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Wednesday, January 18, 2006
Pooled editorial: More dreadful than ‘No-el’
... is the holding of elections with an electoral system still not capable
of producing honest and quick results
Many people dread, even hate, the cancellation of the next elections in 2007.
To most people, the elections represent more than exercise of a democratic process. They are a tool for cleansing, a device for correction, a means for hitting back. They supply payback time, when voter is king or comes close to being king.
That, despite flaws and inadequacies of Philippine-style elections.
No wonder then that surveys of popular opinion reject the proposal to cancel elections next year in preparation for changes in the Constitution and form of government.
Revulsion, outrage
“No-el” is plainly unacceptable to the greater number of Filipinos. And there are other reasons for the loathing.
One is revulsion to the idea that changes of political system benefit the power wielders who bring about those changes. Those are the mayors, governors, barangay captains, and other local officials whose contract of governance expires in 2007.
The other reason is outrage against the conspiracy to stop the issue of cheating in the last elections from being resolved, clearly benefitting those whose claim to power could be illegitimate. “No-el” tends to seduce local leaders and win their support against moves to unseat President Gloria Arroyo.
Same electoral system?
But think of holding elections with the same apparatus that produced the highly questionable balloting of 2004. Scary and sobering thought.
The same election officials who worked with then commissioner Virgilio Garcillano would still be there. The same defective and corrupt system that allowed politicians to plot victory with Comelec officials would still operate.
The same decrepit, slow, and cheating-prone Comelec would be arbiter of public will.
What can be done
Do we still want elections next year?
Yes, but not with the same system, equipment, and people.
Congress and the executive department can work together to make the changes in the election process within their competence and resources. Citizens can adopt stronger measures against election rigging and tampering.
Difficult moves, with so little time left, and the forces of evil entrenched and at work.
Yet still a better option than having no elections at all. (Sun.Star Cebu)
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (January 18, 2006 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here. |
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