Friday, January 19, 2007 Editorials: Politics in bloom
NOW it can be said with conviction.
With the release of the Supreme Court decision denying the second petition for the holding of people’s initiative to amend the Constitution, the 2007 mid-term elections is definitely in bloom.
Incumbent elective public officials who are seeking reelection or those who are aspiring for an elective post can now begin their overtures for support from the registered voters of the country, and start their campaign spending.
The general consensus of the “concerned citizens” is that the season for so-called traditional politicians to perform their traditional political practices is again in the open.
Citizens who will vote in the May 14 elections can now either whet their appetites for the expected flood of cash to come on election day or start mourning for the erosion of our country’s democratic ideals.
Guidelines
To prevent such further erosion, the country’s religious sector has announced this early that it will not endorse or support a candidate.
On the other hand, the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) has come out with a guideline for Catholic lay members on whom to vote for.
The ten-year old PPCRV packaged the voters’ guide as the Ten Commandments for Responsible Voting.
Virtues
It is an extensive series of “thou shalts” enumerating virtues the Catholic voters should look for in the candidates.
It urges them to vote according to the dictates of their conscience, respect the decision of others in choosing who to support, as well as know the personal qualities and moral integrity of candidates they choose, including those who are presently living immoral lives.
But one dictum the voters should consider most significant is the one that urges them “not to sell” their votes” and that they should understand the issues, platform, and programs and not vote “for candidates using guns, goons and gold.”
They should not vote as well for candidates with records of graft and corruption, or out of a debt of gratitude. They should put the nation’s “welfare above all else.”
Soul-searching
At this moment, it is best perhaps for aspirants to undertake soul-searching and range their potentials against the PPCRV commandments so that only those with truly clean consciences will present themselves to the people for a thorough public scrutiny.
This way, there will emerge new political values for our voters to nourish.
