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

ii

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

iii

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

iv

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.

v

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

vi

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.

vii

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!

viii

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

1

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

2

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

3

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.

4

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

6

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);

8

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

9

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);

10

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

11

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

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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

13

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.

Through the Social Model of Disability, we intended to find

out how PWDs are integrated in the Philippines, what

environment they are in, and the social disadvantages they

experience.

Conceptual Framework

Existing:

Contributory factors Physical Barriers

Inaccessible polling places

PWDs voting on upper floors

Express lanes not fully utilized by PWDs

No waiting areas for PWDs

Social Barriers

Lack of assistance from BEIs

Lack of experts and assistive devices to aid PWDs e.g. headphones, wheelchairs

Discrimination against PWDs

Effect

RA 10366 was not effectively

implemented and PWDs

experienced barriers during

the 2016 elections, thus led

to a lack of full accessibility

Outcome

PWDs are unable to

exercise their right to vote—to

express themselves—

and are discouraged to vote in future

elections

14

Desired effect:

Desired effect

Effective policy implementation

of RA 10366 which leads to

less physical and social barriers

experienced by PWDs

Desired outcome

Increased electoral

participation of PWDs indicating their inclusivity and ability to fight for their

rights

Contributory factors Physical Barriers

Accessible polling places

PWDs voting on the ground floor

Express lanes fully utilized by PWDs

Existence of 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

15

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

16

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,

17

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

where to find it

Analysis of

data

Ethical aspects

Discussion on what PWDs are,

including the number of, the

state of, and the public‘s

opinion on PWDs in the

Philippines and other countries

Secondary

materials and

accounts (scholars,

statistics, laws)

Content

analysis,

coding for main

themes and

subthemes

Proper

acknowledgement of all

sources, bias-mitigation

Discussion on select policies

addressing the state of PWDs

and the public‘s opinion of

them and whether or not they

are effectively implemented

Secondary

materials (scholars

and laws),

interviews with

PWDs, BEIs and

key informants

Coding for

situationer,

content analysis

Acknowledgement of

all sources, informed

consent, confidentiality

PWD voters‘ electoral

participation and how it is

affected by the effectivity of

Secondary

materials (scholars

and laws),

Content

analysis

Acknowledgement of

all sources, informed

consent, confidentiality

18

policy implementation interviews with

PWDs, BEIs and

key informants

Improvements or

recommendations to increase

the effectiveness of policy

implementation

interviews with

PWDs, BEIs and

key informant

Content

analysis

informed consent,

confidentiality

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.

19

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

20

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.

21

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.

22

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

23

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

24

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

25

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

26

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.

27

28

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

29

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,

30

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.

31

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/

SUBTHEMES

QUOTE REMARKS

1 Female; senior

citizen; has

physical

disability:

disability of

limbs; is unable to

walk properly and

is missing a few

fingers and toes

Basic

information,

has physical

disability

Respondent

learned to write

despite not having

the normal

number of fingers

Respondent lacks

self-confidence

and compares

herself to other

PWDs who have

achievements.

Perception

towards self

as a person

with

disability;

disability has

impeded on

her self-

esteem

―Nagsisisi ako kasi wala akong

kumpyansa sa sarili ko. Nakakita

ako ngayon ng PWD na

nakagraduate sila, nakatapos sila,

may mga… magandang

pangalan… Ganoon.‖

―Nakapagtapos naman ako pero

umiiral talaga sakin yung

kahiyaan. Wala akong self-

confidence.‖

―Hindi naman sa nagsisisi‖

―Ayoko yung kaawaan ako.‖

―May pagka-mayabang ako.‖

The respondent

regrets not having

developed self-

confidence and

compares her life

to other PWDs

whose

achievements are

known.

Respondent is

content with her

life

Perception

towards

future as a

person with

disability

―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.‖

Upon the

suggestion of her

still having an

opportunity (e.g.

to study), the

respondent

immediately

rejected the idea

and claims that

she is content

with her life as is.

Respondent says

32

that it is only

wishful thinking.

Her disability is

not easily noticed

and prefers it that

way

Perception

towards own

disability

―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.‖

The respondent

recounted that her

classmates nor

her husband

noticed that she

has a disability.

Was unable to

vote during the

2016 elections

Frequency of

voting

―Hindi yata, kasi nagbakasyon

kami sa [REDACTED]. Taga

[REDACTED] kasi ako.‖

because they

visited their

province.

Her name was

missing in the

voters‘ list; had to

search for it in

COMELEC‘s

original record

Problems

encountered

during the

elections

―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.‖

―Sa record ng COMELEC na ano.‖

Did not

experience

difficulty in going

to the precinct

Precinct

accessibility:

going to the

precinct

voted on the 2nd

floor during the

2018 barangay

elections

Precinct

accessibility:

ground floor

voting

―Noong huling boto ko, sa second

floor ako.‖

The respondent,

when asked, did

not find much

difficulty in going

up the stairs to

vote

there was a

waiting area

available and she

was able to use it

Precinct

accessibility:

waiting area

―Meron din. Dun sa may… sa

may pinaka high school. Meron

naman.‖

No express lane,

not treated as a

priority (as a

PWD nor SC); all

elections she

voted in

Precinct

accessibility:

express lane,

priority

―Wala, sama-sama lang.‖ When asked if

there was a lane

specifically for

PWDs, the

respondent said

there was none.

She did not

experience being

treated as a

priority, not as a

PWD nor as a

senior citizen.

