Commentary
Reflections beyond the election
The electorate is waiting for the final bell signaling the official beginning of the elections. In just minutes, the pen will again become mightier than the sword as millions of registered voters will troop to their respective polling precincts and write the names of candidates who have earned their confidence during the campaign and beyond.
Twelve senators, a congressman, mayor, vice-mayor, 12 city councilors and a party-list will compose the midterm elections. The names of candidates and an organization representing the marginalized will determine the fate of our crisis stricken nation under Mrs. Arroyo.
By all assessment, the 2007 election is characterized by violence, killings, and disappearances of social activists and journalists. Fear and uncertainty has engulfed the election season facilitated by the enduring traditional practices in Philippine politics to ensure the victory of candidates - guns, goons and gold, and of course - Garci.
Adding to the over-all pessimism is the nagging reality that many Filipinos no longer believe on the integrity of elections as a catalyst in changing our elitist system of government. Thus they feel discouraged to go out and vote.
Yet the midterm election presents opportunities for reforms in our political and social life. The candidates with whom we will cast our vote for senatorial and congressional positions will determine the future of our nation in as far as legislations are concerned.
After the electoral circus, we will be facing a conglomeration of issues that will have impact in our seemingly simple and peaceful lives. These issues will range from political, economic, social and the environment.
Time and again, the Arroyo administration have hinted that it has overcome the hurdles of the political crisis but as many issues remains unresolved, we will be in for a new crisis as the Filipino people continues to demand for better governance, accountability and quality leaders.
In the centerpiece of politics is the upcoming barangay elections next year and national elections in 2010. These are intersecting events that Mrs. Arroyo will try to have a tight grip to ensure she gets out scot-free from the human rights violations she tolerated down to the crimes she and her minions have committed against the Filipino people.
Economic problems will continue to hound the Arroyo regime as the debt problem continues to balloon. Hunger and poverty is record high as unemployment soars year in and year out. Economic statistics might indicate that the current regime aggressive effort in improving the economy is already paying off. But the shortage of food in the table of many poor families is clear evidence that statistics remains figures and are not translated by alleviating the poor state of life among the poor.
Specific issues on trade such as the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA) will be a much debated issue both in the area of trade and environment. While both the opposition and administration candidates have vowed to junk JPEPA on the basis that Philippines is not a dumping ground of toxic wastes, the real battle has yet to begin and this will waged in both the Senate and the House of Representatives. Together with this are similar environmental concerns which are left unresolved because of the election.
These might not be the grab-bag of our complex concerns but the election will be our golden opportunity to pursue our concerns by picking the right candidates that embody our common aspiration for change in all spheres of our life as a suffering people hungry for change.