- Get link
- Other Apps
The Philippines of the 21st century continues to develop along with the rest of the world, in directions that are characteristic of an equally growing complexity for human survival. The global economic downturn has hurt families in more ways than we expected and we now turn to government as our great hope in making things better.
As we countdown to May election day, information and education campaigns about the Presidentiables and their party entourage of other “-ables” start in television programs, radio broadcasts, in newspaper publications and the internet world. Discussions and debates are heard in conferences and téte-á-téte over coffee, as much as in men’s drinking sprees in front of the barangay sari-sari stores and in the river banks or around the communal deep well where women do their laundry. Amidst all of the intelligent fact-digging and personal campaigning for our bets, we still face the uncertainty of what our votes will turn out to.
Electing the national leadership is still a modern day government practice and the representation of the masses by the elected leaders is crucial for any nation to survive. Since representation means looking after the people’s welfare over and above all other interests, the success and failure of governance lies in the freedoms and controls that we provide to those who represent us. When the leaders fail, we all fail because we failed to make them succeed. Yet we throw all the blame on them and they usually react by looking at self-interest where they can be more secure. Let us remember that institutional systems are meant to deliver what we need as a democracy and not to satisfy the whims of a few. When the system is no longer working for the purpose it was made, then it’s high time to make essential changes.
Every national election should be an opportunity to make those changes. Do we favor candidates who promise dreams over those who can realize possibilities? Those who have acted in good faith, delivered results and plan to continue to do so over those who just personally believe that what we need is a moral and religious overhaul?
THINK, VOTE, AND PRAY!
As we countdown to May election day, information and education campaigns about the Presidentiables and their party entourage of other “-ables” start in television programs, radio broadcasts, in newspaper publications and the internet world. Discussions and debates are heard in conferences and téte-á-téte over coffee, as much as in men’s drinking sprees in front of the barangay sari-sari stores and in the river banks or around the communal deep well where women do their laundry. Amidst all of the intelligent fact-digging and personal campaigning for our bets, we still face the uncertainty of what our votes will turn out to.
Electing the national leadership is still a modern day government practice and the representation of the masses by the elected leaders is crucial for any nation to survive. Since representation means looking after the people’s welfare over and above all other interests, the success and failure of governance lies in the freedoms and controls that we provide to those who represent us. When the leaders fail, we all fail because we failed to make them succeed. Yet we throw all the blame on them and they usually react by looking at self-interest where they can be more secure. Let us remember that institutional systems are meant to deliver what we need as a democracy and not to satisfy the whims of a few. When the system is no longer working for the purpose it was made, then it’s high time to make essential changes.
Every national election should be an opportunity to make those changes. Do we favor candidates who promise dreams over those who can realize possibilities? Those who have acted in good faith, delivered results and plan to continue to do so over those who just personally believe that what we need is a moral and religious overhaul?
THINK, VOTE, AND PRAY!
(Image by: www.philippinesdirectory.org)