Question & AnswerQ&A (MEMORANDUM ORDER NO. 291)
Memorandum Order No. 291 expresses concurrence and ratification of the deputation of certain law enforcement and government agencies to ensure the free, orderly, honest, peaceful, and credible conduct of the December 13, 2008 plebiscite for ratifying the creation of Quezon del Sur and renaming Quezon into Quezon del Norte under Republic Act No. 9495.
The deputation was embodied in Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Resolution No. 8536, promulgated on November 12, 2008.
The Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), National Police Commission, and the Philippine National Police (PNP) were deputized.
Section 2, paragraph 4(c), Article IX of the 1987 Philippine Constitution authorizes the President to concur with the deputation of such agencies.
The plebiscite held on December 13, 2008, to ratify the creation of Quezon del Sur and the renaming of the mother province of Quezon into Quezon del Norte pursuant to Republic Act No. 9495.
Republic Act No. 9495 is the enabling law that provides for the creation of Quezon del Sur and the renaming of Quezon to Quezon del Norte, which was subject to ratification by plebiscite conducted as referenced in the memorandum.
The deputized agencies are directed to coordinate and cooperate with the Commission on Elections in ensuring a free, orderly, honest, peaceful, and credible conduct of the plebiscite.
The Memorandum Order took effect immediately upon its issuance on December 12, 2008.
The President's concurrence legally authorizes the deputized agencies to perform necessary duties in support of the Commission on Elections, thus strengthening the enforcement and security during election exercises.
Executive Secretary Eduardo R. Ermita signed the Memorandum Order on behalf of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.