Press Statement May 17, 2019, 18:30H

NAMFREL expresses alarm over the video circulating in social media that appears to confirm previous anecdotal reports of ballot pre-shading. The video provides evidence that ballot pre-shading is real and may be happening in some parts of the country. Even more alarming is that the video is being dismissed by certain quarters, reasoning that it has been done in past elections in areas where political families hold sway or in areas where there are few or no watchers.

The slow response in replacing failed vote counting machines and/or corrupted SD cards may have also opened up the opportunity for some parties to engage in ballot pre-shading.

NAMFREL calls on the Commission on Elections to get to the bottom of the recorded ballot shading incident instead of suspecting that the uploader is out to undermine the integrity and credibility of the election results. The COMELEC should put a stop to this practice. ###

Suspicions surrounding the 2019 midterm elections are mounting.  Although the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has assessed that this political exercise was quite a success, there is a growing speculation that it may have been rigged.

For one, people are asking why after the first volley of data transmissions at election night, the transparency mirror servers were suddenly halted for about seven hours. Early morning of the following day the transparency servers recorded 92.89% of the nationwide elections returns.   But then at about 5:50 AM, GMA News reported that the ERs posted at the same servers recoiled back to 49.76%.  Reportedly, the tech guys of Comelec blamed the snafu on “java error”.  How on earth could a very serious nationwide tally be so technically irresponsible and backward in a time and age when even kids in school know coding and the facility of the programming language?

After 3 automated elections or 9 years of cuddling the vote counting machines (VCM), the technical glitches have worsened.   In 2010, only 205 VCMs malfunctioned.  This year, the 4th of automated exercise, 600 VCMs conked out, as if the billions of pesos budget were not enough to refurbish the machines that are used only once in every three years.  Add to these woes were about 1,665 secure digital (SD) cards that did not work and, therefore, had to be replaced during these elections.  In 2016 presidential elections only 120 SD cards were faulty.  SD cards are not simple computer parts that can be bought openly from third party suppliers, because they can be preformatted to cause pre-programmed and even erroneous data memory.

Despite these serious technical glitches, Comelec has trivialized them saying that they did not destroy the integrity of the political exercise.  But one malfunctioning VCM that was not replaced for one reason of the other, could easily have disenfranchised a good number of voters and, therefore, could seriously affect the close margins of democratically competing candidates.   The glitches of these technical tools should never be dismissed as if they were a small percentage of the total number of VCMs.  They have major political and credibility implications.

But how we wish and pray that those glitches were merely technical—and not indeed political.

Press Statement May 14, 2019, 18:00H

In light of the delay in the flow of election results from COMELEC’s Transparency Server which occurred on election night, the National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) today offered some suggestions to the public on how to maintain the integrity of the data in the Transparency Server:

1. Verify the accuracy of the transmitted precinct results published by the COMELEC online by comparing these to any of the 30 printed copies of the Election Returns released by the clustered precinct Board of Elections (BEI);

2. Focus on the ongoing Random Manual Audit, conducted for 715 selected clustered precincts, where the number of votes indicated in the paper ballots are manually tallied and the totals are compared with the electronically transmitted results;

3. Ensure that votes cast in clustered precincts where Vote Counting Machines (VCMs) malfunctioned were actually inserted into the VCM and transmitted. NAMFREL is trying to do this with clustered precincts in which its volunteer observers reported malfunctioning VCMs; and

4. Request the Commission on Elections to open the logs of the whole automated election system (AES), including those of all VCMs, CCS servers, all other servers, as well as those of all the network appliances used or still being used. A log is a recording of events that happened inside the machines which would indicate how the system performed, and can identify irregularities if any, and to come up with solutions to resolve any problems identified and prevent them from recurring. While not observable by the public, the AES generates a lot of election-related data held in logs.

For the 2019 Midterm Elections, NAMFREL intended to develop an Open Election Data website through which the public can access detailed election-related information that could be used for their own analyses. NAMFREL has previously requested the COMELEC to have access to AES data, including the different kinds of logs, but the COMELEC did not grant this request. NAMFREL is prepared to conduct a review of the AES logs if requested.

To explain the delay in the transmission of results on election night, NAMFREL believes that the process got stalled as the Transparency Server pushed the data to different media recipients. Based on NAMFREL’s previous experience receiving electronic results from the COMELEC Transparency Server, the data went through a process of conversion during transmission. On election night, the data was not formatted correctly. A thorough testing of the system prior to the elections could have prevented this problem. It is likely that the AES used for the 2019 elections only got a limited test. It did not go through a complete end to end test on how the data would flow from one device component to another until it reaches the end point.

As a response to the 2016 elections incident in which an employee of Smartmatic was able to introduce a program script to correct the Spanish character ñ, the COMELEC now requires an En Banc resolution to touch the AES servers. Such an En Banc resolution was issued only just before midnight on election night, after which a debugging was finally performed, and data started flowing after 1am.

