2019 World Press Freedom Day and our mid-term elections
THE theme for World Press Freedom Day celebrated worldwide yesterday is “Media for Democracy: Journalism and Elections in Time of Disinformation.” Timely indeed, as it is a reminder for us to exert all efforts in safeguarding democracy by using media and all channels of information to ensure that truth and fairness prevail during the next eight days of campaign, and during the counting of the votes.
We can help by supporting candidates and political parties that demonstrate these verities for, as we know, our country faces threats such as a possible return of anti-democratic forces – martial law and revision of the present Constitution. This concern is especially directed to the millennials – young voters who would inherit the future and bear the consequences of our decisions.
One silver lining in this worrisome scenario is the presence of over a hundred thousand volunteers who have been travelling all over the country to campaign for the multi-party alliance Otso Diretso. Amidst countless odds – lack of resources and machinery, these idealistic young men and women, guided by Otso Diretso campaign manager, LP President Sen. Francis Pangilinan and Vice-President Leni Robredo, have been knocking on doors, and engaging people on their needs and issues closest to their hearts, and how they can effect change in our institutions and governance. Unfazed by their survey results but encouraged by the continuing surge of their ratings, they and the Team Otso senatorial candidates continue to be hopeful and optimistic. They have done over 120,000 consultations. They realize that surveys are merely indicative, not predictive, as in the case of US presidential Hillary Clinton, who although running ahead in the polls, eventually lost, and of course, our own VP Leni who was down the line in the earlier surveys, but finally ended up winning. The team had encountered trials like the loss of six volunteers in a vehicular accident.
I am endorsing all eight of the OtsoDiretso candidates in terms of
competence, dedication, honesty, and integrity in performing most of the urgent tasks in nation-building.
Gary Alejano – Magdalo Party representative. Security for nation and individual citizens.
Bam Aquino – incumbent senator. Free college tuition so the poor can graduate.
Chel Diokno – founding law dean, De la Salle University. Justice for all – those who commit crimes will be punished, rich or poor alike.
Florin Hilbay – former solicitorgeneral. Help for the poor, that no dream is unattainable, according to this bar topnotcher.
Romy Macalintal – election lawyer. Care for senior citizens and PWDs.
Samira Gutoc – former member, Bangsamoro Transition Committee. Peaceful homes and peaceful nation.
Mar Roxas – former senator, secretary, DTI, DOTC, DILG. Vibrant business environment and jobs.
Erin Tanada – former congressman. Comfortable harvest from honest work.
Let me add a few more recollections on four of the above candidates with whom I had walked for past several decades as neighbor, partymate, friend, colleague.
A member of the elite class, Mar authored laws that primarily benefitted the marginalized – creating jobs through BPO industry, providing lowcost medicines and basic commodities. He is truly an honest, caring, authentic leader, a rare breed in a political environment that has continued to promote self-interest and greed. His tenacity and leadership had been tested through political journeys marked by success and failure, experiences that are essential in shaping character.
Chel’s consistency in thought, word, and deed is his defining mark. He devoted decades of his career to FLAG which administers justice to the poor. A magna cum laude law graduate, he has quietly worked for the upgrading of the delivery of justice through NGO alternatives. He attributes the current impunity in the killing of journalists and activists, and the extrajudicial killings as well, to the weaknesses of our justice system.
Erin has always championed the rights of farmers and fisherfolk. He has been a relentless advocate of Freedom of Information (FOI) which I know he would continue to support as he realizes that it is crucial for the sustainability of democratic governance. I see the courage, vision, and commitment of the revered Senators Tanada and Diokno in Chel and Erin.
I first discovered Samira’s passion in promoting peace in Mindanao when she joined our consultancy team on communication for establishing commonalities between Muslims and Christians and other peace projects. Her courage, intelligence, and innate ability to work in a cross-cultural environment are useful attributes in conflict resolution, whether ethnic, territorial, migration, and combating terrorism. Her documentation of the government response to the Marawi conflict opened up gaps and provided useful information for policy.
Judging from the results of mock polls and endorsements by various groups, Otso Diretso should fare well as its candidates topped almost a dozen polls held in colleges and universities in the country. A commentary by Melba Maggay noted that last March 15, 130 lay leaders of faith-based organizations belonging to Catholic, mainline Protestant, and evangelical traditions got together to form the People’s Choice Movement (MCM). Based on careful research into the candidates’ stand on critical issues and an inter-faith guideline, they chose to endorse the following 10 candidates – Gary Alejano, Bam Aquino, Neri Colmenares, Chel Diokno, Samira Gutoc, Florin Hilbay, Romulo Macalintal, Grace Poe, Mar Roxas, and Erin Tanada. This, they arrived at during a process of elimination after a three-tier screening. Many would agree I am sure with this pick as they represent not only the best and brightest, but the truly good men and women.
The message then is not to worry – to pray and seek guidance from Above Who we recognize, knows what is best for the country.