As of this writing, 328 poll machines have already acted up—delaying the voting process and causing some electorates quitting and just headed home. Just when COMELEC supposedly regained public trust with this nationwide automated election process, the machines proved otherwise.
News about killings in the south is also nothing new when national elections occur in the country. 4 were killed in a clash with supporters of a mayoral candidate in the southern province of Zamboanga today. This brings to at least 33 the number of people killed in political violence over the past four months. This does not include 57 people massacred in the southern Maguindanao province in November of last year.
In related news early this morning, bomb blasts hit Ampatuan town in Maguindanao province. Over the weekend, an Elementary school in Miag-ao town in Iloilo province was burned. The school is supposed to be a polling center for today’s election. These and other election related goings-on may continue on even until the counting is over; maybe more so when the counting is done.
After being fed up with mayoral candidacy jingles here in Makati alone (M-E-R-C-A-D-O Mercado… Oh wohoo; Kaibigan mo… Kaibigan ko… WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN, etc.) , thousands more across the country may have also annoyed the public in the past couple of months campaign period. This advertising ploy alludes to Adlai Stevenson when he spoke in the Democratic National Convention in August 18 of 1956 when he said: “The idea that you can merchandise candidates for high office like breakfast cereal - that you can gather votes like box tops - is... the ultimate indignity to the democratic process.”
When we thought we’ve put to an end the Dictator’s power by ousting his shadow to Hawaii and eventually grasping on to the assumed democracy gained in the People Power course of action, we’ve been having troubles, extreme for that matter, every time election season comes about in our nation.
Candidate after candidate in each election year blame the incumbent administration for corruption and dishonesty when these have supposedly been fixed with the installation of Cory Aquino after the so-called dictatorial rule of Ferdinand Marcos. Joseph Estrada (Erap)’s presidential reign proved to be another hiccup in the lives of Filipinos when several more “People Power” uprising occurred.
Up to the present administration, all presidential candidates down to the locals seem to bellow eradication of corruption and treachery as another people’s revolution would not have, and didn’t have the “power” to repel Gloria Arroyo’s determination to stay in the Palace and serve her term.
As an ordinary citizen it’s difficult at times to see the good in the government when downbeat politicians and “would be” politicians deface facts of good intentions by those serving to lead the country. I believe that impressions most people have of the government are formed by opinions and “home-made” facts by those of the opposition. Living up to the ideals of good governance would not impress, let alone convince the opposition. They live to oppose the government, whether it does good or bad.
What had been happening all along is what Michael Novak would call: “Our political institutions work remarkably well. They are designed to clang against each other. The noise is democracy at work.”
What has become a trend in this election arena of our lives as Filipinos is voting against and not voting for. Due to the fact that we’ve lost trust in whoever would hold office, we have become indifferent to the integrity, political, and goodwill experience of those running for office. Again, our parody would be formed by opponents’ bashing. I would vote Gibo because he’s intelligent and smart, a top-notch of Harvard and would less likely to bash other candidates. His is an underdog candidacy much like what happened to Obama in the States. I wouldn’t vote him, on the other hand, if he was endorsed by Gloria Arroyo. The alleged agenda would be to push through with the change of government that would still install Arroyo as Prime Minister. In that case, just so that won’t happen, I will vote against Gibo.
Take Noynoy as another example. Although some would deem him as not president able, most would rely on the perception that he would have the same way of thinking as that of his father and mother. If that is the case, knowing how Filipinos are hungry for the kind of life they would have enjoyed had Ninoy been alive and been President, one would vote Noynoy believing that his administration would be a perpetuation of Ninoy’s principles and aspirations. However, if you would come across Carmen Pedrosa’s comment about Noynoy’s “insanity”, and citing psychiatric treatments, one would vote against him.
Bro. Eddie Villanueva would be a respectable bet knowing that he leads a religious organization, been in the political arena, as well, and a God-fearing man. One wouldn’t expect a man like him to put to shame his religious affiliation, ecumenical, and political integrity by way of corruption and deceit. On the other hand, he’s had his share of political clobbering against the inaugurated government. His comments were more of accusations than aspiration for good ascendancy. One would vote against him taking this consideration.
Being born and raised up in Zambales, I would easily clamor for Gordon. He held Olongapo city in dynasty for years and I’ve seen his hands in the development and success of the city and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA). He is beloved in that part of the nation, but hearing about his cases of land property and other scandals, I may vote against him.
Many more cases in point can be thought of when leaning towards who the best bet for President is, or for Mayor, or for whatever position this election would entail. I wouldn’t know who would be best until one has proven capacity and governance by way of how the nation would become; more so when one takes adequate courage and charisma in uniting the people, even the sundry political parties. Crucial is this day in determining that type of future when most are voting against instead of for a scrupulous candidate. Each stand for a principle and a platform of either change or continuation of present problems, but whoever prevails in the battle for offices in leadership of this nation, our people should start to think of sustaining that majority, and act in support and respect.
I am saddened that bombings, killings, and some sort of chaos had to happen during Election Day. Whoever becomes victor in the presidential race, my hopes are placed in respect to the office—that in due time God would show evidence of support; and that the people and government work together for a cause we Filipinos had been fighting for until the dawn of democracy in our country. We still continue to fight for true democracy. I hope for the day when politicians and fellow citizens become pleased and comfortable with the government—that all work, aspire, and build together for the benefit of our country. Until then, I continue to uphold an article of my faith: We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.
In this light I will support the elected President, knowing that God Almighty will not let our country be led towards a more miserable plight.
