House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal (HRET) Undertakes Special Sessions in Japan
31 October 2014 –The House of Representatives’ Electoral Tribunal (HRET) concluded today its Special Sessions in Japan. Tribunal Members studied Japan’s electoral system and Japan’s use of automation in the conduct of voting and counting to secure speedy and accurate results.
HRET Chair and Supreme Court Associate Justice Presbitero J. Velasco, Jr. (center) and Associate Justice Lucas P. Bersamin with officials of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s Election Administration Commission and Mushashi Co. officers. Also in photo are Philippine Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Gilbert G.B. Asuque, Embassy Political Officer Josel F. Ignacio and HRET Secretary Atty. Girlie I. Salarda.
The HRET conducted two (2) Special Sessions. The first was held on 15-19 October by HRET members Rep. Franklin P. Bautista (2nd District, Davao del Sur), Rep. Joselito Andrew R. Mendoza (3rd District, Bulacan) and Rep. Jerry P. Treñas (Lone District, Iloilo City). The second was held by Supreme Court Associate Justice Presbitero J. Velasco, Jr., Chair of the HRET, and Associate Justice Lucas P. Bersamin, assisted by HRET Secretary Atty. Girlie I. Salarda.
HRET Chair and Supreme Court Associate Justice Presbitero J. Velasco, Jr. and HRET Secretary Atty. Salarda view a model of Japan’s vote counting machine.
Assisted by officials of the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo, both HRET delegations were briefed by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s (TMG) Election Administration Commission on its role, as well as on Japanese election laws, rules and procedures. The HRET delegations also witnessed audio-visual presentations and actual demonstrations of the utilization of various automated election systems and machines at the headquarters of manufacturer Musashi Co. Ltd.
HRET Members Rep. Franklin P. Bautista (2nd District, Davao del Sur), Rep. Joselito Andrew R. Mendoza (3rd District, Bulacan) and Rep. Jerry P. Treñas (Lone District, Iloilo City) view a demonstration of Japan’s automated vote counting machines.
HRET Members Rep. Franklin P. Bautista (2nd District, Davao del Sur), Rep. Joselito Andrew R. Mendoza (3rd District, Bulacan) and Rep. Jerry P. Treñas (Lone District, Iloilo City) and Embassy Third Secretary and Vice Consul Andrea B. Leycano listen to the Tokyo Government’s briefing on Japanese election procedures.
The HRET and the Philippine Embassy conveyed their appreciation to the Government of Japan for the briefings provided to visiting Tribunal members, citing these as contributing to the long-standing cooperative relations between the Philippines and Japan. END
