As the country draws near the election period, the ominous shadow of corruption, dynasties, and vote-buying political campaign vows returns. Voters once more bear the challenge of existing in a political climate replete with the usual dominating families, opportunistic political hopefuls, and convenience-coalitions-of-patronage political alliances. Lacking vigilance and discrimination, poor leadership, broken promises, and swarms of disillusionment will continue.
The campaign promised tidal wave will soon be inundating the public with most of its empty rhetoric designed to tug at emotions rather than articulating real policy. The candidates will parade their self-styled accomplishments, but scant few will reveal practical remedies for the country’s longstanding problems. Political rallies will turn into imperial pageants, funded by questionable means, with real issues like poverty, unemployment, and national security lost in the pomp and politics of personality. Without accountability, these vows will once more crumble after the votes are cast.
Vote-buying will continue to be an endemic blemish in the electoral process, with money, grocery bags, and other types of bribes being traded for political allegiance. In the rural areas, where poverty situations are most dire, the burden of a few hundred pesos may be more intimidating than worries about ability or honesty. Meanwhile, the internet will be an arena of disinformation where trolls and manufactured myths will try to influence the collective mind. The legitimacy of the election hinges on the ability of the voters to stand firm against such moves and prioritize merit over wealth.
Political dynasties continue to block genuine progress by influential clans with their name capital and popularity working to perpetuate the grip on power in their hands. These traditional clans, taking turns holding office among relatives, view politics not as a duty but as an inheritance. With limited fresh blood from the grassroots level, hopes for genuine reform do not seem bright. Political dullness crushes unconventional thinking and continues with the same political missteps that have tormented the country incessantly.
Our people need to exercise their critical thinking, look beyond the candidate’s slogans, and vote out those who abuse the system for personal interests. We need to demand clear, actionable platforms and hold the leaders accountable on election day and beyond. The ability to make a difference is not in the politicians’ hands but in an educated, ethical, and determined citizenry that will not settle for another six years of empty promises.
