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.
ANFREL member in the Philippines, the Legal Network for Truthful Elections (LENTE) and other like-minded organizations launched a petition calling for the next Congress not to postpone the scheduled Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections. Sign the petition here. We amplify our call to the next Congress not to postpone the December 5,
The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) congratulates the people of the Philippines for their mass participation in the 2022 National and Local Elections, domestic election observer groups including PPCRV, LENTE, and NAMFREL, media and civil society organizations for their contributions to an inclusive and transparent election landscape, as well as the
The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) is holding a press conference on Wednesday, 11 May 2022 at 9 a.m. (Manila time) to release the initial findings of its observation of the elections in the Philippines. The Philippines held national and local elections on 9 May 2022. ANFREL deployed teams of international
NAMFREL raises concern on reports it received stating that the public has been barred from entering voting centers to observe the closing of voting, and to take pictures of the posted Election Returns, which contain the results of the election for every polling place in the voting center. In addition, some NAMFREL
The Legal Network for Truthful Elections (LENTE) continues to observe election day processes, with particular focus on the voting process of Vulnerable Sectors (Persons with Disability, Senior Citizens/Older Persons, Persons Deprived of Liberty/Detainees, and Indigenous Peoples) and the voting situation in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). LENTE also continue
LENTE said they observed long queues, technical and non-technical issues, and unlawful electioneering as the 2022 Philippine national and local elections opened. LENTE asked COMELEC to reinforce that the use of phones, even if utilized as a voter’s “kodigo” inside the polling place, is not allowed. COMELEC earlier stated that the use
The National Citizens' Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) released its preliminary observations on the conduct of the 2022 National and Local Elections, as observed by its volunteers who are currently onsite in different voting centers across the country. NAMFREL has tens of thousands of volunteers observing in voting centers nationwide for today's
More than 65.7 million registered voters in the Philippines are invited to cast their vote for the national and local elections on 9 May 2022. The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) deployed election observation teams across the country to monitor the electoral process. Here are some photos that ANFREL observers have
On LENTE's plans for Election Day The Legal Network for Truthful Elections (LENTE) has launched several initiatives with its partner organizations and monitoring projects to ensure Safe, Accountable, Transparent, and Inclusive elections this May 9, 2022. LENTE is among the civil society organizations that were convened by the Commission on Human Rights
The discharge of the Commission on Elections’ duty under Section 2(1), Article IX-C of the Constitution and under the law to enforce and administer all laws relative to the conduct of elections for the purpose of ensuring free, orderly and honest elections does not escape public observation. The absence or lack of
The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) launched today, 23 April 2022, its international election observation mission to the 2022 Philippine national and local elections with the deployment of six long-term observers and two electoral analysts. An additional four observers are expected to join the mission next week. ANFREL observers will be
MANDALUYONG CITY - The National Citizens' Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) today said that it is encouraging all Filipinos to guard the election process in all its phases, from the pre-election period, to Election Day, to the post-election period. This is in line with NAMFREL's belief that all voters can be citizen
NAMFREL denies statements circulating on social media that it was involved in discussions of allegations of massive cheating in the forthcoming May 2022 national and local elections. NAMFREL deplores this propaganda, which undermines the outcome of elections that are still to be held, for which different stakeholders are working hard to ensure
NAMFREL wishes the new Chairman and Commissioners of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) all the best in their new posts. Their appointment comes at a crucial period as the Commission prepares for the upcoming May 9, 2022 elections. Foremost of the challenges ahead is securing the elections and ensuring that it is
First published on The Diplomat on 9 March 2022, "Elections in a Pandemic: How Filipinos Can Safely Elect Their Leaders" was produced under the ANFREL Southeast Asia Media Fellowship on Election Reporting. The Philippines will soon conduct one of Asia’s largest elections in 2022. One expert says the campaign period is beginning
ANFREL member in the Philippines, Legal Network for Truthful Elections (LENTE), released a statement on COMELEC's Oplan Baklas which has raised issues and concerns among electoral stakeholders. Read the full statement below:
The National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) joins the urgent plea of different stakeholders for the appointment of competent and honest men and women in the three vacant positions -- that of the Chairperson and two Commissioners -- at the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), not only in a timely manner, but
The election campaign of national post candidates kick off today, 8 February 2022, in the Philippines. In an article by the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) has reported, the candidates have already spent millions on political ads even before the official campaign period started. It is necessary for the media to
First published on LENTE's Facebook Page. The Legal Network for Truthful Elections (LENTE) participated as observers at the COMELEC’s Voting Simulation Exercise on 23 October 2021, in San Juan Elementary School to help ensure a safe, accountable, inclusive, transparent elections which will inspire national public confidence. The primary purpose of the simulation
The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) is pleased to welcome the Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (BERSIH 2.0) from Malaysia and the Legal Network for Truthful Elections (LENTE) from the Philippines as new members of the ANFREL family. The ANFREL Executive Council during a special meeting on 5 October 2021
First published here MANDALUYONG CITY (Sept. 28, 2021) — The National Citizens' Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) today, in a press briefing, laid out their planned activities for the 2022 National and Local Elections. NAMFREL said it aims to file this week with the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) its Petition for Accreditation
31 August 2021 | Press Release MANDALUYONG CITY (Aug. 31, 2021) — The National Citizens' Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) today, in a press briefing, outlined several proposals to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to improve the efficiency and transparency of the country's Automated Elections System (AES). The proposals are part of
The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL), the leading election monitoring group in Asia, is proud to launch its pilot media fellowship on election reporting for Southeast Asian journalists. The fellowship program seeks to equip journalists from independent news outlets and freelance journalists in empowering the electorate through crucial reporting of underrepresented
First published on NAMFREL's Facebook Page on 17 March 2021. The National Citizens' Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) wishes to congratulate the people of Palawan province for turning up to vote in the Palawan Plebiscite last Saturday, March 13, 2021. Despite the inclement weather and the ongoing pandemic, Palaweños trooped to the
First published on NAMFREL's Facebook Page on 13 March 2021. PRESS RELEASEMarch 13, 2021, 1pm The National Citizens' Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) released its preliminary findings on the conduct of the 2021 Plebiscite, as observed by its volunteers who are currently stationed in different voting centers throughout Palawan. The preliminary observations
First published on NAMFREL's Facebook Page on 25 September 2020. NAMFREL today emphasized the importance of holding the 2022 elections as scheduled, as mandated by the Philippine Constitution, despite the pandemic. This is in response to Pampanga 2nd District Rep. Mikey Arroyo's suggestion for the Comelec to consider postponing the 2022 elections.