Chavez says he'll accept result of Venezuela vote

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — President Hugo Chavez's crusade to transform Venezuela into a socialist state, which has bitterly divided the nation, was put to the stiffest electoral test of his nearly 14 years in power on Sunday in a closely fought presidential election. Both camps said turnout was high, with millions of Venezuelans casting ballots. Long lines formed at many polling centers, with queues of hundreds of voters snaking along sidewalks and around blocks in many parts of Caracas. Chavez's challenger, Henrique Capriles, has united the opposition in a contest between two sides that distrust each other so deeply there were concerns whether a close election result would be respected. "We will recognize the results, whatever they are," Chavez told reporters after casting his vote in Caracas. Chavez was greeted at the polling center by American actor Danny Glover and Guatemalan Nobel Peace Prize laureate Rigoberta Menchu. He said he was pleased to see a "massive turnout." The stakes couldn't be higher. If Chavez wins a new six-year term, he gets a free hand to push for an even bigger state role in the economy, further limit dissent and continue to befriend rivals of the United States. With a Capriles win, an abrupt foreign policy shift can be expected, including halting preferential oil deals with allies such as Cuba, along with a loosening of state economic controls and an increase in private investment. A tense transition would likely follow until the January inauguration because Chavez's political machine thoroughly controls the wheels of government. Some Venezuelans were nervous about what might happen if disputes erupt over the election's announced outcome. "There's a little anxiety on one side and also on the other," said Deyanira Duarte, a housewife who voted for Capriles in downtown Caracas. She said she was worried about what could happen if there were a dispute. Others said they were simply pleased to be out backing their candidate. Carlos Julio Silva, a bodyguard employed by a private security company, said whatever his faults, Chavez deserves re-election for helping people with programs including free medical care and public housing. "There is corruption, there's plenty of bureaucracy, but the people have never had a leader who cared about this country," Silva said after voting for Chavez at a school in the Caracas slum of Petare. "That's why the people are going to re-elect Hugo Rafael Chavez Frias." Chavez's critics say the president has inflamed divisions by labeling his opponents "fascists," ''Yankees" and "neo-Nazis," while Chavez backers allege Capriles would halt generous government programs that assist the poor. During Chavez's final rally Thursday in Caracas, he shouted to the crowd: "We're going to give the bourgeoisie a beating!" Reveille blared from sound trucks around the capital to awaken voters on Sunday morning, and the bugle call was later replaced by folk music mixed with a recording of Chavez's voice saying "those who love the homeland come with me." At many polling places, voters started lining up hours before polls opened at dawn. "I'm really tired of all this polarization," said Lissette Garcia, a 39-year-old clothes seller and Capriles supporter who voted Sunday in the affluent Caracas district of Las Mercedes. "I want to reconnect with all my friends who are 'Chavistas.'" Some said they waited in line for more than four hours to vote, while in other areas the lines moved more quickly. Violence flared sporadically during the campaign, including shootings and rock-throwing during rallies and political caravans. Two Capriles supporters were shot to death in the western state of Barinas last weekend. Troops were dispatched across Venezuela to guard thousands of voting centers Sunday. Defense Minister Henry Rangel Silva said as he voted that all had been calm in the morning and he hoped that would continue. He said if any groups try to "disturb order, they should know there is an armed force prepared and equipped and trained... to put down any attempt at disturbances." He didn't identify the groups to which he was referring. Chavez held an impromptu news conference Saturday night, and when asked about the possibility of disputes over the vote, he said he expected both sides to accept the result. He says he has successfully emerged from about a year of cancer treatment. "It's a mature, democratic country where the institutions work, where we have one of the best electoral systems in the world," Chavez told reporters at the presidential palace. But he also said he hoped no one would try to use the vote to play a "destabilizing game." If they do, he said, "we'll be alert to neutralize them." His opponents mounted a noisy protest in Caracas and other major cities on Saturday night, beating pots and pans from the windows of their homes to show displeasure with Chavez — and also their hopes for change. Drivers on downtown streets honked horns, joining the din. The 40-year-old Capriles, a wiry former governor affectionately called "Skinny" by supporters, has infused the opposition with new optimism, and opinion polls pointed to him giving Chavez his closest election. Some recent polls showed Chavez with a lead of about 10 percentage points, while others put the two candidates about even. "Chavez is going to fight until his last breath. He doesn't know how to do anything else," said Antonio Padron, a bank employee backing the president. Padron expressed optimism that the 58-year-old Chavez would win, noting the leader has survived a fight with cancer that has included surgery, chemotherapy and radiation treatment. But Padron predicted a close finish: "It's a tough fight. The opposition has never been this strong." Chavez won the last presidential vote in 2006 with 63 percent of the vote. A former army paratroop commander first elected in 1999, Chavez has presided over an oil boom and has spent billions of dollars on government social programs ranging from cash benefits for single mothers to free education. But he has suffered declining support due to one of the world's highest murder rates, 18 percent inflation, a deteriorating electrical grid and a bloated government accused of endemic corruption and mismanagement. While his support has slipped at home, Chavez has also seen his international influence ebb since he emerged in the mid-2000s as leader of a like-minded club of newly elected Latin American leftist presidents. "I want to tell President Chavez, I want to tell him his cycle is over," Capriles said at his final campaign rally Thursday. Capriles says Chavez has stirred up hatred, hobbled the economy by expropriating private businesses and squandered oil wealth. He criticized Chavez's preferential deals supplying oil to allies, including one that lets Cuba pay with the services of Cuban doctors. "We aren't going to finance the political model that exists in Cuba," Capriles said in a TV interview last week. "But we aren't going to break off relations with Cuba." Chavez accumulated near-absolute power over the past decade thanks to his control of the National Assembly, pliant institutions such as the Central Bank and friendly judges. Gino Caso, an auto mechanic, said he would vote for Capriles because he thought Chavez was power-hungry and out of touch with problems such as crime. He said his son had been robbed, as had neighboring shops. "I don't know what planet he lives on," Caso said, gesturing with hands blackened with grease. "He wants to be like Fidel Castro — end up with everything, take control of the country." Political analyst Ricardo Sucre said he expected the election to show "two halves, more or less even." Regardless of the result, he said, Venezuelans are likely to remain deeply divided by politics for years to come.

