WE CANNOT avoid talking about politics particularly the coming 2022 elections. The next elections would be a synchronized local and national, hence, this is important for the future of the country.
Something to note is that people will have to elect officials who will serve in the next six years. It could either be for the good of the country once rightful personalities will be chosen or a period of suffering for wrong people to be elected.
I believe, whether our politicians would be willing to talk about the future of politics or not, people should do it on their own. After all, our democracy is about choosing our leaders who wish to serve us. And we are up to look at everything they possess to make sure that they fit what we are looking for.
Nonetheless, we need our tools in place if we desire to elect the right people. This involves a careful examination of their records in public or in private, their qualifications including academic background, and things that they are capable of doing for the people. In a period going up to the election season, we still have enough time to ponder on our electoral processes. Thus, we should not agree that our politics will simply be dictated by those who are applying to serve us. Proper discernment has become an imperative as we face the difficult times ahead.
In line with our wish to prepare ourselves for the coming elections, we need to consider which aspect of our lives requires attention from our future leaders.
We have leaders who are oriented with the affairs of the local government just like President Duterte, who served as mayor and congressman of Davao. Thus, while occupying the top position of the country at the national level, his approach in governance is derived from his expertise in local government.
Most of the public’s view on the success and failure of leadership is defined by how our officials approach the townspeople and their concerns in everyday life. That is probably the reason that many of those elected national officials receive a negative impression from people because of their style of leadership, which is referenced on the management of the macro side of the Philippine society.
The Philippines has a track record of electing officials at the national level with no or less experience in the local government. Therefore, their style would be appreciated by those at the grassroots level and may soon become unpopular.
The point is, we also have experienced the many styles and approaches in management from one leader to another. Filipinos knew how it is to put leaders with rich backgrounds in management, including experiences in handling the affairs of local and national governments.
While we still have time before the elections, let us start talking about politics and study the fitness of our future leaders.
We hope to take the concern of electing rightful candidates as part of our obligations and in consideration of the pandemic that we are experiencing. If we remain careless just like the many elections in the past, we will continue to face the same problems and suffer the same fate.