Election 2013

Election period begins

MANILA, Philippines - The election season officially begins today with officials reminding the public and the candidates of rules and restrictions set in place to ensure orderly and peaceful polls in May.
High on the list of things to remember is the ban on the “bearing, carrying and transporting of firearms and deadly weapons,” said Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner Rene Sarmiento.
Checkpoints will be set up across the country as part of the enforcement of the gun ban.
The Comelec also announced amendments to the gun ban rule to include Vice President Jejomar Binay, Cabinet secretaries and senators not seeking re-election in the list of those exempted from the ban.
“It is not yet the start of the campaign period. During the election period, which starts from Jan. 13 and will end on June 12, there are some acts that will be prohibited,” Sarmiento said in an interview.
The Comelec also prohibits, among others, the suspension of elective local officials, transfer or movement of officers and employees, use of security personnel or bodyguards by candidates unless authorized in writing by the poll body, creation of strike forces or armed groups, and giving donations or gifts in cash or in kind by officials and candidates.

Philippine elections 2013: Another spectacle starring Stupid

Again, election fever is in the air. Intrigue sloshes across the chattering classes who exchange factoids on the latest politically-motivated circus — the Gwen Garcia spectacle in Cebu, the Miriam vs Johnny imbroglio in the Senate, and the Aga Muhlach vs the whole system impasse in Bicol among others. What is the common denominator amongst these partisan dramas? Not much other than people of consequence and involved in events of little consequence.