COMELEC Chairman SIxto S. Brillantes Jr. swears in newly appointed COMELEC Commissioner Luie Guia in a simple ceremony this afternoon at the Poll Body’s Main Office in Intramuros, Manila. (Photo by COMELEC-EID)

JV Ejercito among Senatorial bets summoned for poster violations

In the list of Senatorial and Partylist bets summoned by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Law Department for poster violations released yesterday by the COMELEC Education and Information Department, the name of candidate Joseph Victor G. Ejercito was inadvertently not included.

For the information of the public, candidate JV Ejercito was directed to appear before the COMELEC Law Department on 2:00PM of April 26, 2013 for preliminary investigation for violation of Section 9 of Republic Act 9006 as implemented by COMELEC Resolution No. 9615.

A complaint was filed by the COMELEC against candidate Ejercito for his campaign materials illegally posted at an electric post along Earnshaw corner Montana Streets in Manila.

Aside from Ejercito, Senatorial candidates Gregorio Honasan, Eduardo Villanueva, Benigno ‘Bam’ Aquino, Richard Gordon and Cynthia Villar were also summoned by the COMELEC Law Department.

The COMELEC also issued subpoenas to Partylist groups LPG Marketers Association, Akbayan, 1 BRO PGBI, Sanlakas and Bagong Henerasyon for poster violations. ###

COMELEC summons 5 Senatoriables for poster violations

The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) announced today that its Law Department has summoned five (5) Senatorial candidates in connection with violations to Sec. 9 of Republic Act 9006 (Fair Elections Act) as implemented by COMELEC Resolution 9615.

The Senatorial candidates directed by the COMELEC to appear for preliminary investigation are:

• Gregorio Honasan (April 26, 2013; 2:00PM)
• Eduardo Villanueva (April 25, 2013; 2:00PM)
• Benigno ‘Bam’ Aquino (April 25, 2013; 10:00AM and April 29, 2013; 2:00PM)
• Richard Gordon (April 30, 2013; 10:00AM), and
• Cynthia Villar (April 30, 2013; 10:00AM).

The COMELEC also issued subpoenas to the following Partylist groups for poster violations:

• LPG Marketers Association (April 29,2013; 10:00AM)
• Akbayan (April 29, 2013; 10:00AM)
• 1 BRO PGBI (April 29, 2013; 2:00PM)
• Sanlakas (April 30, 2013; 2:00PM)
• Bagong Henerasyon (April 30, 2013; 2:00PM)

COMELEC Spokesman James Jimenez said these hearings prove the poll body’s determination to impartially enforce campaign rules in connection with the upcoming elections. ###

“Operation Baklas” in Pasay City yields truckloads of illegal campaign materials

The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) conducted this morning an “Operation Baklas” of illegal campaign materials in Pasay City.

With the assistance of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the Philippine National Police (PNP), the COMELEC removed illegally placed election paraphernalia along C. Jose and Talipapa in Malibay; Aurora Boulevard and Andrews Avenue in Pasay City.

The operation yielded truckloads of campaign materials that were placed in areas outside the designated common poster areas such as electric wires and posts, on public utility vehicles, bridges and other public places.

Atty. Frances Aguindadao-Arabe, Pasay City 2nd Dist. Election Officer, noted that the “Operation Baklas” this morning is just the start of a series of operations to ensure candidates’ compliance to COMELEC’s campaign rules.

Arabe said, before today’s operation, her office has already sent out notices to both local and national candidates regarding poster violations.

“The COMELEC, under the leadership of Chairman Sixto S. Brillantes Jr., is determined to ensure compliance to our election laws,” said Arabe.

“Nananawagan ako sa mga kandidato na sundin nila ang mga alituntunin sa tamang pangangampaniya para makaiwas sa parusang itinakda ng batas.”

According to Arabe, those found guilty of election offense shall be punished with one to six years imprisonment, disqualification to hold public office and deprivation of their right to suffrage. ###

MMDA operatives remove campaign materials strewn along electric wires in Malibay Pasay

Metro folk invited to try automated voting
PCOS Demo Centers in Metro Manila launched

The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Education and Information Department announced the establishment of Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS) Demonstration Centers in the National Capital Region (NCR).

