ARTICLE SERVICES            Reprint this article     Print this article       Send as an e-mail     Send Feedback       Comment on this article on our Vox Populi blog   GALLERY 1 Next   Zoom    ROBIN PADILLA PROMOTES ARMM AUTOMATED POLLS. Actor Robin Padilla holds up a comic book educating voters about the August 11 automated elections in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. With Padilla are Senator Richard Gordon, Henrietta de Villa, chairperson of the Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting; Kevin Chung, Chief Executive Officer of Avante International Technology Inc. which signed up the actor, a Muslim convert, for P2 million to promote the computerized polls; and Comelec commissioner Moslemen Macarambon. Photo taken by INQUIRER.net Reporter Katherine Evangelista Wanted: Effective, Ethical, Courageous Leader for 2010 By Harvey Keh AS I listened to the testimony of former Agriculture Undersecretary Jocelyn “Joc-Joc” Bolante, I again realized how important it is for our cou ...More 4 die in Ilocos road accident 3 drown in Cagayan floods Renewable energy can supply 70% RP needs Negros Occ. to get new police chief US envoy calls for ceasefire in Mindanao Put up more ethanol plants for fuel BIR chief no-show at sugar planters meet More Stories » News Ex-Lacson aides held in US ‘Empty nest’ killings on the rise–NCRPO Arroyo to proceed to Peru; husband fine e=mc2: Einstein's formula proven right 2 women vendors win Citi awards Surgeon dies in Pasay City car crash Canadian sextuplets mired in rights row Emergency landing: Arroyo husband ill SC final ruling: MOA-AD unconstitutional Cops charged for Dacer slay nabbed in US News Emergency landing: Arroyo husband ill Arroyo to proceed to Peru; husband fine Ex-Lacson aides held in US Abducted at noon on a busy Makati street First Gentleman back in Manila Estrada refuses comment: Ask Lacson Lacson declines to issue statement Big humiliation for the Army Cops charged for Dacer slay nabbed in US Warning device fails to save surgeon Coed shot dead, dumped in Manila No need for Lacson to inhibit   News Most Read RSS Hottest Tags Elections Entertainment (general) Celebrities People WHAT'S THIS?                 More >>

MANILA, Philippines -- With less than a month to go before the elections in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, actor Robin Padilla has joined in the campaign to educate voters there on the automated polls.

Avante International Technology Inc., one of two companies that has been tapped by the Commission on Elections to automate the ARMM elections on August 11, has given Padilla a P2 million contract to promote the optical mark reader (OMR) which will be used by some 1.5 million registered voters in the provinces of Shariff Kabunsuan, Sulu, Tawi-tawi, Lanao del Norte, and Basilan.

In a press conference and contract signing ceremony held at the Comelec Session Hall in Intramuros, Padilla called on Muslim voters to participate in the ARMM polls.

"Kailangan ng Mindanao ng mga leaders na totoong binoto ng mga tao [Mindanao needs leaders who were truly voted by the people]," Padilla said.

Leo Querubin, project director for Avante, welcomed Padilla as the newest member of their voters’ education team. "He is very popular in Mindanao. His voice will definitely amplify all that we are doing to ensure that the ARMM automated polls will be a success," Querubin said.

Padilla converted to Islam in 1996 and has since immersed himself in Muslim communities both in Manila and Mindanao.

"Robin Padilla is an ideal partner for voter education for the August 11 automated ARMM elections. He is well respected by Muslims and Christians alike, and he has genuine concern for his Muslim brethren," Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said.

As part of his contract, Padilla will be featured in comic books that will inform voters on the importance of casting their ballots and on the use the new OMR technology and will tape infomercials to be aired over local radio stations in the provinces.

Meanwhile, Padilla donated his talent fee to Liwanag ng Kapayapaan (Light of Peace) Foundation represented by its administrator Rodolfo Bernardo.

Bernardo said the amount would be used to fund the scholarships of 53 children from the foundation.

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• US envoy calls for ceasefire in Mindanao
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