Pulit ka August 2015 - March 2016
The Official Publication of the UP Political Science Society
Contents NEWS
> UP Polis holds UPM 2016 mock elections > Polis celebrates 11th year with the elderly > UP Polis Apps Week > 2015 practocum conference... > CAS SC calls to junk STS Cartoon originally from Philippine Daily Inquirer, August 8, 2015 issue
Features
> Freshie, transferee, shiftee orientation
Editorial
>This Brouhaha regarding Grace Poe’s citizenship >Blood is Thicker than Ink
> PILIpinas Special Feature Moving Forward, Giving Back: Cleve Arguelles
Election Special
> Election Season: The Problem with Media and Polls, Survey > Deconstructing Wise Voting > Tips for First Time Voters
P U L I T I K A | Aug 2015 - March 2016
News
UP POLIS holds UPM 2016 mock elections by Paolo Infante
Photo by Cyra Canto
A student of the College of Nursing participates in the mock elections hosted by UP POLIS (Photo by Cyra Canto)
POLIS’ celebrates 14th year with the elderly
by Tanya Mindo The UP Political Science Society the meal which included Tinolang Manok (UP POLIS) visited the Luwalhati ng with rice as well as bananas, which were Maynila – Home for the Aged, located apparently loved by the elderly. inside Boy’s Town in Parang, Marikina, in However, while some actively celebration of its 14th year anniversary participated in the outreach program, with the theme: “Forever Young”. a few watched from afar and stayed With the help of the volunteers outside. The volunteers also observed from Ugnayan ng Pahinungod and 28 the situation of the vicinity and were members of UP POLIS, the elderly appalled to discover that the place were encouraged to form the crowd is lacking of proper attention. The participating in the said occasion. The compound, while providing them with activities took place in accordance food and shelter, still seemed to be in with the schedule, hence; the morning need of beds, medicines, and other exercise was carried out for 20 minutes, necessities especially that most of the followed by intermission numbers and elderly were mentally challenged. parlor games. Nonetheless, the celebration A popular TV show’s segment, turned out to be a success. Most of “Hep Hep Hooray”, was particularly the members of the organization went enjoyed by the elderly. The talent home with a sense of fulfillment and showcase began with song performances desire to continue reaching out to this by UP POLIS members namely Patrick marginalized sector of the society. As Damaso and Gian de la Paz, and was UP POLIS prides itself as a socio-civic followed by impromptu song numbers of the seniors. Dance presentations organization, its aim to involve some of ensued wherein the compound’s “LM the most neglected institutions in the Dance Crew” offered the entertainment. promotion of its values and visions was For the lunch, the organization provided accomplished unfailingly.
Sen. Miriam Santiago and former Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo topped the presidential and vice presidential choices in the "UP Manila Votes: Mock Election 2016,” held on January 22 at the University of the Philippines Manila, organized by the UP Political Science Society. Out of the 959 votes cast, Senator Miriam Santiago collected 571 votes (or 59.48 percent), followed by Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte with 168 votes (or 17.50 percent). The following are the rankings in the Presidential Race starting at third place: Sen. Grace Poe: 90 (9.38 percent); Former Interior Secretary Manuel "Mar" Roxas II: 43 (4.58 percent); Vice President Jejomar Binay: 21 (2.19 percent); Romel "Mel" Mendoza of the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino: 7 (0.73 percent); Rep. Roy Señeres of the OFW Family Club partylist group: 1 (0.10 percent); and Dante Valencia, a civil engineer running as an independent: 1 (0.10 percent) In the Vice Presidential race, Camarines Sur Representative Leni Robredo was the top choice, securing 268 votes (or 25.29 percent) of the votes followed by Senator Alan Peter Cayetano with 203 votes (or 21.75 percent). The following are the rankings of the Vice Presidential Race, also starting at the third place Sen. Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.: 190 (19.81 percent); Sen. Francis "Chiz" Escudero: 142 (14.81 percent); Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV: 46 (4.80 percent); and Sen. Gregorio "Gringo" Honasan: 21 (2.19 percent). The mock poll also included the Senatorial Race which resulted in the “Magic 12” composing Dick Gordon (10.23 percent), Risa Hontiveros (7.68 percent), Leila De Lima (7.36 percent), Neri Colmenares (7.13 percent), Ralph Recto (5.89 percent), Franklin Drilon (5.57 percent), Kiko Pangilinan (5.55 percent), Ping Lacson (5.43 percent), Migz Zubiri (4.61 percent), Serge Osmeña (4.48 percent), Win Gatchalian (4.46 percent) and Teofisto Guingona (3.56 percent). The gritty and feisty Santiago remains the favorite among the youth in the presidential race as she also topped the mock elections and surveys held in UP Los Banos and the Polytechnic University of the Philippines. The event was in partnership with the College of Medicine Student Council, College of Nursing SC, College of Arts and Sciences SC, University Pharmaceutical Association Student Council, College of Public Health SC, College of Dentistry SC, College of Allied Medical Professions SC, and Kabataan Tayo ang Pag-asa.
News
Aug 2015 - March 2016 | P U L I T I K A
Feeling the Magic Up Close: UP Polis Apps Week 2015 by Kriztelle Javier
The University of the Philippines’ Political Science Society held its Apps Week, or the week wherein they hold applications for new members, last September 14th to 18th with “Cirque de Polis” as its theme. During this week, the UP Polis held several challenging exercises for their prospective members throughout the week – and with a festive carnival twist. Sixty-five applicants had to complete certain tasks in order to get accepted as a member of Polis. Firstly, they had to fill out the applicant’s kit – it contains several activities that the applicants must all accomplish. A Political Science-related crossword, an essay to write, an illustration, some psychological questions are some of the parts of the apps kit. The applicants must also find out the names of the members of the Executive and Membership committees and match them with the random facts that they think corresponds to the certain members, and then ask the members to sign their apps kit. Polis also encouraged the applicants to mingle with each other by including a dedication part of the apps kit which is designated to be signed by their co-applicants and the existing members. Most of these activities are to be done using their tambay hours, or the 10 hours to be spent at the Polis tambayan for their apps week. Of course, the Apps Week did not only consist of individual activities. In order to test the applicants of their skills and teamwork, there were group activities as well. The applicants were divided into four groups, each facilitated by a member
UP POLIS Members and applicants on the closing day of Apps Week 2015 at the Chinese Garden, Rizal Park (Photo from UP POLIS facebook page)
of the Membership Committee. Group 1 won the first game, (Root)Beer Pong, Group 3 won the next game, Ring Toss, and Group 4 won The Amazing Race. All of these activities required knowledge and skills, but most importantly, teamwork. To end the Polis Apps Week, the Grand Apps Day was held the whole day on the 20th of September at the Chinese Garden in Rizal Park as a culminating activity. Members of the same group were assigned to wear the same color for their top – group 1 members wore purple, group 2 wore red, group 3 wore green and group 4 wore yellow. As the applicants needed to gain a sense of teamwork, they were tasked to make a group cheer that will be used by their group for the rest of the activities. There were several activities prepared for
2015 Practicum conference evinces displacement and exclusion by Mayrll Santos Seniors of the Political Science program annually holds its practicum conference at the CAS little theater. The University of the Philippines Manila (UP Manila) Political Science Program’s annual practicum is designed to provide students a heuristic praxis of their chosen field. The practicum is likewise a process of internship and an engagement of students to social work with the help of the various partner organizations such as National Citizens’ Movement for Free Election (NAMFREL), National Union of Peoples’ Lawyer (NUPL), Karapatan, Katribu, Foreign Service Institute, Health Action and Information Network, Center for People's Empowerment in Governance (CENPEG) and Save the Children.
This year, the practicum conference follows the theme: Paglinsad: Critical Reflections on the Politics of Displacement and Exclusion and was attended by a majority of Political Science students and faculty. The graduating batch is divided into groups with the help of their respective advisers, professors Carl Marc Ramota, Clarinda Berja, Bobby Tuazon and Doroteo Abaya. Professor Clarinda Berja, chairperson of the Department of Social Sciences, delivered a short opening remark before the start of the event. Each group is given 15 to 20 minutes to present their report of their practicum through an audio visual presentation (AVP) followed by an oral discussion.
the day such as a play regarding the upcoming elections, a memory game, a sack race, and one which requires you to go through a maze blindfolded with your teammates as your guide. This culminating activity not only tested the physical faculties of the applicants, but also required the exercise of their mental faculties. The Legal, Public, Membership, Finance and Executive committees, along with some alumni, each gave the applicants one by one interview in order to assess their knowledge and to figure out which committee they would be most suited to be in. After the long and rigorous oneweek application process, 40 applicants (already sorted out into their own committees) were successfully added to the Political Science Society family.
Contact PoliTEE at fb.com/ UPPolisPoliTEE In view of the chosen theme of the practicum, Batch 2016 mostly addressed the predicaments of the marginalized under the forms of displacement and exclusion. There are reports regarding the continuous human rights violations, the quandaries of the indigenous people and their situation, a current view of the law and justice system in the country, report on the oppressed children rights and the incessant militarization in Bukidnon resulting to the displacement of Lumad communities. After all presentations, certificates of appreciation were handed to the different partner organizations of the practicum. This was followed by a closing remark to formally end the conference.
P U L I T I K A | Aug 2015 - March 2016
CAS SC calls to junk STS Taking advantage of the presence of a large number of students during the enrollment period from January 11 to 15, 2016, the College of Arts and Sciences Student Council (CAS SC) in University of the Philippines Manila (UPM) promoted their ‘#JunkSTS’ campaign where students at the organization’s booth were given the opportunity to write “STS” (Socialized Tuition System) on a piece of paper, crumple it, then throw it in a trash can as a symbol of their opposition to socialized tuition. The CAS SC criticizes STS as more of a “discount system with decentralized budgeting.” Their call to junk socialized tuition, promote free education and assert higher state subsidy from the government has been consistent ever since the existence of Socialized Tuition Fee and Assistance Program (STFAP). This was the previous version of STS supposedly made to democratize access to UP education. Going back to President Aquino’s 2011 budget message, he stated that, “We are gradually reducing the subsidy to SUCs to push them toward becoming self-sufficient and financially independent, given their ability to raise their income and to utilize it for their programs and projects.” “For the government, they are pushing state universities (SUCs) to be financially independent, but it’s actually state abandonment,” said CAS SC Chairperson Mark Vincent Lim in an interview. Lim commented on STS and said, “It’s ironic that they’re saying education is a right when they keep on promoting STS. If they believe that education is a right, access to education should not be based on gender, race (and) especially not on socioeconomic status.” “We can junk STS through the collective action of students. Others may see the campaign to junk STS (and) to fight for free education na
mahirap at mahabang laban kaya yung iba nagse-settle nalang sa mga mere reforms kagaya ng pag rollback ng tuition etc., pero we should always call for the maximum,” he added. CAS SC has also had consistent campaigns that encourage students to join class walkouts and student movements inside and outside of UPM. The organization professes for education to be “a right and not a privilege.” In terms of Philippine education as an entirety, the CAS SC Chairperson described it as “colonial, commercialized and fascist” and that #JunkSTS is a “higher comprehensive call for a system of education that is nationalist, scientific and massoriented.” He stressed that students “can and need to assert their right to free education.”
News by Esmelyn Ramos
Got any questions?
Contact the College of Arts and Science Student Council at fb.com/ upmcassc
Editorial The blitzkrieg that is Senator Grace Poe’s bid for the highest public office of the land has finally, it seems, entered a political morass. Since her chairing of the committee that investigated the Mamasapano incident, and its subsequent recommendation that established guilt to some powerful individuals, her political voyage has advanced through leaps and bounds. In several polls commissioned by some relatively respectable institutions, Sen. Poe topped the list of presidentiables that appeal to the electorate. Probably because of this, the question of her citizenship came up. Because in the shadows of the political underworld her unchecked popularity must and should be… well, checked. So much energy has been spent in trying to disprove Poe’s qualifications for the presidency, and consequently her camp has spent a very considerable amount of time defending her position. The questioning of Senator Poe’s citizenship is a valid one considering that it is mandated by the constitution. It is appropriate therefore for the people to ventilate the issue. But the wrestling match has gone too far. It has degenerated into a farce to the detriment of the practicality needed in a presidential election. A national election has to benefit the people. But this farce has impeded the discussions of more substantial issues that would lead to a more informed voting public. It is not hard to see that the Philippines remains deeply in poverty. Although the economic indicators show that the Philippines is treading the road to economic development, talking to an ordinary pedestrian will paint a different picture of their day-to-day struggle to just have a modicum of a decency in their lives. According to the 2015 Third Quarter Self-Rated Poverty Survey conducted by the Social Weather Station (SWS) last September 3 to 5, at least 50% or an estimated 11 million families consider themselves to be poor. Most Filipinos do not feel that they are part of the economic upswing that is being touted by the government. Although Filipinos have to understand that economic progress cannot be felt overnight, perception wise, it is hard to convince ordinary citizens of this upswing. It is as if the ship of ‘Development’ has sailed without you. When there is very little food on the table for your family or when parents cannot send their children to school, all
Aug 2015 - March 2016 | P U L I T I K A
Cartoon originally from Philippine Daily Inquirer, August 8, 2015 issue
This Brouhaha regarding Grace Poe’s citizenship by Kyle Gino Salazar
advertisements of economic development fall on deaf ears. What is needed is a ray of hope that things will turn finally for the better. Presidential elections provide this because in such an exercise, there is the implied hope that changes are coming. As things are unfolding in the contest as to whether Senator Poe is a natural born Filipino or not, the masses is thrown in utter confusion. The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) has stated that it might retain Senator Poe’s name in the ballot while waiting for a Supreme Court ruling on this matter. This statement came after the same, the COMELEC, declared her disqualified in running for the presidency. Perhaps its reason for not striking out her name in the ballot is because it does not look well for them to be eliminating a presidential candidate that is very popular with the electorate. And that removing her name could be seen by many as curtailing the freedom of the people to choose among the candidates that they prefer. She is after all already a senator of the land. Isn’t the qualification for a senator almost the same as for the qualification for a president? If Senator Poe is not a very popular candidate, would her citizenship be under severe scrutiny? Questions like these would lead to embarrassment for the COMELEC. Having her name in the ballot somehow
sends the implied approval that she is indeed a natural born Filipino; why then the brouhaha? But a more dreadful scenario is looming. Having her name in the ballot would give rise to the likely possibility that she might, considering her popularity, win. What then? Having been given the mandate by the people, would she be denied the office? Such a possibility sends shivers to our collective spines. The Filipino people faces many difficult problems that require determined effort, attention and will to address. The West Philippine Sea seethes as China militarizes the region. The Filipino people risks its food security, energy security – even national pride if this quagmire is not settled. Education, health, agriculture and many other areas of concern require intense creative solutions. It is time to be focused. We have to train our attention to the Constitution and see possibilities for solving intractable problems facing us. Practical minded people crafted the Constitution. It is therefore incumbent of us to look at it in the same vein. The national election is fast approaching. Issues of national importance must be the only element on the national platform. Anything less is a distraction. Let the people decide on Senator Grace Poe’s bid for the presidency. She is, after all, already a senator of the land. Let her run in the incoming national elections.
Editorial
P U L I T I K A | Aug 2015 - March 2016
Blood is Thicker Than Ink: by Liezl Ann Lansang
Exposing Issues of Media Repression in Philippine Politics Philippine political communication and media has always been characterized by two diverging aspects– libertarian, and authoritarian. It is libertarian, for it is enshrined as a right not only of the media, but of Filipino in the 1987 Philippine Constitution, particularly on Section 4 of Article 13 on Bill of Rights that states that “no law shall be passed abridging the freedom of speech, of expression, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and petition the government for redress of grievances”. Such right, however, has always been hampered in a way or another—thus, constituting to its authoritarian characteristic. The imposition of Martial Law during Marcos era, for instance, serves as a haunting example of media repression in the 1970s. Simultaneous to this repression, mainstream media was also used as an avenue to only feature the purported “positive” doings of the dictator government, in the expense of covering up for the different human rights violations and militarization that has been prevalent during such time. Whereas the period of the Martial Law has been placed back for more than 40 years in the past, authoritarian elements in Philippine media could still be observed. The nature of personality politics in the Philippines also comes in contrast to the claim that there is a free media exercise in the country. Such nature, which is usually prevalent in authoritarian states, undermines the need for free and open pluralist debate, especially in policies and programs which should be the actual bases on choosing the politicians to vote as observed in matured political systems. Thus, the Philippine media is hampered from doing its part in allowing the country’s political system to mature, and in a way, suppresses the occurrence of such event. But the authoritarian characteristic of the supposed “free media” in the country is aggravated the most when looking at the perspective of the safety of journalists and anchors in the country. In many situations, the state and the
media would often clash, particularly during elections, and the media is often repressed through the exercise of human rights violations on media anchors and journalists. Ironically, killings on journalists have worsened after the fall of the Marcos era and since the restoration of democracy. According to the Center for Media Freedom & Responsibility, as many as 55 journalists have been assassinated by 2005, and the numbers remain rising up to the recent times. The Center for Media Freedom & Responsibility has also recorded that since the post-Marcos era, only 10 cases out of the numerous killings and violations on media personnel have resulted to being convicted. And while the numbers of killed journalists and anchors continue to rise, the state only proves to be incapable in making the perpetrators accountable to their crimes. Those who ought to be convicted remain out of bars, and many cases regarding killings remain unresolved. It is an obvious fact that the media is often threatened the most during the election period in the country. An haunting example of media repression were the events that have transpired last November 23, 2009, that led to the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) tagging the Philippines as the most dangerous place in the world. Almost six years later, the Ampatuan massacre, which killed at least 32 media professionals and 27 civilians, remains as the worst single attack on media anchors. On an international level, Philippines plummeted 34 places down in the Press Freedom Index a year after the massacre, ranking 156 out of the 180 countries surveyed. The politicized mass murder perpetrated by Datu Andal Ampatuan Jr. lingers and is unforgotten. Such manslaughter resulted from the need of the perpetrator to eliminate the threat of the long-maintained monopoly of power held by the Ampatuans in the area. Being allies of then president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, the Ampatuans were not indicted quickly—an embodiment of how the local elite could exercise
strong political clout on the weak central government. Justice has also remained unserved to the deceased and to their families, and progress regarding the case as of 2015 has not been widely disseminated, as limitations on media coverings have been ruled by the Supreme Court since October 2012. The Ampatuan massacre only represents the larger situation in the country—that murders and harassment of media personnel, no matter how big or small of an issue, continue to be excluded in the search for accountability. Whereas the Philippines is said to be libertarian, democracy in media and the constitutional freedom of the press only remain in theory, as reality presents a stark contrast on the situation. Rather than being indicted, the powerful remain to hold their political clout and easily dismiss charges against them, exacerbating the culture of impunity in the country. The unceasing threat on the media during elections, could be considered as a factor that continues to compromise proper electoral coverage in the Philippines.
