In just a few days, we will again be choosing our next leaders – twelve (12) senators, our representative in the House of Representatives, party-list representative, our governor and vice governor, Provincial Board Members, respective mayors, vice mayors and municipal councilors. The ninety (90) day campaign period for national candidates and the forty five (45) day campaign period for local candidates will soon come to an end. It is now time for Catandunganons to exercise and practice one of their most precious and valuable constitutional right – the right to vote.
It had been a long, clattery and tedious campaign period.
On one hand, we all became spectators of the usual gimmicks and tricks pulled off by our would-be leaders to win our hearts. We all listened to and devoured the promises, pledges and assurances repeatedly made by our candidates. Their narratives as to how their leadership and direction differ to his or her adversaries and their claim that they are the hope our country and our province had long been waiting for resounded the walls of our homes the same way their jingles did for the past weeks and months.
On the other hand, black propagandas, fake news and misinformation had been a part of our daily lives for the past months. Our news were filled with political adversaries throwing mud at each other, delivering speeches assassinating the character of his/her rivals, and sometimes going way below the belt, by attacking his/her opponent’s family and loved ones. In addition to that, as we are now in the digital era, another strategic way to besmirched and tarnish one’s opponent reputation was employed – the use of trolls and fake social media accounts. Lastly, as the election is nearing, memes pertaining to vote-buying, “listahan” and “stapler” surfaced.
They say this kind of politics has already been embedded deeply in our culture. That this kind of politics would be very difficult to change if not impossible. That all the people who entered this game or arena all once thought and aspired to change the system but failed, or worse, was engulfed and devoured by the very system he/she wanted to change. Borrowing the words of a Facebook user, Sir Tony DG, “it is a stage so corrupted that every player must eventually wear the same mask”.
Having all these observations, it made me dream several things. Things which I hope and wish would come true the soonest. Perhaps, during the 2028 National and Local Elections, or better, this upcoming 2025 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (BSKE) Election.
The first dream is that candidates focused on their Platforms and Proposed Reforms more instead of Propagandas and Negative Campaigning.
Since the time I was able to observe and understand the conduct of election, I had witnessed political rivals maligning and scorching one another to taint the reputation and character of his/her adversary. Be it thru the media, social media, trolls, fake accounts and such other mode and method that could be utilized. Personally, I guess I have seen and heard all kinds of black propaganda that can be thrown to a politician
Imagine if politicians just focused on discussing their platforms and do away with the unnecessary gimmicks of disparaging his/her opponent. That they go the extra mile to explain to the voters their proposed reforms, to educate the people why he/she is the most qualified for the job and the position.
Maybe, it will greatly help and aid in producing wise and educated voters eventually resulting to intelligible and well thought votes.
The Second dream is something personal to me and which I actively campaign against. It is to eradicate Vote Buying not only in our island, but in the entire Philippines.
It is a phenomenon that occur one or two weeks prior the scheduled election where everyone is anticipating and patiently waiting to receive goods and cash from the candidates. Especially during the night before the said election, everyone stayed up late and people flocked the street in every barangay. This has been the practice in all the elections that I witnesses and this fact is common knowledge.
Up until now, I still cannot fathom why politicians need to give away goods and money just to even the playing field. I also do not understand why voters tend to blindlessly vote to those candidates from whom they received goods or money without considering their platforms and qualifications.
People kept on ranting and fuming about corruption but eagerly participate in vote buying – a corrupt and illegal act – because it benefits them.
I really dream that this kind of election culture shall be changed and be totally erased in our system. Let elections be about qualification, capability, platform and reform. It starts with us. Please be a part of the change.