THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) is adapting additional measures to ensure that the May 9 polls will not be a Covid-19 “super spreader” event, even as the Philippine National Police (PNP) reported massive violations of health protocols in just a span of four days. Comelec Commissioner Aimee Neri, chair of…
(File photo) MANILA - The government will hold special vaccination days in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) to address the low vaccination rate in the region, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said on Thursday. "Mababa pa yung vaccination rate lalo na yung areas ng BARMM, Regions 12 (Soccsksargen), 7 (Central Visayas), medyo mababa pa yung vaccination rate diyan. So talagang sabay ito yung ginagawa natin both monitoring the violations on the election campaign and at the same time sa health protocols (The vaccination rate is still low, especially in the areas of BARMM, Regions 12, 7, the vaccination rate is still relatively low there. So this is really what we are doing both monitoring the violations on the election campaign and at the same time on health protocols)," Ano told reporters during the joint press conference of DILG, Commission on Elections (Comelec), and the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Camp Crame. He said
(PNA photo by Avito Dalan) MANILA - Two groups on Wednesday requested the Supreme Court (SC) to compel the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to implement digital signatures for the May 9 polls, disclose critical information and allow access of political parties, candidates, accredited media and other organizations to the poll body's processes. In their petition, the National Press Club of the Philippines (NPC) and the Guardians Brotherhood and Automated Election System (AES Watch) sought a writ of mandamus from the SC for the poll body to allow access and inspection of the printing of ballots at the National Printing Office, including the examination of the ballots already printed without the presence of observers. The group also sought the publication of deployment destinations of the ballots printed without the presence of observers. "While we appreciate the pronouncements of the new poll chair, Saidamen Pangarungan and the two new commissioners, George Garcia and Aimee Neri
(File photo) MANILA - The composition of the First and Second divisions of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has been decided, an official said on Thursday. Commissioner George Garcia, in a message to reporters, said the matter has been settled during the poll body's seven-member en banc meeting on Wednesday. Garcia will be joined by Commissioner Rey Bulay as a member of the Second Division to be headed by Commissioner Marlon Casquejo as presiding commissioner. The First Division will be headed by Commissioner Socorro Inting with Commissioners Aimee Ferolino and Aimee Neri. Garcia, Neri, and poll body chairperson Saidamen Pangarungan were appointed by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte last week. Garcia, a veteran election lawyer, earlier said he will inhibit himself from poll cases, which he handled prior to his appointment to the commission. Among Garcia's former clients are presidential candidates Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko
MANILA - Malacanang defended Wednesday the appointment of Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner Aimee Neri who was embroiled in extortion allegations. In a virtual Palace press briefing, acting presidential spokesperson and Communications Secretary Martin Andanar reiterated that Neri's appointment underwent a vetting process. Neri was also the "personal choice" of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte since the former Davao City mayor was able to work with her during his mayoral stint, Andanar added. "The appointment of Commission on Elections Commissioner Aimee Neri, is a presidential prerogative. The commissioner is the personal choice of the President having served as the President's lawyer in the gender's office in Davao. Dumaan po sa vetting process and kaniyang appointment (Her appointment underwent vetting process)," he said. Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon on Monday sought Neri' resignation, saying the new Comelec commissioner should