In a virtual meeting of heads of universities and colleges, civil society organizations, students’ organization and media partners, the Academe and Civil Society Coalition for Voters Education was officially formalized on 31 January 2022.
The Coalition aims to provide a broad platform for the presidential candidates in the upcoming elections to present their plans to address the health and economic crises that resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Led by Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila President, Emmanuel Leyco, others present in the online meeting are De La Salle University President Br. Bernard Oca, De La Salle Philippines and Makati Business Club President Edgar Chua, Assumption College President Angela Regala, Miriam College President Laura del Rosario, and St. Scholastica’s College President Sr. Christine Pinto, who all belong to the Consortium of Women’s College, Management Association of the Philippines President Alfredo Pascual, PLM Student Council President Karl Basa, and Rotary Club of Manila Bay President Joel Ferrer. They were joined by representatives from Ateneo de Manila, the Ateneo De Zamboanga, FINEX Academy, Kabataan Tayo ang Pag-asa (KTAP), National Union of Students in the Philippines (NUSP), Secure (teachers), Cure Covid (Health Workers and other sectors), All Workers Unity, Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV), Movement for Safe Equitable Quality and Relevant Education (SEQuRe Education Movement), and the Rise for Education Alliance.
Representatives from the Manila Bulletin, CNN, ABS-CBN were also present.
The pioneer members of the group then elected the members of the Convenors Committee led by PLM President Leyco to organize and implement the next steps for the Coalition.
Presidential debate plans
As part of the build-up activities leading to a series of public presidential debates, the Coalition will help synchronize and coordinate efforts of its members to inform the public of the issues at stake in these elections.
The coalition will work with the mainstream media outfits, social media platforms and seek the endorsement of the COMELEC for its activities, particularly the presidential debates.
As a media partner, the ABS-CBN has signified its willingness to support the coalition’s activities. Meetings are slated with representatives of the GMA Network and CNN.
Read the coalition's statement here:
