Commentary: Intensified militarization aims to disrupt the political stability and divide the people in Mindanao. In this way, the coming elections will be under the control of the military, which serves a desperate administration that has no other way to win the elections but through fraudulent means.
A look at the election outcome in some of the political turfs would show whether the geopolitical balance of power has changed without necessarily shaking the infrastructures of political dynasties…
By the Policy Study, Publication and Advocacy (PSPA)
Center for People Empowerment in Governance (CenPEG)
May 20, 2007
MANILA — President Gloria M. Arroyo and Benjamin Abalos, Sr., chair of the Commission on Elections (Comelec), this week praised the May 14 mid-term elections as “generally fair and peaceful,” with the latter dismissing reports of rampant cheating and other irregularities. The only hitch there is that both Mrs. Arroyo and Abalos have a very low trust rating among Filipinos.
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COMMENTARY: Contrary to government claims, electoral fraud and violence are not integral to Philippine culture and politics. It is perpetrated by those who profit from the existing system of Philippine politics and governance.
TAGUM CITY — The Commission on Election in Davao del Norte proclaimed early dawn on May 18 (Friday) the winners of the provincial race in the May 14 mid-term local elections.
Arrel R. Ola?o grabbed the congressional seat for the 1st District in Davao del Norte, garnering a total of 82,414 votes while Antonio F. Lagdameo Jr got the same seat for the 2nd District witha total garnered votes of 111,283.
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