Student leaders assure to undertake voters’ education

DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines – At least 61 student leaders from the different colleges and universities in Dumaguete City assured to embark on voters’ education activities on campus in preparation for the presidential and national elections on May 9, this year.

The student leaders gave their assurance Friday during the voters’ education and orientation conducted by the Diocesan Electoral Board (DEB) of the Diocese of Dumaguete at the Marian Priests’ Center in this capital.

This is the first activity of the DEB as it gears up for the coming polls, placing emphasis on voters’ education to guide the electorate in choosing the next set of leaders by voting with a conscience and not selling their votes, said DEB convenor Monsignor Julius Heruela.

Also, the student leaders are encouraged to carry out the LASER test as promoted by church-based movements as a tool to determine the integrity of people who are to be elected into office, the priest added.

LASER stands for Lifestyle, Action, Supporters, Election Conduct and Reputation of the political candidates and was first introduced by Fr. Carmelo Diola of Dilaab Foundation as a tool for “listening” for both the candidates and the voters and to help them in their discernment.

The results of the LASER test reflecting the views of students on the political candidates will be published in the different school papers if possible, said Heruela.

Monsignor Heruela disclosed that beginning on the 2nd week of February until the 1st week of March, the student leaders are to conduct voters’ education in their respective campuses alongside the DEB.

Once the school year ends in March, the student leaders are also asked to continue their voters’ education in their respective barangays, towns and cities of origin, he added.

Discussed during the orientation for student leaders were the Diocesan Electoral Board’s membership and role in the coming elections, the national and local situations in relation to the May 9 polls and how they can contribute to a Clean, Honest, Accurate, Meaningful and Peaceful (CHAMP) elections.

Represented were Silliman University, Foundation University, St. Paul University-Dumaguete, STI College, ACSAT, AMA, Metro Dumaguete College and the Colegio de Sta. Catalina de Alejandria.

A separate but similar voters’ education orientation will be held for the Negros Oriental State University as it has several campuses in Dumaguete City and other parts of the province, said Monsignor Heruela. (FREEMAN)