‘Today as we go to the voting precincts, we should remember that we are participating in a democratic process that will define our immediate future as individuals and as a nation.’
THE nation goes to the polls today, May 9, to elect a new president and vice president, a new batch of senators, congressmen, governors, mayors, etc.
In their hands the Filipino people entrust their future in the next several years, which is quite important considering the timing: the country is still reeling from the effects of the soon-to-end COVID-19 pandemic. Also, international geopolitics that resulted in the Russia-Ukraine war has dragged down economic recovery of all nations, including the Philippines.
The nation’s next leaders will have their plates full of gargantuan problems, some of which have been with us for decades, such as the communist insurgency, graft and corruption, poverty, drugs, high-level crimes and foreign intervention in local affairs.
Other challenges are of recent vintage, such as the West Philippine Sea or South China Sea — the name itself, when used in the national discourse, reveals the leanings of the one speaking.
Still others are problems that involve everyday survival of the Filipino: jobs, food on the table, mobility, medical care, housing and education.
With these serious concerns the Filipino nation is facing at this time, we cannot help but wonder why so many leaders are seeking the presidency in this 2022 election. We would like to think that we do have a surfeit of individuals who are genuinely patriotic and upright that they would like to serve the nation. Some of those seeking elective positions are, however, only doing so to gain political power and the concomitant economic power for themselves. Others are in it for aggrandizement, social status and to protect their business interests.
It is thus incumbent upon the Filipino electorate to refine the processing of vetting the candidates. They should know how to separate the chaff from the grain. Effective winnowing and threshing. And trashing those who are found wanting.
Today as we go to the voting precincts, we should remember that we are participating in a democratic process that will define our immediate future as individuals and as a nation.
