Arroyo wants greater synergy in curbing violence in Philippines

MANILA — President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ordered today the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) to harness their investigative and legal resources to curb the series of violent incidents related to the just-concluded midterm elections and unexplained killings.

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Philippines: Political dynasties hinder Filipinos exercise to vote

City of San Fernando ? “This year’s elections in the Philippines made me realize just how much political dynasties (and militarization) heavily influence Filipinos’ free exercise of their right to vote.” This is what Ms. Aimee Beboso, a Filipino-Canadian had to say after her third day of observing the country’s current polls.

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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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