Senatorial bets welcome foreign observers

MANILA, Philippines - Senatorial candidates welcomed yesterday the arrival of foreign observers in May to monitor the elections, saying they could witness the “maturity” of the country’s electoral process and prevent possible attempts to thwart the will of the people.

“I just hope that they would really be able to document the real situation on the ground come election day,” said Zambales Rep. Milagros Magsaysay, a senatorial candidate of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA).

“They will also help deter any attempts to thwart the real voice of the people,” Magsaysay said, adding the observers will be very helpful because their reports could serve as basis for improving the automated election system.

Aurora Rep. Juan Edgardo Angara, who is running for senator under Team PNoy, said “an international consensus on the integrity of the electoral process has the same weight as a credit rating upgrade.”

Foreign observers who will visit the country for the midterm elections “will see nothing but the maturity and integrity” of the electoral process, he said.

“Let them observe and write about the integrity of the political processes here,” Angara said.

The foreign observers will be authorized to conduct interviews with key officials of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and members of the Board of Inspectors (BEIs) in polling areas, as well as voters.

Cagayan Rep. Jack Enrile, meanwhile, called for common effort by all concerned to ensure clean, fair, and peaceful elections in May.

“I must commend the Comelec for exerting best efforts in making the May midterm polls a highly successful one, starting from the cleansing of voters’ lists to the timely printing of ballots and enforcing the rules and regulations on campaigning and posting of campaign posters,” Enrile said.

“As we approach Election Day itself, we all have to do our share so that there will be no vote-buying, no violence or intimidation, and no irregularities that will taint the outcome of this political exercise,” he said.

“Clean and credible elections should be the concern of everyone, not just the Comelec. This is a matter that goes beyond party lines or affiliations as it reflects the political maturity of our electorate and the integrity of our democratic system founded on freedom of choice,” he added.  – With Jose Rodel Clapano