(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