Libertás facilitated the first of its planned series of Focused Group Discussions on “Adjudication of Election Disputes under an Automated Election System” on Tuesday, 25 August 2009, 3pm to 6pm at Ilustrado’s, Calle Real, Intramuros, Manila.
The series of focused group discussions is in line with the recommendations of the participants in the Public Forum sponsored by Libertás entitled “Prospects of Election Adjudication under an Automated Election System in the Philippines” at the Ambassador’s Sala, Trader’s Hotel, Manila on 3 June 2009, to come up with concrete proposals to the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) as regards the adjudication of election disputes.
Atty. Rogelio Benjamin, a retired COMELEC official and currently serving as consultant to COMELEC Commissioner Armando Velasco, started the discussion by identifying the areas that may be affected by the automated election system. Atty. Benjamin’s presentation was followed by an open discussion led by COMELEC Commissioner Nicodemo T. Ferrer, COMELEC Law Department Head, Atty. Ferdinand Rafanan, and Libertas’ Democratic and Electoral Reforms Desk Head, Atty. Luie Tito F. Guia. Lawyers from the COMELEC including Atty. Erwin Caliba, Atty. Betty Pizaña, Atty. Rafael Olaño, Atty. Abigail Carben, Atty. Robert Rodriguez, and Atty. Melchor Magdamo also gave their inputs to the issues raised in the discussion.
Atty. Irene P. Guevarra and Atty. Daisy Panga Vega, secretaries of the Senate Electoral Tribunal and the House of Representative Tribunal, also participated along with election lawyer Atty. George Erwin Garcia, and Beverly Hagerdon Thakur, IFES Chief of Party.
The next focused group discussion is scheduled on 5 September 2009.
