MANILA: The Supreme Court (SC) has junked a petition to stop the Commission on Elections (Comelec) from using the automated election system (AES) due to glitches in the polls last May. The high court dismissed the petition for injunction filed by lawyer Manuelito Luna to compel the Comelec to instead use the Direct Recording Electronic (DRE) election system. “The petition on its face is substantially deficient and must be dismissed outright,” the SC said. The SC said the petitioner failed to substantiate his allegations that the Comelec was performing a ministerial function – a key element in mandamus petitions.
Prisoners take officer hostage
KIDAPAWAN CITY: Inmates, complaining of limited food, maltreatment, and alleged sexual advances by guards on their female visitors reportedly held hostage a senior jail officer of the North Cotabato Provincial Jail for three hours yesterday morning. The inmates released Jail Officer 3 Samuel Sunico after a representative from the office of North Cotabato Gov Emmylou Taliño-Mendoza reportedly promised to look into their grievances.
Move to stop aid allocation
MANILA: The Senate majority bloc will adopt a resolution next week to cease availing, accessing and utilising their funds until stricter guidelines are implemented, Senate President Franklin Drilon said yesterday. He said the resolution is a collective decision. Several groups have been calling on lawmakers to abolish the use of the Priority Development Assistance Fund.
The Philippine Star
