VP BINAY - INFO ON CHEATING CREDIBLE, PEOPLE SHOULD BE VIGILANT

MANILA-Vice President Jejomar C. Binay has reiterated that the information he personally received regarding plans of massive cheating in the 2016 elections is credible. 

"Basta't ang sinasabi ko may report kaming natanggap na kapani-paniwala na may mga naghahanda na mandaya sa darating na halalan. Mas malungkot 'yun dahil sa hindi 'yung kagustuhan ng taong-bayan na bumoto ang mananaig," said Binay Tuesday after the 35th Meeting of the ASEAN Senior Officials on Drug Matters in Makati.

Binay also said the people need to be vigilant in guarding their votes to ensure that such plans do not succeed.

"Makaka-counter natin 'yun. ​U​nang-una 'yung magiging aware tayo. Magiging vigilant tayo. Magkakaisa tayong magbantay. Katulad halimbawa na mabalik 'yung mentalidad ng halalan noong 1986. May mga nag-walkout, [dahil sa] social consciousness, civic spirit," he said.

Binay added that the warnings he received have been consistent.

He also denied that his proclamations of cheating, which he first revealed during the Joint Convention of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP)-Western and Eastern Visayas in Iloilo, was a form of mind conditioning to sway public opinion in case he lost in the upcoming elections.

"Whatever it is, ito naman hindi naman 'to bagong panganak. Nandito palagi sa bawat eleksiyon, lagi-lagi na may pandaraya. Baka ninyo makalimutan​.​ ​S​ana magkaisa tayo na huwag na muling mangyari ang pandaraya lalung-lalo na sa malakihan," Binay said.

Binay also expressed apprehension over the use of the precinct counting optical scan (PCOS) machines over reports that many of the machines are already obsolete and non-functional.

He also urged the release of funds to purchase new machines.

"​D​apat umpisahan na ang paglalagay ng budget baka naman sa bandang huli ilalabas ang budget eh wala na, 'di na magagawa. So, mapipilitan ka na namang kumapit sa patalim, gagamitin mo na naman 'yung mga makinang 'yun​,​" he said.​

He added that while the PCOS machines could be manipulated, the Philippines should not revert to manual counting of votes. 

Instead, the Commission on Elections should acquire machines that have been proven in other countries and are not vulnerable to manipulation.

"Maghanap tayo ng isang pamamaraan, 'yung mga equipment na talagang napatunayan na sa ibang bansa, na talagang malayo na madaya sa halalan," he said.

Legarda Bats for Law Against Catching of Sharks

MANILA-Senator Loren Legarda today called for the swift passage of the proposed measure that would prohibit the catching of sharks in Philippine waters, stressing that the absence of such law could lead to the extinction of shark species.

“Sharks, as predators of the sea, play a vital role in regulating the ecological balance, particularly the health of important commercial fish species, population balance, and protection of coral reefs. As such, our country plays a crucial role in protecting marine species,” said Legarda.

The Senator noted that last month, police authorities in Cebu seized a truck loaded with shark meat headed for a fish ball processor in Lapu-Lapu City. News reports indicated that the truck contained at least 467 kilograms of thresher shark meat.

Legarda said that the absence of a law forbidding the catching of sharks gives people the courage to continue the practice, which could eventually lead to the extinction of shark species in the country.

“Sharks are in danger of becoming extinct if we do not proactively protect them, considering that they reproduce slowly. The decline of their population could also endanger the entire marine ecosystem,” she added.

Legarda has filed Senate Bill No. 536, which declares as illegal the catching, sale, purchase, possession, transportation, importation and exportation of all shark and ray species in the country.