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University of the Philippines Manila

College of Arts and Sciences

Department of Social Sciences

Policy, Accessibility, and Inclusivity: Assessing the Electoral Participation of Persons with

Disabilities (PWDs) in Cavite

An undergraduate thesis

Submitted to

Dr. Josefina G. Tayag

In partial fulfillment of the requirements of the degree

Bachelor of Arts in Political Science

Academic Year 2018-2019

GANDIA, Alexa Richmay S.

2015-09457

BA Political Science
University of the Philippines Manila
College of Arts and Sciences
Padre Faura, Ermita, Manila

APPROVAL SHEET
This undergraduate thesis entitled Policy, Accessibility, and Inclusivity: Assessing the Electoral
Participation of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Cavite prepared and submitted by Alexa
Richmay S. Gandia is hereby accepted and approved in partial fulfillment of the requirements for
the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Political Science.

____________________________________
Dr. Josefina G. Tayag, DPA, ret.
Adviser

This undergraduate thesis is hereby accepted and approved in partial fulfillment of the course
requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Political Science.

____________________________________
Prof. Jerome A. Ong
Chairperson
Department of Social Sciences

ii
Abstract

Despite being the largest minority in the world, Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) still

struggle with problems of social exclusion and lack of accessibility, which, according to the

literature, negatively affect their electoral participation. The objective of the study was to

evaluate the effectiveness of the policy initiatives of the Philippine government that aimed to

remedy this, specifically the implementation of Republic Act No. 10366. This law was first

implemented in 2016, authorizing the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) to establish

precincts assigned to Accessible Polling Places (APPs) exclusively for PWDs and senior

citizens. APPs are venues where Board of Election Inspectors (BEIs) conduct election-related

proceedings and where voters cast their votes. The law states that APPs shall be located at the

ground floor, preferably near the entrance of the building, and is free of any physical barriers and

provided with necessary services, including assistive devices.

The study made use of the Social Model of Disability as its theoretical framework which

suggests that disability is socially caused. Because of society‘s stigmatization of PWDs, physical

and social barriers are created and thus serve as obstacles to PWDs‘ full participation in society.

The effectiveness of the said law and whether it affected the electoral participation of

PWDs were evaluated through one-on-one interviews with PWDs, BEIs, and key informants.

The setting of the study is the province of Cavite.

The key informants affirmed the social exclusion of persons with disabilities and that

there is much more to be done for the inclusivity of PWDs. Surprisingly, however, results show

that despite some provisions of RA 10366 not being fulfilled in the precincts where PWDs vote,

PWDs as well as BEIs consider the law to be effectively implemented. They noted positive

experiences during elections and only on rare occasions did select PWDs experience

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discrimination within the voting precincts. This discrimination was not blatant but more of them

feeling ignored or unattended to. They also have little to no suggestions in further improving

their experience during the elections.

In the case of Cavite, PWDs exercise their right to vote and are empowered when doing

so. They are not hindered by physical barriers and are only slightly affected by social barriers

during the elections. Most claim that they are actually treated well during the elections.

However, outside of this one-day event, they do not feel included in mainstream society.

iv
Acknowledgements

I write this acknowledgment in the hope that I've accomplished this last hurdle in my

college life. The making of this thesis was not without hurdles but the weight of it was made

easier because of the people around me who gave their utmost support.

First and foremost, I thank myself. I realize now that I am strong enough to be able to

finish this thesis. Throughout this whole process, I've cried myself to sleep, doubted by

capabilities, procrastinated—now, I only feel a sense of fulfillment.

I could not have done this without the people who have graciously shared their

sentiments, life stories, and advocacies. I cannot thank my respondents enough. Their words

have touched my heart and their influence is lasting. The trust that they have given me is enough

for me to see this into fruition. I hope that I make them proud.

I give my utmost thanks to Ate Sol, a respondent in this study who had passed away

before I was able to give the news that I've finished my thesis. Maraming salamat po, Ate Sol.

Thank you for welcoming me into your home and sharing your experiences with me.

To Mrs. Mary Ann Evangelista-Gorrez, my key informant who I had interviewed, and in

turn, interviewed me and my sister on her radio program—thank you from the bottom of my

heart. It is a rare opportunity for a simple student like me to be invited to such. You have become

an inspiration to me—to pursue my advocacy in fighting for the rights of persons with

disabilities. I wholly admire everything you have achieved despite the complications brought

about by being a PWD in this society. I hope to be able to help this community in the same way

you have helped them.

To Atty. Jason Mendoza, thank you for taking the time to entertain my questions. I hope

that like you, I will be as knowledgeable in the electoral process and utilize this knowledge for

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the benefit of the Filipino people in the future. I also give my thanks to the undisclosed resource

person who helped Atty Mendoza in answering my questions. I apologize that I kept you from

eating your lunch for a bit. (Hehe)

I dedicate this section to all of the friends who have helped me along in this journey.

Amiel, Butch, Cyril, Jaira, Joy, Mikee, and all the friends I met in college--I feel like I've known

you for a lifetime. You have pulled me from the depths of my inner thoughts more times than I

can remember. You were my motivation when everything else had been used up. Your laughter

and teasing had replenished me every time I was too drained to talk. Your hugs had comforted

me when I just couldn't anymore. Though I don't share much of my thoughts as I'd rather be

happy spending my time with you, know that you are the loves of my life and I could never have

done this without you.

Francois, my best friend in the whole world—I'm thankful that despite all the problems

you've gone through during the time I'd written this thesis, you still managed to give me the time

of day. Know that I always have your back. Thank you for having mine.

Sammy—You've been such a help, not just in this thesis but also throughout the decade

I've spent knowing you and caring about you. You're the greatest friend I could ever have hoped

for. Since this thesis of mine's finished, I'm more than ready to help with yours. I can't wait to

celebrate your graduation with you.

To all the matches and flames, however short they may have been, thank you for the

motivation and distraction. You made me understand that my life should not revolve around

purely acads and that I need to take care of myself and my mental health.

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To all my professors, especially Ma‘am Tayag, thank you for guiding me throughout my

college life. I would not have been able to finish this study without you being my role models. I

hope that more students will be able to gain insight and be inspired by you.

Lastly, but in no way the least, to my dearest family—I'm sorry that college can be so

expensive. One day I'll repay you for everything that you've done for me. This is for you, Mom,

Dad, Ate and Kuya, Nanay and Tatay. Sasablay na po ako!

vii
Table of Contents

CHAPTER 1 1

RESEARCH QUESTION 1
TENTATIVE ANSWER TO THE RESEARCH 1
OBJECTIVES 2
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE 3
FRAMEWORKS 10
THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK 12
CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK 13
DEFINITION OF TERMS 15
METHODOLOGY 17
SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS 22
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY 23
BIBLIOGRAPHY 25

CHAPTER 2: SITUATIONER 27

CHAPTER 3 30

SIMPLIFIED BREAKDOWN OF THE DATA 30


PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES 30
BOARD OF ELECTIONS OFFICERS 55
MRS. MARY ANN EVANGELISTA-GORREZ 62
ATTY. JASON MENDOZA 67

ANALYSIS OF THE DATA 72

CONCLUSION 75

RECOMMENDATIONS 77

BIBLIOGRAPHY 78

APPENDICES 82

viii
CHAPTER 1: Introduction

The 2016 elections, both at the national and local level, had a record-breaking voter

turnout of 300,000 senior citizens and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs)—numbers interpreted as

a success. This was achieved through the implementation of Republic Act 10366, the

government‘s initiative for establishing Accessible Polling Places (APPs) for the benefit of

persons with disabilities, senior citizens, and heavily pregnant women. Through this law, 5,000

APPs and 250 Emergency Accessible Polling Places (EAPPs) were set up by COMELEC across

the country. Board of Election Inspectors were also given information on disability sensitivity in

their training in order to respond to the needs of PWD voters.

Such milestones are important in the PWD community, however, this is only a step

towards inclusivity. After all, RA 10366 was signed in 2013, with the various negative

testimonies of PWD voters who experienced difficulty during the 2013 elections serving as the

driving force as to why it was enacted in the first place.

The 2013 elections was unsuccessful in fulfilling the expectations of PWDs. It was

marked with an increase in PWD participation due to the National PWD Voter Registration Day,

first held in 2012. In order to make the elections more inclusive, COMELEC passed Resolution

No. 9485, which states the rules and regulations for voting of PWDs and for the establishment of

accessible polling places. Unfortunately, due to major setbacks like having only two polling

precincts with accessible polling places out of the 36,776 voting precincts in the country, the lack

of training of BEIs regarding disability, among others, only 82,000 out of the 365,000 registered

PWD voters were able to cast their votes.

It is no wonder that the 2016 elections were seen as such a massive success, since it‘s

held in comparison to the unfortunate display of the 2013 elections. There are still criticisms

1
regarding the 2016 elections, for example the lack of time to prepare the implementation of

EAPPs, lack of sufficient information regarding the process, and the uneven application of APPs

nationwide. There are even cases where PWDs had to vote in upper floors—some people having

to be carried up the stairs. Simply having a high voter turnout or an increase in the number of

APPs does not necessarily mean that the 2016 elections or future elections in the Philippines can

be confidently called PWD-inclusive.

Multiple laws have been enacted promoting inclusivity in order to realize the vision of

full participation of PWDs with the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons (1992) as its benchmark

initiative, following the Philippines‘ ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with

Disabilities and its Optional Protocol. Unfortunately, there are still problems that PWDs face in

terms of accessibility which affects their electoral participation.

Thus prompts the question, is the implementation of the law addressing these concerns

during the 2016 elections enough for promoting their electoral participation or is there still room

left to improve on it?

Research Question

How did the effectiveness of policy implementation of RA 10366 affect the electoral

participation of PWDs in the 2016 and barangay elections and what other rooms for

improvements could there be, with what effects and implications?

Tentative Answer

The ineffective implementation of PWD policies observed through the PWDs‘

experiences during the 2016 elections serves as an obstacle experienced by PWDs, which

2
discourages them to exercise their right to vote. An improvement that would direct to an

effective implementation of the law is the elimination of the barriers PWDs experience during

elections.

Objectives

General Objective

 The paper aims to assess the association between the implementation of policies geared

toward PWDs, specifically RA 10366, and PWDs‘ electoral participation in the 2016

elections and the barangay elections.

Specific Objectives

 To discuss what PWDs are, including their number, their state, and the public‘s opinion

on PWDs;

 To discuss select policies in regard participation in elections addressing the state of

PWDs and the public‘s opinion of them and whether or not these are effectively

implemented or not;

 To assess how PWDs‘ electoral participation has been affected by policy implementation

based on the experiences and insights of PWD voters, BEIs, and key informants;

 And to suggest improvements or give recommendations (if needed) to increase the

effectivity of policy implementation.

3
Review of Related Literature

Upon reading the literature on the topic, scholars differ in understanding disability. There

are those who consider it in a medical sense and some in social terms. The literature reviewed all

agree that persons with disabilities experience social exclusion, resulting in their decreased

electoral participation. Other factors bar PWDs in participating in society and despite the

importance of policies as a way to integrate into society, it is still lacking in addressing the

barriers that PWDs face.

Considering Disability

The literature reviewed differ in understanding disability. The commonly used model in

considering disability is the medical model of disability. This focuses on the impairment as,

according to Seligman (2017), a ―negative condition requiring treatment, rehabilitation, or cure‖

(p. 5). In other words, the medical model of disability suggests that impairment is the reason as

to why persons with disabilities have little access to goods and services or are unable to fully

participate in society. (PHSO, 2015).

Aside from considering disability in medical terms, another model used by the literature

is the social model of disability. This model shifts toward demand for rights, stemming from the

growing disabilities right movement as well as parents or other advocates (Seligman, 2017)

where ―…disability is understood as an unequal relationship within a society in which the needs

of people with impairments are often given little or no consideration‖ (Carson, 2009, p. 10). The

social model of disability will be discussed further in detail as it will serve as the theoretical

framework of this study.

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There is a clear distinction between the two models, with the former seeing disability as

something to treat or cure, while in the latter, disability is brought about by social causes.

However, there have been other theories which try to reconcile the two, one of which is the

Critical Disability Theory (CDT). It is also called the ―biopsychosocial model‖ by the World

Health Organization (WHO) as it integrates the medical as well as the psychological, behavioral,

and social factors in dealing with disability which they used as a framework for their study

―Towards a Common Language for Functioning, Disability and Health‖ (WHO, 2002).

To differentiate from the two models discussed, CDT considers disability as (1) a social

construct; (2) a complex interrelationship between impairment, individuals‘ response to it, and

the social environment wherein the individual is situated; and (3) the social disadvantage that

disabled people experience caused by society‘s inability to provide access to the needs of PWDs

(Hosking, 2008). Since it is a synthesis of both models, CDT acknowledges that impairments do

play a part in disability. The biomedical aspect of disability can be addressed through prevention,

treatment, and rehabilitation while the social marginalization experienced by PWDs despite

biomedical interventions can be addressed by changing the social environment (Hosking, 2008).

Disability and Social Exclusion

Among the common themes of literature on disability is the evident social exclusion of

persons with disabilities. Results of Burchardt (2003)‘s study on social exclusion finds that the

relationship of disability and social inclusion is two-way—that ―someone who is socially

excluded is at greater risk of becoming disabled, and someone who becomes disabled is at

greater risk of becoming socially excluded‖ (p. 62). She derived this from evaluating social

inclusion and disability‘s relationship with income and poverty. Sayce (2002) argues that people

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diagnosed as mentally ill could be active participants of society if not for the ―deep-seated

prejudice‖ and ―social exclusion‖ that they experience. The social exclusion that persons with

disabilities experience serves as a barrier to their full participation. Barnes and Mercer (2005)

argue that work and disability analyses are unable to address the different social and

environmental barriers that people with disability struggle with. In his paper on people with

learning disabilities (PWLD), Hall (2005) states that in order to achieve social inclusion, it is to

be reimagined as a ―transformation of mainstream social spaces‖ to accommodate them into

society by means of self-advocacy.

Disability and Electoral Participation

Another common theme from the literature reviewed is the correlation between disability

and electoral participation. Findings from Schur, Shields, Kruse, and Schriner‘s study in 2002

note that disability often decreases voter turnout, stating that disability affects not only the

resources but also has social and psychological effects on people with disabilities. They suffer a

disconnect and find difficulty in identifying with mainstream society—thus, leading to less

electoral participation.

In Fitzgerald (2005)‘s ―Greater Convenience But Not Greater Turnout‖, although voting

reforms and alternative methods of voting have been instituted in the states such as ―unrestricted

absentee voting, in-person early voting, election-day registration, and motor vehicle and mail

registration‖ (p. 1) to make voting more convenient and to reduce the "costs of participation‖ to

increase voter turnout, his findings show that those assumptions did not translate to reality.

These voting options were to increase ballot access to overseas military personnel and

PWDs as well as to increase overall efficiency and facilitation of voting and elections, but

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considering the results of the study, early voting procedures are unable ―…to boost turnout in

elections despite providing greater accessibility to the ballot‖ (Fitzgerald, 2005, p. 858).

This is in contrast to Schur and Kruse (2000)‘s study which emphasizes the relationship

of general mobility, as well as employment, to an increase in voter turnout. Their findings were

that people with spinal cord injury (SCI) had a lower voter turnout than otherwise similar people

in the general population. Those people with SCI who are employed were just as likely to vote as

other employed people while two-thirds of people with SCI who were unemployed were less

likely to vote. People with SCI who are able to drive and attend religious services and are not

affected by the severity of their injury have a higher voter turnout than those whose mobility is

hindered.

In Keeyley, et al. (2005)‘s study, findings show that adults with intellectual disabilities

are registered to vote proportionally less compared to the general population and are even less of

them voted during the 2005 UK general elections. Further, in comparison to adults who live in

private homes, those who live in supported accommodation ―were more likely to be registered to

vote but less likely to use their vote‖ (p. 1). They also found that the most significant predictor of

participation was living in a household with at least one other active voter‖ (Keeyley, et al.,

2005, p. 1).

Barriers to Participation

Some common barriers to PWDs across the world are the following, as enumerated by

the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights: Outdated paternalistic approaches and

prevailing social stereotypes; lack of access (physical, linguistic and infrastructural, as well as to

information); legal and administrative barriers (including restrictions on legal capacity);

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institutional segregation (in schools, workplaces and public institutions); lack of quality inclusive

education; limited support and funding for participation; poverty; and lack of comparable data,

disaggregated by disability, and lack of monitoring mechanisms at the national level (ODIHR,

2017). This spans legal, social, economic, physical, and other forms of barriers that serve as an

obstacle to exercising democratic rights.

However, among the most detrimental barriers to PWDs achieving the aforementioned

right to achieve inclusivity in society is society itself. Another major barrier to PWDs is

accessibility. ODIHR (2017) defined ―accessibility‖ and ―accessible environment,‖ stating that it

is a pre-condition for the participation of PWDs in both the political and public sphere.

Disability and Policy

Lastly, a common theme in the literature is on policy. In his discussion of the CDT,

Hosking (2008) considers the importance of public policy as it is a mechanism for PWDs to

integrate to society. Through laws, disabled people are able to demand rights to achieve

inclusivity (Yaptangco, 2016). True to the framework of CDT, public policy expected to address

both the biomedical and social aspects of disability.

However, policies are not perfect. It could have unclear objectives due to its ―incremental

nature‖ or contradictions may arise when implementing them (Lunt & Thornton, 1994).

Problems may also be encountered when constructing these policies. The debates on whether to

have a single or a number of disability policies, the different types of impairments or the range of

disability, the different perceptions of persons with disabilities, or the implications of gender,

race, and class—all of these mentioned intricacies by Lunt & Thornton (1994), who also cited

other authors, must be taken into account when drafting the content of policies. The study did not

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address how but was able to suggest six themes or dimensions of a coherent disability

employment policy:

 It offers employment and opportunities;

 It offers integration [non-stigmatization] within mainstream employment;

 It is built on a sound philosophical and theoretical basis of what constitutes disability and

is built on rights rather than charity in a non-stigmatizing way;

 It is not contradictory either internally or in relation to other policies

 It requires disabled people themselves to participate in the development of policy; and

 It pays attention to costs and considers the opportunity cost of pursuing certain types of

policy. (Lunt & Thornton, 1994, p. 236)

The study, however, gives only a theoretical and not a concrete example of a coherent disability

employment policy.

Similarly but in a different manner, Mont (2004), in his study titled ―Disability

Employment Policy‖, recommends that disability employment policy should move away from a

compensation approach to an integration approach. This is in order to ―…increase the self-

reliance of disabled people, promote economic growth, and lessen the role of transfer programs‖

(p. 31). This is the trend among Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development or

OECD countries and is recommended that middle countries with less integrative systems do the

same. The study‘s recommendations are to:

 Review disability pensions and other cash benefit systems to identify measures that create

particularly strong work disincentives (as formerly in Poland);

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 Promote more integrative disability employment policies such as vocational

rehabilitation, supported work, and reimbursement mechanisms for employer

accommodations to the workplace;

 Demonstrate the business the case for integrated disability management systems and help

foster their adoption by public and private sector enterprises; and

 Assist disabled persons organizations (DPO) in advocating for worksite accommodations.

(Mont, 2004, p. 31)

The right to suffrage of Filipinos is enshrined within the Constitution yet people with

disabilities are not able to fully participate within the public and the private sphere. This

discrimination is the target of various laws in the Philippines relating to disability. There are at

least 60 of these laws in the country (Yaptangco, 2016), some of which are the following:

 Republic Act No. 7277 or Magna Carta for Disabled Persons (1992), an act providing for

the rehabilitation, self-development and self-reliance of disabled persons and their

integration into the mainstream of society and for other purposes;

 Batas Pambansa Blg. 344 Accessibility Law, an act to enhance the mobility of disabled

persons by requiring certain building, institution, establishments, and other public utilities

to install facilities and other devices;

 COMELEC Resolution No. 9485, a resolution that states the rules and regulations for

voting of persons with disabilities (PWDs) and for the establishment of accessible polling

places;

And finally, the focus of this study, Republic Act No. 10366, an act authorizing the Commission

on Elections to establish precincts assigned to accessible polling places exclusively for persons

with disabilities and senior citizens. It states that accessible polling places (APPs) ―shall be

10
located at the ground floor, preferably near the entrance of the building, and is free of any

physical barriers and provided with necessary services, including assistive devices‖ (COMELEC,

2013).

Synthesis of the Literature

Instead of the popular biophysical approach, scholars claim the need for reconfiguring

how we consider disability and how to conduct disability studies. A shift towards a social

perspective in understanding PWDs and evaluating policies geared towards them is vital in order

to address the problems that they experience. Although some literature suggest that even the

social model of disability is contested as having no policy implications (Samaha, 2007) or that it

is time to move beyond its limitations (Shakespeare & Watson, 2001), it is still imperative that

social factors must be considered in disability studies.

People with disabilities are often socially excluded from the mainstream of society. There

are many barriers to the participation of PWDs that existing policies are still unable to address

due to differences in considering disability and in taking into account various intricacies. Parts of

what makes a coherent policy is already known but there is still a failure in application. Persons

with disabilities are unable to participate in both the public and private sphere, an example being

electoral participation. Voter turnout among PWDs is low, thus leading to them being unable to

exercise their rights as well as having no elected officials who are able to represent them and

understand their plights.

Disability cannot be removed from democracy and universal suffrage Cruz (2015). It is

important that this be remedied to give PWDs equal access to rights and representation. The

11
literature reviewed are united in that there must be a change in how policies are considered and

existing policies must be reevaluated in order to best promote the inclusivity of PWDs.

This study‘s aim was to fill the gap of the lack of literature on PWDs in the Philippines

and serve as an academic outlet wherein PWDs can have a voice. This study also filled in the

lack of policy evaluation regarding RA 10366 by asking those directly involved.

Frameworks

Theoretical Framework

Social Model of Disability as proposed by Oliver (1983)

The research made use of the Social Model of Disability, first coined by Michael Oliver

in 1983, as its theoretical framework. The Social Model of Disability emerged in response to the

popular medical model of disability which considers disability as a negative condition that

requires treatment, rehabilitation, or cure. The framework that the researcher used opposes the

said medical perspective on disability, instead focusing on the social aspects of disability. The

Social Model of Disability suggests that disability is socially caused. Although impairments do

involve health-related conditions, it is because of the society‘s stigmatization of PWDs that

physical and social barriers are created (Seligman, 2017). These barriers are obstacles to PWDs‘

full participation in society.

For the proponents of the model who are persons with disabilities themselves, it is

because of society‘s failure to provide the necessary needs and services of PWDs. Oliver (1990)

states that the consequences of this failure does not affect PWDs random individuals but PWDs

as a group are systematically discriminated throughout society.

This theoretical framework was thus used in the study in order to assess the electoral

participation of PWDs. Since there had been initiatives toward inclusivity for PWDs, including

12
the elimination of the physical and social barriers they experience in elections through RA

10366, it was imperative that we determine whether or not its implementation is effective.

Contributory factors Effect Outcome

Physical Barriers RA 10366 was not PWDs are


 Inaccessible polling effectively unable to
places implemented and exercise their
 PWDs voting on PWDs right to vote—to
upper floors experienced express
 Express lanes not barriers during themselves—
fully utilized by PWDs the 2016 and are
 No waiting areas for elections, thus led discouraged to
PWDs to a lack of full vote in future
Social Barriers accessibility elections
 Lack of assistance
from BEIs Through the Social Model of Disability, we intended to find
 Lack of experts and
assistive devices to out how PWDs are integrated in the Philippines, what
aid PWDs e.g.
headphones, environment they are in, and the social disadvantages they
wheelchairs
 Discrimination experience.
against PWDs

Conceptual Framework

Existing:

13
Desired effect:

Contributory factors Desired effect Desired outcome

Physical Barriers Effective policy Increased


 Accessible polling implementation electoral
places of RA 10366 participation of
 PWDs voting on the which leads to PWDs indicating
ground floor less physical and their inclusivity
 Express lanes fully social barriers and ability to
utilized by PWDs experienced by fight for their
 Existence of PWDs rights
waiting areas for
PWDs
Social Barriers
 Sufficient
assistance from
BEIs
 Experts and
assistive devices to
aid PWDs e.g.
headphones,
wheelchairs are
available
 Less rampant
discrimination
against PWDs

14
The Social Model of Disability served as the theoretical framework for the evaluation

of RA 10366 and its contribution to improving the electoral participation of PWDs. The

conceptual framework as illustrated above is the existing problem, as well as the desired effect

once the problematic contributory factors are remedied. By basing off of the data shown on the

first illustration which displays a summary of the existing state, it can be seen that there were

multiple factors that reflect the ineffective implementation of RA 10366, and thus hindered

PWDs‘ voting.

Assistive equipment as well as express lanes or ramps can be crucial to allow the PWDs

to move about freely and interact properly with their surroundings and other individuals. Lack of

access to these resources lead to physical and social barriers which serves as an obstacle to the

full participation of PWDs in the electoral process. This leads to situations where they garnered

unwanted attention in public due to their visible discomfort, and the misuse of special lanes may

lead to the PWDs becoming a hindrance to the queuing of the other voters. Not having access to

these services may discourage them from seeking them or exercising their rights. These

difficulties adversely reflect upon the statements found in RA 10366 which is focused on

providing PWDs at large with the ability to enjoy their rights just as well as anyone who does not

share their condition.

Basing it on the occurrence of these factors alone was a reflection of ineffective policy

implementation of the said law. This may also hint at the lawmakers and government officials

becoming oblivious to the plight of collective discrimination that PWDs are subjected to. If these

factors are to be solved, the true capacity of the law will have been realized and this would allow

it to be rendered effective. The desired outcome, assuming this comes to pass, would be that

PWDs are able to participate properly during the elections. As they will have been provided

15
access to the materials and resources they need to properly navigate or interact with others which

thus allows them to properly exercise their right to vote. The elimination of these barriers are

crucial to helping the PWDs be able to participate in society, thus decreasing the social

exclusion they experience.

Definition of Terms

Disability – as stated in RA 7277 Sec. 4(c), it is (1) a physical or mental impairment that

substantially limits one or more psychological, physiological or anatomical function of an

individual or activities of such individual; (2) a record of such an impairment; or (3) being

regarded as having such an impairment.

Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) – based on RA 10366 Sec. 2(b), they are qualified voters

who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments which in interaction

with various barriers may hinder their full and effective participation in the electoral processes

on an equal basis with others.

Impairment – any loss, diminution or aberration of psychological, physiological, or anatomical

structure of function. (RA 7277 Sec. 4(b))

Assistance – according to RA 10366 Sec. 2(e), this refers to any support or aid that may be

extended to persons with disabilities and senior citizens for them to meaningfully and effectively

participate in the electoral processes.

Accessible polling place – refers to the venue where the Board of Election Inspectors (BEIs)

conducts election-related proceedings and where the voters cast their votes. The accessible

polling place shall he located at the ground floor, preferably near the entrance of the building,

16
and is free of any physical barriers and provided with necessary services, including assistive

devices. RA 10366 Sec. 2(j)

Social Barrier – the characteristics of institutions, whether legal, economic, cultural,

recreational or other, any human group, community, or society which limit the fullest possible

participation of disabled persons in the life of the group. Social barriers include negative

attitudes which tends to single out and exclude disabled persons and which distort roles and

interpersonal relationship (RA 7277 Sec. 4 (f))

Methodology

Data Matrix

Data needed Source of data or Analysis of Ethical aspects


where to find it data
Discussion on what PWDs are, Secondary Content Proper
including the number of, the materials and analysis, acknowledgement of all
state of, and the public‘s accounts (scholars, coding for main sources, bias-mitigation
opinion on PWDs in the statistics, laws) themes and
Philippines and other countries subthemes
Discussion on select policies Secondary Coding for Acknowledgement of
addressing the state of PWDs materials (scholars situationer, all sources, informed
and the public‘s opinion of and laws), content analysis consent, confidentiality
them and whether or not they interviews with
are effectively implemented PWDs, BEIs and
key informants
PWD voters‘ electoral Secondary Content Acknowledgement of
participation and how it is materials (scholars analysis all sources, informed
affected by the effectivity of and laws), consent, confidentiality

17
policy implementation interviews with
PWDs, BEIs and
key informants
Improvements or interviews with Content informed consent,
recommendations to increase PWDs, BEIs and analysis confidentiality
the effectiveness of policy key informant
implementation

Explanation of Data Matrix

PWDs or Persons with Disabilities are a group of individuals who have, under any form

of circumstance, suffer from illnesses or the lack of certain bodily functions. Even with their

impairments, these individuals are still citizens who are well within their rights to participate

within society, including the right to vote. As such, a number of guidelines have been set in place

in order to ensure that PWDs can act comfortably within their rights despite their impairments,

however there have been some concerns regarding the effectiveness of the policies that have

been put in place. As such, the goal of the researcher was to define the nature of PWDs as well as

shed light on the possible aspects that affect the policy‘s efficacy.

In order to arrive at a concrete conclusion to the problem, the researcher had expounded

upon the current topic by highlighting certain key elements. The first of these key elements was

the nature of PWDs; this included their current population, the state of their community, as well

as the perceptions of the foreign and local public on them. The researcher utilized sources

derived from secondary materials and accounts in the form of scholars, statistics and laws, all of

which is found in Chapter 1 and 2 of the study.

18
The second element consisted of the different policies that had been in place in

acknowledgement of the PWD, as well as the public‘s opinion on whether or not these said

policies are properly implemented. The third element was that of the PWD voters‘ electoral

participation and how it is affected by the effectiveness of policy implementation. In gathering

data for both of these elements, the researcher gathered their data from secondary materials as

well as interviews with PWDs, BEIs and two key informants.

The third element focused on the PWD voters‘ electoral participation and how it is

affected by the effectivity of policy implementation. The information collected through

secondary materials (scholars and laws) was used as a primer for the readers in order to

understand the basic state of electoral participation and policy implementation regarding PWD

voting. Interviews with PWDs, BEIs and the key informants were used and collated into

common themes in Chapter 3 of the study in order to answer the research question.

The last element focused on the possible improvements or recommendations that can be

utilized to further the effectiveness of policy implementation and the researcher gathered this

information via interviews with PWDs in Cavite, BEIs who served in Cavite, and the key

informants.

Research Design

The nature of the study is of a Qualitative Research method used to prove the established

tentative answer. As such, the goal of the researcher was to ascertain whether or not the

ineffective implementation of PWD guidelines, as observed through (1) the experience of PWDs

who are registered voters in the province of Cavite, (2) the experience of Cavite-based BEIs

during the 2016 elections, as well as (3) the opinion of the key informants—a PWD rights

19
advocate and radio host of a disability program and a lawyer who works in COMELEC, was as a

hindrance or not to discourage a majority of PWDs to vote. The researcher obtained this data

through a series of interviews. Participants in the study were selected through purposive means.

Further elaboration and justification is found in the next sections.

Sampling

The researcher utilized the purposive sampling technique, a non-probability sampling

which entailed that the researcher purposefully select participants who fit a specific criterion for

the purpose of this study. As the research is qualitative in nature, this method aimed to develop a

detailed understanding towards the identifying problem of the research study.

The researcher approached barangay officials and asked whether they knew of any

individuals who fit the criteria for the research. From there, the researcher used the Snowball

method wherein those participants were asked if they could recommend any other individuals

who shared the criteria needed for the research. This was done until the results of the data

gathering had reached the saturation point.

In order to triangulate data, different people who fit the criteria needed were interviewed.

For PWDs who were interviewed, only those who were registered voters in Cavite with physical

or sensory impairments that restrict their physical movements were considered for the research

due to RA 10366‘s definition of accessible polling place having to do with physical

accessibility—the lack of barriers, the location being on the ground floor, preferably near the

entrance of the building, and had necessary services including assistive devices.

The PWDs who participated in the study did not necessarily need to have voted in the

2016 elections, however they must at least have experienced voting in the Philippine elections.

20
This was in order to find out the reason as to why they abstained from voting. At least ten (10)

participants were interviewed but the participants were limited to this number as additional

participants were interviewed until the saturation point is reached.

For BEIs who were interviewed, only teachers who served as Board of Elections

Inspectors in Cavite during the 2016 elections were considered for the research as per the setting

of the study and as they are the ones who would be witness to the precincts used in the province.

At least eight (8) participants were interviewed but this number of participants was not caged at

this number as additional participants were interviewed until the saturation point was reached.

Lastly, as for the key informants, two were interviewed from different sides of the

spectrum. One focused on advocacy while the other is a government employee. For the former,

the researcher interviewed Mrs. Mary Ann Evangelista-Gorrez as she is an expert in their field in

terms of PWDs— she is an advocate for PWD rights, being a PWD herself, and is a radio host

for a PWD program where she interviews different people, whether they are part of the

government, fellow advocates, architects, or source speakers who are knowledgeable about the

laws regarding PWDs. The latter is Atty. Jason Mendoza who works in the office of COMELEC

Commissioner Louie Tito Guia.

Setting of the Study

Cavite was the chosen microcosm of the study as, based on the ―Stats on the state of the

regions‖, Region IV-A is the largest region in terms of registered voters (Mangahas, de la Rosa,

& Fiestada, 2018). Cavite has the largest voting population in the region and is second to the

largest among all provinces. The region is also ranked 8th as having the largest number of

PWDs.

21
Not all LGUs have a Persons with Disability Office (PDAO) despite being mandated in

RA 10070 (Yang, 2018; The PWD Forum, 2018). This includes Cavite which has only seven

PDAOs out of the twenty-three (23) LGUs in the province (NCDA, 2013).

Another reason is that during the 2013 elections, there were only two designated

accessible polling places (APPs) out of the 36,778 voting precincts in the country, both of which

were in Dasmariñas, Cavite.

Research Instruments

The researcher utilizeD a structured interview (See Appendices E, F, and G) to gather

information from the participants of the study. There WERE three sets of interview

questionnaires that WERE provided to the PWDs, the BEIs, and the key informant

respectively. These questionnaires haD some 12 questions but not less than eight questions, and

all three questionnaires haD different questions from one another.

Data Gathering Procedure

A. The researcher sought out ten (10) PWDs and ten (8) BEIs through the use of the

purposive sampling technique. The researcher was not confined to these specific numbers

as the researcher interviewed participants until the data gathered reached its saturation

point. Two experts in the topic were also interviewed.

B. Upon agreement of the participant to become a part of the study, the researcher provided

them with an informed consent form while briefing the said participants about the nature

22
of the study, the lack of direct risks or benefits to the participant, and the lack of

incentives that would be given to the participant.

C. Before the interviews started, the researcher inquired if the participant would give their

permission to be recorded using either a voice or video recording device. The researcher

also explained where and until when the data would be stored as well as when it would be

destroyed.

D. Upon completion of the recordings the researcher began the transcription of the material.

Before starting the interview, the researcher asked for the participant‘s signed informed

consent form in order to further confirm their compliance with the ethical requirements of this

study. the researcher explained the nature of the study and that participating in the research was

completely voluntary. Should the participant feel uncomfortable or choose to withdraw from the

research for any reason, there will be no repercussions. The participant was allowed to stop

taking part in this research at any point of this research. Should the data gathering method be

done, and the participant would decide their opinions and views taken out of the data, the

participant was free to do so.

The procedures for the data gathering was of a purely interview method. interviews were

done upon the availability of the participants. Each interview was done one-on-one and will

transpire for a maximum of two (2) hours at most. The interviews took place in wherever and

whenever was more convenient for the participant. Data gathering procedures in this study were

recorded through a voice recorder with the permission of the participant.

The data collected was kept safely by the researcher. Copies of the collected data were

stored in three places: (1) a laptop, (2) a hard drive, and (3) uploaded to the researcher‘s Google

23
Drive account. The researcher assured the participants that all of the data collected from the

interviews will be used for research purposes only. The data collected would be destroyed after

the academic year of 2018-2019, on the month of June 2019.

It was also explained to the participants that there would be no direct risks nor benefits to

the participant—only that it will contribute to the literature regarding PWDs. There was no

incentive to participating in the study, however the researcher provided snacks for the

participants or pay for any travel expenses that the interview has cost. Participants were given a

simple token of appreciation, for example snacks or a thank you letter.

The researcher shared the results of the research once it was completed. The data

gathered remained confidential and the names of the PWDs and BEIs who participated in the

study remained anonymous. As for citing relevant quotes from the key informants, the

researcher first asked their permission. They were free to point out any quote or remark to be

excluded from the study. Results of this interview were written and the key informants‘ name

was included with their consent.

Although the research dealt with vulnerable people in society, the questions that the

researcher asked them were non-offensive and non-controversial and simply dealt with their

experiences from the electoral process and policy implementation of RA 10366, which were also

be explained before the interview begins.

After gathering the data needed for the study, the researcher then analyzed the collected

data using means consisting of coding and content analysis in order to interpret the findings.

Scope and Limitations

24
Although there are different categories of disabilities, whether it be physical, intellectual,

cognitive, or psychiatric, the study considered only those with physical and sensory impairments

as RA 10366‘s definition of accessible polling place has to do with physical accessibility.

Though there were many other ways for persons with disabilities to participate in both the

public and private sphere aside from voting during the elections, the study focuseD on electoral

participation as this was the means by which government officials are and lawmakers are elected.

accessibility was evaluated in terms of the polling places only—whether or not polling

places were accessible for PWDs. It was assessed within the confines of the contents of RA

10366 which provides for the rules and regulations for the voting of persons with disabilities as

well as the establishment of accessible polling places. it did not include transport going to the

polling places, nor the registration process for the elections.

Lastly, the evaluation of RA 10366 was only during that of the 2016 elections as it was

deemed successful because of the high voter turnout, as well as the barangay elections

afterwards. Other policies were evaluated due to time constraints and that the study focused

specifically on the accessibility of polling places during elections.

Significance of the Study

The aim of this study was to establish whether or not the policy implementation of RA

10366 was effective in its purpose of making elections accessible to PWDs, thus being PWD-

inclusive. Among the benefits of this study would be to add to the literature on disability studies

in the Philippines, of which they are scarce, more so in terms of electoral participation. It also

meant to assess whether the law itself is properly implemented in light of the 'success' that is the

2016 elections in terms of PWD-inclusion. The study also aimED to promote awareness for both

25
PWDs and non-PWDs of their rights and select legislation. The results of the study may inform

legislators and government officials of what is lacking in the policies or what is missing in the

implementation. By pointing out the weakness of policy implementations can help direct them on

what to remedy in order to ensure that PWDs are equally represented in lieu of main goal.

Improving the implementation of policy regarding accessibility will help PWDs gain access not

only to the ability to properly navigate the electoral process and vote effectively, but to allow

them to feel more empowered as they can be able to execute the task of voting and registration

just as well as those who are none PWDs. This can help them come close to eliminating the

feelings of being discriminated as well as to help inform the government and public about the

difficulties and struggles that the PWD have to endure due to the ineffective implementation of

the very rules set in place to empower them.

All of these will make certain that they are empowered within society—that their voices

are heard and that their rights are protected.

26
27
CHAPTER 2: Situationer

There are approximately 15 percent of people in the world who live with some type of

disability according to the most recent World Health Organization (WHO) World Report on

Disability (2011). Considered as the world‘s largest minority group, there are one billion people

with disability worldwide. Despite being large in number, PWDs still struggle to be included in

the general population, often experiencing social exclusion and other barriers to participation.

In order for this to be remedied, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its

Optional Protocol was adopted in December 13, 2006 at the United Nations Headquarters

(CRPD Enable, n.d.). It is a comprehensive human rights treaty of the 21st century, the first of its

kind—a human rights instrument to aid the UN in its initiative to change the attitudes and

approaches toward persons with disabilities (CRPD Enable, n.d.) in order to provide equal access

to rights and to enable them to fully participate in society. Article 1 of the UNCRPD and

Optional Protocol states that:

The purpose of the present Convention is to promote, protect and ensure the full and

equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all persons with

disabilities, and to promote respect for their inherent dignity.

Persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual

or sensory impairments which in interaction with various barriers may hinder their full

and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. (Enable, 2009, p. 4)

Among the countries that ratified the CRPD is the Philippines—home to an estimated 1.4

million persons with disabilities or 1.57 percent of the population based on the 2010 Census of

Population and Housing (PSA, 2013). Unfortunately, much like the situation of PWDs on the

international level, PWDs in the Philippines are not treated the same way as those who are part

28
of the general population. In terms of employment, PWDs still experience discrimination. Only

10 to 30 percent of employable PWDs in the Philippines have a regularly paying jobs, 50 percent

are part of the informal sector, and the rest stay at home, are dependent on other family members,

rely on government aid, or are begging on the streets to survive. According to the study by

Gatchalian et al. (2014), persons with disabilities are more likely to be employed in blue-collar

jobs and that men are more likely to be hired while women suffer doubly from discrimination.

Service industries, small-scale enterprises, and those with a history of employing PWDs are

likely to hire them while the education sector is the most apprehensive of hiring PWDs

(Gatchalian, et al., 2014). It is unfortunate because it is precisely because of lack of awareness

that there is discrimination against PWDs in the first place and it is the education sector that

could possibly teach the youth otherwise.

In 2016, the Department of Finance even proposed to lift the VAT exemptions of PWDs

when there were only about 50,000 PWD card holders who benefit from the exemptions in the

first place (Cayabyab, 2016; Ager, 2016). Now that the Philippines has a new tax system, it is

important to check whether PWDs enjoy the benefits granted by it and how to make the process

of getting the PWD ID card required to avail it more efficient.

Only 60 percent of local government units or LGUs have a Persons with Disability Office

(PDAO) when it serves an important purpose for PWDs, especially since it is situated within

LGUs. Dr. Erwin Alampay, associate professor of public administration from the University of

the Philippines National College for Public Administration and Governance or UP NCPAG said

in a press conference that, ―[t]he presence of a PDAO office [in a local government unit] lowers

the chances of PWDs having limited access to various services, such as health, employment,

rehabilitation, assistive devices, education, social welfare and disaster management‖ (Yang,

29
2018). It is important that LGUs be educated, according to Dr. Alampay, as they are most

vulnerable to poverty and the lack of access to basic needs (Yang, 2018). Having PDAOs in all

LGUs will also serve as fulfilling the need for PWD representation, said Dr. Alampay (Yang,

2018). The lack of PDAOs is a clear non-compliance with the law as it is mandated in RA 10070

and the IRR of RA 10070 that PDAOs be established in every province, city and municipality to

ensure programs and services for PWDs (NCDA, n.d.).

Despite the many laws in the country addressing the problem, PWDs still struggle with

being included in mainstream society. The right to suffrage of Filipinos is safeguarded by the

Constitution yet PWDs are still unable to participate fully in both the public and private sphere.

Cavite is the considered microcosm of this study. CALABARZON is the largest region in

terms of registered voters, Cavite having the largest voting population in Region IV-A and

second to the largest (next to Cebu) among all provinces (Mangahas, de la Rosa, & Fiestada,

2018). CALABARZON is the 8th among the regions with the largest number of PWDs

(Mangahas, de la Rosa, & Fiestada, 2018).

Although a number of programs have been launched for PWDs and has number of private

SPED or special education schools and public schools with SPED programs in the province

(NCDA, 2015), much is still lacking. As mentioned, not all of the 33 provinces, 25 cities, and

282 municipalities in the country have PDAOs despite being mandated in RA 10070 (The PWD

Forum, 2018). According to NCDA‘s Accomplishment Report, as of 2013, only 7 of the 23

LGUs in Cavite have PDAOs (NCDA, 2013).

In conjunction with this, during the 2013 elections, only two accessible polling places

(APPs) were established—both found in Dasmariñas, Cavite.

30
CHAPTER 3

Simplified Breakdown of the Data

The findings of the study come from the data collected from interviews with the PWDs,

BEIs, and key informants.

Table 1. Findings: Persons with Disabilities

CODE DATA THEMES/ QUOTE REMARKS


SUBTHEMES
1 Female; senior Basic Respondent
citizen; has information, learned to write
physical has physical despite not having
disability: disability the normal
disability of number of fingers
limbs; is unable to
walk properly and
is missing a few
fingers and toes
Respondent lacks Perception ―Nagsisisi ako kasi wala akong
The respondent
self-confidence towards self kumpyansa sa sarili ko. Nakakita
regrets not having
and compares as a person ako ngayon ng PWD na developed self-
herself to other with nakagraduate sila, nakatapos sila,
confidence and
PWDs who have disability; may mga… magandang
compares her life
achievements. disability has pangalan… Ganoon.‖ to other PWDs
impeded on whose
her self- ―Nakapagtapos naman ako pero achievements are
esteem umiiral talaga sakin yung known.
kahiyaan. Wala akong self-
confidence.‖

―Hindi naman sa nagsisisi‖

―Ayoko yung kaawaan ako.‖


―May pagka-mayabang ako.‖
Respondent is Perception ―Ay hindi na, matanda na ako.‖ Upon the
content with her towards suggestion of her
life future as a ―Hindi naman, ano lang, kung still having an
person with iisipin ko. Pero sa ngayon, opportunity (e.g.
disability kuntento na ako na ganito ako. to study), the
Kahit papaano, nabibigyan ko respondent
naman yung mga anak ko.‖ immediately
rejected the idea
and claims that
she is content
with her life as is.

Respondent says

31
that it is only
wishful thinking.
Her disability is Perception ―Hindi naman pansinin ‗to eh. The respondent
not easily noticed towards own Kahit nung nag-aaral ako, hindi recounted that her
and prefers it that disability nila pansin ‗to eh. Kahit yung classmates nor
way mister ko, hindi niya napansin na her husband
ganito ako.‖ noticed that she
has a disability.
Was unable to Frequency of ―Hindi yata, kasi nagbakasyon because they
vote during the voting kami sa [REDACTED]. Taga visited their
2016 elections [REDACTED] kasi ako.‖ province.
Her name was Problems ―Minsan yung… yung mga
missing in the encountered botante, wala sa listahan.
voters‘ list; had to during the Nawawala yung mga pangalan
search for it in elections namin. Tapos, kailangan pumunta
COMELEC‘s ka pa dun sa pinaka original na
original record record talaga para hanapin yung
pangalan mo.‖

―Sa record ng COMELEC na ano.‖


Did not Precinct
experience accessibility:
difficulty in going going to the
to the precinct precinct
voted on the 2nd Precinct ―Noong huling boto ko, sa second The respondent,
floor during the accessibility: floor ako.‖ when asked, did
2018 barangay ground floor not find much
elections voting difficulty in going
up the stairs to
vote
there was a Precinct ―Meron din. Dun sa may… sa
waiting area accessibility: may pinaka high school. Meron
available and she waiting area naman.‖
was able to use it
No express lane, Precinct ―Wala, sama-sama lang.‖ When asked if
not treated as a accessibility: there was a lane
priority (as a express lane, specifically for
PWD nor SC); all priority PWDs, the
elections she respondent said
voted in there was none.
She did not
experience being
treated as a
priority, not as a
PWD nor as a
senior citizen.
BEIs assisted the Precinct ―Meron. Mga BEI.‖
respondent accessibility:
assistance

32
Did not observe Precinct ―Hindi ko napansin.‖
any assistive accessibility:
devices assistive
devices
Has experience Familiarizatio ―Kasi noong bata-bata pa ako,
being an election n with the nagwawatcher ako. Bago ayan,
watcher process nagkaedad na ako, hindi na ako
sumali. Di na kasi malinaw ang
mata ko.‖
Has heard of it Knowledge ―Oo, narinig ko na pero hindi ko Afterwards, the
but is not familiar on RA 10366 matandaan. Ano kasi ako, ma-ano researcher
with the contents na ang memorya ko. Madali akong explained the
of the law makalimot.‖ contents of the
law
Not all provisions Perception ―Yung iba, nasusunod. Yung iba, The responded
are completely whether RA hindi.‖ proceeded to
implemented; 10366 is recount some
implementation is successfully ―Wala naman siguro instances where
hindered by the implemented [pagkukulang] kaya lang yung councilors would
interest of local or not; pagtutupad ng mga nasa baba nila, enter the voters‘
government reasons for sila yung parang… Gusto nilang room and
officials; in recent such sila ang nasusunod.‖ campaign inside,
times, situation implementati during the
has improved on ―Yung mga konsehal, minsan election.
napasok sa loob ng voters room. However, she did
Yung sa botoohan na kwarto. Oo, say that the
napasok sila dyan. Doon sila situation has
nangangampanya.‖ improved

―Kasi may nagbabantay na ngayon


na mga alagad ng batas kaya nag-
lay low rin yung mga [gurgled]
yung mga nang-aabot.‖
Suggest that the Suggestions ―Kailangan i-ano talaga. Kung ano
law be properly to improve yung sinasabi, susundin talaga.
implemented and implementati Hindi yung sa… yung sa pulitika
that political on of RA na… wag ganoon kasi sa kalaban
affiliation be 10366 natin yun. Yung ganoon.‖
removed from its
implementation ―Syempre, yung COMELEC.
Yung BEI, igaguide nalang nila.‖
Philippine Whether or ―Ang sa akin, sa sarili [ko], oo.‖
elections are not PH
PWD-friendly elections are
PWD-friendly
Did not Whether she ―Wala naman.‖ She did not
experience any experienced expere
discrimination discriminatio ―Ay nanay bakit ganyan yung
during the n kamay mo?‖
elections

33
―Yun lang sasabihin nila na wag
kang ma-ano nanay kasi may mas
grabe pa naman dito e‖
Has someKnowledge ―Hindi lahat.‖
knowledge of
on PWD
PWD rights and rights and ―Halimbawa, nasa sasakyan ka.
legislation; knowslegislation Kailangan nasa unahan ka.
of PWDs‘ priority Nakaupo ka doon. Ikaw ang
and financial aid prioriting makaupo doon. Bago
yung linya, may sarili kayong
Respondent is linya. Ganoon. Yung sa mga
apprehensive of gamot gamot, yung may discount.‖
applying for PWD
card because of ―Hindi ko alam kung mag-aaply pa
own perception of ba o hindi [sa PWD card]. Tsaka
being a PWD mahiyain ako. Ayoko hangga‘t sa
maaaring malaman na ganito yung
kamay ko. Ganito na ako noong
bata pa ako.‖

Knows one fellow Knowledge ―Oo matalino yun eh. Nag-aral yun
PWD who she on PWD eh.‖
considers smart rights and
legislation of
PWD peers
No access to Access to ―Wala akong alam sa cellphone.
information as information Kasi tinuturuan ako ng mga anak
respondent is on PWD ko eh bobo na ako ngayon. Hindi
unaccustomed to rights and ko matandaan.‖
technology legislation
Respondent lacks Lack of ―Naku, parang… Wala akong
interest but is also interest in pakialam sa ano. Ewan ko ba sa
ashamed because PWD rights sarili ko. Kasi sa sarili ko nga,
of perception of and nahihiya na ako.‖
self as a PWD legislation
Unnoticeable Thoughts on Syempre katulad ng walang
barriers and physical ganoon nga, kung hindi mo
tiredness without barriers and mapansin, madadapa ka. Tsaka
seats to rest on is accessibility yung pagod ka na, di ka manlang
a concern makaupo sa silya.

Meron, yung mga medyo may


edad na.

Agrees to separate Thoughts on a Maganda naman. Lalo na yung


precinct for PWD separate ibang mga hindi masyadong
voting precinct for mabilis magsulat, mabagal sila,
PWDs nagagalit yung mga walang
kapansanan. _May gagawin pa
kami sa bahay, ganun. Kaya kung

34
separate, walang problema, di ba?
Pare-parehong mabagal.
PWD president Suggestions ―Dapat mayroong pinaka
presidente yung mga PWD…para
ma-voice out niya yung mga nasa
loob niya‖
2 Male; senior Basic
citizen; has information,
sensory disability: has sensory
blind in one eye disability
and has difficulty
in seeing with the
other eye
Votes in all Frequency of ―Lahat po halos. Basta nagkaron
elections voting ng eleksyon, naboto ako.‖
when the Problems ―Isang bes lang ako nagkaroon dito
respondent asked encountered ng... last... 2016.‖
the kapitan who during the
was sitting where elections ―Tinatanong ko siya..
the voters lists Yung kapitan ngayon, kung
were, the kapitan saan—kung anong kwan ako.
ignored the Presinto. Kasi siyempre, eh nandon
respondent siya nakaupo sa pwesto ng mga
kumukuha ng boto. Kung anong
number. Yun lang. Yun lang ang
naging karanasan ko. Yun lang
pagkakataon na yun.‖
Respondent walks Precinct Nilalakad lang ang eskwelahan.
to the precinct accessibility:
going to the
precinct
Need for a Problems Tong last akong bumoto,
companion in encountered nagpasama nga ako noon eh gawa
voting during the nang di ko na mabasa ang kwan.
elections
does not use the Apprehension Ako kasi, ako eh... hindi pa ako
express lane to using umabot sa ganon na pumila sa
because of express lane PWD.
principles or being
considered as Para sa akin, kasi sa nakikita ko
a priority naman, nakakaunawa na yan e kasi
priority ang mga PWD... mga may
disability...