BEIs assisted the

respondent

Precinct

accessibility:

assistance

―Meron. Mga BEI.‖

33

Did not observe

any assistive

devices

Precinct

accessibility:

assistive

devices

―Hindi ko napansin.‖

Has experience

being an election

watcher

Familiarizatio

n with the

process

―Kasi noong bata-bata pa ako,

nagwawatcher ako. Bago ayan,

nagkaedad na ako, hindi na ako

sumali. Di na kasi malinaw ang

mata ko.‖

Has heard of it

but is not familiar

with the contents

of the law

Knowledge

on RA 10366

―Oo, narinig ko na pero hindi ko

matandaan. Ano kasi ako, ma-ano

na ang memorya ko. Madali akong

makalimot.‖

Afterwards, the

researcher

explained the

contents of the

law

Not all provisions

are completely

implemented;

implementation is

hindered by the

interest of local

government

officials; in recent

times, situation

has improved

Perception

whether RA

10366 is

successfully

implemented

or not;

reasons for

such

implementati

on

―Yung iba, nasusunod. Yung iba,

hindi.‖

―Wala naman siguro

[pagkukulang] kaya lang yung

pagtutupad ng mga nasa baba nila,

sila yung parang… Gusto nilang

sila ang nasusunod.‖

―Yung mga konsehal, minsan

napasok sa loob ng voters room.

Yung sa botoohan na kwarto. Oo,

napasok sila dyan. Doon sila

nangangampanya.‖

―Kasi may nagbabantay na ngayon

na mga alagad ng batas kaya nag-

lay low rin yung mga [gurgled]

yung mga nang-aabot.‖

The responded

proceeded to

recount some

instances where

councilors would

enter the voters‘

room and

campaign inside,

during the

election.

However, she did

say that the

situation has

improved

Suggest that the

law be properly

implemented and

that political

affiliation be

removed from its

implementation

Suggestions

to improve

implementati

on of 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.‖

―Syempre, yung COMELEC.

Yung BEI, igaguide nalang nila.‖

Philippine

elections are

PWD-friendly

Whether or

not PH

elections are

PWD-friendly

―Ang sa akin, sa sarili [ko], oo.‖

Did not

experience any

discrimination

during the

elections

Whether she

experienced

discriminatio

n

―Wala naman.‖

―Ay nanay bakit ganyan yung

kamay mo?‖

She did not

expere

34

―Yun lang sasabihin nila na wag

kang ma-ano nanay kasi may mas

grabe pa naman dito e‖

Has some

knowledge of

PWD rights and

legislation; knows

of PWDs‘ priority

and financial aid

Respondent is

apprehensive of

applying for PWD

card because of

own perception of

being a PWD

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.‖

Knows one fellow

PWD who she

considers smart

Knowledge

on PWD

rights and

legislation of

PWD peers

―Oo matalino yun eh. Nag-aral yun

eh.‖

No access to

information as

respondent is

unaccustomed to

technology

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.‖

Respondent lacks

interest but is also

ashamed because

of perception of

self as a PWD

Lack of

interest in

PWD rights

and

legislation

―Naku, parang… Wala akong

pakialam sa ano. Ewan ko ba sa

sarili ko. Kasi sa sarili ko nga,

nahihiya na ako.‖

Unnoticeable

barriers and

tiredness without

seats to rest on is

a concern

Thoughts on

physical

barriers and

accessibility

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.

Agrees to separate

precinct for PWD

voting

Thoughts on a

separate

precinct for

PWDs

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

35

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

citizen; has

sensory disability:

blind in one eye

and has difficulty

in seeing with the

other eye

Basic

information,

has sensory

disability

Votes in all

elections

Frequency of

voting

―Lahat po halos. Basta nagkaron

ng eleksyon, naboto ako.‖

when the

respondent asked

the kapitan who

was sitting where

the voters lists

were, the kapitan

ignored the

respondent

Problems

encountered

during the

elections

―Isang bes 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.‖

Respondent walks

to the precinct

Precinct

accessibility:

going to the

precinct

Nilalakad lang ang eskwelahan.

Need for a

companion in

voting

Problems

encountered

during the

elections

Tong last akong bumoto,

nagpasama nga ako noon eh gawa

nang di ko na mabasa ang kwan.

does not use the

express lane

because of

principles

Apprehension

to using

express lane

or being

considered as

a priority

Ako kasi, ako eh... hindi pa ako

umabot sa ganon na pumila sa

PWD.

Para sa akin, kasi sa nakikita ko

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.

36

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

ground floor

Precinct

accessibility:

ground floor

voting

Hindi naman. Ok naman.

no waiting area

and if you leave

the line, you‘ll

lose your place

Precinct

accessibility:

waiting area

Ang waiting area mo kasi yun

nang pipilahan mo eh. Kung saang

presinto ka nakapila hahaha yun na

ang pinaka waiting area.

did not vote on

the 2nd

floor but

had to go there to

check where the

precincts are

Precinct

accessibility:

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.

Given assistance Precinct

accessibility:

assistance

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.

No knowledge of

the law

Knowledge

on RA 10366

Hindi ko po alam. Republic Act ba

'yan?

Unsure if the law

is implemented

well or not

Perception

whether RA

10366 is

successfully

implemented

or not

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.

Financial only;

Lacking

Knowledge

on PWD

rights and

Ngayon ko lang nalaman, kasi

walang nag-iinterview sa aming

mga ganyan.

37

legislation

Ang alam ko lang dyan... pag

senior, meron lang mga discount

katulad ng pamasahe, pag akkain

ka sa mga mall.

No access to

legislation but can

ask relative

(former

councilor), knows

of other PWDs

and assumes they

might have some

knowledge

Access to

PWD

legislation;

perception

whether or

not other

PWDs have

access or

knowledgeabl

e

Wala po ako. (Access)

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.

None because

people know he

has a disability

Whether he

experienced

discriminatio

n

Ok naman po kasi alam naman nila

na may diperensya.

Increased number

of precincts to

lessen wait time

and queue time

Suggestions 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.

3 Female; in her

40s; has sensory

disability: speech

impediment, hard

of hearing

Basic

information,

has sensory

disability

Si nanay kasi ang bumoboto para

sa akin

Numbers get

mixed up, long

lines

Problems

experienced

Nagkakagulo minsan. Yung

number, iibahin.

