Speak for the Unheard

(In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirement for Purposive Communication)

By:
Spokes for All Folks
Charlon D. Beltran
Jayvelyn A. Eduardo
Karylle P. Pangilinan
Aeverly V. Quetua
Regine C. Reyes
Bachelor of Secondary Education

The Advocacy
 A. Topic

Election is a hot topic on social media and even in face-to-face situation. This process of selecting a

government representative was first practiced in the country of the Philippines during the colonial period

of the Spanish and American wherein only male, educated, and landed voters are allowed to vote. Later

on, women were granted participation in politics when Act 4112 was implemented. Decades after, the

1935 Constitution was replaced by the new (1973) Constitution when Marcos declared Martial Law in the

year 1972. Marcos then continued ruling the country as president and a prime minister, having legislative

powers, under transition provisions resulting the country to be under dictatorship.

In present time, it is stated on the 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines – Article V Section

1 that citizens who are at least eighteen (18) years old and above who have resided in the Philippines for

more than a year and residing for six (6) months in the place they propose to vote have the rights to vote.

Disabled and illiterates can also vote with secrecy due to the designed procedure by the Congress.

Citizens are not obliged to vote but it is an important part of democracy. Election is a crucial contribution

when it comes to democratic governance. Voters are responsible for their choice of leaders and in holding

them accountable on their performance as an elected leader.

The struggle from the past is still evident nowadays as we are caged in a kind of political system, leaders,

and electorate that are elected today. Participation of citizens when tackling about politics or election are

a huge impact and way to be engaged and informed about certain issues. Taking part in these discussions

is one step towards good governance.

B. Objectives

Being apolitical or not wanting to engage in political discussion is a political choice. Wanting to remain

silence and protect their peace means that a person sees nothing wrong about their world. But it also

means that they are simply not informed enough about the what’s happening outside their world. These
kinds of people should confront reality and injustices and get rid of ‘apolitical’ title. Everyone, even the

citizens who are not eligible to vote should start participating in the movement towards a good democratic

governance.

C. Rationale

Participation in the election can make a big effect on the country. As the individuals participate and vote

for a leader that will facilitate and improve the country for the better. It is very significant to think

carefully about the person that you will vote for in the position as well as to have knowledge of all the bad

things that happened in the past and prevent it to happen again. According to (Philippine Commission on

Women, 2020) the 1987 Constitution, stated guarantees of the citizens in equal access to opportunities for

public service. In this election, all are given the opportunity for everyone to have a chance for the public

service which was not given in the past. There are studies stating that people benefit and enjoy freedom if

democracy is put in place. As the Philippines is a democratic country every people have the right to vote

and there is no discrimination. Every registered voter citizen in the Philippines can participate in the

election and should not be stunned by the money offered by the candidate in exchange for their vote.

Rather than that, you should use the opportunity to participate in the election in a manner wherein you

choose to vote for a leader that can uplift the country and a leader who is not corrupt.

The Philippines is a country that has electoral democracy but even though lack of

transparency and corruption has undermined democratic development. The past elections had been seen

with political violence, fraud, and intimidation (Hicken et al., n.d.). As we have seen in the past elections

there are corruption happened and it caused to make the country, the Philippines to drown in debt. Now,

in this upcoming election, we have the chance to prevent it by choosing a leader with good intention and

only wants for the improvement of the country.

D. Target Audience
This public service announcement aims that every individual in the country should know the things that

happened and the significance of participating in the election. It also tackles the possible outcomes of the

election process.

The Video Narrative

The election is forthcoming on May 9, 2022, and our film underlines the necessity of participating in an

election as an illegible voter, as well as being educated on the implications that every Filipino must be

aware of if they do not exercise their rights. It is undeniably true that one’s sole vote has the power to

transform people's lives, therefore being a registered voter is both an honor and a responsibility, which is

why we must vote carefully and honestly. This could be a tool to empower people to speak up about their

concerns, to select a great leader free of greed and corruption, human rights violations, crime, and abusing

power as then our country can once again stand tall and proud.

A. Theme

Let your vote be your voice.

B. Plot/Storyboard

The election day (May 9, 2022) is coming, and all of the candidates are doing everything they can to win

the hearts of the Filipino people. The competition is tough, especially for the country's presidency

position. Our campaign ad will serve as an invitation to individuals to conduct a preliminary investigation

so that we will not become victims of bad governance. Furthermore, to raise political awareness, inform

all people aged eighteen (18) and up to exercise their right to vote, which will act as their voice in the

approaching election, and inform them of the consequences of neglecting to vote.

C. Key Messages
Our Public Service Announcement’s purpose is to persuade all eligible voters to get involved, take action,

and vote in the forthcoming election. To encourage stakeholders, particularly minorities, to vote for

leaders who can lead us to a brighter future. This is to demonstrate our patriotism and nationalistic spirit.

Our work is created to promote democracy, the right to vote, and the ability to elect a public servant with

integrity and brilliance.

D. Modes

We used clips from viewing websites (YouTube) to support the idea of our video.

Communication Strategy

A. Time table

Date Time Progress

May 3, 2022 6:00 pm Deciding the topic

May 4, 2022 7:00 pm Gathering sources

May 5, 2022 8:00 pm Assigning the members for their

parts

May 6, 2022 12:00 am Submission of assigned parts

May 7, 2022 10:00 am Editing

to &
 4:30 pm Producing the video

B. Execution/Medium

We will use the social media platform to promote our advocacy about the "Importance of Taking Part in

the Election". We must vote and participate in the election by voting for suitable political candidates for

governmental positions. We must examine them thoroughly because we will be the ones who will keep

them in government positions, and as public servants, they must have the good qualities to serve the

people and take steps for the betterment of our country. We must not waste our votes.

Social media platforms are used by people to share information, important events and even what happens

to them on a daily basis. Nowadays, many are relying more on social media platforms than their

televisions, radios, newspapers, and so on, to gather important news, issues, and events. So, by using it,

we can widely share and show our advocacy to open their eyes to how important it is to participate in the

election, and we must take it seriously.

By using technology, we will conduct a video, a Public Service Announcement video to be exact, that

will show and reflect our advocacy.

The Project Team

References

Official Gazette. (n.d.). The 1987 constitution of the Republic of the Philippines – article V: GOVPH.

Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. Retrieved May 6, 2022, from

https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/constitutions/the-1987-constitution-of-the-republic-of-the-

philippines/the-1987-constitution-of-the-republic-of-the-philippines-article-v/

Tikkanen, A. (2022, March 4). Functions of elections. Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved May 6, 2022,

from https://www.britannica.com/topic/election-political-science/Functions-of-elections

Women's political participation and representation. Philippine Commission on Women. (2020, August

18). Retrieved May 6, 2022, from https://pcw.gov.ph/womens-political-participation-and-

representation/

Yang, A. A. H. S. L. N. R. D. (2021, March 1). Temptation in

vote-selling: Evidence

from a field experiment in

the Philippines. Innovations for Poverty Action. Retrieved May 6, 2022, from
 https://www.poverty-action.org/study/campaigns-against-vote-selling-philippines-do-promises-

work

Your vote. our future. A module for citizen-voters’ education. Your Vote. Our Future. (2009, November).

Retrieved May 5, 2022, from

https://www.ombudsman.gov.ph/UNDP4/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/1.1.1.-CVE-Basic-Module-

Final-Draft-1st-Ed.pdf