exercises for copyreading

1. Direction: Using the standard symbols for copyreading and headline writing, improve the
following copy. Write two possible headlines. Do not forget your slugline and printer’s direction.
Voting 213-10, the House of Representatives approve on third and final reading yesterday a
consolidated bill seeking to postpone the baranggay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections
on Oct. 23.
6 members of the Makabayan bloc – Rep. Arlene Brosas of the Gabriela party-list Ariel Casilao
of Anakpawis France Castro and Antonio Tinio of the alliance of concerned teachers, Sarah Jane
Elago of kabataan and Carlos Isagani Zarate of Bayan Muna – as well as Reps. Raul del Mar of
Cebu, Tom Villarin of Akbayan, Gary Alejano of Magdalo and Ramon Rocamora of Siquijor vote
against the measure resetting the elections. “It’s one postponement too many,“ Del Mar said.
At the Senate, the committee on electoral reforms endorsed the plenary approval of a bill
postponing the elections to May next year. The bill authorizes President Duterte to appoint
officers-in-charge to replace officials on the drug watchlist.
If approved, it will be the second time that the barangay and SK elections will be postponed
amid concerns that drug lords will fund candidates. The polls were initially set in October last
year.
Under the consolidated bill passed by the House, incumbent barangay and SK officials will
continue to function in a holdover capacity.
Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, one of the authors, said Congress has enough time
to pass the measure.
“We hope Malacañang will certify the bill as urgent to make this possible,” Barbers said.
Rep. Jericho Nograles of the party-list Puwersa ng Bayaning Atleta said there could still be a
debate, but is confident on the passage of the measure.
Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said postponing the elections would deprive the people
of their constitutional right to choose their barangay leaders.
In a letter to the electoral reforms committee, detained Sen. Leila de Lima said she agreed with
the position of the Institute for Political and Electoral Reform and National Citizens’ Movement
for Free Elections that “a free election affords us the possibility of replacing barangay officials
perceived to be narco politicians, through democratic means.”
Sen. Paolo Benigno Aquino IV said the SK polls should push through in October, noting that the
implementation of the SK Reform Act is long overdue.