We are a few days from making one of the biggest decisions as a Filipino: electing leaders who will hold public office for the next six years.
Have you prepared your list yet? Have you chosen the candidates who will genuinely effect change and lead our country to progress?
Poverty, corruption, lack of jobs, justice and human rights, the pandemic, and many other interconnected problems continue to afflict our country. This election will truly be a game-changer, a make-or-break decision that we ought to deal with logically and carefully.
Elections are similar to combat but instead of an armed struggle, it involves a conflict of principles. Instead of a bullet, we have the ballot.
Let us start with the basic question, paano nga ba natin sila dapat piliin?
The qualifications provided by the 1987 Constitution are undeniably simple that these criteria constitute the so-called ‘bare minimum’. Nonetheless, these qualifications encapsulate the very idea of democracy—giving the people the power to govern.
Ultimately, education is the key to creating a more informed electorate. Education is the paramount solution in making the citizenry realize that we hold the power in making our country better and in holding our leaders accountable to their sworn duty to the nation. Let us bear in mind that knowledge is power. With that power, we determine our future. We write, carve, and shape the future with our own hands through the power of our votes.
Election is one of the most important pillars of democracy. We must hold it sacred and we must do our part to ensure that those to whom we give the power to govern the people are qualified, competent, and efficient.
As students of the law, we are trained to know the intricacies of the law. With that knowledge comes the consciousness of the important role that government officials play in keeping our democratic landscape conducive for uplifting the lives of every Filipino. This consciousness is likewise aligned with the responsibility to advocate, to defend, and to prosecute towards truth and justice.
Memes regarding “Kinain na ng eleksyon” have been circulating on social media. With all due respect, we will not apologize for being overwhelmingly concerned about the country’s trajectory for the next six years.
The mission is clear: we must hold the line against the threat of impending ruin and mismanagement by an unqualified, morally corrupt and thieving candidate. Must we wait for such unqualified, corrupt and thieving to assume power before we act? We say, prevention is better than cure. Hindi pa ba tayo natuto sa karanasan natin ngayong pandemya?
‘Being Apolitical is a Privilege’
One thing about clichés is that despite being overused, it is always founded on basic truth and human experience. They say, repeat a lie often enough and it becomes the truth. We beg to disagree. Why stick to such lies when we can fix the narrative? We hold the power and that power is our knowledge of the truth. More than ever, let us continue to speak truth to empower.
Unfortunately, the indifferent and the apathetic tend to take for granted this right and privilege. Due to indifference and apathy, the leaders return the favor by being indifferent and apathetic themselves. The type of voter you are reflects the kind of candidates you choose to elect. We must bear in mind that an act of one is an act of all. The decision of a single voter reaches every aspect of our daily lives as a Filipino citizen. A desolate and miserable future is conceivable and it awaits us if we misuse our right and privilege to vote.
Being apolitical is a privileged stance.
If our future is at stake, will you just keep your mouth shut despite your principles and beliefs? The oft-repeated phrase resonates with all of us, especially as law students, “kapag namulat ka sa katotohanan, kasalanan na ang pumikit.” It is our duty to make informed choices especially in the coming elections.
The youth have always been at the forefront of paradigm shifts and historical transitions. More than ever, we are in high hopes that we will not go down that dark path again. The grim prospect should be enough to encourage us to discern carefully and to act diligently. We have the opportunity to change the misleading narrative and redirect the nation towards genuine development. Let us take our best shot.
As we count down to the hour we cast our votes, let us remember that we are not doing it solely for ourselves but for the general welfare of our loved ones, our community, and the future generations. Our duty does not end when we leave our voting precincts. We must continue to guard our power as citizens of this nation by making sure that our democratic institutions are preserved from incompetence and greed.
If we can disregard for a moment the political ideologies and the associated political colors, we are left with nothing but our consciences, our principles, and our intent for a better future. Let these be our guideposts in the exercise of our patriotic duty. May we choose the right candidates that this country desperately needs.
Real power lies in the hands of each and every one of us. Let your voice be heard. Exercise your right to vote – wisely, truthfully, and responsibly.
Ang boto mo ay isang bahagi ng malaking pagbabago kaya sa darating na eleksyon, maging matalino tayo sa pagboto.
Ikaw, kanino mo ibibigay ang kapalaran ng iyong bayan at kinabukasan ng bawat mamamayan? Boboto ka ba para sa iyong sarili lamang o para rin sa mahihirap na walang makain at matirhan, para sa mga naaabuso at hindi nakakatikim ng hustisya, para sa mga walang makuha o nagpapakasakit magtrabaho, para sa mga naaapakan ang karapatang pantao, at para sa kinabukasan ng mga kabataang Pilipino?
The Barrister 