Re-electionist Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. was leading in the partial and unofficial tally of votes as of 11:08 p.m. last night, with a lead of almost 90,000 over his rival, Vice Gov. Genaro Alvarez Jr.

For vice governor, former San Carlos Mayor Eugenio Jose Lacson, Alvarez’ running-mate, was leading the race with 7,000 lead over his opponent, 5th District Board Member Melvin Ibañez, Marañon’s running-mate.

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[7100] POOR COMELEC PREP. Inutil ang serbisyo sang COMELEC ilabi na gd sa Precinct #0957A asta 0959A sa area sg BCNHS TACULING AREA. Iyawan kami ka pila kay wala mayo ma plastar ang linyahanay. Ma boto na gid lang ta sang mga kawatan nga opisyales sang pungsod Pilipinas pero kita iya nga nag botar nag penetensya pa kag ga ka late sa aton regular nga mga trabaho. Tani mapa ayo pa gid ang serbisyo sang COMELEC. Para indi man mag antos ang aton mga kasimanwa nga naga botar. Sa na notice sa sini mismo nga skul ang tanan nga mga Presinto wala gid ya ma plastar mayo para indi mag crowded ang mga tawo basta may system lng. Ang ga lista sang number wala nya man na pasunod. Te ang una ulihi pa. Ang ulihi una pa. (0917720...)

[7099] BETTER LUCK NEXT TIME. Congratulations to the winners of the May 13 2013 election, you are expected to perform better in next 3 years. To those who did not get enough votes, better luck time. Accept defeat with grace. Respect the majority decision. Review where you failed. Do not blame others. (09287310950)

The 2013 midterm elections yesterday was generally peaceful, with zero election-related violence, the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Philippine Army said.

This was confirmed last night by Senior Supt. Ricardo de la Paz, officer-in-charge of the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office, and Col. Jon Aying, commander of the 303rd Infrantry Brigade of the Philippine Army.

"The reason why we have a peaceful election (in Negros Occidental) is because the security forces had intensified its checkpoint operations and its visibility patrol on the eve of the election," De la Paz said.

ONE IS CLEARLY GENUINE, THE OTHER FAKE. There has been a hullabaloo of sorts over the supposed release of NPA or New People’s Army statements the past days which needs our enlightenment, having been a journalist of many years, and in the process, becoming sharp when it comes to a determination of the genuineness or fakery of written declaration.

The first statement published in local newspapers, is one purportedly coming from the Leonardo Panaligan Command, Central Negros.

It is clear that the statement is genuine, primarily, because the words used have the earmarks of a thorough analysis. It also talks about the forthcoming election in towns and cities in Negros Oriental province referring to the campaign launched by Congresswoman Josy Limkaichong. There is also a reference to activities of the army units the 302nd Brigade and the 303rd Brigade based in the Negros Oriental side and the Negros Occidental portion of the island.

By today, the May 13 Philippine midterm election will have been held and partial voting results started to be announced on the national and local contests. In the national level, the focus of course is on the Senatorial positions where some 33 candidates competed for 12 positions in the Senate. The two main political groups were the Aquino Administration coalition of 12 candidates from 6 different parties and the UNA coalition identified with the Vice President Binay group. These coalitions of national political groups have happened in past Philippine elections, but for this election the final results remain to be known until the official proclamation of the winning candidates. One interesting historical aspect of these national level coalitions is not only their having been done in past elections, but also their similarity with parliamentary elections in other countries, especially originating mostly in European countries. These parliaments for many times had to work out coalitions among the political parties with winning candidates in order to form a majority in the parliament so that this majority could officially manage the government. This system is, however, different from the coalitions organized by the two main political groups during this Philippine election. The similarities or variations of the results of the May elections with parliamentary governments in other countries will be interesting to see in the coming years.

Clarence Locsin

By Clarence Locsin

I was challenged to divert my attention to column writing after two months that I was off air from media due to a near-fatal stroke last March 7, 2013.

