From the Vera Files: PNP vows to dismantle Samar’s two remaining private armies

CATBALOGAN CITY—As the start of the campaign period for the May 13 elections draws near, the Philippine National Police in Eastern Visayas is pursuing the remaining members of two partisan/private armed groups (PAGs) in hotspot Samar to ensure a “secured and fair elections.”

“Our main goal in this campaign is to make sure that it is really the sovereign will of the people that are reflected in the election results and not due to fear, violence and intimidation,” said Chief Superintendent Elmer R. Soria, Eastern Visayas police director.

The PNP defines PAG as a group of two or more persons being used by a certain politician or individual to sow fear or intimidation, possessing legal or illegal firearms to advance political interest.

In Samar, police identified the remaining PAGs as the Moloboco group and the Montealto group. The groups are allegedly funded by members of political clans in power. The province is among the 15 priority election watchlist areas of the Department of Interior and Local Government.

As early as last September, the PNP began moving to dismantle the two PAGs. (read more . . . )

SILG Roxas to grace signing of elections peace covenant in Samar

CAMP RUPERTO KANGLEON, Palo, Leyte, Jan 11 (PIA) -- At the very start of the election period, a signing of a peace covenant has been scheduled in the considered election “priority area” in Eastern Visayas.

Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas will witness the signing of the peace covenant among the police, church leaders, and local candidates in Samar. (Read more . . . )

from the LSDE: PNP-8 to delpoy more cops in Samar Province

Tacloban City - Close to 100 policemen will be deployed to Samar Province, identified as one of the hot spot areas in the country relative to the forthcoming May 13, 2013 midterm election. (read more ...)

from the LSDE: PAG leader in Samar slain

Tacloban City - A leader of a notorious partisan armed group (PAG) in the province of Samar was killed by elements of the Regional Special Operations Task Group (RSOTG) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Eastern Visayas, according to an official. (read more ...)

PNP, Comelec, private sector urge politicians, bets on peace covenant

Camp Ruperto Kangleon, Palo, Leyte - The Philippine National Police and the Commission on Elections together with the private sector are urging politicians and those who will be running in the forthcoming elections to join them in a peace covenant signing that will make politicians promise to abide by the law and ensure peaceful and orderly election by not engaging in the hiring of private armed groups. (read more ...)

PRO8 partners with Church for peaceful May 2013 polls

Bishop Isabelo Abarquez confers with PNP-8 Regional Director PCSUPT Elmer Soria during a visit last December 8, 20132 at the Bishop's House. Present during the meeting were officers of PRO8's Regional Special Operations Task Force. (LSDE photo)

Camp Ruperto Kangleon, Palo, Leyte - The Police Regional Office 8 (PRO8) will be partnering with the Roman Catholic Church to help ensure the peaceful conduct of the midterm elections next year, especially in the province of Samar. (read more ...)

PRO-8 readies security plan for 2013 polls

Camp Ruperto Kangleon, Palo, Leyte - The Police Regional Office 8 (PRO8) is now preparing to ensure a peaceful and orderly electoral exercise next year. (read more ...)

In Samar Province Latest SC decision to pave the way for recall election

Here's an article which came out in today's edition of the Leyte-Samar Daily Express:

Tacloban City - The decision of the Supreme Court dismissing the motion for reconsideration filed by Samar Governor Sharee Ann Tan and her brother Vice Gov. Stephen James Tan is just one stumbling block lifted for the recall election to proceed. (read more . . . )

SK voters' registration

Busy na liwat an COMELEC and the City Hall premises is crowded again. This time with young people trying to make it before the deadline of the voters' registration. Here are some pictures I managed to take earlier today.

assistance desc

Let me give you something to smile about today. Yup, during the recently-concluded election, there was a security assistance desc near the polling area in our barangay.

Please don't take it seriously. Again, I just wanted to give you something to smile about today.

and it happened again

We saw various images during the recent elections. The long lines, the reminders on how to vote properly (on top of voting wisely) . . .

. . . the PCOS machines, the long ballots, the congratulatory message and this . . .

