MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - President Benigno S. Aquino III challenged today the new leadership of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to ensure the holding of orderly and credible midterm elections in May.
Aquino made the statement as he witnessed the change of command of the military from General Jessie Dellosa who will retire next week to Lieutenant General Emmanuel Bautista, the 44th AFP chief of staff.

SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, Philippines – Some 240,000 teachers nationwide want an increase in poll duty pay from P4,000 to P6,000 when they are fielded in the May elections.
In a telephone interview, Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) Rep. Antonio Tinio said the funds could be derived from the savings of the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

MANILA, Philippines - The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has urged police and military personnel to observe the rules in implementing checkpoints and gun control for the upcoming May polls.
Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes said that passengers of public utility vehicles need not get off during inspections while doors and compartments of private cars should not be opened.

MANILA, Philippines - Leaders of the House of Representatives and the Senate will meet this weekend to agree on a list of pending bills to be prioritized for approval during the remaining nine session days before the 15th Congress goes on a break for the campaign period.

MANILA, Philippines --- The Commission on Elections (Comelec) should pay in advance the full payment of teachers who will man the May 2013 mid-term national and local elections, a senator said yesterday.

“The Comelec wants a fair and honest elections but fairness should also be accorded to our teachers by paying them in full ahead of the May political exercise,” said Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr.