Automation for a more secure, credible elections
Automation for a more secure, credible elections Democracy Watch supports the automation initiatives of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) for 2022. As the national elections draw near, the COMELEC has been ramping up its preparations and refurbishing the vote counting machines (VCMs). Learnings from 2016 and 2019 have allowed the Commission to improve the […]
The Value of Voter’s Education
Democracy Watch calls on civil society groups to ramp up voter education efforts now that voter registration has ended. With the widespread disinformation the country encounters today, it is necessary to engage the public and remind them of the value of choosing the right leaders. Because of the mobility restrictions posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, […]
Elections in the New Normal: Ensuring Democracy Goes On
The Philippines is entering a unique period in its history, with its first ever nationwide elections to be conducted in the middle of a pandemic. As such, Democracy Watch calls on every stakeholder in the country to do their part to ensure a free, fair, credible, and safe election this coming 2022. We call on […]
Upholding Democracy in a Pandemic
Upholding Democracy in a Pandemic: A Statement on the Extension of Voter’s Registration Democracy Watch commends the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) for its en banc decision to extend the voter registration period from October 11 to 30. Earlier this week, COMELEC resumed voter registration for the 2022 National and Local Elections. The additional days […]
Securing Online Spaces
Securing Online Spaces Democracy Watch highlights the need to promote safe internet services. Citizens have increasingly relied on online platforms to conduct their transactions since the start of the pandemic. However, the benefits of online connectivity exposes users to scammers and other cybercriminals. Democracy Watch calls on the government to ramp-up its efforts in protecting […]
Digital Solutions for COVID-19 response
Democracy Watch supports the initiatives of local government units (LGUs) in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic with digital solutions. It is important for LGUs to respond with dynamic solutions to the challenges posed by the virus. This includes upgrading digital infrastructure to help test, trace, and vaccinate citizens. The cooperation between the public and private sectors […]
Urgency and Unity Towards Economic Recovery
Urgency and Unity Towards Economic Recovery Democracy Watch calls for an urgent and united response to the challenges the country faces today. The pandemic has exacerbated various hardships: joblessness, hunger, lack of proper infrastructure, and health security to name a few. Together, the public and private sectors have the tools and capacity to address these […]
A Harmful Regulation: Scrap the BIR RR No. 5-2021
A Harmful Regulation: Scrap the BIR RR No. 5-2021 Democracy Watch stands against the provision of the Bureau of Internal Revenue’s (BIR) Revenue Regulation (RR) 5-2021 that will increase the tax on private education institutions. If implemented, these schools will be taxed at 25% instead of the regular 10% rate. This is a glaring 150% […]
Democracy Continues
Democracy Continues Democracy Watch supports the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) as it continues preparations for the 2022 national polls. The Commission has ramped up its initiatives to engage citizens to register to vote in the upcoming elections. And with less than one hundred days before the registration period closes, the COMELEC has already surpassed its […]
Urgency in a Pandemic: A Democracy Watch Statement on Faster Vaccination Rollout
“Urgency in a Pandemic: A Democracy Watch Statement on Faster Vaccination Rollout” Democracy Watch calls for the faster rollout of the COVID-19 vaccines. The 7.08 million as of vaccinated Filipinos are a far cry from the 70 million target by the end of the year. Almost halfway through the year, the government needs to maintain […]