Resolution No. 8708

WHEREAS, Resolution No. 8458 promulgated on May 20, 2008, provides for the rules and regulations governing the resumption of the system of continuing registration/certification of qualified overseas absentee voters for purposes of the May 10, 2010 and subsequent national elections;

WHEREAS, Resolution No. 8600 promulgated on May 11, 2009, amended Sections 24 and 25 of Resolution No. 8458, by moving the deadline from November 30, 2009 to September 30, 2009 for the filing of applications of overseas absentee voters for transfer from the Posts to the Philippines;

WHEREAS, transfer of registration records from overseas to local requires the same procedures under Res. No. 8514, such as filing of applications, notice and approval/disapproval by the Election Registration Board within the periods provided therein;

WHEREAS, reports from the field indicate that Election Officers were in receipt of notice of approval of transfer, certification and endorsement by the Committee on Overseas Absentee Voters after the October 31, 2009 deadline for the reception of applications for registration, transfer, reactivation, correction/reinstatement of names for local registration and that applicants for transfer from overseas to local registration could no longer file their applications for registration/transfer to the local registry list;

WHEREAS, there is a need to adjust the periods and dates set for the deadline of filing of applications for transfer of registration of overseas absentee voters to the local registration in order not to deprive the transferees of their right of suffrage;

WHEREAS, based on foregoing considerations, there is a compelling reason for the adjustment on dates being sought in order for the Commission to accomplish the pre-election activities in pursuit of its mandate to conduct clean, honest, orderly, peaceful, and credible May 10, 2010 National and Local Elections;

NOW, THEREFORE, the Commission on Elections, by virtue of the power vested in it by the Constitution, the Omnibus Election Code, and other election laws, has RESOLVED, as it hereby RESOLVES, to set special dates for reception of applications for transfer from Overseas to local registration, posting of the list of applicants and the corresponding Election Registration Board hearing in accordance with the following schedule:

This schedule of application for transfer shall apply to all areas with similar situation.

The rules and regulations provided in Resolution Nos. 8514, 8585 and other instructions issued by the Commission relative to the resumption of the system of continuing registration shall be observed during the reception of applications for transfer from overseas to local registration and the approval/disapproval thereof.

Let the Election and Barangay Affairs Department to implement this resolution.

SO ORDERED.