Ratification of deputation for Quezon plebiscite

Section 2, (4)(c), Article IX of the Constitution supplies the constitutional basis for the President’s concurrence with COMELEC action.
The deputation is carried out pursuant to COMELEC Resolution No. 8536, promulgated on November 12, 2008.
Republic Act No. 9495 dated September 07, 2007 provides the enabling law for the plebiscite.
The purpose is to ensure free, orderly, honest, peaceful and credible conduct of the December 13, 2008 plebiscite.

The plebiscite is held on December 13, 2008.
Voters are asked to ratify the creation of Quezon del Sur.
Voters are also asked to ratify the renaming of the mother province of Quezon into Quezon del Norte.
The order links its effectiveness to the plebiscite performance period through immediate effect.

Memorandum Order No. 291 ratifies the deputation of the Department of Education (DepEd) for plebiscite-related duties.
The order ratifies deputation of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for plebiscite-related duties.
The order ratifies deputation of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) for plebiscite-related duties.
The order ratifies deputation of the National Police Commission and the Philippine National Police (PNP) for plebiscite-related duties.
The deputation is expressly for enabling law enforcement and other concerned government agencies to support the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) in the plebiscite.

The deputized agencies are directed to coordinate and cooperate with COMELEC in the performance of their duties and functions.
Memorandum Order No. 291 treats coordination with COMELEC as the operative mechanism for fulfilling the plebiscite assurance mandate.
The directed cooperation is tied to the shared obligation to maintain free, orderly, honest, peaceful and credible plebiscite conditions.

Memorandum Order No. 291 provides that it shall take effect immediately.
The order is signed in the City of Manila on December 12, 2008.
The President’s signature appears as (Sgd.) GLORIA M. ARROYO.
The order is countersigned by the Executive Secretary, (Sgd.) EDUARDO R. ERMITA.