LEGAZPI CITY – The National Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel) and the Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) of the Diocese of Legazpi are now recruiting volunteers for poll duties in the May 14, 2007 senatorial and local elections.

        Emmanuel Abanes, PPCRV secretariat head, said in an interview that the Commission on Elections (Comelec) had accredited PPCRV as its citizen arm last Jan. 27 under SPP No. 06-140.

        He pointed out that the specific duties and functions of PPCRV are: 1) to conduct poll watching in precincts and in the canvassing of votes; and 2) to assist the Comelec in voters’ education.

        On the other hand, Namfrel has also been accredited by the Comelec to conduct Operation Quick Count based on the sixth copy of the election returns.

        Abanes disclosed that John Abejuro is the provincial coordinator of both Namfrel and PPCRV Albay chapter.

        Abanes further said that while Namfrel and PPCRV have separate functions, PPCRV volunteers can also serve as Namfrel workers after their poll watching duties.

        He revealed that PPCRV volunteers work under the spirit of faith and fire to ensure clean, honest, accurate, meaningful and peaceful (CHAMP) elections.

        According to Abanes, a volunteer should be a resident of the barangay where he will be assigned as a PPCRV volunteer. But a volunteer who is related to any of the candidate will not be assigned as a poll watcher.

        Abanes reminded all voters NOT TO SELL THEIR VOTES but to VOTE ACCORDING TO THEIR CONSCIENCE.

        “I’m a Christian. I’m not going TO SELL MY VOTE” should be the slogan of every independent-minded voter according to Abanes.

        “Let’s shun political patronage by voting for leaders with performance, principle and a program of government,” he added.

        He said that the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has issued a pastoral letter enjoying the faithful to vote only for candidates with the three Cs: Conscience, Competence and Compassion.