Political maturity
THE country’s millions of registered voters go to the polls again on October 30 to elect a new set of barangay (village) and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials.
And in the view of many quarters, the results of the forthcoming twin political exercises will prove if the electorate is really moving towards political maturity.
Many Filipinos, particularly the ordinary citizens in the impoverished countryside, do not know the stakes involved in national, local and barangay elections.
“Ang importante sa kanila ay kung ano ang mapapala nila kung iboboto nila ang isang kandidato,” according to a one-time candidate for a seat in the municipal council.
“Ito ay nakalulungkot dahil hangga’t nandiyan ang mga politikong namimili ng boto at botanteng nagbebenta ng boto ay hindi mawawala ang korapsyon sa atin,” a voter said.
That’s why we, like other well-meaning Filipinos, cannot overemphasize the importance of educating the electorate on the evils of election malpractices.
There’s that urgent need to involve the ordinary citizens, including the youth and students, in nationwide information dissemination drives on vital election issues.
“Para maging politically mature na ang mga kababayan natin ay kailangang ipaalam sa kanila ang kahalagahan ng honest, peaceful at credible na elections sa bansa,” a teacher said.
And with President Marcos in Malacanang and poll lawyer George Garcia at the helm of the Commission on Elections, there are happy reasons to expect as the BSKE approaches.
We, thus, urge the Filipino people, notably the electorate, to support efforts to ensure the holding of clean and peaceful village and youth elections on October 30, 2023.
