Comelec to implement SC decision on voter's registration
According to Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez, the poll body has tentatively set the holding of the additional registration days on Dec. 21-23 and on Dec. 28-29, 2009.
Likewise, the posting of the names of the applicants and the corresponding ERB (Election Registration Board) hearings are scheduled to be held on Jan. 2-9, 2010.
“Registration is not only on the filing (of their applications)... may mga administrative aspects din dito like completing the Book of Voters, posting notices of the Election Registration Board and subsequent hearings,” he said.
Jimenez said that they have no choice but to implement the order. He admitted that the High Court's ruling would delay their preparations in automating the May 10, 2010 elections by about three to four weeks.
“But, of course, we will try hard so that it will not affect our preparations for the automation,” he stressed.
On Tuesday, the SC granted the petition of the Kabataan Party-list to extend the voter's registration until Jan. 9, 2010.
The continuing registration of voters for next year’s polls started in December 2008 and ended last Oct. 31.
The poll body had cited the need to finish the registration earlier due to the poll automation project.
Meanwhile, Atty. Ferdinand Rafaran, Comelec Law Department chief, said they will file a “motion for clarification” before the High Tribunal even if there is a provision in the order that they will not accept a “motion for reconsideration.”
“Ipapa-clarify natin sa SC yun… but we will have to make do with what is there in accordance with the decision, and we can see that the Comelec will be operating under very difficult circumstances,” he said.
The Law department head said they will be issuing the final guidelines on the extended voter's registration as soon as they get the clarification from the SC.
Initial figures from the Comelec show that the country has some 49.2 million registered voters, but the number is expected to reach 50 million. (PNA)
Palace to provide adequate security to judge in Maguindanao massacre case
MANILA, Dec. 16 - The government will provide all necessary and appropriate security to the judge who will handle the Maguindanao massacre case.
In a press briefing, Presidential Spokesperson and Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said that wherever the case will be tried, the government will harness any of the law enforcement agencies such as the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Philippine National Police (PNP), or the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).”
“We will exhaust all efforts to provide them with necessary security including personal security if it becomes necessary. They could be provided close-in security and it means even if they go home, they will not be afraid,” Ermita noted.
Ermita said that Supreme Court has a way of resolving the security issues of their judges who handle controversial cases.
Chief Justice Reynato Puno has also vowed to give security to the
