Comments on: Foreign media out of touch http://www.quezon.ph/2007/04/27/foreign-media-out-of-touch/ Punditry. Politics. History. Commentary. Sat, 04 Feb 2012 11:35:33 +0000 hourly 1 By: UPn student http://www.quezon.ph/2007/04/27/foreign-media-out-of-touch/comment-page-1/#comment-472523 UPn student Mon, 30 Apr 2007 13:16:34 +0000 http://www.quezon.ph/?p=1298#comment-472523 If anyone wants to implement "no read, no write... no vote" with a British twist, then get your senator or congressman to forget vote-automation and go with: (a) requiring the voter to write the name of the candidates of their choice; (b) voting instructions to be in Brit English. And if the Constitution says "NO" to instructions only in Brit-English, the "no write... no vote"-feature of (a) still works towards the goal of one (female) blogger who blog-proposed that voting should only be given to Filipino college students who are "...the future of the nation". No worries. If anyone wants to implement “no read, no write… no vote” with a British twist, then get your senator or congressman to forget vote-automation and go with:
(a) requiring the voter to write the name of the candidates of their choice;
(b) voting instructions to be in Brit English.

And if the Constitution says “NO” to instructions only in Brit-English, the “no write… no vote”-feature of (a) still works towards the goal of one (female) blogger who blog-proposed that voting should only be given to Filipino college students who are “…the future of the nation”.

No worries.

]]> By: UPn student http://www.quezon.ph/2007/04/27/foreign-media-out-of-touch/comment-page-1/#comment-472492 UPn student Mon, 30 Apr 2007 12:06:44 +0000 http://www.quezon.ph/?p=1298#comment-472492 So is The Economist commenting on: (a) the voters having to write (versus putting an "X" on a selection box); (b) the voters having to choose so many (as opposed to 1, as in the US-of-A where senators are chosen at the state level); (c) candidate name-recognition appears more important and less so the candidates' prior misdeeds, accomplishments or platforms; So is The Economist commenting on:
(a) the voters having to write (versus putting an “X” on a selection box);
(b) the voters having to choose so many (as opposed to 1, as in the US-of-A where senators are chosen at the state level);
(c) candidate name-recognition appears more important and less so the candidates’ prior misdeeds, accomplishments or platforms;

]]> By: Mike Gonzalez http://www.quezon.ph/2007/04/27/foreign-media-out-of-touch/comment-page-1/#comment-472393 Mike Gonzalez Mon, 30 Apr 2007 07:33:13 +0000 http://www.quezon.ph/?p=1298#comment-472393 I'm actually quite pleased with the way The Economist summed things up in an easy-to-read package for the international audience. They also managed to be quite insightful in the way they criticized how voters are made to write down 8 names of senatorial candidates, and the result is a focus on shallow name recognition-- for some reason, that fact never gets enough attention from the local media. It's a stupid, stupid system. I’m actually quite pleased with the way The Economist summed things up in an easy-to-read package for the international audience. They also managed to be quite insightful in the way they criticized how voters are made to write down 8 names of senatorial candidates, and the result is a focus on shallow name recognition– for some reason, that fact never gets enough attention from the local media. It’s a stupid, stupid system.

]]> By: vic http://www.quezon.ph/2007/04/27/foreign-media-out-of-touch/comment-page-1/#comment-472333 vic Mon, 30 Apr 2007 03:23:09 +0000 http://www.quezon.ph/?p=1298#comment-472333 Foreign Media will be watching closely the upcoming election and its results. But for the local issues raised during the campaign, which mostly deals with nothing more than political "commercialism" or the selling of personalities rather than specific programs of government and comprehensive Economic Policies, it is not as newsworthy to warrant a page in major international news. And the local FilAm or Fil communities paper which mostly reprints from Philippines dispatches and local communities events and limited to local communities readerships can not be considered fully as foreign media because of its limitations. Foreign Media will be watching closely the upcoming election and its results. But for the local issues raised during the campaign, which mostly deals with nothing more than political “commercialism” or the selling of personalities rather than specific programs of government and comprehensive Economic Policies, it is not as newsworthy to warrant a page in major international news. And the local FilAm or Fil communities paper which mostly reprints from Philippines dispatches and local communities events and limited to local communities readerships can not be considered fully as foreign media because of its limitations.

