Diane Hora | iMINDSPH
Manila — The Legal Network for Truthful Elections (LENTE) is calling on the House Committee on Appropriations and the Senate Committee on Electoral Reforms and People's Participation to expedite the passage of the "Act Strengthening the Commission on Elections," commonly referred to as the "COMELEC Integrity Bill."
The COMELEC Integrity Bill focuses on a crucial amendment to Section 55 of the Omnibus Election Code, which states, "The local government concerned shall provide a suitable place for the office of the provincial election supervisor and his staff and the election registrar and his staff.”
If amended, according to LENTE, the Bill will give meaning to the constitutional guarantee of independence to the COMELEC by removing its local field offices' institutional dependence on concerned Local Government Units for office space.
By amending this provision, the bill aims to uphold the constitutional guarantee of independence for the COMELEC by removing the dependence of its local field offices on concerned local government units for office accommodations.
LENTE said that with the 19th Congress nearing its adjournment, it is imperative to prioritize legislation that strengthens the integrity and autonomy of COMELEC field offices.
As the nation prepares for the 2025 National and Local Elections, alongside the 1st BARMM Parliamentary Elections, the COMELEC Integrity Bill becomes an urgent reinforcement, aligning seamlessly with the preparations and efforts for the implementation of the Full Automation System with Transparency Audit/Count (FASTrAC) program by COMELEC.
LENTE echoes the sentiments expressed by Representative Maximo Dalog Jr., Chairperson of the House Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reform, during his speech at the 10th Regular Meeting of the House Committee on January 23, 2024. Rep. Dalog urged the Senate Committee on Electoral Reforms to take action that would pave the way for the passage of the Bill. He also called on the Appropriations Committee to address pending measures with appropriations provisions, including the COMELEC Integrity Bill.
LENTE expresses its sincere appreciation to all the champions of the Integrity Bill in both the House and the Senate and those within the government bureaucracy who are actively working towards its realization.
LENTE lauds their efforts as crucial in strengthening the electoral system and ensuring the integrity of future elections.
תגובות