DATU ODIN SINSUAT, Maguindanao del Norte — As the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) counts down to its inaugural parliamentary elections, the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) has issued a stern directive for partisan volunteers to voluntarily step down to preserve the church-backed watchdog’s strict non-partisan posture.
Father David Procalla, PPCRV regional coordinator for BARMM, raised the alarm following reports of political proxies infiltrating local networks, specifically targeting Datu Odin Sinsuat and surrounding municipalities across Maguindanao.
“There is a report right here in Datu Sinsuat that there are partisans inside PPCRV making their presence felt,” Procalla stated. “In the event that you are already known to be partisan, I am now asking you to please just withdraw for the meantime.”
The regional coordinator directed municipal networks—including chapters overseen by Vince Siewert—to thoroughly vet their rosters. While conceding that many volunteers come forward with genuine civic intentions, Procalla stressed that absolute neutrality is non-negotiable for an organization tasked with safeguarding the democratic process in a region with a complex political landscape.
