We are sorry, the requested page does not exist
Comelec: 3 million overseas voters eyed in 2025 polls
With internet voting, the Commission on Elections is looking to have up to three million Filipinos abroad participate in the May 2025 midterm elections......»»
Cha-cha plebiscite and midterm polls in one event: A test of Comelec s independence
BOTH LEGISLATIVE chambers are now leading charter change discussions. Legislators have repeatedly said that amendments will be limited to economic measures in the 1987 Constitution.Meanwhile, the conduct of the plebiscite had Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chair George Garcia describe the logistical preparations required for it. He argued that it should be held as a separate event from the 2025 midterm electi.....»»
Cha-cha plebiscite during mid-year elections: No media question on Comelec s apparent uncertainty
BOTH LEGISLATIVE chambers are on the forefront of ongoing charter change discussions. Legislators have repeatedly said that amendments will be limited to economic measures in the 1987 Constitution.Meanwhile, the Commission on Elections (Com.....»»
Saavedra to appeal dismissal of cases vs Tomas, ex-city officials over Kawit Island deal
CEBU CITY, Philippines – Businessman and whistleblower Crisologo Saavedra is not yet giving up on the criminal and administrative complaints that he filed against former Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmena and his City Council on the controversial P18 billion Kawit Island deal. Saavedra said he will be filing a petition to ask the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas to reconsider its earlier decision to dismiss the criminal and administrative complaint that he filed. “I’ll file an MR (motion for reconsideration),” said Saavedra in an interview with CDN Digital. In 2018, Saavedra filed criminal and administrative complaints over the controversial P18 billion Kawit Island deal. The project paved the way for Gokongwei-owned Universal Hotel and Resorts Inc. (UHRI) to establish an integrated casino and resort in the South Road Properties (SRP). But acting Assistant Ombudsman for the Visayas Jane Aguilar, in a 21-page decision promulgated January 27, junked the criminal and administrative cases for ‘lack of substantial evidence’. A copy of the decision was furnished to the media on Oct. 20. Osmeña’s co-respondents in the case were then Councilors Margarita Osmeña, Dave Tumulak, Sisinio Andales, Alvin Arcilla, Eugenio Gabuya Jr., Gerry Guardo, Joy Augustus Young, Mary Ann delos Santos and Franklyn Ong who approved the ordinance that allowed the Gokongwei-owned company to establish an integrated casino and resort in Kawit Island, SRP and UHRI executives Frederick Go, Lance Gokongwei, James Go, Robina Gokongwei-Pe and Patrick Henry Go. Saavedra insisted that Ombudsman-Visayas should look into the technicalities of how the city government awarded the P18-billion project in 2018. He mentioned City Ordinance No. 2154 as his basis, saying that members of the private sector, when entering into joint venture agreements with the government, must meet the “technical and financial qualifications” prescribed by law. “The private participants should have technical and financial capability. I never questioned the financial capability… It is the track record of the corporation, not of the individual offices,” Saavedra added. The Camp of Osmeña has since welcomed the decision of the Ombudsman. ALSO READ: Ombudsman upgrades Saavedra complaint against Tomas Osmeña, 9 others over Kawit Island deal.....»»
