Classic newscaption:Comelec finishes tally of overseas absentee votes

The Commission on Elections, sitting as the National Board of Canvassers, completed Monday morning the tabulation of the Certificates of Canvass on overseas absentee voting from 93 foreign posts covering 156 countries and territories across the globe.

Comelec chair Benjamin Abalos Jr. said that with the completion of the OAV tally, the canvassers would now focus on the CoCs coming from the Philippine cities and provinces.

However, the Comelec has yet to release the official canvassing results as of early afternoon. The canvassers’ latest tally made public was as of 12 p.m., May 20.

The last batch of overseas absentee votes canvassed on Monday morning came from London and Ireland.

On Sunday, the CoCs tallied came from East Timor, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Lithuania, United States, Antigua, Barbados, Bermudas, Micronesia, Marshall Islands, and the Bahamas.

This year's turnout for the Philippine mid-term elections was only at 15 percent of the 504, 122 registered absentee voters across the globe. From reports abroad, most Filipinos voters were reluctant to participate in the elections because of strong doubts on the credibility of the election process and amid heavy suspicions that election results would be rigged anyway.

Earlier tallies showed Loren Legarda, who made a name as a newscaster before becoming senator in 1998, on top of the "Magic Circle of 12," followed by re-electionist Senators Francis Pangilinan, husband of popular 'megastar" Sharon Cuneta; Senate president Manuel Villar Jr., a housing magnate; and, Ralph Recto, husband of popular movie actress and Batangas gubernatorial candidate Vilma Santos.

Based on the computation of newsmen covering the Comelec tabulation, Legarda was still leading the pack with 59, 151 votes from Filipinos overseas, and Pangilinan on second place with 58, 854, and Benigno Aquino III making it on the third with 48, 714 votes.

The unofficial count showed an 8-3-1 mix in the "Magic 12" in favor of the Genuine Opposition.



The canvassers tabulated the absentee votes on Saturday from Myanmar, Kuwait, Kenya, Aruba, Venezuela, Trinidad and Tobago, and Saudi Arabia. 

On Friday, the canvassers tabulated CoCs from Pakistan, Afghanistan, Germany, Russia, Kazakhstan, Canada, Brunei, Rome and Milan (Italy), Cuba, Chile, Brazil, Singapore, Qatar, Oman, Egypt, Israel, Argentina, Sudan, Abu Dhabi, Jordan, Iraq, Greece, South Africa, Lesotho.

On the first two days of canvassing on Wednesday and Thursday, the COCs tabulated came from Laos, Papua New Guinea, Cambodia, South Korea, Austria, Slovenia, Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, Palau, the Netherlands, Japan, India, Thailand, Bahrain, Switzerland, New Zealand, Cook Island, Fiji, Australia, Vietnam, Belgium, Bulgaria, Indonesia, Mexico, Iran, China, Romania, France, Monaco, Portugal, Taiwan, Hong Kong/Macau, Yemen, Cyprus, Ankara, Spain, Morocco, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Libya, Lebanon and Nigeria, with Hong Kong giving the biggest number of votes of close to 20, 000.

No vote was cast in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Panama, Monaco, Mali, Algeria, Chad, Malta, Mauritania, Tunisia, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Togo and Senegal. - 

Classic newsclipping caption:26 Countries Got 0 Votes in Overseas Absentee Voting

Filipino voters in 26 countries did not vote in the Overseas Absentee Voting (OAV) of this year’s midterm Elections.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) disclosed this during the canvassing, where no one of the 710 registered voters of the 26 countries covered by postal voting exercised their right to suffrage as Filipinos.

The countries are: Columbia, Netherlands, Suriname, Venezuela, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras, Dominican Republic, Panama, Ecuador, Peru, Bulgaria, Bosnia, Herzegovina, Estonia, Latvia, Burundi, Congo, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Rwanda, Somalia, Eritrea, Djibouti, Zambia, and Macedonia.

According to Comelec-Committee on OAC, these countries do not have Philippine embassy or consular offices and they are mostly far from the Philippines posts where they are supposed to send their postal ballots.

Aside from the geographical locations of these countries, the cost of mailing the ballot could also be the reason why the voters did not participate in the elections.

Also some of the voters did not update their registered address because their records were not updated.

The OAV is a month-long event where the voters can get to vote senatorial and party-list candidates.

