Michael Braganza Peloton bagong Comelec commissioner
Kinumpirma ng Palasyo ng Malakanyang ang nominasyon kay Michael Braganza Peloton bilang bagong commissioner ng Commission on Elections (Comelec). Sinabi ni Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque na kumpiyansa ang Palasyo na maninilbihan si Peloton sa Comelec nang may propesyunalismo at integridad. Kabilang aniya si Peloton sa magtitiyak ng manilis, credible, free, honest, orderly at modernized elections. […] The post Michael Braganza Peloton bagong Comelec commissioner appeared first on Bandera......»»
4 milyong new registrants, hindi pa nakakamit ng Comelec
Masyadong nahuhuli na ang Commission on Elections sa apat na milyong target na bagong registrants para sa 2022 elections. Sa tweet ni Comelec Commissioner Rowena Guanzon, nasa 1.1 milyon pa lamang ang naitatalang voter applicants noong January 14, 2021. Dahil ditto, hinihimok ni Guanzon ang mga botante na magpa-rehistro na at magtungo sa pinakamalapit na […] The post 4 milyong new registrants, hindi pa nakakamit ng Comelec appeared first on Bandera......»»
Election exec sa Davao Del Norte, itinalaga ni Duterte na bagong Comelec commissioner
Itinalaga ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte bilang bagong commissioner ng Commission on Elections (Comelec) si Aimee Ferolino-Ampoloquio. Ang appointment paper ni Ampoloquio ay nilagaan ng pangulo noong November 24. Papalitan niya si Commissioner Al Parreno. Ang termino ni Ampoloquio ay hanggang sa February 2027. Bago mahirang bilang commissioner si Ampoloquio ay nanilbihan siya bilang Provincial Election […] The post Election exec sa Davao Del Norte, itinalaga ni Duterte na bagong Comelec commissioner appeared first on Bandera......»»
Comelec says it’s premature to worry about Duterte ally’s appointment
MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has dismissed concerns over President Rodrigo Duterte’s appointment of an ally to the poll body, saying that such worries are premature and are just based on speculations. According to Comelec Spokesperson James Jimenez, the nomination of lawyer Michael Braganza Peloton as commissioner — in lieu of former […] The post Comelec says it’s premature to worry about Duterte ally’s appointment appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
Peloton named Comelec commissioner
Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairman Sheriff Abas on Monday said the nomination of lawyer Michael Braganza Peloton to the commission will contribute to the government’s campaign to revolutionize the country’s electoral process......»»
Yogi Ruiz plans to form own political party
CEBU CITY, Philippines- Former Customs Commissioner Yogi Ruiz plans to create a new local political party in Cebu, aiming to join the mayoral race in the 2025 midterm election. Ruiz stated that the political party, dubbed “Partido Cebuano,” would be established once all documentary requirements are fulfilled and submitted to the Commission on Elections (COMELEC)......»»
Customs Hits Collection Target for 2024
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) in the Philippines has announced that it exceeded its collection target for 2023, surpassing the PHP 901 billion goal. The BOC spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Vincent Philip Maronilla, shared this information during a Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon briefing. The agency not only met its target but also achieved a surplus of over […].....»»
Smartmatic DQ should ensure more transparent automated polls
A network of digital advocates is urging the Commission on elections to look at available voting technologies that will be more compatible with the Philippine election process after Commissioner George Garcia announced that the poll body has disqualified Smartmatic from all COMELEC procurement processes. Digital Pinoys national campaigner Ronald Gustilo said that the the disqualification […].....»»
COMELEC Chairman Garcia, BIR Commissioner Lumagui, Shawarma Shack Group among winners at 6th Asia Leaders Awards
The Asia Leaders Awards, dedicated to recognizing outstanding business leaders navigating challenges with unwavering determination, and who are true nation builders, highlighted Walther Buenavista's strategic leadership that has propelled Shawarma Shack Group to the top of the franchising sector......»»
OSG backs Comelec on Guanzon party-list substitution
The Commission on Elections did not commit grave abuse of discretion when it allowed former Comelec commissioner Rowena Guanzon as a substitute nominee for a party-list group for persons with disabilities, the Office of the Solicitor General said yesterday......»»
