Commission on Elections Chair George Garcia. Photo from Comelec
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has accredited the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) and National Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel) as citizens’ arms for all three elections scheduled next year.
In a memorandum dated June 13 but released only by the poll body on Thursday, the Comelec approved the continuing accreditation of PPCRV and Namfrel as citizens’ arms in any and all elections, plebiscites, recalls and referenda in 2025, including the midterm elections, Bangsamoro parliament elections on May 12 and barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections on Dec. 1.
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“In the innumerable elections and democratic processes conducted by this commission, PPCRV and Namfrel have always been reliable sources of observations and recommendations in the effective exercise of the right to suffrage. As such, the undersigned sees no reason for said organizations to be required to file petitions for accreditations as citizens’ arms,” Comelec Chair George Garcia said in his memorandum.
The PPCRV is headed by business leader Evelyn Singson, while information technology expert Angel Averia Jr. is the national chair of Namfrel.
Change in policy
Historically, the Comelec only grants the petition for accreditation of organizations to become citizens’ arm for a specific election. But due to a policy change in September 2022, the poll body for the first time accredited both the PPCRV and Namfrel for all plebiscites and elections until 2025.
As citizens’ arms, the groups are tasked with assisting the Comelec in its voter registration drive, ensuring the integrity of the voters’ list, and helping in voter education and information activities.