. . . oops, don't look for the name of the candidate, I deleted it.

last pcos to arrive

So, what makes this PCOS machine special? Wala lang, it's the last one to be delivered to the City Hall after the elections. It was the one used in Barangay Naguma; and it arrived earlier this afternoon via habal-habal. Now, that mode of transport gives you an idea as to how far Barangay Naguma is from the city proper.

partial official results

Let me give you an update on the figures from the Consolidated Canvassing Board which convened again today at the Conference Hall of the Old Barracks Building (Handumanan).

Partial and official results as of 5:00 pm today. 75% of the total number of precincts counted. I got these figures courtesy of Eleen Lim / DYOG Radyo ng Bayan.

Local Posts:

Congressman:

• Roño, Mario: 657
• Sarmiento, Mel Senen: 33,829
• Tuazon, Rodolfo: 21,913

Governor:

• Lim, Casilda: 26,014
• Redaja, Jesus: 8,294
• Tan, Sharee Ann: 22,320

Vice Governor:

• Grey, Joseph: 5,913
• Rosales, Rosenaida: 30,336
• Tan, Stephen James: 19,520

Mayor:

• Rivera, Diego: 20,621
• Uy, Reynaldo: 38,567

Vice Mayor:

• Aquino, Ronaldo: 38,446
• Ricafort, Cesario: 18,907

Board Members:

• Coñejos, Charlito: 35,115
• Dy, Prudencio: 25,555
• Edem, Yancita: 14,549
• Pallones-Lim, Arlene: 4,023
• Rosales, Jose Precioso: 18,552
• Rumohr, Vicky: 1,8124
• Sabenicio, Cesar 20,741
• Sermense, Noel: 31,358
• Sumagang, Jasper: 29,878
• Tiu, Antonio: 878
• Uy, Renato: 30,630
• White, Beatriz: 17,833

Councilors (1st District):

• Aquino, Mark: 16,194
• Ayong, Sylvan: 10,326
• Clemens, Virgilio: 15,464
• Durmiendo, Romeo: 8,715
• Gal, Bernardo: 7,889
• Luaton, Genaro: 9,507
• Martirez, Billy: 9,442
• Montealto, Jonas: 14,437
• Pasacas, Arturo: 15,975
• Salurio, Susano: 14,658
• Tan, Jocelyn: 9,404
• Uy, Raymond: 15,952

Councilors (2nd District):

• Bagsarsa, Ligaya: 8,742
• Bernate, Danilo: 17,697
• Casurao, Rogelio: 15,149
• Dean, Ramon: 11,853
• Johnson, Nancy: 9,253
• Mancol, Julius: 17,067
• Perito, Fernando: 1,393
• Porlares Virgilio: 14,845
• Rabuya, Regina: 15,821
• Sabi, Aquilina: 14,246
• Salibio, Ramon: 5,871
• Tangaran, Dennis: 1,047
• Uy, Rey James: 19,785
• Ventures, Cesar: 7,770

For more election results, please check these links:COMELEC (Calbayog City), COMELEC (Samar), GMA News

The day after

Surely things were fast with the election. Oops, I forgot about the long lines. My comment about the lines is best said in binisaya: "An linya kakulop dire mahinay, kindi nakamang."

Here are some pix I managed to take earlier today at the City Hall compound.

Employees from the City Treasurer's Office as they set-up "shop" at the back of the City Hall to receive the ballot boxes from the teachers.

The Julio Cardinal Rosales Plaza minus the election posters and streamers.

Some SMARTMATIC personnel receiving the PCOS machines at the City Hall stage.

The trucks on hand to deliver the PCOS machines to well, wherever its final destination is (Laguna, I heard)

partial results

Let me give you some figures which I got courtesy of DYOG Radyo ng Bayan / Eleen Lim. Partial results from the Consolidated Canvassing Board which convened at the Conference Hall of the Old Barracks Building (Handumanan) on May 10, 2010 at approximately 7:00 pm.

