Author: DAVAO TODAY

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Foreign observers in Philippines: Battle-scarred, different missions

By the Policy Study, Publication and Advocacy (PSPA)
Center for People Empowerment in Governance

MANILA — Not since the snap presidential elections of 1986 have Philippine elections attracted a big number of international observers as this week’s polls. The May 14 mid-term elections were witnessed throughout the country by about 250 foreign observers coming from 24 countries. More than a third of them came from the United States, which sent 81 observers.

A number of them have observed elections in Afghanistan, Iraq, East Timor and other countries torn by armed conflicts or classified as “emerging democracies.”
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AFP says ComVal polls peaceful; foreign observers see flaws

By Philippine Information Agency

DAVAO CITY — The conduct of elections in Compostela Valley Province is relatively peaceful, said 1001st brigade commander Brig. Gen. Carlos Holganza despite the fact that the area has been placed under Comelec control.

Foreign observers, however, noted flaws in the elections in the province.

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Election turnout lowest in years?

By the Policy Study, Publication and Advocacy (PSPA)
Center for People Empowerment in Governance (CenPEG)

The voters’ turnout in the May 14 mid-term elections could be the lowest in six years and this can be attributed largely to widespread disenfranchisement of voters throughout the country.

Yesterday, Comelec Chair Benjamin Abalos, Sr. estimated the turnout at 75 percent nationwide but other reports showed a 65 percent turnout, a drop compared to previous polls. Several precincts in the National Capital Region have reported as low as 50 percent to 60 percent turnout.

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Philippines: Opposition should stop being ‘prophets of electoral doom’ ? Team Unity

MANILA — Team Unity is calling on the Genuine Opposition (GO) to stop being “prophets of electoral doom” and cease taxing the public patience with incessant but baseless accusations that cheating will take place in the next two days.

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Philippines: 6 to 8 TU bets likely to make it in final tally

MANILA — Team Unity expects six to eight of its senatorial bets to make it in the final count as the votes from TU bailiwicks started coming in with partial results ranging from 8-3-1 in its favor to a 12-0 shutout of the so-called Genuine Opposition (GO) in other pro-administration strongholds.

“Our reasonable expectations are for six to 8 of our candidates to make it in the final tally,” said Tourism Secretary and Team Unity spokesman Joseph Ace Durano in a news briefing at the TU headquarters in Manila.
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