Erap, Binay JPE to attend Garcia’s SOPA

Malacañang yesterday declared the just concluded general registration of voters in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) a success, and lauded the regional government and other groups for the exercise.

Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said the fact that the Commission on Elections, which conducted the 10-day re-registration of ARMM voters that ended on Wednesday, was able to reduce the number of voters from 1.8 million to only 1.2 million is already an accomplishment.

“We commend the individuals and groups that came together and helped ensure the success of the reform initiative, most especially our uniformed personnel who kept the peace during the 10-day period,” he said.

Lacierda said the reduced number of registered voters in ARMM, notoriously known for command votes in past administrations, is already “significant,” as it will “more faithfully represent the democratic principle of one person, one vote.”

“The pursuit of genuine electoral reform in the ARMM binds the Aquino administration and its allies in both houses of Congress,” he added.

Lacierda earlier said the recent spate of bombings in ARMM would not deter the Aquino administration from pursuing reforms in the region.

Former President Joseph Estrada, Vice President Jejomar Binay and Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, the “big three” of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA), will attend the State of the Province Address (SOPA) of Cebu Gov. Gwen Garcia today.

The event, which is expected to gather around 7,000 people, will also be attended by the seven initial senatorial candidates of UNA led by Estrada’s son, Rep. JV Ejercito, his brother Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, and the mayors, vice mayors and other local officials of Cebu. It will be held at the Cebu International Convention Center.

Estrada said their presence in Garcia’s SOPA will show UNA’s “full support” for her senatorial candidacy next year.

Meanwhile, at 7 a.m. today, Binay will engage in a “boodle fight” with the members of the Armed Forces’ Central Command (Centcom) at Camp Lapu-lapu in Barangay Lahug, Cebu City.

At 9:30 a.m., Binay will lead the Alay sa Kawal Foundation in awarding cash assistance to 40 soldiers or families of soldiers killed or injured in action at the Centcom headquarters.

At 10 a.m., Binay will meet with the local government officials and senior citizens of Danao City.