Campaign for August 8 ARMM polls begins Friday, since no law mandates to postpone it

MAKATI CITY (MindaNews/23 June) – The campaign period for the August 8 elections in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) begins Friday, June 24 with former Sultan Kudarat Governor Pax Mangudadatu and Margarita “Tingting” Cojuangco, the PDP’s candidates for governor and vice governor, firing their opening salvo with a “leaders’ forum” in Datu Odin Sinsuat town in Maguindanao, Cojuangco’s poll advisor, Annie Andanar said.

Congress in early June passed a bill resetting the August 8 elections in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) to synchronize it with the May 13, 2013 national mid-term elections and to allow President Aquino to appoint officers-in-charge in the interim but the bill he earlier certified as urgent, has yet to be signed into law.

Mr. Aquino is scheduled to sign it on June 30, a full year after he took his oath of office as President.

Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos-Deles told MindaNews the signing has been scheduled for June 30 to allow the bill’s sponsors to witness the signing.

House Minority Leader Edcel Lagman said President Aquino is deliberately delaying the signing to deny the Supreme Court time to rule on the expected petitions questioning the new law.

The law presently governing the ARMM mandates a 45-day campaign period for the elections that are supposed to be held every three years.

In force

James Jimenez, spokesperson of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) told MindaNews immediately after the approval of the bill that Comelec will “stop preparations as soon as it is signed into law. The law should be considered sound until overturned.”

On June 23, he told MindaNews that because the bill has not been signed into law, they have not issued a notice stopping all election activities “so technically, the calendar of activities (in relation to the August 8 polls) will still be in force. Hence, the campaign period will start as scheduled.”

Andanar told MindaNews, “we are embarking on an alternative campaign beginning tomorrow, June 24.” She said they will hold a “leaders’ forum” at 6 p.m. tomorrow in Datu Odin Sinsuat town, Maguindanao, where Cojuangco has a house and where her voter’s registration was transferred.

Cojuangco is an aunt of President Benigno Simeon Aquino.

Andanar said the “leaders’ forum” will be held after the celebration of Mangudadatu’s birthday also tomorrow in Sultan Kudarat province. Mangudadatu, former governor and representative of Sultan Kudarat province transferred his voter’s registration to Buluan town in Maguindanao early last year. Sultan Kudarat province is not part of the ARMM.

She said there will be “no big rallies,” adding there will be “maximum interaction with the community formal and informal leaders, dialogues to engage the voters to participate in the exercise of their right to elect their regional officials under the organic law RA 9054.”

To the Supreme Court

Earlier, groups against the postponement of the August 8 polls had signified they would go to the Supreme Court to question the validity of the new law but no petition can be filed as yet because the bill has not been signed into law.

“The PDP-Laban, Pax Mangudadatu and I are definitely going to the Supreme Court to convince the high tribunal that pushing through with the August 8, 2011 elections was what the Constitution mandates,” the Manila Standard quoted Cojuangco as saying in its June 8 report.

Cojuangco said they were confident the Supreme Court will rule in their favor. “The Supreme Court will see in our petition that the Constitution grants the people of ARMM the freedom to choose their own leaders and the naming of OICs by the President is contrary to what is mandated by the Constitution,” she said.

Fourteen candidates for governor and 16 for vice governor filed their certificates of candidacy as of the deadline midnight of May 25.

Only two political parties fielded candidates: PDP-Laban’s Mangudadatu-Cojuangco and the Kilusang Bagong Lipunan (KBL).

Candidates

The Comelec’s list of candidates for governor: Ashmaira Mayasa Abdullah, incumbent Lanao del Sur Governor Mamintal Alonto Adiong, Saad Ibrahim Amate, Pangalian Macaorao Balindong, Ephraim Baldomero Defino, former Anak Mindanaw partylist Rep. Mujiv Sabbihi Hataman, former OIC ARMM Governor Alvarez Silal Isnaji, Ansaroden Magangcong Sani Banuas Luman Moner, former Sultan Kudarat governor and representative Pax Pakung Sandigan Mangudadatu, Kadra Asani Masihul (KBL), Datu Habib Sarifuddin Samanodi Maulana, Elsie New Orejudos, former OIC Lanao del Sur Governor Saidamen Balt Pangarungan and Sahiron Dulah Salim.

Acting ARMM Governor Ansaruddin-Abdul Malik Alonto Adiong, brother of Mamintal, won the vice gubernatorial post in 2005 and 2008, as Zaldy Ampatuan’s running mate. He filed his certificate of candidacy for governor last Monday but slid down to vice governor after his elder brother, the Lanao del Sur governor, filed a COC for ARMM governor.

