CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – From the point of view of foreign observers, the just concluded elections in the province last Monday were generally peaceful and orderly despite the heavy turnout of voters.
Gene Del Bianco, a U.S. national and a member of the People’s International Observers Mission, made the remark after visiting eight sites here and in neighboring Angeles City as soon as the polling places opened at 7 am on Election Day.
Del Bianco said the international election observers were impressed with the patience shown by Kapampangan voters who waited in long lines and even gave way to senior citizens in the hot and humid temperature.
Del Bianco also said “the {Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS)} machines appeared to be working well” despite some problems encountered by some polling precincts.
Del Bianco declined to say more when pressed for more comments saying he is “under certain restrictions” in their accreditation with the Comelec and the Philippine government.
Most Kapampangans have noted that the presence of independent international observers added to the orderly proceedings and helped deter violence in hot spots around the province.
The team of international observers is purportedly one of the biggest international mission to observe the 2010 elections.
The observers’ mission is composed of delegates from Australia, Canada, United States, United Kingdom, Japan, Hongkong, Taiwan, France, Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands.
Meanwhile, another team of foreign observers went to Tarlac, the province of presidential candidates Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. and Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III.
The mission also visited Abra, which has been marred in election-related violence; Bicol; Iloilo; and parts of Mindanao.
Gene Del Bianco, a U.S. national and a member of the People’s International Observers Mission, made the remark after visiting eight sites here and in neighboring Angeles City as soon as the polling places opened at 7 am on Election Day.
Del Bianco said the international election observers were impressed with the patience shown by Kapampangan voters who waited in long lines and even gave way to senior citizens in the hot and humid temperature.
Del Bianco also said “the {Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS)} machines appeared to be working well” despite some problems encountered by some polling precincts.
Del Bianco declined to say more when pressed for more comments saying he is “under certain restrictions” in their accreditation with the Comelec and the Philippine government.
Most Kapampangans have noted that the presence of independent international observers added to the orderly proceedings and helped deter violence in hot spots around the province.
The team of international observers is purportedly one of the biggest international mission to observe the 2010 elections.
The observers’ mission is composed of delegates from Australia, Canada, United States, United Kingdom, Japan, Hongkong, Taiwan, France, Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands.
Meanwhile, another team of foreign observers went to Tarlac, the province of presidential candidates Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. and Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III.
The mission also visited Abra, which has been marred in election-related violence; Bicol; Iloilo; and parts of Mindanao.