5 vote buying DQ cases filed by Comelec, warns LGU of prohibitions
The Commission on Elections has begun filing petitions against the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections candidates allegedly involved in vote buying on 6 October. Out of the 40 complaints being investigated, the Comelec poll board submitted five disqualification petitions, according to Comelec Deputy Executive for Operations Rafael Olano. He added that the Committee on Vote Buying has received complaints from the public on various platforms, including Facebook and messages which contained screenshots or images. "All of these complaints came from voters. We verified and evaluated them for possible filing of disqualification cases “he said. Olano confirmed that one of the five candidates under investigation for disqualification is involved in a BSK bet showing up at a local government unit aid distribution, which he claimed to be qualified as vote buying. “There were local government officials, mayors distributing relief but the BSKE candidate was present and was allowed to speak," he said. After the official filing of candidacy, it was claimed that another BSK candidate distributed financial aid out of his pocket. Prior to the election, the poll body warned candidates of its strict measures which prohibit the distribution of ballers, t-shirts, caps, and anything else of worth under the suspicion of vote buying and selling. Comelec Commissioner Ernesto Ferdinand Maceda Jr. reminded LGU officials to be aware of such prohibitions during a separate briefing. "If they conduct assistance programs, they should not let BSKE candidates join them, lest they be disqualified,” he said. Maceda added that the Comelec would consider potential reinforcing techniques if similar incidents persist as the campaign period drew closer. “We will study how to reprimand them or take appropriate actions,” he said. In the end, Maceda stressed that the poll body is “dead serious” about its exclusion warning in order to assure not just the validity and honesty of the BSK polls but also to raise the bar for campaigning standards across the nation and the importance of each BSK candidate’s character. As of Friday, the Task Force Anti-Epal had filed an additional 10 disqualification petitions against candidates who were allegedly involved in premature campaigning while the Committee on Kontra Bigay had filed five disqualification cases for vote buying. Overall, there are 82 petitions for premature campaigning, 5,169 show cause orders, and 1,132 responses from the BSK bets. The post 5 vote buying DQ cases filed by Comelec, warns LGU of prohibitions appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Pre-historic Tell al-Sultan site added to world heritage list
The United Nations' cultural organization inscribed the pre-historic site of Tell al-Sultan, near the Palestinian city of Jericho in the occupied West Bank, on its World Heritage List Sunday. Tell al-Sultan, which predates Egypt's pyramids, is an oval-shaped tell, or mound, located in the Jordan Valley that contains the prehistoric deposits of human activity. The UNESCO decision, which was posted by the organization on X, formerly Twitter, was taken at its 45th World Heritage Committee meeting held in Riyadh. "The property proposed for nomination is the prehistoric archaeological site of Tell al-Sultan, located outside the antique site of Jericho," UNESCO's assistant director general, Ernesto Ottone, said at the session. The site was inscribed following a three-year candidacy "during which no state party raised any objections", said a diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity as he was not authorized to speak to the media. "There are no Jewish or Christian remains found at the (Tell al-Sultan) site. It's a place of pre-historic remains," the diplomat told AFP. Israel quit the UN organization in 2019 over accusations it fosters an anti-Israel bias but sent a delegation to this year's meeting in Saudi Arabia. The Palestinian Authority, acknowledged by the United Nations as a non-member observer state, welcomed the listing of the Tell al-Sultan site. Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas said he considered the decision to inscribe Tell al-Sultan "a matter of great importance and evidence of the authenticity and history of the Palestinian people". He vowed that the Palestinian authorities would "continue to preserve this unique site for all humanity", according to a statement from his office. Diverse Palestinian heritage UNESCO's listing shows that the Tell al-Sultan site is "an integral part of the diverse Palestinian heritage of exceptional human value", Palestinian tourism minister Rula Maayah, who was attending the meeting in Riyadh, said in a statement. Given Tell al-Sultan's "importance as the oldest fortified city in the world... it deserves to be a World Heritage Site," she said. "A permanent settlement had emerged here by the 9th to 8th millennium BC due to the fertile soil of the oasis and easy access to water," UNESCO said on its website. UNESCO said the "skulls and statues found on the site" testify to cultic practices among the neolithic population there, while the early bronze age archaeological material shows signs of urban planning. "Vestiges from the middle bronze age reveal the presence of a large Canaanite city-state occupied by a socially complex population," UNESCO added. The Tell al-Sultan site has been under excavation for over a century and is billed as the oldest continuously inhabited settlement on the planet, Palestinian official Wafa news