Quezon City, September 22, 2026 — Congress has passed a bill extending the term of barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan officials from four to five years. The bill amends Republic Act No. 12232, moving the BSKE, originally scheduled for November 2, 2026 to November 2028. We call on President Marcos to veto this
Two bills1 recently filed in the Bangsamoro Parliament seek to strip the Bangsamoro Electoral Code and the Bangsamoro Local Governance Code of their anti-dynasty provisions. These bills must be rejected. The 1987 Constitution, under Section 26, Article II, does not state that only Congress may define and regulate political dynasties. Rather, it
https://youtu.be/yw0LxdqKB4g?t=4928 Stakeholder Exchange starts at 1:22:08 Election civil society groups in the Philippines commended the openness of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) to collaborate with various groups in addressing electoral issues in the country, during a stakeholder exchange hosted by the Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) on 16 May 2025. ANFREL
With three days left before the May 12 National and Local Elections, LENTE reinforces its commitment to safeguarding the electoral process, focusing on five core standards: Safety, Accountability, Transparency, Inclusiveness, and National Public Confidence. Accountability: ASR, Vote-Buying, Campaign Violations As of May 9, LENTE has received 44 reports on abuse of state
February 23, 2025, Quezon City - The Legal Network for Truthful Elections (LENTE) acknowledges that a five-month postponement is more reasonable than a one-year delay. However, LENTE reiterates its opposition to postponing the May 2025 Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Parliamentary Elections. Proponents of the postponement have offered several justifications
The Legal Network for Truthful Elections (LENTE) opposes the proposal to postpone the first 2025 Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Parliamentary Elections. While LENTE acknowledges Congress's efforts in addressing the complexities surrounding BARMM, LENTE believes that this proposal fails to meet the strict criteria set by the Supreme Court in
LENTE recognizes that advancements in Artificial Intelligence, such as generative AI, are increasingly used in information/influence operations or misused to peddle disinformation, particularly within the context of elections. The use of deepfakes in the elections of Indonesia and India this year or during the Nigerian and Slovakian elections last year, as well
Expert speakers during Day 1 of the Regional Forum on the 2025 PH Elections, 13 May 2024, shared insights and experiences from the conduct of elections in the super election year of 2024. They offered lessons and best practices which electoral stakeholders can consider as the Philippines marked one year before the
The Legal Network for Truthful Elections (LENTE) shared the panel discussion speakers and moderators for the regional forum on the upcoming elections in the Philippines. "What can we learn from the 2024 Super Election Year? A Regional Forum on the 2025 PH Elections" is happening on 13-14 May 2024 at the Shangri-La
The Legal Network for Truthful Elections (LENTE) shared the panel discussion topics for the regional forum on upcoming elections in the Philippines. "What can we learn from the 2024 Super Election Year? A Regional Forum on the 2025 PH Elections" is happening on 13-14 May 2024 at the Shangri-La The Fort, Manila.
The Legal Network for Truthful Elections (LENTE) partnered with the National Democratic Institute (NDI), the Asian Network for Free Elections(ANFREL), and the Bangsamoro Information Office (BIO) for the regional forum "One year before the 2025 Philippine Elections: What can we learn from the 2024 Super Election year?" The forum will convene election
On this day last year (8 March 2023), the Bangsamoro Transition Authority passed Bangsamoro Autonomy Act No. 35, also known as the Bangsamoro Electoral Code. The said law embodies the collective aspirations and tireless efforts of both government and non-government stakeholders and represents great progress toward the realization of autonomy under the
While concerns arose regarding the integrity of the lone bidder - Miru Systems Co. - for the new Automated Counting Machines (ACM), and the integrity of Miru-developed machines provided to other countries, the transparency in the bidding process must be acknowledged. The involvement of civil society organizations (CSOs), LENTE included, as observers
The Legal Network for Truthful Elections (LENTE) strongly urges the House Committee on Appropriations and the Senate Committee on Electoral Reforms and People's Participation to expedite the passage of the "Act Strengthening the Commission on Elections," also known as the "COMELEC Integrity Bill." The COMELEC Integrity Bill seeks to enact a simple
The Legal Network for Truthful Elections (LENTE) released their assessment report and policy recommendations on the 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) in the Philippines which was held on 30 October 2023. LENTE said the conduct of regular and periodic elections must be ensured and that the capacity of the Commission
Several ANFREL members were recently recognized for their election work and for championing freedom of information. The Legal Network for Truthful Elections (LENTE) in the Philippines was one of the awardees during the 2023 FOI Awards which recognize government agencies, partners, individuals and civil society organizations that significantly contribute to the development
October 30, 2023, Quezon City. The Legal Network for Truthful Elections (LENTE) continues to observe election day processes focusing on Accountability issues of vote buying, abuse of state resources, and election-related violence. For this 2023 BSKE, we saw how impactful COMELEC's aggressive campaign against election law violators vis-a-vis candidates' compliance with election
October 30, 2023, Quezon City. The Legal Network for Truthful Elections (LENTE) continues to observe election day processes, with particular focus on the voting experiences of Persons with Disability (PWD), Older Persons (OP), Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDL), and Indigenous Peoples (IPs). Voting of Persons with Disability, Older Persons, and Heavily pregnant
October 30, 2023, Quezon City. As early as 4:00 AM, the Legal Network for Truthful Election's 1,000 election observers nationwide proceeded to their assigned voting centers to observe the preliminaries to voting, the opening of polls, and the implementation of COMELEC innovations. Early Voting in Naga City & Muntinlupa City In Naga
October 18, 2023, Quezon City. Since 28 August 2023, the Legal Network for Truthful Elections (LENTE) has been monitoring electoral activities for the upcoming Barangay and SK Elections (BSKE). This is a component of a pioneering initiative to analyze how incumbent officials use state resources for their electoral advantage, affecting the standard
15 September 2023, Quezon City. LENTE strongly urges the public to be vigilant of the politicization of programs and other social welfare services in view of the COMELEC’s recent decision to exempt DOLE and DSWD programs from poll spending ban. These programs, based on LENTE’s on-going in-depth research and monitoring, have historically
Since May 2022, LENTE pushed for the conduct of the supposed December 2022 Barangay and SK Election (BSKE) and continuously stood firm against its postponement. LENTE welcomes the decision of the Supreme Court declaring Republic Act No. 11935* unconstitutional as well as the guidelines set by the court on future postponement of
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)
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
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 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
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 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 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