Truth Swerving

Geruzelle Ella | Nov 12, 2024

The light that leads the Philippines to prosperity lies within the leaders that we elect yet depends on the eye perspective of the Filipino voters. The Commission on Elections (Comelec) had once again opened its doors for political aspirants last October 1, 2024 up until October 8 for the Certificates of Candidacy. Yet again, we are vulnerable to facing an unjust government serving words, non-fulfillment of actions. Filipinos fail to be enlightened about what a real leader is, consistently voting every election the clearly unqualified candidates among the lineups. This is personally alarming knowing that the future of young generations lies within their hands and continues to undermine our supposed democratic development.

This said cycle is what destroys the nation. Registered voters who are capable of hearing, understanding, and evaluating the background, credentials, and advocacies of governmental aspirants are still being dominated by ignorance. The hope I have for the Philippines as a young individual is decreasing not only in the system but how my competent citizens clearly do not feed on the right seed. The right minds are not set on the right choice. 

We have no control to discourage people from running a candidacy in the system most especially the senatorial applicants who were reported. Although, voting for deserving individuals or groups is completely dependent on the decisions of our citizens. Last 2022, elections were conducted in the country, gaining an 80.38% ratio for its voters. This means that the power is within the hands of the population. Being completely oblivious to the current situation of the Philippines is deeply concerning on my part as a student living in a country limiting itself to a chaotic governance. 

The ridiculously unsystematized criterion of senatorial applicants is deeply horrifying as it wanders through deep pits. According to the 1987 Constitution, one shall be a natural born-Filipino citizen, a voter of the republic and a resident, at least thirty-five years old, and are able to read and write. This is a plaguing reality faced by Filipinos being directly hoaxed by these said candidates who are not only undeserving of position but also using the public’s susceptibility to crave connections, affluence, and economic reputation. Many can elect but only few know who to vote for. By the time now, we should be much more aware of the institution. It is a mere fact that the government that was allegedly nourishing the country is going round and round in circles through dynasty, influence, and fame yet Filipinos are too blind to disregard. 

Nevertheless, corruption is still present, a completely big threat in the devastating reality of our country. Certain officials take politics as their money-gainer platform leaving the Filipino population behind. A current report of the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) published by Transparency International has publicized that out of 180 countries, the Philippines ranked 116th as the least corrupt nations. I take this as a concerning phenomenon for the state of the republic as we normalize this common flawed malpractice. 

Even so, based on the 2010 election campaign, 30% of Filipinos are vulnerable and prone to being offered with money for electoral fraud. From my standpoint, it is dismaying to take in this feedback with supposedly well-adequate registered voters to have the power to cater the guilt to deceit the vast majority. A piece of money in exchange for a long treatment of iniquity in the political system of the Philippines. 

How Filipinos react to the candidacy and election period in the country reflects the future of succeeding generations passing down family stands. One should reveal and prove the nation for its wrong mindset and mistaken choices. With all due respect to all individuals, we should now be completely awakened by the dysfunction of the Filipino government. The population who had already enlightened themselves with our distressing situation shall initiate movements proving that our system needs changes, a shift in the government where such electoral standards are more transparent and aligned to alleviate the nation’s burden. Hence, being a student and a hereafter voter of the republic, aware of the country's condition, we should further educate the population to research and seek the truth. The truth that has been served in plain sight yet chosen to be swerved with fright.