The candidates for vice governor are: Fatani Sultan Abdul Malik, Ansaruddin Abdul Malik Alonto Adiong, Mikunug Pangcatan Ampao, Arab Dimasimpun Ampasao, Shariffa Ziola Anding Bago, Datu Pelaez Alo Carudin, former Tarlac GovernorMargarita “Tingting” Delos Reyes Cojuangco, Bobby Manangaran Datimbang, Alikhan Awar Dimaro, Gani Usman Gaddung, Abdulbasit Ampaso Hadjinor, Omar Tani Hassiman, former Lanao del Sur governor Basher Dimalaang Manalao, Kano Pasandalan Nor, Marconi Curso Paiso Al Haj and Abdusakur II Abubakar Tan.

Based on Comelec records, 81 filed their COCs for 24 seats in the Regional Legislative Assembly. In Sulu, six candidates filed their COCs for assemblyman; nine in the second district; in Lanao del Sur, 12 filed in the first district, 12 also in the second district; in Maguindanao, five filed in the first district, 15 in the second; in Tawi-tawi, nine filed while 13 filed for three seats in the RLA representing Basilan.

Maguindanao Governor Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu’s brother, Khadafy, an incumbent assemblyman, earlier filed a COC for vice governor but later opted for a reelection as assemblyman of the second district of Maguindanao.

Hataman, whose name has repeatedly been mentioned for appointment as OIC Governor, filed his COC for governor with no political party listed. (Carolyn O. Arguillas/MindaNews)

COMELEC junks proposal for manual ARMM polls

By:  Mayen Jaymalin

MANILA, Philippines - The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) elections will definitely be automated, a source at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said yesterday.

The poll body, according to the source, has already junked a proposal to go to manual in the ARMM polls.

The poll official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the Comelec rejected the appeal of newly appointed Commissioner Augusto Lagman for manual elections.

“He (Lagman) really raised the issue of having manual elections but the commission en banc has decided to honor the earlier decision,” the source said.

“It is already official therefore that the ARMM elections will be automated, if ever (the polls will) push through,” the source added.

The source said the deliberation was “healthy” and “cordial” although it began with Lagman strongly pushing for the manual system.

In the end, the source said, Lagman conceded defeat to his six fellow commissioners.

“The (commission) en banc ultimately decided to go automated in these ARMM elections pursuant to the election automation law,” the source said.

Lagman was the foremost critic of the precinct count optical scan (PCOS) machines used in the 2010 national and local elections, citing the technology’s insufficient transparency as required under Republic Act 9369 or the Poll Automation Law.

Upon his appointment, Lagman said he would exert all efforts to convince his fellow commissioners to revert to the manual system since the ARMM elections only involve a small number of candidates and winners.

The Comelec is set to use some 5,000 PCOS machines in the regional polls.  It already has 900 units and is looking at buying 4,000 more.

Comelec is now negotiating with service provider Smartmatic International Corp. for an “option to purchase” the PCOS machines used in the May 10, 2010 elections.

Security measures

Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police (PNP) is preparing security measures for the special congressional election in the first district of Ilocos Sur and for the ARMM polls as well.

PNP chief Director General Raul Bacalzo has met with the heads of the national support units and the regional police directors to assess the prevailing situation in the country, especially in Ilocos Sur and the ARMM.

“We are preparing for the elections in Ilocos Sur and ARMM, although nothing is final in the ARMM elections.  We need to prepare for that,” said Bacalzo after presiding over the PNP’s second quarter conference last week.

The special election in the first district of Ilocos Sur was called to find a replacement for former congressman Ronald Singson who was convicted of drug trafficking by a court in Hong Kong last February.

Bacalzo said they are also readying security plans for the ARMM polls, which are initially set on Aug. 8.

The Senate has yet to pass a Palace-backed measure postponing the ARMM elections and synchronizing the exercise with the May 2013 national elections

.

The House of Representatives earlier had passed its own postponement bill.  Two petitions questioning the move are pending before the Supreme Court.

Former senator Aquilino Pimentel yesterday said the move to postpone the ARMM polls is already “dead” due to lack of time.

“Malacañang’s position is not tenable.  They are pushing hard for poll postponement and the appointment of OICs (officers-in-charge), but they have to follow legal processes,” Pimentel said.

“They need to first amend the ARMM Organic Law and subject it to a plebiscite.

