Noy signs absentee voting law for media

MANILA, Philippines - Members of the media can now vote ahead of the May 13 elections, Malacañang announced Friday.

Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a press briefing that President Aquino has already signed into law Republic Act 10380 or "An Act Providing for Local Absentee Voting for Media."

"'Yung pertinent provisions lang po nito ay pwede na po ‘yung mga kasamahan po natin -- hindi lang po ‘yung mga reporter, pati po ‘yung mga technical staff -- na meron ho by reason of their functions, meron po ngayong trabaho sa araw ng eleksyon, ay pwede po kayong bumoto para doon sa posisyon ng President, Vice President, senators, and party-list representatives," she said.

Valte said the Commission on Elections, within 30 days of the signing of this law, shall promulgate the implementing rules and regulations (IRR).

"Kasama po doon sa pag-balangkas ‘nung IRR ay ‘yung system of accreditation and verification ng mga miyembro ng media, ‘yung mga media practitioners, technical and support staff na magiging kwalipikado para mag-avail ‘nung local absentee voting," she explained.

"Let’s take advantage of the new law so you can exercise your right to vote," Valte told members of the media.

Based on the proposed law, members of the may vote on April 28, 29 and 30 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., ahead of election day on May 13.

The Comelec said that under Resolution 9637 containing the implementing rules and regulations on Local Absentee Voting (LAV), members of media must vote at the Comelec offices where they have filed their applications for absentee voting.

Application forms must be filed in the offices of the Provincial Elections Supervisors or City Election Officers in the provinces, and Office of the Regional Election Director in Metro Manila, not later than March 31, the Comelec added.