QuestionsQuestions (MEMORANDUM ORDER NO. 291)
It expresses the President’s concurrence and ratification of COMELEC Resolution No. 8536, deputizing certain government agencies to ensure a free, orderly, honest, peaceful, and credible plebiscite on Dec. 13, 2008 for the creation of Quezon del Sur and the renaming of the mother province of Quezon into Quezon del Norte pursuant to R.A. No. 9495.
Section 2(4)(c), Article IX of the 1987 Constitution, which relates to the Commission on Elections’ authority and the President’s concurrence/participation regarding election functions and deputation of law enforcement and other agencies.
COMELEC Resolution No. 8536, promulgated on November 12, 2008.
The December 13, 2008 plebiscite to ratify (1) the creation of Quezon del Sur and (2) the renaming of the mother province of Quezon into Quezon del Norte.
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).
To ensure the free, orderly, honest, peaceful, and credible conduct of the Dec. 13, 2008 plebiscite.
Republic Act No. 9495, dated September 07, 2007.
They are directed to coordinate and cooperate with the Commission on Elections in the performance of their duties and functions.
It means the President affirms and formally approves the deputation embodied in COMELEC Resolution No. 8536, thereby validating the use of the identified agencies to support COMELEC in election/plebiscite operations.
It ties the plebiscite’s purpose and legitimacy to the enabling law (R.A. 9495), indicating that the plebiscite is required by that statute and the deputation is in aid of implementing it.
It shall take effect immediately.
It is signed by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, with Executive Secretary Eduardo R. Ermita attesting/by the President.
They are included among the deputized agencies intended to help ensure peaceful, orderly, and credible plebiscite conduct, coordinating with COMELEC.
Because beyond policing, plebiscites require administrative support (e.g., facilities, logistics, local governance coordination, and compliance) so these departments can assist COMELEC in ensuring orderly and credible voting.
COMELEC first promulgates Resolution No. 8536 (Nov. 12, 2008) and the President later concurs and ratifies it via Memorandum Order No. 291 (Dec. 12, 2008), in time for the Dec. 13, 2008 plebiscite.