“In my personal opinion, it is ministerial for the Comelec to accept the certificate of candidacy without pre-judging the citizenship and qualification." - Commissioner Rene Sarmiento
Seems like there's no stopping former president Joseph Estrada from filing his candidacy if in case he finally decides to run for president again on May 2010.
But that's just the easy part for the ousted president, as Comelec Commisioner Sarmiento said that it is the constitutional right of every person to submit their candidacy for any government office, adding that it is up to the Supreme Court to judge the qualification of any aspirants.
***
There were, however, varying views from varying people who are in government offices and those who are close to Erap.
Those who are against his new-found aspiration for presidency are stating that he can no longer run due to a provision in the contitution and that all former presidents including the incumbent one, GMA, should not be allowed run for the same seat.
Those who are in favor of Erap's candidacy are saying that he is eligible for office given the tenure he has served which is two and a half-years, just one and a half-year short of the 4-year tenure wherein a former president is banned to run again.
***
Ambassador Ernesto Maceda, who was always supportive of the former president and the Estrada family stated that Erap may be the most mature and emotionally stable candidate even comparing him to Ronald Reagan and Nelson Mandela who became president even beyond their 70's and 80's saying that his political career gives him the edge over other candidates.
***
Looking at the current situation, it seems that both Erap and GMA are in the dilemna on how they will bend the rule for them to be ablt to run for office either for president or any other posistion for that matter and it is quite obvious how carefully they are planning things as to how little they are giving away from their statements.
Source: The Manila Times Internet Edition
Showing posts with label comelec. Show all posts
Showing posts with label comelec. Show all posts
7.08.2009
7.03.2009
2 Go
The problem would have risen from the shipment and delivery of the voting and counting machines if the automated elections were to push through.
The Aboitiz company which was rumored to have close ties with the Arroyos were said to be chosen to to the warehousing and the shipment of the machines to the different precincts nationwide on the day of the election.
Makati Mayor Jojo Binay reiterated that the connection of the cargo company to the President should have raised suspicions from the Comelec as this may endanger not only the canvassing of votes but the whole election process itself as a whole.
“The fact that an Aboitiz-owned company is involved in the automation project should have raised alarm bells in the Comelec. It changes the entire scenario." - Mayor Jejomar Binay
***
Bagong Alyansang Makabayan and Binay are trying to convey a message here: if this is all true, then the Palace would already know who will win the election even before the election starts. And this is what the anti-administration is trying to avoid, to give them the win without a challenge.
Source: Philstar.com
The Aboitiz company which was rumored to have close ties with the Arroyos were said to be chosen to to the warehousing and the shipment of the machines to the different precincts nationwide on the day of the election.
Makati Mayor Jojo Binay reiterated that the connection of the cargo company to the President should have raised suspicions from the Comelec as this may endanger not only the canvassing of votes but the whole election process itself as a whole.
“The fact that an Aboitiz-owned company is involved in the automation project should have raised alarm bells in the Comelec. It changes the entire scenario." - Mayor Jejomar Binay
***
Bagong Alyansang Makabayan and Binay are trying to convey a message here: if this is all true, then the Palace would already know who will win the election even before the election starts. And this is what the anti-administration is trying to avoid, to give them the win without a challenge.
Source: Philstar.com
6.30.2009
Mano a Mano
It seems that the "marriage" of Smartmatics and Total Information Management will be short-lived, if not, it would not even materialized.
Comelec Chairman Jose Melo privately met with the two companies yesterday to give the Friday deadline to settle and to sign the contract for the automation of 2010 Elections.
Money, money, money
After the meeting, the Chairman told reporters that the primary reason for the TIM back-out was money but quickly reiterated that it was not lack financial fund. It was the other way around. Aparently, TIM wanted to dictate how the commanding investment of Smartmatics is going to be used.
Slim Chances
Broadcaster Mike Enriquez, in his morning radio show quoted Comelec Chair Melo saying "...very, very, very slim chance of an automated election."
The No-El
Presidentiables however are weary that the inability of the Comission on Election to fully modernized the voting and canvassing process may lead to a "No Election" situation come 2010.