Mandaue, Carcarbets ‘disqualified’
The Commission on Elections has “disqualified” two reelectionist barangay chairmen in the cities of Mandaue and Carcar. The omnibus order, signed by Presiding Commissioner Socorro Inting and Commissioners Aimee Ferolino and Ernesto Ferdinand Maceda Jr., was issued last 25 October. “Disqualified” were Barangay Maguikay, Mandaue chairman Eduardo Gumera, and Barangay Valladolid, Carcar chairman Anthony John Apura. The order cited criminal complaints allegedly filed or decided against the two candidates. Gumera told the media that the issue was only a political motive for his opponent. He said he was not affected by the “disqualification” news. Comelec-7 Regional Director Atty. Lionel Marco Castillano told the Daily Tribune that the order was not to disqualify Gumera. The post Mandaue, Carcarbets ‘disqualified’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
COMELEC disqualifies QC SK chairman candidate for ‘vote buying’
A candidate for Sangguniang Kabataan chairmanship in Quezon City was disqualified by the Commission on Elections over 'vote buying' charges. In a seven-page resolution issued on 26 October 2023 and signed by COMELEC's Second Division Presiding Commissioner Marlon Casquejo, concurred by Commissioners Rey Bulay and Nelson Celis, noted that SK candidate Judielyn Bartolome Francisco of Barangay San Bartolome was "disqualified" to run for the upcoming BSKE elections as she violated Section 68 (a) of the Omnibus Elections Code for "vote buying". The case stemmed from a petition filed by Arjay Lacsa on 26 September this year, who claimed that Francisco engaged in vote buying by sponsoring and funding a leadership seminar "cum" team building of some 80 youths of their village at Paradise Adventure Camp in San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan held on 16 and 17 September 2023, a few weeks after the filing of candidacies. Pieces of evidence presented by Lacsa included social media posts of the participants themselves tagging Francisco as their " future SK chairman" and three affidavits of witnesses who claimed that Francisco was even present in that event. On 5 October, the COMELEC summoned Francisco to explain her side who gave her reply on 9 October saying she did not have the resources to fund the gathering while she also admitted being there as a host for the opening program "in return for a professional fee." She also informed the commission that she also filed perjury charges against Lacsa's witnesses at the Quezon City Prosecutor's Office. The commission, however, concluded that they "are not convinced" as Francisco's lengthy answer reveals that "they are in the nature of general denials emanating from respondent's self-serving and uncorroborated statements." The affidavits of Lacsa's witnesses, the commission added, are "rich in details" and the evidence is pointing to Francisco as the host of the team building. Francisco's involvement is a deliberate and strategic scheme to influence the voters of Barangay San Bartolome to vote for her, the commission's resolution read. The post COMELEC disqualifies QC SK chairman candidate for ‘vote buying’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
‘Model by day, gangster at night’
The Bureau of Immigration reported yesterday that a Belgian male model wanted for terrible crimes has been arrested by BI Fugitive Search Unit operatives. BI-FSU Chief Randel Sy identified the fugitive as Kristof Debie, 38, who was arrested last Tuesday, 17 October at a hotel in Parañaque City. Debie claimed that he worked as a model and a bartender, but according to reports from the European authorities, he was actually part of a criminal organization involved in narcotics. Sy said that after receiving information on Debie’s criminal acts in his home country, the Bureau tagged him as an undesirable alien. Debie was the subject of an interpol red notice requesting nations to locate and arrest him, issued in March of this year. The Court of First Instance of East Flanders, Ghent Section, in Belgium issued a European warrant of arrest against him for a number of serious offenses, including the torture of minors, involvement in a criminal organization, and serious drug-related charges in violation of the Belgian Penal Code. In addition, reports from foreign news sources have described the heinousness of his actions, including one in which he amputated the ear of a 17-year-old teenager after misplacing a cocaine stockpile. In anticipation of his deportation procedures, Debie is now being held at the BI Warden Facility in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City. BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco reiterated that fugitives are not welcome in the country. “Fugitives are not welcome in the Philippines,” Tansingco said. “We are committed to upholding the law. We will not allow our country to be a safe haven for those who seek to escape justice,” he added. The post ‘Model by day, gangster at night’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Model by day, gangster by night: Belgian apprehended by BI
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) reported that a Belgian model wanted for terrible crimes was arrested by BI Fugitive Search Unit (BI-FSU) operatives. BI-FSU Chief Randel Sy identified the fugitive as Kristof Debie, 38, who was arrested on 17 October at a hotel in Parañaque City. Debie claimed that he worked as a model and a bartender, but according to the reports from the European authorities, he was actually part of a criminal organization involved in narcotics. Sy said that after receiving information on Debie's criminal acts from his home country, the bureau tagged him as an undesirable alien. Debie was the subject of an Interpol red notice requesting nations to locate and arrest him, issued in March of this year. The Court of First Instance of East Flanders, Ghent Section, in Belgium issued a European warrant of arrest against him for a number of serious offenses, including the torture of minors, involvement in a criminal organization, and serious drug-related charges in violation of the Belgian Penal Code. In addition, reports from foreign news sources have described the heinousness of his actions, including one in which he amputated the ear of a 17-year-old teenager after misplacing a cocaine stockpile. In anticipation of his deportation procedures, Debie is now being held at the BI Warden Facility in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City. BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco reiterated that foreign fugitives are not welcome in the Philippines. “We are committed to upholding the law. We will not allow our country to be a safe haven for those who seek to escape justice," he added. The post Model by day, gangster by night: Belgian apprehended by BI appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Solon wants Comelec to look into AI-enhanced campaign materials
Election candidates trying to impress voters by using artificial intelligence could be a form of dishonest campaigning, Senator Francis Tolentino stressed on Saturday. The senator lamented, “The issue of using artificial intelligence in the election campaign and propaganda materials and requested further study for future policy formulation as apps that change facial impressions of individuals proliferate that may violate the principle of truthfulness.” Tolentino believes that using AI in campaign paraphernalia should be covered by the Commission on Elections. He said he looks forward to Comelec policy "regarding the use of AI in producing campaign and software materials for the elections, especially on the question of what picture must be allowed: the candidate looks at present or the looks the voters wanted to see.” The senator then cited the Department of National Defense memorandum, which was made public on Friday, prohibiting its employees and military personnel from using AI image generator applications. In his order, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr warned that AI-powered applications seemed “harmless and amusing” but could be “maliciously used” to create fake profiles that can lead to identity theft, social media engineering, phishing attacks, and other erring activities which compromise someone’s personal data. Comelec Commissioner Rey Bulay backed Tolentino’s suggestion, but he noted that the green light to impose the AI restrictions in the coverage of campaign materials will still be up to the consensus of the poll body’s chairperson and other commissioners. Bulay added that those guidelines and policies on the use of AI in producing election materials, whether printed or digital in form, could be put in place for the 2025 mid-term elections. He emphasized that AI usage might fall under the election guidelines on "misrepresentation" but also stressed that he doesn't "want to preempt my chairman and fellow commissioners.” “Pero napakaganda po ng iyong sinabi Pwede pong humabol yon sa 2025 (It can be timed in 2025),” Bulay told Tolentino. “The concept of misrepresentation is also included in the principle of truth in advertising…something along this line,” he added. The post Solon wants Comelec to look into AI-enhanced campaign materials appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
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......»»