Only 150,000 voters cast their votes from the 737,759 registered voters from some 227 Philippine posts around the world.

Classic newsclipping caption:2013 senatorial election results

FINAL, OFFICIAL TALLY (by rank):

 

GRACE POE	20,337,327
LOREN LEGARDA	18,661,196
ALAN CAYETANO	17,580,813
FRANCIS ESCUDERO	17,502,358
NANCY BINAY	16,812,148
EDGARDO ANGARA	16,005,564
BAM AQUINO	15,534,465
AQUILINO PIMENTEL III	14,725,114
ANTONIO TRILLANES	14,127,722
CYNTHIA VILLAR	13,822,854
JV EJERCITO	13,684,736
GREGORIO HONASAN	13,211,424
RICHARD GORDON	12,501,991
MIGUEL ZUBIRI	11,821,134
JACK ENRILE	11,543,024
RAMON MAGSAYSAY	11,356,739
RISA HONTIVEROS	10,944,843
EDWARD HAGEDORN	8,412,840
EDUARDO VILLANUEVA	6,932,985
JAMBY MADRIGAL	6,787,744
MITOS MAGSAYSAY	5,620,429
TEDDY CASINO	4,295,151
ERNESTO MACEDA	3,453,121
TINGTING COJUANGCO	3,152,939
SAMSON ALCANTARA	1,240,104
JC DELOS REYES	1,238,280
GRECO BELGICA	1,128,924
RAMON MONTANO	1,040,293
RICARDO PENSON	1,040,131
RIZALITO DAVID	1,035,971
CHRISTIAN SENERES	706,196
MARWIL LLASOS	701,390
BALDOMERO FALCONE	665,845

Classic newsclipping caption:No specific 'oligarchs' in Kawit speech, Noli says

Vice-President Noli de Castro clarified that he did not pinpoint "oligarchs" who are stalling the country's progress in fighting poverty during his Independence Day speech Thursday in Kawit, Cavite.

"Wala po akong tinutukoy doon. Kung sino ang tamaan, guilty, 'ika nga," de Castro said.

He said he is merely reminding big businesses of their duty to the nation.

"Kung gusto nilang maging transparent ang pamahalaan, dapat maging transparent din ang private sector. Kung gusto nila ng good governance, dapat meron ding good corporate governance," he said.

While he spelled out government solutions to economic and corruption problems besieging the country, de Castro, in his speech during the 110th Independence Day rites at the shrine of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo nevertheless criticized what he called the Philippines' "oligarchs" who in one way or another, have hampered progress in the campaign against poverty.

"Marahil ay mayroon pang kulang, mayron pang kailangang gumalaw na hanggang sa ngayon ay hindi pa natitinag sa kanilang kinatatayuan," he said in his speech

No names but...

De Castro said he is referring to families and groups holding vast amounts of money, resources and those who have the power to influence government policies.

'[Ito ay ang] mayayamang pamilya na natutong gumamit ng kayamanan upang isulong ng interes ng kanilang negosyo upang higit pang dumami ang kayamaman," de Castro said.

De Castro said while these groups continued to further their interests, there was a time in history when the government used its power to break the oligarchic structure of society, but was not effective and only resulted in new groups of cronies.

De Castro did not name the oligarchs he referred to in his speech.

However, the government did use its might to sequester several companies of wealthy families during the martial law period in the 1970s.

These include ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp. and the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) -- firms controlled by the Lopez family.

De Castro, a former news anchor of ABS-CBN News, proposed four measures that the people could use to put the oligarchs and interest groups in their proper places: pushing for transparency in both public and private sectors; government empowerment; use of market forces to "effectively weaken" monopolies; and the empowerment of people against abuse.

In the end, de Castro called on the people to remain vigilant against abuse of power in government and the private sector.

"Huwag tayong mangiming kumilos para sa ikabubuti ng lahat," he said.

Puno: Foreigners 'more privileged' than Filipinos

Meanwhile, Chief Justice Reynato Puno took a swipe at the government's inaction on human rights and the rising cost of basic goods.

In his speech at the flag-raising ceremonies at the Bonifacio Monument in Caloocan City, Puno criticized the government for not being able to stop extrajudicial killings and the rise in the cost of basic goods.

He also said foreign businessmen are given more favors and provileges than Filipino citizens.