54 precincts. 25.37% of the 201 clustered precincts. As of 11:00 pm May 10, 2010

Local Posts:

Congressman:

• Sarmiento, Mel Senen: 10,988
• Tuazon, Rodolfo: 6,623
  

Governor:

• Lim, Casilda: 8,444
• Tan, Sharee Ann: 6,756
• Redaja, Jesus: 2,636

Vice Governor:

• Rosales, Rosenaida: 9,840
• Tan, Stephen James: 5,998
• Grey, Joseph: 1,638

Mayor:

• Uy, Reynaldo: 12,489
• Rivera, Diego: 6,059

Vice Mayor:

• Aquino, Ronaldo: 12,629
• Ricafort, Cesario: 5,412

Board Members:

• Coñejos, Charlito: 11,719
• Sermense, Noel: 10,504
• Sumagang, Jasper: 9,544
• Uy, Renato: 9,963
• Dy, Prudencio: 8,453
• Sabenicio, Cesar: 5,923
• Rosales, Precioso: 5,574
• Rumohr, Vicky: 5,368
• White, Beatriz: 5,329
• Edem, Yanicita: 4,193

Councilors (1st District):

• Aquino, Mark: 4,862
• Uy, Raymond: 4,794
• Pasacas, Arturo: 4,665
• Clemens, Virgilio: 4,482
• Salurio, Susano: 4,271
• Montealto, Jonas: 4,264
• Ayong, Sylvan: 2,618
• Martires, Billy: 2,336
• Luaton, Genaro: 2,219
• Durmiendo, Romeo: 2,160
• Tan, Jocelyn: 2,066
• Gal, Bernardo: 2,071

Councilors (2nd District):

• Uy, Rey James: 6,817
• Bernate, Danilo: 6,364
• Mancol, Julius: 5,971
• Rabuya, Regina: 5,471
• Casurao, Roger: 5,090
• Porlares Virgilio: 5,031
• Sabi, Aquilina: 4,779
• Dean, Ramon: 4,161
• Bagsarsa, Ligaya: 3,474
• Johnson, Nancy: 3,059
• Ventures, Cesar: 2,675

For more election results, please check these links:
COMELEC (Calbayog City), COMELEC (Samar), GMA News

(break anay) election 101: reminders from the PPCRV

10 COMMANDMENTS FOR RESPONSIBLE VOTING
from the
PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL FOR RESPONSIBLE VOTING
(PPCRV)

---

Thou shalt vote according to the dictate of your conscience.

Thou shalt respect the decision of others in choosing their candidates.

Thou shalt seek to know the moral dignity, capabilities and other personal qualities of the candidate you will vote for.

Thou shalt strive to understand the issues, platform and programs of candidates and parties seeking your vote.

Thou shalt not sell your vote.

Thou shalt not vote for candidates using guns, goons, and gold.

Thou shalt not vote for candidates with records of graft and corruption, and human rights violation.

Thou shalt not vote for candidates just because of utang na loob, personal appearance, popularity or pakikisama.

Thou shalt not vote for candidates living an immoral life.

Thou shalt not put the welfare of the country above all else in choosing the candidate you will vote for.

break anay: CNN on elections and political dynasties

It's two days to the elections. I came across a CNN report on the election and political dynasties. I thought I'd like to share that report. But to be honest, it's because Imelda is in the report. Wala pong kokontra :-). Smile it's a weekend.

(break anay) election 101: 20 Things Every Voter Should Do Before and While Voting:

Here's something I got from a fellow blogger (adayinthelifeofrj.com). I thought I'd like to share it with you.

20 Things Every Voter Should Do Before and While Voting:

1. Verify your precinct number prior to May 10. It’s fastest to do it online — Click here to “find out your own precinct number”. By the way, if you have time, you may want to help map your precinct through Google maps — this will benefit the people looking for the same precinct where you belong.

2. If you have a computer and printer at home, or if you can go online and print somewhere else (cybercafes/computer shops), please print a ballot sample so you can get a “feel” of how to shade the ovals, see how small they actually look like and test how fast you can do your shading.

