Cebu journos back election campaign

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu Federation of Beat Journalists is supporting the "I Vote Good Campaign", an initiative of Dilaab Foundation to promote a clean, honest, and peaceful election next year.

CFBJ Elias Baquero said CFBJ will help disseminate Dilaab’s Circles of Discernment for Empowerment advocacy to the grassroots level. This advocacy aims to form the social consciences of voters in the D and E classes, as well as the youth who compose the vast majority of voters.

The D and E classes are the targets of the campaign because they represent a big bulk of the voting population in Cebu for 2016 – up to 65 percent from class D or the working class and 15 percent from class E or those below the poverty line. 

Mayren Cogtas, project coordinator of Dila-ab's Circle of Discernment, said the media will be an integral part of the campaign.

"Kinahanglan gyud namo ang media para sa pag-dissiminate sa among advocacies especially sa grassroots level," she said.

"Just like sa mga politicians nga mag house to house og kampanya, mao sad ni ang among buhaton nga mag house to house mi og pag-educate sa atong mga botante especially in depressed areas nga di nila ibaligya ilang mga votes," Cogtas said.

She said volunteers are most welcome, considering the campaign is house-to-house.

Dilaab emphasized that the campaign will not endorse a candidate or political party but “human dignity and Christian values”. It aims to encourage voters to recognize their value and the value of their votes, as well as to renounce vote buying and selling and all its variations.

Dilaab says a voter can use the “LASER test” in choosing a candidate. LASER stands for Lifestyle, Action, Supporters, Election Conduct and Reputation.

This tool and mechanism can help voters choose their candidates discerningly and allow candidates to discern their call as public servants.

CFBJ is the official organization of reporters, cameramen and photographers in the mainstream media in Cebu. It has more than 300 members from newspaper, television and radio news organizations.  (FREEMAN)