COMELEC declares Bangsamoro Organic Law now deemed ratified

MANILA - The National Plebiscite Board of Canvassers (NPBOC) has issued a resolution ratifying the Bangsamoro Organic Law or R.A. No. 11054.



This was after majority of the registered voters in the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) voted in favor of it: 1,540,017 votes for "yes" and 198,750 voted for "no."

Cotabato City will become a part of the newly created Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) after garnering 36,682 "yes" votes and 24,994 "no" votes.

However, Isabela City will not be a part of the BARMM after the "no" votes won with 22,441 against 19,032 "yes" votes.

The NPBOC is not preparing and will be submitting a copy of the result of the first part of the plebiscite to the Office of the President, the Senate, and the House of Representatives. [Aiko Miguel, UNTV News]

Unity Walk for peaceful midterm polls set on Jan. 13

BAGUIO CITY - As a show of support for safe and peaceful midterm polls, the Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) and the Commission on Elections will hold a unity walk on Sunday, 13 Jan. 2019, the start of the election period.

"Candidates will be joining the unity walk which will show their sportsmanship as candidates," city police director Senior Supt. Eliseo Tanding said in an interview Wednesday.

The unity walk is spearheaded by COMELEC and BCPO personnel, candidates, and other stakeholders to promote a safe and peaceful 2019 midterm elections.  On the same day, the city will join other regions in the country for the simultaneous signing of peace covenants.


Tanding also expressed confidence that election in the city would be peaceful similar to that in the past, where no election-related violence was recorded.

"With a history of zero election-related incidents, I am confident that our candidates will be good sport in this election," and no violence of any level will happen.

Lawyer John Paul Martin, COMELEC-Baguio election officer said in a separate interview that they would hold command conferences with the BCPO and security coordination meetings with law enforcement agencies to ensure the smooth conduct of the polls.

As part of the voter's education campaign, a multi-sectoral vote-buying campaign will be launched on January 17.

Martin also reminded candidates and the public to abide by the election gun ban, which will begin January 13.  [Pamela Mariz Geminiano, PNA]

COMELEC allots 8-hour voting for Bangsamoro law plebiscite

MANILA - The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) has alloted eight hours for the voting period for the plebiscite to ratify Republic Act 11054, otherwise known as the Organic Law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

Resolution No. 10429 - Calendar of Activities & Prohibited Acts (May 13, 2019 National & Local Elections)

Republic of the Philippines

COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS

Manila

RESOLUTION No. 10429

In the Matter of Prescribing the Calendar of Activities and Periods of Certain Prohibited Acts in connection with the May 13, 2019 National and Local Elections

Pursuant to the powers vested in it by the Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines, the Omnibus Election Code (B.P. Blg. 881), Republic Acts No. 6646, 7166, 8189, 8436, 9180, 10756 and other elections laws, the Commission on Elections (Commission) RESOLVED to prescribe the following calendar of activities and periods of prohibited acts in connection with the May 13, 2019 national and local elections:

SC to revise rules on election protests

Chief Justice Leonardo-de Castro

PADRE FAURA, Manila - Outgoing Chief Justice Teresita Leonardo-de Castro has created a special committee that will revise the Rules of Procedure in election contests before the courts involving elective municipal and barangay (village) officials.