Representatives from PPCRV, LENTE, NAMFREL, PICPA, PSA and DEPED with COMELEC Chairman George Erwin Garcia and Commissioner Aimee Ferolino posed with the signed Pledge of Support and Commitment for RMA. The PPCRV, represented by Trustee Tammy Lipana, attended the launching of the Random Manual Audit (RMA) training today, April 21, 2025, held at the Citadines Bay City, Pasay City. The RMA is conducted (by trained public school teachers) to verify the accuracy of the automated counting machine. PPCRV as lead civil society organization, is supported by LENTE (Legal Network for Truthful Election), NAMFREL (National Movement for Free Elections) and PICPA (Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants) in the performance of the crucial role of verifiers in overseeing the conduct of the audit and verification of discrepancies, if any. All the partner organizations’representatives and COMELEC Chairman George Erwin Garcia and Commissioner Aimee Ferolina signed the Pledge of Support and Commitment for the RMA. PPCRV Trustee Tammy Lipana flanked by RMA verifiers from PPCRV and Picpa. The ceremony immediately preceded the training of the verifiers for the upcoming RMA.

PPCRV’s Ana de Villa Singson ( Spokesperson, Trustee, Head for Voters Education, Media and Communications) and James Wong, IT practitioner and longtime volunteer, spoke about Discerning with Values and Social Media Awareness in De La Salle University Araneta, Malabon on 11 April. The Lasallians had very in-depth questions, showing the passion, civic-orientation and intellectual acuity of the students. Thanks you DLSU Araneta for the very warm welcome! REMEMBER…ONE GOOD VOTE on May 12. A vote that is discerning and based on values! You are not only the country’s future…you are its present and current gift! VOTE WISELY! Click here to watch facebook reel The seminar successfully brought together Lasallian students in a civic formation seminar that emphasized values discernment, social media awareness, and responsible voting.With insightful talks from the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) specifically Ms. Ana De Villa Singson and Mr. James Wong; and a live demonstration by the Malabon COMELEC, students were empowered to become value-driven and informed youth voters. This event was made possible through the collaboration of the Samahang Lasalyano, University Student Council, College Student Councils, SAMPISANAN, Tinig, and the Lasallian Mission Formation Office, with the guidance of the Lasallian Justice and Peace Commission of DLSP.#SamahangLasalyano

As the Philippines head for critical midterm elections in May, the Church in the country warns against hate speech and fake news. By Lisa Zengarini Nearly 70 million Filipinos will head to the polls on 12 May, 2025, to vote in midterm elections, electing lawmakers and representatives for local governments with over 18,000 candidates vying for legislative, local, and regional posts. Duterte vs. Marcos The ballot will be a barometer of public support for the incumbent President Ferdinand “Bongbong”  Marcos Jr  and has been billed as a proxy battle between the influential Duterte and Marcos political dynasties, following the acrimonious collapse of  their once powerful “Uniteam” alliance that propelled Marcos to power in 2022, with the former president’s daughter, Sara Duterte as vice president. The handover of her father Rodrigo Duterte to the International Criminal Court (CPI) on March 11 over his deadly “war on drugs”, was a major blow for the Duterte family coming only a month after the lower house filed an impeachment complaint against her on charges of corruption and incitement to insurrection.   Role of social media in the electoral campaign As in past elections, the electoral process is  overshadowed by systemic issues like vote buying, misuse of public funds and disinformation. With the “UniTeam” now fractured,  the electoral campaign, which kicked off on February 11, is becoming increasingly polarized and confrontational with social media again playing a major role.   Deepfakes and AI-powered scam calls have grown more ubiquitous, while the major tech platforms that host Southeast Asia’s digital footprint have fewer incentives for regulation and fact-checking. Hate speach The Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV), a Catholic Church-based poll watchdog, has voiced concern over  these issues, also strongly condemning, recent  sexist  statements by some candidates, along with other Churches and civic organizations. According to the group’s spokesperson, Ana Singson, these incidents should serve as a “wake up call” for all voters to choose wisely at the polls. They “remind us that the vote is sacred, and that we should discern and select candidates based on key values,” she said in a statement citing “fear of God, honesty, education, diligence, helpfulness, caring, and love for the common good.” Bishops’ Pastoral Letter on the elections Also, ahead of the election  the Philippine Bishops’ Conference (CBCP)  has  issued a Pastoral Letter  urging voters to use their voices to uphold freedom and ensure the common good. In the letter entitled “Be Concerned for the well-being of others”   the Bishops reminded voters that  the “primary responsibility of a public servant” is  to improve the lives of the Filipino people  “especially the poor and the vulnerable.” We need competent leaders and legislators with sincere intentions who serve the good of our parishes, cities, provinces, and the entire country,”  the Bishops said. The May elections will also contest 317 congressional seats and thousands of local posts. Among the candidates is Rodrigo Duterte, running for mayor of his hometown of Davao City, even while detained at The Hague. Duterte running for mayor of Davao despite detention t The Hague The May elections will also contest thousands of local posts. Among the candidates is Rodrigo Duterte, running for mayor of his hometown of Davao City, even while detained at The Hague. Despite fierce criticism over his arrest, Marcos looks almost certain to consolidate his power in the midterms source : https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2025-04/philippines-church-calls-for-discernment-ahead-of-elections.html?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR4u5QwP2NmN8Z77jYAJDWr10CxpLplNBR6drGCRZGJdpvr-hlaG3qPIgSigaw_aem_spd2eAWKEHB11FrEyxB0kg