According to COMELEC-EID Acting Director III Maria Victoria Dulcero, the PCOS Demo Centers in the National Capital Region were formally launched on April 8, 2013 by the COMELEC Public Relations Division, represented by Acting PR Chief Erna Malinao, Ms. Marlene Rito (PRO IV) and Ms. Josephine Acacio (PRO III).

“The COMELEC invites the voters in Metro Manila to visit our PCOS Demo Centers so they may be able to experience first-hand, voting using the PCOS Machine,” Dulcero said.

The public can visit the PCOS Demo Centers in the following locations:

Quezon City : Food Court, SM North EDSA

San Juan City : Kiosk, Puregold, Agora Mall and Market

Mandaluyong City : 5th Floor, Multi-Purpose Hall, Market Place

Makati City : Activity Center, Glorietta 4

Pasay City : Ground Floor, Pasay City Hall

Las Pinas City : Activity Center, SM Las Pinas

Paranaque : Office of the Election Officer (Local COMELEC Office)

###

PCOS Demo Center in Makati City

COMELEC files Election Offense case vs BUHAY Partylist for campaign poster violations

The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) has summoned Melquiades A. Robles; Jose L. Atienza Jr.; Melchor R. Monsod; Mariano Michael dM. Velarde Jr.; Emmanuel R. Sison; Norberto D. Enriquez; Reynaldo M. Vargas and Joselito G. Chan all officers of BUHAY HAYAAN YUMABONG Party-list to appear before the COMELEC’s Law Department on April 11, 2013 for preliminary investigation on the Party’s possible violation of Sec. 9 of Fair Election Act (RA 9006) as implemented by COMELEC Resolution No. 9615.

COMELEC Spokesman James Jimenez the filing of an Election Offense case against Buhay belies claims by militant groups that the COMELEC is unfairly targeting partylist groups that are critical of the Administration.

“We assure the public that the COMELEC is bent on implementing election laws to the letter. Wala po kaming sini-sino,” Jimenez said. ###

As local campaign starts, COMELEC unleashes ‘Tina Tama’

Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Chairman Sixto S. Brillantes Jr. today announced the release of new public service video to educate the public and local candidates on the legal and proper way of campaigning.

“Nag umpisa na ang kampanyang lokal, inaasahan po namin na susunod kayo sa tamang paraan ng pangangampanya na nakasaad sa batas at ayon sa aming alituntunin. Ang mga pasaway ay idedemanda namin ng criminal election offense,” Chairman Brillantes said in the 2 minute COMELEC video featuring ‘Tina Tama’.

The campaign for local candidates has officially started Saturday, March 30, 2013. COMELEC Spokesman James Jimenez has earlier stated that the poll body expects an increase in violations of campaign rules once the campaign period for local candidates start.

In the new COMELEC video, “Tina Tama” contradicts “Boy Bawal,” saying that “hindi naman lahat ay bawal, mayroon din tamang paraan ng pangangampanya.” “Boy Bawal” was the COMELEC’s poster boy versus illegal campaigning. ‘Tina Tama’ outlines legal, proper and novel techniques that local candidates can adopt in their campaign.

She said candidates should be creative in their campaign and should be informed as to the location of Common Poster Areas designated by the COMELEC. Candidates should also seek the permission of private property owners if they want to place their campaign materials there, she said. ‘Tina Tama’ also discouraged the practice of vote buying.

“Tama na ang puro bawal, tama naman!,” Tina Tama said.

“Alam niyo na ang bawal, kaya gawin lang ang tama. Para maging maayos ang eleksyon, simulan sa tamang pangangampanya,” Boy Bawal and Tina Tama concluded. ###

Watch the video here:

PSA: Tina Tama

COMELEC unveils PCOS Demo Center in Palacio del Gobernador

Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Chairman Sixto S. Brillantes Jr. unveiled this morning a permanent Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS) Demonstration Center at the poll body’s main office in Intramuros, Manila.

