The News

The Commissions on Elections has been making the necessary steps in preparing the Philippines for the much awaited 2010 elections that will fill the topmost positions – including the presidency. After spending billions in order to adapt a computerized voting system, the Comelec has spent another 1.6 billion pesos to cleanse the voters list. The Computerized Voters List Cleansing Project was awarded to the Unison Computer Systems Inc. and Japan’s NEC. The Cleansing Projects objective is to uncover multiple registrants, flying voters and other irregularities that would render the 2010 Elections vulnerable to fraud. The project includes Validation of Existing Registration Records Using Biometrics and Data Capture System, Online Data Submission and Synchronization System, Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) Matching and AFIS Server Applications and the Generation of Voter ID Cards.

So far, the Comelec has eliminated close to 6 million voters due to irregularities. Mainly, the 6 million is comprised of people who have failed to vote in two consecutive elections. As revealed by the Comelec-Election and Barangay Affairs Department (EBAD), more than 5,600,000 Filipinos have had their registrations deactivated. Other reasons include those excluded by court orders, those considered insane or incompetent and other understandable reasons.

However, quite a number might be lost but the country has gained close to three million new voters, most of them comprised by teens. Registration is available up until October 31.

As the Comelec prepares the country for the all-important elections on 2010, the public is still torn on who to vote. As a handful of presidential aspirants have declared their intentions, some are even now backing out of the race in order to make way for someone new. As of late, Senator Manuel “Mar” Roxas and priest turned Governed Ed Panlilio have declared their support for the same candidate: Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino.

Early Sunday, SuperFerry 9 sinks along the seas near Zamboanga, prompting dozens of people with relatives boarding the ship to a panicked frenzy. On the same day, Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) Adminstrator, Marina Elena Bautista announced that the victims will be compensated for by the owner of the ship.

Bautista added that reasons for sinking of the ship will be explained by the Aboitiz Transports System, the owner of the SuperFerry lines as ordered. According to Marina regulations, compensation for victims and their dependents by shipping companies run from P200,000 to P500,000.

More than 800 passengers have been fortunately rescued prior to the sinking of the ship while rescue operations are still continuing. Three fatalities have already been found while dozens more are being searched for. The Philippine Army has already sent a helicopter to assist in the search as well as the United States Air Force Assistance Group.

Families of the ships passengers have already deployed in the WG&A Office waiting for results and updates regarding their families. The SuperFerry 9 carries about 900 passengers on it, the trip destined to Iloilo from Zamboanga.

According to Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro at the National Disaster Coordinating Council headquarters, the ship’s captain Jose Yap was already rescued. A reconstitution of the Board of Marine Inquiry was already called for by Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo. This was revealed by Coast Guard Vice Commander for Operations Vice Admiral Ramon Liwag. The Board is responsible for investigating the cause of nautical mishaps. As of yet, the authorities are unsure of the reasons for SuperFerry 9’s sinking. However, the tropical storm Dujuan has already added to the weather problems that may or may not have contributed to the ship’s sinking. As of now, families and friends of still missing passengers are still waiting for updates on the state of their loved ones.

Senator Manuel “Mar” Roxas has TV ads airing for quite some time now. The senators running for Philippine’s highest position was somehow taken for granted as his numerous appearances bear testimony to this fact. Or what used to be a fact – the senator has recently announced his support for Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino’s bid for the presidential post in the upcoming 2010 elections if the latter ever decides on the said course. During a press conference of Tuesday, he read “Today, I am announcing my support for the candidacy of Noynoy Aquino for president in 2010” while resounding cheers echoed through the area. The decision was made as more and more people are hoping for Noynoy to continue the Aquino legacy started by his parents, Senator Benigno Aquino Jr. and former President Corazon “Cory” Aquino. In his speech, Roxas expressed that his decision was for “unity in support of change”, adding that a sacrifice is needed “It must be me. Ako na”.

Senator Roxas also sent a message to Noynoy, stating “To you Noy, I say, I began the campaign to sow the seeds for change and reforms. You must now be the one to grow them in the arena of leadership”.

This decision might perhaps stall former President Joseph Ejercito Estrada’s campaign as he stated that if the opposition unites behind one candidate, then he will graciously withdraw from the race. However, according to Senator Richard Gordon, leadership has to be earned. Although the public has such high regard of Noynoy’s parents, it is still a question of whether the regard will be “translated into charisma” for Noynoy. Senator Richard Gordon is also running for presidency.

As it stands, there are still so many choices for president and the public is still mulling over the matter. Hopefully by 2010, there will be solid candidates the country can choose from.

In a display of unity, thirteen potential candidates for President vowed for a pure and upright elections next year. The group consists of Senators Manuel “Mar” Roxas II, Manuel Villar, Francis “Chiz” Escudero, Loren Legarda and former President Joseph Estrada. Sworn statements were signed by the aspirants, promising that they will not cheat in the elections. The ousted President Estrada commented that the move was to make sure that the events of 2004 would not be repeated. “No more ‘Hello Garci’…” he added, referring to the President Macapagal Arroyo’s purported cheating in the presidential elections. The event wa organized by GMA Channel 7 and was named “Eleksyon 2010 Na,Tatakbo Ka ba?”. More of those who came were Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay, Eduardo “Brother Eddie” Villanueva, Jamby Madrigal and Senator Francis Pangilinan.

Villanueva expresses hope that the contenders will make good of their promise. He added that the same pledges were done in the 2004 election wherein the candidate even kneeled in the San Agustin Church, but “there was still cheating” later on. The aspirants have also written their own messages on the freedom wall following the Unity Walk consisting of 100 meters. Estrada’s message read “Walang tutulong sa Pilipino kundi kapwa” (No one will help the Filipino but a fellow Filipino). Villar wrote “For Clean Elections!”, Roxas, “For the Country!” and Pangilinan “Rock the Vote!”. The aspirants have also written their messages on a freedom wall following the 100 meter “Unity Walk” wherein the 13 have walked side by side in linked hands.

However, the question that still remains is whether the aspiring candidates will be able to hold their end of the bargain. For all the promises, the Filipino people are still sporting the wounds dealt by previous administrations.