Reform Our Electoral System Now!

20 July 2007 - Despite the many flaws in the process and administration of the May 14 elections, it appears the popular will of the electorate was generally able to manifest itself in the final results of the election.

Much of the credibility of the outcome can be attributed to the courage of the media in reporting anomalies in spite of personal risks to the reporters, and to the vigilance, volunteerism, and coordinated action of the citizenry. We laud the many people who worked hard for credible elections in May 2007. We commend the National Citizens’ Movement for Free Election (NAMFREL), the National Secretariat for Social Action (NASSA), the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV), the Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan, the Catholic Media Network, and the newly organized Legal Network for Truthful Elections (LENTE), among the many citizens groups active in the elections. Their efforts undoubtedly contributed to the emergence of a new political consciousness among the electorate.

Failure of the COMELEC Leadership

Unfortunately, the same cannot be said of COMELEC, whose lack of political will and determination to safeguard the electoral process contributed to the proliferation of electoral fraud, election-related violence, voter disenfranchisement, irregularities in procedure, and other anomalies that degrade the character of Philippine democracy.

There is enough evidence to support the finding that there was a failure of elections in Maguindanao or that elections did not take place in many areas in the province. There were allegations by watchdog groups that election procedures were highly irregular, such that the results were severely compromised. But COMELEC did not take these allegations seriously, nor did it undertake a thorough investigation to uncover and prosecute those responsible for the anomalies, as it is mandated to do. Thus we continue to witness the sad plight of our Mindanao brethren, victimized by a handful of operators and deprived of their rights to freely express their voice through a credible electoral process.

These problems point directly to a failure of COMELEC leadership. The dismal record of the Abalos Commission remains unbroken, not only in its mismanagement of the electoral process but also in its pre-election failure to implement the statutory mandate to automate the process and to advocate badly needed electoral reform legislation. In view of this, we express our
strong support of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines' call for electoral reforms.

Electoral Reforms Needed

We believe that Chairman Abalos may yet restore public confidence in the COMELEC by voluntarily resigning from his position. In light of the public's disgust with the poll body, it is the most honorable and statesmanlike act he can make in his public life. We call for the immediate appointment of a new Chair and the seventh commissioner, both of whom should possess unquestioned integrity and competence. Furthermore, those COMELEC officials responsible for anomalies in the 2004 and 2007 elections should be held accountable for their actions.

Under new leadership, the process of modernizing the electoral system should begin immediately in order to be functional in time for the 2010 presidential election.

The laws affecting our electoral system, particularly in the areas of campaign finance, party-list, and political dynasties, should be reassessed in light of the continuing abuses. COMELEC’s role as a judicial body should be reconsidered in view of its primary role as administrator of the process.