MANILA, Philippines – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has authorized the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) to serve as a watchdog in the recall elections in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, on May 8.

The poll body also allowed the PPCRV, a group associated with the Catholic Church, to receive the 6th copy of election returns in the race to become Puerto Princesa mayor. 

In a minute resolution posted on its website Tuesday, April 28, the Comelec granted the following requests of the PPCRV:

• To conduct a voters’ education program in Palawan
• To monitor the recall elections
• To use the poll watchers’ IDs that the PPCRV used in the national and local elections on May 13, 2013

PPCRV chairperson Ambassador Henrietta de Villa requested these in a letter to Comelec acting chairman Christian Robert Lim on April 20.

Earlier, President Benigno Aquino III deputized Philippine law enforcers to ensure peaceful elections in Puerto Princesa.

In particular, he ordered the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine National Police, and law enforcement agencies, among others, “to assist Comelec in ensuring the free, orderly, honest, peaceful, and credible conduct” of the recall elections.

Aquino issued this order on April 22.

Set on May 8, the recall elections in Puerto Princesa will pit incumbent Puerto Princesa Mayor Lucilo Bayron against former Puerto Princesa Mayor Edward Hagedorn. 

In what Comelec spokesman James Jimenez described as a “very unusual” situation, 43 other candidates want to become mayor. 

More than 22,300 voters wanted to recall Bayron because of “loss and trust and confidence.” – Rappler.com