VOTING

ISSUE 2, VOLUME 2, DECEMBER 2021 IGNITE MAGAZINE MAGPAYO VOTAIRNighGt, Responsibility and Power IMPORTANCE of Voting 2 tAo thMe FEutSurSe AGE GROUP Voters

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PREFACE As the 2022 Elections can now be seen around the corner, this issue of Ignite Magazine is dedicated to support an awareness campaign promoting the importance of voting. Acuity to discern the right candidate seems more challenging than ever. So, this month's issue pivots our perspective to putting our inks to the right circles for the sake of giving seats to altruistic, dauntless, and patriotic candidates. Voting is a RIGHT, a RESPONSIBILITY, and a POWER. This issue will help you uncover reasons to deny disparage to this democratic practice. More so, we value the sharing of awareness to everyone. Confusing information and tons of fake news could air everywhere especially in social media. Thus, the stigma obscuring the idea of elections can be daunting to first-time voters. But, don't worry, we'll walk you over, freshies! We hope this piece will leave poignance creating a lasting impression and driving shrewd action. Remember, your vote matters! IGNITE 2

WHAT IS VOTING? Voting is to make an official choice for or against someone or something by casting a ballot, raising your hand, or speaking your choice aloud. It is a mechanism used by a group, such as a meeting or an electorate, to reach a consensus or express an opinion after discussions, debates, or election campaigns. IGNITE 3

Voting is used in democracies to elect high-ranking officials. In a democratic government, voting is a fundamental process. It is an opportunity for inhabitants of a country to have a voice in who represents them or on a topic that affects them. One of the obligations of the Filipino people is to vote informedly and participate in elections. The voting procedure in the Philippines is rather simple. An eligible voter must first register to vote, then research the candidates and issues, locate their polling site, then vote during the election WHY MUST WE VOTE? Voting is our RIGHT, our RESPONSIBILITY, and our POWER. IGNITE 4

VOTING IS Democracy is frequently interpreted as an individual’s freedom to make choices in accordance with their personal will. However, in the context of practicing the right to suffrage, people seemed to overlook the meaning and value of it; its significance in revolutionizing our current society. Some individuals don’t have any clue or can’t even come up with any reasons why they should vote in the coming elections. Correspondingly, the following statements aim to justify why voting is an individual’s right and responsibility: 1. RIGHT TO SUFFRAGE AS STATED IN SECTION 1, ARTICLE V OF THE 1987 CONSTITUTION, “Suffrage may be exercised by all citizens of the Philippines not otherwise disqualified by law, who are at least eighteen years of age, and who shall have resided in the Philippines for at least one year, and in the place wherein they propose to vote, for at least six months immediately preceding the election. No literacy, property, or other substantive requirements shall be imposed on the exercise of suffrage.” 2. SECTION 2, ARTICLE V OF THE 1987 CONSTITUTION, ”The Congress shall provide a system for securing the secrecy and sanctity of the ballot as well as a system for absentee voting by qualified Filipinos abroad. The Congress shall also design a procedure for the disabled and the illiterates to vote without the assistance of other persons. Until then, they shall be IGNITE 5

OUR RIGHT allowed to vote under existing laws and such rules as the Commission on Elections may promulgate to protect the secrecy of the ballot.” 3. Article 21 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, “Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives. Everyone has the right to equal access to public service in his country. The will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of the government; this will shall be expressed in periodic and genuine elections, which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret vote or by equivalent free voting procedures.” PEOPLE ACROSS THE WORLD. HAVE CONTINUED TO BATTLE IN DEFENDING THE RIGHT TO SUFFRAGE. DO NOT TAKE IT FOR GRANTED! WHEN YOU VOTE, YOU ARE PLAYING AN ACTIVE ROLE IN DECIDING ISSUES EXISTING IN THE COUNTRY, IN STANDING FOR EQUAL RIGHTS AND OPPORTUNITIES, AND IN PROMOTING THE COMMON GOOD IGNITE 6

VOTING IS OUR To exercise democracy, voting is your simplest way to show your engagement in our government which has a tremendous impact on our nation for the greater good. It is your responsibility as a citizen of the Philippines to register to vote, although it is not mandatory, however, by voting, you’re letting yourself to be part of the change that we Filipino’s desire to see in our country, enriching our state and emboldening peoples. The future of this country is in your hands. You are therefore voting specific politicians, but also validating the democratic structure of our nation. You elect leaders to represent us and our beliefs, and those leaders must act in the best interests of people, us. IGNITE 7

RESPONSIBILITY With your freedom to vote, you have the ability to fundamentally transform this weakening country. Vote for possible allies in the Senate and local government if you want safe environments for victims of a different form of abuse, and for LGBTQIA+ people. If you want a clean process of punishing law offenders. If you've already had so much of vulgar leaders yelling profanities during diplomatic negotiations, it's time to pick good leaders who can manage professional decorum. To make it simple, if you want a better country, you should vote wisely. YOU HAVE TO VOTE BECAUSE YOU HAVE YOUR OWN OPINIONS. YOU HAVE TO VOTE TO AMPLIFY YOUR VOICE AND THE VOICE OF THOSE PEOPLE WHO DEMAND ATTENTION ON THEIR UNPRECEDENTED CONCERNS. IGNITE 8

