As I type this, I've got a lot of things on my mind: my second set of comprehensive exams this Saturday (please pray for me), my presentation paper, my practicum, and part-time work - all personal matters, which pale in comparison with the one that's at the forefront right now: the 2010 elections.
This was the first time that I voted (I was supposed to back in 2007, but because of the proverbial red tape, I wasn't able to register). People who know me are familiar with the fact that I tend to obsess with things that I focus on, be it shallow or deep. This is no different, and I find myself not focusing so much on schoolwork at this crucial point in my academic life when there are bigger things that I need to focus on, and I can't help but sit in front of the television waiting for the latest updates on the polls. It's not just because I'm proud to be a Filipino, because I am. It's not just because I am anti-GMA/Administration (heck, I've been against her since she was the country's VP) and I'm supporting people from the Opposition. It's because I truly believe that this year's presidential elections will bring about major changes in the Philippines, perhaps more so than the previous ones.
We've already seen some of these changes even prior to the actual elections itself. Obviously, this is the first time that voting will be made electronic. That's a given. The other change that I'm talking about is the proactive-ness of people. It heartens me that the youth are not as apathetic as we are accused to be. This election period proved that we do know what our rights and responsibilities are, and we know how to stand up for them. No matter what our political stance is, we are making a stand on who we are rooting for, and, at least for the presidential and vice-presidential positions, it's not a matter of popularity, but really on what the candidates' platforms are, and that's amazing. We stated who our political choices are out loud, without shame. I don't know if anyone's noticed, but this year's elections seems to have been taken to heart by the people, because this time, it's not just a random voting thing. This time, it's personal. You can't walk along a single block without seeing political paraphernalia promoting a certain candidate. Whereas before where people seem timid to declare who they're voting for, this year saw people almost aggressively shouting out (literally and figuratively) their political affiliations, and that's not necessarily a bad thing, because in that way, people learn. Speaking out is the first step in finding out more information, and if someone doesn't agree, then a healthy debate is in order (of course, there are the political extremists who believe in using firearms and violence to settle this. Those people are outliers and deserve to be locked up.) For me, my support goes to the Liberal party: for Noynoy Aquino and Mar Roxas, and most of their Senatoriables. It's not because they're the popular choice, but because I honestly believe in their platforms, in their ideals, and in their propositions. You might argue that Noynoy is a political lightweight, and I would agree, but being one doesn't necessarily mean that he does not have the capacity to be able to run this country. We've already had our share of popular/masa (Erap) and explicitly highly intelligent (GMA) candidates (that's not saying that I think Noy's less intelligent than GMA, rather, he's not as arrogant about it as her). Maybe it's time we go for someone who does not boast about how smart he is or how popular he is, but someone who is honest and decent. The man sounds sincere about what he's saying, and call me gullible, but I believe in him. Plain and simple, I believe in his and his running mate's words that they want to make this country better, and they'll start by taking out the bad apples in the basket. They have a clear idea of what they want to do, and I support them all the way, no matter what mudslinging thrown their way.
One change that we're seeing right now is the fact that people's eyes are glued on to the bars indicating the votes for VP. Ordinarily, they would focus more on the presidential elections, but since it's practically a landslide victory in that department (and thank God for that!), the next highest position in the country is in the limelight. I have nothing against Binay. I admire his work in improving Makati, but really, my vote's for Mar Roxas, and I honestly hope that he would be able to catch up. Hell, I've been teary-eyed almost the entire day (and I haven't cried in a while, and I don't consider myself to cry easily) when I saw how much lead Binay has over Mar. The Lord willing that Mar pulls through at the eleventh hour. I'm not going to give a blow-by-blow account why I think he's better, but I do think that he can do more. Plus, he wants the position - and he deserves it, and his credentials show why exactly he should be the one to be the country's VP. Also, like his running mate, I believe in his sincerity. Furthermore, I think that if the LP candidates take the top two positions, the dreams we have of change in the country really will happen, because what they're saying is not just lip service. An Aquino-Binay teamup is too fuzzy a concept to bank my faith on at this point.
Sadly, as much as we would want change, others don't seem to, because they appear to not have learned from past lessons. The leading candidates for the senatorial positions are a testament to that. My mind still can't wrap around the fact that Bong Revilla, Lito Lapid, and Tito Sotto are up there in the top 12 slots. I mean, honestly. Philippines, haven't we learned our lesson yet? Buti sana if the celebrity candidates actually have something to bring to the table (like Herbert Bautista), but honestly, these reelectionists have no right to be in the Senate. What have they done when they were sitting there, anyway? Tito Sotto is one of the people known for his absences in the sessions, and you want him back? Bong Revilla skipped a session (conveniently the one where Manny Villar's C5 case was supposed to be presented) to attend a bloody fiesta? Don't even get me started on Lito Lapid. Honestly, people, why? Don't even give me that crap about "the next time". These people will be sitting in those positions for at least three years. You're voting them to be the country's lawmakers, not just to sit idly on their bums. It's your money that's paying them. Why are you practically handing your hard-earned cash to them? It's like you're giving alms to people richer than you are! Honestly, I can't come up with the words to show my disgust and disappointment where this is concerned. I'm really hoping for a reversal of this when the unaccounted votes come in, but based on the numbers, sickening as it is, it doesn't seem that things won't change in this department.
Lord, just help our country, please. It's high time things change here.
