Campaign to monitor 2010 polls launched

MANILA, Philippines - Various civic groups have embarked on a campaign to monitor the conduct of next year’s elections.

Dubbed “Bantay Eleksyon 2010 (BE 2010),” the project was initiated by the Consortium on Electoral Reform (CER), a coalition of 47 groups seeking reforms in elections.

Andie Lasala, BE 2010 national coordinator, said the coming polls should be closely observed because it involves the election of a new president.

“It is imperative for us to ensure the credibility of the 2010 polls,” he said.

BE 2010 also intends to promote the people’s active and informed participation in the electoral process, he added.

Ramon Casiple, CER executive director, said some candidates have already been spending so much for their infomercials even though the election is still nine months away, he added.

“Billions of pesos have already been spent by presidential wannabes and yet none of them have filed their certificates of candidacy,” he said.

“It’s not something that we should let pass.”

Quoting figures from the Commission on Audit, Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago said Technical Education and Skills Development Authority chairman Augusto Syjuco spent P28.3 million for 2008 and P22.5 million for 2009; Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay, P23.4 million (2008) and P23.4 million (2009) and Vice President Noli de Castro, P18.1 million (2008) and P18.1 million (2009).