That is the process and the ARMM Organic Law was adopted only after it was subjected to a plebiscite.  That would be difficult for them since they cannot hold a plebiscite before the elections.  There’s no time,” he added. – With Cecille Suerte Felipe, Edith Regalado

Resolution No. 9220 - Guidelines for Registration of Persons With Disabilities (PWDS)

Resolution No. 9220

GUIDELINES FOR REGISTRATION OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES (PWDs)

[Promulgation: 12 May 2011]

WHEREAS, Resolution No. 9149 promulgated on 22 February 201, entitled Rules and Regulations for the Resumption of the System of Continuing Registration and Validation of Records in Non-ARMM, provides that they system of continuing registration for Non-ARMM areas shall resume on 1 April 2011, and end on 31 October 2012;

WHEREAS, Resolution No. 9168, promulgated on 22 March 2011, resets the schedule for the system of continuing registration in the Non-ARMM areas from 1 April 2011 to 3 May 2011;

WHEREAS, Article 29 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, ratified by the Philippines, directs State Parties to guarantee to persons with disabilities political rights and the opportunity to enjoy them on an equal basis with others and undertake measures to enable PWDs to vote on equal basis with others, inter alia;

WHEREAS, the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act 7277 as amended by RA 9442 or the Magna Carta for Persons with Disabilities defines PWDs as those suffering from restriction or different abilities, as a result of a mental, physical or sensory impairment, to perform an activity in the manner or within the range considered normal for a human being;

WHEREAS, the Technical Working Group constituted to help formulate policies to afford Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) greater access to the electoral processes, including the registration process, has recommended the identification of the type of disability of registrants to enable the Commission to amply prepare for the kinds of assistance that may be extended to PWDs on election day;

WHEREAS, the continuing registration should provide PWDs the change to update their records by filling up the appropriate forms so that they can be accurately identified by the Commission on election day;

NOW, THEREFORE, by virtue of the powers vested in it by the Constitution, the Omnibus Election Code, Republic Act No. 8189 and other related election laws, the Commission on Elections RESOLVED, as it hereby RESOLVES, to promulgate the following guidelines in filling-up the Registration Forms involving PWDs.

Section 1. Coverage. - These Guidelines shall cover the following registration-related-activities:

a. Application for Registration; 

b. Application for Transfer/Transfer with Reactivation; 

c. Reactivation of Registration Record; 

d. For Application for Change/Correction of Entries; and 

e. Validation of Registration.

Section 2. Persons with Disabilities (PWDs). - Persons with disabilities (PWDs) shall include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments, which in interaction with various barriers may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others,  For purposes of these Guidelines, PWDs shall include those with any of the following disabilities, which hamper the full enjoyment of the right to suffrage:

a. Physical - Pertains to conditions associated with muscular or skeletal functions that limit a persons performance of activities associated with movement, both the person himself and/or of objects. 

b. Hearing - Pertains to conditions associated to the auditory senses that can manifest as partial or complete loss of hearing. 

c. Speech - Pertains to conditions related to difficulties in communicating through speech. 

d. Visual - Pertains to conditions associated with visual senses that can manifest as partial or complete loss of sight, among others. 

e. Non-Manifest - Pertains to conditions that are not immediately apparent but may need assistance from the COMELEC.

Section 3. Filling-up the Registration Forms. - For PWDs needing assistance, the applicant for registration/reactivation/transfer/correction of entry may indicate in the appropriate box (pertaining to disables/differently-abled persons), the type(s) of impairment, as well as the form(s) of assistance needed during election day, as follows:

Example:  For person with physical impairment (code: 1) needing accessible precinct (code: C), put 1C on the box pertaining to disabled/differently-abled persons.

Section 4. Accomplishment of application Form. - A PWD who cannot by himself/herself accomplish an application for registration, shall be assisted by the EO in the preparation of his/her application form, or by any member of an accredited Citizens arm, or a relative within the fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity, or if he/she has none present, by any person of his/her confidence who belongs to the same household, in accordance with Section 9 of Resolution No. 9149.

COMELEC sets early voter's registration for 2013 polls

MANILA CITY, METRO MANILA — Starting May 3, new and eligible voters for the upcoming 2013 elections can start filing their applications, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said.

“We are urging all eligible first-time voters who will turn at least 18 years old on May 2013 to file their voter's registration this early.  Let us avoid last-minute registrations so we can take part in electing our nation's leaders,” said Comelec spokesman James Jimenez.

