The Commission on Elections (Comelec) signed on Thursday, March 24 a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to curb partisanship in the undertaking of government projects during the election period.

During the event, DILG was represented by Usec. Jonathan Malaya while DSWD Rolando Joselito Bautista took part for the agency both via Zoom.

Comelec chair Saidamen Pangarungan said that the poll body welcomes the efforts from national government agencies that go beyond coordination with them in pursuit of a free, fair, clean and honest National and Local Elections.

Pangarungan extended his warm gratitude to the DILG and DSWD for their efforts that make the job in the Comelec easier such as the MOA.

"Government funds may not be used for any election campaign activity. Fairness of election dictates that the massive government machinery must not be used to advance a certain candidate to the detriment of the welfare of those who really need it," he said.

"This is why we value efforts to realize these mandates through programs and undertakings such as this. During the election period, we cannot condone activities that we all know as “epal"," he added.

Pangarungan mentioned that when he stepped in as the chairman of the Commission, he said that he would stand before the public as a defender of the people’s right to suffrage.

He added that everyday in the commission, they devise ways to make the elections freer, more honest, and more credible.

"We have espoused full transparency without compromising the security of our elections. Now, we take a bolder step towards accountability and fairness in the exercise of our democratic right," he stated.