Elections
Here in the Philippines, this coming Monday is the nation-wide barangay-level elections (except for the earthquake-ravaged Bohol and the siege-recovering Zamboanga). The Philippine barangay is the rough equivalent of a district or village, and is the smallest administrative unit. Basically, voters go to precincts and vote for a barangay captain and seven barangay kagawad or councilor.
Jingles and Promises
Barangay elections are held every three years. And as is the status quo here in the Philippines, every campaign has its campaign jingles (spoofs of different songs, mostly English songs; Bruno Mars' Treasure, Justin Bieber's Baby, Gwen Stefani's The Sweet Escape are some songs of note that have been used). These jingles range from entertaining to downright annoying, especially when the speakers are on full-blast on a would-have-been peaceful weekend morning. But I digress.
Every campaign period these candidates parade themselves to the people, loudspeakers and megaphones blasting out their platforms and promises of progress, clean governance and flowery words. Confetti usually in the colors of the party being scattered on the roads, traffic congesting at each street and the angry blaring of car horns usually drown out those platforms of promises.
Literacy
Thus far my blog post sounds very pessimistic. It is not my intention to antagonize the candidates for kagawad, nor is it my intention to discredit their campaign strategies. My intention is to send this message to all Filipinos who will vote this coming Monday: VOTE WISELY.
According to a 2011 study by the National Statistics Office (Philippines) basic literacy in the country for men (aged 10-64) was at 95.1%, for women (aged 10-64) it was 96.1%. Functional literacy, or the ability to read, write, understand and apply words and numbers, was 84.2% for men and 88.7% for women. Not so big a drop, right?
Numerically, at least.
And yet every election always ends up with a corrupt official in power, manipulating public funds. Somehow one of these buwaya (literally 'crocodile'; slang term for corrupt official) always ends up an official, amassing wealth and power while millions remain starving, homeless and jobless. Hearing about it is disturbing. Actually seeing the effects of corruption in the slums of the Metropolis? It's disgusting.
Ah, Education
If more funds were used wisely and efficiently for the educational sector, so many people would be better equipped to screen which promises are just flowery words and which are legitimate goals. Maybe then, the vote and voice of the educated would not be overwhelmed by the vote of the less-privileged who are easily-swayed by promises and flowery words - and oftentimes, money.
It's not enough to just demand that more funds be allocated to the educational sector, because that sector currently enjoys a large cut of the annual budget (which could use more money, to be honest, but that's not the point). Money wasted on unnecessary projects could instead be used to invest on research facilities and books for school children.
It's not enough to just demand that more funds be allocated to the educational sector, because that sector currently enjoys a large cut of the annual budget (which could use more money, to be honest, but that's not the point). Money wasted on unnecessary projects could instead be used to invest on research facilities and books for school children.
I'd like to share something I heard last night at mass. It was called the "Prayer for Voters" and it was shared to us by our priest during the concluding rites:
"For it is by voting wisely that we may receive the seeds of true democracy."Yes, I cannot stress that enough. Not just in the Philippines, but in all countries that allow their citizenry to vote. It is a right to vote. But it is also a duty which must be exercised responsibly. One voice can make or break a candidate's position. One voice can dictate the future of thousands or even millions. One voice can make a change.
A Postscript for Candidates
Of course this blog post would not be complete without a message for the candidates themselves.
To all candidates, barangay-level or not, please keep this in mind: You have been given the mandate of the people, please do not waste that trust. A congratulations to all candidates for giving your all in this campaign, I wish you all the best of luck and may the best man win. Always keep in mind that it is the people who can bring you to power, but it is also they who can bring you down.
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