Aquino took 8 regions in win

BY EVANGELINE DE VERA





Original Story: http://www.malaya.com.ph/05132010/news5.html


BENIGNO Aquino III was the top choice for president in eight regions all over the country, including the Metro Manila, a regional scan of the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting showed.

In the breakdown of votes, Aquino took Regions 4A, 5, 6, 7, 8, 13 (Calabarzon, Bicol, and the Western, Eastern and Central Visayas, and Caraga), the National Capital Region and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. His closest rival, Joseph Estrada took Regions 2, 10 and 12 (Cagayan Valley, Northern Mindanao and SOCCSKSARGEN.

Manny Villar got the most votes from Region 1 (Ilocos). Gilberto Teodoro took one province, Camiguin, in Region 10 (Northern Mindanao).

Several regions were split between the two top presidential candidates, such as Central Luzon, Cordillera Autonomous Region, Regions 4B (Mimaropa) and 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula).

In Central Luzon (Region 3), some provinces proved to be Aquino’s bailiwicks, such as Bataan, Bulacan, Zambales, his home province Tarlac, and President Arroyo’s province, Pampanga. Estrada took Nueva Ecija and Aurora provinces.

Vice presidential candidate Jejomar Binay, meanwhile, took majority of the votes in Region 2, 4a, 11 (Davao), 12 and NCR, while his closest rival Mar Roxas took Regions 6, 7 and 13 (Western and Central Visayas, and Caraga).

"All the other regions were split between Roxas and Binay, which reflects how close a race this is between the two," said PPCRV media and communications director Ana de Villa-Singson.

This was based on the 4:34 p.m. partial and unofficial tally of the PPCRV of 88.78 percent of the total clustered precincts.


Original Story: http://www.malaya.com.ph/05132010/news5.html

Garcia reelected as governor: Gwen wins by 90,000 votes

By Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon
The Freeman
Updated May 13, 2010 12:00 AM





Original Story: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=574850&publicationSubCategoryId=107


CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia was proclaimed winner of the gubernatorial race last night by the Provincial Board of Canvassers of the Commission on Elections at the Capitol Social Hall.

Garcia garnered a total of 639,587 votes against the 543,246 of her main rival Hilario Davide III.

Declared winner of the vice gubernatorial race was incumbent Gregorio Sanchez with 543,924 against the 517,687 of Glenn Soco, who was the runningmate of Garcia.

Garcia said that her margin of victory showed that it wasn’t a close fight.

“Having a margin of over 90,000 is not a close fight, I want to correct that mind-setting impression,” said Garcia before the proclamation.

She made this statement after several said that Davide, who was a two-term councilor of Cebu City before he threw his hat into the gubernatorial derby, gave the incumbent governor a run for her money.

Garcia said that her rivals tried to use a smear campaign against her, but she still prevailed.

The governor said that despite the black propaganda against her, the people of Cebu still gave her a new mandate.

“Bisan unsa kagrabe sa ilang pagbugal- bugal nako apan ang katawhan sa Sugbo mibarog kanako,” Garcia said.

Garcia presented to the media the propaganda materials containing caricatures maligning her that were distributed one day before the elections.

She also said that Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña even used the resources of the city to campaign for Davide by putting up billboards at the South Road Properties heckling her.

She also said that she will look into the results of the elections closely and try to figure out where they failed, but she is happy that most candidates of One Cebu Party won.

Garcia added that she will finish the projects that she started in her first two terms of office.

Congressional, Pb Races

In the First District, Rep. Eduardo Gullas was given an overwhelming fresh mandate having garnered 209,208 votes while his closest rival, Luna Sabalones, only got 10,527 votes.

Also given a fresh three-year term was Provincial Board Member Julian Daan for the 1st District. He will be joined by Dr. Sergio Restauro, a Councilor of Talisay City.

Daan, who is a popular radio personality, got a total of 156,341 votes while Restauro got 63,458 votes.

Rep. Pablo Garcia, the governor’s father, was also reelected to his post in the 2nd District while his son, Rep. Pablo John Garcia, also handily won in the 3rd District.

