Posted on 05/10/2010 8:57:56 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino has a sizeable lead over rival Joseph Estrada in the Philippine presidential election, early results indicate.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said Mr Aquino, son of former President Corazon Aquino, had about 40% of the vote with 38% of ballots counted.
Millions of Filipinos have been voting for a president, vice-president and more than 17,000 other official posts.
Voting was marred by the deaths of at least six people in political violence.
Mr Estrada had about 25.76% of the vote, said Comelec chair Jose Melo, and property tycoon Manny Villar was trailing in third with just under 14%.
Mr Melo said about 75% of the more than 50 million registered voters in the country had cast a ballot.
The presidential candidates are vying to replace President Gloria Arroyo, whose second term expires in June.
Under the terms of the constitution she is required to stand down, but she is running for a seat in parliament.
Official results are expected to be announced in the next two days.
Mr Aquino had been the pre-election favourite.
Correspondents say the 50-year-old's political pedigree - as the son of the beloved former president - has been hugely important in his campaign.
But he is also considered an honest, if inexperienced, candidate.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.bbc.co.uk ...
Dynasty?
His parents were exiled for opposing Marcos, his father was assassinated as he stepped off the plane in Manila when he was allowed back in the county, his mother won the first election after Marcos fled the country.
She left office in 1992.
So it’s been 18 years since the only Aquino has held the Presidency in the Philippines.
Yeah, that’s quite a dynasty they have there.
Big deal.
In the Philippines, elections are just an opportunity of one group of thieves to replace another set of thieves.
The country is a basket case.
Why are Americans going to the Philippines?
Because it cheap, except for fuel and certain food items, which are expensive as the US.
Because if you have an annual income of $70,000, you can have live-in English speaking domestics.
Because of the Citizen Retention Act of 2003, expatriate can now go back and buy property even if they have dual citizenship.
Because if you have enough money and know how and who to bribe, you can get almost anything done.
Because if you have political, school or family connections, you can do or get away with doing almost anything.
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