Brothers and sisters, has the recent election truly been won?
Different opinions are revolving around the results of the midterm elections, particularly in the senatorial slate. For the supporters of the administration, the entrance of the majority of the President’s allies to the Senate is a great victory. This may ease the advances of the changes promised by the President. For the administration’s critics, the loss of the opposition candidates means the Senate becoming a follower of the Executive branch. If the Senate is not free, no one will question the inhumane, anti-poor, and anti-Filipino rules of the administration.
In the local elections, there are comments regarding political dynasties such as the Binays in Makati, Cayetanos in Taguig, Belmontes in Quezon City and Aguilar-Villars in Las Piñas. However, there are those who were enlightened in the local elections from the cities that did not choose the candidates from political dynasties. There is the loss of the Estradas—from former President Erap of Manila, as well as his children and grandchildren in San Juan. What surprised most people is the victory by a new politician, Vico Sotto, becoming mayor of Pasig, governed by the Eusebio family since 1992.
Despite the handful of candidates that ran for the Senate, there are those candidates in the local elections that ran without any opposition. There are over 500 candidates in the country that were unopposed, including 50 congressmen, 200 mayors and 200 vice mayors. This means that over 500 candidates were able to take their positions even if they were the only ones who cast their vote. In other words, there are places where voters have no other options.
The result of the midterm elections has many implications—like the question of having a free Senate. However, it is the duty of the victors to build institutions and mechanisms promising the people of the use of services of the government. But other than having a better delivery of these public services, the victory of this election will be seen from how well we became as voters, especially we Christians competing in politics with the use of voting.
We are taught by the social teachings of the Church that true democracy is not only caused by abiding laws and regulations. Instead, a result of our acceptance of the priorities of democratic processes—the dignity of everyone, respect to human rights and being honest at achieving goals for the greater good.
During the long time of campaigning up to Election Day, we must ask ourselves: Will we further understand the importance of human dignity? Will we greatly know our rights? Have we promoted the greater good through the candidates we campaigned and voted for?
Brothers and sisters, the outcome of the midterm elections has both been stained in shadows and kissed by light, but the greater question is how this reflects with our appreciation and conscience, that the Church reminds us then and now as the basis of how we vote. The triumph of this election is we become better as voters, we learn from our mistakes and use our experiences in participating in politics to take action for a more humane government, and most of all, for us to become good people toward our fellow men and citizens of our country.
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