A call for HOPE
The Philippine Information Agency, Caraga Region is one with the Commission on Elections (Comelec), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Department of Education (DepEd) in calling for an Honest, Orderly and Peaceful Elections (HOPE).
Let us support the efforts of these agencies whose dedication and commitment is incomparable as they put their lives to risk just to perform their duties and responsibilities.
Unsung heroes, as they may be… but what is more important is that, they also need our support in any way… Let us all be united and give our full support to these modern heroes!
Comelec, PNP to enforce liquor ban in Surigao Norte
SURIGAO DEL NORTE (08 May) – The local COMELEC here will start enforcing a liquor ban effective Sunday (May 9) in time for the first-ever automated election on Monday, May 10.
The COMELEC imposed the liquor ban in Resolution no. 8730 promulgated last December 23, 2009.
Also, the local police here led by Provincial Director PSSupt Gilbert Cruz warned the public to take seriously the liquor ban. He said that police personnel will patrol on the major thoroughfares of the city and violators if caught will face one to six years imprisonment not subject to probation. (Fryan E. Abkilan, PIA-Surigao del Norte)
Gunned election officer in Agusan del Sur, in state of recovery
BUTUAN CITY (08 May) – Following the shooting incident last night in Loreto, Agusan del Sur, the victim identified as Jay Salinas, Election Officer of the same municipality is reported under state of recovery.
This was reported by COMELEC-Caraga Regional Director Atty. Francisco Pobe in a text message sent to PIA. According to Atty. Pobe, the victim is now okey and in state of recovery. “The bullet that traverses his body luckily did not hit any of his internal organs. He is safe now,” Pobe said.
Salinas was shot infront of his house after he received the compact flash (CF) cards delivery at his office yesterday evening (May 7). PNP personnel recovered empty shell of a .45 caliber pistol in the crime scene. (Robert E. Roperos, PIA-Caraga)
Surigao Sur gov. held by NPA today
BUTUAN CITY (08 May) – Surigao del Sur Governor Vicente Pimentel, Jr. is reportedly held by New People’s Army at 12:20 today between Hinatuan-Bislig Road in Surigao del Sur.
In a phone-patch interview at around 3:30 this afternoon, Gov. Pimentel confirmed to PIA that they were boarding on three vehicles: Land Cruiser, Nissan Patrol, and Hilux when a group of about 60 heavily armed men believed to be NPA members hold the party.
Security escorts of Governor Pimentel were disarmed with four M16 rifles, one MP5, and two .45 caliber pistols. Governor Pimentel, however reported that their party were all secured. (Robert E. Roperos, PIA-Caraga)
Connectivity testing went smoothly- Agsur ready on Monday
AGUSAN DEL SUR (08 May) - Stripping the box securely wrapped with plastic wrapper and breaking the packaging seal, the components of a transmission devise that will receive election returns from the municipal level and will transmit the same data to the central server appeared.
The transmission devise is composed of one laptop computer with accessories, its memory card, instruction manual, USB memory sticks, sim packs from smart and globe and connecting cords.
The installation and official switching for connectivity of the transmission devise was witnessed by representatives from Liberal Party and Lakas-Kampi-CMD, Provincial Director of DTI, representative of the Prosecutor’s Office, DepEd and representatives of different sectors and government employees.
The connection became successfully possible using the very small aperture terminal (vsat) with satellite desk. But according to smartmatic and comelec representatives, there are still two alternatives in case the vsat will fail and they are thru smart or globe USB modem and the BGIN or satellite-direct transmission.
Last Monday, May 3, PCOS machines were deployed to 524 clustered precincts in the 13 municipalities and the lone city in Agusan del Sur. The police and the army are also deployed in strategic areas throughout the province to ensure peaceful and orderly conduct of the May 10, 2010 elections. (David M. Suyao, PIA-Agusan del Sur)
COMELEC Officer shot in Agusan del Sur
BUTUAN CITY (08 May) – As per info from Comelec-Caraga Regional Dir. Atty. Francisco Pobe at 10:45 last night, May 7, 2010, Election Officer Jay Salinas of Loreto, Agusan del Sur was shot infront of his house after he received the compact flash (CF) cards delivery at his office.
Motive is unknown. Assailant fled to unknown direction. He was brought to Bunawan Hospital for further medication, since he is in critical condition.
Evacuation of victim seems to be very difficult but according to Dir. Pobe’s latest info as of 11:26 p.m. (May 7) , victim was already evacuated thru speed boat and were able to reach the main highway.
