Election Special: Philippines May 10th 2010

With 17,000 national and local elected positions up for grabs, the Philippines national election on May 10 will be anything but dull. And The Diplomat is placing readers at the centre of the action, with our dedicated in-country blogger, key issue snapshots, guest commentaries and daily breaking headlines from local media bringing you everything you need to keep abreast of the action.

INSIDER'S DIARY

Raymond V. Palatino

Main contributor

Mong Palatino

Filipino activist, blogger, parliamentarian

MORE ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Carlo Ople
Public speaker, marketing consultant and blogger

Julius Rocas
Blogger and student-activist

  1. And the Winners Are…

    By Mong Palatino

    Twelve senators have already been proclaimed by the Commission on Elections (Comelec). The new senators of the 15th Congress of the Philippines are:

    1. Ramon 'Bong' Revilla
    2. Jose 'Jinggoy' Estrada
    3. Miriam Defensor-Santiago
    4. Franklin Drilon
    5. Juan Ponce Enrile
    6. Pilar Juliana Cayetano
    7. Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
    8. Ralph Recto
    ... Read more

    COMMENTS (4)

  2. Battle of the Endorsers

    By Mong Palatino

    There are winners, losers, and endorsers during elections. The list of winners and losers are now posted online, but it’s also worthwhile identifying the effective endorsers in the recent elections.

    Celebrities are the most sought after endorsers. For example, popular TV host Kris Aquino actively and successfully campaigned for her brother, presidential bet Noynoy Aquino. Kris also... Read more

    COMMENT ON THIS POST

  3. Election Bugs

    By Mong Palatino

    The recently concluded automated elections in the Philippines were immediately hailed as successful for producing quick and credible election results. Indeed, the counting and transmission of votes were quick. But were they accurate? Some candidates are claiming they were cheated and they say they have the numbers to prove it. Here are some examples:

    There are only 50 million registe... Read more

    COMMENT ON THIS POST

  4. Estrada Camp Claims Poll Discrepancy Evidence

    By The Diplomat

    The camp of former President Joseph Estrada vow to disclose evidence of alleged discrepancies in the results of the 2010 presidential race when Congress convenes as the National Board of Canvassers to canvass the votes for president and vice president, GMA News reports.... Read more
    COMMENT ON THIS POST

  5. Replace or Retain Voting Machines?

    By Mong Palatino

    Replace or Retain Voting Machines

    The star of the recently concluded automated polls in the Philippines is the Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS) voting machine. There were many Filipinos who doubted the durability and reliability of the PCOS but in the end the machine performed above expectations.

    A major reason why many groups were skeptical about the capability of the PCOS was due to the fact that the machine was not... Read more

    COMMENTS (2)
    6. Read All INSIDER'S DIARY

CANDIDATE PROFILES

  1. Jamby Madrigal

    jamby_madrigal

    Jamby Madrigal, formally known as Maria Ana Consuelo Madrigal-Valade, has been a Philippine Senator since June 2004. She comes from a...

  2. Nicanor Jesus Pineda Perlas III (‘Nicky’)

    nicanor_perlas

    Perlas is an independent candidate; his background is as a leader and activist on issues of environmental protection and sustainability. Whilst completing a...

  3. Eddie Villanueva

    eddie_villaneuva

    Known for both his religious and political leadership, ‘Brother Eddie’ is trying his luck in his second attempt for the presidency...

  4. Richard ‘Dick’ Gordon

    Richard Gordon

    Richard Gordon, Chairman of the International Federation of the Red Cross, was elected to the Philippine Senate in 2004. He has been twice Mayor of Olongapo City, as well as ...

  5. John Carlos ‘JC’ De Los Reyes

    John Carlos Reyes

    Ang Kapatiran Party John Carlos ‘JC’ De Los Reyes is what one might regard as the closest candidate for the ‘Catholic vote'...

  6. Gilberto ‘Gibo’ Teodoro

    gilberto_teodoro

    Gibo Teodoro hails from a powerful political family, the Cojuangco clan of Tarlac. He is a second cousin to presidential rival...

  7. Manuel ‘Manny’ Villar

    manuel_villar

    ‘Sipag at Tyaga’ (hard work and patience) is the popular campaign slogan of presidential candidate Manuel ‘Manny’ Villar. Having been born...

  8. Joseph ‘Erap’ Estrada

    joseph_erap_estrada

    Former President Joseph ‘Erap’ Estrada is a controversial candidate for the presidency. Back in 2001, after having served less than...

  9. Benigno Simeon ‘Noynoy’ Cojuangco Aquino III

    benigno_noynoy_aquino

    Senator Benigno ‘Noynoy’ Aquino was thrust into the presidential race on the back of unfortunate personal circumstances. Noynoy’s mother...

ISSUE SNAPSHOTS

  1. Security and Radicalism
    Rommel C. Banlaoi

  2. Birth Control
    Susheela Singh

  3. Familiar Faces
    Benjamin N Muego

  4. Local Government Reform
    Dr. Gaudioso C. Sosmeña, Jr.

  5. Political Stability
    Ramon Casiple

Country Snapshot COUNTRY SNAPSHOT

Philippines

Capital City
Manila
Population
97.9 million (July 2009 est.) World Rank: 13
Life Expectancy
Total population: 71 years Male: 68 years Female: 74 years (2009 est.)
Language
Filipino (official; based on Tagalog) and English (official); eight major dialects - Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon or Ilonggo, Bicol, Waray, Pampango, and Pangasinan
Leadership
Head of state and government: President Benigno Aquino
GDP
$317.5 billion (2008 est.) World Rank: 38
> View the full data