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Advocates of the Freedom of Information Bill hold a picket at the congressional office of House Speaker Prospero Nograles in Davao City in Mindanao. The group “Right to Know Right Now – Mindanao” urges Nograles to ensure the bill is ratified before the 14th Congress end. (Photo by Erwin Quinones)
A member of the Board of Elections Inspectors inspects a Precinct Count Optical Scanning machine in the southern Philippines. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)
MANILA, Philippines - Speaker Prospero Nograles said that while Congress is determined to push for the early proclamation of the country's next President and Vice-President, he is equally disturbed with an HBO film documentary which showed automated election manipulation by hacking into the memory cards of optical machines similar to the Precinct Count Optical Scanning machines used during the May 10 national elections.
In the HBO film documentary, Harri Hursti demonstrated how votes can be manipulated even without any physical contact with a random sample of an optical scanning machine that was actually used during US elections as long as the memory card used was programmed by Hursti himself.
Nograles said the documentary entitled "Hacking Democracy" showed disturbing results, entirely reversing the actual votes made vis-a-vis with the result churned out by the randomly selected optical scanning machine.
"My attention was called to documented evidence of counting machine anomalies in the United States, one of which is the Hursti hack. The result should have 1 for 'yes' and '7' for 'no' but when the machine showed the result, it was '7' for yes and 1 for 'no', Nograles said.
"I'm hoping that no such hacking similar to this happened in our national elections. This is the reason why I am proposing a random manual count of 800 clustered precincts to be determined by Congress in order to put our country at ease by knowing the truth. This is mandated under the poll automation law," Nograles said.
The Speaker stressed that the fact that four days before elections, the PCOS machines were unsealed and compact flash memory cards were recalled and replaced which may have compromised the integrity of the PCOS machines' ability to correctly count the votes. Any Hursti-style of hacking may have occurred and Congress will get to the bottom of this, he said. (Gil Bugaoisan)
House Speaker Prospero NogralesMANILA, Philippines - Speaker Prospero Nograles said there could be a need to amend the existing Organic Act of the Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao or create an entirely new law on Muslim Mindanao to ensure the success of the ongoing peace talks between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.
Nograles said there could also be a need to sync the existing ARMM Organic Act with the conditions provided under an era of permanent peace between the government and the MILF.
“In view of the ongoing peace-talk between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and of the various proposals on Muslim Mindanao, such as the bill filed by Congressman Jaafar, I will get the House of Representatives to start working on a possible amendment of the Organic Act for Autonomous Muslim Mindanao or for the crafting of an entirely new law on Muslim Mindanao,” Nograles said.
“We might need to tune-up the existing ARMM Organic Act or craft a new law for Muslim Mindanao so that it can also deal with the distinct problems pertaining to the MILF. This enhanced or new law will take into consideration the framework and the eventual agreements of the ongoing peace-talk between the government and the MILF. It will also take as inputs the results of consultations on the matter that the House shall undertake,” he added.
At present, Nograles said there is a pending measure - House Bill 1769 - which seeks to amend the ARMM Organic Act and this can be expanded further to address all other concerns that may arise out of the peace talks.
House Bill 1769 which was authored by Tawi-tawi Representaive Nur Jaafar seeks to amend the ARMM Organic Act to decentralize the system of appointments for teachers and other officers and employees of the ARMM bureaucracy.
Jaafar said that the present system which solely delegates the appointing power to the ARMM Governor has been causing too much bottleneck in the issuance of appointments and delayed salaries for teachers and lower ranking officers and employees of the ARMM.
Under HB 1769, appointment of low-ranking officers shall be vested upon the heads of the departments, agencies and commissions or boards concerned. The appointments of teachers shall be delegate to their respective school division superintendents.
According to Nograles, the Jaafar's proposed amendment to the ARMM Organic Act can be expanded to accommodate reasonable terms that can be the result of the ongoing peace negotiations between the government and the MILF.(Gil Bugaoisan)
High gas prices in the Philippines remain the problems and woes of many motorists in the country, especially in the provinces such as these current pump prices in Zamboanga City in Mindanao. (Mindanao Examiner Photo). 
MANILA, Philippines - The House of Representatives has approved on final reading House Joint Resolution Number 47 mandating a 90-day suspension of loan payments and condonation of interests and penalties on loans of victims of Typhoon Ketsana and expressed hope that the Senate will also act swiftly to ensure the immediate effect of the measure.