Kung alam ko naman eh siya


naman eh mas may kailangan niya
mauna ay no problem sa akin. Ako
naman ay medyo malakas pa ng
onti, pagbigyan mo siya.

35
Hindi naman mababawasan yung
aking pagkatao noon. Kahit mas
bata sa‘kin, mauna ka na. Para
walang usapan. Yung ganun. Yun
ang sa akin.
Voted on the Precinct Hindi naman. Ok naman.
ground floor accessibility:
ground floor
voting
no waiting area Precinct Ang waiting area mo kasi yun
and if you leave accessibility: nang pipilahan mo eh. Kung saang
the line, you‘ll waiting area presinto ka nakapila hahaha yun na
lose your place ang pinaka waiting area.

did not vote on Precinct Kaya lang ako nakakaakyat doon


the 2nd floor but accessibility: kasi pag naghahanap ng mga
had to go there to second floor precinct number. Kalimitan sa
check where the baba ako. Hindi ko pa
precincts are naeencounter na sa taas bumoto.

Napapapanik ako gawa ng


maghahanap ako ng precinct
number.
Given assistance Precinct Ok naman po. Magtuturo sayo
accessibility: kung anong dapat niyo... sinasabi
assistance nila, kung halimbawa, hindi
makabasa, magsama ka ng kamag-
anak mo na pwede tumulong sa'yo
kasi hindi pwedeng ibang watcher.

No knowledge of Knowledge Hindi ko po alam. Republic Act ba


the law on RA 10366 'yan?

Unsure if the law Perception Wala pa po akong nakikitang


is implemented whether RA ganon na yung aakyat na ganun.
well or not 10366 is Eh sa tingin ko naman eh wala pa
successfully akong nakikitang ... katulad yan na
implemented mga sinasabing waiting area yun
or not na mismo ang ginagawa namin.
Kasi kapag ikaw pumila,
maiiwanan ka eh. Dapat pag
umalis ka sa lugar mo na iyon, edi
kumbaga yung sumusunod sa'yo
na susunod...

Dapat naandoon ka. Pero ok


naman.
Financial only; Knowledge Ngayon ko lang nalaman, kasi
Lacking on PWD walang nag-iinterview sa aming
rights and mga ganyan.

36
legislation
Ang alam ko lang dyan... pag
senior, meron lang mga discount
katulad ng pamasahe, pag akkain
ka sa mga mall.
No access to Access to Wala po ako. (Access)
legislation but can PWD
ask relative legislation; Meron naman. (Other PWDs)
(former perception Yung kanina, kamag-anak ko yun.
councilor), knows whether or
of other PWDs not other
and assumes they PWDs have Baka may kaalaman sila kasi ako
might have some access or naman ay hindi masyadong
knowledge knowledgeabl
e Pero ano sa akin, wala ako.
Katulad niyan, pag di ko alam,
magtatanong ako sa kanya.
Kapatid ko siya, dating konsehal
dito.
None because Whether he Ok naman po kasi alam naman nila
people know he experienced na may diperensya.
has a disability discriminatio
n
Increased number Suggestions Mas maganda siguro kasi dyan,
of precincts to damihan na presinto kung sakali
lessen wait time para kung halimbawa kwan
and queue time
Para lahat makaboto. Para hindi na
maghintay ng matagal, di pipila ng
matagal, ganun ba.
3 Female; in her Basic Si nanay kasi ang bumoboto para
40s; has sensory information, sa akin
disability: speech has sensory
impediment, hard disability
of hearing
Numbers get Problems Nagkakagulo minsan. Yung
mixed up, long experienced number, iibahin.
lines
Ang haba ng pila.
Sometimes but Frequency of Merong botohan na ganun, merong
not often the hindi.
occurrence of
these
problems
No express lanes Precinct Wala yata, senior lang.
for PWDs; those accessibility:
with wheelchairs express lanes Kailangan may PWD lane.
have their own
lane; respondent Yung mga naka-wheelchair, may
not given priority lane naman sila.

37
Yung mga reklamo, yung sa PWD.
Yung sa pila talaga yung problema
talaga! Yung mga PWD at senior,
dapat paunahin yun! Di ba?
Experienced Precinct May precinto--sila, sa baba sila.
voting in the 2nd accessibility: Sabi, sa taas kami. Kasi second
floor 2nd floor floor yung bagong gawa, di ba taas
yon?
Does not know Knowledge The researcher
the law on RA one-by-one
explained the
provisions
involved in the
RA10366 after
asking
No waiting area Waiting area Pila lang. walang mga bangko.

No assistance Precinct Walang nag-aassist. Kanya-kanya


given accessibility: nalang. Pagpasok mo na sa loob,
assistance yung teacher lang Pirma, dito.
pirma. tapos ibibigay na yung ano
mo. Ganun lang. yung mga
watcher, nakatingin lang naman
yun. Yung iba, di naman nag-
aassist. Basta ikaw lang ang pipila.

Respondent Perception on J Ang dami no? Ang daming


acknowledged the PH elections reklamo.
lapses during the
elections
No assistivePrecinct ―Wala, walang ganun.‖
devices accessibility:
assistive
devices
Yes, only the PWD-friendly Ano naman yung pagboto, yun nga
lanes aren‘t being election lang yung mga lane na ano, di
followed nasusunod.
Discounts on knowledge on Sayang din yung piso. Companion is
food, jeep, bus rights and apprehensive in
legislation using the PWD
card for jeepney
discounts; PWD
asserts that it is
her right
Respondent does PWD peers A: Yung katulad dito, hindi sila PWD
not know any nakakakuha ng card. Wala silang respondent‘s
other PWD in card. Yung iba siguro, alam na nila relative‘s
community yun. Yung may mga card. Meron response
dito. Yung sa tindahan dyan.

38
Companion of Merong ginang na hindi nakapag-
PWD knows other aral. Hindi na inasikaso. Ako kasi,
PWDs, them not inasikaso ko to e. Kasi sabi ng sa
DSWD e, kunan niyo to ng pwd.
Disability is not kasi narinig niya yung salita niya
obvious which is saka yung ganun, para ipaalam sa
taken lightly by munisipyo. Punta kayo sa ceenter
the doctor ng kawit, pa-ano kayo sa doktor. e
sabi nung doktor, naintindihan ko
Those with PWD naman yan e! Sabi niya, Oh sige.
cards might know Hindi ko masabing, tsaka hindi
their benefits masyadong marunong sumulat. Di
ko lang masabi. Tapos sabi Oh
sige na nga, bibigyan na kita. Pero
di kayang maintindihan pag di
sanay e. Yung salita. Yung mga
may card siguro, alam na nila yung
benefits nila.
Discrimination in Day-to-day R: Tapos yung mga jeep driver, Respondent
day-to-day life discriminatio mga binabastos ako. Sabi ko, mga
more rampant n jeep driver.

C: Marami minsan yung mga companion


nangangaroling dito na mga bata,
minsan ginaganoon. Minsan
ginagaya yung salita niya. Yung
mga iba, ano. Niloloko.
Companion suggestions
suggested that
PWDs be given
allowance
4 Female; physical Basic
disability: information,
amputee and is has physical
dependent on her disability
wheelchair
Respondent Nature of "Kung hindi nauso ang shabu,
shared the trauma disability hindi ako ganito. Hindi mo ako
that caused her makikilala dahil tiyak, nasa abroad
disability ako"
Always votes Frequency of ―Hindi. Tuloy-tuloy na...Kasi, dati Dependent on
during the voting may ka-live in ako kaya may others (in this
elections; despite chance ako na maka-boto. ke case, her former
the sacrifice she barangay, ke presidente, nag- live-in partner)
makes, voting aappear ako.‖ for assistance in
does not falter order to vote
Yung huling boto ko, yung
barangay? Mula eskwelahan,
naglakad kami. Kainitan. Inano ko
yun, para lang bumoto.

39
Nagsakripisyo kami para wala lang
silang masabi. Hindi nila alam
yun. Ang traffic traffic! Kaya nung
pauwi kami, nagwheelchair kami!
Nakarating kami rito, ang dali dali
pa. Kahit naarawan kami.
The heat and the Problems ―Wala naman. Kaya lang,
huge number of encountered nakakahilo. Ang liit-liit ng
people voting in during the botohan. Space ba. Sa dami ng
such a small elections bumoboto...pero inaassist naman
space was a nila ako.‖
problem for her.
―Mainit nga. Tanghali na nagpa-
ano e. Alas nuebe kami umalis
ninto e tapos e pagdating dun e
parang pyesta e. Di mo alam kung
saan ma-aano e. Ako pa naman ay
naka-wheelchair.‖
Everyone in the Who assists ―Lahat. Lahat ng nasa room na
room gives her her yun.‖
assistance
The respondent Precinct ―Hindi na [pumipila], kasi nung The respondent
does not have to accessibility: time na yun pag naboto naman was giving the
fall in line as she express ako, inuuna na nila kaagad ako second quote
is immediately lanes/priority dahil alam naman nila... inaassist jokingly
given priority and of PWDs na ako ng mga staff kasi alam nila
assistance na may ano ako. Ganto nga ako.‖

―Hindi na ako pumipila. Takot


lang nila sa wheelchair ko.‖
The respondent Precinct ―Wala, wala. Sa ground floor.
found no accessibility: Wala naman. Kasi mababa naman.
obstacles and ground floor, First floor naman.‖
voted on the obstacles, etc
ground floor ―Ginigive way nila ako.‖
The respondent Discriminatio ―Special nga ako dun eh.‖
receives special n or lack
treatment during thereof; ―Takot nga sila sa akin e. Baka
the election day special magwala ako eh.‖
due to her treatment
disability. She did towards her
not experience due to her
any negative disability
discrimination
against her.
The respondent is Perception on ―Meron na kaya di ko iniintindi
disinterested in RA yun basta ako, buhay ako. Pasok
legislation 10366/PWD dito, labas doon. Ano ba
regarding their rights and magagawa ko dun, di ba?‖
rights, even if it legislation

40
were PWD rights; ―Namatay na nga yung mayor e.
would rather be hihingi ako ng artificial feet o kaya
helped willingly manlang wheelchair ayun namatay
na. Wala na. Yung anak nalang.

―Pakinggan ako, salamat. Kung


hindi, basta nasabi ko yung nasa
loob ko.‖
No assistive Precinct Wala, wala akong nakita. Yung iba
devices accessibility: naman, inaakay ng mga ---
Assistive
devices
Satisfied with How BEIs Mababait naman. Ok naman sila.
assistance treated her
Law successfully Whether or Oo. (maayos na naisasakatuparan)
implemented not RA 10366 maayos na naipapalakad ang
was eleksyon
successfully
implemented
Considers other Perception May nakikita ako pero iniisip ko
PWDs as their towards nalang, classmate ko. Di ba?
‗classmate‘ or fellow PWDs Kaklase ko sila e. di ko sila pag-
peers; rationalizes iinsultuhin. Maswerte nga ako,
that she does not nakakagalaw e sila, inaakay pa
have it as bad as
the other PWDs
Respondent wants Attitude Hindi na ako nagnanais noon. Ang When asked
help given out of towards gusto ko, kusa. about access to
genuine concern helping information,
PWDs Kaya dala na akong humingi sa respondent
mga kandidato. Hindi naman ako replied this
nagppray na magkano ibigay nila,
sana naman, may kapansanan na
ako, unawain nila. Nagbabayad din
ako ng tricycle, sa kasama ko,
pamimiryendahin mo, pati
sigarilyo ng drayber
poproblemahin mo pa, bibigyan
ako sisenta pesos? Diyos ko po.
Buti pa manghingi ako pabarya-
barya, masaya pa ako.
Main complaint Other Ang sa akin naman, kung sinong
of respondent was problems karapat-dapat eh. Kung sinong
the lack of help faced by the dapat tulungan nila, ang
given by respondent constituents dito, tulungan nila.
politicians and Hindi yung meron namang kaya,
government tinutulungan nila, pero katulad ko
officials ay di naman nila inisip na
tulungan.

41
'Yung tipong bigyan ng kahit
wheelchair manlang. Yun lang
hinanakit ko dito.

Respondent Respondent‘s Nito lang, last year lang. Lasing.


struggles with the relationship Binabantaan akong babarilin--
lack of empathy with family tatanggalin daw itong kamay ko.
of family members Aba, kuya! Mag-isip isip ka kako.
members Sa katawan mo nalang [patamain],
para tapos na problema ko.

"Walang care ang mga kapatid ko.


Imbis na sila ay maawa, iba sila."
PWDs need to be Attitude "Ang hirap ng buhay ng may
understood and towards kapansanan. Lalo na't 'di ka
encouraged PWDs inuunawa ng kasama mo."

Ang kailangan namin, encourage.


Hindi discourage [sic]. Halos lahat
ng pagkatao... parang... Parang
showbiz? Wala namang
maitutulong. Di bale sana kung
meron.
Discrimination discriminatio Para bang ginagawa kang pet? Na
due to insensitive n laruan, na yung tanong nila hindi
inquiries of sila nag-iisip, kung nasasaktan ka
people on the ba o hindi.
nature of
respondent‘s
disability
5&6 Both respondents Basic Respondents
were stroke information, chose to jointly
victims—one nature of participate in the
cannot write on disability interview because
her own, onw can they were more
write but it takes a comfortable this
long amount of way
time; both female,
both in forties
Both did not miss Frequency of
any election voting
voting
No problems Problems
encountered encountered
No express lanes Precinct A: Wala. Pero pag andun na, mas
for SCs and accessibility: pinapauna naman kami…
PWDs but it was express lanes
not needed B: Yung place na para sa amin,
because they were wala. Pero pag nakita kami,

42
given priority pinapauna na kami.

Has waiting area Precinct


accessibility:
waiting area
Precinct Meron. Dalawang baitang.
accessibility:
2nd floor
There were BEIs assistance
who gave the
respondents
assistance
Both respondents Positive
had a positive experience
experience
Both respondents Perception Mula nung naging PWD ako, lagi
preferred not to towards self na lang akong nasa bahay. Ngayon
go out of their as PWD lang ako lumalabas. Pero ngayon,
homes since they nakakapunta na ako sa SM
acquired their
disability Ako din. Ako di talaga lumalabas
ng bahay.

Both cited Knowledge Ang sabi ni ano, meron na katulad


healthcare and on PWD nung mga wheelchair na nakuha
provision of rights and natin kay mayor…
wheelcair legislation
Yung mga gamot namin,
nakakakuha kami ng gamot diyan
sa sentra…. Pati mga vaccine, sa
pneumonia.
Respondents Access to Sa mga batas, wala kaming ibang
know only their information mapagtanungan kundi si
councilor to be [COUNCILOR]. Ano ba mga
knowledgeable on karapatan naming mga PWD?
the topic
vaccine, sa pneumonia.
Figures that older Knowledge of Siguro, yung mga matatanda na.
PWDs know. PWD peers Sila nakakaalala samin… Ngayon
lang namin nalaman.
They did not even
know they were Di nga namin alam na PWD
called PWDs [kami].
Improvement on suggestions Wala naman siguro. Dapat lang
attitude bigyan kami ng… kasi alam nilang
ganito kami. May mga suplada
kasi. Pag nakita nila kami, wag
nang maging suplada. Kahit ganito
kami, turing naman kami nang
maayos. Wag kaming ituring na

43
katawa-tawa. Yung tatawanan ka,
ayoko ng ganun.
No discrimination discriminatio Wala naman. Sa labas lang.
experienced n
during the
elections, but it is
experienced
outside of the
elections
7 Has physical Nature of
disability disability
voted in all Frequency of Normal ang boto ko. The last one he
elections voting skipped was 18
years ago
Long lines, Problems Oo, ang problema lang dito, yung The responded
missing names, encountered pila. Minsan nawawala yung proceeded to
politicians pangalan mo, eh gawa nun kasi explain his
allegendly may dayaan, yung voters' list, parameters for
cheating the nagkakagulo-gulo. …Yun ngang choosing his
elections; sinasabi ko sa'yo, mga pulitikong candidates, all
problems magugulo. Gumagawa ng mostly based on
happened during pandaraya. what they have
the barangay done or what laws
elections Pag national election, ang they have passed,
problema lang diyan, wala naman not necessarily
Only problem in kaming problema sa national with regard to
national elections election. Ang problema lang, kung PWDs.
is choosing who sino nga yung pipiliin mo.
to vote for
Elections easy for Precinct Oo naman. Kasi…alam ko yung
the respondent accessibility, precinct number ko, yun nalang
because he knows discriminatio hahanapin ko. Wala namang
his precinct n, priority discrimination dito na... wala
number, no namang pangit na pangyayari dito.
discrimination, no Sa ngayon, ah. Noon, nag-aaway-
chaos unlike away kami noon. Nung magulo pa
before. yung mga kapitan kapitan, mga
mayor. Kaya yung pagboto namin,
PWDs and SCs maayos naman
are given priority
Tsaka naman, nabibigyan naman
ng priority pag PWD. Alam naman
nilang privilege nila 'yan, matanda
ka na, pauunahin ka sa pila.

It depends on Precinct Ah, hindi. Minsan nasa taas.


what precinct the accessibility: Depende kung saan mapalagay
person is assigned ground floor yung precinct nila.
to; people in
wheelchairs will Yung mga naka-wheelchair,

44
be carried bubuhatin.
Respondent Motivations Oo. Magtiis ka eh gampanan mo
considers it an for voting yung tungkulin mo bilang Pilipino,
obligation to vote; despite obligado ka sa ganun eh. Siguro
goes to the inconvenienc naman bago matapos ang
polling place e eleksyon, makakaakyat naman ako
early eh. Kaya nga inaagahan ko ang
pagpunta.
No assistive Assistive
devices devices
Does not know Knowledge Republic Act? Anong batas yun?
the contents of the on RA 10366
law
Policy cannot be Perception on Alam mo, nene, hindi naman natin
fully implemented RA 10366 masusunod yun eh kasi kulang
because of the tayo sa facilities eh. Eh katulad ng
lack of facilities high school [at] elementary namin,
in the country, for eh sa dami ng precinct natin eh
example kulang ang nasa baba. Kaya
insufficient kailangang gumamit ng second
number of floor. Eh ang mga ganyang batas,
precincts to eh hindi masusunod.
number of voters
The law is good Evaluation of Maganda yung batas na 'yun. Kaya
but RA 10366 lang, depende sa lugar. Di katulad
implementation nung mga nasa liblib na lugar,
depends on the konti lang mga botante dyan. Yung
location sa mga rural area kasi, konto konti
lang.
Voting is orderly
in respondent‘s Hindi ko masabing maayos…Yung
area so he does ganyang batas, walang problema
not have sakin. Eh kasi dito naman sa'tin eh,
complaints about lahat naman ng PWD dito sa'tin eh
the law nakakaboto naman ng ayos. Wala
namang nirereklamo. Eh, siguro,
ibig-sabihin lang, ok naman 'tong
lugar namin.
Had no problem Assistance Ah, oo. Mababait naman dito yung
with assistance; mga teacher. Ang hindi mabait
PWDs are the dito, yung PWD. Iritable katawan
hotheaded ones niyan eh. Wala ngang haba ng
pasensya. Lalong lalo na diabetic.
Lalong mainitin ang ulo. Kaya
mainit ang ulo ko talaga eh.
People will only Awareness on Marami rin akong alam na mga
know the law PWD rights inaano sa republic act, pero yung
when it is not and mga ganyang batas, hindi ko
implemented well legislation naman pagtutuunan ng pansin kasi
nga maayos naman yung ano

45
namin. Malalaman mo lang 'yang
mga ganyang batas, eh pag
nangyari 'yang disgrasya--
halimbawa, nagkaroon ng tensyon
at nagkaroong ng hindi magandang
ano, doon mo lang hahanapin yung
batas na 'yan.
Has access to Access to Meron naman tayong mababasa, di
information information ba? Eh, high-tech na kompyuter ng
through ating cellphone, merong gustong
technology and impormasyon na malaman,
social media; malalaman mo sa facebook o sa
claims that those YouTube. Pwede mong tanungin
who are sa cellphone. Kaya ang ignorante
uneducated are na lang sa panahon, yung talagang
ignorant in this walang aral. Napakadali nang
technological age mabuhay. May cellphone ka, i-type
mo sa cellphone. Sasabihin sa'yo
ng cellphone. High-tech na tayo
ngayon.
Does not know if Knowledge of Hindi ko lang alam kung sila'y
fellow PWDs PWD peers may alam sa batas, kung sila'y may
know or are interesado sa batas. Di natin
interested in the masasabi 'yun kasi depende din sa
law; bases it on pinag-aralan ng isang tao. Kung
educational yun naman ay mga elementary
attainment graduate lang eh hindi na mag-
iintindi 'yan.
Attitude towards Discriminatio Ang number one problema dito sa
PWDs is a n in day-to- atin, mapa-normal na tao, mapa-
problem, even in day life PWD, attitude. Kahit sa hospital,
hospitals makaka-kita ka ng discrimination.
Respondent says improvements Kaya lang, katulad ng sabi ko
there‘s still a lot sa'yo, pag ang batas ay nanggaling
to do but did not sa isip--kailangan mas maganda
elaborate what kung galing sa puso. Marami.
exactly to do Marami pang kailangang gawin.
Hindi na ako magbibigay kung ano
pa 'yun pero napakarami pang
dapat.
Drinking fountain Other Dapat naglagay ang COMELEC
because of the suggestions ng mga drinking fountain. Minsan
heat eh, makakakita ka sa mga senior
citizen, nakalupaloy dun sa ano...
tuyong-tuyo, hinang-hina. Kasi
nga, sa lakad yun. Lalakad ka
papunta riyan, walang mainom
basta. Eh pano kung ang isang
botante, walang dalang pera?
Dapat naman, yung ikabubuti ng

46
mga botante... kahit tubig manlang.
Heat as a Deterrents to oo, maraming naiinitan. Marami.
detterent to voting voting Unang-una, pupunta ka dyan.
Hahanapin mo pa yung pangalan
mo. Eh kung magcollapse ka dyan,
mapapagod ka.
sees politics now Personal "What is politics? Public servant
as a business evaluation of [sic]. What is politics now?
instead of public PH elections Business."
service
Respondent Attitude Ang isang PWD, ang isang senior
claims that SCs towards citizen, hindi dapat kinaaawaan.
and PWDs do not PWDs Dapat, inuunawa. Hindi kailangan
need pity, but ng isang PWD ang awa.
instead, they need
understanding
As long as you‘re Discriminatio Yung mga nakapwesto na
a PWD, you are n; difficulties ibinoboto ng tao, ang ibinibigay
discriminated; of being a niyan ay awa. Ano bang binigay
PWDs do not get PWD nila sa PWD, discount? 20%
income because discount? Akala ng mga
of discrimination nakapwesto, maganda ba yun?
Naisip ba nila yung 80% discount
[sic] kung saan manggagaling? Sa
palagay mo?

Kung ikaw ay isang PWD at wala


kang income dahil discrimination
din sa atin--basta't ikaw ay naging
PWD, mayroon nang
discrimination.

Kaya sinasabi ko sa‘yo, mabigat


maging PWD, depende sa
gobyerno o bansang
kinabibilangan mo.

Dito sa gobyerno natin sa


Pilipinas, pag ikaw ay PWD, dahil
nga may discrimination, zero ang
tatanggap sa isang PWD.
8 Suffered from a Nature of
stroke, problems disability
with mobility
Voted in all Frequency of
elections voting
none Problems
encountered
No need for Precinct
waiting area accessibility:

47
because the waiting area
process was quick
Voted on the 2nd Precinct Oo, second floor for disabled yun
floor but it has a accessibility: eh
ramp 2nd floor
Oo, sa right side, may pang-kabit
pa nga diyan eh
Was given assistance
assistance
No assistive Assistive
devices devices
Familiar with it Knowledge Researcher
but does not know on RA 10366 explains the law
the contents
Respondent Evaluation of Ehhh sa tingin ko okay
considers the RA 10366
implementation of
the law as okay
Respondent Knowledge Naalala ko lang ang iba
knows only a few on PWD
rights and
legislation
Assume that they Knowledge of hindi ko masasabing oo eh, kasi,
have some PWD peers ako din hindi ko din nalaman to eh,
knowledge but siguro meron silang mga alam na
not all, as the konti pero hindi lahat alam nila
respondent
himself did not
know
No access Access to info ay hindi, hindi ako marunong

ehhhhh mga kapitbahay ko lang, o


un sa TV
It is hard for Effects of Oo mahirap, kasi yung mga iba
people especially physical diyan, hindi nga makalakad eh,
those who have barriers paano pag kailangan bumaba hindi
difficulty in makababa dahil madaming tao.
walking, those Paano pag sa malayo ka pa
who need to go nanggaling tapos masakit ang paa
down the stairs mo, eh problema mo na yun.
but there are a lot
of people, and
those who come
from far places
9 Has physical Nature of
disability disability
Respondent voted Frequency of
in all elections voting
Respondent did Problems
not experience encountered

48
any problems or
complications
Was a priority priority
BEIs and assistance Mga watcher, minsan mga teacher
watchers assisted
the respondent Hindi naman, kasi meron nag-
aalalay
PWDs aren‘t that
inconvenienced
because they are
provided with
assistance
leaves early and Travel to Umaga pa lang na umaalis na ako,
uses his sidecar precinct gumagamit ko ng sidecar
Does not know Knowledge Hindi pa po
the law on RA 10366
Mentioned having Awareness on
the need to fight PWD rights
for his rights as and
well as the legislation
advantages of
PWD cards and
discounts
Respondent Knowledge of Ang mga iba hindi nila alam yun,
thinks fellow PWD peers kasi ang mga iba diyan tambay
PWDs do not tambay lang, mga iba diyan
know PWD rights tamarin lang, hindi sila dapat
and legislation ganyan. Hindi sila nakikisama o
because they lack naghahanap buhay, mga iba
initiative; PWD‘s napunta din sa bisyo.Yung mga
motivation is his andyan mga...anu diyan. Hindi sila
family naghahanap buhay kaya ayun di
nila ginagamit ang mga utak nila.
Yung kasabihan natin eh. Kung
kaya mo, gawin mo. Umayos ka
para matupad mo pangarap mo
para sa mga anak mo, na
makatapos sila. Yan yung
pangarap ko.
Physical barriers Effect of Nakakaapekto, kasi ang mga iba
affect PWDs in physical diyan hindi makakaakyat, kasi
mobility. Voting barriers nakakangalay. Hindi tulad ng pag
in upper floors nasa baba nakapahinga ka pa pero
can lead to pag nakatayo sila, nakakangalay.
accidents Peor pag nasa taas, kung aakyat
yung iba hindi kaya. Dapat talaga
nasa baba...dati, nung aakyat kami
nagrereklamo ako, hindi tama ito,
ang mga..ano dapat nasa baba. Eh
paano kung mahulog sa hagdanan?

