DAY 1
Open Forum
The floor was then opened for questions and clarifications.
Chit Asis of PRRM raised the first question in relation to the
reasons of the failure of the Commission to fully implement RA 9006
and to prosecute, in particular, those who violated the elections
requirements of the said law. Commissioner Borra answered by attributing
the said problem on the failure of the Commission to invoke its
visitation, monitoring and enforcement powers. He likewise cited
the lack of material time for preparation and the insufficient manpower
of the Commission and consequently promised not to repeat the same
mistakes again.
When asked by Marietta Goco of RPD Foundation if measures were
already been adapted to ensure efficient disposal of the Commission’s
functions for 2004 elections despite the polarization of the body,
the Commissioner revealed the compromise initiated by Chairman Benipayo
for the efficient preparations of the upcoming elections and expressed
his group’s hope to get the majority seats for purposes of
smooth administration.
Congressman Enrique Garcia, on the other hand, expressed his dissent
over RA 7116 provision that decriminalizes the failure to file election
expenditures of candidates. He asked Congress to revisit the repeal
of Section III of the Omnibus Election Code for purposes of monitoring
the election expenses of both the candidates and contributors.
On Party-list presentation, Mr. Oscar Tan of the UP College of
Law raised a reproachful comment with his impression that “
a number of lawyers, legislators and especially our Supreme Court
Justices have no grasp of basic mathematics. “ He explained
and was being agreed to by the presenter that it is mathematically
impossible to fill the 54 seats with the 2% threshold as it practically
excludes everybody who failed to reach the said requirement. He
and the presenter have likewise noted the absurdity of copying the
2% requirement from an entirely different system i.e., German System
for Major National Parties for their Parliament.