“as blood is
thicker than ink— the lives of the Filipino people will always outweigh any political image.” Given the dire situation of Philippine media repression, there is a need to start to place teeth on the laws that ought to uphold the security of journalists (cont. next page)
Feature
Aug 2015 - March 2016 | P U L I T I K A
Freshie, transferee, shiftee orientation Eyes wide, stomachs churning with anticipation; a number of thoughts and emotions was spinning around in their minds. Newcomers to the university can’t help but feel some excitement and dread at the prospect of studying at UP. When you’re lead by your FBC (Freshman Block Coordinator) through the campus for the first time and you see the buildings, you see the students studying, talking, arguing and jamming you can’t help but feel a little daunted, daunted by the universities reputation, and be afraid that you might not measure up to its standards. But at the same time you feel exhilarated by the thought of a new challenge, a chance to prove yourself. The first few weeks of life at the university can be difficult. For most students the classes and professors are more demanding and more difficult than what they were used to in high school. Some students, who managed to get through high school without really making a decent effort, find themselves challenged to hit the books. Some find themselves having to wake up at 1 o’clock in the morning to study for their exams, something that they never thought of doing in high school. Some students have trouble with their professors. They are surprised to discover that their professors won’t hover over them
by PAOLO IRINEO JOSE
like their high school teacher did, and that they would have to figure most things out for themselves. They find that “critical thinking” is expected of them. Some students also have trouble adjusting to their peers. Most new students in the university find themselves surrounded by other brilliant minds; some of whom think in ways very different from themselves. They are surprised at how talented their classmates and block mates are. They find themselves continuously comparing themselves with each other and have to fight off feeling of inferiority. On top of all this they find their beliefs, their values, and everything they know challenged by… virtually everyone. They hear from professors and students that their religious beliefs are but tools of social and political subjugation, that the things that they were taught in church are at best, questionable. They find their beliefs changing every day. They hear people all around them, telling them a number of “truths”, and find it difficult to decide what they want to believe, or if they want to believe in anything at all. Everyone knows what it’s like to be new to the university, so every year during the first semester, the different colleges,
different departments and programs all try to prepare the new students for life in the university by hosting a number of “general orientations”. The new students are told about the things
they will face during their stay in the university in the hope that they will not be too surprised during the first few weeks. During the first semester of AY 2015-2016, the UPM Political Science program held an orientation for the new political science students, the freshmen, shiftees and transferees. They were introduced to the unique culture of the program, the activities that it hosted and its many advocacies. They were also introduced to the faculty, professors they would meet as they pursued studies in political science. The curriculum of the political science program was also discussed and explained. The freshmen, shiftees and transferees were also invited to join the UP Political Science Society (UP Polis), an organization of political science students. Members of UP Polis attended the orientation and distributed fliers, about the Political Science program of UP Manila and about Polis. and media anchors. Ideally, the strict observance of the provision of freedom of press under the constitution’s Bill of Rights is prescribed. Approaching the grass roots of the problem, improvements regarding the judicial process of the country should also happen. As a legal maxim says, “justice delayed is justice denied”, and the delay of resolving cases such as that of the Ampatuan massacre only proves that in the six years that have passed and despite countless evidences presented to court, the country’s justice system has remained inefficient with regard to giving due justice to the deceased and their families. In general, there is a need to call for the immediate and concrete legal action on cases of media repression, in order to ensure the safety of the country’s journalists. But the most important need is for the killings and harassment to stop, as blood is thicker than ink— the lives of the Filipino people will always outweigh any political image.
PILIpinas
Feature
P U L I T I K A | Aug 2015 - March 2016
Bobotante. Marami kaming
ganito. Kami raw ang dahilan kung bakit hindi umaasenso ang bansa natin. Ewan ko ba, pero unang beses ko pa lang bumoto noong nakaraang eleksyon subalit ganito na ang turing nila sa akin. Hindi lang sa akin nila binigay ang ganitong bansag. Maging ang mga magulang ko, ang tatlo kong nakatatandang kapatid, pati na rin ang mga kapitbahay namin, bobotante rin ang tawag sa kanila. Malamang, ganito rin ang ikakabit sa pangalan ng dalawa ko pang nakababatang kapatid kapag dumating ang araw na maghahalal na sila ng mga uupo sa gobyerno. Nakatadhana na yatang maging ganito kami. Ngunit pilit ko pa ring hinahanapan ng dahilan ang ganitong pagtingin sa amin. Kung babalikan ko naman ang mga ginawa ko noong nakaraang eleksyon…teka, ano nga ba ang mga ginawa ko? Natatandaan ko isang araw, nagkukumpulan kaming magkakapitbahay nang biglang dumating ang isa naming kapitbahay na nagtatrabaho sa munisipyo. Sabi niya, darating daw ang presidente sa probinsya namin kasama ang mga ineendorso niyang mga senador. Inalok niya kami na pumunta dahil mayroon naman daw jeep na hahatid at susundo sa amin. Kami naman, excited na excited na sumama kasi mayroon din daw ipamimigay na t-shirt at pagkain. Isa pa, minsan lang namin makikita ang presidente. Pagdating sa lugar, dilaw na dilaw ang buong paligid. Napuno ang buong awditoryum ng sigawan at palakpakan ng mga tagasuporta, na sinabayan pa ng nakaririnding tugtog ng jingle ng mga kandidato. Tanong sa akin ng isa kong kasama, “Magkano kaya ang ginastos para mahakot ang ganyan karaming tao?” Noong nagsalita na ang pangulo, lalong dumagundong ang buong paligid. Higit sa lahat, hindi nagkamayaw ang mga tao nang sinabi niyang handa raw siyang magpasagasa sa tren kasama ang dati naming congressman kung sakaling hindi natapos noong 2015 ang karugtong ng LRT sa probinsya namin. Tinuruan daw siya ng tatay niya na tumupad sa mga pangakong binitiwan niya. ‘Yun nga lang, ‘di pa rin natuloy ang pangako ng pangulo. Siyempre, biro lang ang sinabi niya na magpapasagasa siya sa tren. Sino bang matinong tao ang gagawin ‘yun? Isang araw naman, halos dalawang
ni EZEKIEL BENEDICTO