"Under House Joint Resolution Number 47, we are likewise urging other financial institutions from the private sector to do the same as a form of financial and economic relief for our people. I hope we can implement this immediately," House Speaker Prospero Nograles said on Tuesday.
As many parts of Luzon try to recover from the devastation of typhoon Ketsana, with many parts of northern Luzon still reeling from the fury of another storm Parma, the people needs all the necessary assistance and relief available, the Speaker said.
"Giving our people at least three months reprieve could be a great relief as the victims try to recover from the devastation inflicted by the floods that wrecked houses, public and private infrastructures, agriculture and businesses," he added.
Nograles lauded the bi-partisan concern and efforts of the members of the House led by principal authors led by Representative Darlene Custodio, Majority Floor Leader Arthur Defensor, Minority Leader Ronaldo Zamora and senior assistant majority leader Neptali Gonzales.
The authors said that the relief mechanism being espoused by the government in the form of calamity fund releases and loans may not be enough, considering that emotional, social and economic recovery proves to be difficult, especially if it concerns sudden loss of lives and dwellings.
The joint resolution mandates "all government financial institutions such as the Government Service Insurance System, Social Security System and Pagtutulungan – Ikaw, Bangko, Industriya at Gobyerno or Pag-Ibig to immediately effect suspension for at least ninety days (90) of loan payments and condonation of interests and penalties thereat of the borrowers who are victims of typhoon Ketsana as a form of financial and economic relief, and urging other financial institutions from the private sector to do the same."
Other principal authors of House Joint Resolution Number 47 are Assistant majority leader Del de Guzman, Representatives Jesus Crispin Remulla, Juan Edgardo Angara, Albert Garcia, Rene Velarde, Anna York Bondoc, Janette Garin, Vincent Crisologo, Oscar Malapitan, Victor Aguedo Agbayani, Roman Romulo, Marc Douglas Cagas, Adam Relson Jala, Antonio Diaz, Roilo Golez, Satur Ocampo, Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., Rufus Rodriguez, Didagen Dilangalen, Ana Theresia Hontiveros, Liza Maza, Mar-Len Abigail Binay and Herminia Ramiro.
"We will immediately send the joint measure to the Senate for its appropriate action. We will continue to seek other forms of relief and help our people and our economy recover," Nograles said. (Gil Bugaoisan)
MANILA, Philippines - Speaker Prospero Nograles urged Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro to mobilize the reserve commands of the Armed Forces of the Philippines to assist in providing relief assistance for the victims of Typhoon Ketsana especially those who are yet to be reached by local government and non-government relief workers.
Nograles also urged Teodoro and the Armed Forces of the Philippines leadership to put in place an automatic system of mobilization that would allow the rapid deployment of AFP reservists in times of calamities.
"I suggest to Secretary Teodoro that he should activate the reserve forces of the Army, Navy and Air Force to assist in relief operations. While we cannot pull out troops from their present locations but he can always activate the reserve forces. This will determine how coordinated we are in the reserve forces since our reservists are also a force to reckon with," Nograles said in a statement.
"If the NDCC can quickly deploy reservists in their areas, I think that our response will be faster and we can better avoid massive loss of lives in times of typhoons and other calamities. Our reservists live in communities and are not inside military camps or in some remote military outposts so they can be quickly tapped to respond in times of crisis. All we need is to have a data on their location and the means to communicate with them. They can be formed into teams depending on their location," Nograles said.
Nograles said that the AFP's reserve command was precisely created as a force multiplier I whether it involves armed conflict or in times of natural calamities and therefore, the AFP leadership should be able to rapidly mobilize and deploy them as quick reaction personnel in times of crisis.
At present there are roughly one million reservists who are with the AFP's Army, Navy and Air Force commands.
He added that basic training for reservists includes rescue, paramedic and survival and this gives them the skill in providing assistance to civilians in times of calamities such as Typhoon Ketsana.
"They can be more effective in providing evacuation assistance, set up observation posts, provide search and rescue assistance and help in the relief operations if we can mobilize and deploy them rapidly. They can be of better use as emergency rapid response personnel instead of using them in dental and medical missions and tree planting," Nograles said.
