AFTER the heated political campaign, the victors, not the losers, in tomorrow’s national and local elections carry a greater responsibility to unite the Filipino people.

In a democracy, like the Philippines, there is a need to have a very strong “political opposition” to ensure accountability and transparency in government service.

“Hindi naman tama na laging yes na yes na lamang ang mga lingkod-bayan sa mga namumuno kahit may mga nakikita silang mali sa gobyerno,” a barangay official said.

If we want good governance, we need to have well-meaning fiscalizers, who are ready to expose irregularities and other shenanigans in government offices.

“Pero ang kailangan ng ating naghihingalong bansa pagkatapos ng eleksyon ay constructive at hindi destructive critics,” according to a grizzled political observer.

Without “unity in diversity,” the Filipino people run the risk of being left behind by our neighbors in the Asia-Pacific region as the world grapples with various problems.

These problems, including the dreaded coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, threaten to slow down all-out government efforts to revive the ailing economy.

Thus, we, like other well-meaning people, cannot overemphasize the importance of setting aside our political and other differences after the May 9 balloting.

Let’s work in unison in addressing our problems, including insurgency, criminality, illegal drugs and corruption, that threaten the very foundations of our nation.

Dapat lang!

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