𝐂𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟 𝐌𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐦 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐦𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐧 𝐄𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬

A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was signed this morning, 23 July 2024, at the Chairman’s Hall, Palacio del Gobernador, Intramuros, Manila, between the National Amnesty Commission (NAC) and the Commission on Elections (COMELEC). The agreement aims to institute collaborative efforts to advance the objectives of the Government of the Philippines’ peace program and to coordinate and collaborate with the COMELEC regarding amnesty applications involving election offenses for their favorable recommendation to the NAC.

The MOA was signed by NAC Chairperson Leah C. Tanodra-Armamento and Commissioner Jamar M. Kulayan, alongside COMELEC Chairman George Erwin M. Garcia and Commissioner Nelson J. Celis. This agreement underscores the commitment of both institutions to uphold justice and support the peace initiatives of the government. Through this partnership, the NAC and COMELEC will work together to ensure that the amnesty process is fair, transparent, and in line with the principles of justice and peace.

“Remember, in our Constitution, there can be no pardon for an election offense without the consent of the Commission on Elections. What if the one that will be granted amnesty have committed or has a pending case of an election offense before the Commission on Election? Hindi naman sa ayaw natin magbigay ng amnesty, but we want to ensure that justice is given to those who deserve it. Hindi naman porke’t that we are going to give amnesty, justice will be deprived to those who are entitled to it….. We are very much willing to share the data with you… We will support the initiative of the National Amnesty Commission and hopefully, the National Amnesty Commission can likewise support the initiative of the Comission on Election. That is what you call partnership, the whole-government approach. Hindi pwedeng isa lang sa pamahalaan ang engaged sa isang aktibidad; halimbawa, ang isang election ay hindi pwedeng COMELEC lang, kailangan involve ang lahat ng nasa pamahalaan at buong sambayanan. Because, again, the duty of elections is not only the responsibility of the Commission on Elections but the duty of everyone.” expressed by COMELEC Chairman George Erwin M. Garcia.

During the press conference, Chairperson Tanodra-Armamento answered questions from the media and provided clarifications on various issues. She addressed the concerns raised by journalists and ensured that accurate information was conveyed including the ballpark figure of amnesty applicants, reinforcing the commitment to transparency and open communication.

Also present at the event were COMELEC en banc Commissioner Rey E. Bulay and Commissioner Ernesto Ferdinand P. Maceda Jr.; Solicitor General Menardo I. Guevarra and his team from the Office of the Solicitor General; Executive Director Paulino M. Gutierrez and his team from the Presidential Task Force on Media Security; Atty. Rizal Thaddeus Acas, the NAC Acting Director of the Legal and Amnesty Operations Office; and members of the media from different networks.

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