Note: This is an excerpt from my piece that was published on the Philippine Online Chronicle’s Blogwatch
If anything, the just concluded national election have shown us that, despite the ongoing campaign by almost everyone, from the traditional media to blogs; we, or rather, many of us still don’t get it — we’re still far from becoming a land of discerning voters. As of the last unofficial tally, the candidate who many in the business and academic community believe is not qualified to run this country is leading by a mile, followed closely by an equally unqualified candidate whose record as past president leaves much to be desired. And what about the ones that could have made a difference? As expected, they are still trailing behind. Which leaves me wondering, if the COMELEC had done the right thing by disqualifying a convicted ex-president from running, would that have translated to more votes for Gordon and Gibo Teodoro?
Read more here.
T’was exciting prior to the elections, most were dreaming of an ounce of change; but it’s still a disappointing election no matter how we look at it, be it local or national.
Seeing Jinggoy and Bong R, with Lapid in that senatorial lineup is an indictment in itself our country’s electorate hasn’t learned a thing. And on the local scene, it’s pretty much same ol’ same ol – trapos are devilishly smiling. When a 80 year old former first lady wins a district as a carpetbagger, ehem..congresswoman, what does that tell us? Congress should just buy her and Enrile rocking chairs
to enjoy their last few years inside the houses of greed and corruption.
The only good news I heard so far is former cabinets Asperon, Gonzales, and Ermita are losing.
My biggest beef in the Pinoy style election system is when a president and a VP from different parties win the election. This has got to change. The president and his VP running mate are an inseparable tandem. They should be a team – all for one and one for all, period. Having a VP from a different political stripe will result in a fractious executive office, where trust cannot be easily had.
As for Erap being in second place, it only shows the true mentality of Pinoy voters 😦 I am not a fan on Noynoy either but that’s the way the dice rolls in Pinas. You are chosen because of your celebrity status or where you come from, your pedigree and not what you are capable of. 😯
I think its time to change to the government led by the Party, where the whole government is one whole Team..it will rise and fall on its glory or infamy (mostly it will do its best to get re-elected time and time again) Just like the Conservative Party Government in Alberta, (or the long time love affair of Manitobans and Saskatchewans with their Socialist Governments) where no other party ever for the longest time ever change hand, but still all other parties a functioning oppositions. It is very inexpensive to run the party, and every one has the opportunity to participate and even run for office.
But then again, public office is good business over there and it is worth dying for (for the paid supporters)
The elections is a clear indication that political leadership is inherited in these parts. We may have gone from pen and paper to PCOS but the surnames are still those etched in our distant (and recent) past: Estrada, Aquino, Macapagal, Marcos, Osmena, to name a few.
In my neck of the woods, three out of the five leading board members are sons of former or incumbent officials while another is the wife of yet another former official. Qualifications, it seems, do not matter. It’s the pedigree that counts.
“Perhaps it is time to think about revamping the entire electoral system and start weeding out the undesirable and unqualified voters rather than candidates, at least for several elections.” – I couldn’t agree more to this statement. We’ve been thinking, what if only tax payers get to vote? At least only those who contribute to the country will have a say on who are to be in position.
TruBlue> They say the election was a success, I say it was a failure, not because the machines didn’t work or anything, but rather, the poor choices of the voters, especially on the senatorial lineup. Wala na bang ibang kandidato??
BW> This was what my expat friend said about Erap getting the second highest vote: It only proves that there are more than eight million stupid voters out there still blindly following Erap.
Know what scares me the most? Jinggoy translating his dad’s popularity with the masses as a signal for him to run for president in 2016.
Vic> Changing the form of government is easy, the hard part is asking everyone to work together…
Anna> Looking at the people’s choices, it’s no wonder why we’ve never moved on. Nagre-recycle lang tayo ng opisyal!
nolongerforsaken> In a perfect world, that would be a great idea. But sadly, we don’t live in one. That suggestion, if ever it be turned into a bill, will be thrown out of both houses even before it is mulled over, just like the anti-dynasty bill that should have been passed a long time ago. Why? lahat kasi ng incumbent officials and their families ay tatamaan…