49
Edi nadisgrasya. Dapat yung hindi
na kami pinapahirapan. Dapat
kung ganun ang mga may senior,
nasa baba, wag mo na din kami
paintayin.
10 Respondent has Nature of
sensory disability; disability;
blind since 1999; basic
senior citizen information
No missed voting Frequency of ―Talagang tuwing botohan,
in fear of name voting nakaboto ako‖
being lost
―Wala kasi sayang yung boto ko.
Baka mawala pangalan ko.‖

No problems Problems
encountered encountered
Satisfactory; assistance ―Ok naman yung mga nag-aassist.
treated well Mababait naman sila.‖
Despite there Precinct ―Sinasabi naman niya sakin. Kaya
being a few steps accessibility: nakakaano naman ako.
that the steps Nakakaakyat naman ako kaya lang
respondent has to una muna ‗tong masakit na paa.
climb, she can Kasi masakit yung kanan ko eh.‖
still do so
No waiting area Precinct ―Wala namang waiting [area] dun.
but some let them accessibility: Minsan naman pag may nakakakita
sit elsewhere waiting area dun sa barangay, nag-aabang ng
sasakyan, nagpapaupo naman.‖
PWDs have own Precinct
line accessibility:
Express lines
Respondent voted Precinct
on the first floor accessibility:
first floor
Respondent was priority
prioritized
Has heard of it Knowledge Narinig ko na sa tv yun Researcher
but does not know on RA 10366 explained the
its contents Hindi, yun lang narinig ko. Di ko contents of the
na [nalaman] kung ano yun. law

Oo nga kasi naririnig ko yung


ganyan pero di ko alam yung ibig
sabihin. Ngayon ko lang narinig
yung ganyan, na may karapatan
pala kami.
Not all of the Evaluation of Yung iba naman kasi talagang di
provisions are met RA 10366 naaayos pa.

50
Parang walang wheelchair.

Parang wala kasi akong


naririnig…kasi di ko nakikita.
PWD-friendly PWD-friendly Maayos naman kasi di naman…
because elections Pag ako naboto, ok lang. Inuuna na
respondent is kami.
prioritized
Some know, some Knowledge of Yung iba hindi, yung iba alam nila.
don‘t PWD peers
Respondent can Access to info Minsan si [REDACTED]. Yan
ask their lang naman yung matiyaga.
councilor Matiyaga yan sakin.
Right to Perception on Syempre nakakaawa din, katulad
complain; physical ng mga pilay. Buti kung
inconvenience of barriers matulungan silang umakyat.
voting on upper Karapatan din sigurong
floors especially magreklamo pag ganun. Kasi
for people with mahihirapan din sila sa pag-akyat.
physical disability Bababa pa. Kung paakyat,
napakahirap kaya.
Respondent wants Attitude Maging maayos sila. Yung mga
to be understood towards katulad naming may disability.
and to be given PWDs Yung intindihin nila. Diba meron
assistance to naman kasing, minsan may ano na
pero ―Oh dyan kayo.‖ Parang
Respondent hopes nakakaano naman yung ganun.
that instead of Syempre yung maayos na election,
being treated well na ano yung mga nagbabantay. Na
by EIs because of intindihin yung mga katulad
their training, namin.
PWDs be treated
well because they Kapwa tao na lang. Wala nang
are fellow human training. Kung talagang gusto nila
beings intindihin, ok lang. Kasi
naiintindihan din namin mga
katulad namin. Minsan nahihirapan
din naman yung mga nag-aassist.
Tulad namin. Ok lang yun.
People treat the Discriminatio Yung turing na parang kami. Kasi
respondent n outside of pag may disability, minsan ang
differently and is the elections turing nila, iba na. Laging
yelled at nakasigaw. Syempre kami, di
naman namin ano yun. Sila rin
nakakaintindi. Kasi kami din
naman katulad ng mga pilay.
Mahirap din naman umintindi.
Mag-ayos ng pila. Gusto nila sila
mauna. Kaya nga intindihin na
lang nila situation namin, ng

51
katulad namin

The ten (10) Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) interviewed were all registered voters in

Cavite, coming from four different barangays in Kawit, Imus, and Rosario. The data gathered

from the interviews WERE classified as the following based on their perception and experience:

problems encountered, physical barriers, social barriers, RA 10366, knowledge on PWD rights

and laws, evaluation, and suggestions.

With regard to their experiences during the elections, the initial response of PWDs was

that they did not encounter any problems. Four (4) of the PWDs did not mention any instance

that they viewed as a bad experience, while the remaining respondents did cite a variety of

responses, from the large number of people of voting to missing names from the voters‘ list to

the hot weather. Despite the problems they had mentioned, almost all of the PWDs interviewed

voted in every election without fail, except for one missing the 2016 elections due to personal

reasons. Half of the respondents did not experience difficulty in going to the precincts. One

expressed that, despite the sacrifice she makes, her voting does not falter. Two other respondents

mentioned that they make the effort to leave early in the morning to vote.

Proceeding to a more in-depth evaluation of RA 10366, the researcher asked questions on

whether the provisions regarding accessibility and assistance are properly executed—treating

these as the physical and social barriers to participation.

First, for the physical barriers, would be whether the polling place is located on the

ground floor or otherwise. Of the ten respondents, six had voted only on the first floor of the

schools that serveD as their polling places. Three of the respondents had experienced voting on

the second floor precincts. Some of the respondents know of PWDs and senior citizens who had

to vote on the second floor, one having witnessed firsthand that some people help carry the

52
voters in wheelchairs up the stairs. One of the respondents did not vote on the second floor but

had to go upstairs in search of the precinct he would vote in. One response that struck me was

that the PWD had to endure the struggle to fulfill his duty as a Filipino. He views it as an

obligation, and mentioned jokingly that that eventually he would be able to climb the stairs

before the election ends.

Next would be waiting areas. The responses of the PWDs interviewed were a mix of

claims that there was no waiting area, there was no need for a waiting area, either because they

were being prioritized, the line is the waiting area itself, or that they did not know. Only one of

the respondents said that there was a waiting area available and that she was able to use it.

There was also a mix of responses in terms of express lanes. Two said that there were no express

lanes, either in general or that it is for senior citizens only. One said only those with wheelchairs

could avail. One said that there was a lane for PWDs. One respondent deliberately does not use

the express lane because of principles. The rest could not recall or did not need to fall in line

because they were immediately prioritized.

None of the respondents noted any other physical barriers that they noticed during the

elections. Proceeding to social barriers, questions regarding priority, assistance, assistive devices,

and discrimination were asked.

Only two respondents stated that they were not prioritized while the rest of the PWDs

interviewed were treated as a priority. Only one respondent claimed that she was not given any

assistance by the BEIs while the rest were, a majority of which mentioned that they were content

with the assistance given to them. All of the PWDs interviewed observed no assistive devices,

for example headphones, extra wheelchairs, or visual aids. Some attribute this lack of equipment

to lack of funds or that it may only be found in urbanized places like Manila.

53
All of the respondents interviewed did not experience discrimination during the elections.

In fact, one of the respondents described that she felt special during the elections, with all of the

attention directed towards her because she uses a wheelchair. However, a significant number of

respondents described their day-to-day lives where they do experience discrimination. Although

it was also not prompted by the researcher, more than half of the respondents explained

extensively about their perception of themselves as and what they feel about being a PWD. One

of the respondents explicitly described herself as lacking in self-confidence. A common

sentiment of theirs was that they do not want to be pitied and would rather be understood by

other people. Some rationalize that other PWDs have it worse compared to them, some were

ashamed of having a disability, while some did not talk about their disability at all.

The researcher asked all of the respondents whether they knew OF RA 10366. Three of

the respondents said that they had heard of it but all of them did not know the law. After

explaining its contents, the researcher asked for their perception of it. The respondents had mixed

views on the law, ranging from it being successfully implemented, partially implemented, or not

implemented well but it falls mostly on the positive side. Some of the respondents found that not

all of the provisions are completely implemented. Some said that the implementation is hindered

by local government officials‘ self-interest. Some WERE doubtful that it wOULD be followed in

its entirety because of lack of facilities, the huge number of voters, and many precincts. Some

believe that it is implemented successfully.

The researcher asked the respondents on what should be improved with RA 10366. All of

the respondents suggested that the law be properly implemented. One asked that the politics

behind it or any political affiliation should be removed from its implementation. Another

mentioned that proper assistance should be given to PWDs, not because it is under the protocol

54
of BEIs‘ training, but because they should be treated as normal human beings. The respondent

was pertaining to the motivations behind the assistance of the BEIs. In a more general sense, one

PWD suggested having a PWD president similar to senior citizens having a president. Another

expressed the need for more voting precincts to accommodate the large number of voters. Upon

the question on the Philippine elections as a whole, the majority of the respondents agreed that it

is PWD-friendly. Yes, they did recognize that some provisions weren‘t implemented but a

majority did have a positive experience during the elections.

The researcher also asked the PWDs of their knowledge on their rights and laws made for

their benefit. As some of the participants were also senior citizens, they mentioned the benefits

they get from them. All of the participants mentioned financial benefits (e.g. discounts) and

being treated as a priority in queues. Some did mention their rights but none of the respondents

said anything specific. One respondent was very passionate when he expressed his frustration

that the 20% discount given to PWDs is not enough as oftentimes, PWDs do not have income for

the remaining 80. One respondent suggested giving PWDs allowance.

When asked if the respondents had access to information with regard to PWD rights and

legislation, four (4) did not have access to information, one had some access to information with

the help of technology and the rest haD little access or did not answer the question. Two of the

PWDs interviewed explicitly said that they were disinterested and one is not as interested. The

rest did not mention their interest in PWD laws and rights.

The respondents were also asked if they know or are aware of other PWDs in their

community, and if so, if they would know or be interested in PWD laws or rights. One knows

another PWD that she described being smart. Three assume others have some knowledge as

55
them. One does not know any other PWDs. Some are unsure as it may depend on educational

attainment if they know or are interested.

Table 2. Findings: Board of Election Inspectors

CODE THEMES/SUBTHEMES DATA QUOTE, PAGE REMARKS


1 Training on assisting underwent training in Yes in our training
PWDs assisting PWD voting included how to assist
PWDs in voting
Knowledge on the knows of the law; does Yes, RA 10366 is
contents of RA 10366 not know the about the rules and
specifics/technicalities regulations for voting
of it. of persons with
disabilities.
Difficulties experienced Express lanes were not During voting time,
by PWDs utilized effectively; express lanes for
PWDs still had to wait PWDs, senior citizens,
for a time in order to and pregnant women
vote were not utilized
effectively. They had
to wait in line
patiently in order to
vote.
difficulty in assisting no difficulty attributed No, I did not find any
PWDs to companions of difficulty because the
PWDs PWDs have their own
companions to assist
them until they cast
their votes.
Whether or not RA 10366 effectively Yes, it was effectively
was effectively implemented because implemented. The
implemented BEIs were well- BEIs were well
informed on how to informed about the
assist PWDs PWDs on how to
assist them.
Whether or not the PWD-friendly as the Yes, 2016 elections
elections were PWD- people around were for me is PWD-
friendly aware of PWDs friendly because
people were also
aware about PWDs
and still even if they
were PWDs, it is not a
hindrance to exercise

56
their suffrage to vote.
Suggestions or Precincts be separated, I think the PWDs will To note that
recommendations to at a location more be served better if it is already
policy implementation accessible and more their precinct will be within the
spacious for them to separated. Their voting law that
move around with precincts should be there should
special BEIs available located accessible for be a special
in each polling place to PWDs and more BEIs for this
assist PWDs who do spacious enough to precise
not have a companion. move around reason and
especially for those the BEI
using wheelchairs. interviewed
And a special Board of is not aware
Elections Inspectors of it.
will also be available
in each polling place
to assist PWDs who Concept of
vote alone. EAPPs

2 Training on assisting underwent training in Four months before


PWDs assisting PWD voting the election the
Commission on
Elections conducted a
training to all BEI
members. The training
includes on how to
assist PWD‘s in
voting.
Knowledge on the knows of the law; does Yes, RA 10366 is all
contents of RA 10366 not know the about the rights of
specifics/technicalities PWDs to exercise their
of it. rights to vote and
providing them
accessible polling
place and other
assistance during
election.
Difficulties experienced Did not see PWDs As what I‘ve
by PWDs experience any remembered, we did
problems not experienced [sic]
any problem
particularly in
handling persons with
disability.
difficulty in assisting No problems No, because we
PWDs encountered because of followed the things we
the training that BEIs learned during the

57
underwent. training
Whether or not RA 10366 Law was effectively Yes, RA 10366 was
was effectively implemented. effectively
implemented implemented during
2016 election
Whether or not the PWD-friendly because Yes, the Comelec
elections were PWD- COMELEC provided provided them with
friendly accessible places and accessible places and
other assistance. other assistance
Suggestions or Voting of PWDs be Maybe the Comelec
recommendations to separated, whether it be should provide a
policy implementation a different polling separate polling place
place or a different date for PWDs only or date
to vote in order to to vote to avoid the big
avoid the big crowd. crowd during election
3 Training on assisting underwent training in Yes
PWDs assisting PWD voting
Knowledge on the knows of the law; does Yes, RA 10366 is all
contents of RA 10366 not know the about the rights of
specifics/technicalities PWDs to exercise their
of it. rights to vote and
providing them
accessible polling
place and other
assistance during
election
Difficulties experienced Did not see PWDs I did not encounter
by PWDs experience any any problem
problems particularly in
handling persons with
disability
difficulty in assisting No problems No, because they are
PWDs encountered because cooperative
PWDs were
cooperative
Whether or not RA 10366 Law was effectively Yes, it was effectively
was effectively implemented. implemented
implemented
Whether or not the PWD-friendly because Yes, the Comelec
elections were PWD- COMELEC provided provided them with
friendly accessible places for accessible polling
them places
Suggestions or Both the PWD Provide a separate
recommendations to precincts and date of polling place and date

58
policy implementation voting be separated, to to vote only for PWDs
avoid the big crowd. to avoid the big crowd
during election
4 Training on assisting underwent training in Yes
PWDs assisting PWD voting
Knowledge on the knows of the law; does Yes, it‘s about the
contents of RA 10366 not know the PWDs right to vote
specifics/technicalities and enjoy the same
of it. human rights as
everyone
Difficulties experienced Did not see PWDs I did not encounter
by PWDs experience any any difficulties
problems regarding persons with
disabilities
difficulty in assisting No problems No, I did not
PWDs encountered because experience any
(1) the BEIs prioritized difficulties because we
PWDs, (2) they were prioritized and I treat
treated as normal them as normal, and
citizens, and (3) the they are cooperative
PWDs themselves were
cooperative
Whether or not RA 10366 Law was effectively Yes, it was effectively
was effectively implemented. implemented
implemented
Whether or not the PWD-friendly because yes, because we have
elections were PWD- of the separate lanes separate lanes for them
friendly for them
Suggestions or Additional BEIs to Additional board of
recommendations to accommodate the huge election inspectors
policy implementation number of voters since the number of
voters are huge
5 Training on assisting underwent training in Yes
PWDs assisting PWD voting
Knowledge on the knows of the law; does RA 10366 provides
contents of RA 10366 not know the rules and regulations
specifics/technicalities for voting of PWDs
of it.
Difficulties experienced PWDs experience Mahirap sa part ng
by PWDs difficulty when there PWD lalo na yung
are no people to assist walang nag-aassist at
them. Some voters are ang ibang botante ay
in a hurry to vote. nagmamadali rin sila
Some voters had na makaboto agad. Di

59
difficulty in finding the nila Makita ang
names of the pangalan ng iboboto
candidates they would nila.
vote for.
difficulty in assisting Found it easy to assist Madali lang mag-
PWDs PWDs so long as they assist sa mga PWDs
know who they will kung alam na nila ang
vote for. kanilang iboboto
Whether or not RA 10366 Effective. Yes BEI did not
was effectively elaborate on
implemented it.
Whether or not the PWD-friendly because Yes, sa aking palagay
elections were PWD- people were already naging PWD-friendly
friendly aware of it. ang 2016 elections
dahil naging aware na
ang iba tungkol dito
Suggestions or Provide a separate Siguro mas mabuti
recommendations to polling precinct so that kung naka separate
policy implementation there will be more ang polling precinct
focus put into PWDs. nila kaysa sa ibang
precinct upang mas
lalong matutukan ang
PWDs
6 Training on assisting underwent training in Yes BEI did not
PWDs assisting PWD voting elaborate.
Knowledge on the The participant agreed Yes
contents of RA 10366 but did not elaborate on
their knowledge of it,
only that they know it.

Difficulties experienced Lack of areas/waiting Lack of areas/waiting


by PWDs areas for PWDs areas for PWDs
difficulty in assisting No No BEI did not
PWDs elaborate.
Whether or not RA 10366 Yes. Yes BEI did not
was effectively elaborate on
implemented it.

The next group interviewed were teachers who served as Board of Election Officers

(BEIs) from different precincts in Kawit. The researcher asked questions regarding their training,

60
difficulties they observed and experienced, their knowledge on the law, their evaluation of it, and

their suggestions to its implementation.

Seven (7) out of the eight (8) BEIs interviewed claimed they underwent training which

included how to assist PWDs in their voting. The remaining one said that they were only trained

in operating the voting machines, not in assisting PWDs. The BEI stated that they are not

allowed to assist PWDs—only the PWDs‘ companions are allowed.

One of the BEIs cited that there was a lack of places or waiting areas for PWDs. Two

attributed difficulties in express lanes and the wait time. One of them stated ineffective

utilization of express lanes as the reason to why PWDs still had to wait in order to vote while the

other mentioned that there were other voters (e.g. senior citizens, heavily pregnant women) who

availed the express lanes so PWDs had to wait patiently in line. One BEI stated that PWDs

experienced difficulties when there are no people to assist them. Voters who are in a hurry to

vote also posed as a difficulty to PWDs. Having difficulty in finding the names of the candidates

they would vote for was another difficulty that PWDs faced. Half of the eight (8) BEIs did not

observe PWDs experience any problems during the elections, one of which is the BEI who

agreed to a physical interview. However, upon being further questioned, she mentioned a variety

of information with regard to the provisions in RA 10366.

According to the BEI, if the PWDs‘ precinct is on the higher floors, they are forced to go

there because precincts are according to the barangays where voters live. Express lanes are good.

But the precincts lacked assistive equipment. The people themselves serve as a barrier because of

the sheer number of voters.

The BEI cited missing names from the voters‘ list as an example that deters voters from

exercising their right to vote. The BEI thinks that some PWDs decided not to vote because they

61
find difficulty in voting, especially if they have had negative experiences. She cited relatives who

have experienced this problem and opted not to vote. The BEI also mentioned a neighbor who is

a PWD that does not vote anymore. This same BEI remarked that there was a free shuttle service

that anyone can avail so PWDs have this option.

Seven (7) out of eight (8) BEIs said that they did not encounter any difficulty in assisting

PWDs, attributing any one or a combination of the following reasons: The PWDs were

cooperative, the PWDs knew who they will vote for, the PWDs had companions to assist them,

the BEIs prioritized PWDs, PWDs were treated as normal citizens, and/or because of the training

that BEIs underwent. One of the BEIs, however, remarked that they were not allowed to assist

PWDs—only volunteers from the barangay. These volunteers were the ones who assisted PWDs

before they went inside.

Seven (7) of the BEIs claimed they know of the law, six (six) of which gave a gist of the

law, while the remaining one did not elaborate on it. Of the six (6) that gave what they thought

the law was about, three claimed that it was about the rules and regulations for the voting of

PWDs, three cited rights, for example, PWDs‘ right to vote and enjoy the same rights as

everyone, two mentioned accessible polling places, and two mentioned giving assistance to

PWDs. However, all seven (7) did not know or mention any specific provisions within the law.

The remaining one out of the eight (8) BEIs did not know the law but was willing to learn about

it.

The BEIs were unanimous in that the law was effectively implemented. Some have cited

them being well-informed on how to assist PWDs because of their training seminars or because

PWDs are given priority during the elections as the reason for this.

62
All BEIs interviewed for the study believed that the Philippine elections are PWD-

friendly because of any or a combination of the following reasons: other people‘s awareness,

COMELEC‘s provision of accessible places or other assistance, separate lanes for PWDs, or that

PWDs were prioritized.

A majority of the BEIs suggested that the voting of PWDs be separated, whether it be

location or date. Some suggested special BEIs to assist PWDs in voting, or additional BEIs to

cater to, not just PWDs, but also the general population. One of the BEIs regarded the proper

implementation of the law as a solution because the contents of the law are good but not all of its

provisions are followed. This same BEI, however, claimed that there is no need for other

recommendations, citing the lack of problems they had encountered during the elections as the

reason.

Table 3. Findings: Mrs. Mary Ann Evangelista-Gorrez, a key informant

THEMES DATA QUOTE, PAGE


OIC director of ―Actually, yan ay tinalakay ni [REDACTED], which is the OIC
National Council on director of National Council on Disability Affairs. Nung nagkaron
Disability Affairs: tayo ng eleksyon remember nung sa barangay ay sinabi niya na
there should be dapat may accessibility sa pagboboto para sa mga taong may
PERSPECTIVE ON DISABILITY

accessibility in kapansanan kasi lahat po ng tao ay may karapatan na bumoto


voting for PWDs sohindi dapat maging hadlang o balakid ang pagiging person with
because all people disability para ikaw ay mag-exercise ng karapatang iyon.‖
have the right to
vote—disability ―Kaya hindi na natin pwedeng gamitin ang ―handicap‖ or
should not be an ―abnormal‖ kasi ang feeling ng mga persons with disability, we are
obstacle to exercise not abnormal. We are not disabled.‖
that right. ―As far as persons with disabilities are concerned, there‘s nothing to
People with fix. Not unless, as I‘ve said, yung medical condition nila like yung
disabilities are not mga psychosocial, of course if it‘s caused by chemical imbalance
disabled. and a medical…‖

PWD‘s are not ―Yun ang dapat ayusin kasi merong gamut na maibibigay doon pero
rendered useless. kapag ikaw ay pinanganak nang bulag o di nakakakita—kamukha
ko, I‘m a very very good example, there‘s nothing to fix because
There is nothing to that‘s beyond our control. Hindi na po natin maaayos yun. We just
fix unless medical have to live with it. Kailangan lang na mabuhay ka ng matiwasay na

63
condition is matanggap mo ang iyong kapansanan at gumawa ka ng paraan para
psychosocial. ma-overcome moa ng iyong kapansanan.‖
Key informant is ―if it‘s medical, we can either work with it or fix some with it.
visually impaired. Kapagka naman yung programa ng accessibility or yung
pagtanggap…ng society sa aming mga may kapansanan ay dapat
There is nothing to ayusin kasi right now ay stigma. Ang iba kasi, ang mga taong may
fix in PWDs, they kapansanan ay hindi natatanggap kaagad. Kinukutsa. Pero salamat
just have to accept mga katropa ay marami na tayong advocates as I‘ve said ng para sa
and live with it. taong may kapansanan kaya unti-unting nawawala na yung stigma
Disappearance of ngayon, nababawasan sapagkat meron naming taong lumalaban para
the discrimination sa sektor ng may kapansanan at snasabi nilang, ‗teka lang muna,
and the stigma starts hindi niyo kami dapat kaawaan sapagkat kami ay hindi inutil o hindi
with different PWD kami walang silbi sa sosyalidad o sa society, noh, and we have a lot
advocates. of purpose and we can prove ourselves that we are better or we can
do much much more for the society of this country‘‖
Not all PWDs are ―Ang feeling ko, hindi lahat ng persons with disability ay pamilyar
AWARENESS
AND RIGHTS

aware of their rightssa rights nila dahil…hindi lahat ng taong may kapansanan ay mataas
due to lack of PWD ang pinag-aralan para pagtuunang pansin itong mga bagay na ito
PWD

centered programs dahil, number one po ay kulang tayo ng awareness program.


