Mining firm hands-off in May polls

MANILA, Philippines - Sagittarius Mines Inc. (SMI), the government contractor and holder of financial and technical agreement for the $5.9-billion Tampakan copper-gold mining project in South Cotabato, is educating its employees, contractors, and agency workers on the company’s election policies and guidelines and non-partisan role during elections.

SMI human capital development superintendent Bayani Quilang leads the implementation of the program in all the company’s offices in Makati, General Santos City, and Tampakan, South Cotabato.

Quilang said SMI’s non-partisan policy does not in any way infringe on its employees’ right to suffrage, and the guidelines promote the conduct of fair and honest elections and reminds employees not to get involved in any campaign-related activities or government programs as their political affiliation may be perceived as the company’s stand.

“This also means that any project in partnership with incumbent local government officials who are running in the May polls are put on hold, so as not to add any political color to the company,” he said.