Media must get poll accreditation or barred from coverage: Comelec

By Carlito C. Dar

BAGUIO CITY -- The Commission on Elections – Cordillera Regional Office said media practitioners who will cover the May 12 midterm election must file for Comelec accreditation so they cannot be given access to polling centers.

Comelec regional director Jose Nick Mendros, in coordination with the Philippine Information Agency, recently held a briefing here at the PIA regional office to orient the media on their role and participation for the May election.

In the forum, Mendros said media practitioners will not be allowed or cannot demand access to the polling centers without a Comelec- issued media identification card.

Application form can be downloaded at the Comelec website at www.comelec.gov.ph and must be submitted personally to the city election officer or provincial election supervisor along with two colored ID pictures not later than April 15, he said.

Mendros   said the Comelec-issued ID must be worn prominently and that the bearer of such ID should immediately identify him/herself to the election officer on duty. It is not transferrable.

As for the rule on media coverage, Mendrossaid  only three media practitioners are allowed at a polling center in any given time, and they  are  prohibited to do action that would disrupt the voting, counting or canvassing as well as to engage in partisan politics or influence the vote of the public.

Meantime, Mendros also reiterated  to  the media their right to vote under the Local Absentee Voting, which application is also downloadable from the Comelec website and will be accepted at any city election officer or provincial election supervisor offices until March 31.

 “Those who will avail of the local absentee voting will cast their vote on Comelec designated polling places on April 28, 29 and 30 and they can only vote for senatorial candidates and a party list group,” Mendros added.

In the briefing, Mendros also bared media-related provisions of the Philippine Omnibus election code and Republic Act 9006 or the Fair Elections Act.

A demonstration on the automated election system including the use of PCOS machine was also done.

Baguio-Benguet Vicariate Bishop CarlitoCenzon and members of the Baguio Heritage Foundation, a city civic organization involved  in election information advocacy campaign,  also attended the orientation.