University News

PUP and NAMFREL join forces for clean, credible elections

Jan Vincent Lanuza, News, Communication Management Office

The Polytechnic University of the Philippines, in line with its mission of nurturing responsible and socially engaged citizens, has formally signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with national election watchdog National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) to promote free, fair, and credible elections. It was held on May 9 at the Silid Lakan Dayang/Pulungan of the University Library.

NAMFREL, the first citizen-led election monitoring organization, remains as the premier independent election watchdog in the Philippines since 1983.

The partnership
Through this partnership, NAMFREL will provide election-related training, such as election monitoring, civic education, or peace-building activities for the 2025 National and Local, and Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Elections. In return, PUP will supply student, faculty, and administrative staff volunteers, along with organizational and logistical support.

The University will also play a crucial role in establishing a NAMFREL Manila Chapter, as well as chapters in other areas where PUP campuses are located.

A shared responsibility in upholding transparency and accountability
University President Dr. Manuel M. Muhi expressed his enthusiasm in this joint effort to uphold transparency, integrity, and accountability for the Filipino people, thanking NAMFREL for choosing PUP to be its partner to this “meaningful collaboration.”

Muhi also spoke of the PUP community’s active participation in election matters, noting its reflection on nationalism and civic engagement. He stated, “Ang Unibersidad ang tagapamandila pagdating sa botohan at sa eleksyon. Makikita natin [kung] gaano ka-progresibo ang mga estudyante natin, lalung-lalo na sa pagbibigay ng proteksyon doon sa usapin ng boto.”

(The University is the standard-bearer when it comes to voting and elections. We can see how progressive our students are, especially when it comes to safeguarding the integrity of the vote.)

NAMFREL National Chairperson Angel S. Averia, Jr. noted the great duty of election monitoring, saying, “Isa itong napakalaking responsibilidad na inatang natin sa sarili natin upang magbantay sa ating halalan para siguraduhing bukas, kapani-paniwala, [at] may integridad ang ating halalan, lalo na sa ating proseso.”

(This is a tremendous responsibility that we have taken upon ourselves — to safeguard our elections and ensure that they are transparent, credible, and uphold integrity, especially in the electoral process.)

He also welcomed this new opportunity with the University as an important step in further safeguarding the sanctity of the vote.

Joining the ceremony were the Communication Management Office (CMO) Officer-in-Charge Assoc. Prof. Emy Ruth D. Gianan and Chief for External Relations Services Assoc. Prof. Jamaica Ann B. Gatan; NAMFREL Secretary General Eric O. Alvia, and Associate for Operations Jeffrey Falco.

This new association with NAMFREL underscores the University’s strong commitment to its core values in integrity, accountability, nationalism, and democracy.

_{(Grammar check and English translation was done via AI.)}