The Philippine Online Chronicles

For the first time since the historic 1986 elections, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has denied long time poll watchdog National Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel) the privilege of conducting a manual audit of votes due to “partisanship” allegations.

In a nine-page resolution, the Comelec en banc dismissed the group's application to become its citizens' arm and conduct an independent canvass of votes.

Namfrel filed for accreditation in partnership with the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines' National Secretariat for Social Action, Justice and Peace (CBCP-Nassa).

The poll body questioned Namfrel's “credibility and partiality” citing that some of its officers are deemed to favor “one candidate against the others.”

Comelec noted that Namfrel founding Chairman Jose “Joe” Concepcion Jr. was a close friend of the late former President Corazon Aquino.

Namfrel volunteers helped safeguard votes for Aquino during the 1986 snap elections against former President Ferdinand Marcos. Aquino won in the Namfrel quick count and was installed as the country's first female president.

Aquino's only son, Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III is running for president in May 10 and is the current frontrunner in most presidential preference surveys.

Namfrel Chairman Jose Cuisia, another known ally of Aquino, is a staunch critic of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Cuisia had even joined Aquino in protests calling for Arroyo's ouster.

Cuisia's opposition stance is seen as an “undue bias” against administration bet Gilbert Teodoro Jr.

Concepcion, on the other hand, is a known critic of another presidential aspirant, former President Joseph Estrada. He was a prominent figure at the second EDSA People Power that lead to Estrada's ouster in 2001.

"The acts of the very officers of the group smear the reputation of the organization towards non-partisanship,” said the Comelec.

Meanwhile, in a statement on the Namfrel website, Cuisia asserted his neutral stand, particularly on issues that affect the presidential and vice-presidential elections.

"I am aware of the long tradition of Namfrel of being non-partisan and I intend to respect and honor that tradition. I would not have accepted the Chairmanship of Namfrel if I were not willing to remain neutral,” said Cuisia.

In September, four Namfrel members who openly expressed their support for different candidates resigned because of Namfrel's “non-partisanship” policy.

'Namfrel count no longer necessary' - Comelec

Because automation will make the canvassing of votes faster and more accurate, Comelec Commissioner Gregorio Larazzabal said that a quick count from Namfrel would no longer be necessary.

"As soon as the data is sent [from the machines] to the server of the Comelec, we will upload this to our secure website. So people can already see the results of the elections right then and there,” he explained.

Namfrel has been accredited as a citizen arm of the Comelec in 21 elections since 1984.

In October, the Comelec granted catholic group Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) the accreditation as its citizen's arm for the May 10 elections.

Section 52 of the Omnibus Election Code gives the Comelec the “power to enlist non-partisan organizations to assist them in ensuring free, orderly and honest elections.”