Fifty eight percent of Filipinos in Mindanao believed that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo cheated in the 2004 presidential elections, a survey conducted by Pulse Asia in Mindanao in December last year showed. The same survey released to media Friday showed that 70 percent of those polled believed that because of recurring allegations of election fraud, the credibility of the balloting process in Mindanao was at a record low. [read on]

The Philippine Star today reported that AFP Chief of Staff  Gen. Hermogenes Esperon’s tour of duty has been extended. It could mean bad news or good news. Bad news for his critics especially the ‘jailed’ Magdalo officers as well as those who were implicated in the failed coup attempt last February 2006.  Well, good news to those who are loyal to him as well as to those who bow their heads before GMA.

Esperon is just one of the Garci generals believed to be involved in the alleged massive cheating during the 2004 presidential elections. His fellow generals have been criticizing and have been asking him to tell the truth.  The alleged involvement of the generals in the cheating is just one of the spark plugs of the outcry of the jailed generals and junior military officers — among them was then LtSg. Antonio Trillanes III, now a senator.