The Philippine Online Chronicles

Elections  are not just about our candidates. It is about us, the electorate, as well. Responsible voters don't just vote right. They vote responsibly and respond to the challenges that lie beyond their commitment to push for their causes. Responsible voters don't just  lounge on their couch and watch the evening news. They vigilantly watch the election process and willingly consolidate efforts with those who have the same ideals as them

What does it take to be worthy of your right to vote? What makes a more responsible voter?  These are a few ways to achieve this.

1. Know our candidates well – their complete profile, their political history, their business dealings, etc. How they achieve their present status can show us how competently they will be able to perform as our national leader.

You can start by visiting the websites of the presidential candidates

• Noynoy Aquino
• JC de los Reyes
• Erap Estrada
• Dick Gordon
• Jamby Madrigal
• Nick Perlas
• Gibo Teodoro
• Eddie Villanueva
• Manny Villar
• Vetellano Acosta

Here are other links to websites of candidates in the 2010 elections.

2. Know their platform of government. This will be a tool to help our economy grow. Don't be swayed by popularity surveys, by their showbiz supporters, or by their promises alone. Keep in mind that elections is not about popularity, it's about performance and delivery.

Make it a point to check their platforms if it is clear enough to get us from Point A to Point B.

Their individual platforms can be used to assess

(1) how consistent they are with their party platforms,

(2) how consistent their media exposure chatter is during their campaign, and

(3) how consistently they are performing as their term of office unfolds.

3. Know the criteria for selecting your candidate. You can use the Movement for Good Governance criteria for selecting candidates for the May 2010 elections to create your short list.

There  are many ways of stating the criteria for the 2010 elections but I chose to express it in simple words -- character, competence, clear vision, and coherent platforms.

• Coherent Platform- check their platforms if it is clear enough to get us from Point A to B. It should not be just motherhood statements.
• Character- humility, moral clarity, integrity, decency, transparency, consistency.
• Competency- intelligence, practicality, energy, decisiveness, a willingness to work hard, leadership, good ideas, track record.
• Clear Vision - a clear idea of what visions and strategic agenda are needed to transform our country.

4.  Know how to vote in an automated election.

• Take time to know your ballot and the Automated Election Machine. Find out how to find online your precinct before election day.
• To practice voting in the special ballots for automation, download sample ballots for non-ARMM and ARMM areas at the Comelec website or if the Comelec site is slow, download ballot templates for ARMM and non-ARMM areas.
• The most important thing that the voter should learn in the automated polls is to shade the ballots correctly and not to overvote.

5. Know the fair election practices

Comelec issued Resolution 8758, or the guidelines for fair election practices that sets the limits for the use of press, radio, and television facilities for political advertisements. Voters need to be vigilant and take a proactive role in assessing and communicating to Comelec if candidates follow or violate these fair election rules (download the fair election practices).

A few of these fair election practices include:

• national candidates with a registered political party or parties with national candidates can air 120 minutes of political advertisements on national or cable television, and 180 minutes on radio,
• local candidates or parties with local candidates are allowed 60 minutes on national or cable television and 90 minutes on radio
• the maximum size of print advertisement for each national or local candidate is one fourth page in broadsheet dailies and one half page in tabloids
• written or printed materials should measure eight and one-half inches in width and 14 inches in length while posters made of cloth or paper, whether framed or posted, should not exceed two feet by three feet.
• Posting of campaign materials outside of the designated common poster areas and allowed spaces such as on streets, bridges, public structures, trees, electric posts, bridges and the like are prohibited. Persons posting the materials shall be held liable together with the candidates or persons who caused the posting.

Members of the Philippine National Police and other law agencies can be called upon by the Comelec to apprehend violators caught in the act, or voters can report the violators directly to Comelec hotline (02) 5259294, said James Jimenez, Comelec spokesman.

6. Know your candidate’s campaign spending

Expenditure limits per registered voter in the constituency a candidate is running are:

• Php 3.00 - individual candidate supported by political party
• Php 5.00 - individual candidate not supported or nominated by political party
• Php 5.00 - Political Parties
• PhP 10.00 - candidates for President or Vice President

Candidates are prohibited, during campaign period and on the day or before the day of the election, from:

• Making donations, contributions, or gifts in cash or in kind
• Undertaking or contributing to, the construction or repair of roads, bridges, school buses, puericulture centers, medical clinics and hospitals, churches or chapels cement pavements, or any structure for public use, or for the use of religious or civic organizations.

We hold these public officers accountable to the people. We need to make sure that our candidates are transparent as to the sources of their campaign money and the true extent of their elections spending as this would impact directly on the candidates’ governance upon assumption to office.(Download the ebook on Basic Guide to the Laws and Rules Governing Election Finance in the Philippines)

Lastly, share your knowledge. Conduct conversations with other voters especially non-Internet users, your family, relatives, friends, or the stranger standing beside you.

It’s our right to vote but it is also a privilege. Let’s not waste our vote.

Photo by Noemi Lardizabal-Dado. Some Rights Reserved