]]> By: Amadeo http://www.quezon.ph/2007/04/27/foreign-media-out-of-touch/comment-page-1/#comment-472312 Amadeo Mon, 30 Apr 2007 02:34:21 +0000 http://www.quezon.ph/?p=1298#comment-472312 Can FilAm community papers here in the US, which number considerably and practically "echo" (or more like "cut and paste")news from the old homeland's local media, be considered part of foreign media? Can FilAm community papers here in the US, which number considerably and practically “echo” (or more like “cut and paste”)news from the old homeland’s local media, be considered part of foreign media?

]]> By: UPn student http://www.quezon.ph/2007/04/27/foreign-media-out-of-touch/comment-page-1/#comment-472293 UPn student Mon, 30 Apr 2007 01:47:36 +0000 http://www.quezon.ph/?p=1298#comment-472293 betol... it must be remembered that the foreign media is always watching events in the Philippines, but if things are "business as usual", nothing really is newsworthy to make it onto BBC- or CNN-cable or the foreign newspapers. [Nonetheless, there should be some coverage of the elections 3 days before and 5 days after when the election-results are reported.] The foreign media always reports the human-interest angle (like the New York Times story on OFW's) and will probably report any signs on changes to church/state separation in the Philippines. Also any newsworthy clip to show that it benefits the Filipino people that the country is predominantly Christian. The cable-broadcasts and/or newspapers will make space if a 120-foot python is discovered in Palawan, if there is a deadly Abu Sayyaf or NPA attack, or if there is a flash EDSA-rally of more than 150,000 people. betol… it must be remembered that the foreign media is always watching events in the Philippines, but if things are “business as usual”, nothing really is newsworthy to make it onto BBC- or CNN-cable or the foreign newspapers. [Nonetheless, there should be some coverage of the elections 3 days before and 5 days after when the election-results are reported.]
The foreign media always reports the human-interest angle (like the New York Times story on OFW’s) and will probably report any signs on changes to church/state separation in the Philippines. Also any newsworthy clip to show that it benefits the Filipino people that the country is predominantly Christian. The cable-broadcasts and/or newspapers will make space if a 120-foot python is discovered in Palawan, if there is a deadly Abu Sayyaf or NPA attack, or if there is a flash EDSA-rally of more than 150,000 people.

]]> By: vic http://www.quezon.ph/2007/04/27/foreign-media-out-of-touch/comment-page-1/#comment-472282 vic Mon, 30 Apr 2007 01:30:49 +0000 http://www.quezon.ph/?p=1298#comment-472282 The Economist : “What it clearly does need, though, is a much simpler voting system, so that mere name-recognition is no longer such a crucial determinant of who gets elected.” Writing 12 names in a blank ballot is complicated enough and so is electing a mix mash of 12 individuals which no one is a representative of any particular constituent and does not represent a true national reflection of voters will is not a representative democracy. A candidate for Senator for example can win an election by winning solidly in one region and being ignored in most but still represent the whole nation. Whereas, in countries where a simple voting system is now being utilized, not only that name-recognition becomes irrelevant as determinant of gets elected, but there are less spoiled ballots and even the disabled, even those with vision impairments (blind) be able to exercise their rights to vote. And in many cases the voters don’t have to write any individual candidate’s name, which could be confusing like the case of the same Cayetanos running for senators or countless of others like long and complicated names. Some voters will even just vote for candidates with short and simpler names just to fill in the blanks. Just as an example; my experience here (Canada) as a voter during Federal, Provincial, and Municipal elections and in Federal and Provincial elections nothing could be much simpler. If you are voting under the party line, just remember your Candidate (party endorsed) and look for his name along the names of candidates, arranged in Alphabets, and marked X or connect the lines and the same if your voting for your Choice. In a municipal election, a little complicated (no party allowed for municipal government) , because you have to mark one for Mayor, for your Councillor and for School Trustee, 3 different Xs, but still easier than writing the names of 8 councillors, one Mayor + vice mayor (another waste) then one Governor (is there a vice Governor?), board members + house representatives and 12 Senators. And only the municipal election is fixed. All other elections are called anytime within the five years mandate or when Governments lose the confidence of the Parliaments. The Economist : “What it clearly does need, though, is a much simpler voting system, so that mere name-recognition is no longer such a crucial determinant of who gets elected.”

