I COULD not agree less that time is gold. When things are done earlier, usually outcomes are better. At the same time, the lack of respect to time would come with a certain cost, which could hurt or affect us.
However, most of the times, we Filipinos are fond of the “last minute” approach to life, which might be stemmed from our manana habit or doing things mamaya na or in a later or indefinite time in the future. In Basketball, most athletes or just a person who plays a lot, would treat the last two minutes of the game as the opportunity to do wonders, catch up the leading team and even be on the lead.
We are very good in playing sports. We know how to maneuver very well our strategies to win a game. But something to ponder upon: how good are we in running our country?
In the social media, we see a lot people trying to express their political views. You may not have noticed it clearly, but the digital world became so polluted with fake news, propaganda movements, people trying to be like lawyers and politicians even if they are not, we see people who suddenly become experts in the field; sharing their thoughts and insights regarding the country’s landscape, and we see people suddenly having the audacity to claim their rights to express their opinion. While constitutionally they deserve to claim their rights, I wonder if they have ever acknowledged their duties and responsibilities as citizens. After all, all rights are paired with responsibilities and duties.
May 2019 National Elections is just around the corner. Several dates were set by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for voters to register, transfer, and correct or update their personal information and details.
Several dates from December 4 to 30, 2017 and January 2 to September 9, 2018 were set for these purposes. Yet, less than two months from now, the registration period ends. Again, are we waiting for the last two minutes before we come to our senses and realized that the deadline is too close already?
I have been to the Comelec last week to transfer my voting precinct because I have transferred residence. To my surprise, the amount of people lining up to express their most basic duty as a citizen is not that long, which may be an indicator that there are less people concerned about it. In fact, it was easy for me to have my precinct transferred that day because of the very few number of persons who made an interest to register or revise their information.
In all fairness to Comelec, they are open from Mondays to Saturdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Satellite registration sites are also expected to be placed on schools and malls to make sure that most of the population would have the capacity to be enlisted and can do their duty for our country. All details, requirements and processes are in the social media and in their official website. What else do we need to make sure that we are able to register for the upcoming elections?
Sometimes, I believe that we are too caught up with the discourse happening in social media that we failed to direct and actualize our political beliefs in areas where it matters. Our right to suffrage is not an ongoing debate of whose ideas are better or whose evidences are stronger. This right comes from a natural capacity given to a citizen to decide to do one’s part and recognize that one’s voice matter to the whole country.
But what good can desires, thoughts, and reflections do if we do not express these things in our actions? Thus, I believe that the inability to actualize our desires, thoughts, and reflections could be the greatest failure that a citizen can do to their country. So, if I may, I would like to enjoin everyone to start your journey of being a good citizen by making sure that you register for you to vote on the 2019 elections. Do not wait for the last minute.