agency reported. It is the fourth Palestinian site to be listed on UNESCO's World Heritage list, alongside the Church of the Nativity and the Old City of Hebron. Israel has occupied the West Bank -- now home to some three million Palestinians -- since the 1967 Six-Day War, when it also seized the Gaza Strip, the densely populated coastal enclave it has since withdrawn from. The Palestinians want these territories for their future state, along with annexed east Jerusalem as its capital. Jericho is one of the oldest inhabited cities on the planet and is a major tourist destination in the Palestinian territories. UNESCO urged for the protection of other archaeological sites in Jericho. "The other archaeological sites located in Jericho, covering among other Jewish and Christian heritage, also have important historical interest and deserve to be preserved as well," said Ottone. Archaeology is a highly political subject in Israel and the Palestinian territories, and some discoveries have been used to justify the territorial claims of each people. The post Pre-historic Tell al-Sultan site added to world heritage list appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Addressing vote-buying
It seems that the present Commission on Elections is not running out of ideas on how to effect reforms. It is not “sleeping on their post” as sentinels used to say. It continues to pursue changes in the electoral landscape unmindful of negative social and political headwinds. I just wrote about its speedy action of placing Malabang, Lanao del Sur under Comelec control because of the indiscriminate firing of guns on the first day of filing of certificates of candidacy. Now, it’s tackling the mother of election irregularities — vote buying and vote selling. This illegal practice is anti-democratic. It continues to be the bane of elections. It restricts one’s freedom to choose one’s leaders. That it thrives as endemic in a political milieu like the Philippines is a testament to how difficult life is for the common people. Financial need, especially for those on the margins of society, is so chronic that people are willing to sacrifice their basic freedoms to make ends meet. This is a problem almost beyond solution because of the difficulty of punishing the wrongdoers, both the buyer and seller. We have laws punishing it but prosecutors can only build a case against a suspect with the participation of at least one of the accomplices to the crime. And who would want to testify against oneself unless immunity is assured? And so, we see a mockery of the law. No one gets jailed for violating it. The proactive Comelec comes now with a bagful of measures to combat the anomaly. It has created a special group, the Committee on Kontra Bigay, to address the problem and it is helmed by a no-nonsense reformist, Commissioner Ernesto Maceda Jr., the namesake of a great and astute statesman who served the country in various capacities for decades. I say he is the right choice, not only because of the reputation he has built, but more so because of the weight of the name he carries which he would not want to taint with a whiff of wrongdoing. The Commission has listed a litany of prohibitive acts associated with vote-buying. It’s too long to list in this limited space. But on top of these are acts and activities “presumed” to be illegal because they lead to the commission of the crime. These include “possessing or delivery of... monies or anything of value together with sample ballots or other campaign materials... queues of registered voters for the distribution of money... and such other goods... employing the hakot system or the gathering of two or more registered voters in a specific place before election day and on election day ...prohibiting the possession... carrying of cash exceeding P500,000 along with campaign paraphernalia two days before an election and on election day... an ‘ayuda’ ban except that which is normally given to qualified individuals...” It also created the Kontra Bigay Complaint Center which will receive complaints of vote-buying. For human rights guardians, consider this: the Comelec allows “warrantless arrest wherein any law enforcement officer may, without a warrant, arrest a person when in his or her presence, the person to be arrested has committed, is committing, or is attempting to commit the election offense of vote-buying.” Wow! A case arising out of these acts is fertile ground for legal hermeneutics. Any two-bit lawyer can find a “palusot” in this scenario. It may be extremely difficult to prove all these by evidence but it’s surely a theoretical force to deter the commission of the crime. And let it not be said that the present Commission did not lift a finger to combat this perennial problem which everyone talks about but was never addressed by past commissions. For this reason, the present Commission deserves our appreciation for a bold ambitious move. amb_mac_lanto@yahoo.com The post Addressing vote-buying appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
91 BSKE candidates facing disqualification