linggo bago ang eleksyon, kinausap muli kami ng kapitbahay naming nagtatrabaho sa munisipyo. Mayroon daw financial assistance na ibibigay si mayor. Tinanong namin kung kailan makukuha ‘yon sa munisipyo pero sabi ang niya, sa bahay daw ni mayor ibibigay. Hindi na namin inintindi kung saan ibibigay, basta ang mahalaga ay nabiyayaan kami ni mayor. Dagdag daw ‘yun sa Pantawid Pamilya na natatanggap namin buwan-buwan. Noong araw naman ng eleksyon, dahil hindi pa ako sigurado sa mga kandidatong iboboto ko, tinanggap ko ang mga flyer na inaabot sa labas ng eskwelahan. Nakita ko na tumatakbo palang senador ‘yung asawa ng dating senador pati na ‘yung kapatid ng kasalukuyan senador. May iba sana akong gustong iboto pero dahil alam ko namang maliit lang ang pag-asa nilang manalo, ‘yung kilalang pangalan na lang ang pinili ko. Siguro nga ganoon lang talaga ang pulitika sa Pilipinas, naipamamana ang posisyon sa gobyerno. Noong nakaraang linggo, tuwangtuwang umuwi ang dalawa kong kapatid galing sa eskwelahan. Bitbit nila ang bagong bag na bigay daw ng congressman namin. Nakatutuwa naman na, kahit Enero na at tatlong buwan na lang ay matatapos na ang pasukan, may pahabol pa siyang grasyadalawang pirasong notebook, isang lapis at isang papel, may kasama pang picture niya para hindi namin siya makalimutan. Talaga namang hindi pabaya ang congressman namin. Minsan nanuod ako ng telebisyon. Ininterbyu ang isang propesor sa isang sikat na unibersidad at sinabi niya na pumili raw ng mga kandidato na hindi parte ng political dynasty, hindi korap, hindi bumibili ng boto at may kakayahang magdala ng pagbabago. Kahit naman hindi ako nakapagaral sa kolehiyo, kahit papaano ay may alam ako tungkol sa mga political dynasty na ‘yan. ‘Di ba sila yung makakamag-anak sa nakapuwesto sa gobyerno? Pumili raw ako, aniya. Naitanong ko tuloy sa sarili ko, “Pumili? Paano ka naman pipili ng maayos na kandidato kung mga lumang pangalan ang nakasulat sa balota?” Tulad na lang sa bayan namin, magkakamag-aanak ang maglalaban sa darating na eleksyon. Kahit sino ang manalo sa dalawa, kanila pa rin ang munisipyo. Naging bobotante ba ako, kami, dahil sa mga pinaggagawa namin? Dahil kung titingnan ko naman, ang ginawa lang namin
ay tanggapin ang inalok ng mga nakaupong opisyal sa gobyerno, maniwala sa sinabi ng pangulo at ng iba pang pulitiko, at iboto ang mga kandidato na siguradong mananalo dahil lagi silang nakikita sa telebisyon. Sa huli, sa tuwing sinasabing hindi maayos ang pamamalakad ng mga nahalal sa gobyerno, laging kaming mga nabansagang bobotante ang sinisisi. Kesyo mahirap lang daw kami at wala kaming pinag-aralan kaya ang binoboto namin ay pare-parehong kurap at ganid sa kapangyarihan. Tila ba raw ‘di na kami nagsawa na paulit-ulit gawing gatasan ng boto ng mga trapo. Tila ba raw namanhid na kami sa aming kalagayan at nakuntento na lang sa paambon-ambon na benepisyo galing sa gobyerno. Nasa kamay daw kasi namin ang pagbabago. Sa totoo lang, nakasasawa naman talagang bola-bolahin ng mga pulitiko, paniwalain sa mga pangakong lagi namang napapako at umasa lang sa mga salitang lumalabas sa mga mapanlinlang nilang mga dila. Ilang beses na ba kaming nasabihan na magkakaroon kami ng sariling bahay at maayos na trabaho? Ngunit sa kabila ng mga kasinungalingan, kailangan mo pa ring tanggapin ang mga alok nila. Siguro sa panahon na boboto na ang mga nakababata kong kapatid, ‘di pa rin namin natitikman nang buo ang mga pangako ni mayor, ni cong, ni gob o ng kung sinumang pulitiko. Siguro kapag dumating ang araw na boboto na sila, kakabit pa rin ng pangalan namin ang bansag na bobotante. Tulad ng kahirapan, naipamana na rin sa kanila ang kamangmangan. Sadya bang tamad at mangmang lang kami para hindi mabago ang takbo ng buhay namin? Totoo bang kagagawan lang namin kung bakit nasadlak kami sa kahirapan o nakaguhit lang sa mga palad namin ang estado namin sa buhay? Maraming pag-aalinlangan ang nakaamba sa hinaharap naming mga naturingang bobotante. Maraming tanong din ang hindi pa napupunan ng malinaw na sagot. Ngunit sa lahat ng mga alinlangan at tanong, tatlong salita lang tumatak sa akin. Pumili raw ako. Pumili raw kaming mga bobotante.
P.S. Sa makalawa na pala ang alis ko papuntang Qatar, magbabasakaling matagpuan ang swerte sa ibang bansa bilang janitor, hananapin ang kasiguraduhan at ang sagot sa mga tanong ko. Eto, pumili na ako.
Feature
Aug 2015 - March 2016 | P U L I T I K A
Movi ng forward , Givi n g back
by GABRIELLE ANNA LOUISE BAUTISTA
Cleve Kevin Robert V. Arguelles is currently teaching political science in the University of the Philippines Manila (UP Manila) where he is also currently the Chairperson of the Political Science Program. His research interests include participatory politics, social movements, and urban development. He served as the Student Regent of the University of the Philippines and is currently pursuing graduate studies in Political Science at UP Diliman. Visit his blog at clevearguelles.wordpress.com
Never the ordinary Cleve was never the ordinary student. Out of all the students in the UP System during his time, he was chosen to be the Student Regent all the while being a working student. Having to balance regent duties with work and studies created a sense of discipline which is evident in him until now. Clearly, he isn’t the ordinary professor as well. Despite his young age, Cleve is currently the Chairperson of the Political Science Program. He is also the Vice President for Conference of the Philippine International Studies Organization, Managing Editor of the International Relations Anatomy Journal, AND a graduate student in Comparative Politics in the Department of Political Science, University of the Philippines Diliman. He received various scholarships both as an undergraduate and graduate student. Despite his long list of achievements, Cleve still aims to be a pioneer scholar in the study of Philippine politics and hopes that more Filipino students would be able to read his works and listen to his lectures.
Why Political Science? Seeing himself as a good fit for a lawyer, Cleve primarily chose Political Science with the intention of entering law school, similar to most students in the program. Eventually, his interest in the discipline itself heightened throughout his second and third year. ‘As we all know, Political Science is a broader discipline than the law’, he said, ‘ when you get trained in Political Science especially in skills such as critical thinking and the approaches of studying different political phenomenon, suddenly, the practice of law and the lens of the law becomes narrow.” He continued to pursue Political Science as a graduate course for he finds it to be a very vibrant discipline. It is intellectually-challenging unlike the common misconception that it is boring and doesn’t have much more to offer than what it appears to be. There remains a lot of understudied areas in Philippine politics and one would only know so by being familiar with the literature and texts that fall under it. Always having room for self-growth, Cleve challenged himself by pursuing these areas.
