Civil society urged to participate in politics starting with voting
Civil society, which comprises you and me, are urged to
participate in politics and governance in order to propel the community and the
country to progress.
One way of participating is to exercise one’s right to
vote. Another way is to support the government’s projects and laws. Third is to
help stop the cycle of corruption by refraining from becoming a recipient of
vote-buying.
These are the important points highlighted during the
candidates’ forum and voters’ education activity held by the Parish Pastoral
Council for Responsible Voting, Mission-Pagdihon, Inc. and Searching Souls
Society in Brgy. Libongcogon, Zarraga, Iloilo last October 26, 2013.
The initiative was in preparation for the October 28
barangay elections.
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| Upper photos: Gemma Sumague and Aurora Hugo. Main photo: The candidates for barangay captain and kagawads of Brgy. Libongcogon, Zarraga, Iloilo. Lower photos: List of candidates and some residents. |
“We have the moral and social obligation to know our
candidates and to vote with our conscience. It’s not enough that we vote
because somebody said this and that. We have to do our part in knowing our
candidates,” Gemma Sumague, volunteer of PPCRV-Zarraga and Mission-Pagdihon,
Inc. told the residents of Brgy. Libongcogon.
She said that the forum aims to inform the public of
their rights so that they will know the important role that they play in the
process.
“There is a need for residents to participate if we want
to progress,” Sumague said.
Seeing the potential of the community amid the poverty,
Sumague enjoined the residents to start believing in their power and to unite.
“Based on the local government code, the barangay
election is the most important among all the elections. The barangay is the
primary implementor of national laws and programs. So, if those in the
grassroots don’ t unite, what will happen?” she said.
Sumague cited the example of the government’s
anti-smoking law. “It was made to protect our health and the environment. But,
if we are not organized, we are wasting our government’s time and money. There
is a call to cooperate in all activities that are geared towards the common
good,” she said.
CIVIL SOCIETY’S RESPONSIBILITIES
Sumague cited three responsibilities of civil society
before, during and after the elections.
“First, know our candidates. They campaign and spend, so
please don’t close your eyes at their efforts.
Second, vote with your conscience, not because you were dictated upon by
another or because somebody engaged in vote-buying. Our biggest problems during
the elections are those who buy votes and those whose votes are bought. We
ourselves created that atmosphere. The people themselves push the candidates to
buy votes. Then, let’s make our elections peaceful. Third, support the public
officials and their barangay projects,” Sumague said.
EMPOWERING THE PEOPLE
Meanwhile, Aurora Hugo, a volunteer of Mission-Pagdihon,
Inc. expressed admiration to the public officials of the said barangay for
accepting the challenge of having a forum.
The group has sent out several letters to some barangay
chiefs in Iloilo City and they refused, saying, “we are busy campaigning.”
However, Hugo stressed that the forum is not for the
candidates alone but for civil society to be empowered about their right to
vote.
She added that such activity will also engage candidates
and residents to a dialogue.
A dialogue indeed took place after the 14 candidates for
barangay kagawad and two candidates for barangay captain were given a chance to
share their platform to the residents.
Some of the concerns raised were; how can they protect
the youth from the entry of illegal drugs, what other projects are in store for
the youth apart from sports, children
should stay in school instead of roaming the streets, environment and health
protection through non-burning of garbage and other solid waste management
practices, peace and order, medicines, and children’s rights, among others.
The candidates vowed to fulfill these promises if they
win. They also promised that if they win, they will carry the initiatives or
promises made by those who will not win in the barangay elections.*
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| Shots taken at the basketball court of Brgy. Libongcogon, Zarraga, Iloilo while waiting for the candidates' forum to start. |
