TWG warns poll body vs fake ballots, sabotage By Ninez Cacho-Olivares Editor-in-chief 02/25/2010

Comelec without safeguards, anti-fraud firm tapped enjoys support of election syndicate TWG warns poll body vs fake ballots, sabotage By Ninez Cacho-Olivares Editor-in-chief 02/25/2010 The 2010 presidential elections in May will likely be marred by massive electoral cheating, a warning that has been earlier aired by the poll body’s Technical Working Group (TWG), in a report to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) en banc. The anti-fraud company that is supposed to embed through advanced technological and electronic devices which will consist of the safeguards to prevent the use of fake ballots, the BTI Advantage Inc. (BTIE) which has reportedly been favored by the Comelec was pointed to by the TWG to the poll body as “enjoying the support of the powerful (cheating) syndicate in the Comelec.” The BTIE, according to the same report which was updated on Feb. 3, 2010, “was able to block the notice of award for mysterious reasons” and because it is only Smartmatic and the National Printing Office (NPO) that have their own “safeguards,” and with Comelec having none at all, “Comelec is totally ‘naked’ now.”... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune ALTERNATE URL: http://www.classicposters.com/headlines/20100225hed1.html

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As opaque as the black ballot box EDITORIAL 02/25/2010

As opaque as the black ballot box EDITORIAL Click to enlarge 02/25/2010 First it was a sturdy yellow ballot box with a small glass opening that was used in past elections. Later, with the advent of automated polls, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) claimed that the old yellow ballot boxes will be replaced by new transparent plastic ballot boxes. The reason given then by the Comelec was that ballots being placed inside the box would be seen by all. Just the other day, the Comelec showed media a new black ballot box, saying that management had decided to make a switch at the last minute.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune ALTERNATE URL: http://www.classicposters.com/commentary20100225com1.html

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL As opaque as the black ballot box FRONTLINE On political endorsements FEATURE Shhh! Indians told to keep it down BLURBAL THRUSTS Liwasang Bonifacio still one big illegal passenger terminal VIEWPOINTS A dysfunctional justice system focus Public housing scales new heights in Singapore FEATURE Hong Kong ‘love hotel’ to become Bruce Lee memorial

On political endorsements FRONTLINE Ninez Cacho-Olivares 02/25/2010

On political endorsements FRONTLINE Ninez Cacho-Olivares 02/25/2010 In this country, whenever election time comes around, politicians of all stripes appear to bank on so-called celebrities, as well as political leaders for their political endorsements. But do they work, in the sense of their endorsements being translated into votes for the endorsed candidate? This is very much in doubt. Celebrities are of help to the politicians, however, in drawing crowds to political rallies, as it cannot be doubted that crowds — especially the masses — do come around to attend rallies, not necessarily to see and hear the politicians, but to see the stars at these rallies perform. But again the question is asked: Does their presence at the rallies and their open endorsements of the politicians they claim to support — or are paid to openly support — translate to votes for their endorsed politicians?... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune ALTERNATE URL: http://www.classicposters.com/commentary/20100225com2.html

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL As opaque as the black ballot box FRONTLINE On political endorsements FEATURE Shhh! Indians told to keep it down BLURBAL THRUSTS Liwasang Bonifacio still one big illegal passenger terminal VIEWPOINTS A dysfunctional justice system focus Public housing scales new heights in Singapore FEATURE Hong Kong ‘love hotel’ to become Bruce Lee memorial

Shhh! Indians told to keep it down FEATURE 02/25/2010

Shhh! Indians told to keep it down FEATURE 02/25/2010 NEW DELHI — By and large, Indians embrace noise. Their festivals are a riot of color and sound, weddings an exercise in high-decibel exuberance and house parties an extreme test of neighborly tolerance. But now things have reached such a pitch that the government has decided to step in, beefing up decade-old noise pollution regulations to keep the volume dial turned down. “Stress has been laid on making the night peaceful,” the Environment ministry said last month as it published a set of guidelines specifying when violations should be considered serious enough to merit police action.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune ALTERNATE URL: http://www.classicposters.com/commentary/20100225com3.html

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL As opaque as the black ballot box FRONTLINE On political endorsements FEATURE Shhh! Indians told to keep it down BLURBAL THRUSTS Liwasang Bonifacio still one big illegal passenger terminal VIEWPOINTS A dysfunctional justice system focus Public housing scales new heights in Singapore FEATURE Hong Kong ‘love hotel’ to become Bruce Lee memorial