MANILA, Philippines -- Almost 70% of district representatives, enjoying the advantage of incumbency, are seeking re-election, thus leaving not much space for newcomers in the 16th Congress next year.

Data from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) show that 159 out of the current 229 district representatives will be running for the same post. They are among the total 653 aspirants who filed their certificates of candidacy for congressman in 2013.

MANILA, Philippines – Efficient online databases, I have to admit, present to journalists like us (or maybe just any snoopy individual) a temptation. We turn them into some sort of toys.

What information will yield? Who will we see? What will we find out? Whether we stumble upon some investigative lead or little details that we bring to the lunch table (we have a slightly different definition of “light” talk, okay?), the thought of having so many information at our fingertips just makes us giddy.

MANILA, Philippines – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Wednesday, October 31, held the last day of registration of voters for the 2013 elections.

Thousands of Filipinos rushed to their respective local Comelec offices to register. At the Comelec local office in Arroceros, Manila, tensions rose as the Comelec announced the closing of voters' registration at 5 pm, with many of them failing to meet the cut-off.

MANILA, Philippines - For those who will beat the deadline for application for voter registration on October 31, don't wait until the very last few office hours.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has promulgated Resolution 9149, which specifies the following guidelines to be observed on the last day of voter registration:

A total vote of 168 for and zero against, the bill granting state subsidy to national political parties and to set limits on voluntary contribution that they may receive from donors was approved by member of the House of Representatives.