I SAY it pays to go back to the basics when talking about today’s elections. Understanding the importance of elections in strengthening democracy, for example, should prod voters to take the process seriously. Selling votes shows a lack of respect for elections, which is unfortunate for us as a people.
In elections, people are given a chance to choose their leaders. And those voted on are not just leaders but government officials. They are given the responsibility by the democratic setup to bring the government unit they will be leading to where their constituencies want them to go. And elections are done regularly to constantly replenish and reinvigorate the leadership and, more importantly, to ensure that only leaders chosen by the people will lead and remind the leaders who really are their “bosses.”
Of course, our electoral process has been hobbled by our lack of understanding of the importance of elections, which is a reflection of the immaturity of the so-called majority. I think the culprit is the majority missing the point and in elections the majority rules. Most voters are focused on personality and character instead of nation building.
We assess the personality and character of a candidate not as an end but as a means to an end. The end, of course, is to move our country and the localities forward in all aspects: economic, social, cultural, political, etc. Meaning that we vote for a candidate not merely because he is good but more so because he is good for the country or the localities. That is why competence is an important consideration.
In 2016, we chose for president a long time mayor of a locality with a personality for the ages and which was totally different from his predecessor. It was obvious that personality played a major role in the choice. Rodrigo Duterte’s machismo and vulgar jokes contrasted heavily with then president Noynoy Aquino’s reticent and hesitant leadership. Voters were won over by the Duterte personality and not by his capability to realize his promises, many of which were outlandish.
In the coming elections, some candidates for senator are facing plunder charges, accused of pocketing a portion of their pork barrel called the Priority Development Assistance Fund. I actually wondered early on how they would try to win the votes in the polls. Like what their campaign spots on television have shown, they focused on the weakness of majority of the voters. One danced the “budots,” another said he just wants people to be happy while another got an endorsement from his “charismatic” father, a convicted plunderer. Interestingly, they all rank well in the surveys compared with other bets with superior integrity and character.
We have seen how the country and the localities were led in the past three years and apparently we know what the country and the localities need in the next three years and beyond. That should guide us in choosing our next leaders. Choose then leaders that will best address those needs. Remember: elections are a means to an end, not the end itself.