"We should learn from the lessons of Ketsana and all the past natural tragedy that befell our nation. We cannot fight nature and the only way that we can minimize the loss of lives and destruction of properties is to be fully prepared to respond quickly and rapidly as possible and that should be the primary mission of the AFP's Reserve Command," Nograles said. (Gil Bugaoisan)
DAVAO CITY, Philippines – The head of the Philippines Commission on Higher Education suggested the first modern sports dome in Davao City be named after House Speaker Prospero Nograles.
Chairman Emmanuel Angeles said the idea of having a “Speaker Prospero Nograles Sports Dome” will be a fitting tribute to the first ever Mindanawon House Speaker, who worked hard in securing national funds to finally answer the clamor for the city’s first modern sporting facility.
The soon-to-rise sports dome, which could sit up to 8,000 people, will be built at the University in Southeastern Philippines compound in Barrio Obrero. Angeles heads the USEP Board of Regents.
The only government sporting center around is the now obsolete Davao City Recreation Center, originally named Almendras Gymnasium. It was built during the pre-martial law time of Davao’s only senator, Alejandro Almendras.
Then Mayor Benjamin de Guzman attempted to build the modern Artica Sports Dome in 2000, but it was mothballed by Mayor Rodrigo Duterte upon his return to City Hall in 2001.
To date, Davao City has been left behind by other localities hosting modern sporting arenas. The neighboring Panabo City, whose income is less than 20-percent of Davao City’s close to P4-billion annual take, long built its modern sporting center.
But lawyer Karlo Nograles, the solon’s son and chief of staff, said he has declined the suggestion by the CHED chairman to name the sports dome in USEP after his father.
“The more important thing is for Davao City to have its first modern sporting center,” the young Nograles said.
Angeles said he respected the decision of the young lawyer, but insisted on placing a marker at the dome that would cite the effort of Nograles to build the facility. The CHED chairman said he would personally supervise the placement of the marker in honor of the House Speaker.
The solon’s son said his father only wish is to use the income of the sports dome for its maintenance and fund students’ scholarship in Davao City, particularly in the 1st District where the lawmaker belongs.
Greggo Pantig, project officer of Nograles, said the sports dome will be a 3-storey edifice with spaces allocated for commercial use. He said that engineers have laid out a 6-month construction period for the sports dome.
Pantig said they will ensure the swift completion of the dome similar to the restoration of Governor Generoso Bridge II in Bankerohan that was completed in record time.
Former Councilor Beethoven Orcullo said he wished that the Artica Dome will be finally utilized to further enhance Davao City’s stature as the most progressive locality in the south. He said it was also unfair for taxpayers to shoulder the cost of the Artica Dome construction for nothing.
Unlike the planned USEP sports dome which has no tax burden, the P150-million Artica project was built from bank loan proceeds. The city government has been paying the loan interest and principal amount out of taxes during the past 8 years that the dome was left to elements.
DAVAO CITY, Philippines – A prominent lawyer and son of House Speaker Prospero Nograles has called on the authorities to put a stop to extrajudicial killings in Davao City in the southern Philippines.
Karlo Nograles, who is also his father’s chief of staff, expressed alarm over the spate of unresolved murders blamed to the shadowy group called Davao death Squad, which was behind the hundreds of killings of suspected criminals and drug addicts over the years.
He said the only way to stop the murders is to get its mastermind. The so-called vigilante killings, he said, brought shame to Davao City.
”You solve problems at its roots,” the young lawyer said during his Saturday’s radio talk show called “Kalamboan Dala Tanan.”
He also talked about the continuing investigation by the Commission on Human Rights on the killings that have drawn outcries from the United Nations and the New York-based Human Rights Watch.
The CHR on Friday conducted its 4th round of investigation on the alleged existence of the death squad. Lawyer Leila de Lima, CHR chairwoman, said she is convinced that the death squad exists and that it is likely behind over 800 murders the past 10 years.
Also alarmed by the killings, the House Speaker has the “Anti-Salvage Bill” in the lower house. “It was also a response to calls by international agencies to put an end to the killings,” Nograles said.
Former District 2 Councilor Beethoven Orcullo, a guest in Nograles’ radio program, said the killing spree in Davao City is unprecedented.
Also a former prosecutor, Orcullo agreed with the young Nograles that the brains behind the extrajudicial killings should be arrested and jailed. “Murder is a capital offense,” he said.
Another radio guest, Greggo Pantig, said residents are against summary executions.
