Marawi City, Philippines--A new Bill thought to punish persons and organizations who will be found guilty during elections invites reactions from various sectors. Courts and lawyers are expected to take advantage on this bill.

House Bill No. 1882 of Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman passed on third and final reading by the House of Representatives shortly before its holiday break hopes to do the trick. This new Bill jacks up to a maximum of 20 years election offenses “attended by violence, coercion, intimidation, force, or threats,” a penalty equivalent to prison temporal under the Revised Penal Code.

“The employment of violence is the most brutal and unfortunately effective means of thwarting the will of the electorate, eliminating poll rivals and silencing witnesses,” Lagman said in a statement.

“Consolidated with two related bills filed by Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, the measure also punishes political parties, including party-list groups, whose members are found guilty of the offense. The penalty increases the current fine of P10,000 to a minimum of P500,000.  On top of the fine, the offender will be disqualified perpetually from holding public office and will no longer be allowed to cast his vote,” reports in the Philippine Daily Inquirer net.

Lagman said his measure also “provides for the separate and concurrent prosecution of a person accused of an election offense or prohibited act under the Omnibus Election Code whose act or acts likewise constitute a felony under the Revised Penal Code.”

Ibrahim G. Macapanton, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Tarompong sa Ranao Radio Forum, said “the impact of any law depends on its execution by responsible persons and law enforcement agencies.”

In the Philippines, elections have been ridden with violence and massive frauds.  More chances are always given to those peoples who have the means and resources. These are the traditional politicians who wish to wield power by occupying key positions in the government. Politicians from any sector of a society, cannot win in an election if he is poor and politically weak , which mean they lack  the vanguards capable to protect their votes   Political over-spending during poll campaign has become a norm in the electoral process and laws are not enough to check it. Indeed, it is about time for concerned and honest leaders to change this concept.

These observations show the importance of money and other resources for traditional politicians to win the election.  The new breed of honest politicians, who lack the resources and effective political strategies encounter difficulties to assuming leadership in the political scene.

We can deduce from this observation that irregular practices in the conduct of elections at the local level is under the influence of the national actors who play dominant roles in local affairs.  The local politicians take the chance to attach themselves with the national actors whom they believe to provide lots of promises and privileges during and after an election.

The continuity of such practices in the conduct of elections has triggered the emergence of numerous problems which caused the country’s stagnation.  For instance, for the period of almost 55 years in Lanao del Sur, the Meranao people’s need  for socio-economic and political development  have not been realized.

Among the problems which have influenced the course of action of concerned Mranao politicians are the following:


   1. The rivalry of diverse political parties has escalated the struggle for power through force and intimidation in the Meranao area. The effect has seen the prevalence of socio-political disorder and instability which continue to prevail in the area.
     
   2. The choice of candidates to run for political offices has been determined  by the party leaders, without consulting the Muslim intellectuals whose words should be highly respected.  The electorate or the large mass of people do not  exert significant influence in the decision-making process.
       
   3. The political practices of the traditional politicians to bargain, persuade, coerce, bribe, buy and manipulate votes, have led to conflicts, disputes, and killings in the area.  This resulted in the entrenchment of the political elites in the local and national government administration.  

These problems continue to exist in the area in particular and in the country in general.   The government is in position to continue its struggle in order to cease immoral and illegal acts in the conduct of elections.

	1. Written by the teacher on 01-01-2008 07:46 - Guest
	an inquiry:    I am sorry but I have to inquire on what acts are being punished under the said bill?     I think it was not mentioned in the article.     it's so frustrating that the legislature keeps on enacting laws dealing with upholding clean and honest election but the real essence of the laws were never realized.     take the case of automation of election, we already have a law requiring the election to be automatd but what happened was it was not pushed through because it will not be favorable to PGMA's camp.     remember way back 2004 national election where there were already satellites installed at the Dimaporo Gymnasium in preparation for the election but it was not used because allegedly the president today will not win if the election will be automated.     sad to say the Phil. govt doesn't know where to start in cleansing our electoral system.

	2. Written by This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it on 01-01-2008 11:25 - Guest
	INQUIRY This is only to show people that congress have passed bill, but the truth is that, it will not be enforced. As you have said, bills that will affect the administratin will only passed and recorded as LAWS but enforced selectively. It won't even be enforced in Lanao Del Sur. I don't think corrupt and cheaters in our place are covered by any law, especially if you are an ally of the Administration. Also, Government won't dare to arrest corrupt and cheaters in Lanao Del Sur as they want our people to fight each other..