IN THE MATTER OF REQUESTING HER EXCELLENCY, PRESIDENT GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO TO DECLARE AUGUST 8 AND 11, 2008 AS HOLIDAYS IN THE AUTONOMOUS REGION IN MUSLIM MINDANAO (ARMM), INCLUDING COTABATO CITY AND ISABELA CITY.
WHEREAS, on August 11, 2008, voters in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) will troop to the different polling centers to participate in the automated elections;
WHEREAS, by August 08, 2008 the voting machines, counting machines, consolidation machines and transmission devices will have to be in place and installed in the polling places/counting centers/consolidation centers;
WHEREAS, most of the polling, counting, consolidation and canvassing centers to be used in the ARMM elections are schools, universities and colleges;
WHEREAS, there is a need to declare August 8 and 11, 2008 as holidays in the ARMM to allow smooth installation of voting machines/counting machines/transmission devices and to enable voters to fully participate in said electoral exercise;
WHEREAS, Cotabato City and Isabela City, although not part of the ARMM, will be used as counting, consolidation and transmission sites for the ARMM Elections;
NOW, THEREFORE, the Commission on Elections, by virtue of the powers vested in it by the Constitution, Batas Pambansa Blg. 881, Republic Act No. 9369 and other election laws, RESOLVED to request, as it hereby RESOLVES to request, Her Excellency, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, to declare August 8 and 11, 2008, as holidays in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, including Cotabato City and Isabela City.
Let the Executive Director furnish a copy of this Resolution to Her Excellency, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.