Pampanga

By Citizen Journalists-Pampanga

SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga. — Traditional politics and trash.

Both dominated this year’s  local elections in Pampanga as Kapampangan voters trooped to their polling places last Monday amid an avalanche of campaign materials. In the end, they settled for familiar names in the country’s first automated elections.

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by NINA TOMEN
Citizen Journalists-Pampanga

SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga.—It was past midnight, hours after voting in Monday’s first automated elections had ended. But in many precincts here and elsewhere in the province, as well as the country, boards of elections inspectors (BEIs) were still busy sorting out the printed returns and sealing these before delivering these to the municipal offices of the Commission of Elections.

It had been a long day for members of the BEIs who, like in past elections, had withstood hours of hunger and exhaustion. Administering the elections was certainly markedly different this year because of the bigger number of voters the election inspectors had had to serve as a result of precinct clustering. Where three-member BEIs each used to deal only with 200 voters, they had to manage triple the number in most instances.

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By Movement for Principled Politics in Pampanga and Citizen Journalists-Pampanga

PAMPANGA. –Pampanga Gov. Ed Panlilio said yesterday he will appeal to the Supreme Court the ruling of the Commission on Elections declaring his rival Lilia Pineda as the winner in the 2007 gubernatorial elections here.

“This is not a matter of saving a personality but a matter of saving Pampanga and the crusade for good governance,” Panlilio said.

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By Movement for Principled Politics in Pampanga and Citizen Journalists-Pampanga

SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga. —Tension runs high at the University of the Philippines-San Fernando Extension in the Clark Free Port (UP Clark) because of the school director’s continuous refusal to allow the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to use their covered court as a polling precinct this May 10 elections.

UP Clark Director Juliet Mallari has threatened to file a case of illegal trespassing against Comelec representatives, Smartmatic technicians, and their three police escorts who entered the school premises to install one unit of Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS) machine last May 3.

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By Movement for Principled Politics in Pampanga and Citizen Journalists Pampanga

SAYING the church cannot remain “nonpolitical,” Pampanga Auxiliary Bishop Pablo S. David has challenged Kapampangan voters to find a way of getting involved and participating in politics in a positive way.

“This is a political activity; let us be partisan for truth,” David said in his homily at the sendoff rites for the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV)-Pampanga volunteers on May 1 at the Arzobispado of the Archdiocese of San Fernando in Pampanga.

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By Movement for Principled Politics in Pampanga and Citizen Journalists Pampanga

What is the most important trait that Kapampangan voters want to see in a candidate?

According to the religious organization Dilaab Foundation, voters want candidates who are “God-fearing.” Fr. Carmelo Diola, overall coordinating steward of the foundation, said “discernment circles” consulted by Dilaab point to this quality as most desired by voters.

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By CITIZEN JOURNALISTS (CJ) – PAMPANGA

SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga.—Saying “my kabalens are intelligent voters,” Filipinas Sampang, independent candidate for the 2nd district, believes she stands a chance against President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in the congressional race.

As one of three Kapampangans challenging Arroyo for the congressional seat, the 48-year-old Sampang said there is a “great opportunity of beating GMA because the people of the province are tired of her.”

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SECTION 22 of Comelec Resolution 8758, which implements  the Fair Election Act (Republic Act  9006) is very clear where political posters can  and cannot be posted.

Common Poster Areas. – Political parties, party-list groups, organizations and/or coalitions thereof, and independent candidates may, upon authority of the Commission, through the City or Municipal Election Officer (EO) concerned, erect, at their expenses, common poster areas wherein they can post, display, or exhibit their election propaganda to announce or further their candidacy subject to the following requirements and/or limitations:
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REP. Juan Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo of the second district of  Pampanga gave up his re-election bid in favor of his mother, President Gloria Arroyo, who has made an unprecedented move of an outgoing president  running for a  congressional seat.

But it doesn’t mean Mikey will be out of the House of Representatives.

It has been reported that Mikey is the first nominee of ” Ang Galing Pinoy,” the party-list group registered as representing the marginalized tricycle drivers and security guards.
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By PUNTO CENTRAL LUZON

SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga. –The Second Division of the Commission on Elections on Thursday declared former provincial board member Lilia Pineda won by 1,561 votes over Gov. Eddie Panlilio in the 2007 elections.

In an interview with Punto, Second Division chairman Commissioner Nicodemo Ferrer stressed, however, that the decision was not immediately executory as the camp of Panlilio still had five days from today within which to submit a petition for reconsideration.

Panlilio’s lawyer Ernesto Francisco said he will file the petition Tuesday.

While members of the Pampanga Mayors’ League expressed jubilation over the Comelec decision, civil society groups have expressed concern.
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