Gordon: Credible election system and wise voters
are keys to successful polls

Not only a credible election system, but also a wise electorate is needed to come up with a truly successful election in May 2010, Senator Richard J. Gordon (Ind.) today said.

Gordon conveyed the message during the "Eleksyon 2010 Na--Tatakbo Ka Ba?" Advocacy Run organized by GMA-7 wherein the senator participated in the Unity Walk and Oath-Taking for clean elections and good governance.

"I think ang mensahe natin dito hindi lang 'yung malinis na eleksyon ngunit yung tamang pagboto. Dapat kilatisin ang kakayahan ng mga kandidato at hindi tayo dapat masilaw sa pera o kasikatan. Tignan natin ang track record, integrity, vision at values ng isang tao," he said.

"Dapat ang Pilipino mahusay pumili ng iboboto sapagkat kung hindi, wala rin mangyayari sa malinis na halalan. We have to know how to select our leaders if we want a better future," he added.

The senator also said that he is confident of an honest, clean, speedy and credible election because of the automation of the 2010 polls. However, he stressed that the public should still watch over it.

Gordon, the father of election modernization in the country and author of Republic Act 9369 or the amended Automated Elections System Law, said that the modern election system has security features that would prevent cheating.

"I am optimistic that the automation of the 2010 elections would push through. If we want to change the system, we have to take the necessary steps to achieve what we want. We cannot fear the future. Those who do not want automation, may tangkang mandaya yan," he said.

"There's no such thing as fool-proof in this world. Kaya importante na bantayan rin natin. But with poll automation, we could minimize, if not completely eradicate, electoral fraud and cheating," he added.