“The PCOS Demo Center was conceived as a means of ensuring that the general public would have easy access to information about the PCOS Machines that will be used in the 2013 National and Local Elections,” said Chairman Brillantes in his message during the opening ceremony.

Brillantes explained that prior to the establishment of Demo Centers, the PCOS Machine was mostly seen during formal seminars or forums, and on television. He said 23 PCOS Demo Centers will set-up throughout the country.

“With the opening of these Centers, however, anyone can come in, on any working day, and be witness to the technology that revolutionized Philippine elections in 2010,” Brillantes noted.

COMELEC Spokesman James Jimenez, meanwhile, said that trained PCOS Lecturers will man the PCOS Demo Centers. Public can fill up test ballots and then feed them to the PCOS machine at the Demo Centers.

“We invite the public to drop by at the PCOS Demo Centers in their area. They can coordinate with their Local COMELEC Office to know the location of these centers,” Jimenez said.

Interested parties may contact the COMELEC Education and Information Department at telephone numbers 5259294 or 5275574 or thru email at pcosdemo@gmail.com to schedule a visit at the PCOS Demo Center in the COMELEC Main Office, Jimenez said. ###

COMELEC Chairman Sixto S. Brillantes leads the unveiling of a PCOS Demo Center inside the COMELEC’s Main Office in Intramuros (Photo from PCOS Demo Facebook page)

>>> COMELEC Resolution 9649

>>> APPLICATION FORMS

Rules on mass media accreditation for 2013 elections out

The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) has released the guidelines for mass media accreditation in connection with the May 13, 2013 automated national and local elections.

In Resolution No. 9649, promulgated 27 February 2013, the COMELEC said that the coming elections will generate “great media attention” and acknowledged the need to increase the efficiency in the recording and monitoring of grants of accreditation to “avoid the proliferation of spurious accreditation papers or media passes.”

“Duly accredited mass media shall be given free access to polling places, voting centers and canvassing centers for purposes of observing and reporting on election events and processes,” the poll body said in the Resolution.

The COMELEC defined ‘media representatives’ as those “who are actively engaged in the pursuit of information gathering and reporting or distribution, in any manner or form.” Media representatives, the COMELEC said, include:

• Print Journalists
• Television Journalists
• Photo Journalists
• Online Journalists
• Radio Journalists
• Novelists
• Screenwriters
• Playwrights
• Feature Film makers
• Documentary makers
• Television Production
• Professional Photographers
• Professional Videographers
• Public Relations Contrators

All parties requesting accreditation shall be required to submit a duly accomplished Accreditation Application Form; two (2) recently taken 2×2 colored photographs and an endorsement from the newspaper, television, radio station or internet news agency employing the applicant.

Visiting Foreign Media, on the other hand, shall be required to submit photocopies of both sides of their International Press Center (IPC) Card for the year 2013, aside from the requirements mentioned above.

Manila-based Foreign Media, meanwhile, are also required to submit an endorsement letter from their Manila Bureau Chief and back-to-back photocopies of their IPC Cards, aside from the requirements mentioned.

Application Forms for accreditation shall be available at the COMELEC Education and Information Department (COMELEC-EID) and in all COMELEC Offices nationwide. Application forms may also be downloaded from the COMELEC Website (http://www.comelec.gov.ph) and the website of the COMELEC-EID (http://www.comelec.wordpress.com) and (http://mycomelec.tv/main).

Applications for accreditation, according to the COMELEC, must be personally filed at the COMELEC-EID, in the case of national and foreign media. Applications from the Local Media shall be filed at the Office of the Provincial Election Supervisor (OPES) concerned. The period for filing of applications will run from February 1, 2013 to April 15, 2013. “This period shall be non-extendible,” said the COMELEC.

Media representatives shall be issued a non-transferrable Media Card upon accreditation.

“Duly accredited domestic and foreign media shall be allowed maximum access to all stages of the electoral process subject only to conditions essential for the protection of COMELEC personnel, property, and privileged information,” the COMELEC ruled. ###