On April 24, 2013, the Timbangan process done in the Ateneo Professional Schools in Makati was replicated in Barangay Maybunga, Pasig City. This second exercise in evaluating the 2013 senatorial candidates may have yielded a different ranking, but what remained the same was the marked change in voter preferences after the process of benchmarking. It is clear that using the scorecard compels voters to think beyond jingles and gimmicks and seriously consider qualifications and platforms.

Related links:

• Timbangan 2013: The Results from Makati
• 2013 Scorecard
• 2013 Candidate Briefer
• What a difference a scorecard makes by Milwida M. Guevara
• Event photos on MGG’s Facebook page

Timbangan is about learning the process of evaluating candidates, not about endorsing particular candidates. Anyone can take the process and apply it to any set of candidates, whether national or local, for any position. In fact, we encourage people to do so. We are thrilled that a number of people have expressed interest in conducting similar activities in their respective schools/communities/barangays.

Voters weigh in on the 2013 senatorial candidates using MGG’s Scorecard

The Movement for Good Governance, together with partners Youth Vote Philippines and Mulat Pinoy, gathered a group of concerned citizens to evaluate the 2013 senatorial candidates* using MGG’s criteria of Effective, Empowering, and Ethical leadership. The event, dubbed “Timbangan 2013,” was conducted on April 16, 2013, at the Amphitheater of the Ateneo Professional Schools in Makati. Voters of all ages, from students to working professionals to senior citizens, participated in the exercise.

The objective of Timbangan was to present voters with an objective criteria for evaluating candidates and to determine whether voter preferences changed after they applied the criteria. MGG conducted two polls: one at the beginning of the event prior to the introduction to the scorecard, and a second at the end.

After casting their initial votes, the participants were briefed on MGG’s leadership criteria and the use of the scorecard.

A panel, led by MGG Chair Solita Monsod, then engaged in a lively discussion about the candidates’ qualifications. Prof. Monsod was joined by former Finance Secretary Roberto de Ocampo, former Comelec Commissioner Augusto Lagman, former Governor Rafael Coscolluela, and Ateneo School of Government lecturer Joy Aceron. The panelists were asked to identify which of the candidates, in their opinion, met the scorecard criteria. They did not always agree and the audience were left to form their own opinions on the candidates based on various inputs.

Video clip c/o PTV PH

As they listened to the panel discussion, the participants scribbled down notes, referred to their candidate briefer, and gradually filled out their scorecards.

The event concluded with the participants casting their votes in the second mock polls. Though it was nearly 9:00 PM, the participants stayed as MGG volunteers tallied the votes.

The feedback that MGG received was overwhelmingly positive. The participants found the process of benchmarking to be very effective in helping them decide which candidates deserve their vote. Some came to the event feeling unsure of their choices but left feeling much more confident. Others were very sure of their initial choices, but subsequently changed their minds. Timbangan’s results show that using a scorecard can significantly change the way people vote.

Related links:

• 2013 Scorecard
• 2013 Candidate Briefer
• Summary of panelists’ comments
• What a difference a scorecard makes by Milwida M. Guevara
• Event photos on MGG’s Facebook page

In the news:

• Pagkakaroon ng pamantayan sa pagboto sa mauupong senador, layunin ng Movement on Good Governance (video) – PTV PH
• Intelligent Voting – BusinessWorldOnline.com
• ‘No to candidates from political dynasties’ – Rappler.com
• Jun Magsaysay tops mock poll – PhilStar.com

*Due to time and logistical constraints it was not possible to discuss all the candidates, so this Timbangan was limited to the top 24 in the surveys (at the time we started preparing for the event). We are currently exploring the possibility of holding other Timbangans, to include a wider set of candidates, and to engage more voters.

Timbangan is about learning the process of evaluating candidates, not about endorsing particular candidates. Anyone can take the process and apply it to any set of candidates, whether national or local, for any position. In fact, we encourage people to do so. We are thrilled that a number of people have expressed interest in conducting similar activities in their respective schools/communities/barangays.