MANILA, Philippines – Nagpahayag ng suporta ang election watchdog group expressed sa panukalang naglalayong ideklarang non-working holiday ang national at local elections.
Ayon sa National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel), suportado nila ang House Bill 102, 3101 at 3102, na nananawagan na ideklarang regular non-working holiday ang araw ng eleksyon.
“This measure will facilitate broader voter participation by removing work-related barriers to exercising the constitutional right to suffrage.”
Hinimok din ng grupo ang mga mambabatas na isama ang Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) maging ang iba pang electoral exercises sa proposal.
“We strongly recommend expanding the coverage to include Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections, which are fundamental exercises of local democracy and grassroots participation,” dagdag ng Namfrel.
“Barangay elections represent the most direct form of democratic participation for Filipino citizens, affecting governance at the community level, where citizens interact most frequently with government services,” paliwanag ng Namfrel.
Bukod sa BSKE, maaari ring isama ang iba pang poll exercises lalo na kung mayroon itong nationwide scope.
“(They may) include provisions for plebiscites, initiatives, referenda, and recall elections of national scope.”
“Electoral exercises such as constitutional amendments through plebiscites, initiatives for legislative reforms, national referenda, and recall elections involving national officials are equally important democratic processes that require maximum citizen participation,” pagtatapos ng Namfrel. RNT/JGC
