Comelec, stakeholders discuss electoral issues during first National Election Summit

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) held its first-ever National Election Summit on Wednesday, inviting dozens of stakeholders to discuss several electoral issues, including campaign finance, and how to ensure fair elections.

In his opening speech, Comelec chair George Garcia explained that the summit was organized to allow the poll body to hear the opinions of its stakeholders in enforcing election laws in the country.

“The sovereign, through the 1987 Constitution, has empowered the Commission on Elections with such a mandate and duty to administer and enforce election laws in the country,” said Garcia.

“Even with such a plenary authority, it is to be admitted that we cannot do it alone. We need your help, your guidance, your criticisms, your well-meaning suggestions on how to further improve the conduct of all electoral exercises in the country. This is what the first election summit is all about,” he added.

Garcia also tagged the summit as “historic,” explaining in a press briefing that it was because it showed the public the Comelec’s intention to listen and consult with its stakeholders.

“Mahirap na kami lang po ang may monopolyo ng pamamaraan [at] kaalaman sa kung paano tayo magkakaroon ng maayos na election management, so yun ‘yung dahilan bakit historic ito dahil we consult everyone,” said Garcia.

(It’s demanding that we are the only ones who have a monopoly on the method [and] knowledge on how we can have proper election management, so this is historic because we consult everyone.)

According to Garcia, 53 focused group discussions are set to be held in the summit’s breakout sessions. The topics to be discussed are the following:

• Voter Registration
• Voting, Counting and Canvassing Processes
• Campaign Finance and Fair Elections
• Filing of Certificate of Candidacy, Party-list accreditation, Adjudication of cases
• Teachers as members of electoral boards
• Voter Education

“Pro or against the Comelec, it doesn’t matter. What is important in this is democracy, we listen and we will definitely act accordingly,” said Garcia.

The summit is set to be held for three days until March 10. Guests on the first day included Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, Senator Imee Marcos, and Mountain Province Rep. Maximo Dalog Jr.

Meanwhile, Garcia said Vice President Sara Duterte and Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin are expected to attend its second day, while President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will arrive on the final day, March 10.

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JPV/abc