Chiz finally admits relationship with Heart

Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero finally admits that actress Heart Evangelista is his girlfriend. During his last day as a special “Kris TV” guest co-host, the senator said he and Heart are already a couple, after much prodding from host Kris Aquino. “We’re seeing each other. As far as I know, she’s not seeing someone else and neither am I,” Chiz said. To make his statement clear, Kris further asked, “Is Heart Evangelista your girlfriend?” Chiz then replied, “I would like to think so, yes.” The senator clarifies that he did not look for love but his new relationship came unexpectedly. “Hindi ako naghanap. Dumating lang, siguro mas maganda yung ganoon. Kasi may kasabihan na kapag mas lalo mong hinanap, mas lalo mong hindi makikita. At kung hihintayin mong maging handa ka, hindi ring mangyayari iyon. Dumating na lang, hindi inaasahan,” Chiz said. Chiz finds his relationship with Heart “very refreshing” because they come from different worlds - politics and showbiz. It was Senator Miriam Santiago who introduced them to each other. “Walang kinalaman sa pinanggalingan ko, sa mundo kong ginagalawan ko ngayon, that’s very refreshing. Mahirap yung kakilala mo lahat. Maganda yung bago, walang kinalaman sa nakaraan mo, wala ka ring kinalaman sa nakaraan niya,” he said. Chiz also sees Heart as his “sanctuary.” “Walang kinalaman yung mundo niya sa mundo ko. Kaya kapag tuwing nagkikita kami, parang sanctuary siya. Hindi niya kailangang awayin yung mga umaway sa iyo, hiwalay iyon,” he said. In a separate interview with Heart, she did not say anything about their relationship, but she said good things about the senator. “Nakakatawa siya. He’s a very funny person. Pag dating sa mga serious matters, seryoso siya. Pero kapag walang nakatingin, normal siyang tao, very down-to-earth, cowboy,” Heart said.