He said the locals cannot openly protest about the killings because they are afraid of possible retaliation from the death squad.
“We have the police. We have the courts and the jail and there is no reason to kill people even if they are criminal suspects,” he said.
Pantig said the street killings have only brought chaos to community, pointing out as an example other areas that are ruled by warlords. “Places where killings are prevalent do not progress,” he said.
“The opposition to street killings is best symbolized by the campaign of the Catholic church to stop the Davao Death Squad. The priests gave Davao City a courageous and strong moral voice against these terrifying elements of society,” he added.
MANILA, Philippines - Speaker Prospero Nograles urged all members of the House of Representatives to pool the resources together to initially come up with material assistance to the numerous victims of typhoon Ondoy which wrought havoc to a wide area of the country.
"We should immediately pass the hat around and pool our available resources, both personal and official, in cash or in kind, to help the Philippine National Red Cross in its relief operations to help out the flood victims," Nograles said.
Noting the serious vulnerability of the country to natural disasters, Nograles said there is a need to reevaluate the nation's disaster preparedness plan in coordination with the Local Government Units to improve government capabilities to meet contingencies during emergencies.
"The widespread flooding has brought to fore the weaknesses of our preparedness programs. People and government must work together and commit ourselves to meet future challenges and eventualities," Nograles said.
The House leader also lauded the efforts of the national government, particularly President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and National Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, for immediately mobilizing government resources to alleviate the plight of the victims.
"President Arroyo and Secretary Teodoro are personally and closely coordinating all government agencies led by the National Disaster Coordinating Council, including the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Interior and Local Government, Philippine National Police, National Defense and the military, in the rescue and relief operations," he noted.
Nograles said the immediate proclamation of a state of calamity covering the affected areas promptly allowed the national and local government to release the needed funds to defray the expenses for the relief operations.
"We are very appreciative of the immediate and on going relief operations by the private sector, especially the leading televisions and radio networks, for their efforts to gather and coordinate donations from all sectors, including the distribution, to those who most needed assistance," Nograles said.
"Ondoy is far worse than typhoon Katrina. The damage to life and property and infrastructure, as per latest reports, is just unthinkable," Nograles added.
Ketsana is the international codename of typhoon Ondoy. (Gil Bugaoisan)
MANILA, Philippines - Speaker Prospero Nograles said that Cebu Representative Antonio Cuenco may have been speaking only for himself in relation to his statement that a majority of Lakas congressmen are inclined to support Senator Benigno Aquino III as he stressed that the selection of Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro as the administration's standard bearer was precisely based on the recommendation and endorsement of the overwhelming majority of administration congressmen.
“I don't think that there is any basis for such assessment because the Lakas leadership made its own survey with respect to their choice for a presidential candidate and their choice is Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro. A great majority of our members are highly principled and I don't think that their choice of Gibo was plainly based on what Congressman Cueco describes as pork barrel considerations,” Nograles said, referring to the Defense chief.
Nograles said that as Speaker and Lakas-Kampi-CMD vice-chairman, he is in constant consultations with congressmen belonging to the majority bloc and he has not sensed any indication that they are rooting for Aquino.
“As Speaker I always talk to as many congressmen as I can everyday and that sentiment is prevailing only in the militant party lists and the liberal party stalwarts identified with Senator Frank Drilon. They have following am sure but the NPC have more and definitely Lakas-Kampi have the numbers. Representative Cuenco has been with the yellow movement since 1985 and maybe that's his emotional sentiment. Am sure the other Cebu congressmen do not feel like he does,” Nograles said.
When final reckoning comes, Nograles said that administration congressmen will toe the administration line and support the party's standard bearer.
“The Majority of congressmen and women will probably toe the administration line and we think that Gibo, . given the time and the right public exposure, should be able to shoot up by end of next month's October surveys. Villar and Chiz have their own solid following also,” Nograles said.
Nograles' position was echoed by other administration congressmen who likewise questioned the accuracy of Cuenco's alleged informal survey.
Lakas Representative Mauricio Domogan of Baguio City said that as far as he is concerned, including those belonging to the Northern Alliance bloc, Teodoro is the perfect choice as the administration's presidential bet.
“I don't think the survey is accurate at all. I was never asked and I believe that even those in the Northern Alliance will support Gibo,” Domogan said.
