38 Days to E-Day: TU pooh-poohs surveys but...

The Team Unity on Friday pooh-poohed recent poll surveys that showed the administration candidates lagging behind the Genuine Opposition bets in the top 12 rankings, saying majority of the electorate will eventually vote for those who work for the economy. TU spokesman and Tourism Secretary Joseph Ace Durano, however, saw something encouraging from the surveys. "Based on the most recent Pulse Asia survey, a majority of the voters, when asked what are the attributes that they look for in a candidate or in a ticket, they cited, the top four reasons they cite were all economics," Durano said in a statement. He said this means that the TU bets are on the right track because the focus of their sulong-pulong dialogue with the people is on the economy rather than gutter politics. "[The agenda on the economy] is exactly what's being espoused by the TEAM Unity senatorial bets -- and thus suggests that voters will likely support administration candidates," he added. Durano said TU bets have a solution to the economic woes. 'No plate, no travel' policy vs poll violence In a bid to prevent poll-related violence leading to the May 14 elections, police in Western Visayas have started implementing an "intensified" no-plate, no-travel policy in the region. Sun-Star Iloilo (www.sunstar.com.ph) reported Friday that the proactive measure aims to prevent criminals from using unmarked vehicles to hide their identities. Western Visayas police regional director Chief Superintendent Wilfredo Dulay said criminal activities are expected to increase in coming weeks due to partisan politics and other motivations. Dulay said he directed all police units under his command to arrest drivers whose vehicles have expired conduction sticker, fake plates, illegally transpired plates and unauthorized/expired commemorative plates. "PNP units conducting checkpoint/chokepoint operations were directed to give special attention to cars without plates for these might be carrying criminal elements and partisan armed groups," he added. Also covered by the policy are persons using government vehicles without license plates or privately owned vehicles of government officials without plates. Dulay asked the public as well to support the campaign by reporting to the nearest police station the presence of unmarked or vehicles without plates in their areas. In areas where telephone lines are available, he urged the public to dial the PNP Hotline 117 or 116 to report any suspicious elements present in their area. Village execs in charge of 'Oplan Kiskis Kaskas' vs poll posters With campaign materials plastered left and right in spite of state regulations, the Interior Department in Western Visayas reminded village officials that it was their job to control the situation. Sun-Star Iloilo reported Friday that the legal office of the DILG in Western Visayas warned village officials of sanctions if they do not take action against the culprits. DILG lawyer Ferdinand Panes said village officials are equally liable and may face administrative charges if posters and materials in non-designated areas continue to proliferate. Panes admitted an "immense problem" with the campaign materials, even as he questioned village officials for remaining "silent and unmoving." He added that the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and the DILG main office had already sent memoranda and guidelines for the strict implementation of the ban on posters and streamers of all candidates found in non-designated areas. The city and provincial Comelec offices had assured they have designated personnel for the implementation of the "Operation Kiskis Kaskas" (Operation Sanding and Scraping). Assistant city election officer Jonathan Sayno said monitoring teams have been deployed to determine compliance with the Comelec directive. The Comelec said its job is to call the attention of candidates violating the provisions on common poster areas before it files appropriate case before the court. - GMANews.TV