MY ANOINTMENT, NOT SURVEYS WILL WIN POLLS – FVR

President Ramos believes it is his endorsement and not the surveys which will determine the country’s next chief executive will be. The President said his unwavering support for his anointed one will spell the biggest difference in the elections. "People often overlook that. It cannot be quantified but it will influence the outcome of the polls," he said in an interview. (The Philippine Star)

NAMFREL EXEC SLAIN; POLL DEATH TOLL NOW 24

An Iman, who served as the municipal chair of the National Citizens’ movement for Free Elections in Maguindanao, was shot dead yesterday. Abdul Haq Malabarag was the first casualty among Namfrel’s 250,000 volunteers nationwide. His death has so alarmed Namfrel chair Jose Concepcion Jr. who said he would ask the Comelec to place under its control the town of Datu Piang, where Malabarag had served. The death brought to at least 24 number of election-related fatalities since the start of the campaign, according to the Commission on Elections. (Philippine Daily Inquirer)

IGLESIA TO GO FOR ERAP, GLORIA

It’s an Erap-Gloria tandem for the Iglesia ni Cristo. In a circular to be read today and tomorrow by INC ministers in worship services nationwide, INC executive minister Eraño G. Manalo is also endorsing a senatorial lineup composed of seven candidates from the opposition Laban ng Malayang Masang Pilipino and five from the administration Lakas-NUCD. (Philippine Daily Inquirer)