Teno: ‘Let your conscience decide’

Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio called on voters to go out and exercise their political rights as he expressed disappointment over lack of public education on crucial constitutional amendments up for ratification at tomorrow’s midterm elections.

More than 14,000 voters are expected to troop to polling places this Saturday to pick their representatives to the House, the Senate, Board of Education and the municipal council as well as cast their ballots on four legislative initiatives and on a judge retention.

In an interview on the eve of the polls, the governor said he is optimistic the people will choose their leaders and decide on critical issues based on what their “conscience and desire” tell them.

“Elections is very important. This is the time for our people who are eligible voters to go out, cast their ballots and vote for their choice,” said Tenorio.

But the local chief executive underscored the need to undertake information campaign to educate people on issues they will have to approve, aside from knowing the candidates running for an elected position.

Since there has been inadequate information on legislative initiatives, particularly on a proposed constitutional amendment restricting voting rights on land issues to indigenous residents, people may not be able to make a wise decision in the referendum.

“That’s the problem,” Tenorio explained. “I’m sure many people are not very much aware of the initiatives. I don’t know whether they are going to vote for it or not. But it is very important.”

Several voters have expressed surprise when told that they need to also cast their ballots on the initiatives on Nov. 6, a sign that there is indeed a lack of information campaign.

The Board of Elections and the Legislature have refused to accept responsibility for such, although proponents of the initiatives have gone out of their way to increase public awareness.

According to Tenorio, the administration is helpless now as the problem drew attention a few days before the polls. “There is nothing we can do at this time,” he said.

The governor, however, admitted that public education is a must “so that people could be prepared to vote on their conscience or their desire.”

Tenorio added: “The information should be disseminated to the public. It is needed so that the public will have to make that decision wisely. Unfortunately it was not made available this time.”

He expressed hope that in the future, there will be more campaign and hearings to prepare voters before they cast their ballots on issues affecting the community.