The Comelec noted that for the past 15 years, the PPCRV has consistently worked for honest, clean, credible and peaceful elections and that its membership has grown in number. In the May 10, 2004 polls, 500,000 of PPCRV members and volunteers from 2,670 Catholic parishes nationwide participated in poll watching and electionrelated activities, the Comelec said.

The accreditation was signed by Comelec Chairman Benjamin S. Abalos Sr., Commissioners Resurreccion Z. Borra, Florentino A. Tuason Jr., Romeo A. Brawner, Rene V. Sarmiento and Nicodemo T. Ferrer.

The Comelec move entrusted the PPCRV with the duties and responsibilities to conduct poll watching functions in the canvassing of votes and assist the poll body in voters’ education campaign in every municipality, province and city.

The issuance of accreditation for PPCRV, which is headed by former Ambassador Henrietta T. De Villa, coincided with the conclusion of the three-day 94th Plenary Assembly of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines at the Pope Pius XII Center on United Nations Ave., Paco, Manila.

But the Comelec held in abeyance its action on the PPCRV’s request to conduct a parallel unofficial quick count, saying it does not have any track record in conducting this activity.

"Thus, the petitioner is advised to submit proof of its capability to conduct quick parallel unofficial counting and such other proof that its proposed method is tamper-proof in an election as crucial as the May 14, 2007 exercise which is barely a few months away," the Comelec said.

Directing the PPCRV to be strictly non-partisan and impartial during the election period, the Comelec told the Catholicbased movement that it will be under the direct and immediate control of the poll body and must comply with all its lawful orders in the performance of specific functions and activities as provided in Section 52 (k) of the Omnibus Election Code, and such other functions and activities which the Comelec may assign to it.

The Comelec told the PPCRV to police its ranks and prevent infiltration by persons or group of persons who may, directly or indirectly, destroy its character and impartiality. It was also ordered to submit to the Comelec a list of its officials and officers constituting its board which shall not be changed without its approval.

PPCRV officials said it is a bona fide national parish-based, non-partisan citizen’s movement duly organized by and composed of civic-minded citizens drawn from various sectors of society mandated to help form the civic conscience of the Filipino voters and campaign for honest, meaningful and peaceful elections. It was formed in October, 1991 as a program of the Archdiocese of Manila in preparation for the 1992 elections. From then on, it has grown to become a national movement grounded on faith, values and authentic democracy.