VOTING IS One vote from you can be incredibly powerful. It is the most influential form of democracy that result to a win or lose an election. That single vote of yours could influence our country in thousands of ways. If you think of voting as “showing up once every four years when there’s a Presidential election and casting a ballot in the general election,” maybe you should not bother. We live in a democratic society. That means that we, the people, select our leaders. That means everybody, from the President all the way down to the mayor and other local officials should exercise their right which is to vote. As a citizen, what you should be doing is voting in every election. Doing otherwise is saying that you’re fine with sitting back and letting other people decide for you how things should be run. Vote in the national elections, and vote in local elections. Why? The result of an election is determined by the sum of the individual votes. They are the only thing that matters. If you want a better country, be a better citizen. Vote for the leader not for their political history, but for their aims and objectives for the country. IGNITE 9

OUR POWER VOTE AS IF YOUR VOTE IS THE TIE- BREAKER. IGNITE 10

EFFECTS OF VOTING The effects of voting in general can help people in regard to health care, equal opportunity, voting rights, infrastructure, jobs, education, social security, funding, taxes, etc. The decisions we will make are critical to the future of our country. These votes will determine our nation’s next President and other political leaders. Those who are elected will have a significant impact not only to our country but to us people. 1. VOTING AFFECTS HOW OUR TAXES WILL BE SPENT. Taxes are crucial because governments collect this money and use it to finance social projects. Without taxes, government contributions to the health sector would be impossible. Taxes go to funding health services such as social healthcare, medical research, social security, and more. Voting for the right government officials is a must for us to feel secured that our taxes are well spent and not being corrupted. 2. VOTING AFFECTS OUR JOB. Having a job is important because it can provide income to support financially. Employment also contributes to the political, social and economic growth of our nation or country. That’s why we should vote for the right President and members of the congress to make proper decisions that affects minimum wage, fairness in hiring, pay equity, job security, workplace safety, and health insurance. IGNITE 11

3. VOTING IMPROVES EDUCATION Education is integral to the future of our country because it allows individuals to secure jobs. Public schools have a significant role in the improvement of our society and community. Public schools can improve children’s lives. So, our vote must be aligned with the candidates who believe in our country’s educational system. The people we elect should value and support our support our nation’s public schools and they should work hard to ensure that this country’s students have everything they need to assist them in becoming productive citizens. 4. VOTING AFFECTS HEALTHCARE High quality healthcare helps prevent diseases and improve quality of life. It addresses the health needs of all patients or people. Voting affects healthcare by effectively improving health and well-being; and improve the health systems by accessing health care to everyone to improve population health. In response to facing the COVID-19 pandemic, the people fear and have frustrations on how our government is responding to fight the global health crisis. That is why it is important to vote and elect the people who you know that takes actions to determine our access to healthcare. 5. VVoOtTinIgNiGs mAoFrFeEthCaTnSjuOstUeRlecFtUinTgUaRcEan. didate; it is choosing the people who have the purest of intention of serving the nation. These leaders will be responsible in answering the calls and demands of each and every Filipino. By voting, we choose the kind of future we aspire to have and the kind of future we desire to foresee for the future generations to come. YOUR VOTE MATTERS. IGNITE 12

MESSAGE #DearFutureVoters Being adamant against indifference and poor judgment would not build you a shrine or carve your name in history; but why is it important in these upcoming elections? This process of choosing our leaders is like having a token in an arcade. You have the chance to put on your token in any game. Some games need the ability of judgment, some games completely rely on chance. Dear future voters, it is your choice if you will rely on judgment or chance in betting that token. Dear future voters, our vote counts. Even if this only constitutes a tiny portion of the overall sum of voters, there would be no sum without these portions. Dear future voters, a chosen choice is better than a missed chance. The future of the country, even in its tiniest micro level, is in the hands of those who will put their vote, of us. We are the leaders ourselves if we choose the best that will represent our sentiments. Dear future voters, choosing encourages accountability. Our legislators and executives will be us: exercising our rights, putting policies in action, and choosing for our future. Accountability for these aspects is in us; even in times where we choose not to choose. So, collectively, let us exercise the gift of democracy. We will be what we choose to be and who we choose to amplify our voices, sentiments, and advocacies. DEAR FUTURE VOTERS, VOTE WISELY IGNITE 13

REFERENCES Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Vote. Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vote National Geographic Society. (n.d.). Voting process. https://www.nationalgeographic.org/topics/resource-library-voting- process/ Republic of the Philippines. (1987, February 2). The constitution of the republic of the Philippines. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/constitutions/1987- constitution/ Romero, M. (2019, April 15). We need to talk about the importance of voting. Inside Manila. https://insidemanila.ph/article/509/we-need-to- talk-about-the-importance-of-voting The Advocacy Alliance Center of Texas. (2016, July 28). Top 10 reasons to vote. AACT Now. https://aactnow.org/why-vote/ Wiblin, R. (2021, October 19). Why is voting important if you care about social impact? 80,000 Hours. https://80000hours.org/articles/is- voting-important/ CREATORS Group 2 of 12 - Jehoshaphat Abulencia, Edward Michael C. Azaña, Roychelle Trish M. Due, Clarenze Clay C. Roque Jr., Danilo C. Santiago, Krishane S. Santos, Eon Federico Y. December 20, 2021 IGNITE 14