FILIPINOS can do their part in upholding democracy not only by voting for the right candidates but, in this age of technology, fighting disinformation that distorts people’s ability to make sound decisions.
This was the takeaway in a recent virtual town hall discussion that marked the launch of Vote Right 2022, a campaign of the advocacy group Democracy Watch Philippines in partnership with the Commission on Elections.
Bishop Pablo Virgilio David, president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, characterized the conscientious voter as someone who possesses an open mind, actively searches for the truth, and who puts effort into discerning which input from social media must, and must not, be believed.
A good and responsible citizen vote according to conscience, he said. “This is the candidate who will preserve and strengthen democracy, follow the law, respect human dignity, defend our territory in a peaceful but firm way, and rectify the culture of corruption in government,” David said.
Stratbase ADR Institute President Prof. Dindo Manhit pointed to the apparent disconnect between what voters say they want in a candidate and who are emerging as frontrunners in early surveys, a phenomenon best explained by the prevalence and power of fake news.
“Today’s social media space is infected with the pandemic of disinformation, perpetrated by forces who need to distort historical facts,” he said.
Manhit pointed out that next to television, the internet is the second most influential source of election information. The ordinary information consumer, however, does not necessarily fact check articles online.
“The truth must be told. It must be told again and again so it does not drown in the well-funded deluge of lies and disinformation,” he said. “Voter education today must combat disinformation with untiring passion and resolve.”
Myla Villanueva, chairperson of the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting, emphasized the work they do is critical to maintaining the credibility of elections.
“The young people may not remember this, but in the days of manual elections, wholesale cheating was happening in the canvassing where 2,000 votes become 20,000 or sometimes, they would remove from one candidate and add to another in very big fashion.”
The PPCRV is legally empowered by the Commission on Elections to perform unofficial parallel counts, conduct voter education and registration campaigns, and be part of the voters’ assistance desk. A big part of the PPCRV’s work is engaging the youth, especially encouraging first-time voters to take part in elections.
Comelec spokesman James Jimenez emphasized the benefits of an automated system that eliminates structural advantages such as perceived bailiwicks and command votes.
“When people no longer have time to condition the minds of the public to accept a predetermined result, then you have a fair environment for the elections where the election result is easier to accept for everyone,” Jimenez said.
Paco Pangalangan, convenor of Democracy Watch, sounded the call for Filipinos to exert due diligence in choosing candidates, to be more conscious of the source and quality of information, adopt a fact-checking mindset, open their senses, and appreciate the evidence.
“The future of our nation is worth the effort,” he said.