The Option
If a full automation won't be available, then the Comelec may have to opt for a partial automation as suggested by former Chair Christian Monsod.
It would not hurt to try this option as it may lessen the days of canvassing to half if allocated to major provinces or cities.
***
Automated or manual, if the Comelec fails to guard the votes there would still be a chance that candidates will to find to cheat their way to winning.
"it should not be assumed that just because there is automation, there could be no cheating." - Winnie Monsod
Source: GMANews.TV
Comelec Chairman Jose Melo privately met with the two companies yesterday to give the Friday deadline to settle and to sign the contract for the automation of 2010 Elections.
Money, money, money
After the meeting, the Chairman told reporters that the primary reason for the TIM back-out was money but quickly reiterated that it was not lack financial fund. It was the other way around. Aparently, TIM wanted to dictate how the commanding investment of Smartmatics is going to be used.
Slim Chances
Broadcaster Mike Enriquez, in his morning radio show quoted Comelec Chair Melo saying "...very, very, very slim chance of an automated election."
The No-El
Presidentiables however are weary that the inability of the Comission on Election to fully modernized the voting and canvassing process may lead to a "No Election" situation come 2010.
The Option
If a full automation won't be available, then the Comelec may have to opt for a partial automation as suggested by former Chair Christian Monsod.
It would not hurt to try this option as it may lessen the days of canvassing to half if allocated to major provinces or cities.
***
Automated or manual, if the Comelec fails to guard the votes there would still be a chance that candidates will to find to cheat their way to winning.
"it should not be assumed that just because there is automation, there could be no cheating." - Winnie Monsod
Source: GMANews.TV
Automation No More?
“We may have to go manual.” - Comelec Chair Jose Melo
Due to the lack of documents from the Security & Exchange Commission, the contract signing of the Smartmatic-TIM, the winning bidders for the automation of the 2010 election, which was scheduled this Friday was postponed to Tuesday and was yet again rescheduled to next Friday.
However, Total Information Management (TIM), the local partner of Smarmatic declared its withdrawal from the partnership for the computerization of the upcoming elections next year stating that lack of budget was the reason. A Daily Inquirer source said that the TIM was 300 million short of its budget.
The Comelec on the other hand said that the local counterpart withdrew without giving a justifiable reason and are willing to file charges against the company.
Juan Villa of Smartmatic was in contact with TIM and wer not giving up on the contract from the Commission of Election.
***
Meanwhile, Commissioner Melo would like to see if the TIM people were contacted by anti-automation groups that may have caused their withdrawal for the election modernization.
***
The only reason that there may be groups with such a cause is to make sure that the National Election will not be tamper proof, thus, making the process of vote counting vulnerable to those are are willing to lie, cheat and steal their way to whatever government seats. And that includes the Presidential and Congressional seat.
“I told them that the elections must push through. If you withdraw, you are putting your private interest above that of the national interest.” - Com. Jose Melo
Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer
Due to the lack of documents from the Security & Exchange Commission, the contract signing of the Smartmatic-TIM, the winning bidders for the automation of the 2010 election, which was scheduled this Friday was postponed to Tuesday and was yet again rescheduled to next Friday.
However, Total Information Management (TIM), the local partner of Smarmatic declared its withdrawal from the partnership for the computerization of the upcoming elections next year stating that lack of budget was the reason. A Daily Inquirer source said that the TIM was 300 million short of its budget.
The Comelec on the other hand said that the local counterpart withdrew without giving a justifiable reason and are willing to file charges against the company.
Juan Villa of Smartmatic was in contact with TIM and wer not giving up on the contract from the Commission of Election.
***
Meanwhile, Commissioner Melo would like to see if the TIM people were contacted by anti-automation groups that may have caused their withdrawal for the election modernization.
***
The only reason that there may be groups with such a cause is to make sure that the National Election will not be tamper proof, thus, making the process of vote counting vulnerable to those are are willing to lie, cheat and steal their way to whatever government seats. And that includes the Presidential and Congressional seat.
“I told them that the elections must push through. If you withdraw, you are putting your private interest above that of the national interest.” - Com. Jose Melo
Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer
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