as of April 22, 1998

ROCO RISES TO 2^ND IN SURVEY

Sen. Raul S. Roco, presidential candidate of the Aksyon Demokratiko, surprsingly rose to No. 2 in Metro manila in the latest Social Weather Station (SWS) survey advance report on the presidential preferences. Roco obtained a preference rating of an incredible 25. 3 percent. By gaining ascendancy in Metro Manila, Roco has become a major contender in the presidential race. Alfredo S. Lim of the Liberal Party slid to 15 percentage points to place No. 4 in his own bailiwick . The National Capital Region (NCR) has the largest number of voters, or 15. 4 percent of the total voters nationwide. According to the SWS report, Joseph Estrada advanced to first place in Metro manila, considered an opposition bailiwick, with 33. 3 percent . Jose de Venecia of the LAKAS-NUCD increased his rating to third place with 17 percent.

The rest of the candidates lagged behind in Metro Manila. Thus de Villa got 6.2 %, Lito Osmeña 3.1%, Miriam Santiago 2.8%, Imelda Marcos 1.1%, Juan Ponce Enrile 0.6%, Manuel Morato 0.2%, Santi Dumlao 0.0% and the undecided 5.3%.
                                                                                      Manila Bulletin

The National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel) is seriously considering a proposal for political parties to donate P100,000 each to the poll watchdog as their contribution to ensure clean and honest elections in May. Former Commission on Elections Chair Christian Monsod, representating the Liberal Party, made the suggestion during a meeting held by Namfrel last Monday with opposition parties.
                                                                                      The Manila Times

JURISDICTION ON LIM’S CASE DIVIDES COMELEC OFFICIALS

The Commission on Elections is divided over the question of whether the poll body has jurisdiction over a disqualification case filed against Liberal Party standard-bearer Alfredo Lim arising from his allegedly questionable citizenship. Commisioner Amado Calderon, amemeber of the poll body’s second dividion that is hearing the case, told reporters that officials are split on the matter and that "he wanted to further study" the case. But he gave the assurance that Comelec would come up with a decision in "one or two days."
                                                                                      The Manila Times

Was Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile merely bragging when he said he had evidence that could link Speaker Jose de Venecia to the PEA-Amari land contreversy? Or was the senator part of the cover up? Senators Sergio Osmeña III (LP) and Francisco Tatad (PRP-Gabay Bayan) yesterday dared Enrile to come out with everything he knows about the deal. Enrile, who led a high-profile Senate probe of the PEA-Amari deal, earlier told THE TIMES that he had a letter that detailed the Speaker’s alleged involvement in the controversy. But de Venecia brushed aside Enrile’s threat to make the letter public.
                                                                                      The Manila Times

Earlier, Enrile issued the statement to halt De Venecia’s camp from rumor-mongering that he will slide down from the race and join the administration party.

LAMMP unveiled yesterday an elaborate antifraud operation based at Byron Hotel in Mandaluyong City, but the man in charge of it ended up defending his group against allegations by the administration party that it was in fact a cheating operation. At a news conference, former local government’s Undersecretaty Ronaldo Puno clarified there were "no covert operations" – as Lakas alleged – being conducted by LAMMP to cheat in the May 11 polls.                                                                                                                                                                                      TODAY

The Commision on Elections and concerned parties have only four days staring today to purge the voters’ registration records (VRRs) of illegal registrants before the Book of Voters closes on Saturday. Comelec Chairman Bernardo pardo said yesterday that after the ceremonial closing of the Book of Voters, no one can tinker with the book, which will be opened on May 11.
                                                                                                     TODAY

Speaker Jose de Venecia and Senate President Neptali Gonzales have stressed the need for a massive information campaign to enable the people to understand the party-list system. Legislators representing various parties urged Comelec to "intensify its information drive on the party-list system as the latest innovation in the coming May 11 polls.
                                                                                     Manila Bulletin

The influential Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) questioned yesterday the decision of the National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel) to exclude the administration Lakas-NUCD from the newly-formed alliance against electoral fraud. "We are very confused and puzzled on what Namfrel has done. While we respect their decision, it also sends a message that they may be partisan, unfair and discriminating and that Lakas will automatically commit fraud,: CBCP Spokesperson Msgr. Pepe Quitorio said. President Ramos did not hide his irritation yesterday when asked to comment on the alliance which was supposedly aimed to counter feared administration plots to rig the May 11 polls in favor of Lakas presidential bet Jose de Venecia and other ruling party candidates.
                                                                                     The Philippine Star