Longer ballots if midterm polls, plebiscite to be done simultaneously: Comelec | ABS-CBN
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Longer ballots if midterm polls, plebiscite to be done simultaneously: Comelec
Longer ballots if midterm polls, plebiscite to be done simultaneously: Comelec
Quezon City teachers acting as Election officers receive and prepare ballot boxes and other election materials to be used in their respective precincts at the Quezon City Hall on October 29, 2023, the eve of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/File.
Quezon City teachers acting as Election officers receive and prepare ballot boxes and other election materials to be used in their respective precincts at the Quezon City Hall on October 29, 2023, the eve of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/File.MANILA - Expect longer ballots for the 2025 midterm elections if the plebiscite for the proposed amendments to the Constitution is held on the same day.
MANILA - Expect longer ballots for the 2025 midterm elections if the plebiscite for the proposed amendments to the Constitution is held on the same day.
This, according to Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Garcia on Tuesday, would most likely be the adjustment they will make. He assured, however, that there will be no additional cost.
This, according to Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Garcia on Tuesday, would most likely be the adjustment they will make. He assured, however, that there will be no additional cost.
“Nagpagawa tayo ng sample ballots sa ITD (Information Technology Department) kung saan ang sample ballot ay naglalaman ng possible na mga tanong sa plebisito. Ito ay nasa harapan, wala sa likod, bago ang listahan ng mga senador. Kung sakali, baka hahaba lang ang ating balota. Pero walang magiging karagdagan sa aming gastos, supplies, gamit. May kakayanan din ang mga makina para basahin kung yes or no,” Garcia said.
“Nagpagawa tayo ng sample ballots sa ITD (Information Technology Department) kung saan ang sample ballot ay naglalaman ng possible na mga tanong sa plebisito. Ito ay nasa harapan, wala sa likod, bago ang listahan ng mga senador. Kung sakali, baka hahaba lang ang ating balota. Pero walang magiging karagdagan sa aming gastos, supplies, gamit. May kakayanan din ang mga makina para basahin kung yes or no,” Garcia said.
Garcia has previously said that they can schedule the two events simultaneously if that is what Congress requires.
Garcia has previously said that they can schedule the two events simultaneously if that is what Congress requires.
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Both houses of Congress are deliberating their respective versions of amendments to the 1987 Constitution.
Both houses of Congress are deliberating their respective versions of amendments to the 1987 Constitution.
According to Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. wants the plebiscite done on the same day as the midterm polls.
According to Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. wants the plebiscite done on the same day as the midterm polls.
Although Garcia would prefer the plebiscite and polls conducted separately, he acknowledged that there is no legal impediment to it based on the study of the Comelec's Law Department.
Although Garcia would prefer the plebiscite and polls conducted separately, he acknowledged that there is no legal impediment to it based on the study of the Comelec's Law Department.
"Sa akin kasi hangga’t maaari, maganda talaga na magkahiwalay ang national and local elections at ang plebisito upang mas mapaliwanag sa mamamayan kung ano ‘yung binabago At the same time, makapag-focus naman separately para sa kung sino ang dapat ihalal at ilagay po sa isang puwesto dito sa ating bansa. But then at the same time, again, I would readily agree naman talaga na walang provision na nagbabawal na pagsamahin,” Garcia explained.
"Sa akin kasi hangga’t maaari, maganda talaga na magkahiwalay ang national and local elections at ang plebisito upang mas mapaliwanag sa mamamayan kung ano ‘yung binabago At the same time, makapag-focus naman separately para sa kung sino ang dapat ihalal at ilagay po sa isang puwesto dito sa ating bansa. But then at the same time, again, I would readily agree naman talaga na walang provision na nagbabawal na pagsamahin,” Garcia explained.
In Occena vs Comelec, the Supreme Court did not decide on whether a plebiscite can be done alongside the national and local elections. It only supposedly ruled that a plebiscite can be done 90 days after the elections, but not earlier than 60 days before the polls.
In Occena vs Comelec, the Supreme Court did not decide on whether a plebiscite can be done alongside the national and local elections. It only supposedly ruled that a plebiscite can be done 90 days after the elections, but not earlier than 60 days before the polls.
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Garcia also noted that the plebiscite will not affect the preparations for the May elections if held simultaneously.
Garcia also noted that the plebiscite will not affect the preparations for the May elections if held simultaneously.
“Ang ating po talaga lang inaayawan ay ‘yung ihihiwalay ang isang plebisito. Halimbawa, sinabi natin kung gagawin ang plebisito ngayong taon na ito ay hindi po namin kaya. Kung gagawin ang plebisito before the election ng May 2025, hindi po namin kaya. Sa pagitan ng May 2025 at saka Barangay and SK elections ng 2025, hindi rin po namin kaya. Pero kung sinasabihin na kasabay ito ng national and local election, basta sinabi ng Kongreso, dahil sa bandang huli naman yung pagdidesisyon kung ano ang gagawin at kung ano ang eleksyon na gagawin ng Komisyon ay nakadepende po sa batas, sa Konstitusyon at sa sasabihin po ng ating Kongreso,” Garcia elaborated.
“Ang ating po talaga lang inaayawan ay ‘yung ihihiwalay ang isang plebisito. Halimbawa, sinabi natin kung gagawin ang plebisito ngayong taon na ito ay hindi po namin kaya. Kung gagawin ang plebisito before the election ng May 2025, hindi po namin kaya. Sa pagitan ng May 2025 at saka Barangay and SK elections ng 2025, hindi rin po namin kaya. Pero kung sinasabihin na kasabay ito ng national and local election, basta sinabi ng Kongreso, dahil sa bandang huli naman yung pagdidesisyon kung ano ang gagawin at kung ano ang eleksyon na gagawin ng Komisyon ay nakadepende po sa batas, sa Konstitusyon at sa sasabihin po ng ating Kongreso,” Garcia elaborated.
A separate plebiscite will cost the government around P13 billion.
A separate plebiscite will cost the government around P13 billion.
Garcia did, however, appeal for additional teachers’ honoraria amounting to around P2 billion or P2,000 per person if the proposal pushes through since there will be more work for them.
Garcia did, however, appeal for additional teachers’ honoraria amounting to around P2 billion or P2,000 per person if the proposal pushes through since there will be more work for them.
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