Classic newsclipping caption:GMA Calls for Unity for RP to survive rising prices of food and oil published in a newspaper on June 13,2008

 President Arroyo rallied Filipinos yesterday to unite in addressing the rising prices of food and oil in world markets that have hit the country hard.

In her Independence Day message at the Plaza San Luis in Rizal Park, Mrs. Arroyo cited the exploits of the country’s heroes that allowed the nation to survive difficult times and external challenges.

“Our heroes laid the foundation for a new nation through their unity, sacrifice and common purpose,” Mrs. Arroyo said.

“If we are to fill our hearts with the same fervor and love for country, we will harvest the sweet fruits of freedom, justice and progress,” the President said.

She added: “Towards this noble goal, I ask that we all unite for the sake of our Motherland, for the sake of our families and for the sake of the future generations.”

Mrs. Arroyo said the global economic downturn “was a heavy burden to the Philippines and we will invest in the people to allow us to see through these difficult times.”

“We have much to do. Let us work so that we can fully achieve our reforms for the Philippines. We will fight for the economy, education, and the environment,” Mrs. Arroyo said in Filipino.

The traditional Independence Day parade was cancelled this year, and Mrs. Arroyo said the budget for it would be used to directly benefit the poor.

“This year, we have no such dilemma but... in keeping with how we are trying to conserve our resources (in this) period of high world prices of oil and food, we have decided to dispense with the parade and use the budget instead to give direct service to the poor,” she said.

Mrs. Arroyo noted that in last year’s celebrations, there were some discussions on how long the parade should be. She said she saw on television a woman being interviewed complaining that she came all the way from Isabela and said the parade was too short.

She also said the country’s strong economic fundamentals have enabled it to weather the spiraling food and oil prices even as the government continues to find ways to cushion the effects of runaway inflation on the poor and middle class.

Mrs. Arroyo assured the public the country has enough rice supply for the year and is geared towards self-sufficiency in five years.

“We have an adequate supply of rice today and we have a solid plan for self-sufficiency. This is important for our domestic and international audiences to appreciate,” Mrs. Arroyo said.

She told a crowd gathered at the Rizal Park that the country was only importing rice for its emergency reserves, adding, “there will be enough food for every Filipino.”

She reiterated the government’s efforts to alleviate the effects of rising prices, citing the lower tariffs on oil products and subsidies provided to the poor for electricity charges.

Mrs. Arroyo also said the country is moving to increase its use of “natural gas, geothermal, solar and wind energy,” adding that the country was expanding its local oil production so that it could soon meet about 10 percent of local consumption.

Vice President Noli de Castro, for his part, led the Independence Day ceremonies at the shrine of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo in Kawit, Cavite.

In his speech, De Castro criticized wealthy families in the country, or the so-called “oligarchs,” for hampering progress in the campaign against poverty and protecting only their own interests, which widens social inequality.

De Castro said the oligarchs, who control big businesses in the country, could influence government policies to protect their interests.

Although the government tried to change the oligarchy structure in society, De Castro said this was not successful since it only led to cronyism.

De Castro emphasized good governance as he challenged big business to fulfill their duty to the country and for the private sector to be more transparent.

“If they want good governance, then they should also show good corporate governance,” he said.

De Castro said transparency is a good solution to economic and corruption problems.

Classic newsclipping caption:CJ Puno says no longer celebration of Independence Day via social volcano

“Walang dahilan na mag diwang ng Araw ng Kalayaan kung nananatiling magulo ang kalagayan ng bansa.”

Ito ang pahayag ni Chief Justice Reynato Puno nang pangunahan niya ang seremonya ng Independence Day sa Monumento Shrine sa Caloocan City..

“Wala po tayong tunay na katwiran na magdiwang ng ating kalayaan kung ganito ang kalagayan ng ating inang bayan,” ayon kay Puno.

Iginiit pa ng Punong Mahistrado na kailangan kumilos upang mapigilan ang “social volcano” sa pag sabog sa pamamagitan ng paglaban sa korupsyon, smear campaigns at pagbabatuhan ng mga panget na salita sa bawat isa.

“Isang bansa na hindi sinusunod ang mga batas, isang bansa na sirang-sira ang moralidad dahil sa korupsyon, isang bansa na gaya ng isang bulkan ay tila handa ng sumabog,” dagdag pa ni Puno.

