VOTE RIGHT

May 11, 2025 Opinion

As voters in the country prepare to troop to the polls come Monday, the spectacle of Philippine political campaigning that resulted in a
cornucopia of mudslinging, name calling, hate speech, keyboard warriors and trolls, tarpaulin and poster defacement and killings will finally come to an end, albeit temporarily until the next elections come along. This manner of politicking shows how a lot of our
politicians really consider and understand a position in public office, for to some of them it has become a matter of life and death and practically for all for the wrong reasons.

For these kinds of politicians, a public office is an investment, a gateway to untold power and influence, and for some an opportunity to become filthy rich at the expense of the people whom they are supposed to serve.  For them it was never about public service or being a public servant but making sure that their personal vested interests are protected and even enhanced via their public office. That is why you see these kinds of politicians doing everything they can to earn and secure your previous vote. They will sing and dance, make impossible promises and lie straight to your face just to convince you to vote for them.

For those with means such as having guns, goons and gold they are more inclined to intimidate, coerce, threaten and, yes even kill someone – their political opponent or someone in influence belonging to the other party or camp, just to guarantee their victory in the election. This is how some politicians value the public office and position they are running for in these elections. For them it is not about how they can serve the people, how they can become exemplary leaders that can influence changes that would benefit not only those that have voted them into office but all those requiring their services as a public servant.

To them it is all about the power that they will possess once they are elected into office and how to use it to advance their own selfish interests. It was Lord Acton, a 19th century English historian who coined the phrase, “power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely”. So, when you hear and see corruption in government it is all because some politician wanted to flex and abuse his power to the extent that it affects his position as an elected public official. Corruption comes in many forms, it can be using public money to line one’s pocket, using public money to fund a private and personal endeavor, or allowing someone else to use that public money without valid authority or legitimate purpose.

Corruption can also be the elected official granting favors in exchange for another future favor by virtue of his office, or allowing the slight bending of a law or order in favor of a family member, friend or ally, and it can even be wanting to stay in public office for as long as
possible to keep on basking under the influence of that power. The sad thing in all of this is the fact that in order to enjoy that power these politicians need your vote. They need you to acquiesce in their desire to become a public official so they can taste that power once more.
Without your precious vote they might not get to enjoy that power.

So on Monday when you finally cast your vote try to make it right and add your conscience to those who would want to finally choose public servants who are willing to sacrifice time, effort and resources (money), expect nothing in return, live a simple and frugal life, willing and able to often ride in jeepneys, taxi cabs and buses in order to listen, talk and discuss matters with ordinary people, advocate
something noble, yet practical and feasible, that will redound to the benefit of the populace, willing to forego insisting ideas without first getting the pulse of the people, and become a people’s champion willing to defend the people and using his borrowed power for the good
of the majority. Finally, it you really want to make your vote count, consider your vote as a promise to your family, your children, grand-children and their succeeding generation that what you have done is a valued contribution towards achieving a better life for them in the
future. This is why you must vote right.