Supporters of clean and honest elections listen intently at the relaunching of ABS-CBN’s ‘Boto Mo, I-Patrol Mo: Ako ang Simula' at the Manila Bulletin head office in Intramuros, Manila last Wednesday.(Photo by MARIANNE BERMUDEZ)

In an effort to have clean and honest elections in the country, television network ABS-CBN has teamed up with the Manila Bulletin in re-launching the “Boto Mo, I-Patrol Mo: Ako ang Simula,” a program encouraging citizens, especially the youth, to monitor and report newsworthy election incidents in their areas.

Registration booths were set up at the Manila Bulletin grounds in Intramuros Wednesday while a seminar was conducted inside the Bulletin building. Students and teachers from schools such as University of the Sto. Tomas, University of the Philippines, De La Salle University, Philippine Women’s University, Philippine Normal University, and Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila attended the re-launching.

To date, there are 50,193 patrollers who have filed their stories under the program. An estimated 13 emails, 103 voicemails and 35 text messages per day are sent to ABS-CBN from patrollers scattered all over the country.

The program even has accounts in social networking sites like Twitter, Facebook, and Multiply for easier online access.

“Through this program, anyone can share stories, good or bad, and have a chance to become a journalist. In fact, a patroller from Maguindanao sent us a picture from the crime scene. That patroller risked his/her life in taking that picture.

“There are so many stories in every corner of our country. Some stories may have not been found by journalists without the help of our patrollers. During the Ondoy typhoon, ABS-CBN became a hub for help calls, emails and text, which were routed to authorities. Reporting was not the only job that we did; we became instant rescuers,” said ABS-CBN’s senior vice president for news Maria Ressa.

“Boto Mo, I-Patrol Mo” was first launched in the 2007 mid-term elections that gave citizens a chance to become more involved in the country’s political and social affairs, making them more vigilant and more aware of what’s happening in the country.

Instead of just watching or reading the news, the citizens reported issues and developments just like professional journalists. The program was so successful that the network decided to widen its scope in the run-up to the 2010 elections.

“In the coming May 2010 elections, there is a need for more patrollers to ensure that there will be no cheating and anomalies. All of us should stand up and protect our rights because we have a stake in the 2010 polls,” said Ressa.

Manila Bulletin’s editor-in-chief Jun Icban for his part said: “Whether the election is done by the usual manual system or by the automated equipment, there is need for vigilance on the part of citizens to see to it that the irregularities are minimized, if not totally eliminated.

“This is where groups like the ‘Boto Mo, I-Patrol Mo’ are needed. Your very presence in the precinct areas will serve to deter those who may be plotting to disrupt the voting or thwart the people’s will.”

Icban stressed that informing and educating the public is a year-round affair but it is especially important during the election time.

Patrollers may send stories via phone or e-mail. Send reports to 2366, e-mail it to arleneburgos@gmail.com, or call 411-2676.