Guidelines, restrictions set for General Trias cityhood plebiscite

MANILA, Philippines – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) and the municipal government of General Trias in Cavite have released the rules and regulations to be observed for the December 12 plebiscite of the town’s cityhood.

In a press release on Monday, October 19, the local government said the following restrictions will be in place in General Trias starting November 12:

• Appointments to or creation of new posts within General Trias
• Entering into a contract for public works by local officials and department heads
• Disbursement of public funds (except for maintenance of existing public works project)
• Carrying or transporting of firearms or other deadly weapons

It added that the Philippine National Police (PNP) will also set up checkpoints during this period.

Comelec will start conducting information campaigns on the plebiscite across the municipality also on November 12.

The plebiscite has been set for December 12, a Saturday, following the approval of Republic Act 10675, the law which converts the municipality of General Trias in Cavite into a component city.

Based on Comelec Resolution 10000, signed on October 2, voting will run from 7am to 3 pm. Precinct assignments will be based on the precinct clustering implemented during the 2013 barangay elections.

General Trias residents who have filed for voter registration up to June 30, 2015, will be allowed to vote in the December 12 plebiscite.

Once the cityhood of General Trias is approved, it will be Cavite’s 7th city, and the country’s 145th.

However, it will remain under the jurisdiction of the 6th legistrative district, currently represented by Congressman Luis “Jonjon” Ferrer IV, the author of the cityhood of this locality.

A budget of P13.67 million has been allocated for the said plebiscite.

Even before the plebiscite, the Comelec already considered General Trias a city for the 2016 elections. In its allocation of seats for next year’s poll, Comelec has increased the number of seats in the city council from 8 to 10. – Rappler.com