The elder Garcia got a total of 117,670 votes while his son garnered 127,730 votes.

The incumbent PB members of the 2nd District also got reelected. John Peter Calderon got 83,870 votes while Wilfredo Caminero got 77,783 votes.

In the 3rd District, PB member Ian Zambo was re-elected with 95,525 votes. He will be joined in the Provincial Board by Balamban Mayor Alex Binghay, who garnered 92,508 votes.

In the 4th District, incumbent Rep. Benhur Salimbangon handily won the race this time with a total of 137,324 votes against former Bogo Mayor Celestino “Tining” Martinez III, who only got 66,165.

The congressional race of this district was the most controversial in the 2007 elections. In fact, Martinez was declared winner by the Comelec weeks before the start of the campaign period, but never got the chance to take the seat as Salimbangon sought legal remedies.

Daanbantayan Mayor Sun Shimura got 90,548 votes to earn a seat in the PB for the 4th District joining reelected Joven Mondigo, who got 88,340 votes.

Rep. Ramon “Red” Durano VI was also reelected in the 5th District with a total of 163,874 votes against his cousin Jesus Durano, Jr. who got 24,441 votes.

Reelected as PB member for the 5th District was Agnes Magpale with 148,317 votes. She will be joined by nephew Jude Sybico, who got 103,099 votes in the board.

Former PB Member Gabriel Luis ‘Luigi’ Quisumbing was the runaway winner in the 6th District congressional race with an overwhelming 113,996 votes against rivals Ariston “Baludong” Cortes with 10,402 votes and Atty. Victor Biano with 5,504 votes.

Two former mayors also won seats for the provincial board representing the 6th District.

Former Mandaue City Mayor Thadeo Ouano made it with 81,575 votes while former Cordova Mayor Arleigh Sitoy got 66,746 votes. — with reports from Lesley Caminade and Jose Sollano/NLQ (FREEMAN NEWS)


Original Story: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=574850&publicationSubCategoryId=107

Bro. Eddie promises to help next President

By BENG ANSULA
May 12, 2010, 5:09pm








Original Story: http://mb.com.ph/node/257038/bro-eddie-promi


Bangon Pilipinas presidential candidate Eddie Villanueva vowed Wednesday to help in nation building as he appealed to the Filipino people to unite in the face of great adversities that beset the country.

"I already spoke with Senator Noynoy and told him I will be praying for his success and blessing," Villanueva said.

He said he would be supporting Aquino in his quest for good government and to regain the respect of the people for their leaders.

Even as he conceded defeat and congratulated the Liberal Party (LP) standard bearer, Villanueva praised the Filipino electorate for the successful outcome of Monday’s national and local elections.

He lauded the voters who endured the scorching heat of the sun and the long queues in the voting precincts to cast their votes.

Villanueva said he is elated that the Filipino people stood up to reclaim their power and authority to choose their leaders.

“Hindi tayo sumuko sa panandaliang hirap para sa pangmatagalang pakinabang ng bansa (We did not give up in the face of temporary hardship to advance the long-term interest of our country),” he said as he thanked all his supporters "who had been steadfast from the very beginning."


Original Story: http://mb.com.ph/node/257038/bro-eddie-promi

Noynoy vows new era of clean rule

May 12, 2010, 7:49pm









Original Story: http://mb.com.ph/articles/257064/noynoy-vows-new-era-clean-rule

"I want to lead by example. We talk about corruption. I did make a public vow, I will never steal," Aquino said in the interview, adding that this would give him the "moral authority" to make others conform.

MANILA, May 12, 2010 (AFP) - Leading presidential candidate Benigno Simeon "Noynoy" Aquino III pledged a new era of clean government as he railed Wednesday against outgoing leader Gloria Arroyo and her corruption-tainted administration.

The son of late democracy heroine Corazon Aquino trounced his rivals by a landslide in national elections on Monday and has since unleashed a barrage of criticism of his longtime rival.

