The massacre of Mindanao votes

Analysis | Mindanao is exploited to the hilt in the commission of electoral fraud not because of its remoteness. A distinct economic, political and cultural structure renders the region vulnerable to state manipulation verily through the use of the state's apparatuses for state terrorism and coerced mandate through fraudulent elections.

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Koko Pimentel denounces ‘blatant’ dagdag-bawas in Cotabato

MANILA — Genuine Opposition senatorial candidate Aquilino Pimentel III today denounced the alleged blatant attempt of the administration?s “special operators” to rig the results of the senatorial contest in North Cotabato and South Cotabato in a bid to dislodge him from the winning column.
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Partylist groups used ‘operators’ to buy votes in Lanao special elections

Newsbreak magazine says that five partylist groups have used the services -- to put it mildly -- of so-called operators in order to win votes in the special elections held in Lanao del Sur yesterday. Two of these partylist groups are Yacap and Biyaheng Pinoy, groups that were allegedly formed by people with ties to the Arroyo administration.

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As fraud mars polls, ARMM takes centerstage


Manila protesters call for an end to electoral fraud. (Photo by Arkibong Bayan)

As the national canvassing of votes for the recently concluded senatorial and local elections go esfull-swing, all eyes are on the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) as massive fraud is alleged to have taken place in two of the region?s provinces while failure of elections has been declared in another.
Related stories: Spectacle of a problematic election | A sickness called Garci

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USAID supports comprehensive Islamic education in Mindanao


A Moro child in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) in one of the schools being supported by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). The agency recently conducted a one-week training class for ustadzes (Islamic teachers) to integrate English, science, and math into the basic Islamic and Arabic teaching in madrasahs. At a ceremony to mark the training, ARMM Department of Education Undersecretary Manaros Boransing said that implementing the Revised Basic Education Curriculum is important to develop future Moro leaders who are deeply rooted in their Islamic faith while being fully attune to developments in the Philippines and the global community. (US Embassy photo)

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