Extension of the Referendum Period in Greater Manila

February 25, 1975

PROCLAMATION NO. 1366-B

EXTENDING THE REFERENDUM PERIOD IN GREATER MANILA (4 CITIES AND THIRTEEN MUNICIPALITIES) UP TO BUT NOT BEYOND NOON OF FEBRUARY 28, 1975; AND EMPOWERING THE COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS, IN THE CASE OF AREAS OUTSIDE OF GREATER MANILA, TO AUTHORIZE SIMILAR EXTENSIONS ON A CASE-TO-CASE BASIS, SUBJECT CERTAIN GUIDELINES

WHEREAS, the Commission on Elections has reported that, as a result of the reorganization of the barangays in Greater Manila, the average number of barangay voters in each of the referendum centers in Greater Manila has been relatively reduced compared to that of the July 27-28, 1973 referendum; cd

WHEREAS, in the case of referendum centers in areas outside Greater Manila, it has been likewise reported that the average number of barangay voters for each center has been considerably reduced due to the division of large centers into smaller ones;

WHEREAS, due to the reduction of the number of barangay voters per referendum center, the Commission on Elections has expressed the belief that the balloting in the February 27 referendum may not take as long as time as the referendum of July 27-28, 1973, which lasted two days;

WHEREAS, nevertheless, provision must be made so as to afford ample opportunity for every registered barangay member to cast his ballot without, however, unnecessarily prolonging the period of referendum;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers in me vested by the Constitution, do hereby extend the referendum period, in the case of Greater Manila (4 cities and thirteen municipalities) from February 27 up to but not beyond noon of February 28, 1975; there shall be no extension of the referendum period in the case of areas outside of Greater Manila; provided, however, that the Commission on Elections shall be empowered to authorize the balloting to continue up to but not beyond noon of the next day in referendum centers where at least twenty (20%) percent of the registered barangay voters have failed to vote at the close of voting hours on February 27, 1975.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the Republic of the Philippines to be affixed. acd

DONE in the City of Manila, this 25th day of February, in the year of Our Lord, Nineteen Hundred and Seventy-Five.