Call center put up for queries about bets, parties

Now that the campaign period is at its homestretch, Church-based volunteers have set up a "call center" to help voters make an informed choice on Election Day. The "Gabay Halalan 101-49" program, set up by Church-based groups, offers background information on candidates running for senator, and helps relay irregularities to authorities. "Unti-unting dumadami ang tumatawag sa amin, sa nakalipas na araw may pumasok na tawag. Simula ng aming pagtanggap 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., mga volunteers natin iyan. Maraming kabataan ang nag-volunteer. Ilan doon galing call center (Our calls are starting to peak the last few days. Our volunteers receive calls from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Some of our call-center operators are actual call-center agents who offer their spare time)," Bro. Ernald Andal S.J., one of the organizers of the call center, said in an interview on dzBB radio. He said the information the call center will offer is based on a "growing" database on the candidates for senator. He said the call center will operate as objectively as possible. The call center will operate from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., but is likely to operate up to midnight from May 11 to 14. Information it is expected to offer will include the platforms and positions of the candidates on various issues. But Andal said that while the call center will operate until May 15, they are still looking for volunteers who are fluent in local dialects, as calls come in from Visayas and Mindanao. "Naghahanap kami ng volunteers na makapagsalita ng Bisaya, Ilocano and other dialects para mas mabilis ma-express ang sarili (We are still looking for volunteers who can speak in Visayan, Ilocano and other dialects)," he said. Andal added the call center, whose number 101-49 is toll-free, will also forward to authorities reports of electoral fraud. He said the call center can handle up to 16 calls at a time, as the Philippine Long Distance and Telephone Co. (PLDT) offered it 16 lines for its operations. Meanwhile, Andal said the Jesuits will hold a Mass on Saturday for the various Church-affiliated election volunteers at the Church of Jesu in Quezon City. The mass is aside from another Mass to be held at the Manila Cathedral also for the election volunteers who will take up duties on Election Day. - GMANews.TV