Dumaguete electoral board warns voters against signing “political documents”

DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines   â€“ The convenor of the Diocesan Electoral Board (DEB) of the Diocese of Dumaguete, Msgr. Julius Perpetuo Heruela, recently warned the electorate against recklessly signing documents that could subsequently force them to vote for a particular candidate or support a political party in the May 13 elections.

Heruela also appealed to candidates that, while it is not an electoral offense to get the support of voters through signature campaigns, these should not be used “to intimidate” the people, especially in the hinterlands and remote areas come election time.

The priest confirmed he got hold of a copy of a document containing the names and signatures of perceived voters/supporters in a barangay in Sibulan town.

The information found in the list, which looked like a template used in other areas as well, has the name of the political party, the municipality and barangay, as well as the precinct number and the name of a person believed to be an area coordinator.

The document also contained text in Tagalog urging relatives, friends and neighbors in a particular voting precinct to write down their names in support of candidates for various political positions in the same ticket.

Heruela however refused to reveal the names of these candidates who are vying for the positions of governor, vice-governor, congressional representative, Provincial Board members, mayor, vice mayor and councilors. He expressed concern that the list could be used to oblige the signatories to vote for these candidates.

An incident report will be submitted to the national headquarters of the Parish Pastoral Council For Responsible Voting and to other citizens’ arms so that they can “share notes” considering that this practice may also be true in other areas in the country as well, Heruela said.

Heruela further appealed to the electorate to vote wisely with their conscience. “Do not be blinded by the lure of money,” he said, as he cautioned the people to determine first why their names and signatures are needed before they even sign similar documents. (FREEMAN)