MANILA, Philippines - The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has deputized the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC), the Commission on Audit (COA), and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to assist poll officials in monitoring candidates' compliance with the country's campaign finance laws, according to a new resolution issued on Wednesday, January 16.

MANILA, Philippines - There is no more rule against early campaigning, so Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman Sixto Brillantes sees nothing wrong with President Aquino’s provincial tour accompanied by candidates of the ruling Liberal Party (LP).

MANILA, Jan 16, 2013 (AFP) - The Philippines is set to regulate Internet advertising in May mid-term polls as part of an effort to rein in campaign spending, an election official said Wednesday.

As part of the regulation, candidates for the upcoming elections will be limited to three days of online adverts per week, Commission on Elections spokesman James Jimenez said.

Experts reacting to Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr.’s response to The Manila Times banner story on Friday, January 11 “Smartmatic and Comelec collusion bared”—insist
that the way the poll body rejected bidders and ended up awarding the contract to Smartmatic was illegal and indicated collusion.

On Dec 12, 2012, the House of Representatives voted on HB 4244 (An Act Providing for a Comprehensive Policy on Responsible Parenthood, Reproductive Health and Population and Development).

The draft bill advanced to the second reading by a very slim margin of 113 “ayes” to 104 “nayes.” Three solons abstained and 62 others did not cast their votes. The week after, the draft bill passed on 3rd reading, with an improvement in the margin: 133 “ayes” to79 “nayes.” A good number of solons remained on the fence, either opting to abstain or choosing not to cast their votes.