Your vote counts – literally
(Un)Common Sense

Your vote counts – literally

Nov 1, 2024, 7:15 AM
James Veloso

James Veloso

Writer/Columnist

“Wala namang nagbabago – bakit pa tayo boboto?”

That has been the sentiment of some Filipinos who have grown tired of the same old scenario during the filing of certificates of candidacy (COCs): the same old political dynasties, celebrities and lunatics trying to hog the media space, while those with good intentions, clear platforms and a genuine desire to change our country get nothing but jeers and derisions from netizens who seem to think our politics was made purely for amusement, nothing more.

In fact, there was this group who, during the filing of COCs at the Manila Hotel, even urged candidates and voters not to participate in any way in the coming 2025 elections, as they believe the system is so rigged the vote of the ordinary Filipino won’t count anyway.

Here’s a counterpoint for those who aren’t inclined to vote anymore, and are even inciting others to boycott the coming polls: isn’t that exactly the opposite of what democracy should be?

True, we have been lamenting about how political dynasties and people who just see politics as a game, a hobby or a business have bastardized our political system. But here’s one thing ordinary Filipino probably can’t face: kasalanan rin naman natin iyan.

Hindi lang sa pagboto natin sa mga taong walang kakayahan at walang tunay na hangad na maglingkod sa atin, ngunit sa hindi rin natin paggamit sa ating karapatan (at tungkulin) na bumoto.

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Ang demokrasya ay hindi parang superhero film (Pinoy style) na lagi na lamang tayong sumisigaw sa takot at umaasa na may superhero na magliligtas sa atin.

Think of it like yung ibang mga “hero” film sa ibang bansa: yung mga ordinaryong tao na nahaharap sa pagsubok ang siyang kumikilos para maging bayani, para iligtas ang kanilang sarili – at ang mga nasa paligid nila.

Kagaya noong kwento ng United Airlines Flight 93 na muntik nang mapabilang sa pag-atake ng mga terorista noong September 11, 2001. Nang marinig ng mga na-hijack na pasahero ang nangyari sa World Trade Center, na-realize nila na baka ang eroplano nila ang susunod na gagawing bomba. Ang ginawa nila? Sila na ang kumilos para maagaw ang eroplano mula sa mga hijacker. Hindi man nila napigilan ang pagbagsak ng eroplano, pero napigilan nila ang balak ng mga hijacker na pabagsakin ito sa White House o sa US Capitol, na posible umanong destinasyon ng mga terorista.

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The reason why so many politicos are now confident about running unopposed is not just because they know they can fool the electorate: they know they can easily convince others not to exercise their right of suffrage.

It’s a vicious cycle, sa totoo lang. Dahil walang mapagpipilian, iisipin ng iba, wala namang kwenta ang boto natin. At kapag marami nang nag-iisip na walang kwenta ang boto nila, diyan na kikilos ang mga tiwaling pulitiko upang siguraduhin na wala na talaga tayong mapagpipilian.

Democracy is a two-way street. Hindi pwedeng aasa na lang tayo lagi na nandiyan ang mga opisyal ng pamahalaan upang isalba tayo mula sa kahirapan at kamangmangan. Kailangan din nating kumilos at gampanan ang tungkulin natin – at kabilang sa mga tungkulin na iyon ang pagboto sa mga taong alam natin na may kakayahan upang tunay na maglingkod sa bayan.

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