Representative Rodolfo Valencia (Lakas, Oriental Mindoro) also said:” I cannot believe the informal survey. Gibo Teodoro is the most qualified to be President. Am sure majority of Congressmen will support him.”
Representative Marcelino Teodoro (Lakas, Marikina City) also refuted Cuenco's claim and described it as a “misleading statement” and mere “speculation.”
“That is a misleading statement. I for one,as part of the Lakas-Kampi-CMD,knows that the ideals of the party and its long term vision to a more transparent and productive country is its strength. The informal survey by
Representative Cuenco can be discounted as mere speculation and may prove to be unsubstantiated,” he said.
“His personal survey should not cause distress to his fellow representatives who have been blatantly dragged into his personal dilemma. Aquino's surge is fleeting and rides only with the Aquino euphoria. 'Winnability' in the polls is not a guaranteed victory,but loyalty to a formidable party ideology and the sole advocacy to lead the country towards the betterment and welfare of Filipinos is the winning formula in the 2010 elections,” Teodoro added.
MANILA, Philippines - Speaker Prospero Nograles lauded the action taken by the House Committee on Ways and Means which reconsidered its decision to conduct further deliberations on the proposed tax on "text bill" as he pointed out that the measure can only gather support if it can guarantee that it will not increase the existing text cost now being billed on millions of consumers.
Nograles also shrugged off renewed threats by Quezon Rep. Danilo Suarez that he will challenge the Speaker's leadership if he cannot facilitate the passage of the tax on text measure and stressed that he is supporting the measure provided it is free from any pass-on provisions that will mean additional burden to the consuming public.
"I'm not going to be blackmailed by such threats. All I want is to make sure that we will pass a measure that is palatable not only to the public but also to our peers in Congress, including the Senate. I support this measure especially if it will mean additional classrooms and modern educational facilities for our children but any tax on texting should be solely shouldered by the service providers and not by the consumers," Nograles said.
"Chairman Exequiel Javier and his committee did the right thing. We are never insensitive to the plight of the people," Nograles added as he urged all concerned to voice their proposals to ensure that justice prevails in all matters pertaining to taxation policies.
The House leader said that the intent behind the measure is to bolster the country's education program and the good of the youth.
"We will always listen to our people. We will listen to all the stake holders. Congress is the right place for an intelligent, comprehensive and open debate on issues of public concern," the House leader stressed.
Nograles pointed out that the decision to reconsider the approval by the ways and means panel is not a show of surrendering its position but to find the best way to address the needs of the country to promote development.
"We are not giving up on a viable idea. What we are trying to do is find ways to promote development without doing injustice to the people. This is what democracy is all about," Nograles stressed.
Congress, Nograles added, is also considering several bills promoting tax reforms, including the proposed revision on the tax levels on the so-called tax on sin products, without jeopardizing the growth of industries and the government's jobs generation programs.
"Somewhere along the way, each of us will have to sacrifice for the good of the country in general. We also have to take into consideration our efforts to attract investments," Nograles added. (Gil Bugaoisan)
DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Village leaders in the southern Mindanao city of Davao said there is a strong clamor for House Speaker Prospero Nograles to run for mayor in next year’s polls.
Village chieftain Rommel delos Reyes said residents are urging Nograles to seek the mayoralty post so he can continue his various humanitarian programs and development projects in Davao City.
“If I say the Speaker is not running for mayor because that is what he said, they would ask us why, and they say how they wished Speaker Nograles would run,” De los Reyes, of the village of Barangay 6-A, said in a radio talk show in Davao City.
Nograles belongs to the 1st Congressional District where most of his projects benefited the poor from livelihood programs to infrastructure projects.
“Our constituents are urging the House Speaker to run for mayor of Davao City because they know he is for the progress of Davao City,” one supporter said.
Lawyer Prospero Mojica, who was also guest in the same show, said: “As a friend, I would advice against it. But as a Dabawenyo and for the sake of the people, I want Boy Nogie to run for mayor.”
Mojica was referring to Nograles whose nickname is Boy Nogie. The lawyer, a schoolmate of Nograles in Ateneo de Manila College, said it would be a sacrifice for the solon to seek the mayoralty post, but the clamor for his to run is difficult to ignore.
Nograles, who is on his third and last term, previously said that running for a local post is not part of his plan, but would campaign for his son, noted lawyer Karlo Nograles, who is said to be eyeing a congressional seat – the 1st District of Davao City.
