Last Monday, 09 May 2022, millions of Filipinos trooped to their polling precinct in exercise of their right to vote. The right of suffrage is an important part of democracy, it is the means wherein individuals participate in the process of government to ensure legitimacy in the powers it has derived from the consent of the governed.

Such is the power of the vote as it determines the country’s next set of leaders in the succeeding years who shape the country’s policies and ultimately its future.

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) lauds all Filipinos and our fellow kababayans abroad
who took the time in exercising their right to choose their future leaders. Despite pandemic restrictions, an overwhelming number of individuals chose to make their vote count. We heard stories of the elderly, persons with disabilities, and those who waited long hours in line to ensure that their vote mattered. We laud these people for standing up and exercising their rights as responsible citizens.

In terms of protecting the sanctity of the vote, the CHR through its Bantay Karapatan sa Halalan has observed numerous instances of election-related violence resulting in injuries and deaths, vote buying and electioneering, failure of elections due to deliberate destruction of vote counting machines (VCMs), and VCM malfunctions resulting in individuals unable to cast their votes.

Of specific concern, CHR takes cognizance and condemns the 16 separate poll-related incidents recorded mostly in the Bangsamoro Autonomous in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) on Election Day. These incidences of shootings, strafing, and use exploding device not only seek to sow fear and discord on the day of elections but also mars the credibility of the elections. We urge law enforcement officials to conduct follow-up operations on individuals responsible so that they may be held accountable for their crimes.

In ensuring the credibility of the elections, the Commission on Elections has the utmost responsibility to explain to the Filipino citizenry the reasons for multiple and numerous VCM malfunctions and delay in of arrival of SD cards; provide countermeasures to ensure non-recurrence of these problems in the next elections.

As we await the official results and canvassing of the electoral votes, CHR takes the time to call for vigilance in protecting the outcome of the election. With conviction, CHR dissuades any individual or groups from intimidating volunteers and those involved in the parallel count of electoral returns. These are important processes that ensure legitimacy of elections and part of a normal functioning democracy. In safeguarding the sanctity of the vote, CHR urges citizens to respect and honor procedures that ensure its transparency.

Regardless of the election outcome, CHR takes the time to assure the Filipino citizenry on its continuing mandate and vigilance in the protection and promotion of human rights.