Merci Suliek l 10 May 2022 l Manila Bulletin
What have we learned from our last election exercise? While I admittedly am an optimist at heart, my impression is that the positive response to computerization was the only sign of “maturity” that I saw. For me, this exercise continued to be marked with old-time immaturity, vindictiveness, and good old “looking out for number one”.
How else to explain where the surveys indicate the highest choices seem to be? As one of those people who have not even once been surveyed in all such surveys conducted in 20 years, I wonder who were surveyed this time as well. I can’t help thinking that somehow the so-called “para sa mahirap” cliche in many ways, is successfully being exploited, however dubious the claim be. This sounds much like “you’re either for us or against us”. Of course that is easier to digest than real issues and a real program of governance.
“Looking out for number one” apparently may continue to be the key ingredient that could provide grist to the mill of business and its supporters. Just wondering if these movers and shakers, would have chosen this popular guy to be the CEO of their companies…Now of course if such a one becomes the CEO of the country, it’s going to be business as usual. Let me make a guess, new appointees to key positions would likely be recycled material.
It saddens me that so many of the younger voters – intelligent, idealistic, who feel that the future after all belongs to them – feel disheartened, disappointed and even betrayed by their elders. I have heard a few comments like, “I’m voting with my feet…I’m outta here.” I sincerely hope that our bright young men and women will not choose to leave in droves, that some would keep their optimism and remain to make a difference no matter how discouraging it looks. Fortunately today, the youth especially are eagerly looking at a candidate that will support their hopes and dreams of a clean election, of the choice of a president that will lead our country back to its position long ago (which they probably don’t even know about) when we were expected to be on a take off (a take off that got aborted).
Many of these voters are seen to support the one candidate who appears to be the only one with a real program of governance, who focuses on issues, is honest about what she could do and what she is, the only one it seems who is running a clean campaign – no attacks or even innuendos against any of her opponents. It is no wonder that the hearts of the youth and of course their elders who see in them the maturity to choose the one whom they felt could lead them to the future that they feet entitled to.
As for me, the one issue that I choose to continue to uphold is true respect for life and a stand against any threats to the sanctity of the family. The family is the first unit of society and the foundation of the community, and on which political society rests. I believe that the first and foremost issue is to uphold a consistent moral framework that will strengthen our society and protect the weakest and most vulnerable of its members. The value of life must remain the first object and focus of any new program of government. Poverty reduction, corruption, environment, etc. All these are important, and are indeed issues on the side of social justice…but first, we need to recognize the dignity of every human being, including the unborn – a right that even our Constitution provides. May the outcome of this election confirm that right and ensure that indeed we uphold that it is the people’s will.
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