WHEREAS, Republic Act No. 10420 provides for the conversion of the Municipality of San Pedro into a component city;

WHEREAS, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), through its Resolution Nos. 9817 (s. 2013) and 9835 (s. 2013), resolved to request the concurrence of the President in the deputation of the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and other law enforcement agencies, in connection with the 28 December 2013 Plebiscite to ratify the conversion of the Municipality of San Pedro, in the Province of Laguna, into a component city; 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, do hereby concur with COMELEC Resolution Nos. 9817 and 9835, deputizing the PNP, AFP, and other law enforcement agencies, to assist COMELEC in ensuring the free, orderly, honest, peaceful, and credible conduct of the 28 December 2013 Plebiscite to ratify the conversion of the Municipality of San Pedro, in the Province of Laguna, into a component city.

The foregoing law enforcement 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 23rd day of December, in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Thirteen.

(Sgd.) BENIGNO S. AQUINO III

By the President:

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