I commend the effort of Muslim group in issuing guidelines in Choosing Candidates.

Reported by By Ryan Rosauro Mindanao Bureau @ http://newsinfo.inquirer.net

Posted date: April 30, 2007 ILIGAN CITY, Philippines — A Muslim non-government organization has issued guidelines to the voters of Lanao del Sur province in choosing their congressional representative.

In a one-page flyer titled “Qualities of a Muslim Representative to the Congress of the Philippines,” the group Al-Manar Philippines listed 15 attributes, 10 of which are in addition to the minimum qualifications set by the Constitution.

Al-Manar, which means beacon, classified the attributes as minimum qualities, desirable or recommended qualities, necessary or indispensable qualities, and compulsory qualities which are based on the Koran.

To qualify as a congressional representative, Section 6 of Article VI of the Constitution provides that one must be a natural born citizen, able to read and write, at least 25 years of age, a registered voter in the district, and a resident in the district for about a year.

The Al-Manar guidelines provide the additional qualifications for a Muslim congressional representatives: must be strong in faith, health and knowledge of Islam, and trusted. These comprise the compulsory qualities.

The indispensable qualities include: being a lawyer “or equivalent,” knowledge of the Sharia’ah law and of relevant and contemporary issues wanting legislations. It said one must not be dependent on advisers or consultants in the conduct of one’s legislative work.

The group also listed the following as desirable qualities: capable to participate effectively in debates and deliberations in the plenary session and in committee hearings; independent and quick thinker; ability to “talk with sense and weight” that can convince others; and ability to outline a proposed legislative measure and defend the same before Congress colleagues.

Al-Manar is encouraging voters to choose the candidate that has the most number of qualities it set out in the guidelines. The set of guidelines was distributed to voters even before the period of campaigning for local posts started, said lawyer Udtog M. Tago, executive director of Al-Manar Philippines.

Based in the Mindanao State University (MSU) in Marawi City, Al-Manar is primarily composed of professionals and ulama (religious leaders).

Tago said the guidelines were formulated in support of the campaign of Muslim activists to rid elections in Lanao del Sur of fraud.

He explained that it was important for voters to know the work of a congressional representative and hence, “the qualities of the person to whom we give our mandate.”

Armed with such basic knowledge, voters would be able to pick candidates perceived to “ensure our best representation in Congress, and not just vote for one who has given the highest amount,” according to Tago.

“Our choice will surely reflect the kind of people we are,” the Al-Manar guidelines warned.

With over 270,000 voters, Lanao del Sur is comprised of two congressional districts. Its local elections have been notorious for fraud and violence.

Witnesses who appeared in congressional inquiries dubbed the province as a major theater in vote-padding and vote shaving operations in the 2004 presidential elections. President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was accused of benefiting from fraud to win over popular actor Fernando Poe Jr. but no charges were ever filed against those said to be involved in the cheating.

It is good to see that Muslim , Christians and other Religion is working hand in hand in having a clean election.

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