Resolution No. 9444

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Constitution, the Omnibus Election Code, Republic Act No. 8189, and other election laws, the Commission on Elections (Commission) may deputize law enforcement agencies including the Philippine National Police and other instrumentalities of the government, and exercise direct supervision and control over such agencies required by law to perform duties relative to the conduct of the Registration of Voters;

WHEREAS, there is a need to deputize such law enforcement agencies including the Philippine National Police and other instrumentalities of the government, and to prescribe their duties and functions to ensure the holding of free, orderly, honest, peaceful and credible registration of voters in the Five (5) Provinces in the ARMM areas;

NOW, THEREFORE, the Commission on Elections, by virtue of the powers vested in it by the Constitution, the Omnibus Election Code, Republic Act No. 8189, and other related election laws, has RESOLVED, as it hereby RESOLVES, to deputize the following law enforcement agencies to perform specific duties relative to the conduct of the general registration of voters from July 9, 2012 to July 18, 2012 and all related activities vital before and after registration, particularly during deployment and/or retrieve/pull-out of personnel registration equipment, paraphernalia, forms and supplies:
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT, INCLUDING THE NATIONAL POLICE COMMISSION AND THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) and the Philippine National Police (PNP), are hereby deputized in connection with the General Registration of Voters in the Five (5) Provinces of ARMM.

1. Provide security to registration centers and such other places or building including the personnel of the Commission, its deputies and other persons performing registration-related functions, registration paraphernalia, equipments, forms and supplies, that will be used during the registration of voters;
2. Make available, at the least time possible, land, air, and water-craft assets, communication systems and other equipment, in connection with the delivery and retrieval of registration equipment, documents, supplies, forms and paraphernalia;
3. Look into the existence of any armed group organized to commit, or which is committing or attempting to commit, acts of terrorism, or threats to intimidate or coerce any person to register or not to register, and to suppress or prevent said acts of terrorism or threats;
4. Assist the Commission in implementing more effectively registration laws and/or rules and regulations;
5. Establish check point in strategic areas to prevent illegal/non-residents registrants during the registration period without violating the constitutional rights of the voters;
6. Conduct assessment of the peace and order condition in critical areas and recommended measures which may be adopted by the Commission in the interest of free, orderly, honest, peaceful and credible registration of voters;
7. Comply with and/or implement directives or resolutions which the Commission may issue or promulgate from time to time;
8. Implement strictly the rules and regulations promulgated by the Commission;
9. Perform such other functions and duties or implement such other directives as the Commission may issue from time to time; and
10. Render reports on actions taken in accordance with this deputation.

THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

The Department of Education (DepEd) is hereby deputized to comply with the enforce all orders and instructions of the Commission for the availability and use of the public schools buildings designated as registration centers in connection with the conduct of the General Registration of Voters in the Five (5) Provinces of ARMM.

PRECEDENCE OF COMELEC ORDERS

Orders issued by the Commission in connection with the General Registration of Voters shall take precedence over and above the orders and directives issued by any other office or agency of the Government.

However, nothing contained herein shall be construed as in any manner affecting or constituting an impairment of the Constitutional powers of the President of the Philippines to conduct and direct the general peace-keeping functions of the Philippine National Police.

EFFECTIVITY

This Resolution shall take effect seven (7) days after its publication in two (2) daily newspapers of general circulation in the Philippines.

DISSEMINATION

The Executive Director shall furnish copies of this Resolution to the Department of Interior and Local Government, National Police Commission, Philippine National Police and Department of Education through their respective heads, the Regional Election Director of ARMM, the Provincial Election Supervisors in the Provinces of Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi and the Election
Officers in the said provinces and coordinate with the above-named departments, offices or agencies for effective implementation thereof.

The Education and Information Department shall cause the publication of this Resolution in two (2) daily newspapers of general circulation in the Philippines, and local newspaper in the ARMM areas.

SO ORDERED.