While the Freedom of Information (FoI) bill labors in the House of Representatives and by all indications has its life sucked out by President Aquino’s House allies in the 15th Congress, its counterpart right to reply was brought into existence by a mere resolution from the Commission on Elections (Comelec). 
The Comelec issued Resolution 9615 recently providing “all parties and bona fide candidates shall have the right to reply to charges published or aired against them.”

"I'll pray at the party," one half-naked boy said, his arms and chest covered in still-wet neon paint. His Manila-accented voice is just barely audible over the music, whistles, and random cries of "Pit Senyor!" which means “Call on the Lord.”

It was Sunday, the last and most festive day of the Sinulog festival, one of Cebu's biggest celebrations. The boy and a hundred others made up the slow-moving crowd snaking down Mango Avenue toward Juana Osmeña Street in a strange kind of beer-soaked, paint-smeared pilgrimage to the Baseline Recreation Center. A party was happening there, and apparently, everyone was invited.

MANILA, Philippines - Which one will be named the dominant political party in May?

It’s a toss-up between the ruling Liberal Party (LP) and the opposition United Nationalist Alliance (UNA).

In a resolution, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has asked the 10 major political parties and two major local parties to file a verified petition for accreditation as the dominant majority or minority party.

MANILA, Philippines - Apart from election propaganda on the Internet, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) will also regulate campaign colors for the May polls.

Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes said yesterday that the poll body would monitor television personalities who may be wearing colors that are identified with certain candidates.

There’s nothing wrong with President Aquino or Vice President Jejomar Binay appearing in political ads endorsing, and raising the arms of, candidates for the May 13 elections.

As the country’s two highest officials, Mr. Aquino and Binay are actually exempted from the constitutional ban imposed on public servants against participating in campaigns or endorsing candidates, among other partisan political activities, the Commission on Elections said Wednesday. The exemption also extends to Cabinet secretaries.