P U L I T I K A | Aug 2015 - March 2016
Started from' the bottom ‘UP transformed all of the different components of my personality.’ Cleve, as most of us know, is very open about his political position and his sexuality. Even during his high school years, he had already been open to issues involving the society like gender and politics. It was only in UP, however, that he was able to explore these issues and know himself better. ‘In the process of knowing yourself, you transform yourself as well.’ He credits most of the changes he encountered as a person to his participation in student movements, which is no secret to most who know him. He considers being chosen as a Student Regent back in 2012 his greatest achievement so far, and is a pride the UP Manila community shares with him. With his natural leadership skills, who would’ve thought that he considered himself a nobody in
Feature elementary and high school? Our very own adviser, Carl Marc Ramota, played a pivotal role in Cleve’s venture into student leadership. He remembers Carl’s speech as part of the orientation for freshies about Political Science students being leaders and how they dominate different student institutions, from publication to student councils. Being exposed to the harsh reality of Philippine societies as part of the BMI class under Carl was what pushed him to do something for them, not necessarily as a student leader then, but it certainly led him to it. He clearly recalls how hospitable their host family was despite not having much for themselves, with the only thing they want in return is for them to be the voice for those who aren’t in institutions. This memory served as his inspiration in entering student leadership and in fighting for the oppressed even until now.
Photo by Julian Anunciacion, from The Philippine Collegian
Path to teaching Like most students who turn to student activism, Cleve wasn’t spared from the challenges they all face especially with their families. He didn’t hold his parents’ opposition with his participation in student movements against them. Understanding instead that they have different political preferences and upbringing. This didn’t stop him from pursuing his call to be a voice for the oppressed, even after being asked to leave home. The university wasn’t as kind to him as well. He was almost not allowed to graduate for settling his financial dues late. He admitted it was truly disheartening after working hard to pay his dues while trying to maintain his grades, hardly getting enough time to sleep and breathe. These aren’t the usual challenges university life entails and yet Cleve is thankful for having encountered them at an early age. Having to fend for himself come third year, Cleve started working as a researcher for Dr. Clarita Carlos, a faculty member of the Political Science Department at UP Diliman and one of the most eminent political scientists in the country. Working for her not only gave him opportunities to earn but also to be part of numerous research projects which piqued his interest in the field. Wanting to know further about Philippine society and politics and share that knowledge in his research, Dr. Carlos introduced him to the idea of teaching. ‘Being in the academe meant people expect you to teach and do research as well.’ No longer entertaining the idea of entering law school and resolved to enter the field of research, he realizes that he had been practically teaching his fellow students during his time as a student leader. Soon after his graduation, he formally started teaching in Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM). It was then he discovered it was the profession he wanted to pursue for it is where he is able to do what he really wants: research, teach, and public service.
Feature
Aug 2015 - March 2016 | P U L I T I K A
From Kuya Cleve to Sir Cleve Returning to UP Manila, this time as a faculty member of the Political Science program, Cleve was immediately thrown into another unusual set-up for an instructor. The first class he handled composed of students that used to be his classmates in PE, little did they know that their surprise in seeing Cleve enter their room for the first time was reciprocated. From this kind of set-up wherein his students were his friends first, he is able to mold his teaching style into what he knows would be best understood by the students. Even outside the classroom, since he was formerly known as Kuya Cleve, he is able to form a relationship with the students since he understands university life concern. Something he believes that more of the faculty members should try to achieve as well. Having colleagues that were his former professors was also one of the adjustments for Cleve. He didn’t experience belittlement from them as due to his young age and being their former student. Instead, since they knew his strengths, weaknesses, and his experience as student regent, they give him responsibilities they are confident he would do well in. He sees this transition from former professors to colleagues as a great experience for there is a continuity in relationship and he still receives mentoring from them as one of the youngest faculty members. After a year of teaching in UPM and over a year in the teaching profession, Cleve sees every teaching day as a learning experience. Compared to other institutions he taught in, he categorizes teaching in UP Manila as the best moment in his teaching history for he is able to shape the ideas of the future leaders in the country. He sees a lot of potential in the students of the program who he considers as ‘one of the best’ and feels
“..but always remember the tradition of the program in serving the people, particularly the marginalized. Always keep in mind the motto of the university, which is a helpful guide to all the students in the university, PolSci major or not. Honor and excellence --
karangalan at kahusayan.”
Photo grabbed from Pinoy Weekly
For the Students As a professor, Cleve hopes to impart to his students the ability to question everything. He doesn’t mind if his students have different political positions as long as they exercise critical thinking, something that not everyone can do at this age and time. His search for an emancipatory alternative society, one of the central components of his life, is an advocacy he hopes to someday share with his students. Great plans are also in store for the program. The current curriculum is undergoing revisions, which the current students probably won’t be able to witness, with the intention of being more relevant and reflective of the needs of society. Improvements are also aimed for the faculty profile of the program with the entry of more known political scientists and scholars in the discipline. Cleve also hopes for the program to be a leader in knowledge production, to be consulted for expert opinion regarding political issues and concerns. Lastly, the continuity of the tradition of the program in engaging with the public, especially with the marginalized. These improvements are what Cleve hopes to help with in achieving as a member of the faculty and as current program chair. Given a chance to go back in his time as a student, Cleve wishes he had known then what he really wants, which is to teach. Had he known then, he said, he would’ve devoted more time preparing for this profession. Still, he is doing great as an educator, something his students would attest to. For the upcoming semester, Cleve wants to remind us that ‘you are not just ordinary students. ‘ ‘You are Political Science students; we expect so many things from you. And so far, you are not failing us, you are not disappointing our expectations. Of course, there is always room for improvement. So aim high, but keep your feet on the ground. We want you to be excellent in all aspects as possible, but always remember the tradition of the program in serving the people, particularly the marginalized. Always keep in mind the motto of the university, which is a helpful guide to all the students in the university, PolSci major or not. Honor and excellence --Karangalan at kahusayan.
P U L I T I K A | Aug 2015 - March 2016
Elections Special
Election Season
The Problem with Media and Polls, Surveys
by PATRICIA LEANE SAGUIPED Malapit na ang eleksyon!
