Malacañang on Monday said it is open to Defense Secretary Norberto Gonzales’ proposal for the military’s active participation in the May 2010 elections, but it is still subject to presidential review and has yet to be discussed in the Cabinet.

Presidential economic affairs spokesperson Gary Olivar said the Palace is open to the proposal, which he said was originally suggested by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to help ensure orderly, peaceful, and honest elections.

“I believe this is something that is still being put together by the defense secretary. I believe in coordination with the Comelec…At some point, it will have to go through Cabinet discussions as well as presidential review,” he told a press briefing.

The AFP and the Comelec are now working on an agreement, which seeks to expand the military’s role in the 2010 elections, including assigning security escorts to a candidate, participating in the canvassing of votes, and transporting of ballot boxes.

The new accord being worked out by the poll body and the military would expand the 2006 agreement between the two parties, which authorized the AFP forces only to secure an area, operate checkpoints, and enforce the gun ban during the election period.

“It's the Comelec that, in fact, I believe, on its own decided to give more authority to the AFP in terms of asking them to assign at least two people or not more than as escorts — soldiers and policemen — to a candidate.

So this initiative appears to have originated from the Comelec and so, if that is the case, then we're simply responding to it,” Olivar said.

“I think that, as always, the AFP stands ready to provide whatever service it may be requested by government agencies, including the Comelec,” he said.

Meanwhile, two lawmakers warned against the planned memorandum of agreement between the DND and the Comelec that will provide the military a more active role in the May 2010 elections.

Muntinlupa City Rep. Ruffy Biazon said he was “extremely wary” of the proposed deal initiated by acting Defense Secretary Norberto Gonzales, while Bayan Muna Rep. Teodoro Casiño called it a “dangerous proposal.”

Biazon pointed out that the proposed agreement would be a reversal of the 2006 accord between the DND and Comelec, which aimed to insulate the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) from partisan politics.

“I would strongly advise against the proposal of Secretary Gonzales to give the military additional roles during elections,” Biazon said in a text message. “Such a move will only open grey areas which may eventually lead to the military being used for political interests.”