Ang haba ng pila.

Sometimes but

not often

Frequency of

the

occurrence of

these

problems

Merong botohan na ganun, merong

hindi.

No express lanes

for PWDs; those

with wheelchairs

have their own

lane; respondent

not given priority

Precinct

accessibility:

express lanes

Wala yata, senior lang.

Kailangan may PWD lane.

Yung mga naka-wheelchair, may

lane naman sila.

38

Yung mga reklamo, yung sa PWD.

Yung sa pila talaga yung problema

talaga! Yung mga PWD at senior,

dapat paunahin yun! Di ba?

Experienced

voting in the 2nd

floor

Precinct

accessibility:

2nd

floor

May precinto--sila, sa baba sila.

Sabi, sa taas kami. Kasi second

floor yung bagong gawa, di ba taas

yon?

Does not know

the law

Knowledge

on RA

The researcher

one-by-one

explained the

provisions

involved in the

RA10366 after

asking

No waiting area Waiting area Pila lang. walang mga bangko.

No assistance

given

Precinct

accessibility:

assistance

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.

Respondent

acknowledged the

lapses during the

elections

Perception on

PH elections

J Ang dami no? Ang daming

reklamo.

No assistive

devices

Precinct

accessibility:

assistive

devices

―Wala, walang ganun.‖

Yes, only the

lanes aren‘t being

followed

PWD-friendly

election

Ano naman yung pagboto, yun nga

lang yung mga lane na ano, di

nasusunod.

Discounts on

food, jeep, bus

knowledge on

rights and

legislation

Sayang din yung piso. Companion is

apprehensive in

using the PWD

card for jeepney

discounts; PWD

asserts that it is

her right

Respondent does

not know any

other PWD in

community

PWD peers 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.

PWD

respondent‘s

relative‘s

response

39

Companion of

PWD knows other

PWDs, them not

Disability is not

obvious which is

taken lightly by

the doctor

Those with PWD

cards might know

their benefits

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.

Discrimination in

day-to-day life

more rampant

Day-to-day

discriminatio

n

R: Tapos yung mga jeep driver,

mga binabastos ako. Sabi ko, mga

jeep driver.

C: Marami minsan yung mga

nangangaroling dito na mga bata,

minsan ginaganoon. Minsan

ginagaya yung salita niya. Yung

mga iba, ano. Niloloko.

Respondent

companion

Companion

suggested that

PWDs be given

allowance

suggestions

4 Female; physical

disability:

amputee and is

dependent on her

wheelchair

Basic

information,

has physical

disability

Respondent

shared the trauma

that caused her

disability

Nature of

disability

"Kung hindi nauso ang shabu,

hindi ako ganito. Hindi mo ako

makikilala dahil tiyak, nasa abroad

ako"

Always votes

during the

elections; despite

the sacrifice she

makes, voting

does not falter

Frequency of

voting

―Hindi. Tuloy-tuloy na...Kasi, dati

may ka-live in ako kaya may

chance ako na maka-boto. ke

barangay, ke presidente, nag-

aappear ako.‖

Yung huling boto ko, yung

barangay? Mula eskwelahan,

naglakad kami. Kainitan. Inano ko

yun, para lang bumoto.

Dependent on

others (in this

case, her former

live-in partner)

for assistance in

order to vote

40

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

huge number of

people voting in

such a small

space was a

problem for her.

Problems

encountered

during the

elections

―Wala naman. Kaya lang,

nakakahilo. Ang liit-liit ng

botohan. Space ba. Sa dami ng

bumoboto...pero inaassist naman

nila ako.‖

―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

room gives her

assistance

Who assists

her

―Lahat. Lahat ng nasa room na

yun.‖

The respondent

does not have to

fall in line as she

is immediately

given priority and

assistance

Precinct

accessibility:

express

lanes/priority

of PWDs

―Hindi na [pumipila], 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.‖

The respondent

was giving the

second quote

jokingly

The respondent

found no

obstacles and

voted on the

ground floor

Precinct

accessibility:

ground floor,

obstacles, etc

―Wala, wala. Sa ground floor.

Wala naman. Kasi mababa naman.

First floor naman.‖

―Ginigive way nila ako.‖

The respondent

receives special

treatment during

the election day

due to her

disability. She did

not experience

any negative

discrimination

against her.

Discriminatio

n or lack

thereof;

special

treatment

towards her

due to her

disability

―Special nga ako dun eh.‖

―Takot nga sila sa akin e. Baka

magwala ako eh.‖

The respondent is

disinterested in

legislation

regarding their

rights, even if it

Perception on

RA

10366/PWD

rights and

legislation

―Meron na kaya di ko iniintindi

yun basta ako, buhay ako. Pasok

dito, labas doon. Ano ba

magagawa ko dun, di ba?‖

41

were PWD rights;

would rather be

helped willingly

―Namatay na nga yung mayor e.

hihingi ako ng artificial feet o kaya

manlang wheelchair ayun namatay

na. Wala na. Yung anak nalang.

―Pakinggan ako, salamat. Kung

hindi, basta nasabi ko yung nasa

loob ko.‖

No assistive

devices

Precinct

accessibility:

Assistive

devices

Wala, wala akong nakita. Yung iba

naman, inaakay ng mga ---

Satisfied with

assistance

How BEIs

treated her

Mababait naman. Ok naman sila.

Law successfully

implemented

Whether or

not RA 10366

was

successfully

implemented

Oo. (maayos na naisasakatuparan)

maayos na naipapalakad ang

eleksyon

Considers other

PWDs as their

‗classmate‘ or

peers; rationalizes

that she does not

have it as bad as

the other PWDs

Perception

towards

fellow PWDs

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

Respondent wants

help given out of

genuine concern

Attitude

towards

helping

PWDs

Hindi na ako nagnanais noon. Ang

gusto ko, kusa.

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.

