The election will come and go, and if you’re reading this then you very likely know more about how it went than I do at the moment that I write this. And yet, do you remember any of our candidates’ promises to you? Do you remember their platforms and ideals? We Filipinos grow too fickle and forgetful - I’d like to help change that by reminding you of what the presidentiables have said so far, and what to expect of the one that does win Malacañang.

When I was writing this article, I received a comment along the lines of, “What’s the point? Every candidate is making promises they won’t keep,” and the commenter completely missed the point. Democracy thrives when the public is aware, proactive, and vocal. If we’re not even going to begin to become aware - or worse, we begin treating others’ awareness as folly - what hope do we have of fixing anything? Of ending oligarchy, red tape, trapos, and outright lies during the campaign season? How else are we going to prevent the rise of populists who make unrealistic promises they don’t have to keep?

This is why we remember: to make things better.

Cover Image Reference:

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Article Reference:

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