On September 14, 2020, more than 60 organizations and 70 individuals signed a UNITY STATEMENT calling for the 2022 National and Local Elections to be held as scheduled.
We now come together again, as ONE VOICE, ONE NATION, to declare: WE WANT THE ELECTIONS OF 2022 TO BE A TRULY DEMOCRATIC EXERCISE EVERY FILIPINO CAN TRUST!
We call on COMELEC to stop using the current non-transparent automated election system, cancel and terminate any contract it may still have with its foreign provider, Smartmatic.
We demand a more accurate and transparent system that is also cost efficient in consideration of the pandemic.
We urge Congress to now pass a law to pave the way for the COMELEC to adopt an alternative automated election system (Alternative AES) that is appropriate, more accurate, and more transparent, We request the House of Representatives to give priority to this and work closely with the Senate on passing this bill into law and made effective for use by the COMELEC for the coming 2022 elections.
The decision to shift to an electronic voting system in 2010 which would provide a faster count and results transmission was good, but through the years, there have been many problems with the system that far outweighed the benefits and eroded the people’s trust in the automated electoral process, casting doubts on the results of each election. Here are a few examples of these problems from the 2016 & 2019 National Elections.
In 2016, the premature transmission of vote tallies from at least two municipalities, one day before the actual voting started. In how many more municipalities did this happen? This anomaly could not be explained.
Also in 2016, Smartmatic changed the transparency server script on the evening of election day, even though it was NOT given authorization to do so by the COMELEC En Banc, as the Election Law requires.
In 2019, the highly controversial 7-hour delay in the transmission of votes into the COMELEC transparency server that neither COMELEC nor Smartmatic could explain. The glitch put into question the reliability of the entire election process.
In a speech made to the Filipino community in Japan, President Duterte told COMELEC “Dispose of Smartmatic, find a system free of fraud.” Many have supported this call. We the people agree and would rather have an alternative automated election system (Alternative AES) that is more transparent and FILIPINO-MADE that ensures sovereignty of our election process.
We appeal to President Duterte, Congress, and the COMELEC, to ensure that the 2022 NATIONAL ELECTIONS be FAIR, ACCURATE, TRANSPARENT CREDIBLE, and will TRULY REFLECT the PEOPLE’S WILL. This will promote TRUST and UNITY between government and its citizens, and enable us to work as one to address the challenges we face as a nation.
We also call upon all POLITICAL PARTIES and prospective CANDIDATES and their followers to get behind the move to push for an alternative automated system and to support its implementation for the 2022 national and local elections.
Finally, we call upon our FELLOW CITIZENS, especially the YOUTH, to actively PARTICIPATE in the election process, to REGISTER & VOTE, and promote the transparency and credibility of the counting process.
SIGNATORIES
Individuals:
Ago Pedalizo
Albert Oasan
Alberto “Bertie” Lim
Alex Ramos
Alice Morada
Andy Gonzales
Angie Duran Agnes
Aristotle Socrates
Audrey R. Feria
Audrey R. Perla
Augusto “Gus” Lagman
Aurora Pijuan
BB Poblador
Benjamin DeQuito Yu Jr.
Betty C. Deza
Bienvenida Firmalino
Bishop Broderick S. Pabillo, Diocese of Manila
Bishop Reuel Norman O. Marigza, NCCP
Carmen Joson Lazaro
Carmencita Nicolas
Carolina M. Fonbuena
Cesar Ligahon
Ciel Fernando
Danilo Arao
Dr. Melba Magay
Eduardo Jr Alicias
Emilie Avinon Pandong
Emmanuel Sakay
Enteng Romano
Eric Alvia
Ernie del Rosario (ex Comelec ITD Head)
Evangeline Tañedo Chavez
Fe B. Mangahas
Fina Popen Unico
Florangel Rosario Braid
Frine Christina Sanchez
Honorato M. Tenerife
Honorato Magtanggol
Hubert Guevara
Imelda “Mely” Nicolas
Joel Rocamora
Joey Lina
Jojo Deles
Jose Maria H. Gianzon
Jose Molano
Josey Yaranon Bautista Dimaliwat
Jun Coles
Jun Cruz
Leah Navarro
Linda Zorilla
Lorna Garcia
Luna Miranda
Ma. Lourdes Coles
Mandy Navasero
Manny De Guzman
Mardi Mapa
Mariflor Ygente-frez
Maripi A. Makalintal
Nelson J. Celis
Neri Colmenares
Ona Caritos
Orly Guerrero
Rene L. Araneta
Resty B. Manalo
Rev. Francisco S. Aviso, Jr.
Rey J. Javellana
Ricky Xavier
Rio Gutierrez
Robert Molina
Roberto M. Tambalo
Rodolfo Sto. Domingo
Roger Rueda
Rolan Cruz
Romy Cambaliza
Rosario Oronos Del Rosario
Rouquel Ponte
Ruben Sumo
Sarie Berango
Serafin Taban
Sr. Sonia S. Aldeguer, RSCJ
Susan Macuja
Teddy Y. Montelibano
Timothy Natividad
Tommy Tongson
Vic Villanueva
Vicky Garchitorena
Victor Bernardo
Virgilio “Boy” Hernandez
Wilfredo Narciso
William Nicolas Romero
Yoly Ong
Zeus Salazar
Groups:
Alliance for the Common Good-Kapatiran Party
Ang Ligaya ng Panginoon Community (LNP)
Babae Bantayan ang Eleksyon Network (BaBaE Network)
Black & White Movement
Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals (BCBP)
Businessmen and Professionals for Good Governance (BPGG)
Christian Family Movement of the Philippines, Inc.
Church-Urban Poor Solidarity
Families for Families for Truth Justice and Peace (FTJP)
Filipino American Human Rights Alliance
Kontra Daya
Laban Na
Laiko Warriors
Liguorians in the Philippines
ManindiganNa!
National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL)
National Council of Churches in the Philippines
People’s Choice Movement (PCM)
Philippine Democratic Socialist Party (PDSP)
Task Force for the Orientation of Church Personnel
Task Force on Urban Conscientization
United People Against Crime
VP Leni – The Next President of the Philippines Movement
Workers Electoral Watch (WE Watch)