The Comelec will decide this week on the possible banning of posters of the late couple Ninoy and Cory Aquino. Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said their posters can be associated with the campaign of their only son, Liberal Party presidential candidate Senator Noynoy Aquino. The MMDA pulled out yesterday some of the banners of the Aquino couple in Manila. But the Comelec denied having authorized the pullout of the Ninoy and Cory Aquino posters.

An official said the Armed Forces has started a manhunt for the New People’s Army members collecting "permit to campaign" and "permit to win" fees in Southern Tagalog and Bicol regions. According to Lieutenant General Roland Detabali, the military has identified the members of the NPA tasked with collecting the fees for the May elections. Detabali said the public has been providing vital information about these NPA tax collectors.

China has ignored again the U.S. demands for a stronger yuan, saying the Chinese currency is not the cause of its trade surplus. Reports say the U.S. Treasury Department is to determine on April 15 as to whether China is manipulating its exchange rate. China’s Commerce Ministry, however, rejected the argument that China's hefty trade surplus with the US is due to the yuan. Earlier, some U.S. economists said the yuan is 25 percent or more under-valued.

The camp of presidential candidate Senator Manny Villar has downplayed reports of actress-TV host Kris Aquino’s campaigning for her brother Senator Noynoy Aquino. Villar’s wife said the presence of Kris in campaign sorties could be an asset to her brother. But Mrs. Villar also said they have many assets as well, so it’s fair. Earlier, reports said Aquino’s lead in presidential survey has been dipping, and that his sister Kris has recently joined him in campaign sorties in Zamboanga City.

Commission on Human Rights Chairperson Leila de Lima said they will pursue C-H-R’s own investigation into the case of the 43 health workers arrested for being alleged NPA members. This is despite the Court of Appeals’ dismissal of a petition for habeas corpus for the so-called Morong 43. De Lima said the public inquiry on March 18 would look into the legality of the arrests made by the military on these health workers in Morong, Rizal last February 6. The public inquiry will also look into allegations of torture and other human rights violations.

South Korea has warned Google it would be penalized if its mobile games content is not regulated. Reports say South Korea's Games Ratings Board has sent an official letter to Google Korea, urging the web company to abide by a law that requires all video games to be reviewed and rated by the state agency. According to reports, Google Korea operates an online software store called Android Market for mobile devices, and which allows users to browse, upload, and download applications. South Korean’s Yonhap news agency said numerous games which have not received domestic ratings were found in Android Market.

The Court of Appeals has junked the habeas corpus petition filed by the relatives of the so-called Morong 43. According to the Court of Appeals, it could not issue a writ of habeas corpus for the 43 health workers because criminal charges have already been filed against them in a local court. The Court of Appeals also said the health workers' claims of human rights abuses allegedly committed by the military against them have already been taken care of by the filing of criminal charges. Meanwhile, the 43 health workers, arrested by the military for being alleged NPA members, said they will appeal to the Supreme Court.

President Arroyo said she is deeply committed to smooth transition to a new government. The president said this earlier during the formal turnover ceremony of the Armed Forces held for newly appointed AFP chief Lieutenant General Delfin Bangit who took over from General Victor Ibrado who retired today. President Arroyo also said she is counting on the Armed Forces in helping prove that democracy works for the children’s future. President Arroyo added there should be a concrete plan to attain development.

The military rulers of Myanmar have barred pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi from running in the upcoming elections. This comes after a new election law in Myanmar was published in official newspapers. The Political Parties Registration Law excludes anyone convicted by a court of law from joining a political party and it may even force Suu Kyi’s own political party, the National League for Democracy, to expel her. A lawyer who has defended activists in Myanmar called the law un-democratic and the head of a US-based activist group described it as a slap in the face of the international community which is calling for fair elections in Myanmar.

The latest Pulse Asia survey has shown re-electionist senators Bong Revilla, Jinggoy Estrada, and Miriam Defensor-Santiago topped the senatorial race. The survey, conducted from February 21 to 25, asked the respondents in a face to face interview whom they would vote for if the May 10 senatorial elections were held today. According to polls, Revilla got at least 53 percent of votes. Revilla is in a statistical tie with Estrada who got at least 52 percent. Defensor-Santiago could also top the Senate race with at least 49 percent.