President Marcos declares May 12 a holiday for elections

MANILA, Philippines, May 7 ------ President Marcos yesterday declared May 12 as a special non-working holiday nationwide. The declaration is contained in Proclamation No. 878 signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin by the authority of Marcos. “There is a need to declare Monday as a special (non-working) holiday to enable the people to properly exercise their right to vote,” the declaration read. 

The proclamation was signed on Tuesday, following a request from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and some labor groups. 

Among the labor groups that supported the call was the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP), which urged President Marcos to declare the date a holiday to safeguard the right to vote of approximately 10 million workers. “Declaring May 12 as a holiday now – rather than later – sends a clear message: that in our democracy, workers’ votes count and their voices matter,” TUCP president Raymond Mendoza said. 

The Comelec, on the other hand, had urged the President to declare May 12 a holiday to help ensure high voter turnout. According to the poll body, there are more than 68 million registered voters in the country. Around 18,000 national and local positions will be contested in this year’s midterm elections. 

With only five days left before the May 12 midterm polls, Comelec has released its final reminders for voters across the country. First, Chairman George Garcia urged voters to prepare a list of chosen candidates and verify the location of their polling precincts in advance. “Do not just mark with a check or dot. Shade the entire circle. Do not stain your ballot – it might be compromised,” Garcia said in Filipino. 

Comelec also advised the public not to accept sample ballots or offers of free rides and meals from candidates, as these constitute vote buying and are considered criminal offenses. Voters are not required to bring a pen, though an identification card may be presented for verification. While cell phones are allowed, taking photos of the ballot, the vote counting machine (VCM) screen or the voting receipt is prohibited. “Do not take pictures just for Facebook. Let us respect the solemnity of the voting process while inside. Behave in the precinct, because you may be reported by watchers, included in the minutes and possibly sued,” Garcia added. 

Wearing campaign apparel with candidate names or images inside polling precincts is not allowed. After voting, Garcia encouraged the public to return home immediately to avoid overcrowding. Elderly voters, persons with disabilities and heavily pregnant women will be allowed to vote earlier, from 5 a.m. to 7 a.m. To further accommodate voters, Comelec has also designated select malls as polling places. 

Source: philstar.com