The latest flare-up came after Arroyo on Wednesday named a new chief justice to the Supreme Court, one of a string of appointments Aquino and other critics believe are intended maintaining influence once she steps down.

In an interview with AFP on Tuesday, Aquino vowed to probe Arroyo for allegedly trying to rig the 2004 presidential election and accused her of using her time in power to enrich herself.

"She could have brought significant changes to this country but she chose to advance her personal interests and those who were supporting her personal interests to the detriment of the country," he said.

Aquino, a 50-year-old senator who campaigned on a pledge of clean government and a pledge to wipe out corruption in the impoverished nation, sought to portray an opposite image to one many Filipinos have of Arroyo.

"I want to lead by example. We talk about corruption. I did make a public vow, I will never steal," Aquino said in the interview, adding that this would give him the "moral authority" to make others conform.

Arroyo's spokesman said Wednesday the 63-year-old incumbent was ready to face any investigation over the alleged vote rigging and confident she would be found innocent.

"This offers the president an opportunity to answer these accusations, to clear the air and submit herself to the judgement of history," Gary Olivar said.

Arroyo, who took office in 2001 when Estrada was deposed for corruption and then won her own election in 2004, will not be disappearing from public life as she won a seat in Congress, where she is expected to build a new power base.

And Aquino also lashed out at the latest judicial appointment by Arroyo, who is due to hand over the reins of power in the nation of 94 million people on June 30.

"We call upon her to recognise the new government's right to appoint the next chief justice," Aquino said in a statement.

"There is still time for Mrs Arroyo to reconsider her decision. We hope she will choose not to add another burden on top of everything else she will be leaving behind."

Aquino rode a wave of support from the "People Power" movement of his democracy hero parents in Monday's election after almost a decade of rule by the unpopular Arroyo.

Although counting is not yet complete, partial results show him securing about 40 percent of the estimated 37.5 million votes cast in the country's first automated polls.

His closest rival, former president Joseph Estrada, 73, was trailing on 25 percent of the vote, with Arroyo's chosen successor and former defence secretary Gilberto Teodoro running a distant fourth.

But a proclamation can only be made after 100 percent of the data arrives, which election officials hope will occur by the end of the week.

Aquino -- who only decided to run after the death of his mother last year -- said he was aiming to pick his cabinet members ahead of the handover of power "so that come July 1, everybody is performing what they are supposed to do"

His party spokesman, Lorenzo Tanada, said he would appoint a transition team on Wednesday or Thursday in order to coordinate with the Arroyo's outgoing administration.

Aquino's mother led the "People Power" revolution that overthrew the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos in 1986 and then served as president.

His father, Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino, was shot dead in 1983 as he attempted to return from US exile to lead the movement against Marcos.

More than 17,000 positions were at stake -- from president down to municipal council seats -- and a cast of colourful and controversial characters won posts.

Among them were world boxing champion Manny Pacquiao and Imelda Marcos, the shoe-loving widow of Ferdinand, who both won seats in the House of Representatives.


Original Story: http://mb.com.ph/articles/257064/noynoy-vows-new-era-clean-rule

Arroyo to run for speaker, says brother-in-law

By Carla Gomez
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 20:40:00 05/12/2010




Filed Under: Elections, Eleksyon 2010, Politics, Inquirer Politics


Original Story: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20100512-269604/Arroyo-to-run-for-speaker-says-brother-in-law


BACOLOD CITY, Negros Occidental, Philippines—Negros Occidental Representative Ignacio "Iggy" Arroyo Jr. (5th District) said on Tuesday night the allies of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo would have the numbers to elect her as Speaker of the House.

Asked if the President, who won her congressional bid in the 2nd district of Pampanga, would go for the speakership, the Negros solon said, "Yes, I think she would."

In Negros Occidental, three of the winners in the congressional race, Representative Arroyo of the 5th district, Julio Ledesma IV (1st district) and Alfredo Marañon III (2nd district) belong to the Lakas-Kampi-CMD while another winner, former presidential spokesman Anthony Golez belongs to the Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC) but is close to the President.

