Res Gestae
Hoping for HOPE
Everyone desires an election, the result of which reflects and respects the will of the populace. Of course, those who are wallowing in their greed for power and influence are "exceptions" to this "general" contention.
We are moving closer to the May 14, 2007 election. As usual, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) is the key player in this event. It is so because of its control over several government agencies, like the Philippine National Police and Department of Education, during the election period.
Similar to the previous elections, the Comelec projects a character that is capable of bringing out an honest, orderly, and peaceful election this May. However, the Comelec seems to belittle the threats looming against the security of those who will be participating in such exercise of democracy. I have this contention because of the fact that only the Philippine National Police is deputized to ensure the peace and order during this period. The Armed Forces of the Philippines are no longer deputized unlike in the past election.
I do not underestimate the capability of the PNP. Only that I want to stress the fact that we have many areas throughout the country that are affected by the insurgents. Yes, our PNP is capable. I have no doubt about it. However, it would be a different thing when a gargantuan task such as the security of election will be carried out not just by a single organization but must be a concerted effort of all concerned agencies of the government. The more security personnel, the more confident we become that this coming election would be different from what we had in the past.
Honest, orderly, peaceful and credible election is all that the Filipino people want. Hence, the Comelec must consider this aspiration. In this upcoming election, we are not only exercising our inalienable sovereignty, but most especially, we are sketching the blueprint of the kind of government we want in the next few years.
The Comelec has the wisdom in not deputizing the AFP. It wants to make the election process truly a civilian practice. But, I believe it is not so much on the "character" of election that we are concerned about. We want H.O.P.E! Nothing can substitute to an election that is honestly, orderly and peacefully done. For it would only be the sole guarantee that May 14, 2007 election is, indeed, not an exercise in futility!
I believe my point is clear. The Comelec which keeps on promising us of a credible result of election must re-consider the AFP as one of its deputized agencies. The AFP can do a lot in support of the PNP in securing our electorate and preventing any incident that may disrupt and taint the results of the election. Only then that we can be more hopeful for a HOPE.
(Send your comments and suggestions to rogatepnp@yahoo.com)