Comelec addresses vote buying, selling
The Commission on Elections has formed a committee with other government agencies in its drive against vote buying and vote selling for the upcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections on 30 October. In an interview with Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon, Comelec spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco said the different government agencies including the Department of Justice and Philippine Information Agency formed a “standing, permanent committee” to battle what they call the “modern cancer of society.” When asked what actions he will take against the standing culture of vote buying and vote selling, filing cases in the court is the solution to counter the unlawful offense. The post Comelec addresses vote buying, selling appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DND, AFP, Comelec sign pact for orderly barangay, SK elections
The Department of National Defense and the Armed Forces of the Philippines on Thursday signed an agreement with the Commission on Elections to ensure peaceful and orderly barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections nationwide on 30 October. Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. signed the pact with Comelec chairperson George Erwin Garcia at the DND headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City. The signing was also witnessed by AFP Chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. and Comelec Commissioner Ernesto Ferdinand Maceda Jr., who is in charge of the Committee on Kontra Bigay. The Committee on Kontra Bigay aims to combat the “deplorable practice of vote buying”, which Teodoro said continues to pollute the country’s democracy. “Ang tao, naiimpluwensyahan ng mga bagay na hindi kanais-nais. Kaya po ang fault niyan ay nasa namimigay,” he said. On the other hand, Brawner signed a separate memorandum of understanding with Garcia allowing Comelec to deputize AFP personnel to ensure free, orderly and peaceful barangay elections. At the sidelines of the MOA signing, the Comelec handed over a check to AFP amounting to P40 million in support of the military’s administrative, operational and logistical needs "as they perform their functions relative to the upcoming BSK elections." The post DND, AFP, Comelec sign pact for orderly barangay, SK elections appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
SIM registration may bagong guidelines, required na ang ‘live selfies’
PANIGURADONG hindi na mapepeke ang pagkakakilanlan ng mga nagrerehistro ng Subscriber Identification Module (SIM). May bagong guidelines na kasi ang National Telecommunications Commission (NTC). Ayon kay NTC Commissioner Ella Blanca Lopez, naglabas na sila ng memorandum order (MO) na nagre-require na ng “live selfies” sa pagre-register ng SIM. “We issued an MO yesterday, so it’s.....»»
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......»»
BI operatives arrest S. Korean pretending to be Filipino
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) reported on Sunday the arrest of a South Korean who pretended to be Filipino. BI Intelligence Deputy Chief for Mindanao Melody Penelope Gonzales said that on 5 September, the Bureau conducted an operation at Sitio Mojon in Barangay Langub, Davao City, in coordination with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Region 11, the Police Station, and other government intelligence units, which resulted in the arrest of a Korean national who was identified as Kim Jinkoon, a 58-year-old male. Gonzales added that Kim was the subject of a mission order issued by BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco after being found to be a fugitive from justice in South Korea, facing a total of seven cases filed against him. The Bureau also learned that Kim’s passport had already been canceled by the South Korean government which makes him an undocumented alien. Kim was arrested following a report from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Region 11, when he presented himself as a Filipino and insisted on applying for a Philippine passport, presenting identification cards, and claiming that his name was Allan Sun Duran. Upon verification with the South Korean government, his cases in his country revealed that he is an undesirable alien. He initially resisted arrest, insisting that he was a Filipino, but records from the Korean government had shown him a fugitive. Later, Kim admitted that he obtained his Philippine birth certificate in 2008 through an unidentified Filipina fixer. Kim is now temporarily detained at the BI Davao District Office prior to his transfer to the BI Warden Facility in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City, where he will face immigration charges for overstaying and undesirability. The post BI operatives arrest S. Korean pretending to be Filipino appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»