Two Weeks Until the Philippine Elections
Never had the Philippines have the kind of election period that it has now. The stakes are too high. Many people are clamouring for change. But many of them do not realise that there already IS change that’s ongoing. Those who are vehemently crying for change are the Pro-Duterte army. I have always said that I have nothing against Duterte, that I think he had done a great job with Davao. But again, he did it as a Mayor for 23 years, as his dad was before him. It was oligarchy that gave him the power to change the system of Davao and it was oligarchy that made him adept to the things that need to be done to make Davao as it is now. The Duterte fandom is what’s making my head ache real bad. I’m now wondering whether the people rooting for him in the baddest ways are the stupid ones or is it me who is being stupid?
My first resolve was to vote for Miriam Defensor-Santiago. When I professed it, the person I told it to said, “Sayang lang and vote mo. Si Roxas na lang.” At first, I was disappointed. I thought my choice was the best and she would have, no, she should have been impressed. But then, thinking that it came from a sensible person, I said, I will consider. From then on, I became an undecided voter - my first choice being MDS and Roxas as a candidate to be considered. Days and moths passed but it seemed that the Duterte fandom became even greater. Despite the rape joke, despite the unbelievable proclamation of a crime-free Philippines in 3-6 months, a lot of people were still ogling at him while I grew more in disbelief. I thought that those people were so disenfranchised, like children looking up to a superhero floating in space.
At the same time, MDS’s health was more and more obviously frail. Still had the big brains and still fighting though. I could easily vote for her still. But then again, the looming popularity of Bongbong Marcos cannot also be ignored. I have a bias against him. I don’t trust the guy. No one needs a government act in order to indemnify people your family has wronged. At proud pa siya na sabihin na any gobyerno daw any pumigil sa pagbigay nila ng ayuda sa mamamayan. He is a senator and he is part of the government. He could have done more but he didn’t. If he won as Vice President, the President should be his opposition so as to control his reigns.
That being said, it all boils down to Roxas. He lacks PR skills, he’s not popular among the masses because he is a perceived elitist. But then again, being a darling of the crowd is not the most essential isn’t it. Thus for now, he is the most qualified.
I would like to think that I am giving MDS a favor. She should live her life without the troubles of the country haunting her. She will still be in the Senate and I believe she will lobby for more laws and continue being our loved MDS. She has done so much for the country and has become such an inspiration but seeing the Duterte fandom, I will have to let my vote go to Duterte’s bigger contender, who is more qualified than Grace Poe. I would have loved to see MDS when she visited town, I would have wanted to ask her who she would have voted for President if not for herself.
But it seems, the decision is mine. And finally, its a RORO vote.