A new Philippine political map emerges

The outcome of the 2010 elections will probably redraw the Philippine political map. Based on voting trends derived from partial election returns, Benigno “Noynoy" Aquino III is the probable winner in the presidential race and leads in twelve regions: ARMM, CAR, Caraga, Central Luzon, Southern Tagalog, Mimaropa, NCR, Bicol, Eastern Visayas, Central Visayas, Western Visayas, and Western Mindanao. Probable runner-up Joseph “Erap" Estrada leads in four regions: Cagayan Valley, Northern Mindanao, Southern Mindanao and Central Mindanao. Manuel “Manny" Villar Jr. holds a slight margin over Aquino in the Ilocos region. In the vice-presidential race, Jejomar “Jojo" Binay leads in twelve regions too, but often more precariously: ARMM, Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Southern Tagalog, NCR, Bicol, Eastern Visayas, Western Mindanao, Northern Mindanao, Southern Mindanao and Central Mindanao. Manuel “Mar" Roxas II leads in five regions: CAR, Caraga, Mimaropa, Western Visayas, and Central Visayas. Since these estimates were done with only 27% of the ERs consolidated from partial unofficial results, the Binay-Roxas vice-presidential contest remains open-ended in many regions, and of course nationally as well. This contest will surely spice up the drama of the 2010 elections.—JV/HS, GMANews.TV