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 of RAP sites. There were also mentions on the planned voter registration on jail facilities and/or detention centers and universities, details on the special elections in Cavite in February, the conduct of pre- Election Summit Focus Group Discussions, the expected release of the Supreme Court's decision on the constitutionality of the Barangay and SK Elections postponement, and the technical work in support for the passage of the New Omnibus Election Code. [1]

LENTE would like to express its full support and assistance to COMELEG in conducting FDs and activities leading to its Election Summit in March. As one of the official partners of COMELEC in the Election Summit, LENTE aims to collaborate with the Commission on their priority reform initiatives which will help shape the public's interest and bolster public support.

LENTE also commits to continuously observe the ongoing voter registration and RAP, as well as the special elections in Cavite through its various Chapters and volunteers in the said Province.

Given LENTE's long-standing focus on the needs of the vulnerable sector, LENTE lauds COMELEC's decision to conduct voter registration at jail facilities and/or detention centers. In line with this, LENTE strongly recommends that other members of the vulnerable sector be also given assistance.

A good starting point would be transportation assistance or the operationalization of the "Voter Regsitration Drive Project" which has been previously conducted before in partnership with other various agencies such as the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA), National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), and National Anti Poverty Commission (NAPC).

LENTE also joins the COMELEC in closely following the Supreme Court's decision on the postponement of the Barangay and SK Elections last year. More importantly, LENTE reiterates its #NoToBSKEPostponement campaign which it has repeatedly called for since last year.

LENTE looks forward to the continuous progress of the Commission in having a COMELEC-owned structure for the COMELEC's Main office. However, LENTE would like to call on the Commission to also prioritize the provision of office space and additional personnel for COMELEC field offices to preserve the integrity and independence of the entire Commission.

LENTE also calls on lawmakers in the House of Representatives and the Senate for the passage of the COMELEC Integrity Bill.[2]

Together, let us all push for safe, accessible, transparent, and inclusive elections which will inspire national public confidence.

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1 New Omnibus Election Gode of 2022, Senate Bill No. 179, Filed by Senator Imee Marcos,
http://legacy.senate.gov.ph/lisdata/3788734328!.pdf

2 COMELEC Integrity Bill or an Act Strengthening the Commission on Elections by Increasing the Manpower Complement in its Field Offices, Providing Office Spaces Separate and Independent from Local Government Units, and Appropriating Funds Therefore Amending for the Purpose Batas Pambansa Blg. 881, as amended, otherwise known as the "Omnibus Election Code of the Philippines,"