Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 5) — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said they have not monitored any threat to the holding of the 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections in the municipality of Kalayaan in Palawan.
Comelec Chairman George Garcia on Thursday said the PCG will help secure the deployment of ballots and peaceful conduct of elections, especially in the town part of Spratly Islands.
“Sa [In] Kalayaan, which happens to be a municipality of the province of Palawan, hindi masyadong ganun ang tensyon doon o ganun ang problema doon [the tension or problem there is low],” Garcia said.
“Wala tayong masyadong nakikitang [We don’t see so much] problem sa distribution, shipment and logistical problem when it comes to election paraphernalia,” he added.
PCG Commandant Admiral Artemio Abu echoed the poll body chief’s statement which was made following recent maritime incidents involving Chinese vessels in disputed waters.
“So far wala naman po kaming nakikita,” he said. “But alam natin ang preparasyon natin ay dapat laging mas malamang. Ang ating kahandaan ay dapat mas lamang doon sa ating inaasahan. We are ready for any unforeseen events.”
[Translation: So far, we don’t see any [problem] but we know that we have to be prepared. Our preparedness should always outweigh our expectations.]
The PCG is on standby to assist the Comelec in case any issues surface in the deployment of official ballots and other election paraphernalia, especially in far-flung areas.
“Sa bagay na yan diyan natin maaasahan ang suporta ng Coast Guard,” Abu said. “Dahil ang pangako natin sa Commission on Elections, kung saan magkakaproblema mag-distribute ng balota andiyan ang Philippine Coast Guard.”
[Translation: We can rely on our Coast Guard regarding that matter. Our promise to the Commission on Elections, our Philippine Coast Guard will assist whenever problems arise in the distribution of ballots.]
The poll body on Thursday also turned over P10 million to the PCG as part of its allocated budget for the conduct of the BSKE.
Garcia said he believes the funds will be a huge boost for the PCG to fulfill its mandate.
The PCG chief said the funds will mostly be used for its operations, being among the deputized law enforcement agencies during the polls.
In August, the PCG and Comelec signed a deal to formalize their partnership in ensuring a peaceful, orderly and successful conduct of elections.