The young Nograles is also the solon’s chief of staff.
Another village leader, Joel Santes of Matina Crossing, said the public clamor for the solon to run as mayor is strong. “People are clamoring for change…for the development and progress of Davao City,” Santes said.
Lawyer Karlo Nograles, son and chief of staff of House Speaker Prospero Nograles, is flanked by residents in Davao City in the southern Philippines. (Mindanao Examiner Photo / Geo Solmerano)
DAVAO CITY, Philippines - The Office of House Speaker Prospero Nograles has belied claims that it was behind the move by the Commission on Audit (COA) to look deeply into the use of (Davao) City Hall of its huge budget for peace and order funds.
“The COA, just like the Commission on Human Rights, is a constitutional body which Congress has no control over,” said lawyer Karlo B. Nograles, son and chief-of-staff of the Speaker.
“Like any government office, we are also subject to a COA audit,” the young Nograles said during his weekly radio program called “Kalamboan Dala Tanan” over radio station dxAB.
Nograles was reacting to claims that fund releases in City Hall have been stopped on account of an ongoing audit by COA. The city’s peace and order funds amounted to about P450-million a year, or a shade above P1.2-million per day.
Davao enjoys up to P4-billion annual budget which is among the biggest in the country.
“The Office of the Speaker is also being audited by COA, but fund releases do not stop, we have continued with our projects and public services,” the lawyer said. “Audit is a simple turnover of proof of disbursements to COA, but it does not mean a stop to fund releases.”
Nograles said disbursement of funds could be stopped if there is no liquidation of all cash advances. “But that is not during the conduct of audit, but in the course of upright fiscal handling,” the lawyer said.
He said judicious use of government funds is the main reason why the Office of the Speaker has been transparent in the implementation of its projects. Aside from the regular publication of the Nograles Accomplishment Report, many public distributions of government aids are all recorded, including video documentation.
Public works projects are also marked by signboards because it is mandated by law.
In his Saturday afternoon radio program, Nograles confirmed that there are plans in Congress to conduct a legislative inquiry into the use of intelligence and peace and order funds. “But that is not in the lower house, but in Senate,” he said.
The lawyer said the Office of Senator Benigno Aquino III has proposed the investigation on the use of intelligence funds by local governments.
Quoting his father, the young Nograles said the lower house would be satisfied to exercise its oversight powers over local government expenditures during the marathon hearings on the 2010 national budget set to begin next week.
MANILA, Philippines - Speaker Prospero Nograles said the Wednesday meeting of the Lakas-Kampi-CMD Executive Committee where Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro and Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno emerged as the preferred presidential and vice-presidential bets of the party in 2010 national polls contravened no law.
The Speaker made the statement following concerns posed by some quarters of the possibility or violations of the election law and a Supreme Court ruling against premature announcement of official candidates.
"Why pick on us?" the House leader asked following the executive committee meeting which conducted an "intelligent and secret consensus taking" vote among the party's leaders nationwide.
Nograles even pointed out possible "hairline" transgressions that could be a concern for other parties who have declared presidential candidates. The administration party, he added, have no officially declared bets yet as the party is still in the selection process.
"We violated nothing. Compare this now with other political parties with declared candidates like the Club Filipino gig of the Liberal Party," Nograles noted.
He also is asking about the nationwide caravan of the Partido ng Masang Pilipino or PMP of former President Joseph Estrada and the barrage of infor-commercials costing hundreds of millions of certain declared presidential candidates.
"Even the so-called live television debates of declared presidential candidates aired by ABS-CBN's ANC channel. Talk shows like Wowowee...the Strictly Politics radio interviews of declared presidential candidates and their countrywide mini-rallies including the launch of campaign contributions dubbed as 'piso-piso' are held even in Davao City and elsewhere," Nograles said.
The SWS Pulse Asia surveys publishing the status of the race of candidates for president and related activities "could be defeating the essence" of our election law relative to the prohibited early campaign activities, he said.
"These acts are designed to promote or defeat a candidate or candidates. Under this legal observation, everyone could be disqualified from running especially those leading in surveys. And that is precisely the heart of dissenting opinions of the now celebrated early campaign doctrine of the Supreme Court," Nograles surmised. (Gil Bugaoisan)
Defense chief Gilberto Teodoro, left, shakes hands with Governor Sakur Tan during his visit in Sulu province in the southern Philippines. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)