Golez won in the Bacolod City congressional lone district with 58,708 votes over Renecito Novero who got 45,083.

Three other congressional winners, Albee Benitez (3rd district), Jeffrey Ferrer (4th district) and Genaro Alvarez(6th district) belong to the NPC.

In Iloilo, incumbent 1st district Representative Janet Garin (Lakas-Kampi-CMD) runs unopposed while in the 2nd district, controversial Augusto Syjuco Jr. (Lakas-Kampi-CMD), who ran into graft and corruption complaints when he was the director-general of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, is ahead by a wide margin over Ramon Arenas Jr. (NPC), son of socialite Rosemarie Baby Arenas.

Another Arroyo ally, Arthur Defensor Jr. (Lakas-Kampi-CMD) is also winning in the 3rd district over former Agrarian Reform Secretary Rene Villa (LP).

Incumbent 4th Representative Ferjenel Biron (Nacionalista Party) is winning over Iloilo Gov. Niel Tupas (LP).

The 5th district race is really for oppositionists to Arroyo: Representative Niel Tupas Jr. (LP) is winning over his cousin, Iloilo Vice Gov. Rolex Suplico (NP).

President Arroyo also has two allies in Bohol, Bohol Governor Erico Aumentado (Lakas-Kampi-CMD), who won in the 2nd district congressional race, and Arthur Yap, (Lakas-Kampi-CMD) who ran unopposed in the 3rd district. However, it is not yet known if Rene Relampagos (Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino) who won in the 1st congressional district would support the speakership bid of the President.

In Cebu, five of the winning candidates in the congressional race, Rep. Eduardo Gullas of Alayon-NP (1st district), Rep. Pablo Garcia of Lakas-Kampi (2nd district), Rep. Pablo John Garcia of Lakas-Kampi (3rd district), Rep. Benhur Salimbangon of Lakas Kampi (4th district), Rep. Ramon Durano VI of NPC (5th district) and Arturo Radaza of Lakas-Kampi (Lapu-Lapu lone district) were closely allied with the President Macapagal-Arroyo. Gullas and Radaza have been proclaimed winners.

In Capiz, Representative Antonio del Rosario (LP) won in the 1st congressional district while Jane Castro (Lakas-Kampi), wife of outgoing Representative Fredenil Castro won in the 2nd district.

But there are victories for the Liberal Party (LP): Television host Lucy Torres Gomez, who ran under the Liberal Party, was proclaimed 10:30 a.m. Wednesday as the duly elected congressional representative for Leyte's fourth district, edging out her closest rival by more than 24,000 votes. Gomez, 35, replaced her husband Richard, who was earlier disqualified on residency issues.

In Cebu City, the congressional candidates of the Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan, which is affiliated with the Liberal Party, won handily over their opponents.

Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña edged out Jonathan Guardo while Rachel Marguerite Del Mar, daughter of Representative Raul del Mar, also won over Lahug Barangay Captain Mary Ann de los Santos.

However, in the past, both Osmeña and Del Mar's father were allies of President Arroyo. With Reports filed by Rachel Arnaiz, Vicente Labro, Joey Gabieta, Elvie Roman-Roa, Jani Arnaiz, Jhunnex Napallacan, Nestor Burgos Jr., David Sinay and Felipe Celino, Inquirer Visayas


Original Story: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20100512-269604/Arroyo-to-run-for-speaker-says-brother-in-law

KSA OAV: 24,093 OFWs cast ballots

By RODOLFO C. ESTIMO JR | ARAB NEWS
Published: May 11, 2010 00:47 Updated: May 11, 2010 00:47



RIYADH: Over 24,000 Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in the Kingdom cast their ballots for the Fillipino elections, which drew to a close at 2 p.m. on Monday. The deadline for votes was extended by one hour following instructions from Manila where voting was also extended by an hour.

Filipino Ambassador Antonio P. Villamor thanked all who supported the Philippines Overseas Absentee Voting (OAV), including employers who provided transportation for their employees to visit polling stations.

Altogether 24,093 OFWs — or 22.37 percent of the 111,952 registered voters in the Kingdom — cast their ballots.

