The National Citizens' Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) gathered over 90 represetatives of civil society organizations, the academe, political parties, electoral reform advocates and the media on 26 May 2023 to discuss how to enhance the automated election system (AES) for the 2025 national and local elections in the Philippines. The NAMFREL
The National Citizens' Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) observed the plebiscites in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur in the Philippines on 18 March 2023. The plebiscites were conducted to ratify the creation of Barangays Boronga II and Datu Dalidigan in Marawi City. NAMFREL said the polling process was peaceful and the counting
ANFREL members in the Philippines welcomed the passage of the Bangsamoro Electoral Code in the Philippines. The National Citizens' Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) said they welcome the passage of the code and hoped that it would pave the way for the success of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM)
Our fact-checking Auntie B is back! In the second part of The Budol Fight series, Auntie B talks to Philstar.com chief editor Camille Diola about their observations and insights over the spread of disinformation during the 2022 national and local elections in the Philippines. The second of a two-part series, "The Budol
ANFREL member in the Philippines, the National Citizens' Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL), said the special election in Cavite on 25 February 2023 was peaceful and smooth but the voter turnout was low. In two updates released on Election Day, NAMFREL said that the electoral process was peaceful and smooth in the
Auntie B, your aunt who first checks and verifies information online before sharing them, talks to her friends about the tactics of disinformation operators who tried to influence and sway voters during the 2022 elections in the Philippines. The first of a two-part series, "PROBE: The Budol Fight" is produced under the
The Legal Network for Truthful Elections (LENTE) welcomes the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) planned activities for 2023 as discussed during its press briefing today, January 3, 2023. The press briefing touched on matters and updates regarding the ongoing voter registration and the Register Anywhere Project (RAP) as well as the possible addition
ANFREL member in the Philippines, the National Citizens' Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) observed a plebiscite on 17 December 2022 seeking the conversion of the municipality of Baliwag, Bulacan into a component city. NAMFREL said the process went smoothly and peacefully with no untoward incident observed. The closing and counting processes were
Century Park Hotel, Manila, December 10, 2022 - The Legal Network for Truthful Elections (LENTE) gathered various election stakeholders at Century Park Hotel, Manila during its MOVE! A Colloquium on Electoral Reforms from December 8-10, 2022 to revisit longstanding and emerging electoral issues, and discuss possible solutions for such. True to its
ANFREL senior program officer for capacity building and international election observation Amaël Vier participated in a panel discussion on citizen mobilization and election observation at the "MOVE! A Colloquium on Electoral Reforms" on 9 December 2022. The three-day event held from 8 to 10 December 2022 was hosted by ANFREL member in
ANFREL member in the Philippines, the Legal Network for Truthful Elections (LENTE) is hosting "MOVE! A Colloquium on Electoral Reforms" from 8 to 10 December 2022 at Century Park Hotel in Manila. With the theme "Maximizing Opportunities and Valuing Elections (MOVE) through Electoral Reforms", the colloquium aims to highlight the need for
The Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (BERSIH) calls on all broadcast media organisations, in particular, state-owned RTM, Media Prima and Astro, as well as all print and online news portals, to provide fair and balance media coverage for all political parties and independent candidates in the upcoming 15th General Election (GE15).