The Commission on Elections on Sunday reported that 91 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections candidates on 30 October are facing disqualifications. COMELEC Chairman George Garcia, in a radio interview at dzBB, said the COMELEC has already issued the candidates show cause orders over their alleged election offenses such as premature campaigning. "There were no formal complaints. These were only the results of what we have seen or reported to us. What the COMELEC did is motu proprio investigation. This is the COMELEC’s own initiative," Garcia said. He added that the COMELEC has the power to investigate and file its own complaints against candidates who commit election offenses. COMELEC spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco also last Friday said they have over a hundred petitions for disqualification due to various election offenses, as of Thursday. At least 43 of the petitions are to declare certain candidates as nuisance bets, cancel certain certificates of candidacy (COCs), and disqualify over some issues. The rest have yet to be formally filed. The 91 candidates, on the other hand, were given three days from the receipt of the show cause orders to explain their sides regarding the accusations. For formal complaints, Garcia said, the COMELEC would issue subpoenas. The poll body has repeatedly warned against premature campaigning as the campaign period will run only from 19 to 28 October. Garcia said putting up posters and promoting themselves on social media before the campaign period starts may be considered premature campaigning. "The filing of show cause orders against 91 BSKE bets was just the beginning. There will be many more. We will do that daily," Garcia said. The COMELEC chair earlier encouraged voters to file complaints against BSKE candidates who will campaign even before the official campaign period starts. Around 1,414,487 COCs were filed across the country for the coming BSKE. The post 91 BSKE candidates facing disqualification appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Zambo shooting suspects yield
ZAMBOANGA CITY — Two suspects in the indiscriminate firing incident in Malabang, Lanao del Sur during the filing of Certificates of Candidacy surrendered to the police on Friday. The suspects, identified as Mamayog Sidik Gampong and Haniboy Sarip, voluntarily surrendered their firearms to the Police Regional Office for Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. The two fired their guns indiscriminately in Barangay Chinatown, Malabang on 31 August, which disrupted the filing of CoCs by candidates vying for various posts in the coming Barangay polls. PRO-BAR Director P/Brig. Gen. Allan C. Nobleza said the incident clearly violated the Commission on Elections’ gun ban. The Comelec prohibits carrying and transporting firearms, explosives and other deadly weapons during the election period from 28 August to 29 November. If found guilty, violators can be sentenced up to 12 years in prison. PRO-BAR will press charges against Gampong and Sarip on top of the charges that have already been filed at the local fiscal office against them. The post Zambo shooting suspects yield appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Comelec logs over 120K candidates for BSKE in Bicol
By Connie Calipay LEGAZPI CITY – The Commission on Elections-5 (Bicol) reported on Monday that more than 120,000 individuals have filed their certificates of candidacy (COCs) for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) from Aug. 28 to Sept. 2. In an interview, Comelec-Albay Election Supervisor Ma. Aurea Bo-Bunao said the COCs filed will be subjected […].....»»
Being Discerning in Choosing Candidates
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will be busy starting this week with the task of providing details to voters about the candidates who filed their candidacy. Until October, Comelec officers and employees will be occupied to ensure that the elections remain peaceful and orderly until the winners are proclaimed. Despite this, there are concerns about […].....»»
More than 17K candidates seek barangay, SK positions in Palawan
PUERTO PRINCESA CITY — A total of 17,815 individuals submitted their certificates of candidacy in Palawan within a week-long timeframe set by the Commission on Elections for an activity categorized as being "generally peaceful." From the total number, 2,593 individuals filed their candidacy in Puerto Princesa City, and 14,862 in various municipalities in Palawan, all competing for roles in the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections scheduled for 30 October, as shared by Jomel Ordas, the spokesperson of the provincial COMELEC. Based on the information he provided, there are 172 individuals aiming to vie for the role of barangay captain and 160 individuals planning to run for SK chairman in Puerto Princesa City. In Palawan, approximately 1,034 people have expressed interest in competing for the leading position in the barangay, and 970 individuals aspire to become SK chairman. Ordas pointed out that the list must undergo submission to the Election Records and Statistics Department (ERSD) at their central office for verification before it can be determined whether all of them are eligible candidates. "The process will involve submitting the initial list of filers to the ERSD at the COMELEC main office, and it will undergo several verification steps to ensure that everyone is qualified and not disqualified by law," he explained. He noted that following the completion of the verification process, the COMELEC will furnish an official list of certified candidates. This compilation will be prominently displayed in the barangay halls before the BSKE polls on 30 October. Ordas said that the qualifications subject to assessment encompass being a Filipino citizen, a registered voter in the respective barangay, residing in the same barangay for a minimum of one year prior to the election, possessing the ability to read and write in either Filipino or a local dialect, and reaching the age of 18 or older on the day of the election. He