Babe's Eye View article

In the Christian world, Easter Sunday is perhaps one of the most celebrated events because it commemorates the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. Filipinos look forward to the observation of this day because it signifies the fulfillment of God’s promise of eternal life to those who will believe in His Son—a joyous occasion that embodies hope and renewal.

Renewal is precisely what everyone is hoping for next month as the campaign period comes to a close and people will be casting their votes. Filipinos are looking at the coming elections as a season for change, anticipating better things to come—which in a manner of speaking is similar to Easter, an occasion closely associated with spring which everyone knows is symbolic of new life.

But elections being the way it is, all candidates will be scrambling to get the upper hand—from national positions down to councilor. Yet this is also good because it shows that the spirit of democracy is very much alive in this country. In a sense, the coming elections will epitomize democratic renewal in much the same way that Easter Sunday connotes spiritual renewal.

Since we have a multiparty system, voters will have many candidates to choose from. Everybody is entitled to his own choice, but with Filipinos having the tendency to sometimes vote based on emotionalism, more mature voters are hoping there will be less of sentimentality, and that people’s choices will be based on who they really think would be the most capable to lead this country in the next six years. It would certainly be much better if voters would decide based on a candidate’s experiences and track record both as a politician and as an individual—and not because they like this or that candidate better.

If there’s one remarkable thing about the coming May elections, however, it’s the diversity of choices people have with the senatorial candidates. As we all know, the presence of senators also make for a more vibrant democracy in this country. In a way, it would be good for the Senate to have people identified with the “left”—which include the likes of Satur Ocampo who at one time or another advocated armed struggle but have since joined the political mainstream, which should show that he also believes in the principle of democracy. Other candidates include Liza Maza and Risa Hontiveros—women regarded as “leftists” but who have for the longest time been party list representatives for the poorer sectors of society.

Satur was also a journalist and became an official of the National Press Club before he went “underground.” Liza for her part certainly scored points with the female voting population when she admonished Wowowee’s “kembot girls” to wear “appropriate clothing” during the rallies of the Nacionalista Party (under whose slate Maza is running) because it shows her authenticity as a women’s rights advocate.

Then you have Gen. Danny Lim and Col. Ariel Querubin, detained soldiers who have developed some sort of reputation as “rebels with a cause” on account of their involvement in the 2006 standoff in Fort Bonifacio where soldiers protested the conduct of the 2004 elections which they claimed was marred by massive fraud. Querubin, an Ilocano, is a Medal of Valor awardee—the highest military honor—for his heroism in battle, even going above and beyond the call of duty in going after rebels especially in Mindanao.

I have no real bias for any of these candidates, but in spite of the fact that they have no resources to mount a massive campaign, these people are willing to join the coming political exercise—which is a good thing because it proves that they, too, believe in the democratic process. They are examples of the “left” and the “right” who can work alongside the “center”—which could probably energize the Senate as their fresh perspectives are presented on so many issues that affect ordinary Filipinos. Then there’s Adel Tamano who ensures Muslim representation, while the women have Gwen Pimentel and Susan Ople (who has long been working for the welfare of OFWs in this country) aside from Miriam Santiago and Pia Cayetano.

The more people scrutinize the diversity of candidates, the more they should be convinced that democracy is alive in the Philippines. As a matter of fact, the Manila Overseas Press Club will be holding a “Senatoriables’ Night.” Kiko Pangilinan has confirmed the attendance of candidates from the Liberal Party while the Nacionalista Party confirmed the attendance of BongBong Marcos and Gilbert Remulla.

A foreign observer told me however that one of the things he can’t believe is the kind of politics in this country where a candidate is not only required to explain his wealth but even his poverty. It’s certainly understandable for people to be suspicious of unexplained wealth—but unexplained poverty?

But then again, everyone has been ganging up on Manny Villar, with his rivals throwing the book at him. Manny should stop defending himself from those who are emotionally and hysterically threatened by his candidacy because either way, these people will never believe him. Instead, he should just go ahead and convince the lower masses—where his strongest following comes from—that he is the better candidate for president.

At the end of the day, what is important is for Filipinos to really reflect hard on their choices—because whatever they decide will affect the future of this country. Easter is a time of renewal, and so it should be with the elections as we renew our faith in this country with the exercise of our democratic right to vote for the next president—whoever he may be.