PNP personnel recovered empty shell of a .45 caliber pistol in the crime scene. Investigation is still going on. (Robert E. Roperos, PIA-Caraga)
85% of PCOS machines, CFCs delivered in Surigao del Sur 1st District
BUTUAN CITY (08 May) – Lt. Col. Dennis Godfrey Gammad, Commanding Officer of the Philippine Army’s 36 Infantry Division reported that as of today (May 8), around 85 percent of Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS) machines and Compact Flash Cards (CFCs) were already successfully delivered by Board of Election Inspectors (BEIs) and with the assistance of the 36th IB.
According to Col. Gammad, the delivery was also coordinated with the elements of the Provincial PNP in Surigao del Sur.
Gammad also reported that the delivery to different barangays of the 1st district of Surigao del Sur was made with no untoward incidents. These barangays are under the municipalities of San Agustin, San Miguel, Tago, Bayabas, Cagwait, Carrascal, Cantilan, Madrid, Carmen, Lanuza, and the city of Tandag.
The successful delivery of the said machines and CFCs were brought about by the close coordination of the above-mentioned agencies. It was also learned from Col. Gammad that the remaining 15 percent is set to be delivered today. (Robert E. Roperos, PIA-Caraga)
INC endorses Gov. Ace Barbers
BUTUAN CITY (08 May) – The influential religious congregation Iglesia Ni Cristo endorses the candidacy of Governor Robert Ace Barbers of the Nacionalista Party (NP) and Atty. Carlos Egay for Vice-Governor in the province of Surigao del Norte.
Iglesia Ni Cristo, the biggest religious sector that observes bloc voting, is also endorsing Mayor Alfonso Casurra for the Congressional seat in the 2nd District.
Included in the INC-back Board Member line-up is a mix of candidates from two parties: Lakas-CMD and the NP. They are: Leonilo Aldonza, Victor Borja, Fernando Larong, Jessnar Mosende and Myrna Romarate.
Meanwhile, INC also supports Robert Lyndon Barbers and Melva Garcia of NP as City Mayor and Vice-Mayor, respectively.
It can be recalled that early morning on (May 5) they also endorsed the presidential bid of Liberal Party standard bearer Sen. Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III and his runningmate Sen. Mar Roxas for Vice President.
A statement released by INC head Eduardo Manalo said they would be supporting the Aquino-Roxas tandem in the May 10 national and local elections.
The religious group, whose global membership runs up to millions, also came out with a list of senatorial candidates it would be endorsing among its members.Included in the list are Rozzano "Ruffy" Biazon, Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr., Pilar Juliana Cayetano, Miriam Defensor-Santiago, Franklin Drilon, Juan Ponce Enrile, Jinggoy Estrada, Ralph Recto, Vicente "Tito" Sotto III, Manuel "Lito" Lapid, Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., and TG Guingona.
Almost 8,000 voting members of INC have been known to deliver substantial number of votes to candidates for which the church leadership has endorsed. (Michael A. Imbo, PIA-Caraga)
CFCs for Surigao Norte arrive yesterday
SURIGAO DEL NORTE (08 May) – Provincial Election Supervisor Atty. Geraldine Samson confirmed today that the reformatted compact flash cards arrived here yesterday evening at around 11 p.m.
Samson said that the delivered flash cards were already distributed to the mainland municipalities of this province while CFCs for Siargao Island municipalities will be delivered today.
As of press time, Election Officers in Malimono, Tubod, Bacuag, Mainit, Claver, and Gigaquit have already confirmed the receipt of the CFCs in their areas of responsibilities.
Samson said the localities which received the CFCs will conduct the final testing and sealing of the PCOS machines today. Other areas that haven’t received the CFCs will likely have their final testing and sealing tomorrow. (Fryan E. Abkilan, PIA-Surigao del Norte)
PCOS machines for Loreto, Tubajon, Libjo arrive in Dinagat Islands, CFCs not yet
SURIGAO DEL NORTE (08 May) – 13 Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS) machines and its battery packs for the May polls in Loreto, Dinagat Islands have arrived last May 5, Election Officer Helen Daytoc of Loreto said.
Reports revealed that around 21 PCOS machines were also delivered to the municipality of Libjo while 10 PCOS machines were assigned to the municipality of Tubajon.
Daytoc alo said that they are now waiting for the reformatted compact flash cards to arrive later today. (Fryan E. Abkilan, PIA-Surigao del Norte)
