Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 17) — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will not tolerate those who intend to disrupt the upcoming special elections in Cavite, as it guarantees peaceful and fair polls.
“Isang babala na rin doon sa mga nagnanais na maghasik ng lagim sa araw ng eleksyon na hindi natin papayagan yan — yung buong kapulisan, yung buong Cavite PPO (Police Provincial Office), yung buong Coast Guard, Army — na magkakaroon ng dahas sa ika-pitong distrito ng Cavite,” Comelec Chairman George Garcia said.
[Translation: We warn those who want to sow terror on election day that we — the entire police force, the entire Cavite PPO, the entire Coast Guard, Army — will not allow violence in the 7th district of Cavite.]
The poll body held a joint conference with the Cavite police office on Tuesday regarding security for the special polls that would determine the next representative of Cavite’s 7th district — the seat Jesus “Boying” Remulla vacated when President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. named him justice secretary.
Garcia said he anticipates a smooth election on Feb. 25 since voting and the counting and canvassing of votes are automated. He added that the success of the special polls will serve as a warm-up for the next national elections.
For Comelec Commissioner-in-Charge Marlon Casquejo, he said preparations for the special polls are on track, with the ballot printing, which began Jan. 11, expected to be completed within this week.
Casquejo said automating the special elections saves them funds and manpower, given the limited ₱38 million budget.
Cavite PPO Director PCol. Christoper Olazo, meanwhile, said they will deploy about 3,000 personnel from various law enforcement agencies to secure the polls.
A gun ban will also take effect during the election period from Jan. 26 to March 12. Campaigning will begin on Jan. 26 until Feb. 23.
Comelec said 355,184 registered voters from 116 barangays in Amadeo, Indang, Tanza, and Trece Martires City will cast their ballots. There will be 462 clustered precincts and 76 voting centers.
Four candidates are vying for the empty congressional seat: the justice secretary’s son, Crispin Diego Remulla, and independent aspirants Jose Angelito Domingo Aguinaldo, Melencio Loyola De Sagun Jr., and Michael Angelo Bautista Santos.
Last dance of the vote counting machines?
Comelec officials also renewed calls to retire the current vote counting machines (VCMs) and purchase new ones. Garcia said he does not want to pre-empt the poll body, but stands by his opinion on the VCMs.
“Not because I do not trust the machines but because masyado nang matagal ginagamit yung makina [the machines have been used for too long]. And therefore, baka yung efficiency niya, yung effectiveness ay ‘di na ganun kataas kumpara noong una siyang binili [maybe the efficiency and effectiveness are not as high as when they were first bought],” Garcia clarified.
