Eleven more days before Filipinos in the Philippines cast their ballots and already, there are increasingly frequent reports about "deactivated names." The COMELEC has admitted that close to 10.5 million registered voters have been dropped for various reasons, the more common of which is that the voter didn't vote in previous elections. [Read: https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1171115]

Not true, says PF contributor Bella Bonner whose name is missing. On her Facebook page, she posted: "And so I find out after months of campaigning and rah rah-ing my favored candidates that I will be unable to vote. I was DEACTIVATED! Huh?! I voted in the last election. I double checked with Comelec a couple of years ago and they said I was good to go. Well apparently to hell! What happened here???"

As former COMELEC chair and now PF contributing writer Andres D. Bautista urges in his article this week: "...check the precinct finder feature of the Comelec website (voterverifier.comelec.gov.ph/voter precinct) or call Comelec’s IT Department at 8526-7769 or 8527-9365 before Election day." Better yet, DO IT NOW, way before May 9, so there's time to rectify the problem. In "Voter Beware," Bautista issues very strong warnings on possible anomalies that voters should watch out for. Please read his article and pass it on.

And to help you in planning your voting activity, here's a comprehensive cheat sheet that guides you through the process and helps you make decisions:

https://candidata.ph/?fbclid=IwAR2msVFtnLAjlANLSyBmm-MvTOs7qzHiXCkekWziTWFuIyrkyVVaWEem--Q

In the US where ballots have already been mailed out (if you're a registered voter and you haven't received your ballot yet, contact your nearest Consulate), be aware that the return envelope only has two stamps. You need to ADD ANOTHER STAMP (one Forever stamp should do it) to ensure that your ballot is delivered back to your Consulate.

Little items that might spell the difference in a hotly elected election like this one. So let's spread the word to all Filipino voters we know, to be vigilant and to make sure they can vote.

P.S. Don't forget to join us on May 4 for our webinar: Hate and "No Dogs"

This Week’s Stories

Voter Beware By Andres D. Bautista

A Birthday Party For The Ages By Ma-an Hontiveros

Chel Diokno: Like Father, Like Son By Quintin Enrico Cepeda

Remembrance Of Crispy Pork Bellies Past By Miguel Carrion

How Tommy Tomás Of ‘Mr. Mayor’ Became Filipino By Anthony Maddela

[Recipe of the Week] The Happy Home Cook: Lechon Kawali By Miguel Carrion

[Video of the Week] Modern Tinikling

Philippine Elections 2022

The endgame: Rivals ramp up attacks as Robredo rides pink wave to May 9
https://www.rappler.com/nation/elections/endgame-rivals-amp-up-attacks-as-robredo-rides-pink-wave-to-may-9/?fbclid=IwAR2GVxkSFLI02DRgVYyAqvq4qIzoWgPfc5mIXpEkipi-pw8T7n3syK1Bo2M

Washington Post journalist details social media attacks after report exposing Marcos ‘online revisionism project’ goes live
https://ph.news.yahoo.com/washington-post-journalist-details-social-084555712.html

NBI: Ex-employee of Smartmatic admitted ‘deal’ in systems breach
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1584815/nbi-ex-employee-of-smartmatic-admitted-deal-in-security-breach?fbclid=IwAR2EZj2immeCf6JsmgqesiyJTts20aERTzXtdZ2qqP4LkhX_lZzwl1ulSm0

[ANALYSIS] The race to May 9: Can Robredo do a Binay?
https://www.rappler.com/voices/thought-leaders/analysis-can-robredo-do-binay-come-behind-victory-race-may-9-2022/

‘Hindi solid ang north’: Pacquiao braves Marcos country Ilocos Norte
https://www.rappler.com/nation/elections/pacquiao-braves-marcos-country-ilocos-norte/?fbclid=IwAR2yoeNyTb5j6rhCInuU1xK7-OGiWHNQNesNZb5uzAW-p8arlkgGzsF2ez4

Philippine election: Can Leni Robredo’s ‘pink wave’ reverse the Bongbong Marcos tide?
https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3174148/philippine-election-robredo-fans-surf-pink-wave-will-tide-ebb

Leni's list final: No more additions, subtractions from Robredo senatorial slate
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2022/03/20/2168628/lenis-list-final-no-more-additions-subtractions-robredo-senatorial-slate/amp

Marcos Jr. as a lottery ticket
https://inqm.news/xgwv

[The Slingshot] The son sinned as the father
https://www.rappler.com/voices/thought-leaders/opinion-slingshot-son-sinned-as-father/?fbclid=IwAR1A7o-55t8y_RRQ12T0uIMNhVUAcZX2JaIDsk1hsgJDX5T3h7ZksbrExX4