Below are the Top News today :

• www.balita-online.net reported about 27 – PhilHealth holds off distribution of cards until post election

A ranking official of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) said they will hold off the release of new health cards until after the elections to avoid possible allegations of electioneering.

PhilHealth Senior vice president Octavino Esguerra cited a provision under the 2007 General Appropriation Act (GAA) that prohibits PhilHealth from distributing health cards before the election period.

This is good to know that this Philheatlth will not be used for the election.

• Inquirer reported that Palace accepts GO challenge to debate by senatorial bets

MANILA, Philippines — Malaca? has accepted the challenge to a debate by the Genuine Opposition of their respective senatorial candidates, its spokesman said.

“We welcome the debate between the candidates of the administration and the opposition in a place and under rules that are mutually agreed upon,” he said in a statement Thursday. ( Bunye )

“We are confident that such an event will be an opportunity for our candidates to show their individual and collective mettle, explain the national situation from the point of view of this Government and drive home the message of hope and optimism that is keeping the economy strong and sturdy,” Bunye said.

A debate would give opportunity to both sides to bring the issues to the people “without undue grandstanding and personal attacks,” Bunye said.

He added that the campaign season should be used as an opportunity to raise the level of political maturity of the voters and make them more responsible in making decisions.

“Let the people decide which group has a clear plan to move our country up and forward,” Bunye said.

• Drilon to GO: Abide by agreement not to replace Pangilinan

A day after the Genuine Opposition (GO) dropped reelectionist Senate Majority Floor Leader Francis Pangilinan from its slate, Liberal Party president Senator Franklin reminded GO to abide by its agreement not to replace Pangilinan with another candidate.

Asked what the consequences would be if GO would replace Pangilinan, Drilon said Thursday: “We will cross the bridge when we get there.”

“As the Liberal Party continues to support the Genuine Opposition, we will throw the full force of the party behind the candidacy of party chairman Kiko [the senator’s nickname] Pangilinan,” Drilon said.

“I expect [GO leaders Ernesto] Maceda and [Jejomar] Binay to respect our agreement that GO will field only 11 candidates in order that the Liberal Party can campaign without hindrance. Otherwise, it will become complicated because LP cannot support 13 candidates. We are confident and expect GO to respect our agreement,” Drilon said.

• Gay party-list group Ladlad out of the race ( Source www.inquirer.net )

Ang Ladlad, a group of lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders (LGBT), has been disallowed from participating in the party-list elections in May because of its purported failure to prove nationwide membership.

Ang Ladlad is one of 153 groups that applied to participate for the first time in the party-list elections in May.

Only 37 have so far been accredited by the Comelec. Those not yet accredited were allowed to campaign for the meantime until the agency rules on their petitions.

• GO’s first major out-of-town rally canceled ( Source www.inquirer.net )

ILOILO CITY — The first major rally by the Genuine Opposition’s senatorial slate in Iloilo province was abruptly canceled at 8 p.m. Wednesday due to an unconfirmed threat.

• Overspending vs donating ( Source www.inquirer.net )

But come to think of it: Instead of overspending on ads, what if the candidates spend all this money to help their poor countrymen? If they truly want to help the Filipinos, why don’t they start now? If they donate their campaign funds now, that will be a far nobler act, and people will know about it and there will be no need to tell them to vote for the donors., CINDY HISONA (via e-mail)