When asked

about access to

information,

respondent

replied this

Main complaint

of respondent was

the lack of help

given by

politicians and

government

officials

Other

problems

faced by the

respondent

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.

42

'Yung tipong bigyan ng kahit

wheelchair manlang. Yun lang

hinanakit ko dito.

Respondent

struggles with the

lack of empathy

of family

members

Respondent‘s

relationship

with family

members

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."

PWDs need to be

understood and

encouraged

Attitude

towards

PWDs

"Ang hirap ng buhay ng may

kapansanan. Lalo na't 'di ka

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

due to insensitive

inquiries of

people on the

nature of

respondent‘s

disability

discriminatio

n

Para bang ginagawa kang pet? Na

laruan, na yung tanong nila hindi

sila nag-iisip, kung nasasaktan ka

ba o hindi.

5 & 6 Both respondents

were stroke

victims—one

cannot write on

her own, onw can

write but it takes a

long amount of

time; both female,

both in forties

Basic

information,

nature of

disability

Respondents

chose to jointly

participate in the

interview because

they were more

comfortable this

way

Both did not miss

any election

voting

Frequency of

voting

No problems

encountered

Problems

encountered

No express lanes

for SCs and

PWDs but it was

not needed

because they were

Precinct

accessibility:

express lanes

A: Wala. Pero pag andun na, mas

pinapauna naman kami…

B: Yung place na para sa amin,

wala. Pero pag nakita kami,

43

given priority pinapauna na kami.

Has waiting area Precinct

accessibility:

waiting area

Precinct

accessibility:

2nd

floor

Meron. Dalawang baitang.

There were BEIs

who gave the

respondents

assistance

assistance

Both respondents

had a positive

experience

Positive

experience

Both respondents

preferred not to

go out of their

homes since they

acquired their

disability

Perception

towards self

as PWD

Mula nung naging PWD ako, lagi

na lang akong nasa bahay. Ngayon

lang ako lumalabas. Pero ngayon,

nakakapunta na ako sa SM

Ako din. Ako di talaga lumalabas

ng bahay.

Both cited

healthcare and

provision of

wheelcair

Knowledge

on PWD

rights and

legislation

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.

Respondents

know only their

councilor to be

knowledgeable on

the topic

Access to

information

Sa mga batas, wala kaming ibang

mapagtanungan kundi si

[COUNCILOR]. Ano ba mga

karapatan naming mga PWD?

vaccine, sa pneumonia.

Figures that older

PWDs know.

They did not even

know they were

called PWDs

Knowledge of

PWD peers

Siguro, yung mga matatanda na.

Sila nakakaalala samin… Ngayon

lang namin nalaman.

Di nga namin alam na PWD

[kami].

Improvement on

attitude

suggestions 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

44

katawa-tawa. Yung tatawanan ka,

ayoko ng ganun.

No discrimination

experienced

during the

elections, but it is

experienced

outside of the

elections

discriminatio

n

Wala naman. Sa labas lang.

7 Has physical

disability

Nature of

disability

voted in all

elections

Frequency of

voting

Normal ang boto ko.

The last one he

skipped was 18

years ago

Long lines,

missing names,

politicians

allegendly

cheating the

elections;

problems

happened during

the barangay

elections

Only problem in

national elections

is choosing who

to vote for

Problems

encountered

Oo, ang problema lang dito, yung

pila. Minsan nawawala yung

pangalan mo, eh gawa nun kasi

may dayaan, yung voters' list,

nagkakagulo-gulo. …Yun ngang

sinasabi ko sa'yo, mga pulitikong

magugulo. Gumagawa ng

pandaraya.

Pag national election, ang

problema lang diyan, wala naman

kaming problema sa national

election. Ang problema lang, kung

sino nga yung pipiliin mo.

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.

Elections easy for

the respondent

because he knows

his precinct

number, no

discrimination, no

chaos unlike

before.

PWDs and SCs

are given priority

Precinct

accessibility,

discriminatio

n, priority

Oo naman. Kasi…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.

It depends on

what precinct the

person is assigned

to; people in

wheelchairs will

Precinct

accessibility:

ground floor

Ah, hindi. Minsan nasa taas.

Depende kung saan mapalagay

yung precinct nila.

Yung mga naka-wheelchair,

45

be carried bubuhatin.

Respondent

considers it an

obligation to vote;

goes to the

polling place

early

Motivations

for voting

despite

inconvenienc

e

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.

No assistive

devices

Assistive

devices

Does not know

the contents of the

law

Knowledge

on RA 10366

Republic Act? Anong batas yun?

Policy cannot be

fully implemented

because of the

lack of facilities

in the country, for

example

insufficient

number of

precincts to

number of voters

Perception on

RA 10366

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.

The law is good

but

implementation

depends on the

location

Voting is orderly

in respondent‘s

area so he does

not have

complaints about

the law

Evaluation of

RA 10366

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.

Hindi ko masabing maayos…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.

Had no problem

with assistance;

PWDs are the

hotheaded ones

Assistance 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.

People will only

know the law

when it is not

implemented well

Awareness on

PWD rights

and

legislation

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

46

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

information

through

technology and

social media;

claims that those

who are

uneducated are

ignorant in this

technological age

Access to

information

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.

Does not know if

fellow PWDs

know or are

interested in the

law; bases it on

educational

attainment

Knowledge of

PWD peers

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.

Attitude towards

PWDs is a

problem, even in

hospitals

Discriminatio

n in day-to-

day life

Ang number one problema dito sa

atin, mapa-normal na tao, mapa-

PWD, attitude. Kahit sa hospital,

makaka-kita ka ng discrimination.

Respondent says

there‘s still a lot

to do but did not

elaborate what

exactly to do

improvements 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.

Drinking fountain

because of the

heat

Other

suggestions

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

47

mga botante... kahit tubig manlang.

Heat as a

detterent to voting

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.

sees politics now

as a business

instead of public

service

Personal

evaluation of

PH elections

"What is politics? Public servant

[sic]. What is politics now?

