ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs recently inked a partnership with government agencies, leading universities, companies, print publications, and non-government organizations to push for citizen empowerment and clean elections through its year-long election campaign, “Bayan Mo, iPatrol Mo: Tayo Na.”

ABS-CBN chairman and CEO Eugenio ‘Gabby’ Lopez III and ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs head Ging Reyes were present at the covenant signing held at Hotel Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila Tuesday night (July 24) with top government officials Sixto Brillantes, Commission on Elections (COMELEC) chairperson, and Jose Brillantes, Jr., Department of Foreign Affairs Overseas Absentee Voting Secretariat undersecretary and chairman.

Also expressing support for the campaign were chairpersons from Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting and Pulse Asia Inc., which will serve as the network’s election partners, and heads from corporate sponsors Globe Telecom, STI College, Universal Motors Corporation, and MyPhone’s Solid Group, Inc.

“BMPM: Tayo Na” also tapped The Philippine Star, Business World, Manila Bulletin, and Business Mirror as its print partners and Fully Abled Nation, Management Association of the Philippines, YouthVote Philippines, and Alternative Law Groups as its cause partners.

The education sector, meanwhile, was led by La Consolacion College, University of Sto. Tomas, University of the Philippines – National College of Public Administration and Governance, Ateneo School of Government, La Salle Institute of Governance, and the Student Council of the University of the Philippines all pledged to propagate the cause.

Ging Reyes thanked the partners and sponsors for their support in the network’s campaign to ensure honest elections in 2013.

“We gather here tonight to recognize the involvement of citizens in the crusade for change. We believe that vigilance is important to eradicate electoral anomalies. However, we also believe that many Filipinos today understand that heroism is contagious and that long-term solutions are more important to solve the country’s problems. Beyond Halalan 2013, beyond elections – this is what ‘Bayan Mo, iPatrol Mo: Tayo Na’ is all about,” said Ging.

“Bayan Mo, iPatrol Mo” started out as an election-focused citizen journalism campaign “Boto Mo, iPatrol Mo,” which ABS-CBN launched in 2007 that called on citizens to patrol their votes and push for clean elections by using technology and social media in monitoring irregularities in electoral processes such as voter registration, campaigning, ballot casting and counting.

In 2010, the “BMPM Ako ang Simula” campaign succeeded as individuals became accountable for their own future. This year, “Tayo Na!” aims to be a stronger force for change by empowering people to work together to protect the future of the country.