THE filing of certificate of candidacy for the forthcoming may 2019 midterm elections will commence on the 11th day of this month. Had the apostles of vested interests in Congress prevailed, this political exercise of the highest sovereign order will not see the light of day.
Thanks to people’s vigilance for rejecting outright the peddled justification behind the proposed postponement. Ostensively, to give the citizenry ample time to be enlightened on the acclaimed merits of Federalism which is bandied about to replace our unitary system of government through constitutional amendment. No way. “Tell that to the marines.”
For the real reason for the no-election (no-el) scenario is rightly perceived as a self-serving term extension, most particularly to the three-termers in the House of Representatives and those incumbents who strongly feel uncertain of reelection. In fairness, this grudging public dismay against no-el is supported by conscientious bloc in Congress. Above all, such initiative did not enjoy the blessing of President Duterte despite the incessant agitation of some closed political allies, including gung ho mouthpiece of the administration.
In a representative democracy, it is the right of the electorate of Divine origin to choose their leaders. But, to be truly obedient to GOD’s will and purpose of creation such right must be exercised with patriotism and social commitment. This means the empowerment of candidates who possess the leadership attributes capable of attaining the long elusive entitlement of every Filipino to have access to the fruits of the Nations rich resources. Indeed for too long the labor sector is denied its rightful share, as an indispensable factor of production, to satisfy its basic needs with dignity.
Undeniably, this continuing marginalization of the working class is attributable to the ascendancy of vote-buying in our electoral process which results in the election of uncaring, incompetent, immoral and self-aggrandizing candidates.
And so this coming elections, let us resurrect our dignity by rejecting the temptation of the ubiquitous 2-day survival grocery kit proffered by corrupt candidates in exchange for your votes. Let us instead give our sacred mandate in favor of those candidates who are educated, morally upright, physically fit and with track record in community service.
In the case of senatorial and district representative hopefuls, let us entrust our votes to those who, once elected, commit to: press for legislation to banish political dynasty which is the main source of graft and corruption in government; restore the Oil Price Stabilization Fund (OPSF) of the Marcos regime to cushion the impact of oil price increase on inflation; stop the conversion of farmlands into non-agricultural commodities to ensure food security coupled with the revival of the MASAGANA 99 Program implemented during the time of President Marcos; promote people’s capitalism in lieu of elitist capitalism; and define and strengthen the role and duty of the armed and peace-keeping components of the State to safeguard freedom and human liberty.
When these duties of citizenship find a place in our conscience, then the people’s vigilance and militancy to uphold the majesty of the Constitution will find its dividends in a more rewarding existence.
P.S. My salute to Volkswagen Pampanga for always walking extra mile to serve. GODSPEED!