Business."

Respondent

claims that SCs

and PWDs do not

need pity, but

instead, they need

understanding

Attitude

towards

PWDs

Ang isang PWD, ang isang senior

citizen, hindi dapat kinaaawaan.

Dapat, inuunawa. Hindi kailangan

ng isang PWD ang awa.

As long as you‘re

a PWD, you are

discriminated;

PWDs do not get

income because

of discrimination

Discriminatio

n; difficulties

of being a

PWD

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.

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

stroke, problems

with mobility

Nature of

disability

Voted in all

elections

Frequency of

voting

none Problems

encountered

No need for

waiting area

Precinct

accessibility:

48

because the

process was quick

waiting area

Voted on the 2nd

floor but it has a

ramp

Precinct

accessibility:

2nd

floor

Oo, second floor for disabled yun

eh

Oo, sa right side, may pang-kabit

pa nga diyan eh

Was given

assistance

assistance

No assistive

devices

Assistive

devices

Familiar with it

but does not know

the contents

Knowledge

on RA 10366

Researcher

explains the law

Respondent

considers the

implementation of

the law as okay

Evaluation of

RA 10366

Ehhh sa tingin ko okay

Respondent

knows only a few

Knowledge

on PWD

rights and

legislation

Naalala ko lang ang iba

Assume that they

have some

knowledge but

not all, as the

respondent

himself did not

know

Knowledge of

PWD peers

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

No access Access to info ay hindi, hindi ako marunong

ehhhhh mga kapitbahay ko lang, o

un sa TV

It is hard for

people especially

those who have

difficulty in

walking, those

who need to go

down the stairs

but there are a lot

of people, and

those who come

from far places

Effects of

physical

barriers

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.

9 Has physical

disability

Nature of

disability

Respondent voted

in all elections

Frequency of

voting

Respondent did

not experience

Problems

encountered

49

any problems or

complications

Was a priority priority

BEIs and

watchers assisted

the respondent

PWDs aren‘t that

inconvenienced

because they are

provided with

assistance

assistance Mga watcher, minsan mga teacher

Hindi naman, kasi meron nag-

aalalay

leaves early and

uses his sidecar

Travel to

precinct

Umaga pa lang na umaalis na ako,

gumagamit ko ng sidecar

Does not know

the law

Knowledge

on RA 10366

Hindi pa po

Mentioned having

the need to fight

for his rights as

well as the

advantages of

PWD cards and

discounts

Awareness on

PWD rights

and

legislation

Respondent

thinks fellow

PWDs do not

know PWD rights

and legislation

because they lack

initiative; PWD‘s

motivation is his

family

Knowledge of

PWD peers

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 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

affect PWDs in

mobility. Voting

in upper floors

can lead to

accidents

Effect of

physical

barriers

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?

50

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

sensory disability;

blind since 1999;

senior citizen

Nature of

disability;

basic

information

No missed voting

in fear of name

being lost

Frequency of

voting

―Talagang tuwing botohan,

nakaboto ako‖

―Wala kasi sayang yung boto ko.

Baka mawala pangalan ko.‖

No problems

encountered

Problems

encountered

Satisfactory;

treated well

assistance ―Ok naman yung mga nag-aassist.

Mababait naman sila.‖

Despite there

being a few steps

that the

respondent has to

climb, she can

still do so

Precinct

accessibility:

steps

―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.‖

No waiting area

but some let them

sit elsewhere

Precinct

accessibility:

waiting area

―Wala namang waiting [area] dun.

Minsan naman pag may nakakakita

dun sa barangay, nag-aabang ng

sasakyan, nagpapaupo naman.‖

PWDs have own

line

Precinct

accessibility:

Express lines

Respondent voted

on the first floor

Precinct

accessibility:

first floor

Respondent was

prioritized

priority

Has heard of it

but does not know

its contents

Knowledge

on RA 10366

Narinig ko na sa tv yun

Hindi, yun lang narinig ko. Di ko

na [nalaman] kung ano yun.

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.

Researcher

explained the

contents of the

law

Not all of the

provisions are met

Evaluation of

RA 10366

Yung iba naman kasi talagang di

naaayos pa.

51

Parang walang wheelchair.

Parang wala kasi akong

naririnig…kasi di ko nakikita.

PWD-friendly

because

respondent is

prioritized

PWD-friendly

elections

Maayos naman kasi di naman…

Pag ako naboto, ok lang. Inuuna na

kami.

Some know, some

don‘t

Knowledge of

PWD peers

Yung iba hindi, yung iba alam nila.

Respondent can

ask their

councilor

Access to info Minsan si [REDACTED]. Yan

lang naman yung matiyaga.

Matiyaga yan sakin.

Right to

complain;

inconvenience of

voting on upper

floors especially

for people with

physical disability

Perception on

physical

barriers

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.

Respondent wants

to be understood

and to be given

assistance to

Respondent hopes

that instead of

being treated well

by EIs because of

their training,

PWDs be treated

well because they

are fellow human

beings

Attitude

towards

PWDs

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.

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.

People treat the

respondent

differently and is

yelled at

Discriminatio

n outside of

the elections

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

52

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

53

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.

54

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

55

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

56

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

PWDs

underwent training in

assisting PWD voting

Yes in our training

included how to assist

PWDs in voting

Knowledge on the

contents of RA 10366

knows of the law; does

not know the

specifics/technicalities

of it.

Yes, RA 10366 is

about the rules and

regulations for voting

of persons with

disabilities.

Difficulties experienced

by PWDs

Express lanes were not

utilized effectively;

PWDs still had to wait

for a time in order to

vote

During voting time,

express lanes for

PWDs, senior citizens,

and pregnant women

were not utilized

effectively. They had

to wait in line

patiently in order to

vote.

difficulty in assisting

PWDs

no difficulty attributed

to companions of

PWDs

No, I did not find any

difficulty because the

PWDs have their own

companions to assist

them until they cast

their votes.

