WHILE insisting that they are prohibited from entering polling precincts while the elections is being conducted, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) yesterday said they are allowing the poll observers of the European Union (EU) to come inside before and after voting hours.
In a two-page letter, Comelec chairman George Garcia said they are allowing EU election observers to go inside polling precincts just as they jhave requested but only when voting has yet to begin and upon its conclusion.
“The Commission wishes to emphasize that observers and all other interested parties are welcome to enter the voting precincts during the close voting stage, to observe the printing of election returns, the transmission of election results, and the ballot review process,” said Garcia.
He said all canvassing sites shall likewise be opened to poll observers as soon as they have convened.
“The canvassing venues for cities, municipalities, and provinces are also open to election observers from 1:00 pm onwards on Election Day, when the various boards of canvassers will be convening for the preliminaries to the canvassing process,” said the poll chief.
“Observers are also welcome to the convening of the Commission en banc, sitting as the National Board of Canvassers, which is scheduled at 3:00 pm on Election Day at the Tent City of The Manila Hotel,” he added.
On the other hand, Garcia insisted that they can only conduct their observation activities during voting hours outside polling precincts.
“They can witness the voting procedures from a space with a clear view of the voting process, as long as the observation activity allows for the members of the electoral board to perform their work efficiently, and for the voters to cast their ballots in secrecy,” said Garcia.
He said Section 192 of the Omnibus Election Code specifically provides the identity of individuals who are only allowed inside polling precincts.
“(The law is) phrased to only allow members of the board of election inspectors (now called the members of election board), the watchers, the representatives of the Commission, the voters casting their votes, the voters waiting for their turn in the polling places during the voting process,” he stressed.
Earlier, the EU delegation of about 300 observers asked the Comelec to grant them access to all polling precincts during the May 12 polls.
The Comelec, however, quickly denied the request, saying such acts are against the laws of the Philippines.
FOREIGN NATIONALS
Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado yesterday warned foreign nationals anew not to take part in any political activities in the country and to strictly observe the limitations of their stay in the country.
“Foreigners are welcome guests in the Philippines, but they must respect our laws and refrain from interfering in any political exercise,” Viado said in a statement.
“Foreign nationals are prohibited from joining rallies, campaigns, or any political gatherings. These actions may be grounds for deportation. Such participation is a violation of Philippine immigration policies which bar foreign involvement in political activities, “he added.
A 2015 operations order issued by the BI explicitly forbids foreigners from engaging in political activities while in the country
The BI chief said they are working closely with law enforcement agencies and the Comelec to monitor potential violations.
He added that foreigners found violating these rules may face visa cancellation, blacklisting, and possible deportation.
At the same time, Viado also appealed to the public for help to report violations or suspicious activities involving foreign nationals through the Bureau’s official Facebook page.
In 2013, Dutch citizen Thomas van Beersum was deported after joining a protest and taunting the police, while Canadian student Kim Chatillon-Miller was deported for participating in an anti-SONA demonstration.
In 2018, Zimbabwean Tawanda Chandiwana, American Adam Thomas Shaw, and Malawian Miracle Osman were also ordered to leave the country for their involvement in leftist political activities.
Meanwhile, the Armed Forces yesterday raised concern over the seizure of P441 million in cash from nine foreign nationals and two Filipinos at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport last Friday.
“This incident raises serious concerns about potential election-related illegal activities, including vote-buying and money laundering,” said AFP said in a statement on Sunday night.
“The involvement of multiple foreign nationals strongly suggests the alarming possibility of foreign interference in our sovereign electoral process,” it added.
The military reiterated its commitment to “safeguarding the integrity of our democratic institutions,” adding it is ready to provide “full support” to the investigation being conducted by law enforcement agencies.
“We laud the vigilance and rapid response of the Philippine National Police and other law enforcement agencies, whose actions may have averted a significant threat to our democracy,” it said.
It urged the public to “remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities as we work together to safeguard the peaceful and credible conduct of the upcoming elections.”
The large amount of cash, placed inside several trolleys, was seized by PNP operatives while about to be transported to Manila.
Arrested were six Chinese, one Malaysian, one Indonesian, one Kazakhstan, and two Filipinos who failed to present documents justifying the transport of the cash.
The suspects initially presented a casino certificate, claiming the money came from gambling winning at junket operator White Horse.
White Horse is one of the two junket operators where the P200 million ransom paid for businessman Anson Que went through.
Que and his driver were kidnapped March but were still killed despite the ransom payment. Their cadavers were later found in Rodriguez, Rizal on April 9.
The AFP said failure of the suspects to provide valid documents to justify the transport of the cash “constitutes a clear violation” of a Comelec resolution which regulates and penalizes the transport of large sums of money during the election period.
The military commended law enforcement agencies for their “swift and decisive actions”, leading to the seizure of the cash.
The PNP is coordinating with the Anti-Money Laundering Council and with the Bureau of Immigration for the conduct of investigation for possible violations of money laundering and immigration laws. – With Ashzel Hachero and Victor Reyes