"Dapat bang magtiwala tayo sa mga survey na yan? Bakit si ano ang dami ng naging kaso niyan tapos siya pa rin nangunguna?" "Sure win na ba yung iboboto ko kapag nangunguna siya sa mga survey?" "Di na lang ako boboto, kulelat naman sa survey yung mga gusto kong manalo." "Dami namang palang napatay nitong si ano eh, parang Magmama-Martial Law ulit kapag siya nanalo. Sabagay, mayaman naman ang Pilipinas noong panahon ni Marcos." "Taas nga ng pinag-aralan nito, wala namang nagawa. Lampa naman, halos lahat naman sila ganyan matatalino pero walang nagagawa. Ayoko na bumoto." Whether Area Studies, Political Science, Development Studies majors or not, we're probably all familiar with these questions and statements in the verge of the upcoming 2016 National Elections. Every topic on various media platforms is heavily influenced by those who are involved in the upcoming 2016 National Elections; every controversy that has been buried in the past is dug up again to play with the viewers/voters interests and to manipulate them (viewers/voters) indirectly as well. We pay so much attention as to how the media portrays candidates that we subconsciously forget about their given platforms and abilities. We sometimes let ourselves consume everything that media companies/broadcasting corporations feed to us. Why? Because we have no real access on who these candidates really are. These candidates might have even forgotten about who they really are after trying so hard to alter their personalities and identities just to please the people. One of the main factors that influence the people's voting behavior are the results of poll surveys about the top presidential candidates who are most likely to win, the one who made a huge impact on a lot of people over a certain amount of time, or probably the one who is considered to be the most popular at that time. There are 38 countries who release presidential preference surveys before elections and 87% of these surveys are conducted by the government/election administration offices, 5% are from independent agencies, and 3% are from broadcast/press regulatory agencies. Since 87% ng poll surveys ay gawa ng gobyerno mas dapat ba tayong maniwala o mas dapat tayong mag-ingat sa results na nilalabas ng poll surveys na ito? “Polls carry a margin of error and levels of confidence.” According to Alberto Nardelli of The Guardian, this signifies that all possible alterations within the margin of error is of no importance, and that the existence of a random error is constant. An element of uncertainty will always exist. In short, laging may mali o kulang sa mga poll surveys. In the Philippines, the most famous polls by SWS and PulseAsia are usually conducted through “face-to-face interviews.” And during these interviews, the ones responsible for the conduct of these polls take into consideration the influence of the trending topics of the Philippine media during the time of the conduct of the poll surveys. But can we really trust these polls? Many would say yes for polls are considered to be the most effective channel for expressing public opinion. But at the end of the day, as responsible citizens of the Republic of the Philippines, or as citizens of any nation, we must utilize our right to suffrage through gaining
proper knowledge about the candidates that we are going to vote. For we know better than the majority; the majority can easily be controlled by those who possess the power, we should always think twice before following the majority. Sometimes, these types of polls/surveys are commissioned or sponsored by people who are capable of providing the financial and material needs for conducting a nationwide survey, such as wages/compensation for interviewers, printing of questionnaires, and many more. There is a constant tendency that the results may be biased, altered, or incomplete. There was a controversial presidential preference survey conducted by SWS last November 26-28, 2015. A man named Mr. Lima paid for the conduct of the nationwide survey. Duterte topped the survey with a 38%. There were problems with the question that provided the controversial survey results. According to Segundo Romero, a professor at Ateneo de Manila University, there may be a bias presented using the question above for it clearly emphasized the name Rodrigo Duterte in it. Mr. Lima, the one who paid for the conduct of the survey only chose to express the public's opinion through List 2, meaning that there might be other lists that he still have not released or have chosen not to release. See manipulation of power pa rin hanggang dito since the survey’s been paid for. There are polls conducted through text messaging and through other social media platforms, such as Twitter Polling and Facebook Polling. The problem with these polls are the respondents (if they are registered voters, if they have adequate knowledge about the platforms and capabilities of the candidates and many more). This makes polls unreliable. The best way to conduct these polls is still through face to face interviews, in this way, the interviewer is certain about the background of the interviewee and that he/she is eligible to vote. What makes polls unreliable also are the organizations/ institutions/people who run these polls. They may be questionable and their date gathering may be unscientific and organized, especially those who conduct polls through text messaging. Therefore, as stated by Dr. Jose Ramon Albert: “Let voters decide based on every bit of information they can gather, including survey results, but let media be more discerning about the kinds of survey results they disseminate to the public for not all polls are accurate… Media should be responsible enough to examine the track record of organizations that conduct polls.” This is to avoid confusion especially on the viewers/readers for their voting behaviours are heavily influenced by statistical analysis from the public.
Elections Special
Aug 2015 - March 2016 | P U L I T I K A
Every election, everyone is being told to vote wisely. It implies a notion of a sacred political or social act ought to be done responsibly and carefully. In fact, there are so many infomercials and reminders produced either by governmental entities or private ‘concerned’ organizations during this period of our national life which are primarily concerned in voicing apparently the same message: vote wisely. On the other hand, other messages are aimed to educate the voters with regard to electoral process in general and candidates’ platform on the other. Such tradition of strong politicization during elections can be treated as the result of people’s collective dream that such political act would be the realization of their genuine mandate and voice. Since the Filipino people have been subdued under Spanish, Japanese, and American imperialist masters, we really celebrated our independence against their colonial wills. Ironically, as we celebrate independence, many of us wholeheartedly welcome democracy like a gift from a hero, if not savior, not treating it as an ideological apparatus for further neocolonial subservience. After all, we’re still here—conditioning ourselves that democracy is much more valuable
Intelligent vote
Well, this vote appears to be executed by the enlightened members of society capable of exercising prediction and ‘scientific’ calculations (and miscalculations too) grounded on firm ideological and theoretical analyses. In general, intelligent voting is expected to be performed by people who are trained as scholars and students of universities. They are the people who can be ‘prophets’ since their opinions were loaded by heavy references from different political science scholars. Their opinions seem to matter more than other people who actually experience the political mishaps of this kind of democracy within their localities. If this would be the wise way of voting, then voting erodes the virtue of equality which is treasured by many of us.
than freeing our minds from colonial interest or feeding our stomachs to avoid hunger. We are still conducting elections for nearly eight decades. We could even reach the point that we cannot distinguish democracy from elections. The point is, because of our generally complex historical experiences, we would like to strictly exercise this independence and freedom to choose. Because we fight for it, we value it. We need to do it correctly and “wisely”. However, my contention is: what is ‘wise’ in wise voting? Is there such thing as ‘wise’ voting? If yes, what constitutes ‘wise’ voting? Why should we vote wisely? How can one vote wisely? Is there a need to vote ‘wisely’? What is more interesting here is that when we continuously and strictly insist that people must vote wisely, there is an assumption that there is another way to vote— unwisely. Here, the divide became more visible between wise voters and unwise voters which automatically negate the imagination that in voting, everybody’s equal. Since we started contemplating about wise voting, it is better to unmask such ‘wisdom’ by citing some common examples treated as the wise, if not the only proper, manner of voting.
This needs no more fashionable explanations. Since they are the business persons who are more at stake in political decisions about the economic life of the country, hence, their decisions regarding who should be put into public office must be of utmost importance. If we can extend this tolower social classes, some are even saying that only taxpayers must vote since their financial contributions to the administration of government matters than people who are just being ‘dependent’ on them i.e. the underclass. Once again, this invalidates the precious ‘equality’ principle of democratic ideal. Moreover, counting of election returns will be boring and disinteresting if this would be the case since they are only few persons who exert influence in economic life. The job of COMELEC will be easier since they could only count votes from around 40 families in this situation for the whole country. BORING!
