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Elections in the Philippines: Illusion of democracy?

By Sonny Africa
IBON Research Head

MANILA — No one disputes that the Philippines is mired in economic and political crises. There is endemic poverty that despite government hype everyone knows is nowhere near being overcome. Around 65 million Filipinos struggle to live on P96 or less a day, according to the latest 2003 Family Income and Expenditure Survey (FIES) of the National Statistics Office (NSO). The net worth of just the ten richest Filipinos is equivalent to the combined annual income of the poorest 49 million Filipinos. The situation can only get worse with corporate profits rising even as joblessness is at a sustained historic high.

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Five leftist partylist groups claim victory

VICTORY FOR PEOPLE’S PARTYLISTS!
STOP FRAUD, PROTECT THE PEOPLE’S VOTE!

Common Statement of Five Partylists on the May 14 Elections

May 17, 2007

We thank voters for giving us a fresh mandate to serve in Congress.
From all indications ? based on our internal quick count, the May 14
exit poll and pre-election surveys ? we are set to win back the six
seats which we previously won in 2004.
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GO vows to sue plotters of ‘rigged’ Maguindanao sweep by TU

MANILA — The political opposition vowed on Thursday to pursue charges against those behind the alleged plot to manipulate the election in Maguindanao that resulted in a sweep in the senatorial race by the administration coalition, Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Q. Pimentel Jr. said.

Pimentel, in a statement, said that the Genuine Opposition has started gathering evidence on the alleged rigging of election results in Maguindanao in favor of Team Unity.
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