Driven by their desire to heighten up voters’ education efforts, the POL27 students of Colegio de San Juan de Letran led by their professor, Emil Carreon, organized an election forum entitled, “Likes, Lies, and Landslide: A Closer Look on Local Election”. PPCRV’s Engr. James Wong delivered a talk on “Social Media in Local Elections” where he shared to the students the significant impact of social media on the actors and processes involved in Philippine elections especially in the local context. He also touched on the Christian response on the pros and cons of social media by becoming informed Filipino Catholic voters whose individual votes matter in electing local officials who serve as the frontliners in making sure that services are available and accessible down to the grassroots level. He concluded his talk emphasizing that loving the country -which includes participating in the elections, is a God-given mission.

Various experts left meaningful messages in the held ‘Voice of Service: The Mandato 2025 Election Forum’ at the PUP Hall, Sta. Mesa, Manila this Friday, March 7.The forum emphasized on the fair and wise voting of the youth for the upcoming elections.Contributed by Maria Theresa Navo, Jan-Rhada Amarila, Raymharc Samonte/MSPC Digital volunteersLike the official Teleradyo Service Facebook page to be updated on the upcoming 2025 national elections.

Nagcourtesy call ang Diocese of Kalookan Public and Political Affairs Ministry sa mga Election Officers ng Caloocan City (Districts 1, 2, and 3) para pagusapan ang mga ginagawang paghahanda ng PPAM-Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) para sa nalalapit na Eleksyon 2025. Nakausap ng ating Diocesan Coordinators para sa Caloocan sina Atty. Ma. Anne D. Gonzales, Election Officer IV ng COMELEC Caloocan District 1; Atty. Dinah A. Valencia-Jimenez, Election Officer IV ng COMELEC Caloocan District 2; at Atty. Kevin V. Tibay, Election Officer mg COMELEC Caloocan District 3, sa maikling meeting sa Office of the Election Officer – District 2, Caloocan. Sa nasabing pulong, napagusapan ang iba’t ibang efforts ng DPPAM-PPCRV kabilang na ang mga voters education and empowerment , training for volunteers and poll watchers, at election monitoring. Nagkaroon din ng pagbabahagu ng mga challenges at mga strategies na may kinalaman sa nalalapit na halalan. Dumalo sa ngalan ng DPPAM-PPCRV sina Bro. Angelito Bautista Jr., Diocesan Coordinator; Bro, Bro. Danny Cabrera (D2 City Coordinator), Jonathan De Vera (D2 Asst. City Coor), Bro Benjie Benjamin (D1 City Coor), Sis. Danielle Jordan (Diocesan Sec), at Bro. JC Moratalla (City District Sec). Patuloy ang pakikipagtulungan at malakas na suporta ng Roman Catholic Bishop of Kalookan – Public and Political Affairs Ministry – PPCRV sa mga gawain ng COMELEC para mapanatili ang isang clean, honest, accountable, meaningful, at peaceful (CHAMP) elections sa buong Diyosesis Source: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1B99ekFRoq/

The road to May 2025! Preparing for the 2025 PPCRV Command Center in…PLDT SAMPALOC branch along España! Thank you to Manuel V Pangilinan and our very generous friends in PLDT and SMART who are opening their doors to PPCRV in the upcoming elections. Busy preparing are the PLDT Enterprise Group, PLDT Sampaloc Facilities group with PPCRV’s Ana de Villa -Singson, Rommel Bernardo and Jude Liao. See you in our PPCRV Command Center very soon!

The Diocese of Malolos recently concluded it’s PPCRV assembly meeting every Saturday of February. Voter’s education focusing on the Tibok Pinoy core values and Social Media Discernment were key aspects of each session. Plans were also drawn with volunteers enthusiastically affirming their commitment to serve with passion and integrity in the upcoming May elections. Invited speakers were Chairman Emeritus and PPCRV Co-Founder H.E. Ambassador Henrietta de Villa and National Spokesperson and Head for Voters Education, Media and Communications Ana de Villa – Singson. Tibok Pinoy books were distributed to each parish in the Diocese of Malolos! Truly, the volunteers of Malolos epitomize love of God, love of Country!