BANDAR , BRUNEI DARUSSALAM? Streamlining of rules in customs, immigration, quarantine and security (CIQS) for faster and freer port-to-port movement of trade and services across borders of Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-the Philippines-East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) will soon take off in eight priority pilot ports identified by the EAGA CIQS Task Force.
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DAVAO CITY — Seven major infrastructure projects totaling 18-billion pesos under President Arroyo’s Mindanao super region strategy are now ready for taking, according to Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus Dureza.
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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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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.
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.