The Battle for the Nation
In times as volatile as today, we could remember the words of one Jose Rizal: the tyranny of some is possible only through the cowardice of others. For our national hero, the fight for our nation’s freedom was a brutal one. Pen and sword clashed in a land that had become a battleground. Today, we fight a different fight, one with all the subtleties of war and none of the nobility: the Election of 2022.
Amidst growing complaints towards the current administration, recent events have encouraged netizens to look back on their predicament and in turn, look to the future for what is to come. Less than 24 hours after the first Manila lockdown was announced, the hashtag #Halalan2022 started trending on both Facebook and Twitter.
Despite concerns from some citizens that the deadly Corona Virus might endanger voters, the government has announced that there will be no delays in holding elections. The local, national and presidential elections will all be held in accordance with the Philippine constitution.
It comes as no surprise that after the pandemic, natural disaster, and other, much older problems in our government’s infrastructure, the Filipino people are hungry for change. Such was their appetite that even a full two years before the election, at least ten candidates have already been eyed for the highest office in the nation.
For Davao city and loyalists of the current administration, the obvious choice would be Sara Duterte herself, the current Davao City Mayor and daughter of the sitting president, Rodrigo Duterte. While the president has expressed his disapproval for the former’s supposed bid for president, Sara remains a favorite among supporters of the Duterte dynasty.
On the other hand, for oppositionists, many have suspected the current Vice President, Leni Robredo of running in the next election. Robredo has been critical of the current regime and recently gained popularity through hashtags such as #LetLeniLead after the government’s mishandling of the Coronavirus and Typhoon Ulysses. Despite recent opinion, however, Robredo has been subject to criticisms such as “Dilawan” and “Picture puro” (referring to accusations that her charity works are much publicized).
Other notable figures such as Sen. Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao, former Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Atty. Jose Manuel “Chel” Diokno and Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano have also been rumoured to have an interest in the presidential and vice-presidential spots.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, the time for political apathy and feigned disinterest is over. It will not do to simply claim to care about the goodwill of the nation.
The late Miriam Defensor Santiago once said that corruption and the ones who practice it are afraid of educated voters. When people are educated, when they know what they want and what they are getting out of politicians, they are no longer puppets played on a long and dangerous string.
In 2020 alone, we have seen the greed, corruption, and outright tyranny of some overpower the needs of many. People have died, and people have suffered, and it is up to us to rid our political chairs of the parasites that occupy them. “The tyranny of some is possible only through the cowardice of others.” Let us be cowards no more.
To all Filipinos: If you can, vote. If not, at least do what you can to teach others about the state of our nation and the roads that lie ahead. We are at a crossroads, and it is our duty to reject their reduction of us to just numbers. The Filipino people built this country, and it is time we take it back.
By: Patricia Rae Chelsea Fernandez
