ABS-CBN leads Halalan 2013 coverage

MANILA, Philippines - ABS-CBN will provide 360-degree news coverage on different media platforms and deliver public service on-ground on May 13 when millions of Filipinos troop to polling precincts to cast their votes and choose their next batch of leaders.

“It has become a company tradition for ABS-CBN to devote all of its resources to this important coverage,” said Ging Reyes, head of the ABS-CBN Integrated News and Current Affairs.

Viewers can rely on ABS-CBN to give them real-time updates from ‘Kabayan’ Noli De Castro, Korina Sanchez, Ted Failon, Ces Drilon, Karen Davila, Julius Babao, Lynda Jumilla, Tony Velasquez, Anthony Taberna, Bernadette Sembrano, Pinky Webb and Prof. Randy David who will deliver up-to-date news stories, vote count, and in-depth analyses of reports from over 30 live points in the country from 5 a.m. of May 13 to noon of May 14.

ABS-CBN will also utilize augmented reality to help viewers understand reports better and an interactive map that will monitor the latest results and candidate information in key areas.

Aside from giving groundbreaking news coverage, ABS-CBN will also put up Bayan Mo, iPatrol Mo (BMPM) stations all over the country where voters can ask information about their precincts and other poll-related concerns. The BMPM team will then link them to the authorized government agencies and groups.

Moreover, the BMPM stations will serve as centers where voters in the area can file reports about election irregularities and problems and will have first aid personnel and equipment on stand-by to respond to medical emergencies.

The public service effort anchors on the influence of BMPM and its half a million Bayan Patrollers who are prepared to share election-related information from their areas to ensure honest and peaceful elections. 

Halalan 2013 coverage is also defined by its KampanyaSerye documentaries, which made voters more involved and informed on some of the hotly contested local races, and the Harapan 2013 live debates that gave all senatorial candidates a platform to present what they stand for.

KampanyaSerye will swing into high gear on May 13, as ABS-CBN reporters reexamine the electoral rivalries featured in the series and highlight the results in areas like Manila, Masbate, Cavite, Cebu, among others. This aims to contextualize what the results mean to the electorate by putting the spotlight on the newly-elected candidates to remind them of the promises they made during the campaign season.

Halalan 2013 was launched a year before the May elections to provide information to voters so they can make informed choices based on their vision for the country.

Working hand in hand with ABS-CBN in the Halalan 2013 coverage are the Commission on Elections, Department of Foreign Affairs Overseas Absentee Voting Secretariat, Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting, Pulse Asia Inc., and Regional Emergency Assistance Communications System (REACT) Philippines, corporate sponsors Globe Telecom, STI College, Universal Motors Corporation, and MyPhone’s Solid Group, Inc. Halalan 2013 also tapped The Philippine STAR, Business World, Manila Bulletin and Business Mirror as its print partners and Fully Abled Nation, Management Association of the Philippines, YouthVote Philippines and Alternative Law Groups as its cause partners. Also joining are educational institutions such as the University of the Philippines system, La Consolacion College, University of Sto. Tomas, Ateneo School of Government and La Salle Institute of Governance.