Opinion:

THE HOLY VOTE

by Pepin

May 10, 2010 marks a new beginning for the Filipino people. It is a significant date in the history of the Philippines, not only because of the automated method of voting, but more so because the people will be selecting a new set of leaders for the next six years.

Finally, the votes were casted after almost twelve hours of enduring a long queue, blazing heat of the sun, and fuming exchange of bouts between the voters and election officials. And at this point of time, the votes are being counted. Who won? Well, it is still early to tell.

But what is fascinating about this momentous episode in history is the attitude of Filipinos towards the elections. When asked whom they voted, many would sarcastically reply that they opted for a candidate who has been leading in the surveys in past few weeks prior to the election date. Reason for such stance is that most of them wouldn’t want to waste their vote for someone who is at the rear end of the surveys, and rather go with the flow of predetermined numbers.

Many Filipinos forgot that “to vote” is their right and freedom, and voting base on one’s conscience is what matters most. As what have been observed, most of the voters today do not take time to think and to scrutinize each and every candidate before they cast their vote. They are given almost six months since the filling of candidacy ended last December to assess and evaluate those who will be running for elections, yet they remained anaesthetized of their right. Hence, with ease and without question, they easily accepted phony exchange of condemnations, believed that the surveys are precise, and voted out of their principles.

Everyone has been yearning for change, but it can only happen if people will accept it in the “self-level.” That means that one should amend his attitude, amend his thinking, and most of all amend the tradition. This day (May 10, 2010) would have been the perfect day, but all remained the same.

So what will Filipinos anticipate in the next six years? Simply, expect the expected like in the previous political episodes of the country – street rallies, threats of impeachment, and more cries for democracy. With certainty, it will be the same old story.

When will Filipinos learn? Crossing fingers for “I hope tomorrow” will not do any good. It cannot even do anything if Filipinos will not do something with open arms. Everyone, and that means everyone, should learn to stand up and keep up a “holy vote” – a vote that is well deliberated and that is based on one’s conscience.