As the country inches closer to another round of local and national elections, cases of election-related violence have once again erupted in certain places, including our region. This is the ugliest face of Philippine politics—candidates and supporters dying for power that is supposed to serve the people.
Such violence strips elections of their democratic character. When bullets dictate who holds office, the vote becomes meaningless. The people are silenced before they can even speak. Politicians with private armies, funded by ill-gotten wealth or drug money, turn communities into war zones just to secure a seat. This is not governance—it is terrorism parading as political competition. It is a brutal reminder that in some areas, ballots are still guarded by gun barrels.
What makes this cycle worse is its seeming normalization. There is public outrage, yes, but only for a moment. After the headlines fade, so does the demand for accountability. Investigations drag on without conviction. Even more disturbing is the complicity of those in power—law enforcement turns a blind eye, election officials dismiss red flags, and political dynasties protect their own at the expense of justice. These lapses embolden perpetrators and discourage citizens from standing up for their right to vote freely.
Election-related violence is not only about power grabs; it is a symptom of a much deeper sickness in our political culture. In many provinces, running for office is seen as a matter of life and death, not service. Winning means access to contracts, projects, and influence; losing can mean losing protection, income, or one’s own life. It is a political environment where integrity has no place, and the only qualification needed is force. Until this culture is dismantled, clean elections will remain an illusion.
It is time for institutions to act with resolve. The Commission on Elections must not merely monitor—it must protect. Law enforcement must disarm private armies without fear or favor. Civil society must remain vigilant. And voters, most of all, must reject the kind of leaders who build their platforms on intimidation and bloodshed. For a government founded on violence is a curse on the people it is sworn to serve.