Number two, karamihan po ng persons with disabilities, may
Priority of PWDs problema po sa pangkabuhayan na nila. So, hindi po siyempre ang
are their livelihood focus nila or ang atensyon nila ay mas mapupunta dito.‖
Lack of ―Ma‘am [REDACTED] mentioned before that yung mga voting
DIFFICULTIES

accessibility polls, walang accessibility kaya hindi makapunta ang mga katropa
ELECTION

for nating may… kapansanan sa ortho. Tapos ang feeling ko pa…hindi


DURING

especially
PWDs with ortho tayo equipped. If you‘re blind, if you‘re visually impaired, ewan ko
impairments kung meron nang braille for us to be able to vote.‖
Lack of Braille
Ballots
[unable to answer a question because the interviewee had migrated
to the US and did not vote during the 2016 nor barangay elections]
Full implementation ―Ang mga sinasabi naman ng eskwela, yun ay inevitable o hindi
IMPLEMEN-
TATION OF

could be achieved if maiiwasan. So, I‘m sure na magagawan ng paraan yan with the help
RA10366

the COMELEC and of everybody. Hopefully, COMELEC will look into it much more
advocates can look and, yun na nga, yung mga nag-aadvocate for persons with
more into solutions disability, hopefully ay magawan ng paraan para maresolba ang
suliranin nay an.‖
Participation by―Of course, nothing is perfect in this world…Pero malaking bagay
ACCESSIBLE

voting can lead to na magkakaron ng participation ang mga persons with disabilities sa
POLLING

more PWD voter‘s pagboboto o pagpili ng ating…mga mamumuno sa ating bayan


PLACES

rights and voices sapagkat malalaman nila na merong pangangaylangan ang sector na
ito especially a lot of things: pangkabuhayan, number one, ang
kaalaman sa edukasyon sa education, accessibility—napakaraming
mga tinalakay na dito sa ating programa kung ano ang mga dapat
solusyunan pang mga suliranin ng taong may kapansanan.‖
The Philippines is Actually, napaka lalim na isyu yan. Because it depends on whose
CI

RI

DI

RI
O

O
C

A
R

A
N
D

A
R

R
E

L
B

T
B

E
F
F

F
F
S

not a well-off eyes are you asking, you know, what their feelings are kasi syempre

64
country that can ang pamahalaan, ang sasabihin nila ay oo napapagtuunan sila pero
prioritize the ang grassroots naman, sasabihin nila, of course hindi.‖
minority groups
―Sa dami kasi ng problema, hindi ganon kadali. I don‘t blame
Each has different anybody kasi…I have interviewed everyone—whether it‘s the
agendas that makes political side, on the persons with disabilities‘ side, on the…would
the country divided you say the government‘s side—sa totoo lang, lahat merong
suliranin sapagkat hindi po kami nagkikita-kita.‖
Change can start ―Para siya mag-work out, kailangang magkaisa muna e. pero kung
with unity and naghahati-hati tayo, we will continuously have a proble. Unang-una,
understanding of tayo ay…hindi tayo mayamang bansa. Hindi natin kaya ang mga
different PWD modernization na meron ang ibang bansa. Pangalawa, meron tayong
sectors for the PWD sarili nating agenda, hindi natin syempre… we cannot speak for the
voices be louder and whole entire persons with disabilities. Sana, kung magiging feeling
be heard natin ay tayo ay magkakaroon ng pagkakaisa, magkakaagapay
tayong mga persons with disabilities, mas magkakaboses tayo kaysa
sa kanya-kanya kasi syempre pagka…kumbaga sa magkakapatid,
kung kayo magkakapatid, as a whole ay pupunta kayo sa iyong mga
magulang at sasabihin niyong ‗kailangan namin to,‘ mas
mapapakinggan kayo. Pero kung pupunta si [] at pupunta ka na
separately, syempre unang una meron nang division ng time ng
parents niyo. Pangalawa, hindi rin naka-focus kasi syempre meron
kang sariling hinihiling. Meron siyang sariling hinihiling…Mas kaya
ko pinapanawagan sa ating mga may kapansanan: magkaisa tayo,
isang boses tayo, para tayo po ay mas mapakinggan.‖
Educate on how to That is what I was talking with DSWD yesterday. Ang sa tingin ko,
IMPROVEMENT ON VOTING

assist PWDs kulang ang implementasyon sapagkat kulang ang kaalaman. We


EXPERIENCE FOR PWDS

through the right need to educate. Kailangan po nating bigyan ng awareness. Talagang
process and massive. When I say massive, pangkalawakan, okay, na kaalaman
approach ang mga taong walang kapansanan papano ipapatupad ang mga
batas, okay. So we need to educate more people kamukha nga ng
mga nasa polling posts—educate sila, bigyan sila ng kaalaman kung
COMELEC should paano iaasist ang mga persons with disabilities para sila ay yung sila
conduct audits if ay bumoboto, para sa kanila ay maging madali ang proseso. Number
precincts implement two ay syempre, kung tayo ay pupunta sa local government, sa
the rules and comelec, all that stuff, para sabihin na siguraduhin na bigyan talaga
regulations ng first floor voting places ang persons with disabilities, bigyan ng
akomodasyon ang pangangailangan ng taong may kapansanan sa
pagboboto, sa tingin ko yoon ay napakalaking bagay.
The solution Actually, I wouldn‘t do that kasi ang ineencourage na ngayon ng
promotes further ating society ay inclusion. If you‘re going to do that, that is frankly
SEPARATE
PRECINCT

discrimination discriminatory. That is in my eyes. Kasi, ayun nanaman. Segregated


nanaman. Yan nanaman ay hindi pagkakaisa. Marginalization
nanaman yan. So dapat lang, like what I suggested, be sure to
monitor, okay? Na meron nang first floor voting place dun sa
eskwelahan nay un, at kung kailangan na tulungan ang isang visually
impaired, that‘s all. Assistance.

65
Mrs. Mary Ann Evangelista-Gorrez is an advocate of PWD rights and a radio host of

DWDD Katropa Radio program ―Katropa Para sa May Kapansanan‖. She is also a PWD herself,

as she is legally blind. The interview with the key informant gave insight as to the sentiments of

PWDs and PWD advocates. First is her perspective on disability. She confirmed the reviewed

literature, in that it is important to evaluate the social aspect of disability and discrimination.

People with disabilities are not disabled—they are people who happen to have a

disability. They are not rendered completely useless just because of their impairments. As far as

persons with disabilities are concerned, there is nothing to fix, unless their medical condition is

psychosocial, for example, which is caused by a chemical imbalance. As she said, ―That

(disability) is beyond our control; we just have to live with it. You have to live your life and

accept your disability and find a way to overcome that disability.‖

If it‘s a medical matter, there may be some aspects that can be fixed. If it‘s the program

on accessibility or acceptance of society towards PWDs, what needs to be fixed is the stigma.

Other people do not easily accept PWD but because of the increasing number of advocates,

gradually, that stigma will be erased. These advocates, according to the key informant, will voice

out that PWDs are not useless in society. ―We have a lot of purpose and we can prove ourselves

that we are better or we can do much, much more for the society of this country,‖ said the key

informant.

According to the key informant, the OIC director of National Council on Disability

Affairs had said that there should be accessibility in voting for PWDs because all people have the

right to vote—disability should not be an obstacle to exercise that right. Not all persons with

disability are familiar with their rights because, unfortunately, not all PWDs are highly educated

because (1) we lack awareness programs, and (2) a lot of PWDs have a problem in terms of

66
livelihood so their rights are not their focus. The lack of accessibility is a problem especially for

those who have ortho impairments. Also, we are not equipped. The key informant remarks that,

―if you‘re blind—if you‘re visually impaired—ewan ko kung meron nang braille for us to be

able to vote.‖

Eliminating the physical and social barriers will be a huge help to resolve the problems of

electoral participation because the voice of each person with disability will reach their elected

officials and politicians will know that they have a voice, they have rights and they all have to

take this into consideration. The key informant stated that it is a big thing for PWDs to

participate, to vote, and to choose the leaders of the country so that they will find out the

situation of the sector especially in terms of livelihood, education, accessibility, etc.

The key informant noted that the implementation of disability policy is lacking because

awareness is lacking. What is needed is to 1) educate people on how to assist PWDs and how to

make the process easier, and 2) make sure that COMELEC follows up with precincts if they

follow the rules and regulations. Because the precincts are schools, not all precincts being

situated on the first floor is inevitable however it is still imperative that COMELEC find a way to

address this together with advocates of disability rights.

The key informant was also concerned that not all persons with disabilities are familiar

with their rights because, unfortunately, not all PWDs are highly educated to pay attention. Other

than the lack of awareness programs for PWDs, it is worth noting that a lot of PWDs have a

problem in terms of livelihood so it is to be expected that knowledge on their rights will not be

their focus.

When posed about the suggestion of PWDs voting in a separate precinct, she said that

this solution will only promote further discrimination. The key informant placed emphasis on

67
unity and understanding. Among the vital problems that the key informant pointed out is that the

Philippines is not a well-off country. Second, each has their own agenda. The community is

divided. If the community was unified, PWDs would have a louder voice. Unity—one voice—in

order to be heard.

Table 4. Findings: Atty. Jason Mendoza, a key informant

Themes PWD VOTERS COMELEC


Current Situation/ Hindrance/ Current Situation/ Hindrance/
Needing Solution Constraints Needing Solution Constraints
PWD Voters need to PWD Voters tend Some forms may Photocopy budget
REGISTRATION

declare that they are to miss out the have left out the limitation and sometimes
PWDs during Annex forms Annex forms that no proper instructions
COMELEC during registration. need to be filled out given to election
Registration. Some This Annex form by PWDs volunteers
may need to update is where they will
their information on state their PWD
the COMELEC status or if they
database will be needing
assistance during
elections.
Should know what They are not aware COMELEC Only few registers
type of PWD they that they need to conducts a special
are update with the satellite registration
COMELEC once just for PWD and
their status has SC at accessible
changed to PWD malls, nationwide
PWD voters doesn‘t Some think that COMELEC gives COMELEC, though has a
avail of the EAPP when you‘re a options to the voters more complete census of
program during PWD voter, you‘re by asking them if the PWD community,
registration or automatically they would want to they are still unable to
updating process registered under sign up with the estimate how many
the EAPP EAPP program. special precincts should
program. be reserved.
COMELEC
envisions a
provision for special
precinct every
election where
PWDs can get

68
information
Some choose to stay PWDs have COMELEC Reasonable
VOTERS’ CHOICE

on regular precinct special lanes in conducts Special accommodation under


because they have regular precinct training for election RA10366 does not
better assistance compared to a volunteers on PWD necessarily mean it‘s
there like they‘ll be special precinct assistance for solely for physical
near the door regular precinct barriers but it‘s more
comprehensive and covers
all types of reasonable
barriers.

Some choose the Sectoral voting could be


special precinct surveyed here for all
because of PWD
convenience
PWDs, Senior Looking for their COMELEC The voters should be
Citizens, and heavily names along the provides maps and informed that they can
pregnant women voter‘s list should signage for easier check their names and
have a hard time go be done before the wayfinding precincts ahead of time.
up to higher floors election. This list
or floor with is available at the
different levels. But election officer‘s
would still need to office.
go because they
need to find their
precinct
New public schools EASE should be a
INFRASTRUCTURE

under EASE project continuous program but


(ensuring when a new leader comes
accessibility school in, the project tends to
election) will strictly hold progress due to
follow BP344 transitions
(Accessibility Law)
and the National
Building Code
COMELEC seeks COMELEC is just a
different coordinator, so if one
government and stakeholder is not being
NGOs like DPWH prompt, COMELEC can
for roadworks, only follow up.
DepEd for school
precincts and other
stakeholders for
cooperation in
improving the

69
facilities once an
NGO audits the
accessibility features
of the facilities
Over population in Limited number of COMELEC election The Precincts are not yet
each precinct precincts officers should look updated because it still
for other feasible uses the Barangay
voting centers, Jurisdiction based on the
conduct ocular situation decades ago.
inspection along While members of the
with different barangay grow, the
government and barangay gets divided into
non-government different sitios. And these
sectors sitios should be the basis
of the jurisdictions.

The second key informant, Atty. Jason Mendoza, works under the office of COMELEC

Commissioner Luie Tito Guia. He was also with another resource speaker who gave information

but asked not to be named in the study.

The key informant stressed as soon as the interview started that the elections are not a

one-day event. Instead, the day of the elections is the culmination of the year-long preparation of

the Commission on Elections (COMELEC). He explained the multiple initiatives that

COMELEC has done in order to accommodate the PWD and senior citizen voters and the

constraints that they face. He also took into consideration what PWD voters have to accomplish

and the hindrances to it.

The first major point is the registration process, which he notes is the most important

element to the elections because this is where voters declare if they need any special assistance.

PWDs are encouraged to declare themselves so or update their information to indicate that they

have a disability and that they need assistance and what type of assistance they require. Since not

all precincts are accessible, COMELEC gives options to the voters by asking them if they would

want to sign up for the Emergency Accessible Polling Places (EAPP) program.

70
An EAPP is a temporary polling place at the ground floor or outside of a voting center

where PWDs, senior citizens, and heavily pregnant women can vote. However, PWD voters

tended to miss out the Annex forms during registration. This Annex form is where they will state

their PWD status or if they will be needing assistance during elections. Since people can acquire

impairments and not just be born with it, some are not aware that they need to update their

information with COMELEC once their status has changed to PWD.

Some PWD voters also did not avail of the Emergency Accessible Polling Places (EAPP)

program during the registration or updating process for personal reasons, attributed to PWDs‘

perception of themselves. Another reason is that some assume that they are automatically

registered under the EAPP program. The key informant also acknowledged lapses on the part of

COMELEC. Some forms may have left out the Annex forms that need to be filled out by PWDs

due to a limitation in the budget for photocopies. It can also be attributed to the lack of proper

instructions given to election volunteers.

In order to address this problem, COMELEC conducts a special satellite registration just

for PWDs and senior citizens at malls nationwide. Malls were chosen because these are often

accessible infrastructures, as they have clear and numerous signages, ramps, elevators, and direct

transportation. Unfortunately, there are only few PWD and SC registrants so it is opened for all.

COMELEC envisions a provision for special precinct every election where PWDs can get this

information. However, in order to set up EAPPs, COMELEC must be able to know which voting

centers have the greatest number of PWDs, thus those which need the EAPPs. Though

COMELEC has a more complete census of the PWD community than other census

organizations, it still can‘t declare the amount of PWDs in a community. They are unable to

estimate how many special precincts should be reserved. All of these deal with the registration

71
process, and although no further elaboration will be provided as it is not within the scope of the

study, it is included in the recommendations section of the paper.

The next theme revolved around the choice of the voters. According to the key informant,

some PWDs chose to stay in a regular precinct because they had better assistance there. PWDs

had special lanes in regular precincts compared to a special precinct. Some choose the special

precinct because of convenience.

On the part of COMELEC, the commission conducts special training for election

volunteers on PWD assistance for the regular precinct. Reasonable accommodation under

RA10366 does not necessarily mean it‘s solely for physical barriers but it‘s more comprehensive

and covers all types of reasonable barriers, which includes social barriers. A constraint that the

key informant was wary about is that sectoral voting could be surveyed here for PWD votes.

They may become targeted for their votes.

The researcher posed the occurrence that PWDs, senior citizens, and heavily pregnant

women have a hard time go up to higher floors or floor with different levels, but would still need

to go to these floors to find their precinct. The key informant said that voters may look for their

names in voters list before the election. This list is available at the election officer‘s office. There

are, of course, still concerns that people may not know or that the area is inaccessible, thus would

have difficulty doing so. COMELEC provides maps and signages for easier wayfinding but

voters should be informed that they can check their names and precincts ahead of time.

Lastly, infrastructure was also a concern relayed by the key informant during the

interview. The key informant mentioned that new public schools under EASE project (ensuring

accessibility school election) will strictly follow BP344 (Accessibility Law) and the National

Building Code, which will help in the accessibility problem faced by PWDs. A constraint,

72
however, is that EASE should be a continuous program but when a new leader comes in, the

project tended to hold progress due to transitions. Continuity is a difficulty because of changes in

leadership.

COMELEC also seeks different government and NGOs like DPWH for roadworks,

DepEd for schools precincts and other stakeholders for cooperation in improving the facilities

once an NGO audits the accessibility features of the facilities. A constraint is that COMELEC is

just a coordinator, so if one stakeholder is not being prompt, COMELEC can only follow up.

Another concern in the elections is overpopulation in each precinct, but COMELEC

acknowledges the reality that there are only a limited number of precincts available. According

to the key informant, COMELEC election officers should look for other feasible voting centers,

conduct ocular inspection along with different government and non-government sectors. An

interesting constraint that the key informant voiced out is that the precincts are not yet updated.

The Philippines still uses the ‗Barangay‘ as the jurisdiction but this is based on the situation

decades ago. While members of the barangay grow, the barangay gets divided into different

‗sitios‘. These smaller units should be the basis of the jurisdictions instead.

Analysis of the Data

Having analyzed the data, the researcher took note of the effectiveness of policy

implementation of RA 10366 and whether or not it affected the electoral participation of PWDs.

The tentative answer of the study was that ineffective implementation of this law resulted as an

obstacle for PWDs which discourages them to exercise their right to suffrage. The theoretical

framework used in the study was the Social Model of Disability which considers disability as the

failure of society to provide the necessary needs and services of PWDs. This leads to the

73
systematic discrimination of PWDs as a group throughout society. The factors that contributed to

the tentative answer, as seen in the conceptual framework of the study, are the provisions of RA

10366 with regard to accessibility during the election day—including both physical and social

barriers. Based on the data gathered, the tentative answer was disproved by the data gathered

from the PWDs and BEIs interviewed while the key informants affirmed the common themes in

the literature.

The following are the major findings of the study:

Difficulties during the Elections

Four (4) out of the ten (10) PWDs interviewed said that they did not experience any

problems during the elections and four (4) out of eight (8) BEIs did not observe any PWDs

experience problems during the elections. The problems that were more frequently cited by the

rest of the PWD and BEI respondents were about the long lines, waiting time, missing names

from the voters‘ list.

Participation of PWDs

Despite the occurrence of the problems stated, nine (9) out of the ten (10) PWDs

interviewed never failed to vote during any of the elections. One was not able to vote in the 2016

elections because of personal reasons rather than due to the elections itself.

Evaluation of RA 10366

A more in-depth look at the contents of the law with regard to accessibility, assistance,

and discrimination shows that not all of the provisions are being implemented effectively. Some

74
PWDs have experienced voting on the second floor of polling places, some claimed there were

no waiting areas or express lanes, and some were not given priority. All PWDs and BEIs did not

see any assistive devices, However, more of the respondents are satisfied with the elections. The

consensus among PWD respondents that they received adequate assistance and did not

experience discrimination during the elections.

Discrimination Outside of the Elections

The lack of discrimination that PWDs experience during the elections is in stark contrast

with the discrimination they do experience in their day-to-day lives. The PWDs interviewed were

vocal about this.

Perception of PWDs

PWDs‘ perception of themselves is shaped by how people interact with them. A majority

do not want to be pitied and would rather be understood by people, hoping for genuine care or at

the very least, be treated on equal ground.

Effectiveness of RA 10366

The BEIs are unanimous in that the law was effectively implemented. The PWDs are

more varied in their answers but range from it being successfully implemented, partially

implemented, or not implemented well but it falls mostly on the positive side.

PWD-Friendly Elections

75
A significant number of PWDs and all of the BEIs interviewed view the Philippine

elections as PWD-friendly. However, according to the key informants, there is still room for

improvement.

PWD Rights and Legislation

The majority, if not all of the PWDs and BEIs interviewed had little no knowledge on RA

10366. Majority also have no access to this information. Some PWDs mentioned that they had

no interest in learning about these. PWDs are more familiar with the existence of policies that

they can financially benefit from, but they are aware of their right to vote.

One of the key informants said that not all PWDs are aware of their rights due to lack of

PWD centered programs and that most of the PWDs‘ priority is their livelihood.

Improving Implementation

If the PWDs of different sectors can cooperate as one organization and present to the

COMELEC their needs and suggestions, the COMELEC can plan better solutions. The initiative

of PWD voters in registering and updating their information are crucial steps for the COMELEC

to attend to the needs of PWDs. The promotion of these steps nationwide through information

dissemination will pave better service for them. Implementing rules and regulations by

COMELEC can be strictly practiced by having an auditing and monitoring body on the ground

before and during the election.

Conclusion

It is with great caution that this research gives a generalization for assessing the electoral

participation of persons with disabilities in Cavite. This is due to the constraints of the study, that

76
being the PWDs and BEIs interviewed belonged to only a few barangays from select

municipalities in the province. The key informants also gave answers on a national scale rather

than focusing on the province itself. The availability of respondents also played a major role in

this. Nevertheless, the findings of the study still hold relevance today.

The main goal of this research was to provide a discourse on the effectiveness of the RA

10366 in its goal of providing precinct accessibility and increased electoral participation for

PWDs. This was done by learning the experience of PWDs, BEIs, and two key informants. This

was done through interviews with PWDs from different municipalities in Cavite, teachers who

served as BEIs during the 2016 elections, as well as in-depth interviews with Mrs. Mary Ann

Evangelista-Gorrez and Atty. Jason Mendoza, key informants for the study. Mrs. Mary Ann is a

PWD rights advocate and radio host of a disability program while Atty. Jason works in the office

of COMELEC Commissioner Luie Guia.

In relation to the data that has been gathered, the elections were deemed by PWDs and

BEIs as PWD-friendly as a significant number of PWDs interviewed recounted mostly positive

experiences during the elections. Aside from this, the BEIs were properly trained and oriented

about how to handle individuals with disabilities. While some of the participants, both PWD and

BEI alike, do see complications in the elections, they are satisfied with it. PWDs and BEIs

consider the implementation of RA 10366 as effective despite some provisions not being

followed. The key informants, however, notes that there are still so much lacking in terms of

implementation, awareness, education, and unity. Without first addressing the social barriers that

PWDs experience, implementation cannot be effective.

In conclusion, going back to the tentative answer of the research posed in Chapter 1, it is

not necessarily the ineffective implementation of PWD policies observed through the PWDs‘

77
experiences during the 2016 elections which serves as a barrier that discourages them to exercise

their right to vote. In fact, based on the findings of this study, the PWDs involved in this research

were not discouraged at all. But, the lack of awareness of the general population, not just PWDs,

as well as dissemination of information, affect the effectiveness of policy implementation

greatly. Aside from this, the divided nature of the community of PWDs plays a part in their

voices failing to be heard and that what is needed is for them to unite to advocate for their rights.

Government action, the cooperation of organizations, and voter responsibility, information

dissemination, and cooperation between all parties involved are all important in order to improve

the implementation of not just RA 10366 but all legislation regarding PWDs.

Recommendations

Accessibility was evaluated based on the contents of RA 10366 but based on the BEIs

and PWDs interviewed, free transport was provided to PWDs during the election day. A

suggestion would be to look into this and possibly include transport to and from polling places in

evaluating accessibility.

Another recommendation is to take the registration process into consideration in the

study, or have an evaluation of the registration process and make use of the elections as the

evaluation of the entirety of RA 10366 or the effectiveness of government and NGO initiatives.

Further, it is recommended that advocacy be further looked into as it is not only a trend in

the literature but it is also seemingly an important aspect of gaining rights and achieving

inclusivity.

78
In line with the theme of unity, it is also recommended that not only PWDs with physical

or sensory disability be interviewed but include those who have other types or multiple

impairments.

Lastly, a recommendation by one of the key informants is to study the concept of ‗hiya‘

of not just PWDs but also their family members (for example, being gossiped about) as a

deterrent in voting.

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discourse and policy. Disability & Society, 9(2), 223–238.

doi:10.1080/09687599466780231

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blg-344/

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2018, from http://www.ncda.gov.ph/disability-laws/republic-acts/republic-act-7277/

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Appendices

Appendix A – Copy of Letter of Informed Consent for PWDs (English)

83
Informed Consent Form for PWDs (English)
This informed consent form is for PWDs who are registered voters in Cavite who we are
inviting to participate in research, titled ―Policy, Accessibility, and Inclusivity: Assessing the
Electoral Participation of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Cavite”.

Principal Investigator: Alexa Richmay S. Gandia


Name of Organization: University of the Philippines Manila—Department of Social Sciences
Name of Sponsor: Dr. Josefina Tayag

Good day!
I am Alexa Richmay S. Gandia, a political science student at the University of the
Philippines Manila. I am currently doing my undergraduate thesis on the electoral participation
of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs). I am going to give you information and invite you to be
part of this research. You do not have to decide today whether or not you will participate in the
research. However, I would need your reply by March 21, 2019. Before you decide, you can
approach me to talk about this research in a more detailed manner. Should this informed consent
form include words that you do not understand, please do not hesitate to approach me. Feel free
to stop me as we go through the information, and I will take time to explain in a more detailed
manner. If you have questions later, you can reach me through sending a text message to my
number (0995-723-0314), or you can e-mail me (asgandia@up.edu.ph).
This research will assess the electoral participation of PWDs in terms of policy
implementation during the 2016 elections. To do this, I will have to interview you about your
experience in the Philippine elections, particularly the 2016 elections. Although the research is
about a vulnerable population (PWDs), no vulnerable or highly controversial questions will be

84
asked. Participation in this interview is purely voluntarily. It is your choice if you will participate
or not.
The procedures for this data gathering will be of a purely interview method. Interviews
will be done upon the availability of the participant. This will be done one-on-one and will only
transpire for a maximum of 1 hour. Data gathering procedures in this study, with your
permission, will be recorded through a voice recorder. All of these will take place where it is
most convenient to you. Should you be unavailable to meet for a physical interview, you may opt
for a phone interview. You may contact me or tell me in person when and where you are free for
the interviews. I will provide guide questions ahead of time for a smooth-flowing discussion.
Although the data gathered will be used for the research, we will not disclose any information
regarding your identity. Your name will be replaced with a number and only I will know your
identity.
The data collected will be kept safely by the principal researcher, myself. Copies of the
collected data will be stored in three places: (1) the researcher‘s laptop, (2) the researcher‘s hard
drive, and (3) uploaded to the researcher‘s Google Drive account. I assure you that all the data
collected from this will be used for research purposes only. The data collected will be destroyed
after the academic year of 2018-2019, on the month of June 2019.
However, I must warn you that I will ask questions regarding your views and opinions on
your community as PWDs, your electoral participation as well as your experience in the
implementation of the policies geared toward you. Thus, this may be confidential information
and you may feel uncomfortable sharing this. The research will also have no direct benefit to
you, but your participation will be of great help in producing literature on PWDs. You will not
be given incentives to take part in this research, however, I will provide for your travel expenses,
if there should be any.
Should you feel uncomfortable, or you would like to withdraw from the research for any
reason, please do tell me. You are allowed to stop taking part in this research at any point of this
research. Should the data gathering method be done, and you would like your opinions and views
taken out of the data, please do say so.

Certificate of Consent

85
I have read the foregoing information, or it has been read to me. I have had the
opportunity to ask questions about it and any question I have asked has been answered to my
satisfaction. I consent voluntarily to be a participant in this study.

