AT A CROSSROAD

An individual's entry into politics can be regarded as an honorable duty.  He/She will be in the line of service to his/her beloved country and its people. But in recent years, that may be a lot more difficult to believe since politicians have continued to be surrounded by controversies, which tarnish the integrity and honor of the office and erode the trust of the people. 

Various issues and scandals involving politicians have caused a lot of turmoil over the years, such as the plunder cases filed against former presidents, as well as the controversial 2018 Pork Barrel Scam involving three senators. These have caused further damage to the reputation of politicians. A survey called Corruption Perception Index (CPI) that was done by a global organization called Transparency International showed that in 2021, corruption in the Philippines got a “significant decliner” as the country ranked 117 out of 180 countries; two places lower than in 2020. Along with the Philippines were Algeria, Egypt, Zambia, and Nepal, all with a 33/100 score in the index. From 2012, this has been the lowest index that the Philippines  received which leads us to the question:

What causes the rampant corruption in the Philippines? 

Some of these politicians' once-aspired betterment and reform for the country has now devolved into a constant perpetuation of their self-interest, with power and money feeding their desires. 

Despite the fact that we have seen this before, why does it still foster until now? 

Well, in reality, some of it may be attributed to having few viable candidates and some to the poor voting decisions of Filipinos. As mentioned in a research analysis by Batara et al. (2021), the Philippine elections were deemed to have weak political parties available, a history of dynastic rule, and dominance for media celebrities in office. Alongside such nature of the Philippine electoral system, voters are also inundated with information, easily making candidate viability in the country an issue of “personality vs. platform”. Therefore, the system enables the victory of any candidate that can take advantage of it, including politicians that do not necessarily qualify for public service.

Generally, voters prefer well-known names, therefore name-recalling/familiarity has the greatest influence as seen in the voting behavior of Filipinos. Popularity tops the voting factor, followed by capacity and background. Many celebrities have risen through the ranks of the government even though they present little to no qualifications for the job. Furthermore, political dynasties dominate the government, leading to a widespread impression among Filipinos that good governance is genetic, even though track record and reputation say otherwise, and that not all in a political family are capable of good governance. With that, having the right surname can sometimes just be the key to having a big advantage in elections.

As the 2022 elections are nearing, it is highly accounted for that the Filipino people should properly exercise their right to vote. As presidential, vice presidential, and senatorial aspirants have declared their candidacy, it is crucial to realize that the coming election paves the way to the opportunity to elect a new type of leadership, one that possesses the qualities befit a public servant and is focused on ensuring a better future for the Filipinos. The candidates that the people will vote for will be representing the Filipino nation and upholding its best interests at heart.

With that in mind, every voter has the responsibility to be knowledgeable and well-aware of each candidate running for office, emphasizing the importance of each candidate's personal background, qualifications, and supported projects. Citizens must be vigilant with what they read online by learning to distinguish facts from falsified information. This may not only help them educate themselves but also others, particularly those who fall victim to information disorders. In the end, everyone must be prepared and vote, keeping in mind that whoever they will vote for will be committed to attaining the common good in the next six years and even beyond.

The future of the country is heavily reliant on everyone’s decisions. That's why it is a must to vote for the candidate who is willing to serve with honor, courage, and, most importantly, patriotism.

After all, the late senator Miriam Defensor Santiago once said, "Leadership is not about personality; it's about behavior — a visible set of skills and characteristics."