Partial unofficial results in Palawan show 'no' votes leading in plebiscite regarding dividing province

The partial and unofficial results of the plebiscite in Palawan for the ratification of a law dividing the province into three show that the "no" votes are leading, Commission on Elections spokesperson James Jimenez said on Sunday in an interview on Dobol B TV.

"There are some places sa Palawan na makikita na lamang ang 'no' sa boto," Jimenez said.

[There are some places in Palawan where the 'no' votes are leading.]

The canvassing will resume at 2 p.m. on Sunday afternoon, he said.

"Tapos na ang botohan. By 2 p.m., inaasahan natin na magre-resume ang canvassing," Jimenez said.

[The voting is over. By 2 p.m., we are expecting that canvassing will resume.]

On Saturday, the one-day manual plebiscite was held in 2,959 cluster precincts in 487 voting centers in 23 municipalities in Palawan for the ratification of Republic Act 11259.

The said law, signed by President Rodrigo Duterte in 2019, will divide Palawan into three provinces: Palawan del Norte, Palawan del Sur and Oriental Palawan.

The three provinces will be created upon approval by the majority of the votes cast by the voters of the affected areas in a plebiscite to be conducted and supervised by the Comelec.

The plebiscite went smoothly on Saturday, with just a few hitches such as the late arrival of poll materials in Kalayaan, and the refusal of some barangays to give health declaration forms to voters. "The matter was immediately responded to and voters were allowed to exercise their right of suffrage," Jimenez said in an interview on Super Radyo dzBB on Saturday.

The Comelec said the Provincial Plebiscite Board of Canvassers (PPBOC) convened at 6 p.m. on Saturday at the Capitol Compound in Puerto Princesa City. However, it adjourned at 6:45 p.m. since no plebiscite return or certificate of canvass was received.

The PPBOC will meet continuously until canvassing is completed and may adjourn only when awaiting receipt of plebiscite returns or certificates of canvass, according to Comelec Resolution No. 10687.

It will proclaim the plebiscite results when it has finished canvassing the municipal certificates of canvass from 23 municipalities.

The PPBOC is headed by Comelec Provincial Elections Supervisor Atty. Urbano Arlando.

Jimenez said Saturday's plebiscite, being the first held during the pandemic, showed the measures that can be used to prevent the further spread of COVID-19 even during elections.

These include the use of an isolation polling place for those who disclosed in the health declaration forms that they were experiencing symptoms. Personnel assigned here wear full personal protective equipment, he said.

"Ang pinaka-importante rito ay ang paggamit ng isolation polling place. Ito 'yung mga nagpapakita ng sintomas ng COVID-19, dito sila inihihiwalay," Jimenez said.

[The most important is the use of an isolation polling place. Here is where those with COVID-19 symptoms are brought. They are isolated here.]

In the precincts, polling booths are separated from each other with plastic barriers.

"Kasama sa supplies natin 'yung isang sako ng COVID supplies," Jimenez said, adding that these include foot bath, bleach, hand sanitizer, face masks and gloves.

[Included in the supplies is one sack of COVID supplies.]

"Very complete 'yung ating preparation," he said.

[Our preparation is very complete.]

Jimenez also said the plebiscite showed that it may be better to just have one long day for election rather than two days.

The Comelec official also said they are in favor of having seniors and vulnerable sectors participate in absentee voting rather than they go personally to polling places.

"Sumusuporta kami sa mga panukala sa Kongreso kaugnay sa paghahain ng absentee voting para sa mga senior at nasa vulnerable sector," he said.

[We are supporting the proposal in Congress regarding having absentee voting for senior citizens and vulnerable sectors.]

Jimenez also said the Palawan plebiscite showed they should deploy enough marshalls.

"Isa sa mga nakita nating leksyon sa Palawan ay hindi ka talaga puwedeng magtipid sa marshalls na sasaway sa mga botante," he said.

[One of the lessons from Palawan is that you cannot scrimp on deploying marshalls who will ensure order among voters.] —KG, GMA News