Lawyer reiterates stand against online voting in May elections
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Lawyer reiterates stand against online voting in May elections
MANILA — Atty. Israelito Torreon has reaffirmed its stance on online voting, mainly citing the significant concerns about the integrity and reliability of online voting among overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), in a press conference organized by PDP-Laban on April 10, Thursday evening.
MANILA — Atty. Israelito Torreon has reaffirmed its stance on online voting, mainly citing the significant concerns about the integrity and reliability of online voting among overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), in a press conference organized by PDP-Laban on April 10, Thursday evening.
Torreon said that the “Overseas Voting Act of 2013” (Republic Act 10590) only permits personal voting or mail-in voting, with canvassing conducted in-person at embassies.
Torreon said that the “Overseas Voting Act of 2013” (Republic Act 10590) only permits personal voting or mail-in voting, with canvassing conducted in-person at embassies.
He argued that Congress must first pass a law to establish a legal framework for online voting. Until then, he said that the current system of physical voting or mail-in ballots for overseas voters should remain in place.
He argued that Congress must first pass a law to establish a legal framework for online voting. Until then, he said that the current system of physical voting or mail-in ballots for overseas voters should remain in place.
“There is no law yet—wala pa pong batas na nagsasaad na dapat may online voting tayo… We must wait for Congress to craft the same… so kailangan yung [mga] balota, physical ballots, or kung kinakailangan yung mail, mail system ng mga overseas registered voters, i-apply pa rin natin,” Torreon stated.
“There is no law yet—wala pa pong batas na nagsasaad na dapat may online voting tayo… We must wait for Congress to craft the same… so kailangan yung [mga] balota, physical ballots, or kung kinakailangan yung mail, mail system ng mga overseas registered voters, i-apply pa rin natin,” Torreon stated.
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He added that Section 28 of the Overseas Voting Act does not authorize the implementation of online voting.
He added that Section 28 of the Overseas Voting Act does not authorize the implementation of online voting.
“The Section 28 [of the Overseas Voting Act], which was cited by the good Comelec Chairman Garcia does not apply, because if you read Section 28, it only allows Commission on Elections to explore other modes and if there are results thereof, such results should be recommended to the Joint Oversight Congressional Committee. It is not a law which can be relied upon by the COMELEC to empower it [and] to implement online voting,” Torreon explained.
“The Section 28 [of the Overseas Voting Act], which was cited by the good Comelec Chairman Garcia does not apply, because if you read Section 28, it only allows Commission on Elections to explore other modes and if there are results thereof, such results should be recommended to the Joint Oversight Congressional Committee. It is not a law which can be relied upon by the COMELEC to empower it [and] to implement online voting,” Torreon explained.
Last April 3, he filed a petition for a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) against the implementation of the online voting mechanism introduced by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
Last April 3, he filed a petition for a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) against the implementation of the online voting mechanism introduced by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
On the other hand, Comelec Chairman George Garcia has previously expressed its readiness to defend the implementation of online voting for overseas voters before the Supreme Court.
On the other hand, Comelec Chairman George Garcia has previously expressed its readiness to defend the implementation of online voting for overseas voters before the Supreme Court.
He stated that no objections were raised during discussions with the House of Representatives and the Senate Electoral Reform committees regarding online voting.
He stated that no objections were raised during discussions with the House of Representatives and the Senate Electoral Reform committees regarding online voting.
In the event of a Supreme Court-issued temporary restraining order, Garcia assured that Comelec is prepared to deploy automated counting machines to 93 posts abroad. “May 16,000 na excess na makina kami... kahit na magpadala po kami ng tigi-tigisang makina kahit pa nga po may contingency,” he said, adding that ballots could be printed quickly if needed.
In the event of a Supreme Court-issued temporary restraining order, Garcia assured that Comelec is prepared to deploy automated counting machines to 93 posts abroad. “May 16,000 na excess na makina kami... kahit na magpadala po kami ng tigi-tigisang makina kahit pa nga po may contingency,” he said, adding that ballots could be printed quickly if needed.
The overseas voting period is set to run from April 13 to May 12.
The overseas voting period is set to run from April 13 to May 12.
Read More:
TRO
Israelito Torreon
Comelec
Commission on Elections
online voting
overseas Filipinos
ABSNews
Halalan 2025
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