Press Release
January 15, 2009

Gordon lauds Nograles' assurance to expedite approval
of 2010 poll automation budget

Independent Senator Richard J. Gordon today lauded House Speaker Prospero Nograles for his assurance that the House of Representatives would expedite the approval of the proposed supplemental budget for the May 2010 poll automation.

Gordon said he is confident that the Commission on Elections (Comelec) would soon receive its fund for poll automation with Nograles' promise that the House would fast-track the approval of the supplemental budget.

"I have full trust and confidence in the leadership of Speaker Nograles. I know he will push his colleagues to expedite the approval of the budget for poll automation to ensure honest, speedy and credible elections in 2010," he said.

"With the assurance coming from the Speaker of the House himself, we are more guaranteed of an automated election in May 2010," he added.

Gordon, author of the amended Automated Elections Law, has been following up the progress in the Comelec's preparations, including the release of the supplemental budget, for the computerization of the 2010 elections.

According to him, with the impending release of the poll automation budget now more assured, the Comelec must not lose time in preparing and carrying out its plans once the fund is released.

Gordon also reminded the poll body to ensure that it would conduct nationwide training of teachers and board of election inspectors (BEIs) and voters' education so that everyone is well-informed of the new technology that will be used in the elections.

"The release of the budget is a step closer to automating the elections, but there are a lot of other things that needs to be done and the task is on the shoulders of the Comelec," he said.

"These reforms in the country's electoral system are of much significance because it will bring credibility not only to our elections but also in the leaders of this democratic nation," he added.

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