“We are calling to suspend the proclamation of winning senatorial candidates until the allegation of fraud is resolved,” according to Fr. Edwin Gariguez, NASSA/Caritas Philippines Executive Secretary. The national social action arm official also said that “we demand for an independent and impartial investigation of the alleged fraud and manipulation of automated canvassing by the Commission on Elections and SMARTMATIC!”

The bold call was presented after reports of possible fraud were received by the office, especially on back-to-back, 7-hour transmission delays due to substandard SD cards, major technical glitches involving the vote counting machines (VCMs) and transparency servers. In 2016, only 188 VCMs were reported to malfunction nationwide. In 2019, this number skyrocketed to 400-600 VCMs.

We support the call of UPLB Computer Science Related Organizations for clarity and transparency in the 2019 National Elections, asserting that “the public deserves to be informed and enlightened regarding the issues circulating the election results, specifically the errors on transmitting the results from provinces, the dip in the transparency survey results, and the ‘Java error’ found in the system.” The main issue is the non-transparent counting of votes, including serious questions with the so-called transparency server.

Earlier, the Automated Election System Watch (AES Watch) stated that “unless glaring vulnerabilities of the automated election system and the non-compliance of the critical provisions of RA 9369 are resolved, the 2019 elections will create credibility issues.”

According to the election watchdog, major constraints left unresolved by COMELEC and SMARTMATIC are: 1] absence of public access to election data, 2] lack of comprehensive and credible source code review, and 3] the lack of digital signatures.

COMELEC, since September 2018, has initiated 82 enhancements of the automated machines to ensure integrity and accuracy of the 2019 mid-term elections.

“However, we have seen how some of these enhancements still failed during the May 13 elections resulting to the alarming perception of election fraud,” quipped Fr. Gariguez.

“Therefore, it is but imperative for the COMELEC to postpone the proclamation of the winners for the senatorial race until the alleged fraud-tainted results are validated and cleared,” concluded Fr. Gariguez.

Babae, Bantayan ang Eleksyon (BaBaE!) Network, an alliance of women leaders and organizations that monitor fraud and violence during elections, unites with other election watchdogs to seal a commitment to watch fervently the 2019 Midterm National Elections on Monday, May 13.

Dubbed as “Our Vote, Our Voice: Poll Watchdogs’ Pact for a Transparent and Credible Elections”, the gathering is a rare opportunity to bring together election watchdogs. These include Kontra Daya, Worker’s Electoral Watch (WE Watch), Automated Election System Watch (AES Watch), and National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL).

 “Protecting the elections is not easy, especially when cheating, vote-buying, and political violence have become a norm. Collective effort is a requirement. As poll watchdogs, we need to work together and commit to fight electoral fraud and any attempt to disrupt elections,” Mary Joan Guan, executive director of Center for Women’s Resources and convenor of BaBaE! Network says.

 “We may have different nature and background, but our goal is very clear: we all demand for democratic, transparent, accountable, credible, peaceful, and fraud-free elections,” Guan adds.

The poll watchdogs insist that the Vote Counting Machines (VCMs) – formerly known as PCOS (Precinct Count Optical Scanner) – still lack the basic safeguards to ensure an accurate vote recording and counting. Yet, COMELEC remains adamant in its refusal for a genuine source code review. Coupled with the unreliability of vote transmissions, the automated election system (AES) is feared to disenfranchise millions of voters who will not be able to vote as a result of the biometrics system.

BaBaE! Network identifies the mode of 4Gs during elections – guns, goons, gold, and girls – used by traditional politicians to remain in power. Violence becomes a norm especially for women who actively participate in the campaigns.

At the close of the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) voting on May 14, 2018, the Philippine National Police reported that 35 individuals have been killed in incidents of suspected poll-related violence. Meanwhile, as the May 2019 elections draw near, 33 have already been killed since January 13 in Central Luzon alone.

In February, BaBaE! Network monitored about 12 mayors and seven vice-mayors killed under the Duterte administration. Family members and many unnamed and uncounted individuals – many of whom are staff, security aides and drivers – were also killed and became mere collateral damage.

Likewise, officers and leaders of progressive women”s political parties are subjects of political persecution, red-tagging, and vilification by state forces.

“We call on to the public, to the voters to help us in monitoring irregularities, fraudulent activities, and any form of violence by reporting it to us. We have our respective lines of communication, I hope the public takes advantage of that. As we protect our votes, we bring our voices together to get the kind of government, the leaders we all deserve,” Guan maintains.

EDITORIAL

It must be recalled that one of the key campaign promises of President Duterte was to improve the labor conditions for Filipino workers including the phasing out of contractualization. After three years in office, contractual labor continues to persist in the country. Once again, we hear Senatorial candidates making promises to push forward pro-worker policies like the banning of contractual employment. Indeed, labor issues have long been used as campaign slogans by candidates, but no action was ever being done to address the issue.

