Does it matter?
Millions of people have trooped to polling precincts in the Philippines today. As a democratic nation, we had been gifted this right to choose our leaders. And by voting, we hope that our voices will be heard and eventually reflected in the outcome of the elections. For most people, this is the time to let the leaders know if they need to step aside and let others lead.
This perhaps explains the ideal motivations pushing people to vote this time. But do they really want change?
The Philippine elections had always been bloody. As of last count, government has counted more than one hundred deaths related to political rivalries and the elections.
Intense political rivalries, presence of private armies, and insurgency had been blamed for these deaths. Also we’ve read the news of alleged intimidation by the military against left-leaning party list groups labeled as “fronts” of the National People’s Army.
Meanwhile, left-leaning and other party list groups have exposed an organized government effort to fill the party list elections with administration-backed groups — which government denied. The Commission on Elections eventually refused to release the names of nominees of party list groups accredited this year for some legal reasons. But the Supreme Court ruled that there was no reason to hide the names.
We also read the legal battle Alan Peter Cayetano had to endure, as the alleged administration lackey Joselito Cayetano fought for legitimacy.
Today, millions of Filipinos have voted hoping to answer this question: Why do we matter in this election? For politicians and those in power, the answer is simple: status quo. As for the rest, the answer could vary. But I think they all want change. We all want change. But we do have to make the right choice based on what we think could lead to change.
To end, a blog entry in Current talked about people not voting this mid-term elections. I must admit I am one of them. A lot of my friends are not voting either not because they don’t care. The next question is, does it matter if they vote or not?
Jim wrote:
finally! I can post a comment!
Whether one votes or not–it might not matter.
I’m thinking that if everybody would be united not to vote, that might send some message to the politicians that voters are fed up with the system then a real change might follow.
If voters would choose to vote, and the same political dynasties or powers are elected, then it’s still status quo. And the vicious cycle of poverty goes on and on and on in poor Philippines.
As much as I try to look at the positive things happening in the Philippines, the negative issues and things happening are just too overwhelming to ignore or even address.
But then again, as John Nery pointed out, I could be wrong.
Posted 15 May 2007 at 11:38 am ¶