The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is now ready for the May 9 National and Local Elections.
Comelec Chairman Saidamen Pangarungan declared this on Friday, April 8, during their joint command conference with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Department of Energy (DOE), Department of Health (DOH) and Department of Education DepEd) at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.
In his speech, he revealed that with 30 days to go before the actual polls, the ballots have already printed, the vote counting machines or VCMs and other election paraphernalia across the country are already being deployed.
"We accomplished this ahead of schedule," said Pangarungan.
"Many thanks to our hardworking and competent men and women of the Comelec, and the help of our partners such as the AFP, the PNP, and the PCG," he added.
Pangarungan then called on their partners the AFP, PNP, and the PCG to once more lend them a hand in securing the ballot.
"We have witnessed in the past how security has played a major factor in the success or failure of elections," he said.
"The previous elections for decades would not have were it not of your crucial, indispensable support and involvement," added Pangarungan.
He said it is the birthday wish President Duterte, to have an honest, credible and peaceful May 9, 2022 National and Local Elections which is also the statutory mandate of the Comelec.
"This is one part of the undying legacies of President Duterte that the Filipino people will long remember of him," said Pangarungan.
"We trust that you will keep democracy alive by protecting the sanctity of the vote. I am sure that each of our uniformed men and women will uphold their oath to God, to country and to service," he added.