by Kimberly Joy V. Naparan
San Beda College of Law-Human Rights Advocates’ Suri’t Tindig series highlighted today the power of voter education for the upcoming May 2022 elections.
The week-long program concluded its third part, bannered with the theme, “Ambag Ng Kabataan Sa Halalan: The Voter Education Series,” earlier via Zoom.
Atty. Adonis Gabriel, Prefect for Student Affairs of and professor of Political Law subjects in the College of Law (COL), emphasized that the people’s sovereignty is essential in a constitutional democracy.
“It (people’s sovereignty) is the foundation of our political system without which everything will collapse,” he said.
“The people wield the greatest political power which is second to and mightier than the powers of government agencies,” he added.
The litigation lawyer also discussed the principles enshrined in the Constitution, including the legal qualifications to be possessed by the candidate on the day of the election.
He explained that while the Congress cannot expand the qualifications fixed by the Constitution, the Congress can provide grounds for disqualifications.
Meanwhile, former Commissioner Rene Sarmiento, who also teaches Constitutional Law and Political Law Review in COL, encouraged the youth to vote for the wise, competent, character-conscious, and competent servant-leaders in his talk, with the topic, “Voting Wisely and Proactively: The Best Thing the Youth Can Do.”
“This topic is more than an academic exercise. It is also a call to proactivism. We cannot simply wait, simply sit down, simply observe as expectators. But we have to be proactive and at the same time, encourage others to vote wisely,” he urged the audience.
‘Pandemic not an excuse to postpone elections’
Atty. Rona Ann Caritos, Executive Director of non-partisan Legal Network for Truthful Elections, addressed the rumored postponement of elections due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
She stated that the elections may possibly continue in light of Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Resolution No. 10727 or the General Instructions on Election Day Conduct.
“There’s no reason for Congress to postpone the elections. The ongoing pandemic is not an excuse to postpone the elections,” she said.
She added that the COMELEC needs to disseminate information regarding the protocols.
Atty. Caritos also called for the “Safe, Accountable, Transparent, Inclusive Elections which inspire National public Confidence” or #SATINANGELEKSYON.
Aside from the alleged cancellation of the elections due to COVID-19, she identified electoral issues such as premature campaigning, partylist representation, social media, and amounts spent by candidates.
Suri’t Tindig runs from December 17 to 20.
For tomorrow, the last day of the event, renowned human rights lawyers will be tackling the importance of giving legal advice, the plight of human rights lawyers in their advocacy, and the right to mental health during the pandemic.
THE BARRISTER 