Do not tell me you’re not voting tomorrow. Do not tell me
you’re not voting because the candidates are of the same corrupt color and that
voting won’t make any difference. If you don’t vote, there will just be millions
more who will vote for the same dimwits who make the current flawed system. So
yes, even if you vote for the right candidates, there will be thousands,
millions more who will fall for money and popularity and elect the kind of politicians
that make this vicious cycle of politics in our country go round.
You’re vote doesn't make a difference. Who said voting was a
one-shot cure for our society’s cancer? Voting was never the end—it is the
start. Because after you vote, your responsibility doesn’t end; you know have a
greater responsibility of ensuring that the officials who won would make good
on their election promises of representing the people’s interests and executing
projects for the common good. By voting, you cast in your hands the task of
pressuring your public officials to excel in their jobs. If you don’t take on
this responsibility, you’re vote is but a worthless piece of paper.
In this last part of ELECTION EXTRAVAGANZA, you’ll learn
about the background and legislative platforms of four candidates in my
endorsement list. Hopefully, this would be a fitting conclusion to this three-part series I started.
RAMON “JUN” MAGSAYSAY JR.
Initially, the ninth person in this list was Marwil Llasos.
However, I gave it a thought over night and I realized that if I picked him,
there will be two candidates from the religious sector in my list already (the
other being Bro. Eddie Villanueva). While Llasos’ educational background and
law experience makes him qualified to run for a Senate seat, I believe he needs
more legislative experience. If he had served as first as city councilor of
Daraga City or as board member of his district in Albay, I might give him more
chances.
Anyway, I am putting my money on Jun Magsaysay mainly
because of his experience. During his two terms in the Senate, he legislated
bills that enable our country to be in keeping with the changing trends in finance
and electronic commerce—the E-commerce Act and the Anti-Money Laundering Act.
Being a former soldier, he also made great strides to improve social service
for soldiers and their families through initiation of an off-base housing
program for soldiers and passing of the New AFP Base Pay Law. As for
agriculture, he passed and amended the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization
Act and encouraged youths to take on jobs in agriculture through the Young
Farmers Program he initiated. He also called for a Senate inquiry into the
controversial Fertilizer Fund Scam under Undersecretary Jocelyn “Joc-Joc”
Bolante.
This soldier and public servant hasn't faded yet. He still
has a lot of rounds to fire, so let’s give him that last shot by electing him
for another term.
GRACE POE-LLAMANZARES
Forget the surname or the fact that he’s using his father’s
image as a strategy to earn votes. Let’s address her as Mrs. Llamanzares and
let’s focus on her credentials rather than her family’s image.
With a degree in Political Science and Development Studies
and an impressive record of leading incredible reforms the Movie and Television
Review and Classification Board (MTRCB), Mrs. Llamanzares has the calibre neither
her nor Nancy Binay didn’t have. And with a pro-women, pro-children, and
pro-poor platform—a platform she has already proven during her work in the
MTRCB, Mrs. Llamanzares could prove to be a excellent addition to the rank and
file of women already serving in the Senate. It would be great to see a
powerhouse cast composed of Defensor-Santiago, Legarda, Cayetano, Hontiveros,
and Poe, if the last two women are both elected. Grace Poe is one woman you
shouldn’t underestimate.
SENATOR AQUILINO “KOKO” PIMENTEL, JR.
This guy has some unfinished business that’s worth giving
another look into. If only disgraced former senator Miguel Zubiri didn’t steal
his Senate seat from him, he would’ve proved to be an excellent statesman. But
somehow, that theft was more of a blessing in disguise for Koko as it gave him
a crusade worth fighting both in and out of the Senate and made us look up to him
for his stand against cheating.
I want to see what more Koko can do aside from being a
dashing crusader against electoral fraud. Is he just the statesman bent on
putting to justice the person who stole his Senate seat from him or the fair
and impartial lawmaker determined to reform society through excellent
legislative work? Let’s give him that chance to show the kind of statesman he
really is.
BRO. EDDIE VILLANUEVA
I wanted to tip the scales by electing Bro. Eddie Villanueva
as senator. We’ve got commies, leftists, right-wingers, members of political
dynasties in this list—why not a leader of a religious group? From the many
times I’ve watched him in “Diyos at Bayan”, he has proved himself a visionary
just like Senator Gordon but with a moral perspective. Villanueva could prove
to be the moral compass the Senate of the Philippines needs.
This is list is a cornucopia of personalities, competencies,
and platforms. I’m very much satisfied with the way this list is in keeping
with the principle of plurality. If only all these candidates could win, we’ll
have a colorful Senate open to all the exciting possibilities and results. In
the end, this is just an endorsement; don’t let it influence you, but rather
encourage you to look into the candidates even closer. It’s your vote, not
mine. Take pride in claiming your vote by exerting an effort to prepare for it.
Nevertheless, regardless of who wins, the crusade doesn’t
end with casting our votes. The end of election season is just the beginning of
our society’s arduous but courageous task.
Please follow me via Google Friend Connect or like my Facebook page: The Social Scientist.
“Elections belong to the people. It's their decision. If
they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they
will just have to sit on their blisters.”
― Abraham Lincoln
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