Local Church takes active role in 2016 elections

The Archdiocese of Davao has taken an active role in the upcoming midterm National Elections by collaborating with the Davao Association of Catholic Schools to ensure a Clean, Honest, Accurate, Meaningful and Peaceful Elections (E=CHAMP).

The project, initially launched in 2013 was re-launched November 14, 2015 attracting more than 2,000 students from different DACS member schools in Davao, Digos, Tagum and Mati at the Ateneo de Davao University as lead convenor.

During the last presbyterium meeting, Archbishop Romulo Valles explained that as DACS takes the lead in this project, and that which DACS is part of the Catholic Church, then this is really a project of the Catholic Church.

E=CHAMP’s current Project Director Fr. Kim Lachica, SJ presented to the clergy DACS network and plan for 2016 elections and the possible collaboration with parishes.

Valles further directed E-CHAMP to coordinate with the Archdiocesan Social Action Center (ASAC).
DACS Executive Director Mr. Jimmie Loe dela Vega says a comprehensive and detailed action plan has already been drafted by NSTP and Community Extension Services heads, “Our member schools are now in the process of recruitment of volunteers.”

“Our main concerns would be in the areas of poll watching, voters assistance and voters formation and education,” he added, “hopefully this campaign would be about transformation, the way people look at elections for the common good.”

Operation E-CHAMP of the Davao Association of Catholic Schools, Inc. engaged in the October 28, 2013 Barangay elections with the endorsement of the Davao District Commission on Elections (COMELEC). Around 500 volunteers were deployed to set up voters’ assistance desks in twenty-six selected barangays in the three (3) Congressional Districts of Davao City. In the May 13, 2013 senatorial elections around 1,200 volunteers from member schools, colleges and universities and some private schools in Region XI signed up for poll-watching in partnership with the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) and the National Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL).