STUDENT organizations and publications from the University of Santo Tomas (UST) and five other schools will be launching a voter advocacy and political fact-checking website on March 16, 2019, Saturday.
“PINTIG.ph” seeks to engage voters, especially the youth, and help them make informed choices during the midterm elections. The website’s name stands for “Pinag-Isang Tinig Para sa Pagbabantay sa Halalan,” and will contain profiles of candidates for the Senate and partylist elections including their stances on pressing political and social issues.
Students will be leading the fact-checking of candidates’ claims and present them on the website as well. This is part of a continuing commitment to fight fake news and propaganda, which has become more prevalent during the election season.
PINTIG is a joint effort between organizations in the University such as societies of Journalism, Economics and Political Science students, and of campus papers the Varsitarian, UST’s official student publication, and of the Flame of the UST Faculty of Arts and Letters.
The advocacy is also in partnership with the student journalism societies of Bulacan State University, Colegio de San Juan de Letran, Lyceum of the Philippines, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, and the University of the East.
UST Journalism Society President Francheska Viernes said: “At a time when some citizens of the country seem to have little knowledge about the elections and the candidates, PINTIG.PH will serve as a guide for voters to know what to do and who to vote for during the elections.”
“PINTIG.ph” is in line with living up to the core values of compassion, competence, and commitment of UST to the truth, to the Church and to the country. This is paying witness to the words of UST’s patron saint, Thomas Aquinas, who said that “It is better to illuminate than merely to shine, to deliver to others contemplated truths than merely to contemplate,” said Christian Deiparine, Varsitarian editor in chief.
The website’s launching will be held at the Varsitarian office, Room 105 of the Tan Yan Kee Student Center of the University of Santo Tomas in España, Manila.
A signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between leaders of the student organizations and publications and a reception will follow after the website launching.
For more information, please contact Deniece Maegan Diala, vice president external of UST Journalism Society at 0967.502.6604. You may also contact the Varsitarian office at 406.1611 local 8235.
Editor’s Note: This is a press release.
