As the upcoming 2025 elections draw near, it is more important than ever to take a stand against actions that undermine fairness and equality in our democratic process. In today’s evolving political climate, where deceptive practices continue to adapt and exploit new loopholes, voters must stay informed, vigilant, and prepared.
As part of our voter’s education initiative, which is committed to fostering informed, responsible, and ethical citizen participation, and in line with our mission to strengthen democracy through knowledge-sharing and lasting partnerships, the Ateneo de Naga University, through the Center for Local Governance, successfully concluded a vital online learning session entitled “NOT FOR SALE: YOUR VOTE, YOUR INTEGRITY!” with its theme, ‘Shaping Responsible Voters Against Election Fraud,’ on April 22, 2025, from 3:30 pm to 5:00 pm.
This online event is in support of the Kontra-Bigay Awareness and Voter’s Education Campaign spearheaded by the Integrated Bar of the Philippines-Camarines Sur Chapter alongside COMELEC and other partners coming from government agencies, academic institutions, and socio-civic organizations with its steadfast commitment to promote a free, clean, and honest election.
Streamed live, garnering a combined audience of more than 4,000 viewers via the Ateneo Center for Local Governance Facebook Page and Ateneo CLG YouTube channel, the session aimed to equip voters with essential knowledge, encourage the rejection of electoral corruption, and foster broad engagement in ensuring fair and credible elections, particularly in anticipation of the upcoming polls.
Atty. Raizel V. Dimaano, the Director of the Ignatian Legal Apostolate Office at Ateneo de Naga University, expertly moderated the online event. Her guidance ensured a smooth and engaging flow throughout the event, facilitating the discussion on voter education and the critical “Kontra-Bigay” campaign against election fraud. Her role was instrumental in connecting the resource speaker with the audience and bringing the session to a meaningful close.
In her opening message, Dr. Malu Barcillano, the Dean of the Ateneo de Naga-Graduate School and the Director of the Ateneo de Naga University-Center for Local Governance, underscored the significant challenge that enduring issues of vote buying and selling pose to Philippine democracy. She highlighted the proactive measures taken by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) along with the Kontra-Bigay campaign partners to combat these detrimental practices actively. Furthermore, Dr. Barcillano emphasized that the online learning session was designed to equip participants with crucial knowledge for effectively combating vote buying and election fraud, fostering a deeper understanding of the relevant legal frameworks, and ultimately empowering them to become responsible and informed voters for the upcoming 2025 elections.
As the esteemed resource speaker for the online learning session, Atty. Fe Rosario Buelba, the President of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP)-Camarines Sur Chapter, a seasoned law practitioner and professor at Ateneo de Naga University, delivered a comprehensive and insightful presentation centered on the crucial “Kontra-Bigay” campaign. Her discourse meticulously unpacked the intricate legal landscape designed to combat the pervasive issues of vote buying and selling, grounding the campaign in the fundamental principles enshrined in Section 2 of Article 9(c) of the 1987 Constitution and the specific mandates outlined in COMELEC Resolution No. 10946. Attorney Buelba provided an unequivocal definition of both vote buying—the act of offering inducements for votes—and vote selling—the acceptance of such offers—emphasizing their status as both grave election offenses and serious criminal acts, punishable by significant penalties including substantial imprisonment, absolute disqualification from holding any public office, and the consequential loss of the fundamental right to suffrage.
Furthermore, Atty. Buelba eloquently articulated the vital and interconnected roles played by a diverse coalition of partner organizations in bolstering the “Kontra-Bigay” campaign’s reach and impact. She highlighted the synergistic collaborations with the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV), various influential business chambers within the region, the esteemed Rotary Club, numerous academic institutions including universities, and a broad spectrum of media outlets, all working in concert to amplify the message of electoral integrity and actively engage the citizenry. Notably, Attorney Buelba addressed a critical and often misunderstood aspect of electoral corruption, persuasively arguing that poverty is not the root cause of vote buying and selling but rather a detrimental consequence that is perpetuated by these very practices, hindering genuine societal progress and equitable development. To provide a tangible and relatable understanding of these complex issues, she presented an impactful educational video that further substantiated her presentation and served as a powerful call to action, equipping the audience with a thorough understanding of the legal ramifications, the profound societal consequences, and the collective responsibility in actively combating vote buying and selling to safeguard the sanctity and integrity of the democratic process in the Philippines, particularly in anticipation of the 2025 elections.
The successful execution of the online learning session was spearheaded by Ms. Camille Faye R. Badong, who meticulously planned the crucial logistical aspects and the overall flow of the event. Her strategic planning ensured a seamless and effective delivery of information to the participants. Supporting her efforts was Mr. Ariel Malate, who served as a key member of the support staff, contributing to the smooth operation and technical aspects of the online event.
The success of this crucial online learning session was significantly bolstered by the invaluable support of Sherwin Perez and Xeena Almendral from the James O’Brien Library of the university. Their dedication to operationalizing the logistics and expertly managing the technical intricacies of the webinar proved integral to its smooth execution, ensuring a seamless and effective learning environment for participants not only in Naga City and the Bicol region but also beyond, allowing the vital messages of the “Kontra-Bigay” campaign to be clearly and effectively disseminated to a wider audience.
To watch the replay of the online session, please refer to these links:
Watch via Ateneo CLG YouTube Channel
Watch via AdNU Center for Local Governance Facebook Page
Prepared by:
Marvin DJ. Cayetano
Student Intern
