May 10 is special non-working holiday

PRESIDENT Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has declared May 10, Election Day, as special non-working holiday.

Under Proclamation 2020, Arroyo said declaring May 10 (Monday) as holiday would encourage Filipinos to exercise their freedom and right to vote for the next leaders of the country.

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She earlier said one of her greatest legacies is to ensure honest and clean automated election as she encouraged international observers to monitor the upcoming first ever electronic elections.

The country, according to Arroyo, needs "critical election watchdogs" to safeguard the votes and ensure credible results.

“There is more important legacy than to leave the nation with a free and fair elections and a smooth transition to a new government. Our people deserve to have confidence that their vote counts and that our democracy works.”

The President added that it is her priority to protect the integrity of the vote and the election results so that the country will enjoy the rightful elected president.

“Let us do everything to make sure the new president and his team hit the ground running when they assume office,” she said, stressing that she will ensure a smooth transition to the incoming government.

Arroyo meanwhile said she will respect the independence of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in implementing elections and will stay out of the election process. (Jill Beltran/Sunnex)