Media on Elections and Violence 2016
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Overview Inequality: A Critical Factor in Conflict and Violence Conflict arising from insurgencies, political feuds and related issues raised expectations for heightened tension and violence in 2016. On December 2015, the PNP named the provinces of Pangasinan, Masbate, Negros Oriental, Western Samar, Maguindanao, and Lanao del Sur as EWAs in the 2016 polls. But on election day, media pundits and others in social media observed a new level of orderliness in the conduct of the election. Clearly, automation had provided a stabilizing effect. Eloquent statements of concession made promptly by Grace Poe and Manuel Roxas also enhanced the public acceptance of the winner which was known before midnight of May 9. Candidates ran un-opposed for more than 500 positions, the most being in Ilocos Region followed by ARMM. These may have lowered the potential for clashes in some areas. But in Cavite, a traditional hot spot, where the Revillas announced such an agreement between rival political families, Election day was marred with an incident which claimed seven lives. Poverty has impact on various aspects of election. There would be no buying and selling of votes without the widespread poverty in the country. Campaign activities also create jobs which are welcomed by supporters even if they could end up objects of intimidation, harassment, assault or worse. Even the limited journalistic scope captures the sense of immense inequalities in the country’s development although reporting and analysis of this is not extensive. Positive outcomes of anti-poverty programs are quickly stripped of its shine by those who are left out of their reach, the numbers of whom are increasing steadily. Despite economic gains, as Toby Monsod recently wrote “the Philippines is one of a number of middle-income countries within which a ‘new bottom billion’ live (Summer 2012:7).” (Monsod, 2016) Programs to promote democracy and civic electoral practice take a longer time to take effect where these poorest communities live. This limited study recorded the highest incidence of electoral violence in the provinces of ARMM in Mindanao, in Samar in the Visayas, and Abra and Nueva Ecija in the North. The CMFR data base on killings of journalists shows the areas most afflicted with threats and attacks against journalists are reporting from communities in the loop of poverty and poor governance – most of which are located a great distance from the national capital. |
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