WHEREAS, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), through its Resolution No. 9388 (s. 2012), resolved to request the concurrence of the President in the deputation of law enforcement agencies and other instrumentalities of the government, including the AFP and PNP, in connection with the 2 June 2012 special election for Member, House of Representatives, Fifth Legislative District of Negros Occidental;

WHEREAS, COMELEC Resolution No. 9388 was issued pursuant to House Resolution (H.R.) No. 248 dated 12 March 2012 certifying the vacancy in the seat allotted to the Fifth District of Negros Occidental due to the death of Representative Ignacio T. Arroyo and calling for a special election to fill such vacancy; and

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 2 (4), Article IX-C of the Constitution, the COMELEC is empowered to deputize, with the concurrence of the President, law enforcement agencies and instrumentalities of the Government, including the AFP, for the exclusive purpose of ensuring free, orderly, honest, peaceful, and credible elections.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BENIGNO S. AQUINO III, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution and existing laws, hereby concur with COMELEC Resolution No. 9388 deputizing law enforcement agencies and instrumentalities of the Government, including the AFP and PNP, to assist the COMELEC in ensuring the free, orderly, honest, peaceful, and credible conduct of the 2 June 2012 special election for Member, House of Representatives, Fifth Legislative District of Negros Occidental.

The foregoing law enforcement agencies and other concerned agencies are hereby directed to coordinate and cooperate with the COMELEC in the performance of their duties and functions.

This Memorandum Order shall take effect immediately. DONE, in the City of Manila , this 25th day of May, in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Twelve. 

(SGD.) BENIGNO S. AQUINO III
President of the Philippines

By the President:

(SGD.) PAQUITO N. OCHOA, JR.
Executive Secretary