also said that the ERSD will examine whether individuals who submitted their COCs share a second-degree civil relationship with the SK, have a criminal conviction involving moral turpitude, or an offense carrying a penalty of one year or more imprisonment within two years of the sentence, and are not barred by legal disqualifications. For the SK, in addition to some of the previously mentioned qualifications, candidates must fall within the age range of 18 to 24 during the election, possess the capability to read and write both in Filipino and English, and not have a blood or marriage connection up to the second degree of consanguinity or affinity with any elected official anywhere in the country. Based further on information furnished by the provincial COMELEC, in the entirety of Palawan, which also includes Puerto Princesa City, the number of individuals aspiring to contest for barangay councilor positions is 10,371, and there are 5,108 candidates vying for SK councilor roles. The post More than 17K candidates seek barangay, SK positions in Palawan appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
PBBM appoints INC exec Eduardo Manalo as envoy for OF concerns
Malacañang on Saturday announced that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has appointed Iglesia ni Cristo Executive Minister Eduardo Manalo as Special Envoy of the President for Overseas Filipino Concerns. According to Palace, the same position was given to the Manalo in 2018 under the administration of former president Rodrigo Duterte from 30 January 2018 to 29 January 2019. The INC is known for its bloc voting system. To recall, INC backed Marcos’ presidential bid in the 2022 national elections, as well as his candidacy for vice president in 2016. Manalo is the grandson of the late INC founder Felix Manalo. He is the eldest son of the late Eraño Manalo, who was INC's executive minister for 46 years from 1963. Aside from Manalo, Marcos named W Group President Norman Vincent Wee as Special Envoy of the President to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for Trade and Investments. The post PBBM appoints INC exec Eduardo Manalo as envoy for OF concerns appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Over 270,000 aspirants file COC for BSKE – Comelec
The Commission on Elections reported that there are more than 273,000 aspirants who filed their certificate of candidacy for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections on the first day of filing on Monday......»»
600 checkpoints net over 15 Comelec gun ban violators: PNP
Around 15 persons have been apprehended since the start of the Commission on Elections' gun ban on Monday during the first day of filing of the certificate of candidacy for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections, Philippine National Police chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. said on Tuesday. Acorda said since implementing the gun ban, 15 firearms have been confiscated from more than 600 checkpoints nationwide. The establishment of checkpoints was carried out under Comelec Resolution No. 10924 to effectively implement the ban on firearms and other deadly weapons during the 90-day election period from 28 August to 29 November. The resolution prohibits the bearing, carrying or transporting of firearms or other deadly weapons in public places, including any building, street, park, private vehicle or public conveyance, or even if licensed to possess or carry the same, unless authorized by the Comelec. Acorda also said he has ordered a probe and has a person of interest in the incident that happened in Libon town in Albay where the victim Alex Repato, reelectionist captain of Barangay San Jose, was shot dead by still unidentified assailants in his residence at around 5 p.m. Monday, just hours after he filed his candidacy. “It is unfortunate in Albay we have one case of shooting but we already have a person of interest there and tinututukan ng ating kapulisan. What happened in Albay is election-related but I want to get first 'yung talagang official result of the investigation,” Acorda said on the sidelines of the National Capital Region Police Office's commemoration of its 122nd Police Service anniversary at Camp Bagong Diwa, Bicutan Taguig City. Addressing the event, Acorda lauded the NCRPO's dedication to the PNP's agenda, which includes the relentless pursuit of justice, commitment to excellence and fostering deep connections with the communities under their care. He extended his congratulations and recognition to the men and women of the NCRPO for their invaluable contributions to upholding the rule of law and ensuring the safety and security of the nation's capital. The ceremony was also marked by the presentation of awards to outstanding officers and units within the NCRPO. The awards recognized excellence across various categories, including community engagement, crime prevention and exceptional acts of valor. The NCRPO's Northern Police District, Eastern Police District, Manila Police District, Southern Police District and Quezon City Police District were feted for their outstanding contributions. The post 600 checkpoints net over 15 Comelec gun ban violators: PNP appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
BSKE: Comelec sees 2 million bets filing COCs
Over two million aspirants for the upcoming barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections are expected to file their certificates of candidacy nationwide, Commission on Elections Chairman George Garcia said during the first day of COC filing yesterday......»»
