Manila (AsiaNews) - The National Secretariat for Social Action, Justice and Peace (NASSA), the social action arm of the Philippine Bishops' Conference, is intensifying its voters' education program with a program entitled "Being Choosey this Elections".
The document presents the Bishops'Conference Pastoral Statement on the 2004 elections, as well as election-related statistics and in-houseelection-related articles.
Another "proponent" or way of advancing the program is by way of cell phones, the speediest and most popular means of communication. Enquiries on the candidates' stand oncorruption, death penalty, environment, globalization,abortion, among others, can be sent through "texting"or (i.e. sending SMS messages). Answers will be given based on data from the candidates' official responses to NASSA's queries in January 2004.
Likewise the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) has re-launched its website (www.i-site.ph) containing information on Philippine politics and government. The site provides information on the candidates' assets, families, businesses interests and performances while in government. The website provides voters with a one-stop site for learning about the electoral process and candidates running for key local and national positions, including the presidency.
PCIJ, established in 1989, is an independent media organization specializing in investigative reporting. It contributed to the ousting of former President Joseph Estrada when it exposed the numerous mansions Estrada had constructed for his family and mistresses.
Contrary to the general perception that the poor would vote for celebrities and even sell their votes, today the PCIJ released a two-part series of articles describing the characteristics of the so-called "poor-vote" which ranked education, experience, platform and track record as among the most important criteria for choosing candidates.
"Celebrities are not necessarily preferred by poor voters," said the report.
The first part of the report is based on the findings of the Institute of Philippine Culture at the Jesuit-run Ateneo de Manila University, which lists qualifications that poor voters look for in candidates and the factors that influence their votes.
Their main source of information is gained from the mass media ("which doesnot always give a complete or accurate picture of the qualifications of the contenders"), followed by the family and the Church.
The second part of the report focuses on the inhabitants of Manila's biggest dump site, Payatas. Its 80,000 residents, who earn their livelihood as garbage scavengers, still view the future with hope: "They can be optimistic despite the daily sight of a growing heap of raw, steaming trash: they know change is possible," said the report.
"Being Choosey this Elections" document can be downloadedat www.nassa.org.ph. (SE)