Print Name of Participant: _____________________________


Signature of Participant: _______________________________
Date: ________________
Signature of Researcher/Person taking consent: _____________________

If illiterate:
I have witnessed the accurate reading of the consent form to the potential participant, and the
individual has had the opportunity to ask questions. I confirm that the individual has given
consent freely.

Print name of witness: ____________________________


Signature of witness: _____________________________
Thumb print of participant: ______________

Signature of Researcher/Person taking consent: ______________________


Date: ________________

Appendix B – Copy of Letter of Informed Consent for PWDs (Filipino)

86
Informed Consent Form para sa mga PWDs
Ang informed consent form na ito ay para sa mga taong may kapansanan na rehistradong
botante sa Cavite na inaanyayahan naming lumahok sa pananaliksik na nagngangalang, ―Policy,
Accessibility, and Inclusivity: Assessing the Electoral Participation of Persons with Disabilities
(PWDs) in Cavite”.

Pangunahing Mananaliksik: Alexa Richmay S. Gandia


Pangalan ng Organisasyon: University of the Philippines Manila—Department of Social
Sciences
Pangalan ng Sponsor: Dr. Josefina Tayag

Magandang araw po!


Ako po ay si Alexa Richmay S. Gandia, isang mag-aaral sa Unibersidad ng Pilipinas sa
Maynila na kumukuha ng kursong Political Science. Ako po ay nagsusulat ng aking
undergraduate thesis ukol sa electoral participation ng mga taong may kapansanan o PWDs.
Iniimbitahan ko po kayong lumahok sa aking pananaliksik. Hindi niyo po kinakailangang
magdesisyon sa araw na ito. Subalit, kinakailangan ko po ang inyong sagot bago o sa ika-21 ng
Marso, taon ng 2019. Kung ang informed consent form po na ito ay may mga salitang hindi
niyo maintindihan, huwag po kayong mangambang lumapit at magtanong sa akin. Maaari niyo
rin po akong abisuhan na huminto habang ipinapaliwanag ko po ang laman ng consent form, at
ang laman nito ay ipapaliwanag ko po sa mas detalyadong paraan. Kung kayo po ay may tanong,
maaari niyo po akong i-text sa 0995-723-0314 o magpadala po ng e-mail sa
asgandia@up.edu.ph.
Ang pananaliksik po na ito ay ukol sa partisipasyon ng mga taong may kapansanan sa
pagboto sa pamamagitan ng implementasyon ng polisiya noong eleksyon 2016. Upang gawin ito,
kayo po ay tatanungin ko tungkol sa inyong mga karanasan sa mga nakaraang halalan, partikular

87
noong taong 2016. Bagama‘t ang pananaliksik na ito ay tungkol po sa mga mamamayang may
kapansanan, wala pong vulnerable o kontrobersyal na mga tanong sa panayam. Ang paglahok po
sa panayam na ito ay kusang-loob at may karapatan po kayo na tumanggi kung nanaisin niyo po.
Ang panuntunan ng pangangalap ng datos ay naaayon po sa paraang direkta at purong
pagtatanong. Ito ay magaganap po alinsunod sa takda at panahon na naaayon sa kalahok. Ang
panayam po na ito ay isahang gaganapin at tatagal lamang sa loob ng isang oras. Ako rin po ay
humihingi ng pahintulot sa paggamit ng voice recorder habang ginaganap ang panayam. Lahat
po ng ito ay magaganap kung saan pinaka maginhawa para sa inyo. Kung kayo po ay hindi
maaaring makipagkita para sa panayam ay maaari po itong gawin sa tawag. Maaari niyo po
akong sabihan kung saan at kailan niyo po gustong maganap ang panayam. Ako po ay
magbibigay ng listahan ng aking mga katanungan bago maganap ang panayam upang maging
mabilis at organisado ang diskusyon. Ang makakalap po na datos ay gagamitin lamang sa
pananaliksik at anumang personal na impormasyon ay hindi po isasama dito. Ang pangalan niyo
po ay papalitan ng numero at ako lamang po ang makakaalam sa iyong pagkakakilanlan.
Ang datos po na makakalap ay mananati po na lihim at nasa pangangalaga ng
mananaliksik. Ang kopya po nito ay matatagpuan lamang sa tatlong lugar: (1) sa laptop ng
mananaliksik, (2) hard drive ng mananaliksik, at (3) uploaded sa Google Drive account ng
mananaliksik. Sinisigurado ko po na lahat ng makokolektang datos galling sa panayam ay
gagamitin lamang po sa pananaliksik na. Ang datos ay sisirain po makalipas ang taunang klase
ng 2018-2019, sa buwan ng Hunyo.
Maaari ko lamang po na kayo ay paalalahanan na ako'y magtatanong ukol sa inyong
opinyon sa komunidad na inyong kinabibilangan, maging ang karanasan niyo po sa mga
nakaraang halalan at sa implementasyon ng polisiya para sa pagboto po ng mga taong may
kapansanan. Kung sakaling mayroon po kayong kompidensyal na opinyon o mga opinyong hindi
kayo komportableng ibahagi sa panayam, maaari niyo pong ipaalam sa akin na iliban po ito sa
pananaliksik. Ang pananaliksik na ito ay wala pong direktang pakinabang sa inyo ngunit ang
inyong paglalahok ay makakatulong po sa pagdagdag sa literatura ukol sa mga PWDs. Wala
pong kaakibat na panganib ang paglahok sa pananaliksik na ito. Kayo rin po ay hindi mabibigyan
ng insentibo para sa inyong partisipasyon ngunit ako po ay magbibigay ng pamasahe kung
sakaling mayroon sa papunta sa itinakdang lugar.

88
Maaari niyo po akong sabihan kung kayo ay maging hindi komportable o nais niyo pong tumigil
sa paglahok sa panananaliksik. Kayo po ay maaring tumigil sa kahit anong punto sa
pananaliksik—maging bago ang panayam, sa kalagitnaan ng panayam, o kahit matapos na po
ang panayam. Maaari niyo rin pong sabihin kung nais niyo pong tanggalin ang ilan sa inyong
mga sinabi sa panayam.

Sertipiko ng Pagsang-ayon
Sumasang-ayon ako na binasa ko o binasa ng malakas para sa akin ang mga nakaraang
impormasyon sa informed consent form na ito. Ako ay nagkaroon ng pagkakatanong sabihin ang
aking mga tanong at ang mga ito ay sapat na nasagot ng mananaliksis. Kusang-loob akong
pumapayag na maging kalahok ng pananaliksik na ito.

Print Name ng Kalahok: _____________________________


Pirma ng Kalahok: _______________________________
Petsa: ________________
Pirma ng Mananaliksik/Taong kumukuha ng Pagsang-ayon: _____________________

Kung hindi nakakabasa, nakakapagsulat, o hindi nakakakita:


Ako ay saksi sa tamang pagbasa ng informed consent form sa potensyal na kalahok at
siya ay nagkaroon ng pagkakataong makapagtanong ukol sa impormasyong sinabi ng
mananaliksik. Ako ay sumasang-ayon na siya ay malayang pumayag na maging kalahok ng
pananaliksik.

Pangalan ng Saksi: ____________________________


Pirma ng Saksi: _____________________________

Tatak ng Daliri ng Kalahok: ______________


Pirma ng Mananaliksik/Taong kumukuha ng Pagsang-ayon: _____________________
Petsa: ________________

89
Appendix C – Copy of Letter of Informed Consent for Board of Election Inspectors (BEIs)

Informed Consent Form for BEIs during the 2016 elections


This informed consent form is for participants who served as Board of Election
Inspectors (BEI) during the 2016 elections who we are inviting to participate in research, titled
―Policy, Accessibility, and Inclusivity: Assessing the Electoral Participation of Persons with
Disabilities (PWDs) in Cavite”.

Principal Investigator: Alexa Richmay S. Gandia


Name of Organization: University of the Philippines Manila—Department of Social Sciences
Name of Sponsor: Dr. Josefina Tayag

Good day!
I am Alexa Richmay S. Gandia, a political science student at the University of the
Philippines Manila. I am currently doing my undergraduate thesis on the electoral participation
of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs). I am going to give you information and invite you to be
part of this research. You do not have to decide today whether or not you will participate in the
research. However, I would need your reply by March 16, 2019. Before you decide, you can
approach me to talk about this research in a more detailed manner. Should this informed consent
form include words that you do not understand, please do not hesitate to approach me. Feel free
to stop me as we go through the information, and I will take time to explain in a more detailed
manner. If you have questions later, you can reach me through sending a text message to my
number (0995-723-0314), or you can e-mail me (asgandia@up.edu.ph).
This research will assess the electoral participation of PWDs in terms of policy
implementation during the 2016 elections. To do this, I will have to interview you about your
experience in facilitating the Philippine elections, particularly the 2016 elections. Although the
research is about a vulnerable population (PWDs), no vulnerable or highly controversial

90
questions will be asked. Participation in this interview is purely voluntarily. It is your choice if
you will participate or not.
The procedures for this data gathering will be of a purely interview method. Interviews
will be done upon the availability of the participant. This will be done one-on-one and will only
transpire for a maximum of 1 hour. Data gathering procedures in this study, with your
permission, will be recorded through a voice recorder. All of these will take place where it is
most convenient to you. Should you be unavailable to meet for a physical interview, you may opt
for a phone interview. You may contact me or tell me in person when and where you are free for
the interviews. I will provide guide questions ahead of time for a smooth-flowing discussion.
Although the data gathered will be used for the research, we will not disclose any information
regarding your identity. Your name will be replaced with a number and only I will know your
identity.
The data collected will be kept safely by the principal researcher, myself. Copies of the
collected data will be stored in three places: (1) the researcher‘s laptop, (2) the researcher‘s hard
drive, and (3) uploaded to the researcher‘s Google Drive account.. I assure you that all the data
collected from this will be used for research purposes only. The data collected will be destroyed
after the academic year of 2018-2019, on the month of June 2019.
However, I must warn you that I will ask questions regarding your views and opinions on
PWDs and their electoral participation as well as your experience in implementing policies
geared towards them. Thus, this may be confidential information and you may feel
uncomfortable sharing this. The research will also have no direct benefit to you, but your
participation will be of great help in producing literature on PWDs. You will not be given
incentives to take part in this research, however, I will provide for your travel expenses, if there
should be.
Should you feel uncomfortable, or you would like to withdraw from the research for any
reason, please do tell me. You are allowed to stop taking part in this research at any point of this
research. Should the data gathering method be done, and you would like your opinions and views
taken out of the data, please do say so.

91
Certificate of Consent
I have read the foregoing information, or it has been read to me. I have had the
opportunity to ask questions about it and any question I have asked has been answered to my
satisfaction. I consent voluntarily to be a participant in this study.

Print Name of Participant: _____________________________


Signature of Participant: _______________________________
Date: ________________
Signature of Researcher/Person taking consent: _____________________

If illiterate:
I have witnessed the accurate reading of the consent form to the potential participant, and the
individual has had the opportunity to ask questions. I confirm that the individual has given
consent freely.

Print name of witness: ____________________________


Signature of witness: _____________________________
Thumb print of participant: ______________

Signature of Researcher/Person taking consent: ______________________


Date: ________________

92
Appendix D – Copy of Letter of Informed Consent for KII

Informed Consent Form for Key Informant

This informed consent form is for the key informant who we are inviting to participate in

research, titled ―Policy, Accessibility, and Inclusivity: Assessing the Electoral Participation of

Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Cavite”.

Principal Investigator: Alexa Richmay S. Gandia

Name of Organization: University of the Philippines Manila—Department of Social Sciences

Name of Sponsor: Dr. Josefina Tayag

Good day!

I am Alexa Richmay S. Gandia, a political science student at the University of the

Philippines Manila. I am currently doing my undergraduate thesis on the electoral participation

of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs). I am going to give you information and invite you to be

part of this research. You do not have to decide today whether or not you will participate in the

research. However, I would need your reply by March 16, 2019. Before you decide, you can

approach me or contact me to inquire about this research in a more detailed manner. Should this

informed consent form include words that you do not understand, please do not hesitate to

approach me. Feel free to stop me as we go through the information, and I will take time to

2
explain in a more detailed manner. If you have questions later, you can reach me through sending

a text message to my number (0995-723-0314), or you can e-mail me (asgandia@up.edu.ph).

This research will assess the electoral participation of PWDs in terms of policy

implementation during the 2016 elections. To do this, I will have to interview you about your

expert knowledge of the topic. Although the research is about a vulnerable population (PWDs),

no vulnerable or highly controversial questions will be asked. Participation in this interview is

purely voluntarily. It is your choice if you will participate or not.

The procedures for this data gathering will be of a purely interview method. Interviews
will be done upon the availability of the participant or key informant. This will be done one on
one and will only transpire for a maximum of 1 hour. Data gathering procedures in this study,
with your permission, will be recorded through a voice recorder. All of these will take place
where it is most convenient to you. You may contact me or tell me in person when and where
you are free for the interview.
The data collected will be kept safely by the principal researcher, myself. Copies of the

collected data will be stored in three places: (1) the researcher‘s laptop, (2) the researcher‘s hard

drive, and (3) uploaded to the researcher‘s Google Drive account. I assure you that all the data

collected from this will be used for research purposes only. The data collected will be destroyed

after the academic year of 2018-2019, on the month of June 2019.

However, I must warn you that I will ask questions regarding your views and opinions on

PWDs and their electoral participation as well as your experience in implementing policies

geared towards them. Thus, this may be confidential information and you may feel

uncomfortable sharing this. The research will also have no direct benefit to you, but your

participation will be of great help in producing literature on PWDs. There are no risks in

participating in the research. You will not be given incentives to take part in this research,

however, I will provide for your travel expenses, if there should be any.

3
Should you feel uncomfortable, or you would like to withdraw from the research for any

reason, please do tell me. You are allowed to stop taking part in this research at any point of this

research. Should the data gathering method be done, and you would like your opinions and views

taken out of the data, please do say so.

Certificate of Consent

I have read the foregoing information, or it has been read to me. I have had the

opportunity to ask questions about it and any question I have asked has been answered to my

satisfaction. I consent voluntarily to be a participant in this study.

Print Name of Participant: _____________________________

Signature of Participant: _______________________________

Date: ________________

Signature of Researcher/Person taking consent: _____________________

If illiterate or a vulnerable participant:

I have witnessed the accurate reading of the consent form to the potential participant, and the

individual has had the opportunity to ask questions. I confirm that the individual has given

consent freely.

I have witnessed the accurate reading of the consent form to the potential participant, and the

individual has had the opportunity to ask questions. I confirm that the individual has given

consent freely.

4
Print name of witness: ____________________________

Signature of witness: _____________________________

Signature or thumb print of participant: ______________

Signature of Researcher/Person taking consent: ______________________

Date: ________________

Statement by the researcher/person taking consent

I have accurately read out the information sheet to the potential participant, and to the best of my

ability made sure that the participant understands that the following will be done:

1. That the interview will be conducted voluntarily and the participant may stop at any time

they wish without any repercussions;

2. That there will be no incentive to the key informant‘s participation in the study;

3. That the researcher is the only one who will have access to the data acquired from the

interview, it will be kept safe and will only be used for research purposes, and that it will

be destroyed after the academic year of 2018-2019, on the month of June 2019;

4. And that because of the key informant‘s expertise on the subject, he or she will be cited

as an expert in the study.

I confirm that the participant was given an opportunity to ask questions about the study, and all

the questions asked by the participant have been answered correctly and to the best of my ability.

5
I confirm that the individual has not been coerced into giving consent, and the consent has been

given freely and voluntarily.

A copy of this ICF has been provided to the participant.

Print Name of Researcher/person taking the consent________________________

Signature of Researcher /person taking the consent__________________________

Date ___________________________

Day/month/year

6
Appendix E – Copy of Interview Questions for PWDs
Interview Questions (Filipino)
Ang listahan ng mga tanong na ito ay para sa isahang panayam sa mga taong may
kapansanan na kalahok ng pananaliksik na ito.
Kayo po ay maaaring sumagot sa Ingles o Filipino—sa kung aling wika kayo
komportable. Maaari niyo po akong tanungin tungkol sa kahit anong salita na hindi po kayo
pamilyar at ipapaliwanag ko po ito sa abot ng aking makakaya.

1. Bumoto po ba kayo noong eleksyon 2016?


2. Alam niyo po ba ang mga nilalaman ng RA 10366?
3. Mayroon po ba kayong naranasang problema habang kayo ay bumoboto? Ano po ang
mga ito?
4. Naranasan niyo po ba ito maging sa mga nakaraang eleksyon? (Maaari lamang po na
sabihin kung anong tiyak na mga problema ang umulit)
5. Mayroon po bang hindi na umulit? Ano po sa tingin niyo ang nakapagpabuti sa mga ito?
6. Nangyari na po bang hindi kayo bumoto sa eleksyon? Mayroon po ba itong kinalaman sa
mga naranasang problema sa presinto?
7. Ngayon at alam niyo na po ang laman ng RA 10366, sa tingin niyo po ba ay matagumpay
na naisakatuparan ang polisiyang ito?
8. Sa tingin niyo po ba ay PWD-friendly ang eleksyon 2016? Bakit po?
9. Sa tingin niyo po ba kayo ay maalam ukol sa mga karapatan niyo ayon sa batas, lalo na sa
pagboto?
10. Sa tingin niyo po ba ay alam ng inyong kapwa na PWD ang kanilang mga karapatan, lalo
na sa pagboto?
11. Sa tingin niyo po ba ay ang ganap na pagtanggal ng anumang pisikal na hadlang sa mga
presintong pinagbobotohan ay makaka-apekto sa paglahok ng mga PWD sa eleksyon? Sa
paanong paraan?
12. Sa inyong palagay, sa paanong paraan dapat pagtibayin ang pagkakasatuparan ang mga
polisiya upang maiwasang mangyari ang mga problemang naranasan ng mga PWD sa
mga nakaraang eleksyon na hindi maulit at magpatuloy sa mga susunod na eleksyon sa
bansa?

7
Appendix F– Copy of Interview Questions for BEIs

Interview Questions

This list of questions is for the one-on-one interviews for the participants who served as

Board of Election Inspectors (BEI) during the 2016 elections. You may answer the following

questions in either English or Filipino, whichever you are more comfortable with.

1. At what precinct in Cavite did you serve as a BEI during the 2016 elections?

2. Did your training include how to assist PWDs in voting?

3. Do you know the contents of RA 10366?

4. What were the difficulties experienced by Persons with Disability (PWDs) which you

observed during the 2016 elections, if any?

5. Did you find difficulty in assisting PWDs during the elections? In what way?

6. Do you think RA 10366 was effectively implemented?

7. Do you think the 2016 elections were PWD-friendly? Why or why not?

8. How should policy implementation be improved to address the problems encountered

during the 2016 elections by BEIs and PWDs alike?

Appendix I – Copy of Interview Questions for KII

Interview Questions

This list of questions is for the key informant interview (KII).

1. In what perspective do you understand disability? Is it in medical terms wherein


disability is seen as impairments that need to be treated and cared for, or, although it
involves health-related issues, as socially caused because of society stigmatizing PWDs
and creating physical and social barriers to hinder their full participation?

8
2. Do you think that PWDs are aware or knowledgeable about their rights, especially in
terms of suffrage?
3. What are the difficulties that PWDs face when voting?
4. Experience of PWDs and BEIs during the 2016 elections
5. What is your opinion on the effectiveness of policy implementation of the ff:
a. COMELEC Resolution No. 9485
b. RA 10366
6. Do you think the elimination of physical barriers and achieving accessibility in terms of
polling places will affect the participation of PWDs during elections? In what way?
7. According to the literature, social barriers are an overarching concept where physical
barriers is just a sub-topic.
a. Do you think that the government is successful in eliminating the physical barriers
that obstruct PWDs during elections?
b. What about the social barriers?
8. How should policy implementation be improved to address the problems encountered by
BEIs and PWDs alike during the 2016 elections and all other future elections in the
country?

9
Appendix I: Transcript of PWD Respondent #1

[PERCEPTION OF SELF AS PWD]


“Nagsisisi ako kasi wala akong kumpyansa sa sarili ko. Nakakita ako ngayon ng PWD na
nakagraduate sila, nakatapos sila, may mga… magandang pangalan… Ganoon. Hindi sa pag…
Nakapagtapos naman ako pero umiiral talaga sakin yung kahiyaan. Wala akong self-
confidence.”

“Ay hindi na, matanda na ako.”

“Hindi naman, ano lang, kung iisipin ko. Pero sa ngayon, kuntento na ako na ganito ako. Kahit
papaano, nabibigyan ko naman yung mga anak ko.”

“Kahit papaano naman, nakapag-aral ako hanggang first year college.”

“Hindi naman pansinin ‘to eh. Kahit nung nag-aaral ako, hindi nila pansin ‘to eh. Kahit yung
mister ko, hindi niya napansin na ganito ako.”

[FREQUENCY OF VOTING]
“Hindi yata, kasi nagbakasyon kami sa *REDACTED+. Taga *REDACTED+ kasi ako.”

[PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED]
“Minsan yung… yung mga botante, wala sa listahan. Nawawala yung mga pangalan namin.
Tapos, kailangan pumunta ka pa dun sa pinaka original na record talaga para hanapin yung
pangalan mo.”
“Hindi naman.”

[GROUND FLOOR]
“Noong huling boto ko, sa second floor ako.”
“Saang building ba yun…”
“Sa grade 1. Sa *REDACTED+”
“Noong huling botohan.”
Sa barangay elections po?
Nahirapan po ba kayong umakyat po?
“Hindi naman”
Mayroon po bang waiting area?
“Meron din. Dun sa may… sa may pinaka high school. Meron naman.”
Nagamit niyo po ba ito? Nakaupo po ba kayo dito?
“Oo.”

10
[EXPRESS LANES]
Mayroon po bang linya na pang-PWD lang po?
Wala, sama-sama lang.
Priority, senior di ba?
Hindi.
Ay, hindi po kayo naging priority?
Hindi.
So, pumila po kayo pero lahat po, kung babae man na buntis o senior, sa isa lang po?
Oo.
Kailan po ito?
Lahat ng ano *eleksyon+…

[ASSIST]
Mayroon po ba kayong nakikitang mga nag-aassist po sa inyo?
“Meron. Mga BEI.”

[ASSISTIVE DEVICES]
Mayroon po bang mga headphones o wheelchair na naka-tenga sa presinto, kung sakaling may
mangailangan po?
“Hindi ko napansin.”

[OTHER REMARKS]
Has experience being an election watcher
Kasi noong bata-bata pa ako, nagwawatcher ako. Bago ayan, nagkaedad na ako, hindi na ako
sumali. Di na kasi malinaw ang mata ko.

[RA 10366]
“Oo, narinig ko na pero hindi ko matandaan. Ano kasi ako, ma-ano na ang memorya ko. Madali
akong makalimot.” *I explain the contents of the law+

[PERCEPTION OF RA 10366]
“Yung iba, nasusunod. Yung iba, hindi.”

[IMPROVEMENT TO RA 10366]
“Kailangan i-ano talaga. Kung ano yung sinasabi, susundin talaga. Hindi yung sa… yung sa
pulitika na… wag ganoon kasi sa kalaban natin yun. Yung ganoon.”

Sa tingin niyo po, sino po ang dapat mag-ayos/implement nito?

“Syempre, yung COMELEC. Yung BEI, igaguide nalang nila.”

Sa tingin niyo po ba may pagkukulang sa pagpapatupad ng batas?

11
“Wala naman siguro *pagkukulang+ kaya lang yung pagtutupad ng mga nasa baba nila, sila yung
parang… Gusto nilang sila ang nasusunod.”

Sino po?

“Yung mga konsehal, minsan napasok sa loob ng voters room. Yung sa botoohan na kwarto. Oo,
napasok sila dyan. Doon sila nangangampanya.”

[REASON FOR ABSTAINING FROM ELECTIONS]


“Nung hindi pa ako naka-transfer dito sa Maynila kasi doon pa ako sa apo ko nakalista. Bago
noong lumipat ako nag-aral pa ako ng konti, yun hindi ako nakaboto na.”

[REASON FOR IMPROVEMENT]


“Kasi may nagbabantay na ngayon na mga alagad ng batas kaya nag-lay low rin yung mga
[gurgled] yung mga nang-aabot.”

[PWD-FRIENDLY]
“Ang sa akin, sa sarili *ko+, oo.” friendly

[DISCRIMINATION]
“Wala naman.”
“Ay nanay bakit ganyan yung kamay mo?”
“Yun lang sasabihin nila na wag kang ma-ano nanay kasi may mas grabe pa naman dito e”

[KNOWLEDGE ON PWD RIGHTS AND LEGISLATION]


“Hindi lahat.”

“Halimbawa, nasa sasakyan ka. Kailangan nasa unahan ka. Nakaupo ka doon. Ikaw ang
prioriting makaupo doon. Bago yung linya, may sarili kayong linya. Ganoon. Yung sa mga gamot
gamot, yung may discount.”

“Hindi ko alam kung mag-aaply pa ba o hindi [sa PWD card]. Tsaka mahiyain ako. Ayoko
hangga’t sa maaaring malaman na ganito yung kamay ko. Ganito na ako noong bata pa ako.”

Meron po ba kayong kakilala na PWD?


*Isa lang ata?

[KNOWLEDGE ON PWD RIGHTS AND LEGISLATION OF PWD PEERS]


“Oo matalino yun eh. Nag-aral yun eh.”

[ACCESS TO INFORMATION ON PWD RIGHTS AND LEGISLATION]


“Wala akong alam sa cellphone. Kasi tinuturuan ako ng mga anak ko eh bobo na ako ngayon.
Hindi ko matandaan.”

12
[INTEREST ON PWD RIGHTS AND LEGISLATION]
May mapagtatanungan po ba kayo?

“Naku, parang… Wala akong pakialam sa ano. Ewan ko ba sa sarili ko. Kasi sa sarili ko nga,
nahihiya na ako.”

“Hindi naman sa nagsisisi”

“Ayoko yung kaawaan ako.”

“May pagka-mayabang ako.”