Abuse of State Resources (ASR) is an overlooked form of political corruption in the Philippines whereby candidates or political parties unduly utilize official powers and government resources to gain electoral advantage. What distinguishes ASR from the other acts of corruption is its indispensable electoral component, that is, the acts are committed to
October 21, 2022, Ortigas, National Capital Region. In line with the Bangsamoro Transition Authority's (BTA) ongoing development and public consultation, the Legal Network for Truthful Elections (LENTE) presents its recommendations to the current iteration of the proposed Bangsamoro Electoral Code (BEC). Since 2020, LENTE, in various roles and capacities, has been actively
The National Citizens' Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) has submitted to the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) Parliament its position paper on BTA Bill No. 29 or “An Act Providing for the Bangsamoro Electoral Code of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao” or the Bangsamoro Electoral Code (BEC). The Code is intended
On the occasion of the 39th founding anniversary of the National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL), allow me to greet everyone, our volunteers, supporters, partners, and friends a happy anniversary! NAMFREL remains true to its vision of strengthening democracy through helping ensure clean, honest and credible elections and to empower the
The National Citizens' Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) observed the 2022 Ormoc Plebiscite in the Philippines on 8 October 2022. The voters in Ormoc City, Leyte were asked whether or not they agree to renaming and merger of 28 villages into three. The Commission on Elections said 89.34 percent yes with 10.08
The Legal Network for Truthful Elections (LENTE) thanked the Maguindanaoans for taking part in the historic plebiscite on Saturday, 17 September 2022, where they voted on whether or not they agree in dividing the province into Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur. LENTE, however, observed that proper health protocols were not
The National Citizens' Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) observed the conduct of the 17 September 2022 Maguindanao Plebiscite to divide the province into Maguindano del Norte and Maguindano del Sur. NAMFREL volunteers reported that the procedure was smooth and peaceful, in general. Security remained an issue in many parts of Maguindanao, however.
The Legal Network for Truthful Elections (LENTE) provided the following update on a August 23 senate committee hearing on the postponement of the scheduled Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (Young Council) elections in the Philippines. LENTE highlighted two major challenges that emerged from the hearing: The Senate Committee on Electoral Reform and People's
NAMFREL repeats its call for the holding of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) on 5 December 2022, as mandated under Republic Act No. 11462, and takes this opportunity to counter the arguments in favor of postponement as raised during the 16 August 2022 hearing of the House of Representatives Committee
In order for the Philippines to achieve its democratic aspirations, the festering systemic challenges of rampant vote buying, rule of political dynasties, and the widespread disinformation should be addressed, according to panelists of a forum that tackled pathways to strengthen democracy in the country. The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) hosted
The 2022 national and local elections in the Philippines were credible and genuine despite several lingering issues and challenges, said the Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) in the final comprehensive report of their international election observation mission to the Philippine elections. ANFREL congratulated the electoral stakeholders in the country for the
In a report on its observation of the recently concluded resumption of voter registration, submitted to the COMELEC on August 10 and a copy of which was sent to the Senate and the House of Representatives, NAMFREL urges Congress to amend current laws or pass new laws to fundamentally change the country's
The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) is hosting a panel discussion on strengthening democracy in the Philippines on 18 August 2022, Thursday, at 10 a.m. (Manila time) ANFREL invited representatives from domestic election observer groups to share their insights about the recently concluded May 2022 national and local elections in the
We, young NAMFREL members, urge Congress to allow the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) to push through on December 5, 2022. In a democratic state such as the Philippines, the will of the people should always be heeded in the way they are governed. Based on Article II, Section 1 of
MANILA, Philippines – The Legal Network for Truthful Elections (LENTE) remains hopeful that the Senate and the House of Representatives would override President Bongbong Marcos’ decision to veto a bill exempting the honoraria, allowances, and other benefits of poll workers and staff from taxes. LENTE stood its ground by stating that the
NAMFREL urges Congress to let the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) proceed, as scheduled under Republic Act No. (R.A.) 11462, on 5 December 2022. The Constitution allows the legislature to determine the term of elective barangay officials through legislation: “The term of office of elective local officials, except barangay officials, which
NAMFREL releases to the public the Executive Summary to its Preliminary Report on the May 2022 National and Local Elections (NLE). The Report was submitted last month to the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) in compliance with the terms of NAMFREL’s accreditation as citizens’ arm. The Report is the result of NAMFREL’s monitoring
In a meeting held on June 21, 2022, the National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) National Council accepted the June 2 resignation of MR. AUGUSTO C. LAGMAN from NAMFREL and as its National Chairperson. Mr. Lagman joined NAMFREL in 1984 and headed its Operation Quick Count parallel vote tabulation until 2007.