Monday a holiday for SK elections

Another holiday coming up.

President Arroyo has declared July 15 a nationwide holiday to enable registered voters to vote in the synchronized barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections.

"It is important to give the people the fullest opportunity to participate in the said elections and exercise their right to vote," the President said in issuing Proclamation No. 217.

Meanwhile, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) turned over a check worth P461 million to the Department of Education (DepEd) as payment for the per diem of teachers who will compose the board of election tellers (BET) that will serve during next Monday’s elections.

There are about 570,000 BETS composed of approximately 550,000 public school teachers and 20,000 DepEd personnel who are expected to work during the synchronized elections. There are 192,109 polling precincts nationwide.

Mrs. Arroyo appealed yesterday to voters through radio and television to show the world their faith in Philippine freedom and democracy by participating actively in the elections.

"On the 15th of July, let’s all go out and vote. Let’s all work for honest, orderly, and peaceful elections. Let’s show the world our faith and democracy," she said.

The President emphasized the importance of voting next Monday, saying officials who will "take care of our communities, who will guard and protect us from criminals, and take care of the daily needs of our communities" will be elected.

"They may be your own relatives, friends, neighbors, or people known in your community. But you must be the ones to vote them into office," she said.

The President did not say where she and her family will vote, either in San Miguel district in Manila which has jurisdiction over Malacañang, or in La Vista, Quezon City.

Mrs. Arroyo reassured voters that the Comelec had deputized the military, police and other law enforcers to ensure the holding of clean, honest and peaceful elections on Monday.

The check turnover ceremonies were held at the Comelec Chairman’s office at the Palacio del Gobernador building in Intramuros. Among those present were Comelec Commissioners Rufino Javier, Ralph Lantion, Mehol Sadain, Resurreccion Borra, Florentino Tuason Jr. and DepEd Undersecretary Ernesto Pangan..

Javier said that Comelec Resolution No. 4846 provides for the payment of per diem to members of the BETs who are assigned by Comelec to assist in elections.

The turnover of funds before an election was held was unprecedented in Comelec history. In the past, delay in the transfer of funds had resulted in the nonpayment or lag in the disbursement of fee for BETs.

Each DepEd personnel or teacher who are assigned to assist in the July 15 elections will receive P800.

Also the Comelec is looking for alternative polling places if rains and floods persist, Borra said in a press conference.

Borra said the alternative polling places or precincts may be barangay halls, other school buildings and private school buildings.

Borra said that in worst cases, the Comelec may even put up polling places in public markets, sidewalks, streets and vacant lots where tents can be assembled.

One of the Comelec concerns is how to provide security in alternative polling places to enable the conduct of free, orderly, honest, and peaceful elections, Borra said.

Meanwhile, Education Secretary Raul Roco said they are coordinating closely with the Comelec to ensure the timely payment for DepEd personnel who will assist in the July 15 elections.

Roco said authorities will ensure the safety of teachers against abuse during the conduct of the elections.

At the Supreme Court, justices dismissed yesterday a petition by some SK officials who claimed they were disenfranchised by the new age limit set by Republic Act 9164 to "less than 18 years old." Maximum age limit in previous SK elections was pegged at 21.

Jun Alcover, president of the National Alliance for Democracy, urged voters yesterday to reject candidates supported and financed by the New People’s Army.

In a statement, Alcover said that several barangays nationwide are reportedly infiltrated by communist groups like Bayan Muna. - Marichu Villanueva, Sandy Araneta, Sheila Crisostomo, Delon Porcalla