Voter’s education

I. Why should I vote?

Voting or suffrage is privilege and right given to every Filipino citizen. More than
anything else however, it is a responsibility that every Filipino is expected to fulfill in
earnest
By voting, a Filipino is given the opportunity to be directly involved in the affairs of
the nation and have a stake in national interest. Thus, voting is a privilege.
Upon having met the prescriptions of the law, every citizen is entitled to vote and
cannot be deterred from fulfilling this function. Hence, voting is one of the Filipino’s
inalienable rights.

II. Whom should I vote for?

A Filipino will most certainly be met with a barrage of considerations in choosing his
candidates. There are however, some basic considerations that should be taken
more critically than others.

1. Has the candidate previously serves as a public official? If so. What were
his basic platforms, thrust, and projects?
Rationale: this question will establish the track record of the candidate as well
as his effectiveness as a public official. It will also give the voter a good idea
of the relevance of the candidate’s vision and working style.

2. Do the candidates possess the necessary and/or minimum level of metal

and emotional faculties to discharge his functions effectively and
efficiently?
Rationale: This question will help the voter determine the metal and emotional
capacity of the candidate. Public office entails an incredible amount of
responsibility.

3. Does the candidate have a clear, relevant and moral platform?

 Rationale: This question will help the voter determine the sincerity of the
candidate. His commitment to public service, his vision and sincerity, and
whether he is one who will uphold good values that will eventually draw out
the best out of his constituents.

4. Does the candidate give importance to the family, the youth, and future
generations?
Rationale: This question is best answered by the candidate’s personal
treatment and regard of his own family. It is just proper that the candidates
give priority to the well-being or family, especially the youth.

III. Why is it important to choose good leaders?

1. Candidates who eventually get elected gain access to vital and substantial
government resources which belong to the people, to us. They become
the custodians of our hand-earned resources and will the power to
disburse such, ideally according to the needs of his constituents.

2. Those whom we elect will be in-charge of determining our need as people,

prioritizing issues that directly or indirectly affects us, and allocating
resources to properly address our needs and those issues.

3. The leaders we elect to public office are perhaps the most visible role
models that our youth see every day.

4. It is important for us to vote for good leaders since they are the ones
primarily responsible in uniting our people.

5. Our elected officials form our conscience as a people.

IV. What if someone approaches me and attempts to “buy” my vote?

One of our country’s worsening maladies is poverty. However, as people we
should not allow ourselves to degenerate to the level of our problems and
hardships. We should not sell our principles, our values and conscience as
people just so that we can have a decent meal for a day.
V. Some points to reflect on why we SHOULD cast our votes in the elections.

1. The elections, the leaders we vote for can make a difference in our nation
is run through the government in the years to come.
 2. Being given the right to choose our future government leaders at the very
least gives us hope for we can choose good people to be our leaders;
and having good people in government will assure us, that our needs and
welfare will be addressed and safeguarded.

3. When we decide to vote this May, we will have proven to ourselves that
we are ready to face our destiny as people and indeed be responsible for
the welfare of our nation.

VI. What are some facts that I need to know about the Philippine electoral
process?

1. What is election?

Election is the means by which the people choose their officials for
definite and fixed periods.
2. What are different types of electoral exercises?

Regular Election
National
Barangay
ARMM
Sangguniang Kabataan

Special Election
Plebiscite
Referendum
Initiative
Recall
3. How often are elections held?
a) Every 2nd Monday of May for national and local elections
1. President and vice president: every 6 years
2. Senators, Congressman, Provincial, City and Municipal officials: every 3 years
b) Every last Monday of October, every 3 years for Barangay and SK officials.
c) Every 3 years from March 1993: ARMM elections.

Registration

4. What is registration?
 It refers to the act of accomplishing and filling of a sworn application for
registration by a qualified voter.
5. Why should I register?
To have the opportunity to choose our leaders.
6. What’s in it for me?
Just like text voting, you get heard and counted
7. What are the requirements for registration?
One must be:
a) A Filipino citizen
b) At least 18 years old
c) A resident of Philippines for one year and of the city or municipality
wherein the purposes to vote for at least 6 months immediately
preceding the election.
d) Not otherwise disqualified by the law
8. What is the validation of registration?
This is a process wherein the fingerprints of the voter would be
captured electronically at no expense to the voter.
9. Where should I register?
Commission of Election Office
10. Where should I validate my registration?
Barangay Office
11. How do I go about transferring my registration?
a) You may apply with the election officer of new residence for the
transfer of your registration records.
b) You will be asked to accomplish 6 application forms.
The Three Branches of Government
1. Legislative
2. Executive
3. Judicial
Function Legislative Branch
 Reviews & evaluates proposals, position papers
 Conducts research on proposed bills & position papers
 Consults experts
  Defends & analyzes proposed bill
Legislative Positions
National
1. Senator
Local
1. Congressman
2. Board Member
3. Vice Governor
4. Vice Mayor
5. City/Municipal Councilors
6. Brgy. Councilors

Function Executive Branch

 Implements programs & projects
 Monitors programs & projects
 Provides basic services
 Performs ceremonial functions
Executive Positions
National
1. President
2. Vice President
Local
1. Governor
2. Mayor
3. Brgy. Chairman

What is the value of your vote?

 Equal chance for a vote, whether rich or poor
 Guaranteed opportunity to participate
 It is priceless

Your vote will mean:

 Better services from the executive
 Better policies and laws from the legislative
  A brighter future for us, Filipinos
What must we do?
 Go out and register or revalidate your registration
 Encourage your friends to register and revalidate their registration
 Help educate your friends. Be an Voters Education Advocate
 Cash your vote
 Watch the count
Our voting practices
 Voting by popularity
 Vote buying