GMA Network's News and Public Affairs programs in Philippine key cities have constantly been the people's front-line eyes and ears to various information, issues, and controversies - be it local or national. And for years that these shows have been witnesses to various acts of electoral fraud that continuously plague the country, they never fail to educate and empower viewers with ideas and ideals that would help them make the right choices.
This 2013, GMA Network's preparations are already underway for the "Eleksyon 2013" that will cover the coming polls in May. Part of the said preparations is the adaptation of the "Dapat Tama" election advocacy campaign in all regional news and public affairs programs in Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, CDO, Dagupan, Bicol, and Ilocos.
"Dapat Tama" helps the voting public discern what is wrong from what is right in the country's electoral system. It also further stresses the fact that doing what is wrong during the elections has long lasting repercussions that could affect the generations to come.
GMA Cebu's Buena Mano Balita and Balitang Bisdak, GMA Davao's Una Ka Bai, Una Sa Balita and Testigo, GMA Iloilo's Arangkada, Ang Trip Mo Kun Aga and Ratsada, GMA CDO's Testigo Northern Mindanao, GMA Dagupan's Primera Balita and Balitang Amianan, GMA Bicol's Baretang Bikol and Isyu Ngonian, and GMA Ilocos' Balitang Ilokano have all incorporated "Dapat Tama" as segment in their shows to encourage not only the voters, but the candidates as well, to take a stand and choose to do what is morally right.
Apart from the Dapat Tama segment that exposes the "maling-mali" acts and practices of the people; other election-related segments have also been launched and adopted.
Both GMA Iloilo's Ratsada and GMA CDO's Testigo Northern Mindanao have the "Eleksyon 101" segment that aims to educate the viewers of the do's and don'ts during the election period, as well as with facts and figures related to it such as the number of registered voters in a particular area, the positions up for grabs, and the like.
A local version of GMA News and Public Affairs' "Kandidato 2013", meanwhile, has been taken on by GMA Davao's Una Ka Bai, Una Sa Balita that presents the aspiring mayoralty and gubernatorial candidates of various districts to the public as applicants in a job interview.
GMA Ilocos' Balitang Ilokano also takes pride for its "Dap-ayan" live segment that presents in a forum type the problems of the locals in the area. Every municipality in Ilocos has a "Dap-ayan" - a place (kubo or part of a barangay hall) which is used by local townsmen to gather and discuss the most pressing problems and issues to be identified.
Lastly, GMA Bicol's Isyu Ngonian has also adopted Unang Hirit's "Hiritan 2013" that aims to be a vehicle for the viewers to know each candidate's background, track record, and stand on the nation's most critical issues.