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Sunday, October 28, 2007
All systems go for Monday’s polls
MANILA -- Police, military and poll officials assured Saturday that it’s all systems go for the synchronized barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections on Monday.
PNP chief Director General Avelino Razon placed the entire police force in a nationwide full alert starting Sunday morning to ensure peace and order.
Post your comments on the explosion at the Glorietta 2 mall in Makati City.
Police have also been instructed to enforce the liquor ban and to accost those caught doing last-minute campaigning.
In a statement sent Saturday, PNP Chief Avelino Razon Jr. urged police directors to make sure the New People’s Army does not succeed in its plan to mobilize its armed units for Monday’s polls.
The PNP estimates that the CPP-NPA has a mass base in 2,224 barangays in the country, most of which are within the areas of operation of the 95 active CPP-NPA guerilla fronts.
“Our intelligence assessment indicates a massive effort by the CPP-NPA and its legal front organizations to field sympathetic candidates in the barangay and SK elections in order for the movement to regain lost ground,” Razon said.
He reminded all commanders and personnel to remain focused on their duties instead of diverting their attention to political intrigues and other raging issues the country is facing, like the Glorietta 2 blast and the release of former president Joseph Estrada.
A liquor ban is imposed Sunday and during the elections. The official campaign period ended Saturday.
Razon ordered his directors to prevent election-related violence.
“As deputized agency of the Comelec, we have to ensure that the Electoral Code and all pertinent resolutions are enforced, including the strict implementation of the liquor ban, gun ban, and prohibitions on all forms of gaming and gambling activities on the eve of the elections,” he said.
PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Samuel Pagdilao Jr. said police senior officers are making the rounds of the provinces to supervise last-minute preparations.
“Our personnel are in place. They are just waiting for instructions or guidelines before polling centers open on Monday,” Pagdilao said.
So far, he said there is “no problem” with the preparations for the October 29 polls.
“Everything is okay, based on the assessment and evaluation, everything is in order for Monday’s elections,” he said.
Pagdilao added that this year’s election is much more peaceful than in 2002, noting there were “only” 22 election-related violent incidents so far this year as compared to 169 in 2002.
He also urged the public to report poll-related irregularities to the PNP through the “2920” and “117” hotlines and through PNP chief Razon’s cell number at 0917-8475757
Meanwhile, Chief Justice Reynato Puno has ordered courts nationwide to open at least one sala and maintain a skeletal force on Election day.
The courts will preside over a “possible big number of arrests for varied elections offenses” and to receive payments and bonds in connection with such violations, Justice Puno said in an urgently-passed circular dated Oct. 26.
The courts can preside over such offenses pursuant to Administrative Order 129-2007 dated August 15 this year, Puno reminded.
The Chief Justice issued the circular following the urgent request also on Friday of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) en banc.
Among the possible violations are campaigning beyond 12 o’clock midnight yesterday, Oct. 27.
The Comelec also announced the availability of the transportation allowances that will be released to teachers, who will serve as Board of Election Tellers (BETs) for the synchronized SK and Barangay elections.
“The allowance will be distributed equitably to public school teachers who will once again offer their venerable services to the country as we cast our ballots on Monday” said Comelec spokesman James Jimenez.
The allowance will be given to the teachers upon getting the election paraphernalia from the Municipal or City Treasurers on Monday morning, Jimenez added.
On the other hand, the education department will launch Monday ‘the 2007 DepEd Election Task Force Operation Center,’ at the Bulwagan ng Karunungan, DepEd Central Office.
The DepEd will try to prove its readiness in working with the Comelec for a smooth conduct of the elections.
Undersecretary for Legal Affairs Franklin Suñga said the DepEd Election Task Force will ensure that teachers shall be provided with adequate information, technical and legal assistance in the course of performing their duties as election tellers.
“We are well-prepared for the elections, and we will go the extra mile to guarantee the safety of our teachers,” Sunga said.
The 97 strong task force headed by an eight-member steering group shall also serve as DepEd’s link to volunteer organizations and individuals involved in the Barangay and SK Elections. (JMR/PNA/Sunnex)For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star General Santos. (October 27, 2007 issue)
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2 poll candidates killed, 4 others hurt