Comelec aims for zero failure of elections in Lanao del Sur
By Apipa P. Bagumbaran
MARAWI
CITY, Lanao del Sur, March 19 (PIA) -- The Commission on Elections
(Comelec) is aiming for ‘zero’ failure of elections in the entire
province, this coming May.
Lawyer Ray Sumalipao, regional election director in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) emphasized this during the recently concluded Lanao del Sur Stakeholders Conference for Peaceful, Free and Fair 2013 Elections saying that the main enemy in the province during elections is the failure of elections.
To make elections work, he said two task forces will be created to roam around the province and monitor the electoral process.
He said these task forces will be composed of personnel from the Comelec, Philippine National Police (PNP) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
He further said that they have asked the Comelec En Banc to authorize the mobilization of the security personnel, as a contingency measure, in case the Board of Election Inspectors (BEIs) will not report to their posts.
Other measures to be taken by the poll body include the swapping of election officers to eradicate doubts on Comelec personnel and insulate them from political suspicions.
Sumalipao also belied reports that there were no cases filed against erring Comelec personnel. He said they have dismissed three election officers, one from Maguindanao and two in Lanao del Sur, to show that they are true to their commitment.
The ARMM Election Director meanwhile announced that the clustering of precincts was already approved and now available at the Comelec website.
He said the Comelec En Banc has also decided to download the investigation of violations to the provincial election supervisor to avoid the clogging of election cases.
Moreover, the training of more than 2,000 BEIs in the province have started last March 7 and this will end until March 31. (APB/PIA10)
Lawyer Ray Sumalipao, regional election director in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) emphasized this during the recently concluded Lanao del Sur Stakeholders Conference for Peaceful, Free and Fair 2013 Elections saying that the main enemy in the province during elections is the failure of elections.
To make elections work, he said two task forces will be created to roam around the province and monitor the electoral process.
He said these task forces will be composed of personnel from the Comelec, Philippine National Police (PNP) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
He further said that they have asked the Comelec En Banc to authorize the mobilization of the security personnel, as a contingency measure, in case the Board of Election Inspectors (BEIs) will not report to their posts.
Other measures to be taken by the poll body include the swapping of election officers to eradicate doubts on Comelec personnel and insulate them from political suspicions.
Sumalipao also belied reports that there were no cases filed against erring Comelec personnel. He said they have dismissed three election officers, one from Maguindanao and two in Lanao del Sur, to show that they are true to their commitment.
The ARMM Election Director meanwhile announced that the clustering of precincts was already approved and now available at the Comelec website.
He said the Comelec En Banc has also decided to download the investigation of violations to the provincial election supervisor to avoid the clogging of election cases.
Moreover, the training of more than 2,000 BEIs in the province have started last March 7 and this will end until March 31. (APB/PIA10)
Comelec extends liquor ban from May 9 to May 13
By Rutchie C. Aguhob
OZAMIZ
CITY, Misamis Occidental, Mar. 18 (PIA) -- The Commission on Elections
(Comelec) has resolved to extend the period of the liquor ban from two
to five days - from May 9 to May 13, Monday, Election Day.
This decision was arrived at during the Feb. 26 meeting of the Comelec attended by Chairperson Sixto S. Brillantes Jr., and Commissioners Lucenito N. Tagle, Elia R. Yusoph, Christian Robert S. Lim, and Maria Gracia Cielo M. Padaca.
As recalled, pursuant to Resolution No. 9582 issued in December 18, 2012, the Comelec has decreed that the liquor ban shall be enforced effective on the day before the election, May 12 and on election day, May 13.
However, the extension was made on the request of Atty. Francis N. Tolentino, chairperson of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), who said that the two-day liquor ban is inadequate in addressing the problems related to the taking of intoxicating drinks.
In his letter to the Comelec, Tolentino said the unfettered consumption of alcohol beverages nationwide, especially during these periods do not aid in the intelligent discussion of election issues by our citizens.
He also said records of the MMDA indicate large number of road accidents, causing deaths, injuries, and damage to properties due to intoxicated drivers - there were 59 in 2010;146 in 2011; 95 in 2012.
With the election fever and the house-to-house campaigning of candidates, consumption of alcoholic drinks is common fare and this situation does not augur well in areas where rivalries for some positions or even party rivalries are heated, Tolentino said.
The gun ban, which started on January 13, will lasts for the rest of the election period, and applies to licensed gun owners who are a small percentage to the alcohol imbibing citizens.
Given the deleterious and far-reaching effects of alcohol, it stands to reason that the liquor ban should be in effect for a longer period, just as the gun ban.
Meanwhile, the Comelec has taken into account the economic impact of the liquor ban, and decided that the exemption granted under Section 3 of Resolution 9582 should remain as is.
Section 3 of the said resolution exempts hotels and other establishments and duly certified by the Department of Tourism as tourism-oriented and habitually in the business of catering of foreign tourist.
