2010 STAKE HOLDERS SUMMIT ON ELECTORAL REFORMS
September 25 – 27, 2010
Civil Society organizations from all over the country, representatives from the government in the legislative and executive and/or their representatives, and BE partners gathered on September 23 – 25, 2010 at Imperial Palace Suites in Quezon City for the 2nd STAKEHOLDERS ELECTORAL REFORM SUMMIT by Consortium on Electoral Reforms.
Mr. Ramon Casiple of Institute for Political and Electoral Reform opens the first day with his opening remarks. He was then followed by Camilla Hagstrom (EU), Renaud Meyer (UNDP), Gerry Porta (USAID) and Ms. Beverly Hagedorn Thakur (represented by Mariam Ali - IFES) who delivered their message as guest from the international support organizations. After them, Comm. Cecilla Quisimbing of the Commission on Human Rights, Sen. Miriam Defensor – Santiago as chairman committee on constitutional ammendments and revision of codes and laws – Senate of the Philippines (represented by Atty. Abelardo Perillo Maglanque), Chairman Jose Melo of the Commission on Elections (represented by Comm. Armando Velasco ), Rep. Elpidio Barzaga , chairman of the committee on suffrage and electoral reforms – House of Representatives, House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte of the House of Representatives (represented by deputy house speaker Jesus Remulla ), Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile, president of the Senate of the Philippines (message red by Mr. Gladstone Cuarteros ) and His Excellency Benigno Aquino III (represented by Dep. of Justice undersecretary Francisco Baraan III – Office of the President) delivered their messages as stakeholders from the government.
Presentations regarding observations on the May 10, 2010 Automated Elections and, prospect for political and electoral reform under the Aquino administration were presented by various organizations in the afternoon.
On the second day, the delegates and participants were divided into groups for workshops in which they discussed electoral reform related issues/topics: voter’s education, election modernization and political party reform.
The results of the discussion of each topic were presented by the groups in the afternoon of the 2nd day. Based on the discussion results, a summit resolution was drafted and presented on the 3rd day for amendments and agreements by the participants.
The summit resolution contains the following:
Legislative Agendas:
- Enactment of the Political Party Reform Bill
- Amendments to RA 9369, the Election Automation Law
- Amendments to RA 7941, the Party List Law
- Amendments to RA 8189, the Continuing Registration Act
- Amendments to RA 9189, the Overseas Absentee Voting Act
- Amendments to RA 9006, the Fair Elections Act
- Enactment of the Local Sectoral Representation Bill
- Specific amendments to the Omnibus Election Code
Action Agenda
- Broaden the Participation of marginalized and grassroots based sectors in the electoral process and in the overall practice of democracy
- Undertake the holistic modernization of the Commission on Elections, its organization, infrastructure, and its process to conform to the requirements of the Automated Election System
- Continue and further enhance the capability of all stakeholders to undertake Citizen Voter Education
- Encourage the participation of independent citizen monitoring bodies
The Summit ended with high hopes from the stakeholders that resolutions put forward will soon be realized through the various efforts of the summit participants.
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