Mock elections a star-studded race

MANILA, Philippines - The mock polls conducted yesterday by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) turned out to be a star-studded race for senatorial hopefuls while local bands slugged it out for the party-list system.

Instead of using the actual names of candidates in the upcoming May polls, Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes said they opted to print the names of foreign celebrities on the ballots used in the mock elections to avoid controversy.

Among those vying for the 12 Senate seats were American astronaut Neil Armstrong, singers Bryan Adams, Michael Buble, Frank Allison, Paul Anka, Mariah Carey and Celine Dion.

The other Hollywood candidates for senator were Drew Barrymore, Sandra Bullock, Cameron Diaz, Farrah Fawcett, Jodie Foster, Nicolas Cage, Tom Cruise, Johnny Depp, Harrison Ford, Richard Gere and Hugh Grant.

On the other hand, candidates for party-list include 3rd Avenue, 6 Cyclemind, 8 Inches, Itchyworms, Jerimiah, and K and the Boxers.

Brillantes said 1,639 actual registered voters took part in the mock polls held in 11 voting centers across the country.

Of this figure, 1,500 registered voters showed up at the University of the Philippines Integrated School (UPIS) along Katipunan Avenue and P. Bernardo High School along P. Tuazon Boulevard, both in Quezon City.