This is provided they serve a prior written authority from the Comelec upon showing that only foreigner tourists taking intoxicating liquor in said authorized hotels or establishment are exempted from liquor ban. (RCA-PIA10, Misamis Occidental)
This decision was arrived at during the Feb. 26 meeting of the Comelec attended by Chairperson Sixto S. Brillantes Jr., and Commissioners Lucenito N. Tagle, Elia R. Yusoph, Christian Robert S. Lim, and Maria Gracia Cielo M. Padaca.
As recalled, pursuant to Resolution No. 9582 issued in December 18, 2012, the Comelec has decreed that the liquor ban shall be enforced effective on the day before the election, May 12 and on election day, May 13.
However, the extension was made on the request of Atty. Francis N. Tolentino, chairperson of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), who said that the two-day liquor ban is inadequate in addressing the problems related to the taking of intoxicating drinks.
In his letter to the Comelec, Tolentino said the unfettered consumption of alcohol beverages nationwide, especially during these periods do not aid in the intelligent discussion of election issues by our citizens.
He also said records of the MMDA indicate large number of road accidents, causing deaths, injuries, and damage to properties due to intoxicated drivers - there were 59 in 2010;146 in 2011; 95 in 2012.
With the election fever and the house-to-house campaigning of candidates, consumption of alcoholic drinks is common fare and this situation does not augur well in areas where rivalries for some positions or even party rivalries are heated, Tolentino said.
The gun ban, which started on January 13, will lasts for the rest of the election period, and applies to licensed gun owners who are a small percentage to the alcohol imbibing citizens.
Given the deleterious and far-reaching effects of alcohol, it stands to reason that the liquor ban should be in effect for a longer period, just as the gun ban.
Meanwhile, the Comelec has taken into account the economic impact of the liquor ban, and decided that the exemption granted under Section 3 of Resolution 9582 should remain as is.
Section 3 of the said resolution exempts hotels and other establishments and duly certified by the Department of Tourism as tourism-oriented and habitually in the business of catering of foreign tourist.
This is provided they serve a prior written authority from the Comelec upon showing that only foreigner tourists taking intoxicating liquor in said authorized hotels or establishment are exempted from liquor ban. (RCA-PIA10, Misamis Occidental)
Mahinog to host 1st triathlon race on March 30
MAHINOG,
CAMIGUIN, March 19 (PIA) -- The Municipal Tourism Council of Mahinog
will host the first off road triathlon race on March 30, Black Saturday.
Mahinog Tourism Council President Dr. Bernabe Mendoza said the triathlon will consist of 1.5-km swim in the famous serene, clear water of Benoni lagoon, followed by a 18-km off road bike race on the hinterlands of San Miguel, Tacangon, Jang, Puntod, San Jose, Hubangon, Binaliwan, Poblacion,San Roque and back to Benoni and will end with a multi-looping 10-km run around the circumferential road in Benoni lagoon.
“Mahinog is the best place for triathlon because it offers stunning scenery that triathletes can swim, bike and run,” he said.
He said country’s seasoned and fast-rising triathletes are expected to join the race spread in different age categories.
Mahinog Tourism Officer Mercy B. Jajalla said the event could promote Mahinog as the sports tourism site and attract more national or international events like these in Camiguin particularly in the town of Mahinog.
“This is intended to promote the beauty of Camiguin especially the town of Mahinog as tourism destination, especially in the field of sports tourism," she said.
“We should work to make this event a success so that we can also promote sports tourism in Camiguin and attract more tourists to visit the province,” she added.
Mahinog is known for its Mantigue island, Macao cold spring and Benoni lagoon.
At night the event will culminate with the awarding ceremony, fire dance show and live band at Benoni Lagoon. (Homer Jajalla, Mahinog LGU/PIA)
Mahinog Tourism Council President Dr. Bernabe Mendoza said the triathlon will consist of 1.5-km swim in the famous serene, clear water of Benoni lagoon, followed by a 18-km off road bike race on the hinterlands of San Miguel, Tacangon, Jang, Puntod, San Jose, Hubangon, Binaliwan, Poblacion,San Roque and back to Benoni and will end with a multi-looping 10-km run around the circumferential road in Benoni lagoon.
“Mahinog is the best place for triathlon because it offers stunning scenery that triathletes can swim, bike and run,” he said.
He said country’s seasoned and fast-rising triathletes are expected to join the race spread in different age categories.
Mahinog Tourism Officer Mercy B. Jajalla said the event could promote Mahinog as the sports tourism site and attract more national or international events like these in Camiguin particularly in the town of Mahinog.
“This is intended to promote the beauty of Camiguin especially the town of Mahinog as tourism destination, especially in the field of sports tourism," she said.
“We should work to make this event a success so that we can also promote sports tourism in Camiguin and attract more tourists to visit the province,” she added.
Mahinog is known for its Mantigue island, Macao cold spring and Benoni lagoon.
At night the event will culminate with the awarding ceremony, fire dance show and live band at Benoni Lagoon. (Homer Jajalla, Mahinog LGU/PIA)
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