By Leslie Ann Aquino
Despite talks of a possible no-el, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said it remains focused in preparing for the conduct of the midterm polls.
(MANILA BULLETIN)
“The institution remains focused on the task at hand: preparing for the 2019 National and Local Elections, scheduled for May 2019,” Comelec Spokesman James Jimenez said in an interview.
Besides, he said Alvarez has not actually or formally initiated any action to postpone the 2019 polls.
Days before, Jimenez reminded those who want to vote in next year’s polls to register.
“The elections is near. I think some people tend to forget that we are less than a year away from the 2019 polls. In afct, we expect in less than four months we will have the filing of certificate of candidacy,” he said in a forum in Manila.
“That's how near we are to the elections. So, those who want to vote make sure that you are registered,” added Jimenez.
The National Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL), meantime, is not in favor of the idea of postponing the polls saying there must always be regular elections in the country.
“We should adhere to periodic and genuine elections,” NAMFREL Secretary General Eric Alvia said.
Earlier, Speaker Alvarez said canceling the 2019 polls would be ideal if only to guarantee the approval of well studied federal constitution and a smooth transition towards federalism.