Gordon calls on the Filipino youth to make a stand for change in 2010

Independent Senator Richard J. Gordon today called on the Filipino youth to make a stand for change as they prepare themselves to exercise their right to vote for the first time in the May 2010 presidential elections. Gordon issued the call as he delivered a lecture at the academic seminar sponsored by Letran College's political science department on the theme "Foreshadowing the 2010 elections (demystifying the Philippine electoral system)." "We have become a transactional society, and if we want to grow and develop as a nation, we should change into a transformational society and make demands upon ourselves to achieve our goals," he said.

"If we want change, we have to be the change we want to be. People and their leaders should be part of the process of change. Kapag nagsama ang lider at ang tao, lalabas ang galing ng Pilipino," he added.

Gordon, a Letran alumnus, urged the students to take an active part in transforming the nation by being discerning in choosing its next leaders to haul the country towards development and regain its reputation as Southeast Asia's No. 1, instead of SEA's "used to be."

Noting that the Commission on Elections (Comelec) is expecting 3.15 million new young registrants, he also called on the youth to help guard the May 2010 automated elections to ensure that devious individuals who may still try to manipulate the election results would not succeed. "We are having automated elections in 2010. This would be the first time that a national election in the country becomes automated. Kailangan nating bantayan ang proseso. We have to make sure that there will be no more electoral fraud which comes in different forms," he said. Gordon, author of the revised Automated Election System Law, had been batting for automated elections that would ensure fast, clean, honest and credible election that would finally bring closure instead of further causing division in the country.

"Automating our elections signals that we are taking steps toward truly modernizing our democracy. The present manual system belongs back in the 18th century, being archaic, open to abuse, and the long period it takes to get results encourages "dagdag-bawas" and other forms of electoral fraud," he said. Gordon likewise called on the youth to be more discerning in choosing the country's next leaders and vote for a leader who possesses a true vision, right values, the virtue of volunteerism and who would be able to draw out the best in every Filipino. "Gumawa ng paraan para kilatisin ang mga kakandidato at upang hindi masayang ang inyong mga boto," he said.