The Comelec is seeking to increase the silver nitrate content in the indelible ink by up to 20 percent to ensure that voters can only vote once in the May elections. Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said the current 7 percent silver nitrate content in the inindelible ink might easily be removed by acetone. In another interview, Comelec Commissioner Rene Sarmiento said increasing the silver nitrate content would improve the efficacy of the indelible ink and help prevent flying voters. Sarmiento, however, added if the acidic silver nitrate compound exceeds the 20 percent concentration, it might damage a person’s cuticle.

The Supreme Court has ruled President Arroyo can appoint the replacement for retiring Chief Justice Reynato Puno. This is despite a 60-day constitutional ban on midnight appointments before presidential elections. Against 1, nine magistrates voted that President Arroyo can appoint any replacement for vacant positions in the judiciary until her term ends on June 30. The magistrates also ordered the Judicial Bar and Council to submit to President Arroyo its shortlist of possible nominees to replace Chief Justice Puno who retires on May 17.

Officials said suspected U.S. drones have fired missiles in a tribal region in Pakistan. In the first attack, the drones hit the town of Miran Shah in North Waziristan, killing six militants. Almost an hour later, the drones hit Madakhel town, killing three insurgents. Reports say, although Pakistan opposes the attacks, it is believed that it is sharing intelligence with the Americans about the insurgents and their hide-outs. The US, however refuses to publicly discuss its use of unmanned drones.

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.