By Cedrick C. Cabaluna, Janine Soliman, and Gabrielle L. Pangan
“Sovereignty resides in the people and all government authority emanates from them.”
This is enshrined in the 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines, the supreme law of the land. We recognize no kings, no heavenly mandates, no imperial successions; our faith lies in the belief that authority comes from each and every one of us. From the wealthiest business magnate down to humble shoemaker, every citizen has equal power to decide as to who will take the reins of the government. We wield the right of suffrage collectively and as one Filipino community.
Last May 9, law students of the San Beda College of Law community also participated in exercising their right to vote. Being law students, we are familiar with the intricate procedure of the elections— from poring over commentaries and cases upon cases tackling the electoral process. As such, our act of voting brought our theoretical knowledge of the law into the practical realm.
With the conclusion of the 2022 National Elections, thebarrister conducted a short survey on the post-election assessments of select law student-leaders in the Bedan law community. The goal is to gauge the sentiments of the San Beda Law community, particularly the leaders of the College of Law’s student organizations. Here are some of their responses.
QUESTION 1: WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE RECENTLY CONCLUDED 2022 NATIONAL ELECTIONS?
San Beda Law Journal (SBLJ) Editor-in-Chief Nichole Vane Santos: Disappointing, but we have to respect the majority.
San Beda College of Law–Student Affairs Society (SAS) Member Robert John Gaytos, as the organization’s authorized representative: The 2022 National Elections is a physical manifestation that social media is a perfect platform for a political candidate to influence the minds of the Filipino voters especially those who have not given the privilege to a quality education. One shining light which shines amidst the darkness of the 2022 National Elections is the fact that Filipino voters are desperate for a meaningful change in governance.
San Beda Law Environmental Organization (LEON) President Danielle Kloie Cayabyab: We have undeniably seen how disinformation and misinformation have been utilized to spread fake news and discourage or cloud the citizens’ minds to choose better leaders. Aside from pre-election day comes the bigger disappointment of anomalies, violation of election laws, and even violence in other regions that happened on May 9 itself.
Vox Legis President John Matulac: For most of us, this recent election has less to do with the values each candidate supposedly represented, but more on the probability of winning, and of course, pride. We, as an electorate, have turned this election purely into a “number” contest rather than a contest of policies, principles, and values.
International Law Society (ILS) Director General Patricia Gener: We need to be more vigilant now. With the media, police, military, any entity that has the power to control the masses. We need to be braver; we need to be wiser and have the patience to educate people who have been brainwashed.
Law Debate Circle President Dana Marcos: The recently concluded 2022 National Elections focused on the following: (1) The essence of the 1987 Philippine Constitution; (2) Educational crisis; and (3) Death of genuine democracy.
Law Student Government (LSG) President Justine Aara Albon: There were documented and undocumented irregularities – from the countless VCM errors to the disallowance of ballots. There were also instances of vote buying. It was far from clean and honest.
San Beda Law-Human Rights Advocates (HRA) President Czesca dela Rama: The outcome seemed to be largely influenced by two of the direct consequences of COVID-19 that have been challenging our nation in these trying times: (1) the rise of unemployment rate; and (2) the lack of access to education. Notwithstanding a continuous safeguard to the technology of vote counting machines (VCMs) and voting procedures from cheating, voter manipulation or brainwashing – through penetration of the most vulnerable sectors in a third world country – is an unfortunate phenomenon that substantially adds to the count of inorganic votes, thereby successfully dictating election results.
QUESTION 2: WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE FORTHCOMING MARCOS PRESIDENCY?
SAS Member Robert John Gaytos: This Marcos presidency is going to be one of the most watched and monitored presidency than the rest of the presidents before. Taking this with all the uncertainty that we face today the Marcos presidency is yet another variable to figure out.
LEON President Danielle Kloie Cayabyab: The six years that the forthcoming Marcos presidency has and what he decides to do with it on issues about our environment, is extremely crucial to our concerns as it will decide whether the state of our environment will decline or improve because of it. Another issue is whether he will defend or address the issue of the safety of our environmental defenders here in the country.
Vox Legis President John Matulac: I do not really know what to expect as he and his team have failed to lay bare any kind of plan on how he will manage the affairs of the Philippines, except for unity. Indeed, unity is important and a prime consideration, but during times like these—global crisis, economic downfall, and pandemic to name a few—we all crave for concrete and organized plans. As always, I hope only the best for our country and for the Filipino people.
ILS Director General Patricia Gener: Disheartened. The entire country lost the elections by having another Marcos as president.