“Maganda naman. Lalo na yung ibang mga hindi masyadong mabilis(?) magsulat, mabagal sila,
nagagalit yung mga walang kapansanan. ___ May gagawin pa kami sa bahay, ganun. Kaya kung
separate, walang problema, di ba? Pare-parehong mabagal.”

“Syempre katulad ng walang ganoon nga, kung hindi mo mapansin, madadapa ka. Tsaka yung
pagod ka na, di ka manlang makaupo sa silya.”

“Meron, yung mga medyo may edad na.”

Paraan para mapagtibay:


“Dapat mayroong pinaka presidente yung mga PWD…para ma-voice out niya yung mga nasa
loob niya”

13
Appendix I: Transcript of PWD Respondent #2

[Frequency of voting]
“Lahat po halos. Basta nagkaron ng eleksyon, naboto ako.”

[Problems encountered during the 2016 elections]


“Isang beses lang ako nagkaroon dito ng... last... 2016.”

“Tinatanong ko siya… Yung kapitan ngayon, kung saan—kung anong kwan ako. Presinto. Kasi
siyempre, eh nandon siya nakaupo sa pwesto ng mga kumukuha ng boto. Kung anong number.
Yun lang. Yun lang ang naging karanasan ko. Yun lang pagkakataon na yun.”

[Access to the precinct]


“Nilalakad lang ang eskwelahan.”

“Tong last akong bumoto, nagpasama nga ako noon eh gawa nang di ko na mabasa ang kwan.”

“Ako kasi, ako eh... hindi pa ako umabot sa ganon na pumila sa PWD.”

“Ang waiting area mo kasi yun nang pipilahan mo eh. Kung saang presinto ka nakapila hahaha
yun na ang pinaka waiting area.”

“Wala pa po akong nakikitang ganon na yung aakyat na ganun. Eh sa tingin ko naman eh wala
pa akong nakikitang ... katulad yan na mga sinasabing waiting area yun na mismo ang ginagawa
namin. Kasi kapag ikaw pumila, maiiwanan ka eh. Dapat pag umalis ka sa lugar mo na iyon, edi
kumbaga yung sumusunod sa'yo na susunod…”

“Dapat naandoon ka. Pero ok naman.”

[Second floor]
“Kaya lang ako nakakaakyat doon kasi pag naghahanap ng mga precinct number. Kalimitan sa
baba ako. Hindi ko pa naeencounter na sa taas bumoto.”

“Napapapanik ako gawa ng maghahanap ako ng precinct number.”

[Assist]
“Ok naman po. Magtuturo sayo kung anong dapat niyo... sinasabi nila, kung halimbawa, hindi
makabasa, magsama ka ng kamag-anak mo na pwede tumulong sa'yo kasi hindi pwedeng ibang
watcher.”

14
[Knowledge on RA10366]
“Hindi ko po alam. Republic Act ba 'yan?”

[Knowledge RA 10366 and on PWD legislation and their rights, in general]


“Ngayon ko lang nalaman, kasi walang nag-iinterview sa aming mga ganyan.”

“Ang alam ko lang dyan... pag senior, meron lang mga discount katulad ng pamasahe, pag
kakain ka sa mga mall.”

[Access to information on pwd rights and legislation]


“Wala po ako.” (Access)

[If the respondent knows other PWDs; if fellow PWDs know]


“Meron naman. (Other PWDs) Yung kanina, kamag-anak ko yun.”

“Baka may kaalaman sila kasi ako naman ay hindi masyadong”

“Pero ano sa akin, wala ako. Katulad niyan, pag di ko alam, magtatanong ako sa kanya. Kapatid
ko siya, dating konsehal dito.”

“Malaking epekto yun kapag ganun kasi katulad lalo na ng mga PWD, pero dito naman, ang
nangyayari kapag mga buntis, pinapauna sila, priority o kaya senior.”

“Kasi parang rin abala sa mga katulad naming medyo may karamdaman.”

“Kinakailangan nating bigyan ng ano yan way para sila ang mauna. Kasi minsan katulad niyang
mga nakaupo yan dyan sa mga wheelchair, naiirita ‘uang mga yan sa paghihintay. Naiirita,
naiinip, kaya kinakailangang sila mauna para... binibigyan naman ng prayoridad. Maayos naman
ang kwan.”

“Ok naman po kasi alam naman nila na may diperensya.”

“Para sa akin, kasi sa nakikita ko naman, nakakaunawa na yan e kasi priority ang mga PWD...
mga may disability... ako hindi na ako --- sa”

“Kung alam ko naman eh siya naman eh mas may kailangan niya mauna ay no problem sa akin.
Ako naman ay medyo malakas pa ng onti, pagbigyan mo siya.”

“Hindi naman tayo, kumbaga… Hindi naman mababawasan yung aking pagkatao noon. Kahit
mas bata sa’kin, mauna ka na. Para walang usapan. Yung ganun. Yun ang sa akin.”

“Yung sa akin kasi… Yung alphabetical… Sa bagay, puro alphabetical yun. Kasi minsan kasi, ang
daming hindi nakakaboto. Pag di ka nakaboto, minsan nakapila, umaalis. Kaya karamihan di ba,
hindi nakakaboto.”

15
“Mas maganda siguro kasi dyan, damihan na presinto kung sakali para kung halimbawa kwan.
Para lahat makaboto. Para hindi na maghintay ng matagal, di pipila ng matagal, ganun ba. Kasi
minsan sa isang presinto umaabot ng 300, 200… sa dami ng botante. Di mo rin naman
maiiwasan yun kasi yung iba nagmamadali. Yung iba may mga trabaho.”

“Isa yun sa mga dahilan kung bakit hindi nakakaboto yung iba. Pero sakin naman, palibhasa ako
naman ay wala naman akong trabaho na, wala na kaming maliit na bata para… inaabot ako
paminsan-minsan nagtatagal ako. Ok lang. Basta maging maayos lang ang ano… walang gulo,
basta ang gusto ko lang maging maayos ang botohan, matapos ng maayos, walang kung anu-
ano pang mga yung mga tao maging willing na bumoto uli sila. Hindi yung kaya ka lang hindi
boboto sa dami ng napila, naiinip na. Yung iba yun yung mga dahilan. Minsan inaabot ng gutom
sa pila. Minsan may aalis ng ganun, may nakapila nang iba. Nagkakaron ng di magandang kwan.
‘Eh dyan ako e’, ‘Eh umalis ka eh.’”

16
Appendix I: Transcript of PWD Respondent #3

A: Oo.

A: Oo.

A: Si nanay kasi ang bumoboto para sa akin

[May naging problema po ba?]

B: Hindi naman, madali namin nakita pangalan namin

A: Hindi naman.

A: Nagkakagulo minsan. Yung number, iibahin. Mahaba ang pila

[Sa iyo?]

A: Ang haba ng pila.

A: Merong botohan na ganun, merong hindi.

A: Wala noon.

B: Wala.

B: Senior lang. Panay senior lang.

A: Wala yata, senior lang.

B: Oo, senior lang.

A: Nito lang. Noong barangay, wala. Puro senior lang.

B: Dapat may para sa senior at PWD.

A: Wala din.

B: Walang PWD, basta senior lang. Walang PWD.

A: Parag walang PWD. senior lang.

17
B: Kaya nga dapat sinasama nila sa mga ganun-ganun e.

A: Kailangan may PWD lane.


A: Parehas kami ng nanay ko

A: Sa baba? Sa baba. Dati.

A: Ay! Sa taas!

[Lahat po ba?]

B: Meron, iba-iba.

A: May precinto--sila, sa baba sila. Sabi, sa taas kami. Kasi second floor yung bagong gawa, di ba
taas yon?

B: E minsan magkasama kami ng nanay ko e. Nag-aagawan pa kami sa ano.

A: Pero walang PWD lane. Senior citizen lang.

B: Dapat meron.

[Alam niyo po ba yung RA?]

A: Hindi. Ano yun?

A: Wala e. wala. Pila lang

B: Wala e. Pila lang ng pila. Walang pang-PWD. Dapat meron silang ganoon.

[Waiting area]

A: Pila lang. walang mga bangko.

A: Walang nag-aassist. Kanya-kanya nalang. Pagpasok mo na sa loob, yung teacher lang Pirma,
dito. pirma. tapos ibibigay na yung ano mo. Ganun lang. yung mga watcher, nakatingin lang
naman yun. Yung iba, di naman nag-aassist. Basta ikaw lang ang pipila.

B: Ang dami no? Ang daming reklamo.

[Wheelchair]

A: Wala. Wala, walang ganun.

18
B: Ang dami dami.

B: Meron. Minsan mainit doon.

A: Malaan sa eleksyon ngayon. Titingnan natin kung mayroong magbabago. Kasi ganoon na rin
yung takbo dati e.

A: Walang nagsasabi na, oh dito ang PWD. Wala. Basta kanya-kanyang pila. Basta pangalan
nalang itatanong tsaka yung number mo.

A: Lahat kami naboto.

A: Wala! Ang init lalo noon e. Nakapila kami sa arawan doon e sa school. Ang haba ng pila di ba?

B: Walang __, walang payong, ang haba-haba ng pila.

A: Kasi maraming tao noon e.

B: marami!

A: Kasi patanghali na kami, pero pila talaga. Walang priority na senior.

[PWD friendly ba ang eleksyon? 2016, barangay]


A: Ano naman yung pagboto, yun nga lang yung mga lane na ano, di nasusunod.

[knowledge on rights and legislation]

A: Yung mga discount discount sa ---. Yung mga discount discount. Yung mga pagkain.
Yung pag namimili sa SM, pag nakain sa.... minsan nga nahihiya ako e. Hindi! Isang jeep lang,
wag mo na ibigay yung ano! Nahihiya ako. Yung sa discount sa mga... pag jeep jeep. Pag bus,
nilalabas namin 'yan. Sa bus. Pag nakain kami sa jollibee,

B: Edi dapat naman talaga yung sa jeep? Yung sabihin na, "PWD lang po".

A: Nagagamit niya yan.

B: Nagagamit ko naman.

A: Sa massway, nagagamit namin. lalo na yung sa bus. Sayang din yun e. Minsan dalawa kami,
sampung piso.

B: Sayang din yung piso.

19
A: Ok naman.

A: Oo minsan sa jollibee dito, minsan hinihingan na siya. Yung mga jollibee, inaano naman ako.
Halika! Teh. Ay! Naiwan ko yung ID ko. Ah hindi hindi, ako na bahala. Nagagamit sa mga
Monterey. Yung sa mga hamburger.

[kakilala na ibang pwd?]


A: Wala. Ako lang.

[Ibang pwd, may access sa impormasyon?]


A: Yung katulad dito, hindi sila nakakakuha ng card. Wala silang card. Yung iba siguro, alam na
nila yun. Yung may mga card. Meron dito. Yung sa tindahan dyan. Merong ginang na hindi
nakapag-aral. Hindi na inasikaso. Ako kasi, inasikaso ko to e. Kasi sabi ng sa DSWD e, kunan niyo
to ng pwd. kasi narinig niya yung salita niya saka yung ganun, para ipaalam sa munisipyo. Punta
kayo sa ceenter ng kawit, pa-ano kayo sa doktor. e sabi nung doktor, naintindihan ko naman
yan e! Sabi niya, Oh sige. Hindi ko masabing, tsaka hindi masyadong marunong sumulat. Di ko
lang masabi. Tapos sabi Oh sige na nga, bibigyan na kita. Pero di kayang maintindihan pag di
sanay e. Yung salita. Yung mga may card siguro, alam na nila yung benefits nila.

B: Tapos yung mga jeep driver, mga binabastos ako. Sabi ko, mga jeep driver.

A: Marami minsan yung mga nangangaroling dito na mga bata, minsan ginaganoon. Minsan
ginagaya yung salita niya. Yung mga iba, ano. Niloloko.

[pag bumoboto ba kayo, nararanasan niyo rin po ba yun?]

B: Hindi naman. Wala naman. Yung mga reklamo, yung sa PWD. Yung sa pila talaga yung
problema talaga! Yung mga PWD at senior, dapat paunahin yun! Di ba?

A: Dapat lang. Syempre. Kailangan nila yun e. Yung sa lugar. Merong ganon. Di ba?

A: Yun nga yun. Yung sa daan? Yung mga titser. Tsaka yung mga mayor, mga ganun di ba? Yung
mga tauhan. Yung mga barangay, yan. Di ba? Mga kagawad.
21:30

A: Eh hindi mo naman maiaalis yung mga nambubully di ba. Sa batas? Wala naman.

[Mga samahan sa PWD]


A: Meron na nga yun e, baka hindi nasusunod sa munisipyo. Tingnan natin sa botohan.

A: Yung mga nakaraan kasi, hindi ganoon.

A: Yung mga naka-wheelchair, may lane naman sila.

20
A: Di mo naman bigyan ng allowance yan.

A: Dapat yung allowance! Di ba?Hindi, yung mga matatanda na PWD, pwede siguro. May mga
discount na naman sila di ba? Di na pwedeng bigyan ng allowance. Ang daming PWD noh?
Tsaka maraming nagrereklamo na may card na PWD e wala namang diperensya. Ewan ko.
Naireklamo na yun e. Maraming nagtatanong daw e, yung ibang may mga card na pwd sa bagay
nakasulat naman dun kung ano di ba? Yung iba parang ginagamit lang baka may malalakas sa
munisipyo sa kung saan, mga wala namang diprensya may mga card yung iba. Yung mga dati
bang nagkasakit pwede ba yun?

A: Naririnig ko lang. Bakit may mga PWD e ok naman?

21
Appendix I: Transcript of PWD Respondent #4

[bumoto?]
Oo.

[2013?]

Oo. bumoto rin ako.

[eleksyon na hindi?]

Hindi. Tuloy-tuloy na. Magmula nung... Kasi, dati may ka-live in ako kaya may chance ako na
maka boto. ke barangay, ke presidente, nag-aappear ako.

[problema?]

Wala naman. Kaya lang, nakakahilo. Ang liit-liit ng botohan. Space ba. Sa dami ng
bumoboto...2:39 pero inaassist naman nila ako.

[sino nagaassist?]

Lahat. Lahat ng nasa room na yun.

Mainit nga. Tanghali na nagpa-ano e. Alas nuebe kami umalis ninto e tapos e pagdating dun e
parang pyesta e. Di mo alam kung saan ma-aano e. Ako pa naman ay naka-wheelchair.

Sariling dala.

[waiting area]

Hindi na, kasi nung time na yun pag naboto naman ako, inuuna na nila kaagad ako dahil alam
naman nila... inaassist na ako ng mga staff kasi alam nila na may ano ako. ganto nga ako.

Hindi na ako pumipila. takot lang nila sa wheelchair ko. Naka-wheelchair na ako....4:05

[hakbang?]

Wala, wala. Sa ground floor. Wala naman. Kasi mababa naman. First floor naman.

Ginigive way nila ako.

[positibo?]

22
Oo.

[Discrimination?]

Special nga ako dun e.


Takot nga sila sa akin e. Baka magwala ako e.

[RA?]

Meron na kaya di ko iniintindi yun basta ako, buhay ako. Pasok dito, labas doon. Ano ba
magagawa ko dun, di ba?

Wala, wala akong nakita. Yung iba naman, inaakay ng mga ---

Mababait naman. Ok naman sila.

Oo. (maayos na naisasakatuparan)

maayos na naipapalakad ang eleksyon

Basta malalaman ko, tapos na.


Ano nga e, gusto ko nga mag-ano pero di ko naman dinededma. Namatay na nga yung mayor e.
hihingi ako ng artificial feet o kaya manlang wheelchair ayun namatay na. wala na. yung anak
nalang.

Ewan. Pag nakakaharap ko kumbaga sa --- ko... pakinggan ako, salamat. Kung hind, basta nasabi
ko yung nasa loob ko.

[Fellow pwd]

May nakikita ako pero iniisip ko nalang, classmate ko. Di ba? Kaklase ko sila e. di ko sila pag-
iinsultuhin. Maswerte nga ako, nakakagalaw e sila, inaakay pa. Hindi naman ako makalabas kasi
nga ano naman aanuhin ko dyan, dudukdukan nanaman yung nakaraan ko. Ayoko na dun e,
sawang-sawa na ako sa ospital ng [REDACTED]. Naku po, Diyos ko kung maaari lang magtago na
ako sa kisame. Yung ganyan yan, "na-ano ka?" "nabaril ako." "na-ano ka? taga saan ka?" rinding
rindi na ako kaya lang wala akong magawa. Pero ganyan talaga mga Pilipino e, di makuntento sa
isang question. Ta's lahat uuriratin. Ang sakit kaya ng kalooban at isipan yan. Basta's nalaman
mo na yung ganun, wag ka nang umusisa! Isang tanong lang, isang sagot. Kasi bumabalik yung
ano e. Yung pangyayari. Yun ang hindi nila alam. Sinabi nila suplada daw ako? Hindi. Tama ba
naman yung usisain mo pa, uru-uriratin ng ganun. Baon na baon na sa lupa eh, uuriratin mo
nanaman? Masakit sa amin yun e.

23
Ang kailangan namin, encourage. Hindi discourage. Halos lahat ng pagkatao... parang... Parang
showbiz? Wala namang maitutulong. Di bale sana kung meron.

Bumabalik nanaman kasi yung pangyayari. Masakit sa amin yun. Di nila alam yun. Minsan nga
sabihin nila, "mag-jogging ka" "maglakad ka" di mo naman dapat anuhin... alam naman.... E
kung maglakad kaya ako, bayaran nila ako? Di ba? Gusto nila yung pakanin ka oh eto tinapay,
eto tinapay, ganun sana e hindi e nakaka-ano yun samin. Number one yung nakaka-ano sa
amin. Masakit sa kalooban namin.

Para bang ginagawa kang pet? Na laruan, na yung tanong nila hindi sila nag-iisip, kung
nasasaktan ka ba o hindi.

Kailangan malapad ang pang-unawa mo. Pag ginusto namin, ginusto namin kasi nahihirapan na
kami sa sarili namin bago yung ibbypass yung hinaing namin sa kanila?

"Hindi ako mangingimi sa'yo, kahit konting tulong. Wala namang ano. Kapwa tao tayo. Walang
problema."

[Access to information]
Hindi na ako nagnanais noon. Ang gusto ko, kusa. Bigyan ako 60, ang pamasahe ko, 300. Sayang
pa oras ko. Pag lumapit ako sa mga normal kong ano sa pinangyarihan nito, 300. 500. Walang
ano ano yun. Papakainin pa akong pilit nila. Kaya dala na akong humingi sa mga kandidato.
Hindi naman ako nagppray na magkano ibigay nila, sana naman, may kapansanan na ako,
unawain nila. Nagbabayad din ako ng tricycle, sa kasama ko, pamimiryendahin mo, pati sigarilyo
ng drayber poproblemahin mo pa, bibigyan ako sisenta pesos? Diyos ko po. Buti pa manghingi
ako pabarya-barya, masaya pa ako. Chance ko na yun e na mabigyan ng tulong

Baka pwede nating tulungan, kahit manlang isang kilong bigas.

Kusang gawa

Kaya nga pag may rasyon dyan, ang dati kong taga-kuha yung ka-live in ko, kinekwestyon pa ng
iba dyan. Yung dating mga konsehal dyan? E alam naman nila kung sino, kung kanino, alam
naman nila akong ganito, ba't hindi nila ako pagbigyan na "oh pagbigyan mo na 'yan at 'yan ay
kaawa-awa. Minsanan lang naman 'to, hindi naman 'to atin. Ibigay na natin ang dapat ibigay
dahil taong may kapansanan ang may may-ari nyan."

Sana naman isipin nila na may taong nagmamalasakit sa akin, ano nalang. Unawa. Kaunting
bigas na grasya, ipagdadamot pa. Eh hindi naman yun kanila.

Ang sa akin naman, kung sinong karapat-dapat eh. Kung sinong dapat tulungan nila, ang
constituents dito, tulungan nila. Hindi yung meron namang kaya, tinutulungan nila, pero
katulad ko ay di naman nila inisip na tulungan.

24
'Yung tipong bigyan ng kahit wheelchair manlang. Yun lang hinanakit ko dito.

[transpo]
Yung huling boto ko, yung barangay? Mula eskwelahan, naglakad kami. Kainitan. Inano ko yun,
para lang bumoto. Nagsakripisyo kami para wala lang silang masabi. Hindi nila alam yun. Ang
traffic traffic! Kaya nung pauwi kami, nagwheelchair kami! Nakarating kami rito, ang dali dali pa.
Kahit naarawan kami.

Yung [redacted]. [redacted]! Ah, hello kako. Wala manlang kamusta--Di lumapit!

Meron pa, yung si [redacted] ba yun? Yung maputla! Yung bakla! Aba, nakita akong ganyan
dyan e, umatras? Ang ano noon, yung iboboto ka! Ng taong yan, kahit ano yan, kahit mabaho
yan, kahit ano yan--

Dapat lang hindi kita iboto kasi namimili ka ng kapwa mo. Yung may kapansanan na
pinandirihan mo, pinakita mo sa akin.

Miski 28 years na akong ganito, pag kumakain ako, lumilipad eto ng ganito. Hindi lang
nalalaman ng tao yan kaya kailangan ko paminsan-minsan ng pain reliever kasi hindi ako ang
namimili kasi pag kumain ako, hanggang ngayon, yung kinain kong malansa-- isda, seafood, o
karne o ano, minsan yung ganito ko lumilipad ng ganyan-- pumapalag ba. Eh wala akong pera.
Di ako nakakatulog sa totoo lang. Hindi ako makalapit sa mga mayor, bise, konsehal, o ano man.
Tinitiis ko yan! Kaya ako, dasal ako ng dasal.

Pero nagtataka sila, minsan pinapadalhan ako ng pera ng anak ko. Di rin ako nag-aano sa kanila
kasi uutangan ako e. Katulad nyan yung kuya ko, kumpleto yan ah. Lakas kumita, pero sugal,
babae, inom. Pag darating dito, 'kumain ka na ba?' 'may inumin ka ba dyan?' 'may kape ka ba?'
Wala! Sariling diskarte ko kasi m

"Kay [NICKNAME]! Kay [NICKNAME]!"

Birthday na birthday ko.

Halagang bente pesos, iniyakan ko. Hindi na nga ako binigyan, sinermonan pa ako.

Nito lang, last year lang. Lasing. Binabantaan akong babarilin--tatanggalin daw itong kamay ko.
Aba, kuya! Mag-isip isip ka kako. Sa katawan mo nalang [patamain], para tapos na problema ko.

"Walang care ang mga kapatid ko. Imbis na sila ay maawa, iba sila."

"Kung hindi nauso ang shabu, hindi ako ganito. Hindi mo ako makikilala dahil tiyak, nasa abroad
ako"

25
"Ang hirap ng buhay ng may kapansanan. Lalo na't 'di ka inuunawa ng kasama mo."

Appendix I: Transcript of PWD Respondent #5 & #6

[bumoto nung 2016?]

Oo.

[presidential?]

Yun ay pagiging mamamayan naming Pilipino… Nakaboto kami.

[may election kung saan di kayo bumoto?]

Wala.

Wala akong na-miss.

[pag bumoboto, may nararanasang complications/problems?]

Di na. Di ko na iniisip. Basta ako bumoboto lang ako kung sino gusto ko… Mahihirapan lang. Di
na ako nagiging mapagpasinta. Basta alam ko yung taong boboto ko ay karapat-dapat.

Pag boto, uwi na… Dala ko yung kopyahan ko para alam ko kung sino yung boboto ko.

[saan?]

Binakayan

[meron bang pila para sa senior/pwds?]

Wala. Pero pag andun na, mas pinapauna naman kami…

Yung place na para sa amin, wala. Pero pag nakita kami, pinapauna na kami.

[walang para lang sa senior?]

Wala.

[may waiting area na pwedeng upuan?]

Meron

26
[meron bang stairs na inaakyatan?]

Meron. Dalawang baitang.

Kasi yung 68A mababa.

[may mga bumoboto sa 2nd floor?]

Wala. Puro sa baba lang.

[di masyadong matagal yung proseso? May mga nag-aassist?]

Meron nag-aassist.

[sino usually?]

Yung mga teachers

[batas ra10366 - sa tingin niyo ba, maayos yung implementation?]

Maayos naman

[walang nakikitang problema?]

Wala. Ganun lang. Nasa first floor naman kami. Kaya kung sakaling kami naboto na at nakita
kami, pinapauna naman kami.

[ibang tao sumusulat para sa inyo?]

Para sa akin.

[naging positive yung experience niyo sa mga nakaraang elections?]

Ok naman.

[alam niyo ba yung karapatan/batas para sa inyo bilang pwds?]

Hindi ko alam.

[may access sa information?]

Mula nung naging PWD ako, lagi na lang akong nasa bahay. Ngayon lang ako lumalabas. Pero
ngayon, nakakapunta na ako sa SM

27
Ako din. Ako di talaga lumalabas ng bahay.

[meron ba kayong pwedeng pagtanungan tungkol sa mga batas?]

Sa mga batas, wala kaming ibang mapagtanungan kundi si [COUNCILOR]. Ano ba mga karapatan
naming mga PWD?

Ang sabi ni ano, meron na katulad nung mga wheelchair na nakuha natin kay mayor…

Yung mga gamot namin, nakakakuha kami ng gamot diyan sa sentra…. Pati mga vaccine, sa
pneumonia.

[familiar ba kayo sa pagboto na mga batas? Ngayon niyo lang ba narinig yung ra10366?]

Ngayon lang.

Malalaman na lang namin, “Ay ganun pala yun!”

[sa tingin niyo ba yung mga kapwa pwds, may alam sa mga ganitong bagay?]

Siguro, yung mga matatanda na. Sila nakakaalala samin… Ngayon lang namin nalaman.

Di nga namin alam na PWD [kami].

[sa tingin niyo ba, nakakaapekto yung mga maraming tao/physical na harang sa pagboto ng
mga taong may kapansanan?]

Hindi naman. Kasi dapat alam naman nila na di namin malaman yung mga boto namin. Kasi
katulad ko, di ko malaman kung sino binoto ko. Di ko sinasabi sa kanila kung sino binoto ko kasi
nakalagay na sa puso ko yun. Kasi yung iba, nasasaktan sila pag alam nilang di ko sila binoto.

