We will soon be voting for senators, provincial, and local officials. There
are candidates who deserve a second look and eventually our vote. Yet for
many of us it seems like a choice of the lesser evil.
But we do not have to fall into this trap. We can still choose the good and
avoid evil. We are not powerless. Our votes still have meaning.
³Dilaab² (³conflagration² or ³tongues of fire²), a volunteer-driven,
church-based movement for a transformed Filipino nation through heroic
Christian citizenship calls for a two-step action called the ³laser test.²
FIRST, apply the laser questions in addition to other voters¹ education
initiatives. LASER is: Lifestyle (unexplained wealth); Action (against
corruption); Supporters (people behind candidates); Election conduct (vote
buying/election rules); and Reputation (cases involving graft/corruption
and/or illegal drugs). The questions are meant to help people identify and
reject candidates engaged in graft/corruption and/or backed up by drug
lords.
But what if no candidate for a particular position can pass this initial
screening? What if the positions cannot be filled up by worthy candidates?
This brings us to the next phase.
SECOND, put a cross (circles or lines are also acceptable) on the spaces on
which the voter has not voted as signs indicating his or her desistance from
voting. This shall not invalidate the vote (Article xviii, sec. 211, par. 21
of the Omnibus Election Code)
Voters using this option can then declare that the candidate deserving their
votes have not yet been born or have not yet run for office. This option can
even be tied in with the voters¹ power of recall.
This two-step approach may yet help restore a sense of power among the
electorate. After all, public office is a public trust and power emanates
from the people.
