New PTV public affairs program to offer in-depth view of May elections

QUEZON CITY, Jan. 30-- The People’s Television Network has come up with a program that will explain what the coming elections is all about.

The first episode of Paghahanda sa Hatol ng Bayan on February 4 will tackle topics such as people’s right to vote, why elections are held every three years, electoral reforms through the years and the importance of mid-term elections.

“We want Paghahanda to equip the electorate with adequate knowledge to help them make an informed
choice come May 13,” Susan Tagle, the show’s producer, said. “Our aim is to provide the electorate a balanced perspective.”

PTV will air Paghahanda Monday to Friday, 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. The show will have a live simulcast over PBS Radyo ng Bayan and livestreaming over mediangbayan.ph.

It will feature experts who will provide viewers with insight on topics such as evolution of political parties in the Philippines, the economics of elections, cheating in elections, among others.

“People need to know why we vote for senators, what are the functions of the Senate, how local government units works, how important local legislations are, and so on,” Tagle said.

Paghahanda, to be hosted by Alex Colet and Pinky Aseron, will also feature an election facts segment.

Replays of the show will be aired on PTV from 10-11:30 p.m. of the same day of broadcast. Old episodes can also be viewed at
youtube.com/user/ptvphilippines.

The program will run until May 10, after which Phase 2 of Hatol ng Bayan election coverage will kick in. From May 12 to 14, Hatol ng Bayan will highlight the most significant events on the eve of election day, election day and the Comelec count of election results.

Paghahanda is sponsored by Air 21, Manila Bulletin and Informatics.

The program is likewise supported by Media ng Bayan--a convergence project of different government news and information agencies.

The Media ng Bayan is composed of PTV, Philippine Broadcasting Service-Radyo ng Bayan, Philippines News Agency, News and Information Bureau, the Philippine Information Agency and Intercontinental Broadcasting Corporation (IBC-13). (Media ng Bayan/PIA-Capiz)