1. Electoral Reforms in the Philippines: Successes, Misses, Steps Ahead By: Comm. Rene V. Sarmiento Commission on Elections, Philippines

2. INTRODUCTION

3. Philippines: An archipelagic country of 7,100 islands

4. A Colony Turned Sovereign Republic Malolos Convention in 1898 to draft a constitution pcij.org

5. Martial Law Dictatorship, EDSA People Power Revolt, Republic/Democratic State 1. Martial Law Dictatorship 3. EDSA People Power Revolt http://gelsantosrelos.typepad.com/my- blog/2010/02/of-deja-vu-and-history.html https://filipinoscribbles.wordpress.c om/tag/ferdinand-marcos/ 2. Democratic/ Republican State

6. ELECTIONS IN THE PHILIPPINES

7. Manual elections since 1908

8. Characterized by election irregularities (3 Bs, 3Ms, “dagdag-bawas”)

9. A Landmark Electoral Reform: R.A. No. 9369, July 24, 2006, on Automated Elections

10. Enacted with the help of NGOs/ERGs

11. Adopted Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS)

12. Ballot Box

13. Official Ballot

14. VOTING, COUNTING, CANVASSING /CONSOLIDATION

15. Voting

16. Counting

17. Transmission COMELEC CENTRAL SERVER Municipal/City Board of Canvassers Provincial Board of Canvassers National Board of Canvassers CongressCOMELEC Precinct Election Returns Mun./City COC and SOVP Prov. COC and SOVP Physical transport

18. SUCCESSES

19. Automated election reforms and swift count (eliminated 3Bs, 3Ms, “dagdag-bawas”)

20. Availability of precinct results on the internet

21. Transparent procurement process

22. Support from election stakeholders, NGOs, churches, etc. (registration, education, monitoring)

23. People’s enthusiasm sdmags.net ph.yfittopostblog.com

24. Detainee Voting

25. Express lane for Disabled, Elderly

26. Inter-Departmental Support

27. Assistance from IDEA, IFES, TAF, etc.

28. Misses Private armed groups not totally dismantled Vote-buying, vote-selling Many names nowhere to be found in voter’s lists Election Code not updated Law on Party-List contain vague provisions Comelec’s weak campaign finance enforcement system Political dynasties and political turncoatism not banned

29. Steps Ahead 1.Human Rights: Need for Law on Detainee Voting, PWD’s, Vulnerable Sectors; Dismantle Private Armies; Stop Permit to Campaign/Permit to Win Fees 2.Education: Establish Voter’s Academy, Inclusion in School Curriculum 3.Enforcement: Put up Campaign Finance Enforcement Department 4.Gender: Appoint at the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Women Commissioners 5.Linkages: Intensify Connections with IFES, IDEA, AF, EMBs 6.Interfaith: Involve Various Faiths And Churches In Electoral Reform.

30. Thank You