ELECTIONS chairman George Garcia yesterday said he has refused the request of the delegation of about 300 observers from the European Union (EU) to grant them access to all polling precincts during the May 12 polls.
Garcia said the Omnibus Election Code (OEC) states that only the members of the Electoral Boards, Comelec representatives, watchers, voters casting their votes, voters waiting for their turn to get inside the booths, and voters waiting for their turn to cast their votes are allowed inside the polling place.
Garcia said that during their meeting on Wednesday afternoon, the EU delegation sought the poll body’s permission to gain access to the polling precincts when they observe the midterm polls.
“They told us that they want to enter the polling precincts. They said that if they aren’t allowed, it might violate international standards on international observations and might compromise the 30 years observation of EU,” he said.
“I told them firmly that they cannot go inside polling precincts as it is not allowed by the law,” he added.
Garcia said his position was backed by the Comelec en banc, which he consulted after his meeting with the EU delegation.
“The Comelec en banc is standing firm that we cannot allow anybody inside the polling precincts,” said the poll chief.
Earlier, the Comelec welcomed the EU observer mission, which is considered as the biggest delegation that the EU has deployed since it started monitoring the conduct of elections worldwide in 2000.
The EU delegation has been divided into several teams, with two observers per team, and shall be deployed across the country on Election Day.
Garcia stressed that “the Comelec will always implement and stand firm on the implementation of our laws. We are invoking the sovereignty of this country and the Philippine laws.”
He said that using the “international standards” as reason to enter polling precincts is unacceptable.
Under Comelec Resolution No. 11121, all duly accredited election observers shall respect the Philippine laws and the authority of the Comelec and their duly accredited deputies at all times.
“If you’re going to insist, we have to insist on the observance of the law. We didn’t give you a full blanket authority. When we gave you authority to observe, that’s subject to the limitations provided by law,” Garcia said.
He said violation of elections laws and rules is tantamount to committing an election offense.
“What if a watcher will file cases against any of your representatives? We cannot prevent that. That’s a violation of the law,” he said.
He also said such acts may also endanger future election observer missions in the Philippines.
“Whatever action that you will undertake may have an impact on future accreditations,” said Garcia.
NOT HIRING
Meanwhile, Garcia yesterday denied posts on social media that the poll body looking to hire poll watchers for the May 12 midterm polls.
“There is this fake news that we are hiring poll watchers with a salary of P4,000. To our countrymen, especially those looking for jobs, that is not true. It is a lie because we don’t need to hire watchers for every polling precinct,” he said.
He stressed that the Comelec employs Electoral Board (EB) members, and not watchers.
“Watchers are being hired by politicians, candidates, and political parties,” he said.
In a related development, Garcia said 10 public school teachers in Cotabato City and 20 others across the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao will not be serving as EB members on Monday because they are related to candidates or are ill.
Garcia said the 30 teachers shall be replaced by PNP members.
Garcia appealed to all public school teachers to inform the Comelec earlier than Election Day if they are planning to skip serving in polling precincts.
“If you will withdraw from election services for whatever reason, please do it by Friday so that we will still have time to send PNP personnel,” he said.
Some 9,000 PNP personnel have been trained to serve as EB members on Election Day, if necessary.
