Press Release
September 5, 2008

Harness ICT gains in enhancing democracy - Gordon

The Filipino people should embrace more positively the gains in information and communications technology (ICT), particularly in enhancing and promoting the country's democratic participation and processes, Sen. Richard J. Gordon said today.

In his keynote address at the 6th Philippine Youth Congress in Information Technology at the University of the Philippines' Theater, Diliman, Quezon City, Gordon said modern communications technology can be effectively and efficiently used as a tool in promoting democracy.

"The communications revolution is profoundly democratic and liberating, leveling the imbalance between large and small, rich and poor," Gordon said.

"For many people, this prospective new world is frightening. Change is always unsettling, and we are now seeing the fastest technological change the world has ever known. But at the heart of the communications revolution lies something that will benefit humanity, that is global diffusion of knowledge," he added.

Gordon, author of the country's election automation law, cited the recent Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) automated elections as proof of how technology has helped promote democracy in the country.

He explained that with the Direct Recording Equipment (DRE) and the Optical Mark Reader (OMR), the two systems used during the ARMM elections, election results were completed after only two days.

"The first-ever automated election in the Philippines which happened in ARMM last August 11 was generally successful. Our Constitution has intended for our people to enjoy free, orderly, honest, peaceful, and credible elections. The automated election system did just that," Gordon said.

Gordon said the computerized election system, which has accompanying safeguards against tampering and electoral fraud, will ensure that subsequent electoral exercises in the country are truthful, speedy and credible.

Gordon also manifested in other ways how technology can help in the development of the country.

As chairman of the Philippine National Red Cross, Gordon has been continuously pushing for the modernization of the organization in its emergency, relief, and rehabilitation operations.

Gordon also filed Senate Bill 2402, an Act Creating the Health and Education Acceleration Program (HEAP) Corporation, for the rehabilitation and acceleration of education and health infrastructure in the country.

Under the HEAP, every commercial mobile service provider shall be required to remit to the HEAP fund half or 50% of its net revenue earnings arising from local text messages.

Gordon said that with telecommunications companies earning P77 billion a year through text messaging, the government will have the necessary amount to provide for the needed classrooms and educational materials for all schools in the country.

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