EDITORIAL - Grassroots governance
There were large crowds yesterday as the Commission on Elections opened the filing of certificates of candidacy for the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections. Comelec officials said they expected up to two million people to file COCs for the first BSKE since 2018......»»
Palawan CoC filing ‘peaceful’
PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan — The Commission on Elections here on Monday said that the first day of filing of certificates of candidacies for the 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections was generally peaceful. City and provincial election supervisors — Atty. Julius Cuevas and Atty. Percival Mendoza — confirmed that checkpoints were deployed across Puerto Princesa and the 23 municipalities of Palawan, starting as early as 11 p.m. on Sunday night. Cuevas said that the start of reactivating checkpoints for the BSKE 2023 in Puerto Princesa went well, with no unfavorable incidents. “The launching of the checkpoints was very successful for the simultaneous holding of the BSKE filing of certificates of candidacy,” Cuevas said, expressing gratitude to the Puerto Princesa City Police Office and its various units. He also mentioned an estimated 2,100 individuals from the 66 barangays of Puerto Princesa are expected to submit their certificates of candidacy until the filing period ends on 2 September. The filing is happening at SM City Puerto Princesa, the sole designated location, Cuevas said. The designated time for the activity is between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., but the last admission will be at 4:45 p.m. Over at Central Visayas, the Comelec-7 disclosed that 48,048 positions are to be contested for the 2023 BSKE. In an interview with DAILY TRIBUNE, Comelec-7 regional director Atty. Marco Lionel Castillano said there are eight Barangay and SK posts up for grabs, with each barangay to have one chairman and seven councilors each for the Barangay and SK positions. “In the region, we have 3003 barangays as every barangay have 16 posts, thus this will be 48,048,” Castillano said. Cebu Province has the highest number of barangays with 1,203, followed by Bohol with 1,109, next is Negros Oriental with 557 and Siquijor with 134. The BSKE in the region will be managed by 133 city and municipal election offices. The post Palawan CoC filing ‘peaceful’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Comelec warns vs premature campaigning in barangay, SK polls
The Commission on Elections yesterday repeated its warning to all candidates in the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections to refrain from premature campaigning. The warning was aired by Comelec spokesperson Atty. John Rex Laudiangco during the Laging Handa press forum yesterday. Ladiangco said once the certificate of candidacy is filed, the person is already a candidate and all the prohibitions will apply, particularly those on premature campaigning. All tarpaulins or posters of a candidate, even without the “vote” exhortation, are not allowed and will be taken down, while the candidate may face sanctions. Ladiangco said that based on the 2004 Supreme Court decision Chavez versus Comelec, posters with a picture or face of the candidate, caricature, resemblance and name but with no "vote" printed is still an indirect solicitation of votes and is considered prohibited. Laudiangco also mentioned another SC ruling in the case of a subject who conducted a motorcade when he went to the poll body’s office to file his candidacy. At that time, he was not yet a candidate. But when he filed the document, he already became a candidate and thus the motorcade was prohibited because it falls under indirect campaigning under Section 18 of the Omnibus Election Code. The post Comelec warns vs premature campaigning in barangay, SK polls appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Family Matters’ wins big at 39th Luna Awards