“Hangga’t hindi natin naaayos ang ating bayan ay hindi pa natin masasabing tunay na nating nakamit ang ating kalayaan. Umaksyon tayo. Let us heal the land. Hilumin natin ang sugat ng pagkakawatak-watak. Huwag na tayong magbangayan, huwag na tayong mag-insultuhan, huwag na tayong magbatuhan ng putik, ito ang unang hakbang,” pagtatapos pa ni Puno

Classic newsclipping caption:The Implications of Brunei Darussalam's Sharia Law

The Implications of Brunei’s Sharia Law

The introduction of sharia law may well derail the Sultan’s vision for his country’s future.

Last year, the Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolikah, made headlines when he announced that he wouldimpose sharia law (in three phases) in his Southeast Asian sultanate. The proclamation drew criticism from countless human rights advocates, who labeled the move “draconian” and “medieval.” Celebrities such as Jay Leno, John Legend, and Richard Branson (to name a few) openly protested the decision, with many calling for a boycott of the Beverly Hills Hotel, which is owned by the Sultan. Despite the opprobrium, the Sultan confidently declared the move a “great success.

Since then, the first phase of sharia law, which include fines and prison sentences for “crimes” such as pregnancies outside of wedlock, propagating religions other than Islam, and not attending mandatory Friday prayers, has been rolled out. Brunei is currently in the process of implementing the second phase, which will introduce harsh punishments such as floggings and cutting off hands for property offenses.

The third and final phase, which will be implemented later this year or in 2016, will introduce executions, including stoning, for offenses like adultery, abortion, homosexuality/sodomy, and even blasphemy. Bolikah has defended his decision, saying that it was “not for fun, but to obey Allah’s command as written in the Quran.” Unfortunately, the leader of Brunei evidently has not thought through the long-term implications that imposing sharia law will have on his country.

In 2008, the Sultan issued Wawasan Brunei 2035, a long-term plan to transmogrify his nation into a type of “Islamic-Singapore,” where the “accomplishments of Brunei’s well-educated and highly skilled people” will be recognized. Having spent years as a Human Capital Consultant in Southeast Asia, I am convinced that because parts of sharia law will also apply to non-Muslims (who account for roughly 33 percent of Brunei’s population), many intelligent Bruneians will not wish to stay in Brunei and help the Sultan’s plan come to fruition.

Moreover, it is not realistic to think that all of Brunei’s Muslim citizens even want to live under sharia law. Indeed, many of the nation’s brightest Muslim citizens may also abscond from Brunei and work abroad. Many countries in Southeast Asia already struggle with a brain drain, including Brunei, and the implementation of sharia will not help this tiny nation the size of Delaware to attract and retain a highly skilled, well-educated workforce.

The 2035 plan strives for Brunei to have a “dynamic, sustainable economy.” Sure, revenues from Brunei’s oil and gas sector have steadily poured in for years, but what will become of this nation when all of its natural resources have been depleted? The oil and gas sector is responsible for two-thirds of Brunei’s GDP, 98 percent of its exports, as well as 93 percent of government revenues. The country has yet to put in place the policies and initiatives to ensure it will enjoy a dynamic economy beyond 2035.

Economically, Brunei has little going for it aside from its oil and gas sector. The country’s tourism industry was the only Southeast Asian nation to not experience any growth during the span of 2002-2013, and implementing sharia law will surely not help this already ossified industry. Non-Muslim and Muslim tourists alike will likely opt to spend their vacations traveling to other tourist destinations in the region, such as Malaysia or Indonesia where a more tolerant form of Islam is practiced.

Brunei has a Muslim population of around 220,000, which compares with Indonesia (220 million) and Malaysia (18 million). The latter two countries established themselves as Islamic banking centers years ago; Brunei is unlikely to become a hub for Islamic banking and finance. To make matters worse for Brunei, several members of the U.S. Congress are currently endeavoring to remove it as a member of the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade agreement.

When the Sultan stated that the decision was not for fun, he should have also said that it was not meant to help the country’s 2035 plan. The introduction of sharia is hardly a reflection of the Sultan’s own piety, as his lavish and licentious lifestyle, most recently documented by 60 Minutes, is no secret. As a consequence, many are simply nonplussed by his decision. Perhaps the only positive result that will come of this move is that it will serve as a stark reminder to all other countries that jettisoning moderate and tolerant policies for sharia is not an astute decision in the 21st century.

Bill Ozanick lived in Southeast Asia for nearly four years, where he consulted for various companies and governments.