CONCERN of Filipinos about orderly transfer of power routinely comes with the election of a new president. There is always post-election restiveness, especially in a tight race: whether results will be accepted by the people and how smoothly and speedily fresh leaders can go about their business of starting a new administration.
But in the last two weeks in the run-up to voting day, more than the usual anxiety has prevailed.
In no other election had the leader of the pack been feared as a threat to the country’s institutions and values and more vigorously opposed than in this race.
Angry, alarmist rhetoric
Rhetoric from supporters of Rodrigo Duterte, front-runner in surveys among the presidentiables, threatens “to stage a revolution” if their candidate would lose. Mostly in social media, hostility and anger have spilled out to confrontations in rallies and campaign sorties between “Dutertans” and those who disagree with them, campaign volunteers of his close rivals, Mar Roxas and Grace Poe.
Incidents of bullying in the internet and on streets and public places have been publicized although no escalation into violence has yet been reported.
Not helping any is alarmist language on the other side, as exemplified by the thinly disguised warning of Antonio Trillanes IV, the senator who wants to be vice president. Trillanes, a veteran of coups in 2003 and 2007, this week told foreign news correspondents there could be a coup or “similar creative ways” to unseat the new president if it would be Duterte.
VCMs, conduct of polls
Adding to the prescription of the feared turmoil is the still stubborn doubt over how PCOS units, renamed VCMs (voters count machines), would perform. There are also speculations of delays and glitches over voting receipts and rules on managing voters complaints and reporting results from municipal and provincial levels.
Widespread cases of failure of voting because of faulty machines or procedures might stoke fires of protest, which internet noise could help explode into a raging conflict on the streets and public places.
Questions on integrity of the results could set off a turbulence we had not witnessed before. That might seriously disturb peace in a country that values its democratic institutions and impede progress of a rapidly developing economy.
Ways to stop it
Another alarmist pitch? Not when rival groups of supporters already talk of revolution and military uprising, the stuff of which banana republics are made. Not after candidates opposing Duterte call him dangerous to democracy and his defenders call him a messiah despite accusations that he is unstable, pro-death, pro-communist, abuser of human rights, and hoarder of unexplained wealth.
Things could get ugly, when the revolt would no longer be as peaceful as Edsa 1 and 2 and one leader would have an explosive temper. Consequences could be dire for the country and what its people hold dear.
With more urgency should voters ponder on their choice of elected officials. With more diligence and zealousness should safeguards for an honest election be enforced. With more care and prudence should military and police serve their role as protector of the people and uphold the primacy of civilian authority.
The nation could brace for troubled days after the elections. But despite the misgivings, if transfer of power would be peaceful and orderly, the people would welcome it in joyful thanksgiving.