Most of my media colleagues never expected my fast recovery because when I was brought to the Intensive Care Unit, my neurologist suggested that if possible, I be subjected to a major operation due to a mango-sized blood clot.

The neurologist told my family to prepare for this operation but if this operation is undertaken, there is no guarantee that my able body can be restored.

One possible situation might occur: that I will be clinically dead forever. But thanks to Wendy, my wife for insisting that I won’t be subjected to that complicated situation.

When I was at the ICU, no one was aware that I only kept praying to God. I remember then Tita Edith Colmo of NDB, visited and read at my bedside Psalms 23 and I think God miraculously worked for my gradual healing.

s the region, where additional police force is needed.*

 

Sixty-eight defective Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS )

machines were monitored by the Commission on Elections in Negros Occidental during the national and local elections yesterday.

Aside from the defective PCOS machines, four Compact Flash (CF) cards and 64 back-up CF cards also have defects, based on the report of Provincial PCOS supervisor Jose Leo Redoblo last night.

Of the 68 problematic PCOS machines, 14 are in San Carlos City, eight in Calatrava and seven each in Ilog and Silay. There are three defective PCOS machines each in Escalante, E.B. Magalona and Cauayan; two each in Don Salvador Benedicto, Toboso, Isabela, and Himamaylan City; and one each in Manapla, Sagay City, Talisay, Victorias, Pulupandan, San Enrique, Hinigaran, La Castellana, and Candoni.

As of 10 pm last night, partial unofficial election results in Bacolod City as reported by RMN DYHB Radyo Agong showed 4 candidates for the House of Representatives - Lone district: LEONARDIA, BING (NPC) -65,679; GOLEZ, ANTHONY ROLANDO (independent)- 41,436; CAÑA, LYNDON (independent) - 25,288; PALMA, ELYSERGIO (independent)- 281.

machine at around 3:45 p.m. yesterday at Precinct 77 of Bgy. 38 in ETCS III. Assisting him is BEI member Jesusa Mejias while his wife Elsa and daughter Kara are looking on.*

For mayor, 2 candidates: PUENTEVELLA, MONICO (independent/MKK)- 73,121; and SAYSON, THADDY (NPC/GP)- 63,313.

For vice mayor, 3 candidates: GASATAYA, GREG (GP/NPC) - 47,515; GONZALEZ, VLADI (independent/MKK) - 41,703; NOVERO, Renecito (independent/Magnificent 7)- 38,888; and ALAMA, JOHRAM (independent) -755.

For members of Sangguniang Panlungsod: FAMILIARAN, ELCID (LP/Magnificent 7)- 68,295;BATAPA-SIGUE, JOCELLE (MKK-LP)- 63,601; ROJAS, BOBBY (GP/NPC) - 60,515; ANG, EM (GP/NPC) - 60,260; LOPEZ, CARL (PN/NPC) - 59,100; PUENTEVELLA, KALAW (PDP-Laban/MKK) -57,167; DISTRITO, CAESAR (NP/NPC)- 53,828;

Casting his Vote. Monico O. Puentevella shades up an election ballot at precinct 1096A.*(Photo by Paul C. H.)

Of Abbeys and Monasteries...
BENEDICTINE ABBEY OF ST. HILDEGARD OF BINGEN

By Ritzy R. Malo-oy

Hesse, Germany - Being schooled by Benedictine sisters for four years have made me curious and interested at the same time of the place they call abbey, where they are exactly staying, what they do in there and why they do such things.

I definitely will not leave Eberbach Monastery without a picture from their ‘spring bloomed’ garden.*

One weekend, my host brought me to the Benedictine Abbey of St. Hildegard at Ridesheim and Eberbach Monastery.

Ridesheim is a winemaking town in the Rhine Gorge and thereby part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. It lies in the Rheingau-Taunus-Kreis district in the Regierungsbezirk of Darmstadt in Hesse, Germany.