Whether or not RA 10366

was effectively

implemented

effectively

implemented because

BEIs were well-

informed on how to

assist PWDs

Yes, it was effectively

implemented. The

BEIs were well

informed about the

PWDs on how to

assist them.

Whether or not the

elections were PWD-

friendly

PWD-friendly as the

people around were

aware of PWDs

Yes, 2016 elections

for me is PWD-

friendly because

people were also

aware about PWDs

and still even if they

were PWDs, it is not a

hindrance to exercise

57

their suffrage to vote.

Suggestions or

recommendations to

policy implementation

Precincts be separated,

at a location more

accessible and more

spacious for them to

move around with

special BEIs available

in each polling place to

assist PWDs who do

not have a companion.

I think the PWDs will

be served better if

their precinct will be

separated. Their voting

precincts should be

located accessible for

PWDs and more

spacious enough to

move around

especially for those

using wheelchairs.

And a special Board of

Elections Inspectors

will also be available

in each polling place

to assist PWDs who

vote alone.

To note that

it is already

within the

law that

there should

be a special

BEIs for this

precise

reason and

the BEI

interviewed

is not aware

of it.

Concept of

EAPPs

2 Training on assisting

PWDs

underwent training in

assisting PWD voting

Four months before

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

contents of RA 10366

knows of the law; does

not know the

specifics/technicalities

of it.

Yes, RA 10366 is all

about the rights of

PWDs to exercise their

rights to vote and

providing them

accessible polling

place and other

assistance during

election.

Difficulties experienced

by PWDs

Did not see PWDs

experience any

problems

As what I‘ve

remembered, we did

not experienced [sic]

any problem

particularly in

handling persons with

disability.

difficulty in assisting

PWDs

No problems

encountered because of

the training that BEIs

No, because we

followed the things we

learned during the

58

underwent. training

Whether or not RA 10366

was effectively

implemented

Law was effectively

implemented.

Yes, RA 10366 was

effectively

implemented during

2016 election

Whether or not the

elections were PWD-

friendly

PWD-friendly because

COMELEC provided

accessible places and

other assistance.

Yes, the Comelec

provided them with

accessible places and

other assistance

Suggestions or

recommendations to

policy implementation

Voting of PWDs be

separated, whether it be

a different polling

place or a different date

to vote in order to

avoid the big crowd.

Maybe the Comelec

should provide a

separate polling place

for PWDs only or date

to vote to avoid the big

crowd during election

3 Training on assisting

PWDs

underwent training in

assisting PWD voting

Yes

Knowledge on the

contents of RA 10366

knows of the law; does

not know the

specifics/technicalities

of it.

Yes, RA 10366 is all

about the rights of

PWDs to exercise their

rights to vote and

providing them

accessible polling

place and other

assistance during

election

Difficulties experienced

by PWDs

Did not see PWDs

experience any

problems

I did not encounter

any problem

particularly in

handling persons with

disability

difficulty in assisting

PWDs

No problems

encountered because

PWDs were

cooperative

No, because they are

cooperative

Whether or not RA 10366

was effectively

implemented

Law was effectively

implemented.

Yes, it was effectively

implemented

Whether or not the

elections were PWD-

friendly

PWD-friendly because

COMELEC provided

accessible places for

them

Yes, the Comelec

provided them with

accessible polling

places

Suggestions or

recommendations to

Both the PWD

precincts and date of

Provide a separate

polling place and date

59

policy implementation voting be separated, to

avoid the big crowd.

to vote only for PWDs

to avoid the big crowd

during election

4 Training on assisting

PWDs

underwent training in

assisting PWD voting

Yes

Knowledge on the

contents of RA 10366

knows of the law; does

not know the

specifics/technicalities

of it.

Yes, it‘s about the

PWDs right to vote

and enjoy the same

human rights as

everyone

Difficulties experienced

by PWDs

Did not see PWDs

experience any

problems

I did not encounter

any difficulties

regarding persons with

disabilities

difficulty in assisting

PWDs

No problems

encountered because

(1) the BEIs prioritized

PWDs, (2) they were

treated as normal

citizens, and (3) the

PWDs themselves were

cooperative

No, I did not

experience any

difficulties because we

prioritized and I treat

them as normal, and

they are cooperative

Whether or not RA 10366

was effectively

implemented

Law was effectively

implemented.

Yes, it was effectively

implemented

Whether or not the

elections were PWD-

friendly

PWD-friendly because

of the separate lanes

for them

yes, because we have

separate lanes for them

Suggestions or

recommendations to

policy implementation

Additional BEIs to

accommodate the huge

number of voters

Additional board of

election inspectors

since the number of

voters are huge

5 Training on assisting

PWDs

underwent training in

assisting PWD voting

Yes

Knowledge on the

contents of RA 10366

knows of the law; does

not know the

specifics/technicalities

of it.

RA 10366 provides

rules and regulations

for voting of PWDs

Difficulties experienced

by PWDs

PWDs experience

difficulty when there

are no people to assist

them. Some voters are

in a hurry to vote.

Some voters had

Mahirap sa part ng

PWD lalo na yung

walang nag-aassist at

ang ibang botante ay

nagmamadali rin sila

na makaboto agad. Di

60

difficulty in finding the

names of the

candidates they would

vote for.

nila Makita ang

pangalan ng iboboto

nila.

difficulty in assisting

PWDs

Found it easy to assist

PWDs so long as they

know who they will

vote for.

Madali lang mag-

assist sa mga PWDs

kung alam na nila ang

kanilang iboboto

Whether or not RA 10366

was effectively

implemented

Effective. Yes BEI did not

elaborate on

it.

Whether or not the

elections were PWD-

friendly

PWD-friendly because

people were already

aware of it.