Vice Consul Roussel Reyes, in charge of the OAV at the Philippine Embassy, said a total of 11,827 OFWs — or 22.37 percent of Riyadh ’s 52,869 registered voters — participated in the elections. He added that the voter turnout was much larger than in 2007 when only around eight percent of voters exercised their democratic rights.

In Jeddah, Consul Leo Tito L. Ausan Jr. said 7,292 OFWs — or 19.7 percent of the city’s 37,083 registered voters — voted. Despite the low turnout, officials say the ballot was a success. It has been honest, credible, fair and very peaceful. “Considering the problems which the OFWs or overseas absentee voters faced, the number of registered OFWs who voted is satisfactory,” said Ausan.

Labor Attaché Des T. Dicang of the Philippine Overseas Labor Office in the Eastern region also expressed satisfaction at the turnout, which totaled 4,974 — or 21 percent of the region’s 22,000 registered voters.

“Voter turnout was low, but high compared to other GCC countries where there is a large concentration of OFWs," he said.

Asked why the number of voters was much smaller than the total number of registered OFW voters in the Kingdom, the diplomats pointed to several reasons, including distance or accessibility, lack of transportation, the limited number of polling stations and time constraints.

Ambassador Antonio P. Villamor earlier told Arab News that there were Fillipino nationals living and working across the Kingdom. “For this reason, there is a need for a mass transport system in which traveling would be fast and cheap,” he said. Requests for more polling stations were earlier rejected by the Commission on Elections (Comelec). There were four polling stations in the Kingdom — the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh, the International Philippine School in Alkhobar (IPSA), the Philippine International School in Buraidah (PISB) and the Philippines' Consulate General in Jeddah

Tension between Tingas, Cayetanos at Taguig city hall

By Miko Morelos
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 14:53:00 05/11/2010





Original Story: http://politics.inquirer.net/politics/view/20100511-269403/Tension-between-Tingas-Cayetanos-at-Taguig-city-hall


(UPDATE) Tension brewed in Taguig city as supporters of top contenders in the mayoral race—retired supreme court associate justice Dante Tinga and Taguig-Pateros Representative Laarni Cayetano—massed up at City Hall eagerly awaiting the results of the elections.


MANILA, Philippines—(UPDATE) Tension brewed in Taguig city as supporters of top contenders in the mayoral race—retired supreme court associate justice Dante Tinga and Taguig-Pateros Representative Laarni Cayetano—massed up at City Hall eagerly awaiting the results of the elections.

Cayetano is not his running against incumbent Mayor Sigfrido "Freddie" Tinga, son of Dante, as earlier reported.

This as the processing of election returns by the city board of canvassers was proceeding at a snail’s pace because of glitches in the laptop computer, which had been switched on since Monday night when canvassing began.

In their pink shirts, supporters of Cayetano, wife of incumbent Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, dotted Gen. Luna street, occupying half of the two lane road as early as 9 a.m. while others stood at corridors of commercial buildings facing City Hall.

Blue-shirted Tinga supporters meanwhile trickled at City Hall’s compound, entering at its back door as the police sealed the office’s front gate. Later, a drum and lyre band played tunes seemingly to irritate their rivals outside the compound.

At around 4 p.m., the board of canvassers had processed 95 percent of returns, which showed that Cayetano had about a 2,600-margin against Tinga.

At least 11 compact flash cards, which election workers failed to transmit electronically, had yet to be processed as of press time, according to the board.

Two battalions of truncheon-carrying riot police have been deployed to prevent supporters of both camps from clashing.

The laptop computer which the election board used since canvassing began Monday night was slowing the process, according to Dr. Meleda Polita, secretary of the body.

“It was switched on since last night. That plus the heat in here could have caused the slowdown,” she said.

At about 5 p.m., the board decided to use a backup precinct count optical scan machine to transmit the results in the compact flash card electronically.


Original Story: http://politics.inquirer.net/politics/view/20100511-269403/Tension-between-Tingas-Cayetanos-at-Taguig-city-hall