STATEMENT ON POSSIBLE POSTPONEMENT OF MAY ELECTIONS

We welcome the decision of the Supreme Court to require the printing of ballot receipts as mandated by the Automated Elections System Law. This would further promote transparency, protect the sanctity of votes, and boost the confidence of the Filipino people that their votes will be counted properly.

I am confident that the Comelec would do its utmost to have the elections on schedule as provided for by the Constitution. I believe the public would accept any adjustments that the Comelec would propose even if it would entail longer voting hours. I trust that the Comelec will exert all efforts to comply with the SC decision, and ensure that the ballot receipts would not be used in vote buying, but only as safeguard that the country will have a clean and honest elections.