(C) KUDOS FOR REPORTING ON PHILIPPINES 2010

C O N F I D E N T I A L STATE 067066 NOFORN SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/26/2034 TAGS: PINR RP SUBJECT: (C) KUDOS FOR REPORTING ON PHILIPPINES 2010 ELECTION (C-AL9-01372) REF: A. MANILA 001207 ¶B. MANILA 000924 Classified By: SUZANNE MCCORMICK, DIR., INR/OPS. REASON: 1.4(C). ¶1. (C) WASHINGTON ANALYSTS GREATLY APPRECIATE THE TWO REFTELS ON PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES AND THE POLITICAL DYNAMICS SURROUNDING THE MAY 2010 ELECTIONS. REFTELS PROVIDED ANALYSTS WITH A BETTER PERSPECTIVE ON CURRENT ELECTION ACTIVITIES IN MANILA. ANALYSTS ESPECIALLY APPRECIATED POST'S DETAILED ANALYSIS OF VOTING AUTOMATION AND WILD CARD FACTORS; THIS ANALYSIS EXPOSED ADDITIONAL HIDDEN FACTORS THAT COULD AFFECT THE OUTCOME OF THE ELECTION. REFTELS SERVE AS EXCELLENT BACKGROUNDERS ON THE 2010 ELECTIONS AND WILL HAVE EXTENDED USE AS A REFERENCE IN WASHINGTON. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE CONTINUING REPORTING. BEST REGARDS FROM WASHINGTON. CLINTON