This coming May 13, 2019, is another year of elections for positions in the Philippine government. Will this election result to the acquisition of worthy and good-willed politicians who can bring renewal to our country? or will it just be another occasion for corrupt and unlawful politicians to enter our government?
The 2019 elections will be an opportunity to renew the quality of political leaders inside the country. Through democracy, the positive and effective outcome of this election will depend on the decisions and votes of the Filipino people. The election can also serve as an assessment of the previous performance of the government system with the identification of the politicians the people want to remain in position and those whom they want to change. According to the Pulse Asia Survey, 55% of Fiipinos already have a complete slate for the senatorial race. Furthermore, Filipinos are currently naming a mean of 9 and a median of 12 (out of a maximum of 12) of their preferred senatorial candidates. Across geographic areas and socio-economic classes, mean figures range from 9 to 10 while median figures vary from 10 to 12. Read more at: http://www.pulseasia.ph/june-2018-nationwide-survey-on-the-may-2019-senatorial-elections/
The elections can consequently become an avenue of change,with 12 seats which is half the senate, to be filled after the elections by new or possibly the same political leaders. Renewing half of the senate with new senators gives the senate committee a chance to acquire law makers with new advocacies that can contribute to the systems of the government and laws of the country. The intensified preparation for the 2019 elections of the Comelec guides the way for a fair and orderly election as it improves it automated elections systems (AES).
“The local source code review seeks to provide interested parties and groups with the opportunity to inspect and examine the source codes of the automated elections systems (AES). By doing so, it seeks to build public trust and confidence in the AES,” said the Comelec in its Resolution No. 10423.
On the other end, the 2019 elections can just be another election in vain. With the presence of illegal campaigns such as vote buying the results of the election can be manipulated by corrupt politicians. Most of the elections conducted in the country have faced the same issues and perhaps this coming year may be a time for change. Local races are particularly violent in this country. With law enforcers’ poor record of solving crimes, murder has become a favored method of permanently eliminating political rivals. The campaign against illegal drugs and other crimes could raise the level of violence in the upcoming elections.
Read more at: https://www.philstar.com/opinion/2018/07/15/1833610/editorial-full-steam-ahead#4e2KFt38mzkjTOss.99
Illegal campaigns and premature campaigns have also began to be conducted as the 2019 elections draw near. Premature campaigning is one of the contemporary issues on Philippine elections and has been reprimanded by the comelec. “If they don’t remove the campaign materials that would be tantamount to violation of election rules,” Jessie Suarez said in an interview. Read more at: https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1768856
Through the democratic constitution present in the Philippines, it is evident that the success and efficacy of the election lies within the hands of the Filipino citizens. Their wise decisions and fair distinctions will define the future the government. Democracy gives the people the power to change and develop a lawful and just constitution. With the proper usage of their votes, the people have the capacity to enforce the integrity of the government. The people are given the capacity to choose which candidate is authentically good-willed and has the ability to change the country’s blemishes and avoid those politicians with corrupt and unjust intentions.
The Writer 