Deputation of Specific Government Agencies
- The Commission on Elections promulgated Resolution No. 8536 on November 12, 2008.
- Resolution No. 8536 deputizes several government agencies:
- Department of Education (DepEd)
- Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)
- Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)
- National Police Commission
- Philippine National Police (PNP)
- These agencies are deputized to ensure the proper conduct of the plebiscite.
Purpose of Deputation
- The deputation aims to guarantee a free, orderly, honest, peaceful, and credible plebiscite.
- The plebiscite is scheduled for December 13, 2008.
- The subject of the plebiscite is the ratification of:
- The creation of the new province Quezon del Sur.
- The renaming of the mother province from Quezon to Quezon del Norte.
- These changes are pursuant to Republic Act No. 9495 dated September 07, 2007.
Coordination and Cooperation Directive
- Deputized law enforcement and other concerned agencies are instructed to coordinate and cooperate with COMELEC.
- The cooperation is essential for the effective performance of their duties and functions related to the plebiscite.
Immediate Effectivity and Signing
- The Memorandum Order takes effect immediately upon signing.
- It was signed on December 12, 2008, by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
- The Executive Secretary, Eduardo R. Ermita, attested the order.
Legal Context and Significance
- This deputation underlines the critical role of various government agencies in safeguarding electoral processes.
- It ensures that the plebiscite is conducted within the framework of existing laws to maintain public trust.
- The order aligns with the constitutional mandate to uphold the integrity of elections and plebiscites in the Philippines.