The Commission on Elections (Comelec) went on its merry course Saturday night, proclaiming the final three senatorial winners even as criticisms and questions continued to come its way over its controversial decision to declare the victors in last Monday’s senatorial elections even before all the votes could be counted.
“It’s finally starting to sink in, little by little,” Senator-elect Nancy Binay told the Inquirer, aware of the tough job that lies ahead after her victory in Monday’s elections.
It’s 9-3 in favor of the administration coalition as the final three winning senators—Cynthia Villar, JV Ejercito and Gregorio Honasan—were finally proclaimed Saturday night as the Commission on Elections (Comelec) completed the canvassing of all locally cast votes in the senatorial race.
In the mission to protect the people’s vote, there is no generation gap. From a first-time voter to an election veteran, spirited volunteers continue to power the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) in the tedious task of watching over the nationwide vote—a mandate unenviable amid technical glitches, resource constraints and criticisms from many, often unseen, corners.
The recently concluded 2013 automated elections were worse than the 2010 exercise because of the bigger number of errors and the “arbitrary and highly irregular decisions” which compromised the elections’ credibility and transparency, according to a poll watchdog group.
An agitated Francis Tolentino, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chair, cried foul over insinuations his wealth had almost doubled in the past two years, saying the media had misinterpreted two different forms of the required statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN) which were recently made public.
There will be no leadership change in the Senate when the new Congress convenes in July, Sen. Franklin Drilon told reporters last week.
The six senators whom the Commission on Elections (Comelec) proclaimed on Thursday the top winners of the May 13 senatorial race should return their certificates as their proclamation was invalid, according to a prominent election lawyer.
As investors and analysts ponder whether the Philippines would remain in a sweet spot beyond 2016 when the country elects its next President, New York-based think tank Global Source listed four “viable” presidential contenders from the administration party who could challenge incumbent Vice President Jejomar Binay.
Even the administration coalition didn’t expect Grace Poe to top the senatorial elections. Team Pnoy campaign manager Sen. Franklin Drilon told reporters their own surveys indicated Poe might land in the Top Five but did not predict she would bag the No. 1 slot.
Does joining the government make one poorer—or richer? Malacañang released to the media on Friday the copies of the statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN) of Cabinet secretaries for 2012, reflecting the rise and fall of the net worth of the members of President Benigno Aquino III’s official family in a year.
Why was Nancy Binay a no-show at her own proclamation as a first-ever senator?
Win first, study later? Fresh from her victory in last Monday’s elections, Senator-elect Nancy Binay plans to enroll in a short course at the University of the Philippines to prepare her for the tough legislative work ahead.
