ENGAGED

EMPOWERMENT

TOWARDS 2016

ENGAGED
Pinoy Big Voter is one of Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayans voters education initiative for the 2013 elections culled from the best practices of previous voters education materials by SLB. Divided into three sections under the Ignatian Pedagogical Paradigm of Experience, Reflection, and Action, this manual goes deeper in its approach to the call for genuine reform and good governance that is also parallel with Task Force 2013s trajectory for this electoral year (Engaged Citizenship Empowering Vulnerable Sectors Towards 2016) as expressed through each and every ones one big vote this coming 2013 midterm elections. This also serves as an invitation to you, the Filipino, to be a vigilant, engaged, and empowered citizen of the country to be a Pinoy Big Voter.

PRAYER & CONTEMPLATION

Lord, in the midst of our troubles and problems in life, In the midst of our upcoming polls and potential changes In the leadership of our country, We pray that we may be able to see your will, And be able to respond to your call of being of service to others. Grant us the grace To be open to receive the mandate you have entrusted us, To be strong to do what is right, And be steadfast to follow you without second thoughts.
In silence and in prayerful mode, please answer the following questions:

a. What is bothering you? (Pauses for 15 seconds) b. What is bothering you about your family situation? (Pauses for 15 seconds) c. What is bothering you about your community? (Pauses for 15 seconds) d. What is bothering you about your country? (Pause for 15 seconds)

May we feel the promptings of the Holy Spirit, That would guide and show us the way to find your most holy Will in the situations and realities which underlie our self, our family, Our community and our nation as a whole. Amen. 1

OUR PHILIPPINES: A National Situationer Society

Q3 2012 [www.sws.org.ph]: 47% rate themselves as poor, 21% of families experience hunger, 29.4% are jobless Top 3 Local Problems [www.sws.org.ph]: Social Services (30%), Crime (14%), Infrastructure (12%)

Economics
Q3 2012 [www.nscb.gov.ph]: GDP growth of 7.1% second only to China and highest in ASEAN. (Development Indicators: Credit rating from stable to positive, Philippines as prospect investment area, Effective tax collection) Q4 2012: Labor Force Participation at 63.9%, Employment at 93.2%, Unemployment at 6.8%, Underemployment at 19%.

Politics
Political Analysts say that for genuine reforms to take place, the Philippines should have three (3) consecutive reform-oriented Presidents, PNoys presidency being the first thereby needing two (2) more. Very Good satisfaction rating [www.sws.org.ph]: PNoy, National Government, and Good Governance.

Environment
Deteriorating state of our Marine resources (11/50 traditional fishing grounds destroyed), Forest cover (due to deforestation thru illegal cutting and conversion). Increased vulnerability heightening inherent susceptibility in such a disaster prone country as ours (3rd out of top 10 with 24.32% disaster risk).

PROCESSING ACTIVITY
How many squares are there in Figure 1? You are part of a larger square. You are the 1x1 square that is part of the 2x2 family square that is part of the 3x3 community square that is ultimately a part of the 4x4 country square. Your experiences and the experiences of others are interconnected. In effect, you have a part in the National Situation as much as it has a part on your Local Situation.
Figure 1

More often than not, we see what we want. You might have seen more or less than what the answer is. This should not be so. We should go beyond and be objective in seeing the true and overall picture. 2

Answer: 30 1x1 = 16, 2x2 = 9, 3x3 = 4, 4x4 = 1. 16 + 9 + 4 + 1 = 30

E M P O W E RMENT THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE OF 1991

The Local Government Code of 1991 specifies provisions for powers and responsibilities of our local leaders. It is essential for Filipinos to know what he/she can demand and expect from his/her elected local official.

GENERAL POINTS
The LGC allows for transfer of powers, responsibilities, and resources from the national government to the local government units. Local Chief Executives (Governor, Mayor, Barangay Captain) has almost similar functions differing only in scope of jurisdiction. Main function and duty of Councils (Sangguniang Barangay, Sangguniang Bayan, Sangguniang Panlungsod, and Sangguniang Panlalawigan) is to create and pass ordinances. The LGC contains provisions granting local officials powers and duties to perform certain roles, which each Filipino can demand. These powers and duties are as follows: o Basic Services o Economic Interventions o Peoples Participation o Natural Resources Management Suffrage: Your Human Right
The Right to Vote An inalienable right. Everyone can exercise this unless disqualified by law. One of the most critical and important ways that individuals can influence governmental decision-making. A tool and formal expression of preference for a candidate or for a proposed resolution of an issue. Participatory Governance Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his/ her country, directly or through freely chosen representatives. Everyone has the right of equal access to public service in his/ her country.
[Article 21 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948]

True Democracy The will of the people is the basis of authority of the government. It underpins the transfer of mandate and legitimacy to a set of leaders by virtue of the peoples vote. Expressed in periodic and genuine elections that is universal, equal, and subject to voting procedures

WHY VOTE? Privilege Social Equalizer

One person, one vote. Stake in national interest and policies Opportunity to be directly involved in the affairs of the nation. Regardless of religion, gender, educational attainment, social, and economic status, your vote is as important as that of the other.

Responsibility
To the future Filipino generations. The future is shaped by what we do now. Incompetent and corrupt officials would mean societal and economic regress, which will also affect future generations. A reflection of your discernment.

CHURCH SOCIAL TEACHINGS AND POLITICS

1. The Church has no identification with political community/system. 2. The Church has no political ambitions. 3. The competence of the Church is religious and moral in nature. 4. Members are encouraged to take full responsibility as citizens of a given nation. 5. Authority has its source from God. 6. Political power is not absolute. 7. An authority is needed to put order in the political community. 8. Political authority must be exercised within the limits of the moral order. 9. The Churchs call to provide civic and political education. Your right to vote is an entitlement universally accorded to every individual qualified to exercise this right. However, despite being a universally accessible right, Filipino voters do not grab the opportunity to exercise this right and influence the political life of this country. One cannot enjoy ones right of suffrage without fully owning up to it and taking it as his/hers by registering and going out to actually vote. It is a right, responsibility, and privilege to use it because it is his/hers. Everyone knows it. But it is only up to oneself to grab and use it.

T O WA R D S 2016

? ? ? ?

WHAT DO I WANT FROM MY CANDIDATE AND MY GOVERNMENT?

MY CONTRIBUTIONS: WHAT WILL I DO TO HELP MY CANDIDATES AND GOVERNMENT ACHIEVE WHAT I NEED AND WANT?

(Must be S.M.A.R.T.: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time-bound)

Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan Electoral Engagements

Gabay Halalan A call and text center with a nationwide coverage established by SLB in partnership with different telecommunications providers to address, advise and answer inquiries of callers regarding electoral matters. It is also designed to receive reports and complaints about any electoral irregularity which shall be forwarded to respective duty-bearers concerned.

Bantay Pangako A transparency and accountability program where the promises and platforms of governance of winning candidates are monitored and evaluated by the constituents who elected the former to office.

CONTACT US:

Loyola House of Studies Ateneo de Manila University Loyola Heights 1108 Quezon City Tel. No. (02) 426-6101 loc. 3441 Telefax No. (02) 426-5968 Email: slb@admu.edu.ph Web: www.slb.ph Facebook: www.fb.com/katotoo Twitter: @manindigan / www.twitter.com/manindigan
FOR COMMENTS/SUGGESTIONS/QUERIES, PLS. CONTACT:

Duke Dolorical: advocacy@slb.ph/0932-8790-SLB (752) Frances Estipona: jr.pol.off@slb.ph/0932-8797-SLB (752)

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