MANILA, Philippines –  The Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting is an accredited citizens’ arm of the Commission on Elections—and they play a crucial role in ensuring every Philippine election’s integrity. 

What does PPCRV do?

The PPCRV has officially partnered with COMELEC since 2010 and is tasked mainly with the unofficial parallel count tallying.

While parish-based in nature, PPCRV has clarified its openness to accommodate volunteers who are not Catholics. 

“PPCRV is open to every volunteer, believer or non-believer for as long as the volunteer is non-partisan, non-violent and adheres to democracy,” it said. 

What are its main responsibilities?

PPCRV deploys eight different kinds of poll watchers to monitor election-related materials like Automated Counting Machines, assist in certifications and field testings, ensure smooth conduct of voting, attend to voters’ needs and queries, spearhead prayer vigils and provide direct support to areas lacking volunteers.

The group also monitors winning candidates' governance post-elections. 

PPCRV opens command center, hopes for half a million volunteers

The following committees make up the PPCRV: 

• Accountable Materials’ Verifiable Audit Trail Team Poll Watcher 

• Technical Assistance Group Poll Watcher

• Polling Precinct Poll Watcher

• Voters’ Assistance Desk Poll Watcher

• Power Prayer Group Poll Watcher

• Special Witness of Truth Poll Watcher

• Unofficial Parallel Count Encoder

• Post-Election Patrol Watcher

How to become a PPCRV volunteer?

The main qualifications to be a volunteer or poll watcher under PPCRV are: 

1. Be a registered voter in the city or municipality where one volunteers

2. Be of good moral character

3. Have no record of conviction with final judgment to any electoral offense and/or crime

4. Should know how to read and write in Filipino, English, or the prevailing local language

5. Should not be related within the fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity to the chairperson or any member of the Electoral Board (EB) 

According to PPCRV social media channels, one may volunteer as a poll watcher by visiting their local parish and reaching out to the PPCRV parish coordinator. 

What do PPCRV volunteers experience?

Brian Rubenecia is a PPCRV volunteer who had previously served as a Voters’ Assistance Desk (VAD) poll watcher for the 2022 National and Local Elections (NLE) and 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE).

He recalls the experience as a ‘civic duty’ that enabled him to take part in their parish, Corpus Christi Parish in Novaliches, Quezon City, dedication in ensuring that elections are free and fair. 

He noted that becoming a volunteer means having the character to be of ‘assistance’ to voters needing help and also knowing how to call out other poll watchers and even voters who risk committing election offenses.

“Mahalaga ‘yung ginagampanan ng PPCRV kasi sila ‘yung kumbaga kaagapay ng COMELEC, para mapanatili na totoo ‘yung labas ng election [results] and mapanatili ‘yung transparency, integrity,” Rubenecia said. 

(The PPCRV's role is important because they are COMELEC's partners in ensuring the true results of the elections come out and that transparency and integrity are maintained)

PPCRV has opened its command center in Sampaloc, Manila and is opening its doors to volunteers willing to help them audit and verify the 2025 NLE returns for the 2025 Unofficial Parallel Count. 

To know more about their volunteering openings, you may access: https://ppcrv.org/ivolunteer/.