Clean elections
JUST more than eight months before his administration ends, President Duterte has warned political warlords and the New People’s Army (NPA) to stay out of next year’s elections.
The country’s more than 60 million registered voters go to the polls on May 9 to elect the successor of outgoing President Duterte and other national and local government officials.
It is public knowledge that “political warlords,” mostly moneyed local politicians, maintain private armed groups (PAGs) to harass the electorate and their political opponents.
“I will not allow (electoral) fraud and those acting tough, especially those who have been long in politics,” said the Chief Executive in a late night public address last Monday.
He declared his determination to give the people “clean elections” before he steps down as President on June 30, 2022, drawing cheers from critics and supporters alike.
“Gusto ko na bago ako umalis, makatikim man lang ang Pilipino ng malinis na election,” said Duterte, who earlier announced his retirement from politics after he leaves Malacanang.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) described President Duterte’s call for peaceful elections as a “powerful reminder” to would-be candidates and their supporters.
In a statement, the poll body, through Spokesman James Jimenez, said candidates and their followers ought to reject violence.
People, including the ordinary citizens, share the view of many that in the Philippines, hardly had an election passed without a cry of frauds heard from various quarters.
Indeed, Duterte is on the right track in warning the nation’s political warlords and other poll cheats as the 2022 presidential, congressional and local polls approach.
Nabibilang na ang mga araw ninyo!