Deadline of registration is October 31, 2012 but the Comelec is encouraging early registration so it can prepare better for the conduct of automated polls with the use of special ballots, such as those used in the May 2010 national elections, he added.

Aside from first-time voters, persons who want to transfer registration records to a new residence; change, update or correct entries such as those for newly-wed women who changed surnames; and voters whose records were deactivated for failure to vote in the past two elections can also file their applications within the registration period.

All voter applications must be personally filed at the office of the election officer in the municipal or city office where the applicant resides and wishes to vote.

Voters no longer need to bring photographs because his or her biometrics records composed of a digital photograph, fingerprints, and signature will be entered in data capturing machines during the filing of registration.

The biometrics registration is important to purge the voter's list of duplicate registration records and to update records of voters who were unable to enroll their biometrics information with Comelec, according to Resolution No. 9149 promulgated on February 22.

Applications will be received from Monday to Saturday, inclusive of holidays during regular office hours from 8am to 5pm.  There will be no registration on December 22 to January 2 for the Christmas break.

Schedules for satellite registration in highly-populated areas will be announced after coordination with Comelec municipal and town offices.

Applicants must bring any valid school or government ID to register. Community tax certificates (Cedula) and certifications from the barangay will not be honored as valid identification documents.

For inquiries, contact the Comelec education and information department at (02) 525-9294. - By: Anna Valmero

SC orders Palace, COMELEC, Congress to answer ARMM petitions

MANILA, Philippines - The Supreme Court (SC) yesterday ordered the executive and legislative branches to answer petitions opposing the proposal to postpone the elections in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) set in August this year to 2013.

In a two-page resolution, the SC gave the Palace, Commission on Elections (Comelec), Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. to submit their respective comments to the petitions of groups led by Datu Michael Kida of the Maguindanao Federation of Autonomous Irrigators Association and lawyer Alex Macalawi of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines-Marawi City.

The respondents were given a non-extendible period of 10 days to comply with the order issued by Chief Justice Renato Corona in behalf of the SC full court that is on decision-writing recess until the third week of this month.

In separate petitions filed last month, the two groups composed of barangay officials and concerned voters in the ARMM questioned before the SC the legality of House Bill 4146 and Senate Bill 2756, which both intend to synchronize the ARMM polls with the mid-term national elections in 2013.

Kida and Macalawi both sought the issuance of a temporary restraining order enjoining Congress from further proceeding with both bills, which they argued are unconstitutional as they violate Republic Act 9054 (the ARMM’s Organic Act) that sets regional elections on the second Monday of September this year.

In his group’s petition, Kida argued that the proposed postponement also “violates the principles of a democratic and republican state mandated by the Constitution, and the right of Muslims in the region to local autonomy.”

The proposed postponement “would deny the voters in ARMM their right to elect their officials for a period of two years, in violation of their right to equal protection of the law, which guarantees the right of all qualified citizens to participate in local government on an equal footing,” Kida’s group further argued.

Macalawi’s group, on the other hand, argued in its 35-page petition that HB 4146, if enacted to law, would be the eighth postponement of the ARMM polls within the region’s 21-year existence.

“And this time Congress should be enjoined from this corrupt customary practice of repeatedly postponing ARMM polls and to stick to the prescribed regular ARMM elections provided in RA 9054,” the group said.

But the two groups differed as to when the ARMM polls should exactly be held. The first one believes that the polls should be held on Sept. 12 pursuant to RA 9054, and the second group, on Aug. 8 as set in RA 9333.

The administration of President Aquino supports the proposed postponement of the ARMM polls, saying many local officials in the autonomous region support it.

Meanwhile, the Comelec has rescheduled the filing of certificates of candidacy (COCs) for the ARMM polls.

In Resolution No. 9211, the Comelec said candidates can file their COCs from May 14 to 18. The original schedule was May 9 to 13.

There are some two million registered voters in the ARMM provinces of Basilan (except for Isabela City), Maguindanao (except for Cotabato City), Sulu, Lanao del Sur, and Tawi-Tawi.

They will elect their regional governor and vice governor, and members of the regional legislative assembly.

“The COC shall be filed by the candidate personally or by his duly authorized representative. No COC shall be filed or accepted by mail, telegram or facsimile,” the Comelec said.

The poll body asked candidates not to use titles in their names when they file their COCs.

“Titles such as don, datu, doctor, ginoo or words of similar imports shall not be allowed,” it said. – Edu Punay, with Sheila Crisostomo, PhilStar.com