TO KEEP my sanity, I tried to refrain from commenting on these touchy topics but I cannot do anything but think about and write my insights coming from a non- partisan concerned citizen.
This is my advocacy. I had been at it since year 2000 writing guides for for first time voters. I had exposures in the tri-media through radio, TV, and presiding in forums to inform citizens about how to vote wisely and honestly when invited.
I financed my activities with my pension and royalties from my published books by Rex Book Store. My treaties now will expound on the ideal processes concerning national elections and the actual situations which we have now. Politics in a genuine democratic form of governance is properly practiced in the way issues are resolved by two political parties only.
These are the majority or the ruling party and the other is the minority or opposing party. They are not supposed to quarrel but in a parliamentarian manner resolve through intelligent and wise check and balance strategies they come to agree on what is best for the most number of citizens without bias on their own stand.
But sad to say, politics in our country have gone haywire. It had come through decades of its existence from not so good to worst as we see it now. I mentioned in my last column that this malady had been in existence since the time of Emilio Aguinaldo, our first Independence Day marked by mistrust, miscommunications and intrigues.
As in a symphony this situation started out of tune and it became so difficult to find the correct harmony to set it straight. Centuries passed and we are still at it.
A complete revival and renewal are imperative. Let us do it in the next election, year 2016. What are defective in our system of politics and elections now? We have what we call dirty politics, a far cry from the ideal one. There are too many political parties at odds with one another.
Every aspiring candidate for president is inclined to start his/ her own party. The politicians start mud- slinging tactics, exposures of corruption, character assassination attempts, every uncharitable utterances with no diplomacy or decency expected of honorable persons.
They break set Comelec rules on pre election campaign rules.
What can we expect of aspiring candidates who break rules they are set to uphold if elected? Vote buying is slyly done on the squatters, coddled for this purpose.
Taking advantage of the unenlightened "masa" who know no better. The "kapit sa patalim" groups who are desperate in their desolate state for survival. Any winning candidate in the multi-party system does not get a clear majority vote. With this we might end up with the most popular candidate and not the most qualified one.
The mechanics of election process is long in discussions -manual or mechanized? Smartmatics I think, won the bidding. Are they ready? Fool-proof against cheating? Election booths may be made in schools as well as malls. Public school teachers may opt to or not to assist.
They demand sure and higher compensations and insurance for their safety. Private school teachers may assist during the election.
At present there are too many political parties and too many candidates for president. May I suggest the COMELEC LAWS on who can apply thru the COC s to be more intelligently crafted. It cannot be any citizen of the Philippines with the right age limit only. Prevention is better than the expensive cure, so they say.
Imagine there are already forty aspirants registered as I was writing this article. It is like a circus, a joke, a mockery -- no offense meant. Every Pedro or Petra, Juan or Maria or what have you can file their COC.
Give clear requirements to qualify to apply. I will state the 12 qualifications of a candidate for president vice- president, senators, and congressmen briefly.
1. God- loving. People-oriented. Nation-loving. If married, ideal family life.
2. Knows the constitution and follow it.
3. Unblemished character, moral, righteous, ethical.
4. Excellent personality, presentable, no vices , no overt physical defects.
5. Excellent leader, commands respect without coercion.
6. Has charisma, arousing popular loyalty or enthusiasm, accepted by poor and rich alike.
7. Respected by all citizens, rulers of other countries.
8. Knows economics, trade and industry inclusive and exclusive.
9. Not a "trapo", where possible no political dynasty.
10. Fulfills all his promises stated in his platform declaration.
11. Concerned with conservation of the nation's natural resources.
12. Effective in the programs for peace and order with the different sectors of the Arm Forces.
The candidate must be willing to participate in debates to be held in different places throughout the country using parliamentary rules. Any candidate not willing to attend should not expect voters to vote for him. No candidate with pending cases of alleged crimes must be permitted to run. He must be acquitted first.
Only verified Filipino citizen may be elected for any office. I have a last plea to concerned heroic citizen of the A and B groups. Please find time to enlighten and instruct voters in the C, D, E groups in their own dialect in any given place on how to vote wisely. Let them decide. Let us end the horrors of the three G's - Guns, Goons, and Gold. For all citizens of age - vote register until Oct 31 deadline.
No Bio, No Boto. Do your duty. Every vote counts.
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[For comments text cp. no.09202112534.]