panawagan para makisangkot

Rina and I signed up as Bantay Bilang volunteers for the May 14 elections during the assembly at Ateneo de Manila University last night. We figured that aside from doing research and personally studying the candidates so that we can cast our votes better for this upcoming elections, we decided to volunteer as encoders/readers of the Operation Quick Count in Quezon City, which was being spearheaded by NAMFREL in coordination with VforCE (Volunteers for Clean Elections). We wanted to be more involved in this coming elections by sharing our time and energy in protecting and monitoring the intregrity of the elections. So far, we've volunteered for one shift on the day of the elections itself, but we're hoping to put in more time if our work schedule would allow us.

I'd like to take this opportunity to encourage anybody reading this blog post, first of all, to exercise your right to vote, and to not succumb to the widespread social distrust that can lead to inaction and detachment of yourself from the political affairs of this country. The fate of our Philippines is critically hinged on this coming elections, and if we want social reform, I believe involvement is the answer, not withdrawal and apathy.

Secondly, find out as much as you can about our senatorial and congressional candidates, as well as the local government candidates in your town, so that you can make an informed decision and put yourself in a position to vote wisely.

And lastly, I encourage you to be involved in the coming elections by answering the call to volunteerism. What we've done is just one way but there are surely other ways that you can be involved. The important thing is we can ensure the credibility of the May 2007 elections and the long-term reform of the country.