There are two (2) sample ballots in the COMELEC website — one for the national posts, and one for the local posts. Print both. Note that in the actual ballot paper, the candidates for the local posts are located at the back of the ballot paper. Click below to download sample ballots:

a) National ballot template for ARMM areas

b. National ballot template for Non-ARMM areas

c) Local ballot templates

3. Write down a complete list of your preferred candidates on a sheet of paper. Bring that with you on May 10.

4. Come to your precinct as early as you possibly can.

5. Watch out for people distributing “sample ballots” or other election-related posters or leaflets. Campaigning is NO LONGER ALLOWED during election day, May 10. If you see one, take note and report it.

6. When you have found your precinct number, approach the BEI and verify your identity with them against their registered voter’s list. If everything is in order, they will give you your ballot paper and ballot secrecy folder.

7. Before leaving the BEI’s table, do a quick scan of the ballot paper — it should have prints on the front and back side, if you think there are missing information or something is defaced or blurry, inform the BEI immediately before sitting on your chair.

8. If everything looks okay, find a seat and shade ballots based on your prepared list of preferred candidates.

***WARNING: There is ONLY one ballot paper per voter. There are NO EXTRA BALLOTS. If you make mistakes, you can no longer ask for another ballot. Your vote is good as GONE. Don’t let that happen. Prepare your list and double-check your ballot entries/shades. ***

9. The ballot secrecy folder is not an accessory for display. Its purpose is to keep your vote SECRET. Use it! Your votes are sacred. Guard it with your life.

10. Shade the ovals completely. Dots and half-shades will not be counted.

11. Be sure not to overvote (or voting for more candidates than what is required, like voting for 13 senators instead of just 12).

12. Remember that it’s okay to undervote ( or voting for less than what’s required, like voting for less than 12 senators).

13. DO NOT WRITE ANYTHING ANYWHERE ELSE on the ballot paper. While Smartmatic claims that the PCOS will disregard any/all marks outside the ovals, it is better to play safe.

14. Do not crumple or fold your ballot paper to avoid problems when inserting it to the PCOS machine.

15. When you’re done shading, go to where the PCOS machine is and insert your ballot paper. WARNING: No other person is allowed to do the inserting for you! Inserting the ballot into the PCOS machine is integral to the voting process. YOU HAVE TO DO IT YOURSELF. If it takes you longer than usual, the BEI may assist you but it is you who will insert the ballot in EVERY attempt.

16. If you have done everything according to instructions, the machine will get your paper and prompt or display a “Thank you for voting!” message on the small screen to the right side of the PCOS machine. That is your signal that your job is done.

17. The BEI will put indelible ink on your finger as a sign of your participation and as a reminder that you can only vote once.

Wear that ink proud and relish the moment (even for a few seconds) that you have THE POWER to effect change — that there is NO SMALL VOTE — and that you have all the right to the benefits of democracy because you are an active participant in it and not a lousy, sourgraping and self-righteous spectator sitting on the fence.

18. Ooops! Hold on! Your job isn’t quite finished. Guarding your votes is just as important as casting it. So don’t leave the results to destiny and chance — log on to the COMELEC website and check on the real-time results for municipal level. Report all irregularities and resist all attempts to tamper results.

19. Wait for a few hours and you will have new municipal leaders proclaimed. Two to three days tops and we should have a new president-elect, vice-president, senators, etc.

20. Don’t be a sore loser. Whoever wins as president, as long as the elections are verified credible, support him or her with all your heart. After all, this country’s future does not depend on one man alone. There are 94M of us, if everyone will do his/her job, we wouldn’t have to blame one person all the time.

Think this post can help others prepare for the elections? Feel free to share these 20 voting tips to your social network. You’ll never know what difference it can make unless you try. The clock is ticking. Don’t wait until the last minute. Remember, we’ve waited 100 years for this: Failure is not an option.

(break anay) election 101: PCIJ public service ADs

The Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) has come up with some public service ADs in line with the forthcoming automated elections (yup, even before the the recent PCOS flimflam). Anyway, I think the whole thing helps. Check this link.

(break anay) election 101: find your precint

We are days away to the elections . Just in case you'd like to know you precinct online, check this link.

Let me warn you though, after many tries I was able to access the site only at around 5:00 a.m. today.