‘Avoid the 5Gs (guns, goons, gold, gin, garbage)’

Pick a green candidate. Avoid the 5 Gs—guns, goons, gold, gin and garbage. These were among the tips offered Monday by an environmental watch group to voters.

Through a play staged at Plaza Miranda in Quiapo, Manila, EcoWaste Coalition, Gulayan People’s Neighborhood Association Inc. and youth group Malikhaing Landas na Magpapayabong sa Sining at Kultura urged the public to choose candidates with a heart for the people and the environment.

“As the campaign heads into the homestretch, we are bombarded with promises of good health, clean environment, plentiful jobs and a better future from many of our candidates during campaign sorties and via the mainstream and social media frenzy,” EcoWaste Coalition vice president Ochie Tolentino said.

“It is our duty as voters to be discerning in order to differentiate candidates and make sound choices beyond name recall, celebrity endorsements and partisan affiliations. Please pick candidates who have the sincerity, competence and track record to push for the needed health, environmental and socioeconomic reforms,” she added.

Commission on Elections spokesman James Jimenez voiced his support for the group’s initiative.

“I’m happy to have this kind of event that will bring back the focus of voters to the significance of protecting the environment,” he said.

He reminded people not to side with candidates who use illegal campaign materials like nonbiodegradable plastics and styrofoam that are used for giveaway meals.

Jimenez said he hoped that there would be legislation to make candidates responsible for cleaning up their campaign materials after the elections.—With Sushmita Chim, trainee