bacani also stressed this point.
“Si Bro. Mike, pwedeng sumigaw. Karapatan niya yan. Karapatan yan ng mga laiko. Karapatan nila na hanapin ang tinig ni Kristo at maging mikropono sila at loud speaker ng kanilang naririnig,” he said.
During the said gathering, Velarde, the spokesman of the White Vote Movement, endorsed six senatorial candidates of Team Buhay, namely: Rep. JV Ejercito, Sen. Gringo Honasan, Rep. Mitos Magsaysay, Sen. Koko Pimentel, Sen. Antonio Trillanes, and Cynthia Villar, all of whom are against the reproductive health (RH) law.
The endorsement comes after Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas came out with a pastoral letter, wherein he said that bishops, priests, and lay people should not endorse candidates since they will just come out as losers even if their candidates win in the elections.
Instead, the Lingayen-Dagupan archbishop said the Catholic Church must be contented with playing its role as conscience, mother, and teacher of the faithful in going about the conduct of elections.
But Bacani said it’s possible that the prelate was just misquoted.
“Maybe Bishop Villegas was misinterpreted because the right of the lay people is very clear. That’s (endorsement) part of their freedom, that’s part of their right,” he said.
For his part, Velarde said he would want to personally explain to Villegas the rationale behind the movement’s endorsement of the candidates.
“I will be in Dagupan tomorrow (Sunday) evening. We have a big rally there… hopefully, (I can meet him) if he is available,” said the El Shaddai leader.
He also insisted that their endorsement is not to force their members to vote for the six candidates but just to serve as a guide in voting.
“After all, this is an answer to the bishops prodding to the lay that we should make the initiative,” said Velarde.
United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) Senate bets, Zambales Rep. Mitos Magsaysay and San Juan Rep. JV Ejercito welcomed El Shaddai’s endorsement, saying that this is “both an honor and a privilege.”
As she faced the multitude of members of the El Shaddai community Saturday, Magsaysay reaffirmed her commitment to protect the sanctity of life and the family.
According to Mitos, her decisions as a member of the Philippine Congress was fueled by her beliefs in life “because I believe that whatever I am today, whatever decisions I make is influenced by being Catholic and my faith in the Lord.”
She also maintained that she would willingly face criticisms and still remain steadfast in her convictions to object the passage of the Reproductive Health Law.
“It does not matter if I would be criticized 10 times or 1,000 times as long as I am doing the will of God,” she explained in a statement.
“For me it is simple. For as long as we follow in the footsteps of the Lord, it is impossible that we would commit a mistake,” she added.
On the other hand, Ejercito said the support of “one of the biggest Catholic organizations in the country” will be a big boost to his senatorial bid. (With a report from JC Bello Ruiz)

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Miss Universe Philippines 2013: ‘I’m prepared’

MANILA, Philippines - “I can handle it. I’m prepared,” said Miss Universe Philippines 2013 Ariella Arida about the pressure that comes with her new crown.
She spoke these confident words at a press conference last April 14 in Araneta Coliseum, Cubao minutes after she was crowned.
Also crowned Bb Pilipinas were Bea Rose Santiago, Binibining Pilipinas-International; Joanna Cindy Miranda, Binibining Pilipinas-Tourism, Mutya Datul, Binibining Pilipinas-Supranational and Pia Wurtzbach, the first runner-up.
The 5 lovely ladies shed their Binibini numbers as they posed for the media with their crowns and sashes.
"I'm really overwhelmed," a teary-eyed Ariella admitted to the press. "It hasn't sunk in that I've won the crown."
The 24-year-old Laguna native said that winning the crown heralds “a different style of life.”
“It’s really very different from going to a laboratory in your rubber shoes, lab gown and now here I am, with the crown,” added the new beauty queen with a Chemistry degree from the University of the Philippines.
The other winners of the night also shared their initial reactions the pageant results.
Still with tears in her eyes, Pia said, "I'm really happy to be here. This is my first pageant ever. I'm really happy to get this far."
Cindy, the newly-crowned Miss Tourism, admitted that though she was also overwhelmed with happiness, "I was losing hope just before the announcement."