Writing 12 names in a blank ballot is complicated enough and so is electing a mix mash of 12 individuals which no one is a representative of any particular constituent and does not represent a true national reflection of voters will is not a representative democracy. A candidate for Senator for example can win an election by winning solidly in one region and being ignored in most but still represent the whole nation.

Whereas, in countries where a simple voting system is now being utilized, not only that name-recognition becomes irrelevant as determinant of gets elected, but there are less spoiled ballots and even the disabled, even those with vision impairments (blind) be able to exercise their rights to vote. And in many cases the voters don’t have to write any individual candidate’s name, which could be confusing like the case of the same Cayetanos running for senators or countless of others like long and complicated names. Some voters will even just vote for candidates with short and simpler names just to fill in the blanks.

Just as an example; my experience here (Canada) as a voter during Federal, Provincial, and Municipal elections and in Federal and Provincial elections nothing could be much simpler. If you are voting under the party line, just remember your Candidate (party endorsed) and look for his name along the names of candidates, arranged in Alphabets, and marked X or connect the lines and the same if your voting for your Choice. In a municipal election, a little complicated (no party allowed for municipal government) , because you have to mark one for Mayor, for your Councillor and for School Trustee, 3 different Xs, but still easier than writing the names of 8 councillors, one Mayor + vice mayor (another waste) then one Governor (is there a vice Governor?), board members + house representatives and 12 Senators.

And only the municipal election is fixed. All other elections are called anytime within the five years mandate or when Governments lose the confidence of the Parliaments.

]]> By: UPn student http://www.quezon.ph/2007/04/27/foreign-media-out-of-touch/comment-page-1/#comment-472194 UPn student Sun, 29 Apr 2007 21:37:40 +0000 http://www.quezon.ph/?p=1298#comment-472194 betol... Abu Sayyaf's up there. The Muslim countries always interested in Mindanao. Julia Campbell has visibility, too. Law and order, in particular killings of media- and NGO personnel, also of interest. betol… Abu Sayyaf’s up there. The Muslim countries always interested in Mindanao. Julia Campbell has visibility, too. Law and order, in particular killings of media- and NGO personnel, also of interest.

]]> By: betol http://www.quezon.ph/2007/04/27/foreign-media-out-of-touch/comment-page-1/#comment-472080 betol Sun, 29 Apr 2007 16:55:21 +0000 http://www.quezon.ph/?p=1298#comment-472080 Mr. Quezon, III You are obviously correct about the foreign media not intimately familiar with the machinations and the latest developments of the campaigns in the upcoming election in the Philippines. It's just not that important to anyone outside of the Republic of the Philippines. What intrigues outsiders though are the usual shenanigans; vote rigging, vote buying, ballot box stealing, show boating, karaoke singing dancing queens, etc. Mr. Quezon, III

You are obviously correct about the foreign media not intimately familiar with the machinations and the latest developments of the campaigns in the upcoming election in the Philippines. It’s just not that important to anyone outside of the Republic of the Philippines. What intrigues outsiders though are the usual shenanigans; vote rigging, vote buying, ballot box stealing, show boating, karaoke singing dancing queens, etc.

]]> By: Jeremy Baer http://www.quezon.ph/2007/04/27/foreign-media-out-of-touch/comment-page-1/#comment-471771 Jeremy Baer Sun, 29 Apr 2007 06:00:36 +0000 http://www.quezon.ph/?p=1298#comment-471771 I feel your criticism of the Economist is unduly harsh. The major issues are surely completion of the ballot and the possibility of vote rigging. Learned, or otherwise, angsting over whether, in what way and to what extent the electoral panorama has changed is beside the point if the casting and counting of votes is seriously tainted. I feel your criticism of the Economist is unduly harsh. The major issues are surely completion of the ballot and the possibility of vote rigging. Learned, or otherwise, angsting over whether, in what way and to what extent the electoral panorama has changed is beside the point if the casting and counting of votes is seriously tainted.

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