The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) started the resume of voter’s registration last May 3, 2011. This is to allow more Filipinos to participate in the 2013 elections. It also includes the validation of registration records for all those qualified to vote.
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Legality of the automation of next year’s elections was upheld yesterday by the Supreme Court as they ruled that the automation deal was properly documented and that the petition of the Concerned Citizens Movement had no factual basis. SC said, COMELEC and Smartmatic Corp.-Total Information Management Inc. did not violate Republic Act 9369, commonly known as the Poll Automation Law. They also added that the law’s requirement for the Comelec to automate in at least 12 areas was not a prerequisite for the automation of next year’s elections. Chief Justice Reynato Puno concurred with the majority decision together with 9 other justices Consuelo Ynares-Santiago, Renato Corona, Minita Chico-Nazario, Antonio Eduardo Nachura, Teresita Leonardo-de Castro, Diosdado Peralta, Lucas Bersamin, Mariano del Castillo, and Roberto Abad.

Boots Cadsawan, chairman of the FPJPM ( Filipinos for Freedom Justice and Progress Movement ) confirmed yesterday that FPJ’s daughter Mary Grace Poe-Llamanzares, will run for a Senatorial slate in the upcoming 2010 elections. According to Cadsawan,the confirmation was made yesterday at the Fernandina Media Forum at Club Filipino in San Juan, Greenhills. Mary Grace is a graduate of Assumption College who actively took part in the campaign of his father in 2004. But as of now, she has yet to decide as to what political party she will join to launch her campaign for her senatorial bid. FPJPM, On the other hand, has yet to announce their choice of presidential timber for next year’s election since they are still in the process of consultation with their officials from the different regions of the country.

Freedom, Peace and Justice Movement or FPJM would mobilize nationwide support for the candidacy of Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III to the 2010 elections. The group also supported the candidacy of the late Fernando Poe Jr. in 2004. According to Manny Portes, FPJM Chairman, they believed that Senator Noynoy is the most qualified to become president and lead the nation from the depths of corruption, chaos and poverty. Calls for Noynoy to run for president mounted after his mother’s funeral which was attended by hundreds of thousands. And just recently, Senator Mar Roxas announced his support to Noynoy as he stepped down from running as president.

Bro. Eddie Villanueva of the Jesus is Lord Movement announced yesterday that he will continue to run in the 2010 presidential elections. He said that he made the announcement as he wants to continue the vision of the Bangon Pilipinas Party. That means he is the latest addition for the Presidential aspirants for the 2010 polls. It was recalled that in 2004, Bro Eddie aspired to be the next President but unfortunately, he did not make it. Villanueva also added that Bangon Pilipinas respects the decision of Senator Mar Roxas to give way to his fellow Liberal to take on the torch of the Party’s leadership for the 2010 elections. But the party’s move does not influence Bangon Pilipinas’ own plans.

Presidential aspirants Governors Ed Panlilio of Pampanga and Grace Padaca of Isabela have decided to withdraw from the May elections and support Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III on its aim to a higher position in the 2010 elections. This was after Sen. Mar Roxas, decided to step aside in favor of Aquino, who has gone on a spiritual retreat to seek “divine guidance” and ponder his next move. Panlilio and Padaca are scheduled to formally announce their support for Aquino at Club Filipino on Friday, joining them is Naga City Mayor Jesse Robredo of the Liberal Party. This move aims to unify the opposition to have only one standard bearer for the 2010 Presidentiable race.