(U) PREPARATIONS FOR PHILIPPINES 2010 GENERAL

S E C R E T STATE 042844

NOFORN
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/28/2034
TAGS: PINR PGOV RP
SUBJECT: (U) PREPARATIONS FOR PHILIPPINES 2010 GENERAL
ELECTION (U) (C-AL9-01003)

Classified By: SUZANNE MCCORMICK, DIR., INR/OPS. REASON: 1.4(C).


1. (C) WASHINGTON ANALYSTS ARE BEGINNING TO MONITOR
PREPARATIONS FOR THE GENERAL ELECTION SLATED FOR MAY 2010. AS
TIME AND RESOURCES PERMIT, ANALYSTS WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE
REPORTING ON FRONT RUNNING PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES, CAMPAIGN
ISSUES AND PREPARATIONS FOR ELECTION DAY,IF SUCH INFORMATION
CAN BE ACQUIRED IN THE COURSE OF NORMAL DUTIES. POTENTIAL
PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES THAT ANALYSTS ARE PARTICULARLY
INTERESTED IN INCLUDE VICE PRESIDENT NOLI DE CASTRO, SENATOR
MANUEL "CHIZ" ESCUDERO, SENATOR LOREN LEGARDA, SENATOR MANNY
VILLAR, SENATOR MANUEL "MAR" ROXAS, AND SECRETARY OF NATIONAL
DEFENSE GILBERTO TEODORO. ANALYSTS THANK POST FOR ITS
POLITICAL COVERAGE-INCLUDING THE BIOGRAPHIC INFORMATION
SECTION ON ITS WEBSITE-AND SEND REGARDS FROM WASHINGTON.


A. (U) WHAT ARE THE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES SAYING IN
PRIVATE AND PUBLIC ABOUT US-PHILIPPINE RELATIONS,
PARTICULARLY THE VISITING FORCES AGREEMENT (VFA),
COUNTERTERRORISM COOPERATION, AND DEVELOPMENT AID? IF
ELECTED, HOW DO THE CANDIDATES INTEND TO CHANGE THE BILATERAL
RELATIONSHIP?


B. (U) WHAT ARE THE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE'S CAMPAIGN
STRATEGIES? WHAT ISSUES (E.G. THE ECONOMY, VFA, OR
ANTI-PRESIDENT MACAPAGAL-ARROYO) DO THEY PLAN TO HIGHLIGHT
DURING THEIR CAMPAIGNS?


C. (U) HOW ARE THE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES CONNECTED OR
ALLIED WITH THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION, HIGH PROFILE
PHILIPPINE BUSINESS PEOPLE, PROMINENT FAMILIES, SECURITY
SERVICE LEADERS, OR RELIGIOUS GROUPS?


D. (U) HOW DO THE CANDIDATES INTEND TO FUND THEIR
CAMPAIGNS? WHAT TYPES OF CAMPAIGN FUNDING DO THE CANDIDATES
CURRENTLY RECEIVE/USE (E.G. PERSONAL WEALTH, ILLICIT FUNDING)?


E. (U) WHICH CANDIDATES HAVE EXPRESSED INTEREST IN RUNNING
FOR VICE PRESIDENT? WHO WOULD BE THEIR PREFERRED PRESIDENTIAL
CANDIDATE?


F. (S/NF) WHAT MEASURES, IF ANY, DO THE CANDIDATES OR
GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS PLAN TO USE TO MANIPULATE THE ELECTION
RESULTS?


G. (U) WHAT MEASURES IS THE COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS
(COMELEC) TAKING TO CARRY OUT VOTER REGISTRATION AND
VALIDATION? WHAT ARE THE DETAILS OF THE POLL AUTOMATION
SYSTEM COMELEC WILL USE (I.E. HOW ARE THE MACHINES
CONSTRUCTED, WHAT IS THEIR INTERFACE, WHAT IS THEIR OUTPUT,
DO THE MACHINES HAVE PROTECTION AGAINST TAMPERING, AND HOW
ARE THE VOTES TABULATED)?


2. (U) PLEASE CITE C-AL9-01003 IN THE SUBJECT LINE OF
REPORTING IN RESPONSE TO THE ABOVE QUESTIONS.
CLINTON