Mutya, wearing her new Miss Supranational crown with regal cheerfulness, enthused, "Sobrang Masaya ako na nakakuha ako ng crown. Nasagot ang prayers ko. Parang panaginip lang lahat (I'm really happy that I got a crown. My prayers were answered. It's all like a dream)."
"I didn't expect to be called," admitted Binibining Pilipinas-International 2013 Bea Santiago.
"But you know that feeling that you're going to win? When I woke up this morning, I felt it," she added.
The road to Miss Universe
With 3 consecutive runner-up placements from Venus Raj (Miss Universe 2010 4^th runner-up), Shamcey Supsup (Miss Universe 2011 3^rd runner-up) and Janine Tugonon (Miss Universe 2012 first runner-up), Arielle has very large high-heels to fill.
But she assured everyone that her win has made her even more determined to succeed in the international pageant.
“I’ve never been this hardworking in my entire life because I used to be a just an average person. I don’t usually work hard because I feel more depressed if I know that I pay more attention to it and then I fail. But now, with this pageant, this is really the time when I really worked hard physically, emotionally.”
Ariella’s journey to the Miss Universe stage has just begun. After coronation night, she will undergo even more rigorous training to shape her body and personality into a Miss Universe candidate with solid-gold chances of winning the crown.
What points of improvement does she plan to work on in the months leading to the pageant?
“I have to improve more on communicating to people because I am here to be a spokesperson to everyone. I want everyone to get what I want to say more easily. And also, I can’t forget the walk and the personality because I think that’s also important.”
Pageant followers will be keeping a close eye on Ariella and the other new queens. She carries not only a crown on her head, but also the hopes of many who desire nothing more than to see a Filipina crowned as Miss Universe 2013. - Rappler.com

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Philippines asks for $1.4M from US for Tubbataha damage

MANILA -- The Philippines will ask the United States to pay a fine of $1.4 million for the damage caused by US Navy minesweeper USS Guardian that ran aground in Tubbataha Reef in January 17.
Under Republic Act 10067, or the “Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park Act of 2009,” a fine of about $600 or P24,000 per square meter of damaged reef is mandatory.
“Further park rule violations boosted the final total to slightly less than P60 million or roughly $1.4 million,” the Tubbataha Management Office (TMO) said.
Reports said a letter requesting compensation would be sent to the US embassy next week.
“1.4 million US dollar is but a slap on the wrist as the salvage operation has been estimated to cost close to $45 million," said Tubbataha Reef park superintendent Angelique Songco.
"However, we respect the rule of law and these are the fines stipulated. TMO will not ask for anything more,” Songco added.
The reef experts, who are from TMO, University of the Philippines-Marine Science Institute, National Institute of Physics, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), De La Salle University (DLSU), the US Navy, and World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), have finished assessing the damage.
According to the assessment, the fine was based on the damaged area that spans about 2,345.67 square meters -- smaller than the 4,000 square meters originally estimated by an American team.
“Swift resolution of this matter will allow TMO to build a significant endowment fund to sustain its operations through the years," said World Wide Fund for Nature-Philippines vice chairperson and CEO Jose Ma. Lorenzo Tan.
"The basic issue here is not tourism. It is food security. This fresh infusion of funds will allow TMO to concentrate on putting the money to good use – from building a better Ranger Station to upgrading their capacity to manage the country’s most productive coral reef. Let us settle what must be settled, learn what must be learned and move forward,” Tan said.
The US embassy has expressed regret about the incident and has reiterated that Washington was prepared to pay for the damage. (PNA/Sunnex)

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Filipinos in Korea get evacuation alert..Embassy in Seoul is coordinating with members of the Filipino community

Manila: Filipinos in South Korea had been alerted to the possibility of evacuation in the event that tensions on the Korean Peninsula take a turn for the worse.

Assistant Secretary Raul Hernandez in his Twitter account @dfaspokesperson, issued a heads-up notice for Filipinos in South Korea on the developing situation on the peninsula.

“A state of heightened awareness remains in force for Filipinos in Korea,” Hernandez said.
The official also noted that the Philippine Embassy in Seoul is coordinating with members of the Filipino community (FilCom) on the steps being taken — including possible evacuation — in light of the fast developing situation

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