EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 172 - DIRECTING THE DEPARTMENT OF BUDGET AND MANAGEMENT TO ALLOCATE FUNDS FOR AN AUTOMATED ELECTION SYSTEM FOR THE MAY 10, 2004 NATIONAL AND LOCAL ELECTIONS AND SUBSEQUENT NATIONAL AND LOCAL ELECTORAL EXERCISES

WHEREAS, Republic Act (R.A.) No. 8436, entitled “An Act Authorizing the Commission on Elections to Use an Automated Election System in the May 11, 1998 National or Local Elections and in Subsequent National and Local Electoral Exercises, Providing Funds Therefor and For Other Purposes,” provides that “[i]t is the policy of the State to ensure free, orderly, honest, peaceful and credible elections, and assure the secrecy and sanctity of the ballot in order that the results of elections, plebiscites, referenda, and other electoral exercises shall be fast, accurate and reflective of the genuine will of the people” (Sec. 1, R.A. No. 8436);

WHEREAS, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) is authorized to use an Automated Election System for the process of voting, counting of votes and canvassing/consolidation of results of the national and local elections (Sec. 6, R.A. No. 8436), utilizing appropriate technology for voting and electronic devices for counting of votes and canvassing of results (Sec. 7, R.A. No. 8436), and, for this purpose, the COMELEC is mandated to acquire automated counting machines, computer equipment, devices and materials and adopt new forms and printing materials (Sec. 7, R.A. No. 8436);

WHEREAS, R.A. No. 8436 provides that the amount necessary to. implement the statute shall be included in the General Appropriations Act (Sec. 32, R.A. No. 8436);

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order:

Section 1. Allocation of P2.5 Billion for the Automated Election System Starting With the May 10, 2004 Elections. — The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) is hereby directed to allocate the total amount of Two Billion and Five Hundred Million Pesos (P2,500,000,000.00) (inclusive of whatever amounts have been previously released or appropriated for an Automated Election System), to be sourced from existing appropriations and from other sources authorized by law, to fund the full requirements of establishing in time for the May 10, 2004 National and Local Elections, an Automated Election System as prescribed under R.A. No. 8436, specifically the following:

a. Voting process;

b. Counting of votes; and 

c. Canvassing/consolidation of results of the national and local elections.

Sec. 2. Exclusive Use for Automated Election System Prescribed Under R.A. No. 8436. — The DBM shall ensure that the aforementioned amount of Two Billion and Five Hundred Million Pesos (P2,500,000,000.00) shall be used exclusively for the Automated Election System prescribed under R.A. No. 8436, particularly “the process of voting, counting of votes and canvassing/consolidation of results of the national and local elections” (Sec. 6, R.A. No. 8436).

Sec. 3. Assistance to COMELEC. — All Departments are hereby directed to assist the COMELEC in the establishment of the Automated Election System in time for the May 10, 2004 National and Local Elections.

Sec. 4. Repealing Clause. — All executive orders, rules, and regulations inconsistent with any provision of this Executive Order shall be deemed revoked, amended or modified accordingly.

Sec. 5. Effectivity. — This Executive Order shall take effect immediately. 

City of Manila, January 24, 2003.

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