WHEREAS, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), through its Resolution No. 9446 (s. 2012), resolved to request the concurrence of the President in the deputation of law enforcement agencies and instrumentalities including the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP), in connection with the 9-18 July 2012 General Registration of Voters in the five (5) provinces in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM); 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. 9446, deputizing law enforcement agencies and instrumentalities, including the AFP and the PNP, in connection with the General Registration of Voters in the five (5) provinces in the ARMM, from 9-18 July 2012 and all related activities vital before and after registration, particularly during the deployment and/or retrieval/pull-out of personnel, registration equipment, paraphernalia, forms and supplies.

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 4th day of July, in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Twelve.

By the President:

(SGD.) PAQUITO N. OCHOA
Executive Secretary