First, a “labor vote” will choose legislators who will understand the issues affecting workers; for instance, lawmakers who will support the passage of House Bill 7787 or the ₱750 National Minimum Wage Bill. According to research group IBON, the cost of living nationwide has soared to ₱1,168/day for a family of six. The highest minimum wage is ₱537 in the NCR and the lowest is ₱265 in ARMM. It is now time that workers be accorded a minimum wage that is commensurate to their labor. Workers need immediate relief in the form of a significant wage increase to cope with the rising prices of basic goods and payments of services.

Second, a “labor vote” will support candidates who will push for regular employment and security of tenure. We need lawmakers who will push for the passage of House Bill 556 or the Regular Employment Bill. Workers all over the country are frustrated with DOLE’s Department Order 174 and President Duterte’s Executive Order 51 because it did not actually abolish all forms of contractualization but only further legitimizes the practice. House Bill 556 on the other hand is seen as a good alternative because it will declare all contractualization schemes illegal. It will likewise criminalize and penalize the practice of all contractual employment schemes.

Lastly, a “labor vote” will endorse senatorial candidates who will push for the passage of House Bill 555 or the Genuine Agrarian Reform Bill (GARB). This bill seeks to resolve centuries-old agrarian problem in the country by promoting rural development that will greatly benefit peasants and agricultural workers in the countryside.

Pro-people and pro-labor policies that will put an end to contractualization, create safer workplaces and living wages inevitably require legislation. Hence, candidates are urged to include the labor agenda in their platform.

Despite difficulties and challenges, elections provide a glimpse of hope for a new Philippines. Part of our Christian commitment is to support candidates who have the common good in mind. The struggle for dignified labor goes beyond the 2019 mid-year elections. Church-people are called to unite with Filipino workers in asserting their right to work, regular employment and decent wages and choosing lawmakers that will advance the labor agenda. As Bishop Pabillo pointed out: “our participation in the coming elections should not only be non-partisan. Let us get involved and engage in principled partisanship.”

OPINION

“The Blood of My Flock”

This is the clarion call today, Stop the Attacks: Defend Life and Rights! This is very personal on my part, sixty nine (69) persons killed in our beloved Negros island, remember the Sagay massacre last year, and just recently our state forces perpetrated the unjust killing of our farmers, of the so-called “Oplan Sauron” (Synchronized Enhanced Management Police Operation); fourteen (14) people of our island perished in this barbaric operation— they are part of my flock, their deaths pierced my heart with pain, I am mourning with their families and loved ones. More saddening is the grim attitude of our police officers, who until today callously claim of a consistent ‘nanlaban’ version; in repudiation, let me quote the words of Pope Francis: “I cannot fail to recall those who endure a multitude of violations of their fundamental rights in the tragic context of armed conflicts, while unscrupulous dealers of death enrich themselves at the cost of their brothers’ and sisters’ blood…” (Pope Francis, Human Rights in the Contemporary World: Achievements, Omissions, Negations, Rome, 10 December 2018)

May 4, 2019

Dear FRIENDS,

Peace flowing from the heart of Mother Earth and of the One who brought Her into being!

You are cordially invited to the Deep Journey into Laudato Si Symposium which will be offered in Malate Church, Our Lady of Remedies Parish, M.H. Del Pilar Street, Malate Manila on May 18, 2019, 8:00AM-12:00.

The purpose of the Deep Journey into Laudato Si Symposium is to RAISE AWARENESS ON THE URGENCY TO RESPOND TO THE CALL OF LAUDATO SI’ TO CARE FOR OUR COMMON HOME. It is a modification of Pachamama Alliance’s Awakening the Dreamer, Changing the Dream Symposium launched in 2005 with the purpose of bringing forth an environmentally sustainable, spiritually fulfilling, socially just human presence on this planet.

Since Pope Francis issued his encyclical, Laudato Si, On Care for our Common Home in 2015, GCCM-Pilipinas has been sharing and propagating the symposium. Malate Church-Our Lady of Remedies Parish has joined us in this advocacy. Now more than ever, the urgency to engage and inform our people about our planet in crisis cannot be emphasized enough. All of us can do our share in saving our Mother Earth.

Enclosed is our event poster. Kindly invite your friends and family to this symposium. Please help us promote this event by sharing it with your friends, partners and network and posting it on your bulletin boards, website, FB Page/accounts.

We would deeply appreciate if you could come and join us in this event. Please get in touch with anyone of the following: Marge: 09397714656, Ruby: 09178355768, Malate Church 02- 5232593, or Karen of GCCM-Pilipinas at (02) 372-3257; 0917-862-4008. You may also visit FB: GCCM-Pilipinas or Website: catholicclimatemovement.global.