Yes, sa aking palagay

naging PWD-friendly

ang 2016 elections

dahil naging aware na

ang iba tungkol dito

Suggestions or

recommendations to

policy implementation

Provide a separate

polling precinct so that

there will be more

focus put into PWDs.

Siguro mas mabuti

kung naka separate

ang polling precinct

nila kaysa sa ibang

precinct upang mas

lalong matutukan ang

PWDs

6 Training on assisting

PWDs

underwent training in

assisting PWD voting

Yes

BEI did not

elaborate.

Knowledge on the

contents of RA 10366

The participant agreed

but did not elaborate on

their knowledge of it,

only that they know it.

Yes

Difficulties experienced

by PWDs

Lack of areas/waiting

areas for PWDs

Lack of areas/waiting

areas for PWDs

difficulty in assisting

PWDs

No No BEI did not

elaborate.

Whether or not RA 10366

was effectively

implemented

Yes. Yes BEI did not

elaborate on

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,

61

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

62

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.

63

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

PE

RS

PE

CT

IVE

ON

DIS

AB

ILIT

Y

OIC director of

National Council on

Disability Affairs:

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.

People with

disabilities are not

disabled.

PWD‘s are not

rendered useless.

There is nothing to

fix unless medical

―Actually, yan ay tinalakay ni [REDACTED], which is the OIC

director of National Council on Disability Affairs. Nung nagkaron

tayo ng eleksyon remember nung sa barangay ay sinabi niya na

dapat may accessibility sa pagboboto para sa mga taong may

kapansanan kasi lahat po ng tao ay may karapatan na bumoto

sohindi dapat maging hadlang o balakid ang pagiging person with

disability para ikaw ay mag-exercise ng karapatang iyon.‖

―Kaya hindi na natin pwedeng gamitin ang ―handicap‖ or

―abnormal‖ kasi ang feeling ng mga persons with disability, we are

not abnormal. We are not disabled.‖

―As far as persons with disabilities are concerned, there‘s nothing to

fix. Not unless, as I‘ve said, yung medical condition nila like yung

mga psychosocial, of course if it‘s caused by chemical imbalance

and a medical…‖

―Yun ang dapat ayusin kasi merong gamut na maibibigay doon pero

kapag ikaw ay pinanganak nang bulag o di nakakakita—kamukha

ko, I‘m a very very good example, there‘s nothing to fix because

that‘s beyond our control. Hindi na po natin maaayos yun. We just

have to live with it. Kailangan lang na mabuhay ka ng matiwasay na

64

condition is

psychosocial.

Key informant is

visually impaired.

There is nothing to

fix in PWDs, they

just have to accept

and live with it.

Disappearance of

the discrimination

and the stigma starts

with different PWD

advocates.

matanggap mo ang iyong kapansanan at gumawa ka ng paraan para

ma-overcome moa ng iyong kapansanan.‖

―if it‘s medical, we can either work with it or fix some with it.

Kapagka naman yung programa ng accessibility or yung

pagtanggap…ng society sa aming mga may kapansanan ay dapat

ayusin kasi right now ay stigma. Ang iba kasi, ang mga taong may

kapansanan ay hindi natatanggap kaagad. Kinukutsa. Pero salamat

mga katropa ay marami na tayong advocates as I‘ve said ng para sa

taong may kapansanan kaya unti-unting nawawala na yung stigma

ngayon, nababawasan sapagkat meron naming taong lumalaban para

sa sektor ng may kapansanan at snasabi nilang, ‗teka lang muna,

hindi niyo kami dapat kaawaan sapagkat kami ay hindi inutil o hindi

kami walang silbi sa sosyalidad o sa society, noh, and 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‘‖

PW

D

AW

AR

EN

ES

S

AN

D R

IGH

TS

Not all PWDs are

aware of their rights

due to lack of PWD

centered programs

Priority of PWDs

are their livelihood

―Ang feeling ko, hindi lahat ng persons with disability ay pamilyar

sa rights nila dahil…hindi lahat ng taong may kapansanan ay mataas

ang pinag-aralan para pagtuunang pansin itong mga bagay na ito

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

Number two, karamihan po ng persons with disabilities, may

problema po sa pangkabuhayan na nila. So, hindi po siyempre ang

focus nila or ang atensyon nila ay mas mapupunta dito.‖

DIF

FIC

UL

TIE

S

DU

RIN

G

EL

EC

TIO

N

Lack of

accessibility

especially for

PWDs with ortho

impairments

Lack of Braille

Ballots

―Ma‘am [REDACTED] mentioned before that yung mga voting

polls, walang accessibility kaya hindi makapunta ang mga katropa

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

tayo equipped. If you‘re blind, if you‘re visually impaired, ewan ko

kung meron nang braille for us to be able to vote.‖

[unable to answer a question because the interviewee had migrated

to the US and did not vote during the 2016 nor barangay elections]

