Filipino Electorates Are Getting On My Nerves!

The electorates are just seriously f*cked up!

Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., the son of the late Ferdinand Marcos, Sr. just garnered over 30 million votes which are 58.9 % of the total votes cast, as reported by Rappler. It’s a majority vote that is more than double that of his opponent, Leni Robredo who gained 14.3 million or 28.1 % of the total votes. Meanwhile, Vice-Presidential candidates, Sara Duterte and Kiko Pangilinan respectively obtained the same place as their running mates have obtained.

These are just partial polling data updates from the Commission on Elections (Comelec), but I just couldn’t calm down.

I was about to sleep last night when I heard the radio announcing the unofficial partial election results for the national election this year. I was dumbfounded. I couldn’t fathom if the election results being returned to the Comelec were suspiciously questionable or if it’s just the Filipino people who forfeited their power by electing a candidate who has not finished his college degree, has allegations of corruption, a tax evader, and is jobless for the past 6 years. I do not know what the 30 million people saw in him, but I see no valid reason to choose him over Vice President Leni Robredo who has a clean track record, had attained her highest educational degree, is a responsible taxpayer, and a lawyer who served for the benefit of the Filipino people. Personally, VP Robredo is the best candidate for the position. Same with her team “Tropang Angat” where her senatorial slate is also flunking the partial election results.

Speaking of senatorial candidates, I abhor the fact that my fellow Filipinos have chosen to elect the same traditional politicians who have been guilty of corruption. I am disappointed knowing that Chel Diokno (a human rights lawyer), Teddy Baguilat (a representative for the Indigenous Peoples), Leila De Lima (detained on drug charges but her innocence was strengthened when Kerwin Espinosa retracted the accusations against her), Antonio “Sonny” Trillanes IV (he rose to attention from the 2003 Oakwood mutiny), Luke Espiritu (a laborer who nailed the SMNI debate by standing his ground against the Harry Roque and Larry Gadon), and every senatorial candidate in the Tropang Angat had not been given the chance to prove what they could do for our country. It was Risa Hontiveros, the only member of Tropang Angat who made it to the top senatorial choices of the Filipino people — the only rose among the thorns.

We are a democratic country, but it seems like some are not exercising such great power that could change our country for the better. The Filipinos chose the “trapos” (traditional politicians) and the popular celebrities over the more qualified professionals in law and order.

Another, I’d like to point out “assurance” as regularly emphasized by the adults who used to tell us “laging maging sigurado” but they voted for those who cannot prove what they could do for the Filipinos. We had candidates who have proven their capabilities and potential to serve our countrymen, but they wasted the opportunity in hope that “maybe” their bet will not be that bad. In a political society filled with the stain of corruption, their “baka” and “siguro” prevailed over what is sure and guaranteed trustworthy.

(Sighs… such a disgrace)

What also provoked me to write this rant is that I have always been doing my best in school to be an achiever and to gain academic opportunities but discovering that someone who had not finished college can become the next President? It’s just very insulting because I am striving to achieve my dreams and goals but he just attained what he wanted without finishing his studies.

I hope we could do something about this. I wrote this because I don’t know if we would still be able to freely express ourselves if ever Marcos Jr. would be proclaimed the 17th President of the Republic of the Philippines. Momma said to hope for the best and I am trying.

VP Leni aspired for a better country where Filipinos who are marginalized, poor, and oppressed could have been elevated from their unfortunate situation, but she is wasted by the majority of the electorates. Nevertheless, I am proud that I am one of the millions of people who fought for the right side with VP Leni as our leader along with her Tropang Angat. Win or lose, it’s okay because I know that my conscience is clean and I voted not because I am a die-hard fan of VP Leni, but because I wanted to contribute on changing the country by electing the right candidate for the national government positions who are responsible for the smooth running of the state. I have used my power in an attempt for the fine future of the Philippines because that’s what a Kakampink does. I have done my part together with other Kakampinks out there.

Yet, we have never been truly defeated. As VP Leni have said, “Ang Namulat, Hindi na Pipikit”. We have been awakened and we will continue to hope, rise, and fight for our dignity and for what is due.

I’ll just leave it here. I want to move on from these unofficial partial results, but I’m on the verge of crying.

For the majority who selected trapos who will govern us, I hope you really have made the right decision and that you are correct Marcos Jr. is not gonna be another dictator like his father. Otherwise, don’t be shy to show your regrets in the future. You will face the consequences of your choice and the future of your children as well.

To my fellow Kakampinks, I am so proud of you!

To VP Leni, you will always be our “best man for the job as a woman”.

To my birth country, good luck for the next 6 years of your chosen national leaders’ term!