THE 2022 National and Local Elections are drawing to a close.
Former Senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and Davao City Mayor Sara Z. Duterte-Carpio have widened their lead for the country's two highest posts.
Commission on Elections (Comelec) data shows that as of 1:17 p.m. on May 11, 2022 and from 98.26 percent of Election Returns (ERs), Marcos has received 31,079,568 votes in the presidential race. Vice President Leni Robredo, Marcos' closest rival, has gained 14,809,935 votes in the same period.
Meanwhile, in the vice presidential race, Duterte-Carpio has garnered a total of 31,533,096 votes. The votes she received are over three times more than the 9,224,543 votes received by Senator Kiko Pangilinan, who is in second spot.
With Comelec receiving around 98 percent of ERs, anytime soon, a new set of leaders will be declared -- from the national level down to the local level.
But where do we go from here or once the change of guards happens on June 30?
If we want to advance our country forward, we have to support the socioeconomic development projects of our government, especially if it will greatly benefit us. This kind of support is not merely sharing or liking or commenting on social media posts; but it means that we also extend the talent and knowledge that we have to help the government.
We must also remain critical and be a watchdog of our government. This means that we must call for accountability, transparency, and responsibility from them. Whenever there are things that are questionable, abuse of power, or signs of corruption, it is our job as the electorate to hold them accountable for such things. Let us not turn a blind eye with such things.
We do not know how the next six years will be but what we can do is help keep our government in check to ensure that we, the Filipino people, truly benefit from the programs and that taxes are used right.
We hope and pray that the next six years will be a successful one. One that will truly be a government for the people, by the people, and of the people.