IMP

LE

ME

N-

TA

TIO

N O

F

RA

10366

Full implementation

could be achieved if

the COMELEC and

advocates can look

more into solutions

―Ang mga sinasabi naman ng eskwela, yun ay inevitable o hindi

maiiwasan. So, I‘m sure na magagawan ng paraan yan with the help

of everybody. Hopefully, COMELEC will look into it much more

and, yun na nga, yung mga nag-aadvocate for persons with

disability, hopefully ay magawan ng paraan para maresolba ang

suliranin nay an.‖

AC

CE

SS

IBL

E

PO

LL

ING

PL

AC

ES

Participation by

voting can lead to

more PWD voter‘s

rights and voices

―Of course, nothing is perfect in this world…Pero malaking bagay

na magkakaron ng participation ang mga persons with disabilities sa

pagboboto o pagpili ng ating…mga mamumuno sa ating bayan

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.‖

E F F E C T S

O F

S O CI

A L

B A R RI

E R S

A N D

DI

F F E R E N T

B A R RI

E R S The Philippines is

not a well-off

Actually, napaka lalim na isyu yan. Because it depends on whose

eyes are you asking, you know, what their feelings are kasi syempre

65

country that can

prioritize the

minority groups

Each has different

agendas that makes

the country divided

Change can start

with unity and

understanding of

different PWD

sectors for the PWD

voices be louder and

be heard

ang pamahalaan, ang sasabihin nila ay oo napapagtuunan sila pero

ang grassroots naman, sasabihin nila, of course hindi.‖

―Sa dami kasi ng problema, hindi ganon kadali. I don‘t blame

anybody kasi…I have interviewed everyone—whether it‘s the

political side, on the persons with disabilities‘ side, on the…would

you say the government‘s side—sa totoo lang, lahat merong

suliranin sapagkat hindi po kami nagkikita-kita.‖

―Para siya mag-work out, kailangang magkaisa muna e. pero kung

naghahati-hati tayo, we will continuously have a proble. Unang-una,

tayo ay…hindi tayo mayamang bansa. Hindi natin kaya ang mga

modernization na meron ang ibang bansa. Pangalawa, meron tayong

sarili nating agenda, hindi natin syempre… we cannot speak for the

whole entire persons with disabilities. Sana, kung magiging feeling

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.‖

IMP

RO

VE

ME

NT

ON

VO

TIN

G

EX

PE

RIE

NC

E F

OR

PW

DS

Educate on how to

assist PWDs

through the right

process and

approach

COMELEC should

conduct audits if

precincts implement

the rules and

regulations

That is what I was talking with DSWD yesterday. Ang sa tingin ko,

kulang ang implementasyon sapagkat kulang ang kaalaman. We

need to educate. Kailangan po nating bigyan ng awareness. Talagang

massive. When I say massive, pangkalawakan, okay, na kaalaman

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

paano iaasist ang mga persons with disabilities para sila ay yung sila

ay bumoboto, para sa kanila ay maging madali ang proseso. Number

two ay syempre, kung tayo ay pupunta sa local government, sa

comelec, all that stuff, para sabihin na siguraduhin na bigyan talaga

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.

SE

PA

RA

TE

PR

EC

INC

T

The solution

promotes further

discrimination

Actually, I wouldn‘t do that kasi ang ineencourage na ngayon ng

ating society ay inclusion. If you‘re going to do that, that is frankly

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.

66

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

67

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

68

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/

Needing Solution

Hindrance/

Constraints

Current Situation/

Needing Solution

Hindrance/

Constraints

RE

GIS

TR

AT

ION

PWD Voters need to

declare that they are

PWDs during

COMELEC

Registration. Some

may need to update

their information on

the COMELEC

database

PWD Voters tend

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.

Some forms may

have left out the

Annex forms that

need to be filled out

by PWDs

Photocopy budget

limitation and sometimes

no proper instructions

given to election

volunteers

Should know what

type of PWD they

are

They are not aware

that they need to

update with the

COMELEC once

their status has

changed to PWD

COMELEC

conducts a special

satellite registration

just for PWD and

SC at accessible

malls, nationwide

Only few registers

PWD voters doesn‘t

avail of the EAPP

program during

registration or

updating process

Some think that

when you‘re a

PWD voter, you‘re

automatically

registered under

the EAPP

program.

COMELEC gives

options to the voters

by asking them if

they would want to

sign up with the

EAPP program.

COMELEC

envisions a

provision for special

precinct every

election where

PWDs can get

COMELEC, though has a

more complete census of

the PWD community,

they are still unable to

estimate how many

special precincts should

be reserved.

69

information V

OT

ER

S’

CH

OIC

E Some choose to stay

on regular precinct

because they have

better assistance

there like they‘ll be

near the door

PWDs have

special lanes in

regular precinct

compared to a

special precinct

COMELEC

conducts Special

training for election

volunteers on PWD

assistance for

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.

Some choose the

special precinct

because of

convenience

Sectoral voting could be

surveyed here for all

PWD

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 because they

need to find their

precinct

Looking for their

names along the

voter‘s list should

be done before the

election. This list

is available at the

election officer‘s

office.

COMELEC

provides maps and

signage for easier

wayfinding

The voters should be

informed that they can

check their names and

precincts ahead of time.

INF

RA

ST

RU

CT

UR

E New public schools

under EASE project

(ensuring

accessibility school

election) will strictly

follow BP344

(Accessibility Law)

and the National

Building Code

EASE should be a

continuous program but

when a new leader comes

in, the project tends to

hold progress due to

transitions

COMELEC seeks

different

government and

NGOs like DPWH

for roadworks,

DepEd for school

precincts and other

stakeholders for

cooperation in

improving the

COMELEC is just a

coordinator, so if one

stakeholder is not being

prompt, COMELEC can

only follow up.

70

facilities once an

NGO audits the

accessibility features

of the facilities

Over population in

each precinct

Limited number of

precincts

COMELEC election

officers should look

for other feasible

voting centers,

conduct ocular

inspection along

with different

government and

non-government

sectors

The Precincts are not yet

updated because it still

uses the Barangay

Jurisdiction based on the

situation decades ago.

While members of the

barangay grow, the

barangay gets divided into

different sitios. And these

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.

71

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

72

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,

73

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

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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

75

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

76

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

77

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‘

78

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.

79

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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Appendices

Appendix A – Copy of Letter of Informed Consent for PWDs (English)

84

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

85

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

86

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)

87

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

88

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.

89

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: ________________

90

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

91

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.

92

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: ________________

2

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

3

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.

4

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.

5

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.

6

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

7

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?

8

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?

9

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?

10

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.”

11

[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?

12

“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.”

13

[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”

14

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.”

15

[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.”

16

“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.’”

17

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.

18

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.

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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.

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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.

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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?

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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?]

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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.

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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.

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'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"

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"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

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[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

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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?]

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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

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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]

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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.

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[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?]

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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."

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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..

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[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.

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[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

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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...