Law Debate Circle President Dana Marcos: I honestly feel alarmed. It is very concerning that President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. brushed off the atrocities that happened during his dictator father’s regime to pave the way for his promotion of fake news. Further, it is equally concerning that he won because of his troll farm and peddling of fake news. He and his team took advantage of the educational crisis in the country as people instantly believe information being spewed on social media platforms and totally disregard official and public documents that proves the Marcoses’ corruption.
LSG President Justine Aara Albon: As Marcos Jr. is aware that there are countless eyes on his every move, I hope he respects the Filipino people well enough to not treat them as commodities. I hope he remembers that he does not owe this position to his father, nor to his family name, but to the 31 million Filipino people who elected him, and to the nation as a whole.
HRA President Czesca dela Rama: While seeking advice in decision-making isn’t uncommon in executive chiefs, I believe his presidency will manifest a great deal of influence by his advisors – his family members included – and the people he will be appointing.
Regarding human rights, I am of the perception that it will not comprise of the same types of violations which the Martial Law victims suffered from before, i.e. inhuman and degrading treatment; But, this does not mean that there will be less human rights violations in the upcoming term – as these could shapeshift into different forms.
QUESTION 3: ANY OTHER THOUGHTS REGARDING PHILIPPINE POLITICS AS A WHOLE?
SBLJ Editor-in-Chief Nichole Vane Santos: We shall remain hopeful. Some localities were able to put an end to political dynasties.
SAS Member Robert John Gaytos: Unfortunate as this may seem, Philippine politics showcases that classic political campaigning, monopolizing social media and misinformed influencers, and keeping voters uneducated are the perfect tools for unqualified candidates to secure a victory during elections.
LEON President Danielle Kloie Cayabyab: We still have a long way to go in securing a clean election and if I may say, we’re even back to square one. As for now, I hope our generation continues to use our voices, our law students to use their privilege of having legal education, to fight against corruption and injustices here in our country
Vox Legis President John Matulac: For the sake of democracy and the principle of vox populi, I think most of us have already accepted the results of this year’s election, as every candidate have already done, and absent any judgment condemning alleged large-scale collusion during the conduct of the election by the winning candidates. However, because of the doubtful nature of this year’s election, the administration can expect heightened scrutiny from the general public, most especially from the youth and student organizations. After all, I believe that we all still hope for transparency, good governance, and accountability.
ILS Director General Patricia Gener: Philippine politics is a joke, it’s a circus. It’s a source of entertainment and no one takes it seriously anymore and we should be afraid about this.
Law Debate Circle President Dana Marcos: The results of the elections made me question whether it was a product of true and genuine democracy when Filipinos were fed with misinformation and lies because had they known the truth, it is without a doubt, that the results would have been different. It is alarming that we have politicians who are self-serving and many Filipinos could not see this as they have been brainwashed to believe otherwise.
LSG President Justine Aara Albon: This 2022 elections proved to be regressive. It was not a battle of wits nor platforms, as shown from the elected candidates’ lack of presence in the debates held by COMELEC. It was a power struggle between family names and, thus, a war of political dynasties.
HRA President Czesca dela Rama: In the guise of “democracy”, an illusion is created by these dynasties that they were chosen by the people—when in fact, familiar surnames are one way to go about winning an election here. While these are undeniably frustrating to hear, hope remains because there is strength in numbers. 52% of the total registered voters for the last election is comprised of youth. A revolution for a positive systemic change has begun and is expected to grow in the coming years.
Philippine politics, therefore, is not a lost cause as long as there is one voter left to defend its integrity through unparalleled passion to alleviate their fellowmen from poverty, and most especially, through their unrequited love for their country […] In dealing with the aftermath of the elections, the voice of democracy—a government of the people, by the people, for the people—shall be honored: Vox Populi, Vox Dei. Nevertheless, concomitant with such deference to the majority is the right to engage in academic discussions and exchange contrasting ideas pertaining to good governance. As noted by the Supreme Court, “”[s]peech that promotes dialogue on public affairs, or airs out grievances and political discontent, should be protected and encouraged” and that “debate on public issues should be uninhibited, robust, and wide open [including even] unpleasantly sharp attacks on government and public officials.”
Anent this, there is no doubt that a state of clashing opinions still exists all over the country even after the elections have concluded. Questions as to the truth of history—its importance to the present and ultimately its impact in the future—has been aroused by the subsequent turn of events.
What is clear today, however, as citizens of this country, is the ever-constant duty to uphold our allegiance to the nation; to commend those who strive to give it prosperity, and to scrutinize and bring to justice anyone who shall bring it harm and prejudice, no matter the rank or position.
Amid the apparent uncertainties before us, we, as law students, should not lose hope and continue on with our quest in finishing our studies and fulfilling our dreams beyond the four virtual corners of our classroom.
THE BARRISTER 