ASOG hosts forum on midterm elections

The Ateneo School of Government (ASOG) in partnership with Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan and the Office of the Vice President for Social Development of Ateneo de Manila University hosted an elections forum titled “People’s Choice sa Eleksyon 2019: Gabay at Diskusyon” on April 30, 2019 in San Alberto Hurtado Hall, Ateneo de Manila University.
 
Dean Ronald U. Mendoza of ASOG gave his opening remarks and explained the importance of the forum, especially now that the elections is a few weeks away.

The main speaker of the event was Mr. Caloy Geraldino of the People’s Choice Movement (PCM). He presented the results of the selection convention of PCM where 130 lay leaders from different faith-based organizations from the Catholic, Evangelical and Protestant communities in the country chose the top 10 senatorial candidates using a standard set of criteria called Gabay Kristo.

The ten candidates are Gary Alejano, Bam Aquino, Neri Colmenares, Chel Diokno, Samira Gutoc, Florin Hilbay, Romulo Macalintal, Grace Poe, Mar Roxas, and Erin Tañada.
 
Two representatives from the youth and religious sector shared their opinions on the presentation. The first reactor was Ms. Eleanor Dionisio, a consultant from the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Manila. She noted how some of the guidelines of Gabay Kristo, such as the need for the candidates to be well-respected by the community and the need for education and knowledge might further marginalize candidates who are poor and do not have access to resources. She also stressed the need to focus on platforms instead of just the personality of the candidates.

The second reactor was Mr. Joshua Babasa, a student of Kalayaan College and project coordinator of Pinoy Voters’ Vibe (PVV), an initiative that conducts mock elections in colleges and universities in the Philippines.

Joshua stated that the youth comprise around 30% of the total registered voters in the country, which is why their vote is crucial in the midterm elections.
 
Mr. Karlo Abadines of Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan acknowledged that a lot is at stake in the 2019 senatorial elections. The elections will decide whether the campaign for war on drugs, federalism, death penalty, among others, will continue or not. He closed the event by urging everyone to do their share to make sure to elect a Senate that will fight for the rights of the poor, the farmers, the minority, and the people.

Representatives from the Ateneo Political Science Department, religious organizations, non-government organizations, and the media participated in the forum.