I Matter, My vote Matters.
This was the slogan during the I Vote Good advocacy launching ceremony held on September 8, 2015 at the Tacurong Cultural and Sports Center. Almost a thousand participants joined in the launching composed of stakeholders from the Ugnayan ng Barangay at Simbahan (UBAS), Tacurong-LGU, inter-faith churches, public and private schools, local businesses, NGOs, NGAs, and barangay officials.
A first in the region, the I Vote Good advocacy aims to inculcate in the minds of the voters the values during elections by renouncing vote buying and selling, patronage politics, political dynasties, and celebrity politics in order to curb corruption and its variations so as to install candidates with proper qualifications into office.
To educate the voters, the advocacy holds orientations at the local chapels and teaches the LASER test, a grading sheet which aims to encourage voters to observe and reflect on the important characteristics of an electoral candidate. The LASER test stands for Lifestyle, Actions/Accomplishments, Supporters, Election Conduct, and Reputation.
“The I Vote Good Campaign is a different kind of LASER. It cuts through destructions of propaganda, political advertisements, gossip and popularity by focusing on the most critical issues in the candidates’ journey towards integrity”, Rev. Fr. Salvador Robles said.
Together with the participants, the launching started with a holy mass at Nuestra Señora dela Candelaria Parish, which was followed by a parade that headed to the Tacurong Cultural and Sports Center for the program proper.
The advocacy was spearheaded by Rev. Fr. Salvador Robles, DCC, parish priest of Nuestra Señora dela Candelaria and Mr. Alberto Sero, City Local Government Operations Officer. Special guests were Engr. Ester P. Valdez of DILG – Region XII, Dindo L. Epino of COMELEC, Rev. Fr. Clifford Baira and Rev. Fr. Procalla, DCC of Archdiocese of Cotabato. (Yen Robles, LGU Tacurong)