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.....»»
Uncertainty looms over Davao-Samal Bridge project amid RoW hurdles
The construction of the Samal Island-Davao City Connector (SIDC), also known as the Davao-Samal Bridge project, has faced numerous setbacks due to right-of-way (ROW) acquisition challenges. The project was halted on January 3, 2024, due to issues with landowners near a pier in Lanang at Davao City, leading to delays in the project's implementation. While there have been conflicting statements regarding the project's status, the National Economic and Development Authority-Davao Region (Neda-Davao) aims to complete the detailed engineering plans for the substructure of the west land via dock once the Deed of Transfer Possession in Davao City is released. However, ROW issues continue to persist. Despite these challenges, the project is still considered a priority and is included in the Davao Region Development Plan (DRDP) for 2023–2028. The project is funded through China’s Official Development Assistance with an estimated budget of P23.04 billion, and negotiations with the Philippine government are ongoing with a target completion date in 2027. The uncertainty surrounding the project's timeline remains as ROW hurdles persist, impacting the much-anticipated toll-free four-lane concrete exodus bridge spanning a 3.98-kilometer distance......»»
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.....»»
3 Army battalions to secure BARMM plebiscite
Three Army battalions will be deployed during a plebiscite to ratify the creation of eight towns in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao......»»
NEWS BRIEFS | 09 March 2024
Marawi votes on 3 additional barangays CAGAYAN DE ORO (MindaNews / 09 March) – Voters in Marawi City on Saturday went to polling precincts to vote on the proposal to create three more barangays. The Commission on Elections held a security command conference Friday morning in Marawi for the March 9 plebiscite. Comelec chair George […].....»»
Media miss possible conflict of interest in Comelec deal
THE COMMISSION on Elections (Comelec) and the joint venture led by South Korean firm Miru Systems Co. Ltd. signed on March 11 a PHP17.9 billion contract for the lease and use of the.....»»
Hardware modifications in automated counting machines approved
MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) issued a memorandum on Wednesday approving specific adjustments to the hardware of automated counting machines (ACMs) for their deployment in the 2025 national and local elections. These customizations were based on observations made by stakeholders during the demonstration of the ACMs, as per the memorandum. The approved.....»»
Comelec: Barmm plebiscite peaceful, orderly
Comelec: Barmm plebiscite peaceful, orderly.....»»
Caloocan starts preparing for barangay plebiscite
The city government of Caloocan has started preparations for the conduct of a plebiscite for the division of Barangay 176, also known as Bagong Silang, into six separate barangays, Mayor Dale Gonzalo Malapitan said yesterday......»»
Teachers urge Congress: Fund classrooms, not Charter plebiscite
he Alliance of Concerned Teachers on Thursday called on the House of Representatives to reallocate the budget earmarked for the proposed Charter change plebiscite toward constructing more classrooms amid the learning crisis......»»
3 Army battalions to guard plebiscite for creation of 8 Bangsamoro towns
The Philippine Army will deploy three battalions of soldiers to help ensure a peaceful conduct of the April 13,2024 plebiscite for the creation of eight municipalities covering 63 Bangsamoro barangays in different towns in Cotabato province......»»
Plebiscite for creation of 8 BARMM towns set April 15
All is set for the plebiscite on the creation of eight towns out of 63 barangays in Cotabato to form part of the Special Geographic Area of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao......»»
90,000 to vote in BARMM plebiscite
Up to 90,000 voters are expected to participate in a plebiscite that will ratify the creation of eight new municipalities in the Bangsamoro Special Geographic Area on April 13......»»
Rice imports as of mid-March 886,963 MT
The country’s rice imports as of mid-March have surpassed the total volume recorded in the entire first quarter of last year by a double-digit rate, to over 880,000 metric tons, government data showed......»»
Senators praise Comelec for suspending people’s initiative proceedings
MANILA, Philippines — Senators rejoiced at the decision of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to suspend all proceedings related to a people’s initiative aimed at amending the 1987 Constitution, saying that it is nothing but a victory for the Filipino people. Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva, in a statement, said the Philippine government has finally.....»»
53.5k signatures for people’s initiative submitted to COMELEC in Butuan
BUTUAN CITY (MindaNews / 24 January)—The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) here has received forms bearing 53,495 signatures as part of a people’s initiative to amend the 1987 Constitution. Lawyer Tristan Niog, city election officer, confirmed to MindaNews in a phone interview on Tuesday that they received a total of 5,767 forms with signatures from 86 […].....»»
‘No to Cha Cha’ in UP Fair and Oblation Run
“No to Charter Change (Cha Cha)” reverberated during the recent two main events in the Diliman campus of the University of the Philippines : the Oblation Run and the UP Fair. The House of Representatives is attempting to amend the 1987 Constitution primarily on the “prohibitive” economic provisions that limit foreign ownership. Faculty members of.....»»
Comelec eyes malls as voting centers for 2025 polls
Malls – among other “public places” – are being eyed as voting centers for next year’s midterm elections, to avoid overcrowding at polling precincts and provide convenience to voters, Commission on Elections Chairman George Garcia said yesterday......»»
Apex Mining must be held accountable, says Lumad group
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 13 February)—An indigenous group has condemned Apex Mining Company for their apparent neglect of their workers and demanded that the firm be held accountable for the casualties during the February 6 landslide in Masara. “Why did Apex Mining company continue its 24-hour mining operations, using three shifts of workers, during the […].....»»
BIR delays 1 percent withholding tax on online sellers
The Bureau of Internal Revenue has deferred the imposition of the one percent withholding tax on online platform providers to mid-July instead of mid-April to allow adjustments among taxpayers......»»
Calinan District residents protest vs disguised Cha-cha
Residents from the 19 barangays in Calinan District rallied against the disguised People's Initiative for Charter Change in a protest held on January 19, 2024. Organized by the barangay captains, around 100 individuals from each barangay gathered at Rizal Park, chanting Dabawenyos are not for sale and expressing their disapproval of the alleged cash-for-signature scheme. The protest emphasized the residents' desire for fairness and a better government approach, rejecting the notion of exchanging signatures for money. Participants, including both young and old residents, voiced their opposition to the charter change, with the youth expressing concerns about power-hungry officials. Even 75-year-old Rosminda Amarilla joined the protest to question the need for change after numerous presidents have governed without such alterations. The rally, which included a motorcade and drew approximately 300 participants, received disapproval from Congressman Paolo Pulong Z. Duterte and Congressman Isidro Ungab, who alleged that the signature campaign was orchestrated by leaders of the Pwersa ng Bayaning Atleta (PBA) Partylist. As of the latest update, PBA Representative Margarita Atty. Migs Nograles has yet to release a statement on the matter......»»