04 November 2014 - The House of Representatives’ Electoral Tribunal (HRET) concluded on October 31 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.
The HRET conducted two Special Sessions. The first was held from October 15 to 19 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 and HRET Chair Presbitero J. Velasco, Jr. and Associate Justice Lucas P. Bersamin. The Justices were assisted by HRET Secretary Atty. Girlie I. Salarda.
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.
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