Puno, others cited for role in succesful automated polls

MANILA, Philippines - Five organizations and individuals, including retired Chief Justice Reynato Puno were awarded by President Arroyo with citations and the Order of Lakandula for their respective roles in the successful conduct of the country’s first automated election last May 10.

At the vin d’honneur or reception hosted by the President for the diplomatic corps at Malacañang yesterday, the recently concluded automated election was one of the central themes as a symbol of democracy in the country.

The Order of Lakandula, one of the highest honors given by the President to Filipino and foreign nationals, was bestowed on Puno and Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) chairwoman Henrietta de Villa for the roles they played as heads of their respective institutions in providing the country with its first ever automated elections.

Puno was cited for his “exemplary and inspiring leadership in the Supreme Court which among others, paved the way for the holding of the first ever automated elections in the Philippines.”

His leadership at the Supreme Court was cited for ensuring “the broadest possible representation of party, sectoral and group interest in Congress and gave a significant number of first time voters mainly from the youth sector the opportunity to participate in the important, historic and democratic exercise.”

Puno was granted the second highest rank for the Order of Lakandula, which is Bayani.

The Grand Cross Bayani is conferred upon an individual who has devoted his life to the peaceful resolution of conflict and upon an individual whose life is worthy of emulation by the Filipino people.

In the case of De Villa, she was conferred the rank of Komandante, which is conferred upon an individual who has demonstrated exceptional deeds of dedication to the political and civic welfare of society as a whole.

De Villa was cited for her “untiring efforts, sacrificial service and exemplary leadership in ensuring that the PPCRV remains a highly respected, credible and non-partisan citizen’s arm of the Commission on Elections which contributed significantly to the conduct of the first ever automated elections in the Philippines.”

Three presidential citations were also handed out by the President to the Commission on Elections, the Supreme Court and the PPCRV in recognition of their “invaluable contribution to the conduct of the national elections last May 10 which represented a historical milestone in being the first automated election as well as an outstanding exercise of popular democracy and an inspiring testament to the sovereignty of the Filipino people.”