Resolution No. 8336

WHEREAS, foreigners or groups of foreigners may be coming to observe the October 29, 2007 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections.

WHEREAS, there is a necessity to regulate the activities of foreign observers in the elections;

NOW, THEREFORE, pursuant to the powers vested in it by the Constitution, the Omnibus Election Code, Republic Act No. 9164 as amended by Republic Act. No. 9340, and other election laws, the Commission on Elections has RESOLVED, as it hereby RESOLVES, to promulgate the following guidelines, as follows:

SECTION 1. Accreditation. - Any foreigner or foreign group, organization, committee or association, representing government or private interests, who may want to observe the October 29, 2007 elections, shall file an application for accreditation with the Commission through the Director IV, Education and Information Department. The deadline for filing of application for accreditation for foreign observers shall be on October 25, 2007.

SEC. 2. Documentary requirements. - The application shall be supported by the following documents:

1. Duly accomplished information sheet;
2. Two (2) recently taken 2" x 2" colored photographs of the applicant; and
3. Endorsement by the ambassador or Consul of the home country of the applicants.

SEC. 3. Identification Cards. - Upon approval of the application, the Commission shall issue individual identification cards to the accredited foreign observers.

SEC. 4. Privileges. - Duly accredited observers shall have the following privileges:

1. BEFORE ELECTION DAY:
1. Request any official of the government, candidates or their representatives, representatives of media, private firms or organizations, any political party or candidate for interview or briefing on the coming electoral exercise;
2. Observe election preparation activities at the Offices of the Election Officers.
2. ON ELECTION DAY:

Observe the conduct of elections in any locality, interview voters, political leaders and other individuals outside the polling place, and document these by means of audio, visual or audio-visual recordings, subject to the prohibition under Section 5 hereof.

3. AFTER THE ELECTION:
1. Observe the counting of votes by the Board of Election Tellers and the canvassing of votes by the Barangay Board of Canvassers.

SEC. 5. Prohibited Acts. - It shall be unlawful for any foreigner, whether juridical or natural person to:

1. Aid any candidate or political party directly or indirectly;
2. Take part or influence in any manner the election;
3. Contribute or make any expenditure in connection with any election campaign or partisan political activity;
4. Enter any polling place during voting hours; and
5. Enter places reserved for voters or for the Board of Election Tellers and mingle and talk with the voters inside the polling place.

SEC. 6. Penalty of violation. - Any violation of the above provisions shall be punishable with one (1) to six (6) years of imprisonment and deportation which shall be enforced after the service of the prison term has been served.

SEC. 7. Effectivity. - This Resolution shall take effect immediately after its publication in two (2) daily newspapers of general circulation in the Philippines.

SEC. 8. Dissemination. - The Education and Information Department shall implement this Resolution, cause its publication and furnish copies to all Regional Election Directors, Provincial Election Supervisors, Election Officers, all candidates, Philippine Information Agency, and the Department of Foreign Affairs, which shall cause dissemination thereof to its foreign service establishments and to representatives of foreign countries in the Philippines, for their information and guidance.

SO ORDERED.