Palace: No delay in 2016 elections

MALACAÑANG yesterday said the 2016 elections must be held as scheduled, as it is mandated by the Constitution.

The Palace was commenting on the statement on Sunday of Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chair Andres Bautista that the elections might be postponed because a Supreme Court order temporarily stopping the Comelec’s “no bio, no boto” (no biometrics, no vote) policy had upset preparations for the balloting.

Under the rule, only registered voters with biometrics data with the Comelec will be allowed to vote.

The Comelec, following its schedule, must complete the polling precinct assignments by Dec. 15.

But the Supreme Court order means the Comelec has to allow 2.4 million registered voters without biometrics data to vote.

It also means the Comelec has to revise the precinct assignments to make room for the 2.4 million voters without biometrics data—a revamp too big it cannot be finished by Dec. 15.

Bautista said the snag would have a domino effect on the rest of the Comelec’s preparations, making the May 9 vote likely to be pushed down to a later date.

The Constitution requires national elections to be held on the second Monday of May.

Filipinos are looking forward to that date, presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda told reporters in Malacañang yesterday.

“So we … certainly [want the elections to be held as scheduled],” Lacierda said.

Defer to SC

He added, however, that the Palace would “defer” to the Supreme Court’s decision on the matter.

“Our … position is … the elections [must] push through as mandated by the Constituion. [All parties—the Comelec, the Supreme Court, all of them—must have that in mind],” Lacierda said.

Lacierda also brushed aside fears of an extension of President Aquino’s term in the event the elections were postponed.

“We are counting the number of days left. We have 206 days left and we cannot wait to leave, for the President to take his longdelayed break,” he said.