One thing we can learn from this election: the real "UNITY"

The word "unity" appears frequently and repeatedly in this campaign. At the moment, we do not truly understand what the term "unity" deeply entails. Is it the unity of the whole nation? Unity of politicians tainted by corruption? Or unity of the opposition with their individual agendas? If I am asked, there are three kinds of "unity" and these are:

Unity in Volunteerism 

Only now, in the country's entire democratic existence, have we seen that it is the Filipinos who are campaigning for a particular candidate who should have been courted by the candidates seeking a position in the government. It's encouraging to think that this campaign's volunteerism is so robust. Every Filipino can see that unity is alive and well. We all had no idea that volunteers would be able to go house-to-house and introduce a particular candidate. We also cannot believe that prominent celebrities will freely endorse a politician. We are accustomed to seeing celebrities in political advertisements for which they are compensated well. But now, they are voluntarily showing up at rallies and house-to-house campaigns to extend their influence and introduce the candidates they support.

Many young people believe that their future is dependent on a particular candidate with a clean record and a candidate who has receipts they can be proud of. The unity in volunteerism of our country will indeed prevail.

Unity of politicians who have Anomalies

In this campaign, everyone is thirsty to get rid of the current state of the country: the pandemic, poverty, and other problems that have a huge impact on ordinary people. But in this election also, we have seen that politicians tainted with anomalies are coming together to run again in the upcoming election. We cannot fully imagine that those charged with plunder and facing criminal charges are returning to the government.

Unfortunately, many people are still blind to these candidates. Patronage politics is pervasive in our country, which is terrible. Many of us respond to the question, "Why are you voting for him?" with, "Because his father has done so many things in the country." This is not the mindset we should have.

Unity of politicians on Easter Sunday

Remarkably, a press conference was held on Easter Sunday. The gentlemen, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, former Defense Secretary Norberto Gonzales, and Senator Ping Lacson, have banded together not to select a standard-bearer, but to oppose the sole female presidential candidate, duly elected Vice President Leni Robredo. Unfortunately, these politicians' covert agendas have come to light. The press conference was met with disappointment by many. It happened that no aspiration was shown. Not everyone understands why the second-place competitor should drop out of the race to allow the third, fourth, and fifth-place competitors to move ahead.

Filipinos do not anticipate such unanimity. The aspiration for unity is among the politicians who will lead the Filipino people, not their families or themselves.

What do you want to have from the three meanings of "unity" that have been exhibited in our tumultuous political climate? If you asked me, I would like to have a government in which the people have a voice. I wanted to see how well the government interacts with its constituents. I wanted to see people rise out of poverty and restore the country's integrity, which had been lost for a long time now. I'll ask everybody once more: what kind of "unity" do you want?

Indeed, unity is the most used word in today's campaigns and elections. However, it only differs from what the real purpose is. I am very much aware of what is happening in our country. I don't want to see "unity" with the "trapo". I want to see unity within the Filipino people to make all our lives better. Aren't we tired of the cycle that our government has? To all my fellow countrymen, let's think and learn from the past. Please vote for the candidates who have a clean track record and inspire us to make real "unity".