10 Commandments for Responsible Voting

The national and local elections are just around the corner.
The country will once again be in festive mood as politicians will shower the electorate with their routine promises which will never be fulfilled.
As an incentive and in keeping with dirty tradition, many candidates will be distributing to the voters rice, canned goods pre-packed and placed in plastics bearing the candidates names.
Its going to be the usual funfare.
After all politics---after perhaps cockfighting---is the country's favorite pastime.
But there are other conscience-driven sectors which earnestly appeal to the voters to vote responsibly, and treat the elections seriously
The Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting has issued guidelines for our voters in choosing the right leaders.
The following are the Ten Commandments for Responsible Voting from the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV).

1. Thou shalt vote according to the dictate of your conscience.
2. Thou shalt respect the decision of others in choosing their candidates.
3. Thou shalt seek to know the moral integrity, capabilities and other personal qualities of the candidates you will vote for.
4. Thou shalt strive to understand the issues, platform and programs of candidates and parties seeking your vote.
5. Thou shalt not sell your vote.
6. Thou shalt not vote for candidates using guns, goons and gold.
7. Thou shalt not vote for candidates with records of graft and corruption.
8. Thou shalt not vote for candidates just because of "utang na loob" (debt of gratitude) , popularity, or pakikisama (camaraderie).
9. Thou shalt not vote for candidates living an immoral life.
10. Thou shalt put the welfare of the country above all else in choosing the candidate you will vote for.