MANILA, 22 February 2007 — With the election of Philippine leaders increasingly becoming personality-based, a loose group of overseas Filipino voters have launched a campaign for a return to a platform-based electoral contest.

In a petition circulated via the Internet, the group said overseas Filipinos could lead the way not only by voting in the May mid-term polls based on the candidates’ platforms of government but also by pressing political parties and candidates to campaign based on what they can do.

“We, the overseas Filipinos worldwide, urge each and everyone in the coming May electoral contest to implore all political parties, emerging parties and their respective candidates to bring forth a platform-based campaign so that the electorate can choose credible persons who are worthy to lead the nation,” the petition said.

The letter was signed by Leila Rispens-Noel and Doris Alfafara in the Netherlands; Basco Fernandez, Joy Puyat, Filipino-Americans Ren Arrieta, Johnny Pecayo and Cesar Torres; Dennis Yaun based in Luxembourg; and former expatriates Idelfonso Bagasao and James Zamora who are now in Manila. It was endorsed by various community groups in the Middle East, notable in Saudi Arabia.

The proponents of the petition said: “The proposed platform-based campaign is envisioned to change this bad practice (of having) a personality and patronage-based electoral contest.”

“We are encouraging everyone to endorse this manifesto by signing it. We have to be involved in the coming election and we feel this is the way — if not the only way — we can show our concerns and exercise our right as overseas Filipinos to participate in the decision-making process,” Noel said on behalf of the group. The group said it is calling for robust, transparent, internally democratic and accountable political parties in order to develop a stronger democratic culture in the Philippines.

It also dared those who want to become legitimate servants and leaders to articulate a concrete and doable developmental plan aimed at the Filipino migrant workers around the world.

“We pledge to support legitimate servants of the people running for any public position that aggressively promote the interest of our sector,” the group said.

While calling on the nation to vote for candidates who could help push the Philippines to prosperity, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo herself had been abetting the disastrous personality-based practice by recruiting candidates based on popularity.

Numbering some 503,000, overseas Filipino voters could make a difference in the coming elections but only for the Senate.

Overseas voters are allowed by law to vote only for the president, the vice president, senators and party-list representatives.

There are 79 candidates vying for the 12 Senate seats at stake.