Supervision and Control
- The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) is vested with supervision and control over the entire referendum process.
- Duties include overseeing balloting, acclamation, canvassing, and proclamation of results.
Issues for Resolution in the Referendum
- Key issues to be resolved include martial law, the interim National Assembly, its possible replacement, powers of the replacement, duration of both the replacement and the presidential powers.
- Other issues may be added by presidential certification.
Eligibility and Participation
- All Filipino citizens aged 15 or older, literate or not, residing in the barangay for at least six months, are entitled to participate.
- Participants may vote in the barangay most convenient to them once, preventing multiple participations.
Information and Educational Campaign
- Barangays must hold assemblies or meetings from September 11 to October 15 to inform members about the issues.
- These meetings encourage constructive discussions, facilitated by knowledgeable public or private sector figures.
Notice and Record of Educational Meetings
- Barangay officials must notify the COMELEC Supervisory Panel when holding educational meetings.
- The Supervisory Panel sends representatives and keeps records; it can compel barangays to comply with meeting requirements.
Protection of Free Discussions and Printed Materials
- Registered barangay members are protected from investigation or prosecution for statements made during referendum-related discussions.
- Printing and dissemination of informational materials are permitted if they include the author’s and printer’s names and addresses.
- Such materials are inadmissible as evidence against the creators or distributors.
Conduct and Location of Referendum
- Barangay captains, in consultation with local officials, set the time and place of the referendum.
- Publicity is mandated to maximize attendance.
- Barangays with 100 or more members shall use ballots; smaller barangays may opt for voting by acclamation.
Ballot Printing and Authentication
- Barangays responsible for printing ballots must notify the COMELEC Supervisory Panel prior to printing.
- Ballots are signed and countersigned by COMELEC representatives and barangay officials.
- Contiguous barangays may jointly print ballots for economies of scale.
Barangay Referendum Committee
- Each barangay must have a referendum committee appointed under the Department of Local Government and Community Development’s guidance.
- The committee handles the voting and counting processes under COMELEC oversight.
COMELEC Supervisory Panels
- Established in each city or municipality, chaired by the Election Registrar or treasurer, with public school teachers and civil servants as members.
- Panel membership size depends on barangay numbers and size.
Powers and Functions of the COMELEC Supervisory Panels
- Supervise consultations, decide voter eligibility disputes, ensure orderly conduct.
- Can authorize postponements due to terrorism or calamities.
- Organize or supplement barangay referendum committees.
- Replace members for rule violations or irregularities; recommend annulment of results if warranted.
- May authorize multiple voting centers in large barangays.
Voting Procedures
- Voting can be by secret ballot or acclamation.
- For ballots, voters prepare their ballots in private; illiterate or physically disabled voters may appoint a trusted assistant.
- Separate ballot boxes are provided for voters aged 15 to under 18 and those 18 and above.
- Voting hours set from 7 AM to 6 PM.
Preparation and Transmission of Results
- Votes counted immediately; results certified in two copies distinguishing voters by age groups.
- Results detail voter turnout, affirmative and negative votes, and abstentions, signed by committee members.
- Original results sent to COMELEC by fastest means; duplicate sent to Department of Local Government and Community Development.
Canvassing by the Commission on Elections
- COMELEC convenes to canvass barangay-certified results and proclaim final outcome.
- May proceed with canvass and proclamation even with missing results if such missing data do not affect overall outcomes.
Watchers' Accreditation
- Various organizations may designate up to two accredited watchers for observing the referendum and canvassing.
Government Assistance
- COMELEC empowered to enlist assistance from other government offices or agencies post-consultation with their heads.
Appropriations
- Five million pesos appropriated from the National Treasury for executing the provisions of the decree.
Promulgation of Rules
- COMELEC tasked with issuing necessary rules and regulations to implement the decree.
Effectivity
- The decree is effective immediately upon promulgation.