Comelec launches voters information campaign

MANILA, Philippines – With the resumption of the nationwide registration of voters in preparation for the 2010 general elections, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Tuesday launched an information campaign to encourage first-time voters to register.

A radio dzBB report quoted Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez as saying the campaign, titled “Be the Change: Botanteng Pilipino, Magparehistro Ka" (Filipino Voter, Register) was launched at the University of Santo Tomas campus in Manila.

Present at the launch were volunteers from the National Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel) and the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV), the report said.

The Comelec on Tuesday resumed its continuing nationwide registration of voters. The listing will run until Dec. 15, 2009. The continuing registration will include the capture of biometrics data, the poll body said earlier.

The poll body has also partnered with several groups to set up satellite registration sites, or those outside the premises of city or municipal election officers.

The first satellite office was likewise opened Tuesday in UST. gmanews.tv

CBCP willing to host presidential debates in 2010

MANILA, Philippines - The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) on Tuesday expressed willingness to host a proposed open debate among presidential aspirants in the coming 2010 presidential elections.

CBCP spokesman Msgr. Pedro Quitorio said the proposed debate would enable the electorate to scrutinize the qualifications of those aspiring for the highest position in the land.

"For now, I could say the CBCP through its media office is very much willing to host a presidential debate," Quitorio said during a church sponsored media forum in Intramuros, Manila.

Quitorio said the CBCP has several commissions such as the National Secretariat for Social Action (NSSA) that can sponsor or host the proposed presidential debate.

"In fact in the last election we were thinking about this and so we are wiling to host it. We will study it, maybe we could use this forum to host it," Quitorio said.

The proposal being broached by poll commissioner Rene Sarmiento has already earned support from civil society and a Church-backed poll watch dog Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV).

"For us, that (debate) would be the best campaign method to see what the bets have to offer. Let us see if they [presidential aspirants] could offer a program," said by Henrietta de Villa, PPCRV chief.

"Like in the America… the debate is also a big help to candidates and the public. In the debate, you have to be serious. You don't need to sing or dance," De Villa added. gmanews.tvic