Comelec releases poll jingle

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has come up with a new jingle for the May 13 midterm polls to highlight the importance of the electoral process in a democracy.

Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said the jingle – titled “Malayang Halalan” – rallies the people to come out and vote on May 13. 

“Every election deserves a theme of its own. Back in 2016, the over-arching theme was to emphasize (that) the people need to choose, that’s why it was called ‘PiliPinas,’” he told reporters.

Jimenez said the theme was really relevant because the Filipino people were “choosing literally a new head of government – a president.” Pili means choose while Pinas is the Philippines. 

Jimenez noted in the coming elections, they want to emphasize that “election is free in a free country.” 

“You cannot ignore the effect of LSS (last song syndrome). Anything that brings to mind the elections is something that you want to encourage, especially if your goal is to increase participation,” he added.

The jingle was launched even as Jimenez already expects more people to come out and vote as they have been forging partnerships with various organizations to scale up voter education. 

The Comelec is eyeing a voter turnout of 75 to 78 percent for the coming polls.

“From anecdotal reports of more people engaged in elections certainly on social media, you could see that sort of engagement exists,” Jimenez said.

Jimenez said the poll body is also banking on the 81 percent voter turnout during the presidential polls in 2016.   

In the 2013 midterm elections, voter turnout was 77 percent. 

He added “there is room to be cautiously optimistic” of a higher turnout as they even partnered with Grab Philippines to encourage voters to come out and vote.

Grab discount

Yesterday, the Comelec and Grab launched “One Destination,” under which drivers in selected Grab units will be distributing voter information materials provided by the poll body to their passengers. 

Voters in Metro Manila and Metro Cebu will also enjoy P50 fare discount when they go to polling precincts using GrabShare discount code ONE DESTINATION.

According to Grab Philippines president Brian Cu, the drivers involved in the program have undergone training to make sure that they will be non-partisan and that they will stick to the voting processes.

“I know some drivers are very opinionated but in the part of how we trained them on this, we give them direction... What’s covered here is the process of voting rather than showing any support towards any particular party or candidate,” Cu maintained. – With Evelyn Macairan, Romina Cabrera