People’s Watch launched
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BAGUIO CITY (Feb. 17) —Committed to clean and honest elections, different groups and concerned individuals launched the Baguio-Benguet People’s Watch (BBP Watch) for the 2007 polls today at the Cathedral of the Resurrection Mission Center, here.
BBP Watch called on to take up the challenge of monitoring the 2007 election and watch out for attempts to defraud or cheat the people of their freedom to chose their leaders.
Convenors said BBP Watch was formed as a response to the demand for greater role for independent, non partisan monitor and vote safeguard during the 2007 elections.
They added that after the infamous Garci-tape expose followed by two failed impeachment and charter change attempts the public has become more wary of political processes being manipulated by corrupt election officers, ambitious politicians and partisan interests within the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP).
On their printed documents provided, BBP Watch aims to unify local initiatives for election watch for a more effective public endeavor. It aims to conduct widespread voters’ education to raise awareness and involvement to participate in the canvass watch and to prevent and expose electoral fraud and violence this coming elections.
“This calls for wider cooperation and coordination to make all local initiatives more unified and effective public endeavor,” the BBP Watch brochure read.
The group added that elections in the country has historically been beset with challenges that has undermined the purpose of this political exercise. They said Philippine election has been characterized by the brazen use of money and armed coercion and the unprincipled considerations of showbiz appeal, religious, ethnic and clan loyalties among others.
Among the convenors are the Regional Ecumenical Council in the Cordillera (Reccord), Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT), Community Health Education Services and Trainings in the Cordillera Region (Chestcore), lawyers, government employees, responsible businessmen and media practitioners. # < strong>Kim Quitasol for NORDIS
