Mindanao State University - Main
College of Public Affairs
Department of Public Administration
ARTICLE REVIEW
Making Voter Education a Pillar of Democracy in the Philippines
Jorge V. Tigno
In Partial fulfillment of the requirements of the course :
DEVELOPMENT THEORIES AND ISSUES
BPA101 - Dd
SITTI AINAH P. SARIPADA
January 3,2023
INTRODUCTION
In the Philippines the value of education and the democracy are closely related. This
article examines the vital connection between democracy and education in the
Philippines, emphasizing the role that education plays as a important role in promoting
informed public opinion and strengthening the country's democratic values and that the
foundation of a society is in the participation of its citizen.
The Author, Jorge V. Tigno, through this article he bought light on how education can
change society and help all Filipinos in exploring the necessity of having a good
decision-making, this article also gives way in which educated voters can strengthen the
importance of having democracy, empowering citizens to use their rights properly.
This article's main focus is the realtionship between democracy and education in the
Philippines context. It makes the claim that education is important to a functioning
democratic society and not only as a way of obtaining knowledge. The author (Jorge V.
Tigno) a well-known advocate for education in the Philippines, emphasizes the value of
education in shaping people into responsible, engaged members of their communities.
The article explores how an effective system of education is essential to producing
knowledgeable, engaged citizens who are needed for an effective democracy. The
article also envisions a future in which Filipinos are prepared with the knowledge as well
as the mindset required to effectively participate in an evolving and inclusive
democratic society by nurturing these democratic values through education. In
summary, the article emphasizes the critical role that education plays in bolstering
democracy and calls for concerted efforts to restructure the educational system in
order to cultivate not only academic excellence but also civic virtues that are essential
for a flourishing democratic society in the Philippines.
Theis article emphasizes the critical role of voter education as a foundation element of
democracy in the Philippines. It highlights several key arguments:
1. The Benefits of Voter Education
It highlights how voter education gives people the information, critical thinking abilities,
and awareness needed to participate actively in democratic
processes(elections),empowering them. Citizens with higher levels of education are
better able to engage in politics and make valuable contributions to society.In
summarization, voter education programs reduces political malpractices since voters
are knowledgeable enough to know the differences and similarities that exists between
the candidates platforms.
2. Voter Education Initiatives in the Philippines
This article emphasizes the organizations that took action in educating the voters:
COMELEC - This government organization conducts information drives,
produces brochures, posters, and organizes seminars to educate voters
about the importance of voting, registration prodecures, and the voting
processes itself.
Nov-Govermental Organizations (NGOs) - Organizations that actively
participate in voter education include the Institute forr Political and Electoral
Reform (IPER) and the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting
(PPCRV). To educate citizens about their voting privileges and responsibilities,
they hold community-based seminars, voter registration drives, and local
Thesecampaigns.
Legal Network For Truthful Elections (LENTE) - nonpartisan group in the
Philippines that works to advance the integrity, accountability, and
transparency of elections. The main members of LENTE are volunteers, legal
experts, and attorneys who are committed to making sure that the nation
holds credible and fair elections.
Organizations took upon itself to take iniative in educating the voters with
believed that an informed and active electorate is essential to the effective
operation of democracy and the advancement of good governance, and the
general development of the country serves as an inspiration for voter education
campaigns in the Philippines.
3. Some Ways Forward
This article emphasized the importance of starting a voter education long before an
election and must continue throughout the electoral process and Voter education is
vital for building an informed, involved, and empowered electorate. It should begin far in
advance of elections and continue throughout the process. By giving citizens the
information and resources they need to make educated choices and actively participate
in the democratic process, it encourages a more participative democracy.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths
This article explains properly on how voters education helps the citizens
understand their rights in terms of the elections and the political processes,
giving them enough knowledge to make wise choices in terms of choosing a
good candidate that will benefit the governance of the Philippines.
By giving awareness through voters education , citizens are more likely to
participate in political processes.
Weaknesses
Although it gives emphasize in the connection of voters education and
democracy, it only points out the citizens right to chose who to vote, it didn't t
specifically said the other rights of the citizens such as freedom of speech and
etc. , To put it simply although it addresses to all of the citizens of the Philippines
it didn't explain properly on how democracy works.
Personally I am very much aware of the political malpractices that happens during the
elections as my family is also involved in politics, from what I have observed people are
not really aware on how they have so much freedom in this democratic country, they
can be easily fooled by rumors and fake news and fake platforms in the social media
without even checking the facts, they are also easily blinded by money as they easily
throw out their rights to chose a very wise candidate. I agree to the fact that the youths
nowadays are more politically aware because on how they stay on the internet yet they
can also be fooled easily by biased platforms from their "idols". I agree that the voters
education should be done long before and through the political process, in order to
educate people of their rights during the elections.Although there are several
organizations that take actions in educating the voters, some of the youths today' who
are legal to vote are not even registered just because they don't want to this is why I
highly hope that the bill indicating that voters education should be put up in the
curriculum would be pushed through the youths who can easily access this can realize
the importance of their rights and hopefully uses their democratic rights in choosing a
wise candidate for the next generation. Overall, this is a very good article it explains well
the topic and the connection between the two main point which are the voters
education and the democracy, although it lacked in elaborating democracy
In conclusion, this is a very educational article it made it points as to why voter
education should be established soon in the curriculum, it very much explained the
importance of ones electoral rights and to why it is important to know the importance of
it.
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Mindanao State University - Main
College of Public Affairs
Department of Public Administration
ARTICLE REVIEW
In Partial fulfillment of the requirements of the course :
DEVELOPMENT THEORIES AND ISSUES
BPA101 - Dd
SITTI AINAH P. SARIPADA
January 3,2023
A Filipino's Toxic Mindset ; Handaan
In some Filipino cultural contexts, borrowing money to support celebrations has
become a common practice. Birthdays, weddings, and fiestas are all very important
cultural events, but there's an alarming pattern where people borrow money to throw big,
expensive parties solely to fit in with the standards set by society. One Time, I heard my
relatives talking about how to pay the money they borrowed in order to throw my niece's
aqiqah, so I have always wondered why would they throw such parties if they don't have
the capability to do so? This practice seems to be deeply rooted to the blood of the
Filipinos of "pakikisama," or social harmony, where people may feel under pressure to fit
in and display their social standing by throwing elaborate parties. People may borrow
more than they can afford because they are afraid of looking bad in front of those
around them or of being seen as unreliable in their ability to fulfill social responsibilities
This habit may be sustained by normalizing of lending and borrowing in social or
familial circles.The long-term financial consequences are frequently not discussed or
understood, which results in a debt buildup cycle. This borrowing culture not only puts a
strain on individual finances but also feeds a cycle where people continuously rely on
loans to support a lifestyle that exceeds their means. Stress, unstable finances, and an
inability to save for emergencies or basic necessities might result from it.
