PPCRV, Namfrel get ‘unli’ nod as Comelec citizens arm

THE Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) and the National Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel) are set to be the accredited citizens arms of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in the May 2025 national and local polls and in future elections.

In its Minute Resolution No. 24-0382, the Comelec en banc granted a “continuing accreditation” to PPCRV and Namfrrel to serve as the poll body’s citizens arms in all electoral exercises, including those held at the national level.

“The Commission, after due deliberation, resolves to approve the continuing accreditation of the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) and National Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel) as citizens’ arms in any and all elections, plebiscites, recalls, and referenda to be conducted by the Commission on Elections,” said the Comelec.

The Commission, however, stressed that the two poll watchdogs are required to comply with the requirements they need to submit, which include submitting a complete list of officers, including their respective provincial, municipal, and city coordinators or their equivalent.

The two are also mandated to submit comprehensive or detailed plans of action and activities leading to the 2025 national and local polls and thereafter.

Lastly, PPCRV and Namfrel are also expected to report their accomplishments and recommendations after each electoral exercise.

“Non-compliance shall result to the revocation of said continuing accreditation,” said the Comelec.

The continuing accreditation comes in response to the recommendation of Comelec chairman George Garcia in his memorandum last month.

The poll chief had cited the “innumerable elections and democratic processes” conducted by the Comelec in the past, with the two organizations being “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,” said Garcia in his memorandum.

Back in September 2022, the Comelec similarly granted continuing accreditations to the PPCRV and Namfrel for all electoral exercises prior to