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Destination: Bohol |
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The sprawling property inside the Q Park in Cebu beckons history aficionados to take a look at the achievements of the Philippines’ great men and women. The structure, a project of industrialist Norberto Quisumbing, features 80 life-size frames and brief stories of the country’s heroes. Read more about it on page 2
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The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has accredited a total of 219 international observers from 12 countries and seven foreign groups to monitor the mid-term elections held last May 14. According to the Comelec, the US Embassy sent the highest number with 86 observers, while the Japanese Embassy sent 26, the British Embassy sent 11 and the Canadian Embassy sent 10. Observers from the embassies of Australia, Finland, France, Germany, New Zealand, Singapore, Spain (who sent a senator) and Sweden, and the international organizations The Asia Foundation, ACF Compact, the European Commission, Friedrich Naumann, USAID Philippines, National Democratic Institute and the International Foundation for Election Systems have also been accredited by the Comelec.
What the observers can and cannot do were outlined in Comelec Resolution No. 7802, promulgated last January 11. Before the election day, duly accredited foreign observers can request any official of the government, representatives of registered political parties, organization or coalitions, candidates or their representatives, representatives of media, private firms or organizations, any political party or candidate for interview or briefing on the coming electoral exercise. They can also observe the continuing registration and validation of voters and other election preparation activities at the offices of the election officers. On election day, they can observe the conduct of elections in any locality, interview voters, political leaders and other individuals outside the polling place and document
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