PPCRV is Comelec's Citizen's Arm in Barangay, SK Polls

MANILA, Sept. 24, 2010-A Catholic Church-backed poll watchdog is again serving as the citizen's arm of the Commission on Elections in the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan polls on October 25.

In a resolution dated Sept. 21, the commission en banc took notice of the extensive experience of the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting as its best asset in becoming the citizen's arm for the sixth straight time.

"The petitioner's participation during the past electoral exercises, including the recently concluded May 10, 2010 Automated National and Local Elections, and its commitment towards honest, clean, credible and peaceful elections are commendable," the ruling read.

Records show that the PPCRV had served as citizens' arm of the poll body in the 1993, 1994, 1997, 2002 and 2007 Barangay elections.

It was also able to get the nod of the Comelec during the 1996, 2002 and 2007 Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Elections.

As citizen's arm, the poll watchdog will assist the Comelec in voter's education and poll watching for the upcoming elections.

The PPCRV will also receive a soft copy of the computerized voters' list (CVL) as well as the fourth copy of the election returns.

In a phone interview, PPCRV chairperson Henrietta de Villa did not sound surprised over the news of their accreditation noting that they had been serving as the Comelec's citizens' arm in all electoral exercises since 1992.

De Villa then said they are looking to get some 200,000 volunteers to serve in the synchronized village and youth polls. (CBCPNews)