[pano kayo pumupunta sa presinto?]

May shuttle diyan. Pag naiinip ako, hindi na. Sasakay na lang sa tricycle or jeep.

[meron ba kayong nakikitang dapat iimprove sa pamamalakad ng election?]

Wala naman siguro. Dapat lang bigyan kami ng… kasi alam nilang ganito kami. May mga suplada
kasi. Pag nakita nila kami, wag nang maging suplada. Kahit ganito kami, turing naman kami nang
maayos. Wag kaming ituring na katawa-tawa. Yung tatawanan ka, ayoko ng ganun.

[may naranasan ba kayong discrimination habang nasa precinct?]

28
Wala naman. Sa labas lang.

Appendix I: Transcript of PWD Respondent #7

[voting frequency]
Normal ang boto ko.

[nalagtawan?]

Noon time na absent ako, nasa Japan ako. Matagal na yun. Mga 18 years na.

[problema?]

Oo, ang problema lang dito, yung pila. Minsan nawawala yung pangalan mo, eh gawa nun kasi
may dayaan, yung voters' list, nagkakagulo-gulo. Yun lang naman ang... Yun ngang sinasabi ko
sa'yo, mga pulitikong magugulo. Gumagawa ng pandaraya.

[kelan naranasan?]

Barangay election.

Pag national election, ang problema lang diyan, wala naman kaming problema sa national
election. Ang problema lang, kung sino nga yung pipiliin mo. Siguro, depende na rin sa
nagagawa nilang batas. Doon ka nalang magbabase. Puro lahat 'yan, may magandang pangako
pero...

[The responded proceeded to explain his parameters for choosing his candidates, all mostly
based on what they have done or what laws they have passed, not necessarily with regard to
PWDs.]

Kaya sinasabi ko sa’yo, mabigat maging PWD, depende sa gobyerno o bansang kinabibilangan
mo.

Ang isang PWD, ang isang senior citizen, hindi dapat kinaaawaan. Dapat, inuunawa. Hindi
kailangan ng isang PWD ang awa. Yung mga nakapwesto na ibinoboto ng tao, ang ibinibigay
niyan ay awa. Ano bang binigay nila sa PWD, discount? 20% discount? Akala ng mga
nakapwesto, maganda ba yun? Naisip ba nila yung 80% discount [sic] kung saan manggagaling?
Sa palagay mo?

Kung ikaw ay isang PWD at wala kang income dahil discrimination din sa atin--basta't ikaw ay
naging PWD, mayroon nang discrimination. Wala nang tatanggap sa'yo unless... Kaya nga

29
sinasabi ko sa'yo, depende sa kinabibilangan mong bansa o gobyerno. Sa Japan... Seven years
ako sa Japan, ang mga PWD dun ay hindi kinaaawaan. [Sila ay] hinahangaan.

Puring-puri nila yung PWD na naglalakad sa daan dahil kaya niyang mabuhay ng normal. Unang-
una, ang mga karapatan ng isang PWD ay katulad din ng normal na tao. Kung ang isang PWD ay
binigyan nila ng karapatan, binigyan nila ng tamang pagtingin, nakakapag-trabaho,
makakapamuhay ng normal.

Dito sa gobyerno natin sa Pilipinas, pag ikaw ay PWD, dahil nga may discrimination, zero ang
tatanggap sa isang PWD.

Kasi hindi inuunawa ang PWD. Ang pinaka-problema dito sa atin, discrimination. Sinong iboboto
mo, sinong pipiliin mon a talagang may puso para sa PWD?

Maniniwala ka ba sa'kin na bihirang-bihira dito sa atin ang kumakandidatong may puso? Kasi
ang kanilang desisyon, hindi nanggagaling sa puso. Nanggagaling sa isip--na konektado sa
kanilang sikmura.

Katulad ako. PWD. Kaliliitan ang mga anak ko. Paano ko bubuhayin ang mga anak ko kung
mahina ang loob ko? Mahina ang diskarte ko? Kasi wala naman akong aasahan eh.

Ang tulong na dapat ibigay ng gobyernong ito sa isang PWD, senior citizen, mga mongoloid na
‘yan, *ay+ trabaho. Yung nararapat na trabaho.

[accessibility/transpo/nakakapunta ba ng maayos?]
Oo naman. Kasi naman alam ko na yung number ko, alam ko yung precinct number ko, yun
nalang hahanapin ko. Wala namang discrimination dito na... wala namang pangit na pangyayari
dito. Sa ngayon, ah. Noon, nag-aaway-away kami noon. Nung magulo pa yung mga kapitan
kapitan, mga mayor. Kaya yung pagboto namin, maayos naman

Tsaka naman, nabibigyan naman ng priority pag PWD. Alam naman nilang privilege nila 'yan,
matanda ka na, pauunahin ka sa pila.

[ground floor?]

Ah, hindi. Minsan nasa taas. Depende kung saan mapalagay yung precinct nila.

[ok lang po ba sa inyo na umakyat?]

Oo. Magtiis ka eh gampanan mo yung tungkulin mo bilang Pilipino, obligado ka sa ganun eh.
Siguro naman bago matapos ang eleksyon, makakaakyat naman ako eh. Kaya nga inaagahan ko
ang pagpunta.

[RA 10366]

30
Republic Act? Anong batas yun?

Alam mo, nene, hindi naman natin masusunod yun eh kasi kulang tayo sa facilities eh. Eh
katulad ng high school [at] elementary namin, eh sa dami ng precinct natin eh kulang ang nasa
baba. Kaya kailangang gumamit ng second floor. Eh ang mga ganyang batas, eh hindi
masusunod.

Ate: Eh hindi naman din mapipili. Nasa masterlist na, eto, stable 'to. eto, PWD 'to.

Hindi mo na mapipili kasi assorted. Yung ganyang batas eh, hindi natin masusunod 'yan. Wala
tayong magagawa dyan kung kulang tayo sa facilities.

Ate: Pero kuya, parang kasi... kagaya nyan. Di ba botohan ng barangay officials, SK? Naibubukod
ang room ng SK. Bakit hindi ganun ang gawin-- ayun na nga, ang problema nga, hindi natin
mapipili sa isang masterlist kung sino ang PWD.

Napakahirap.

Ginagawa naman. Kaya lang, ang nagiging problema nila, sa dami ng sa lugar namin, maraming
botante, maraming precinto, kulang yung facilities. Kaya kailangan kang gumamit ng second
floor. Yung ilalagay mo ba sa second floor, mapipili mo ba 'yun?

Ate: Sa nag-aassist, marami.

Yung mga naka-wheelchair, bubuhatin.

Maganda yung batas na 'yun. Kaya lang, depende sa lugar. Di katulad nung mga nasa liblib na
lugar, konti lang mga botante dyan. Yung sa mga rural area kasi, konto konti lang.

Eh, nasa 300,000 na ata yung botante namin eh.

Ah, oo. Mababait naman dito yung mga teacher. Ang hindi mabait dito, yung PWD. Iritable
katawan niyan eh. Wala ngang haba ng pasensya. Lalong lalo na diabetic. Lalong mainitin ang
ulo. Kaya mainit ang ulo ko talaga eh.
lighthearted

[maayos ba na naisasakatuparan?]
Hindi ko masabing maayos. Para sa'kin, wala namang problema sa'kin 'yan eh. Yung ganyang
batas, walang problema sakin. Eh kasi dito naman sa'tin eh, lahat naman ng PWD dito sa'tin eh
nakakaboto naman ng ayos. Wala namang nirereklamo. Eh, siguro, ibig-sabihin lang, ok naman
'tong lugar namin.

[positibo?]
Oo.

31
[noon niyo lang po ba nalaman yung RA?]

Alam kong may mga batas 'yan. Alam ko naman yung mga republic act. Marami rin akong alam
na mga inaano sa republic act, pero yung mga ganyang batas, hindi ko naman pagtutuunan ng
pansin kasi nga maayos naman yung ano namin. Malalaman mo lang 'yang mga ganyang batas,
eh pag nangyari 'yang disgrasya-- halimbawa, nagkaroon ng tensyon at nagkaroong ng hindi
magandang ano, doon mo lang hahanapin yung batas na 'yan. Kung ano sinasabi ng batas
tungkol dyan. Eh, nandyan naman yung mga republic act at presidential decree, meron pa tayo
diyang pambarangay, marami naman eh.

[meron po ba kayong acces sa ganitong impormasyon?]

[kapwa?]
Hindi ko lang alam kung sila'y may alam sa batas, kung sila'y may interesado sa batas. Di natin
masasabi 'yun kasi depende din sa pinag-aralan ng isang tao. Kung yun naman ay mga
elementary graduate lang eh hindi na mag-iintindi 'yan.

[may access?]

Meron naman, nakaka-intindi naman ako kahit kaunti.

[mapagtatanungan?]

Meron naman tayong mababasa, di ba? Eh, high-tech na kompyuter ng ating cellphone, merong
gustong impormasyon na malaman, malalaman mo sa facebook o sa YouTube. Pwede mong
tanungin sa cellphone. Kaya ang ignorante na lang sa panahon, yung talagang walang aral.
Napakadali nang mabuhay. May cellphone ka, i-type mo sa cellphone. Sasabihin sa'yo ng
cellphone. High-tech na tayo ngayon.

[pisikal na harang]
Ay, yun ang problema ko. Napakasakit kasi yung ilakad sa paakyat. [cited instances where going
to offices would be difficult]

Ang number one problema dito sa atin, mapa-normal na tao, mapa-PWD, attitude. Kahit sa
hospital, makaka-kita ka ng discrimination.

Alam mo ba, kaya ko naman nasasabi, naospital nga ako eh. Dun ako nakatikin ng aping-api ang
pakiramdam ko.

Ang problema, yung attitude sa akin.

[pagtibay ng batas?]

32
Kaya lang, katulad ng sabi ko sa'yo, pag ang batas ay nanggaling sa isip--kailangan mas maganda
kung galing sa puso. Marami. Marami pang kailangang gawin. Hindi na ako magbibigay kung
ano pa 'yun pero napakarami pang dapat.

Unang-una. Ayan ang summer. Napakatindi ng panahon

Dapat naglagay ang COMELEC ng mga drinking fountain. Minsan eh, makakakita ka sa mga
senior citizen, nakalupaloy dun sa ano... tuyong-tuyo, hinang-hina. Kasi nga, sa lakad yun.
Lalakad ka papunta riyan, walang mainom basta. Eh pano kung ang isang botante, walang
dalang pera? Dapat naman, yung ikabubuti ng mga botante... kahit tubig manlang. Eh kaso mo,
etong mga nakaupong departamento sa gobyerno, ayaw gumasta. Laging nahuhulog sa bulsa.
Ang laki ng budget.

Kahit tubig man lang, may drinking fountain. Hindi naman sila gagastos ng isang libong piso sa
isang ganyan eh. Magkano lang ang tangke, 25? Ilang tao ang makakainom doon? Hindi naman
iigibin 'yan eh. Boboto ka sa kainitan, hahanap ka pa ng tubig.

[deterrents to voting?]

oo, maraming naiinitan. Marami. Unang-una, pupunta ka dyan. Hahanapin mo pa yung


pangalan mo. Eh kung magcollapse ka dyan, mapapagod ka.

"What is politics? Public servant. What is politics now? Business."

33
Appendix I: Transcript of PWD Respondent #8

The interviewer briefs the respondent


*interview proper starts*
A: Noong 2016 po ba ay nag boto po kayo? Senatorial, pati din ba nung presidential po?
CR: Oo
A:may election ba po kayo na di nakaboto
CR: Wala
A:saang precinct po kayo?
CR: 153-A
A: Meron ba kayong naranasan na problems or complications in past or previous elections
CR: Wala naman
A: May waiting area ba
CR: Yung kwan wala eh, kasi mabilis lang yung ano..processo
A: Kayo ba po ang priority during voting?
CR: Hindi ko masabing ano eh..kasi ngayon..May pila eh may pila, ngayon doon ako nakapila
A: noong barangay elections pumila pa po kayo?
CR: (Not sure if he said yes or no)
A: May sariling pila ba ng mga senor or may kapansanan
CR: noong, hindi ko talaga nakita, ngayon nung bagong eleksyon, sani nila dun lang. Doon nag
akos a ano eh
A: Sa second floor po ba?
CR: Oo, second floor for disabled yun eh
A: may hagdan po ba dito na may ramp?
CR: Oo, sa right side, may pang-kabit pa nga diyan eh
A: May mga nag assist ba sa inyo? Like tinuruan kayo kung saan kayo dapat pupunta?
Cr: Basta yung ano, yung sa seat number,
A: so Kayo mismo naghanap
Cr: Hindi, pinahanap ko
A: Tapos tinuro po sa inyo?
Cr: Oo, sinahiban ako na dun na ako uupo
A: meron ba po kayong nakitang naka-tenga lang
Cr: wala, wala
A: cge po Tatay Familiar ba po kayo sa R.A 10366?
Cr: Oo
A: Naalala niyo po ba ang laman po nito?
Cr: *Inaudible response*
A: Okay lang po ba na I-explain ko nalang po? (Proceeds to state a brief history and meaning of
the law and proceeds to enumerate all the services to be provided to pwd’s, seniors, pregnant,
and other people that the law encompasses) May nakita bap o kayo na ganito?
Cr: Wala akong nakita

34
A: sa tingin niyo po tatay, napasatupad ba po ang batas na ito?
Cr: Ehhh sa tingin ko okay
A: sa tingin niyo successful po?
Cr: oo parang yan ang masasabi ko
A: Ngayon niyo lang bap o narinig po ang mga sinabi ko? (in pertaining to the law)
Cr: Oo
A: Alamo niyo ba po ang rights or batas para sa mga senior citizen, or mga taong may
kapansanan?
Cr: Naalala ko lang ang iba
A: Kaya niyo ba pong mag bigay ng halimbawa?
Cr: (inaudible)
A: Sa tingin niyo po ba na may alam nag mga kapwa senior niyo o mga taong may
kampansanan tungkol sa mga batas na ito?
Cr: hindi ko masasabing oo eh, kasi, ako din hindi ko din nalaman to eh, siguro meron silang
mga alam na konti pero hindi lahat alam nila
A: May access ba po kayo sa mga listahan ng batas o gumagamit ba po kayo ng internet para
malaman ito
Cr: ay hindi, hindi ako marunong
A: may matanungan ba po kayo tungkol dito?
Cr: ehhhhh mga kapitbahay ko lang, o un sa TV
A: Nakaka apekto ba ang mga physical na harang na pakunyari madaming tao, o napapaakyat
ka pa sa second floor ay naglilimita ng galaw niyo?
Cr: Oo mahirap, kasi yung mga iba diyan, hindi nga makalakad eh, paano pag kailangan bumaba
hindi makababa dahil madaming tao. Paano pag sa malayo ka pa nanggaling tapos masakit ang
paa mo, eh problema mo na yun. Sigurado pag nagpahinga ka kaya pa yun pero..
A:Paano po pala kayo nakarating sa precinto niyo po?
Cr: Nag commute ako, naka tricycle ako
A: any recommendations or suggestions ba po kayo para sa mga Seniors or PWDs pagkadating
sa elections?
Cr: pag boboto ka, magdala ka na ng salamin, kasi baka magkamali sa pinili
A: sa tingin niyo po ba ay kailangan nating lakihan ang mga nakasulat sa print po?
CR: Hindi na
A; Kayo nalang po mag aadjust?
CR: Opo
A: Meron ba po kayong gustong idagdag po?
CR: Wala naman

35
Appendix J: Transcript of PWD Respondent #9

The interviewer briefs respondent


*interview proper*
A: Bumoto ba po kayo sa presidential and senatorial elections nung 2016?
CR: Lahat
A:Saang Precinto po kayo bumoboto?
CR: *inaudible response*
A: Meron ba kayong naranasan na problems or complications in past or previous elections
CR: Wala naman
A: Kayo ba po ang priority during voting?
CR: Oo
A: Nasa ground floor lang po ba ang precinto niyo po?
CR: Oo
A: May BEI po ba or watchers na nag-aasist po sa inyo?
CR: Mga Watcher, minsan mga teacher
A: Paano po kayo pumupunta sa precinto tatay?
(skipped one question, no verbal answer)
CR: Umaga pa lang na umaalis na ako, gumagamit ko ng sidecar (at this point, someone
interjects and states that tatay owns the sidecar and that he uses the echo bike for his business)
A: Familiar ba po kayo sa RA 10366?
CR: Hindi pa po
A: The interviewer Proceeds to state a brief history and meaning of the law and proceeds to
enumerate all the services to be provided to pwd’s, seniors, pregnant, and other people that the
law encompasses)
A: Sa tingin niyo ba tatay, ang mga taong may kampansanan at mga senior citizens ay hindi
naman sobrang nahihirapan?
Cr: Hindi naman, kasi meron nag-aalalay
A: Meron nag aasist po?
Cr: Oo (Inaudible Response)
A: Aware bap o kayo sa rights niyo po?
Cr: Oo
A: Pwede ba po kayo magbigay ng example?
CR: Halimbawa ung naka-(INAUDIBLE But he did Mention having the need to fight for his rights
as well as the advantages of PWD cards and discounts)
A: (Questioning Resumes) Meron po ba kayong kilala na ibang tao na may kapansanan
CR: Marami (INAUDIBLE)
A: Sa tingin niyo po may alam din sila sa kanilang mga karapatan?
CR: Ang mga iba hindi nila alam yun, kasi ang mga iba diyan tambay tambay lang, mga iba diyan
tamarin lang, hindi sila dapat ganyan. Hindi sila nakikisama o naghahanap buhay, mga iba
napunta din sa bisyo.Yung mga andyan mga...anu diyan. Hindi sila naghahanap buhay kaya ayun

36
di nila ginagamit ang mga utak nila. Yung kasabihan natin eh. Kung kaya mo, gawin mo.Umayos
ka para matupad mo pangarap mo para sa mga anak mo, na makatapos sila. Yan yung pangarap
ko.
A: Ilan ang mga anak mo tatay?
CR: Tatlong Maria
A: Ah lahat mga babae po!
CR: Isang mag te-teacher, isang engineer, isang management
A: Kung sakali pong gusto niyong malaman ang mga batas para sa may kapansana may
mapagkuhanan ba po kayo ng information dito? May mapagtatanungan ba po kayo?
CR: Wala naman
A: Sa tingin niyo po ba na ang mga pisikal na harang tulad ng pagdami ng tao sa precinto o ang
pagpupunta sa second floor ay makakaapekto sa pagboboto?
Cr: Nakakaapekto, kasi ang mga iba diyan hindi makakaakyat, kasi nakakangalay. Hindi tulad ng
pag nasa baba nakapahinga ka pa pero pag nakatayo sila, nakakangalay. Peor pag nasa taas,
kung aakyat yung iba hindi kaya. Dapat talaga nasa baba...dati, nung aakyat kami nagrereklamo
ako, hindi tama ito, ang mga..ano dapat nasa baba. Eh paano kung mahulog sa hagdanan? Ede
nadisgrasya. Dapat yung hindi na kami pinapahirapan. Dapat kung ganun ang mga may senior,
nasa baba, wag mo na din kami paintayin. Para pag pumunta kami na konti lang ang tao, dapat
maaga

37
Appendix K: Transcript of PWD Respondent #10

[matagal nang di masyadong makakita?]


1999, di na ko masyadong nakakakita

[nakaboto nung 2016 senatorial elections?]

Talagang tuwing botohan, nakaboto ako

[wala kayong nalalaktawan na election?}

Wala kasi sayang yung boto ko. Baka mawala pangalan ko.

[Pag bumoboto kayo, may problemang nararanasan?]

Wala naman. Ok naman yung mga nag-aassist. Mababait naman sila.

[Meron bang palapag or stairs na kelangan akyatin?]

Meron. Isa lang. Isang hakbang.

Sinasabi naman niya sakin. Kaya nakakaano naman ako. Nakakaakyat naman ako kaya lang una
muna ‘tong masakit na paa. Kasi masakit yung kanan ko eh. Di ko basta-basta maigalaw. Kaya
mayari ….. (di ko maintindihan sorryy around 6:00 - 6:05)

[meron bang waiting area for upo or waiting?]

Wala namang waiting [area] dun. Minsan naman pag may nakakakita dun sa barangay, nag-
aabang ng sasakyan, nagpapaupo naman.

[marami naman nag-aassist?]

Oo marami naman. Mabait naman yung mga teacher.


Mabait naman yung mga nagwawatcher dun.

[meron po bang sariling pila ang pwds]

Meron naman.

[sa first floor?]

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Oo.

[sang precinct bumoboto]

68A

[walang complications nararanasan sa election?]

Ok naman.

[positibo naman experience?]

Mababait sila. Minsan inaakay ako. *Sinasabi+ “Dito, dito.” Tinuturo naman nila ko.

[mabilis yung proseso?]

Mabilis

[kayo ang priority?]

Oo naman. Kasi may kasama naman ako. (8:10 - 8:15)

[narinig niyo na ba yung ra10366?]

Narinig ko na sa tv yun

[yung laman familiar na kayo?]

Hindi, yun lang narinig ko. Di ko na [nalaman] kung ano yun.

[ra10366 content]

[maayos bang nasasakatuparan yung policy?]

Baka sakali maayos.

Yung iba naman kasi talagang di naaayos pa. Di naman lahat.

Parang walang wheelchair.

Parang wala man lang akong nakikita.

Meron sila, pag may nahihilo, andun sila sa may ano..

39
[may mga medical stations ba?]

Parang wala kasi akong naririnig. O kasi di ko nakikita.

[sa tingin niyo ba ang election sa ph or cavite ay maayos sa mga taong may kapansanan?]

Maayos naman kasi di naman… Pag ako naboto, ok lang. Inuuna na kami.

[meron bang naranasan na discrimination sa precinct or iba ang turing?]

Wala naman.

[maalam ba kayo sa mga batas or karapatan bilang pwd?]

Minsan alam ko lang yung, halimbawa, pag lumapit ako, ako yung unang iintindihin. Minsan
may kapansanan ka, lalapit ka. Minsan para kang taong di iniintindi. Halimbawa, ako may
kailangan, kasama ko yung anak ko, yung lalapit silang ganun para sa kung anong kailangan mo.
Minsan yung ganun ba, yung intindihin [ka]. Minsan kasi, di nila iniintindi. Kaya minsan,
nakakahiya ring lumapit. Katulad ko, may kapansan, di nakikita mga ginagawa nila. Parang
nakakaano sa sarili. Nakakahabag din.

[ngayon niyo lang ba nalaman yung batas?]

Oo nga kasi naririnig ko yung ganyan pero di ko alam yung ibig sabihin. Ngayon ko lang narinig
yung ganyan, na may karapatan pala kami.

[alam ba ng mga kapwang may kapansanan yung mga batas/karapatan para sa inyo?]

Yung iba hindi, yung iba alam nila. Kasi ako, talagang walang alam kung ano yung nilalaman [ng
batas].

[may access ba kayo sa gantong information or mapagtatanungan/makakausap?]

Minsan si [REDACTED]. Yan lang naman yung matiyaga. Matiyaga yan sakin.

[curious po ba kayo sa gantong bagay?]

Oo naman kasi para din naman satin yan.

[yung mga pisikal na harang, makakaapekto sa paglahok nila sa election?]

Syempre nakakaawa din, katulad ng mga pilay. Buti kung matulungan silang umakyat.
Karapatan din sigurong magreklamo pag ganun. Kasi mahihirapan din sila sa pag-akyat. Bababa
pa. Kung paakyat, napakahirap kaya.

40
[ano pang dapat maidagdag na policy sa precinct?]

Maging maayos sila. Yung mga katulad naming may disability. Yung intindihin nila. Diba meron
naman kasing, minsan may ano na pero “Oh dyan kayo.” Parang nakakaano naman yung ganun.
Syempre yung maayos na election, na ano yung mga nagbabantay. Na intindihin yung mga
katulad namin.

[yung turing sa inyo?]

Yung turing na parang kami. Kasi pag may disability, minsan ang turing nila, iba na. Laging
nakasigaw. Syempre kami, di naman namin ano yun. Sila rin nakakaintindi. Kasi kami din naman
katulad ng mga pilay. Mahirap din naman umintindi. Mag-ayos ng pila. Gusto nila sila mauna.
Kaya nga intindihin na lang nila situation namin, ng katulad namin

[sa training ba ito ng mga BEI or bilang kapwa tao na lang?]

Kapwa tao na lang. Wala nang training. Kung talagang gusto nila intindihin, ok lang. Kasi
naiintindihan din namin mga katulad namin. Minsan nahihirapan din naman yung mga nag-
aassist. Tulad namin. Ok lang yun.

Diba pag nagwawatcher, pinapaliwanag yung mga RA? Kasi nagwawatcher ako, di
pinapaliwanag samin. May meeting kami pero walang ganyan. Basta ang paliwanag samin,
intindihin niyo yung naboto. Tignan niyo kung may nandadaya. Pero di pinapaliwanag pag may
kapansanan.

[ra10366 background]

Pag kami laging nagmemeeting, pinapaliwanag lang samin. Bantayan yung mga naboto, yung
mga nandadaya. Ganun lang. Pero sa mga ganyan, wala silang binabanggit samin. Na yung mga
may kapansanan, pag kailangan ng tulong, puntahan niyo.

Buti na lang at nagpunta ka para nalaman nila.

Ako nga, ngayon ko lang din nalaman yan.

Diba dapat alam din ng mga watcher yan? Kasi di naman lahat ng naboto, di mo masasabi yung
kalagayan sa loob.

*meron akong nakausap na may kapansanan… may mga taong may kapansanan na ayaw nang
bumoto kasi di pinapansin, di inaasikaso.]

Kasi minsan di iniintidi. Buti naman pag ako naboto, kasama ko anak ko. Siya na nag-aasikaso

41
Pag nagwawatcher ako, di ako pwedeng sumama. Pinapasamahan ko siya sa iba.

[may mga gusto pag sabihin?]

Basta ang [gusto] ko lang diyan, maayos na botohan tsaka wala nang gulo. Laging dapat
tanggalin. Kasi minsan nakakatakot. May ganito, may ganun… Ok lang naman. Maano naman
dito. Palibhasa mga kakilala. May mga babati...

42

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