Family Matters won big at the 39th Luna Awards held Saturday night, 26 August, at the Quezon City Sports Club. The family drama produced by Cineko Productions Inc. was named Best Picture by the award-giving body made up of the Film Academy of the Philippines and supported by the Movie Workers Welfare Foundation Inc. Its cast members Noel Trinidad and Mylene Dizon bagged the trophies for Best Actor and Best Supporting Actress, respectively, while production designer Elfren Vibar got his own award in his category. “Nakuha sa dasal, kaya thank you, Lord,” Trinidad said in his acceptance speech. “I want to share this award sa lahat na-involve sa pelikula. Para na rin kaming isang pamilya talaga. Nagmamahalan, may tampuhan.” He then thanked director Nuel Naval and screenplay writer Mel Mendoza-Del Rosario. The 82-year-old actor, who plays the patriarch of a family worried sick about him and his wife (Liza Lorena), added, “Shini-share ko ang award na ito sa lahat ng actors at actresses na nakaeksena ko na kasama sa pelikula dahil ang gagaling nilang lahat. Kaya bawat eksena na kasama sila, nagiging very challenging and exciting. So, hindi lang para sa ’kin ’to. Sa atin lahat ito.” He also thanked his real-life wife Lally “for supporting me all these years sa lahat ng projects ko. I love you.” Trinidad bested other lead actors Sid Lucero (Reroute), Cesar Montano (Maid in Malacañang), Christian Bables (Mahal Kita, Beksman) and Jerome Ponce (Katips). In the Best Actress category, Heaven Peralejo emerged as the winner for her impressive performance in the thriller Nanahimik ang Gabi. She won over Liza Lorena (Family Matters), Cristine Reyes (Maid in Malacañang), Cindy Miranda (Reroute) and Belle Mariano (An Inconvenient Love). “Thank you so much to FAP for making a kid’s dream come true,” Peralejo said while accepting her award. “Seven years ago, pangarap ko lang po ’to. Ngayon, this is a big thing for me. I love my job so much, and this means a lot. Thank you.” The 23-year-old actress expressed her gratitude to Lauren Dyogi, who heads the Star Magic talent management agency she was under contract with when the offer to do Nanahimik ang Gabi came. She’s now under the care of Viva Artists Agency. She also gave props to her mother Shirley Luanne, a.k.a. “my mommyger,” saying, “I hope I made you proud. Promise, I’ll keep making you proud.” For her part, Dizon bested in the supporting actress category her Family Matters costar Agot Isidro, as well as Beverly Salviejo (Maid in Malacañang), Elizabeth Oropesa (Maid in Malacañang) and Lara Morena (Relyebo). Dizon, who plays a daughter worried about her parents while also busy raising her own family, thanked her movie’s director and screenplay writer “for choosing me to play Fortune.” She then turned to the people behind the Luna Awards. “It’s such a privilege to work in a film like Family Matters po. Maraming salamat po ni-recognize n’yo ang pelikula namin, na akala namin inisip lang namin na maganda ang pelikula namin. Totoo pala.” Best Supporting Actor winner John Arcilla sent his two sisters to accept his award. The internationally acclaimed actor won against Nonie Buencamino (Family Matters), Keempee de Leon (Mahal Kita, Beksman), Vince Tañada (Katips) and Mon Confiado (Nanahimik ang Gabi). The award for Best Director went to Mikhail Red (Deleter), besting Nuel Naval (Family Matters), Perci Intalan (Mahal Kita, Beksman), Darryl Yap (Maid in Malacañang), Vince Tanada (Katips) and Shugo Praico (Nanahimik ang Gabi). For Best Screenplay, Martika Ramirez Escobar (Leonor Will Never Die) prevailed over Mel Mendoza-Del Rosario (Family Matters), Eric Ramos (Mamasapano), Darryl Yap (Maid in Malacañang) and Joaquin Enrico Santos (An Inconvenient Love). The technical awards went to Carlos Mauricio (Best Cinematography, Leonor Will Never Die), Elfren Vibar (Best Production Design, Family Matters), Lawrence Ang (Best Editing, Leonor Will Never Die), Jazz Nicolas and Mikey Amistoso (Best Musical Scoring, Blue Room) and Andrea Idioma (Best Sound Design, Nanahimik ang Gabi). Four special awards were given out in recognition of the outstanding contributions to the cinematic arts and the entertainment industry. Senator Imee Marcos received the Golden Reel Award through her representative, Elizabeth Marcos. Actor Leo Martinez, who also served as FAP director general from 2003 to 2019, accepted the FPJ Lifetime Achievement Award from Mowelfund chairperson and actress Boots Anson-Roa. National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts Ricky Lee was given the Manuel de Leon Award for Exemplary Achievements as a writer and an educator. Cinematographer Conrado Baltazar was honored posthumously with the Lamberto Avellana Memorial Award for his timeless works, such as in the classic films Jaguar, Angela Markado, Tinimbang Ka Ngunit Kulang, Insiang and Gumising Ka, Maruja. The post Family Matters’ wins big at 39th Luna Awards appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»