It is that time of the year again in this country of mine wherein we vote for local and national officials. It is not much as the election exercise that gets to me but the actual process, rituals and what have you that changes the atmosphere of the entire country.
Roads get built, streets become lighted, a sprouting of basketball courts and water wells and in some areas, school buildings get painted and a lot of celebrities get extra work endorsing candidates.
But the most concerning part of this whole process, well for me, are the candidates themselves. Time and again we have candidates who get approved by the Commission on Elections who have questionable character, capabilities and experience. The sad part is, these candidates are the ones leading in the surveys.
Is it enough that you are a relative of an incumbent politician for you to submit your certificate of candidacy and decide to run for an elected post, and a Senator at that. Is it enough that you are a celebrity idolized by many to hold a public office, is it enough that you are the wife, husband, brother, sister or whatever relative of an incumbent for you to run for a national or regional post? There are so many questions about the ability, capability, competence and sanity of these candidates, like where will they get the money for such a nationwide campaign? Or what is their platform of government? How will a movie star work in the Senate or Congress?
Another point that has to be checked and believe me there has been a lot of attempts to change this, is the dynasty system. Why is there not a limitation or prohibition that limits if not totally eliminates multiple relatives in government. Take for example the family of the current Vice President, he has children running for mayor, a seat in congress and a seat in the senate in this year’s election. So why can’t this be stopped, his family is not the only one with multiple relatives running in this elections.
But for the worst part, the saddest actually, is in the part of the voters who will actually vote for these candidates. There are those who choose their candidates solely or in part due to their popularity, their beauty, their wealth or the amount of donations they have given during their sorties to their towns.
The victims are those candidates who are capable to lead but lost due to these kind of voters and the country itself. I just pray that the voters are guided by God to make the right decisions and that they think of the future of their children and their families when they make that all important decision. Also, may those candidates who will will put GOD ahead of their desires, the people and the country second and not think of recuperating their expenses during their campaign.
Let us all pray for our country.
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