‘Wealthy’ vote
Deconstructing Wise Voting by ERRON MEDINA
Elections Special
P U L I T I K A | Aug 2015 - March 2016
Moral or Religious vote
If your conscience tells you to vote a specific candidate because he satisfies your own moral standards, then whose moral guideline should we follow? Do morality, religion, and election intersect so that they can give us the revelation about who should be voted? Is being moral an imperative for a public official? Does one’s religiosity
translatable to ‘good’ and effective governance? There’s no problem if people’s vote is determined by their religious doctrines as long as they are conscious that they are shading a candidate’s name for this special reason. Yet, such religious vote is vulnerable for manipulation by their ‘spiritual leaders’ who also have their own special agenda.
Emotional vote
If you can’t trust your mind to make political decisions, try to consult your heart. In this way, maybe we can find ‘wise’ decisions. Do not use your brain anymore. Just feel the platforms like love songs. Just make sense of candidates’ platforms like romantic poems created by radio DJs. In addition, we sometimes use our hearts more often than our brains in making decisions so why not do it in electing public officials? Feel your emotions. Who is more capable of making you feel loved: Duterte, Roxas, or Binay? Who is more capable of showing care: Grace or Miriam? However, as Patti Smith reminded us, “it's sad when you know it's your heart you can't trust”. My main assertion here is that there’s really no such thing as wise voting. ‘Wise’ in wise voting is not a neutral friendly term. It is an ideologically loaded slogan that is favoring a particular side of political story. One cannot cast a wiser vote than someone based only on aforementioned examples. In fact, wise voting cannot really exist as what we always clamored since voting is limited to the act of choosing. You can only choose but cannot freely and willfully elect a particular official of your preferences. Electoral scenarios and strategic campaigns are not homogenous across provinces and localities. Moreover, people who are receiving the ideas behind campaigns are not mechanized robots but active listeners and stakeholders to candidates’ platforms and programs. They receive and interpret electoral phenomena in different manners. As I end, wise voting cannot really be a universal practice to be done by different
This might be confusing but there’s no better formula in exploding social life than mixing religion and politics. If religious voting is equivalent to wise voting and wise voting turns a country to a better position, then the Philippines could be the best-off country in the world but we are not.
Obviously, this voting manner, if treated as wise, can only be shown by people who are extremely immersed in the world of social media and internet. They are the privileged persons in this generation. They are more exposed in issues but sometimes still remain to be behind keyboards. Once they act on their stance, they became shocked since what they talked about within their virtual special happy world does not appear as they are in reality. In addition, trending vote only reflects the sentiments and opinions of those who are frequently using social networking sites. Though it seems that social media is an engaging device, it is also at the same time an excluding device. It also contributes to uneven development of the political well-being of citizens in a democracy especially when used compared to those who are in the periphery. For example, in the latest presidential debate for 2016 elections, social media activity has been used as an indicator—a very important one—of public engagement and participation. Since users of internet have been the ‘trendsetter’, they are also mistakenly treated as the representative of the majority. Trending is not always equal to ‘happening’. Trends may be set but real challenges can’t be solved by mere hash tags and clicks.
Trending vote
voters. Voting is enough as a means of formal political participation in a ‘democratic’ country. Yet, there are still nonconventional methods of participation in political arena. All you need to do is to take principled stance on issues and act on it. Vote!
Elections Special
Aug 2015 - March 2016 | P U L I T I K A
Tips for First Time Voters
by KATHLEEN CUEVAS
The year has just started and there are already a lot of upcoming events listed for 2016! On top of it, is the upcoming Philippine General Elections happening on the first week of May. Elections in the Philippines are held every six years and Filipinos look forward to it, because these are the times we believe we get heard. These are also said to be one of the busiest events to happen in our country. Filipinos enjoy elections so much even if some of them don’t know what is it that’s really important, it is being able to exercise their rights of suffrage. According to the COMELEC, there are at least 50 million registered voters for 2016, with 3 million newly registered voters. Given the voluminous number, it is one tough job for the COMELEC to have a successful election process, so here are some tips and things to remember to help you get through the voting process easily and also to contribute to a much smoother election process.
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Voter will look for his name in the PCVL posted (determining his precinct number and sequence number) Voter will approach the BEI or support staff or in-charge of the precinct
Voter will give his sequence number, name and address and other data concerning his identity BEI or support staff shall verify if voter’s name is in the EDCVL
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In the absence of proof of identity, the BEI or registered voter of the precinct may identify under oath of a voter and such act shall be reflected in the Minutes. If the BEI is satisfied with his identity, the name of the voter shall be distinctly announced in a tone loud enough to be heard throughout the polling place. Otherwise, the voter shall be asked to leave the polling place Before giving the ballot to the voter, the chairman of the BEI shall check if any of the fingernails of the voters has already been stained with indelible ink If stained, it shall be a conclusive presumption that he has cast his vote. As such, the voter shall be asked to leave the polling place After verifying that no fingernail has been stained, the voter shall affix his signature in the EDCVL
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Elections Special
P U L I T I K A | Aug 2015 - March 2016
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The chairman shall authenticate the ballot by affixing his signature. Failure of this authentication of ballot shall constitute an election offense Only the chairman shall issue the official ballots and not more than one (1) shall be issued at one time
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Voters are required to affix their signatures in the EDCVL
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Voting shall be conducted in the following. manner:
Fill ballot by fully shading the oval using marking pen with secrecy folder Approach the PCOS, insert the ballot BEI will monitor the PCOS screens Return marking pens and secrecy folders Chairman will apply indelible ink Voter shall leave the polling place
Those are just the basic procedures and some of what you shall expect, but for some other cases, you can approach any BEI or support staff before hand, but to ask only procedure related questions. Let’s not just exercise our rights to vote, let’s be knowledgeable and prepared. After all, voting wisely is still more important, but having to know all these and being able to practice it, will not only help us get to vote faster and easier, but also make the process smoother and better.
Pulit ka Editor-in-chief Kyle Gino Salazar
News Editors Von Angelo Suya Tanya Mindo
Feature Editors Ezekiel Benedicto Gabrielle Bautista Erron Medina
Contributors Esmelyn Ramos Kriztelle Javier Maryll Santos Liezl Lansang Kathleen Cuevas Paolo Irineo Jose Patsi Saguiped Paolo Infante
Layout Artist
Dayana de Guzman
The Cover
UP Political Science Society ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 2016