DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/06 March) -- The warden of the Davao City Jail welcomed the decision of the Commission on Election (Comelec) to set up special polling precincts in detention cells in the May 10 general election but the poll supervisor expressed fear that the move might be used by the candidates to their advantage.
Chief Inspector Erwin Kenney Ronquillo was elated by the move of the poll body to allow the inmates to cast their votes inside detention cells, saying "the decision is much favorable on our part.”
"This would avoid inconvenience and security risk to the public and to the jail bureau," Ronquillo told MindaNews.
"It would also benefit the government in terms of labor and financial because it would cost less of personnel use, gasoline and vehicle transportation," he said.
On March 4, the Comelec granted the petition of the Commission on Human Rights to establish special polling places complete with Special Board of Election Inspectors in municipal, district, city and provincial jails with at least 100 registered inmates.
The Comelec upheld the right to vote of detainees and prisoners in national prisons, provincial, city and municipal jails and other government detention facilities.
The detention cells, which have less than 100 registered voters, shall seek court order for escorted voting to enable the inmates to vote in polling centers found in public schools, Commissioner Rene Sarmiento said.
Davao City and Davao del Sur election supervisor Lawyer Ma. Febes Barlaan, however, expressed fear that allowing the inmates to vote in detention cells might be used by the candidates.
"It's much better if the precincts will be set up outside (the detention cells) in order not to be used by the candidates (to their advantage)," said Barlaan who, as of late Friday afternoon, claimed that they have not yet received the Comelec resolution.
Earlier, BJMP-XI assured the public and political candidates that the BJMP Davao will remain neutral in the exercise of inmates’ right to vote.
According to BJMP-XI, Davao City Jail has the highest of number inmates with registered 968 voters followed by Tagum City Jail in Davao del Norte with 151 and Davao City Female Jail with 117.
Next are Panabo City, Davao del Norte Jail, 74;Davao City Jail-Annex, 40; Digos City, Davao del Sur Jail, 20; and Samal City in Island Garden City of Samal, Davao del Norte Jail with four.
J03 Renato Sedon said in the previous election, inmates at the Davao City Jail cast their votes at the nearby Ma-a Elementary School.
"The security measures were very difficult before," recalled Sedon, who also expressed relief over the Comelec resolution, saying it would make easier for the jail personnel to exercise the right of the inmates to participate in the election.
In a memorandum to regional offices dated February 12, BJMP ordered that campaign materials and those prohibited by the Comelec or considered contraband are not allowed inside the jails except leaflets, flyers and other information materials with a size not exceeding 3 inches x 5 inches.
For security reasons, according to the memo signed by BJMP Jail Director Rosendo Dial, the jail wardens may disallow the entry of any campaign material. (Rico Biliran/MindaNews) |
