A Forum with the local candidates

CONCEPT NOTE
Legal Network for Truthful Elections (LENTE) will hold Ang
Kailangang Boses, a forum aimed at allowing different sectors
to enter into a conversation with local candidates regarding the
issues our province/city/municipality is facing.
Ang Kailangang Boses is in partnership with Bantay Karapatan
sa Halalan (Commission on Human Rights), Integrated Bar of the
Philippines, PPCRV and Task Force Election Groups. The forum
aims to provide a space for different sectors to examine and
respond to the plans and positions of candidates on the peoples
most pressing issues.
The forums unique format is true to the spirit of Simbahang
Lingkod
ng
Bayans
flagship
political
empowerment,
Kwentuhang Bayan, which aims to put people back at the
center of politics. Apart from the candidates participating, sectors
will be represented in the forum:
1. Laborers
2. Farmers
3. Detainees
4. PWDs
5. Artists
6. Youth
7. Senior Citizens
8. Indigenous People
These sectors will have the chance to dialogue with the
participating candidates, who in turn would be given time to
speak about their own stands and opinions regarding the issues
brought up by the sectors. Candidates would be encouraged to
specify their plans of action in response to the issues brought up
by the sectors.

The ideal outcome for the forum would be a segment of Bantay

Pangako, a Flagship effort of Task Force Eleksyon, to promote
accountability on the promises candidates make during the
election season. Accordingly, candidates will be invited to pledge
support for the sectors.
GENERAL MECHANICS
1. Candidates will be able to present their general platform at
the beginning of the forum.
2. The forum will proceed via a kwentuhan format, which
would ensure that the sectors are able to talk. The
kwentuhan will proceed as follows:
2.1 Representatives from different sectors will present their
main concerns and agenda to the audience and the
candidates.
2.2 There will be four segments of kwentuhan. Each
sector will be given four minutes to present their
agenda points and questions.
2.3 The candidate will respond to the issues raised by the
sectors. They will be given three minutes to answer the
issues raised by the different sectors.
2.4 Accordingly, two general questions will be asked to the
candidates in response to the sectors presentations.
i.
What do you think or feel about the issues of the
sectors?
ii.
What can the sector expect from you if elected, in
terms of programs and policies?
3. After the candidates give their response, there will be an
open discussion between the candidates and sectors.
4. Questions from the audience will also be entertained after
the four segments have been done.
5. The forum will end with a ceremony highlighting the support
pledged by the candidates to any or all of the sectors.