Arrest warrant served on GMA at QC hospital

MANILA, Philippines - Back in a government hospital where she sought confinement yesterday, Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo again ended up a detainee after being served an arrest warrant for plunder – a non-bailable offense. The arrest order was in connection with her alleged misuse of more than P360 million in intelligence funds of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO). Members of the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) served the Sandiganbayan-issued arrest warrant shortly after 3 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center where Arroyo was being examined for “generalized body weakness, numbness of hands and dehydration,” according to VMMC director Nona Legaspi. Also ordered arrested were nine former officials of the PCSO and the Commission on Audit (COA). Arroyo had been staying in her La Vista, Quezon City home since July after being allowed to post P1-million bail for her temporary release. She had been under hospital arrest at the VMMC for eight months for electoral sabotage before a Pasay court allowed her to post bail. When asked whether the former president would be staying for the night despite the arrest order, Legaspi said: “Yes, she is not discharged yet.” CIDG-National Capital Region head Senior Superintendent Jigs Coronel said Arroyo was “very cooperative” when the police team arrived to serve the arrest warrant at the presidential suite. The team found her lying in bed and hooked to intravenous fluids. It was in December last year when the former president was transferred to VMMC from St. Luke’s Medical Center in Taguig City on orders of the Pasay City court. A source said the processing and documentation of Arroyo included taking her “mug shots” and her fingerprints. The processing took about 40 minutes. The same source said the presidential suite where she had stayed for months was also being prepared for her possible extended stay. Coronel said doctors advised the arresting team that Arroyo’s “transfer and physical movement is not feasible at this time.” “She will remain in confinement and is undergoing medical treatment. We will be going to return the warrant (to the Sandiganbayan). We will leave it up to the court on whether to issue an order for her transfer,” Coronel told reporters. Coronel said no immediate member of the Arroyo family was present when the warrant was served. He said only her lawyer Anacleto Diaz and spokesperson Elena Bautista-Horn witnessed the serving of warrant. Legaspi said the former president had again complained of choking and neck pains but she stressed there would be no new medication for the congresswoman. Palace welcomes order At Malacañang, presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said they were leaving it up to the Office of the Ombudsman to prosecute the case. “It’s a decision rendered by the Sandiganbayan. We respect whatever decision they issued. It just shows that the government through the PCSO has presented a case, which has probable cause. And so, we leave it with the Ombudsman to prosecute the case,” Lacierda said. “They themselves have found a prima facie case against the former president and the officials of the PCSO,” Lacierda said. Asked if the PCSO case could be considered stronger than the electoral sabotage charges against Arroyo, Lacierda said: “I am not familiar with the details of the case. But I think there is evidence – I think marginal notes, on the basis of the marginal notes, which the former President was impeded.” On Arroyo’s seeking reelection, Lacierda said: “We leave that entirely with the former president as to the state of her health, if she’s capable of campaigning on a daily basis. We cannot speculate on the condition of the former president.” He dismissed insinuations that recent developments in her plunder case were related to her seeking reelection in Pampanga. “I think when it comes to the case before the Sandiganbayan, it will be litigated based on the evidence that the government would be presenting through the PCSO. So I think it should be free from politics and should be solely based on the evidence that will be submitted,” Lacierda said. ‘Inhuman’ Opposition lawmakers assailed the arrest warrant on Arroyo with one of them, Siquijor Rep. Orlando Fua, even calling it “inhuman.” “The pronouncements of President Aquino may have gone into the spines of the Sandiganbayan justices that she should not be allowed to seek medical treatment abroad,” Fua said. “However you sweeten your campaign to incarcerate GMA, it will still be persecution, especially the passionate effort to eliminate her from the scene,” Fua said in a telephone interview. “What is happening is inhuman. The Aquino administration’s campaign is to destroy and convict GMA in the eyes of the public, a frail old woman at that,” he said. “There was hardly any hope that she would be able to acquit herself because of vindictiveness,” he said. He recalled the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos allowed President Aquino’s late father and namesake to seek medical treatment abroad, even after he was convicted. “Even abroad, GMA cannot do any harm. He (Aquino) would be congratulated for his conscience for his humanitarian act in spite of his crusade to rid the government of corruption,” Fua said. House Minority Leader and Quezon Rep. Danilo Suarez said they were surprised by the issuance of the arrest warrant, citing lack of evidence to charge Arroyo with plunder. “But there’s really not much we can do, that’s a legal procedure,” Suarez said in a telephone interview. He said he last saw Arroyo last week in her house in La Vista and they did not discuss her case. “We just talked about the coming elections and other simple stuff. I just visited her,” Suarez said. He called on his colleagues to help her press her request for medical treatment abroad. Suarez also asked the House leadership to defend Arroyo from “persecution.” Appeal for compassion At the Senate, Sen. Ramon Revilla Jr. called on the Sandiganbayan to reconsider its arrest order on Arroyo, considering her serious health condition. “I believe that CGMA is not a flight risk and is in fact facing all the charges leveled against her in the proper courts. She is currently battling a serious ailment that threatens her life. I believe that these alone should merit the court’s attention,” Revilla, Lakas-CMD president, said. “She is very sick. What she’s going through is no laughing matter,” he said in Filipino. Sen. Teofisto Guingona III, for his part, welcomed the issuance of the arrest warrant. “One can never escape the wheels of justice. The release of arrest warrant against former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for plunder charges in relation to the PCSO fund scam only proves that the evidences presented in the Senate Blue Ribbon committee report on the PCSO fund scam are strong, concrete and sufficient,” Guingona said. It was the Senate Blue Ribbon committee chaired by Guingona which looked into the alleged misuse of PCSO funds during the previous administration. “This case should be a strong warning against those who are mishandling the people’s money,” Guingona said. He pointed out that Arroyo never denied her participation in the approval of the realignment and release of huge amounts of money by the PCSO. “The former president herself has not denied her participation in the release of huge funds… in the guise of intelligence funds. In Section 13 of our Bill of Rights, when evidence of guilt is strong in offenses punishable by reclusion perpetua, bail cannot be granted,” Guingona said. “I am hoping that the truth will come out and the justice be served immediately. In order for the Filipinos to move forward, it is only fitting that we correct the mistakes of the past,” he added. Earlier yesterday, Arroyo’s lawyers led by Diaz tried to stop the implementation of the arrest order by insisting there was no evidence to prove the allegations against Arroyo. “Not one evidence was presented to show that Mrs. Arroyo received the money. The Ombudsman even conceded that GMA did not receive a single cent,” Diaz said during oral arguments on the case. “So how could there be plunder if there is no showing that GMA amassed, accumulated or acquired ill-gotten wealth?” Sandiganbayan First Division magistrates, after hearing Diaz and the counter-arguments of Ombudsman prosecutors headed by Director Diosdado Calonge, said they would “take a second look” at their decision finding probable cause for the issuance of warrants of arrest. But Associate Justices Efren de la Cruz, Rodolfo Ponferrada, and Rafael Lagos did not recall the arrest orders, which had already been sent to the PNP and the NBI. Also ordered arrested were former PCSO general manager and vice chairman Rosario Uriarte; former chairman of the board of directors Sergio Valencia; former budget and accounts manager Benigno Aguas; former board members Manuel Morato, Jose Taruc V, Raymundo Roquero, and Ma. Fatima A.S. Valdez; former COA chairman Reynaldo Villar; and Nilda Palaras of COA’s Intelligence Confidential Funds Fraud Audit Unit. Prosecutors said the accused took “undue advantage of their respective official positions, authority, relationships, connections or influence” to commit plunder. Arroyo’s lawyers, hours after yesterday’s hearing, filed two urgent motions including one seeking to defer the implementation of the warrant of arrest, arguing that their motion for judicial determination of probable cause is still under appeal and that the former president is ill. But just minutes after the pleadings were filed, the Sandiganbayan issued another one-page ruling denying finally in writing the motion for reconsideration of the finding of probable cause. “After evaluating the oral arguments raised by the parties as well as the document submitted by Atty. Diaz in support of his aforesaid motion, the court sees no cogent reason to modify or disturb its aforesaid Resolution,” the First Division said. “Wherefore, the oral motion made by Atty. Diaz this morning is hereby denied for lack of merit,” the Sandiganbayan said.

Leni Robredo eyes Congress seat

Maria Leonor "Leni" Robredo, widow of former Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo, has answered clamors for her to follow in her late husband's footsteps. Robredo filed her certificate of candidacy for Camarines Sur third district representative at the local Commission on Elections office, reports on Friday said. "[K]ami po ng mga anak ko nagulat sa mga pangyayari. Para kaming naitulak sa isang corner na wala kaming choice. Sana divine intervention na yun (My children and I were surprised by this turn of events. It's as if we were caught in a corner and we had no choice. I hope that was divine intervention)," Robredo said in a press briefing broadcast over the radio. Supporters flocked to their Naga City home Friday morning, most of them tearful as they urged her to seek Rep. Luis Villafuerte Sr.'s seat in Congress, she added. Villafuerte is serving out his last term and will be running for Camarines Sur governor against his grandson Miguel Villafuerte. "Parang leap of faith na... Kung hindi naman po nagkaroon ng gulo, talaga naman pong hindi ako kandidato (I consider it a leap of faith... Without the confusion, I really wouldn't be running)," the lawyer said. Reports earlier floated the possibility that Robredo will be pushed to run under the admistration coalition's Senate slate congressional following the highly publicized death of her husband. Jesse Robredo died in a plane crash off the island of Masbate Aug. 18, along with two pilots. When she finally decided to run, Robredo she was shocked that supporters have already prepared her certificate of candidacy. "Pagdating ko, magta-thumbmark na lang ako (When I arrived, I only had to place my thumbmark)," Robredo said. Robredo also admitted that she was not able to think her decision through thoroughly. "Talagang binase ko na lang siya sa faith ng supporters namin (I only based it on our supporters' faith)," she said. "Sana mas maraming oras po para pag-isipan ito (I hope I had more time to think this through)," she said. Earlier Friday, the Robredo widow posted via her Twitter account: "Can't believe this is happening." Her eldest daughter Aika replied: "Me also, pero ganda lang (Me also, but it's great!) Robredo has earlier agreed to head the Liberal Party in Camarines Sur at the prodding of President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III and newly appointed Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel "Mar" Roxas.

Gov't site sets up 'checkpoint', denies hacking

Hours after the Palace denied reported hacks on government websites, the Official Gazette has started running an "e-checkpoint" Thursday. A gray screen now flashes before users logging into gov.ph, with a message noting that they will be shortly redirected to the Official Gazette front page. This comes amid protests against the new Cybercrime Prevention Law, which has sparked a spate of hacking attacks targetting government websites. "We continue to adopt appropriate security measures to ensure the integrity of our websites," Presidential Communications Secretary Herminio "Sonny" Coloma said in a statement. As if telling hackers not to flatter themselves too much, Coloma denied that the websites of the Office of the President and a state news agency had been defaced. "There was a scheduled systems maintenance of the President’s website that lasted for about 5 hours in the morning of Oct. 3," Coloma said. He was reacting to reports that visitors to the Malacañang website got error messages early Wednesday. "During this period, Facebook fans and Twitter followers of the President were duly re-directed and were able to use these social media channels without any interruption," Coloma said. Reports that the Philippine Information Agency website had been hacked are also not true, he added. "There was no actual defacement of the PIA website and at no time was there a service disruption," Coloma said. He admitted, however, that a hacker had accessed the personal email of one of PIA's editors early Oct. 2 and had inserted a link that appeared in one of the news agency's online posts. "This specific irregularity was addressed immediately," Coloma noted. Websites crippled by hackers include the National Telecommunications Commission, the central bank and the Manila Water and Sewerage System. In a separate statement Wednesday, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said that hackers "deprive the broader public of access to much needed government information and services online" . Critics of the Cybercrime Prevention Act should likewise condemn the series of hackings, Lacierda urged. Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, meanwhile, has ordered the National Bureau of Investigation to hunt down and arrest individuals behind the attacks, reports said. This, as protests against the new law remain ablaze, forcing senators who voted for its passage to vow to fie amendatory bills on contentious provisions, especially libel.