Philippine 2010 Elections: Some Tidbids for The New Voters

You’re turning eighteen and it’s impossible that you are not yet aware of the upcoming elections. Why not? Unless you are living under a rock and not tuning into the news or perhaps eavesdropping on wives tales.

The upcoming election for the Philippines would be very special because it marks the era where many will hope for  a cleaner process through automated systems. Our elections will be computerized, less hassle for manual counters—reduced possibility of foulplay!

Now, if you have seen the news showing that some people or even lawmakers themselves are skeptic about this automation system, perhaps you may ask the same thing.

“Yeah, what if this seemingly secure and fast system got breached?”

True, some trapo’s (traditional politician) out there would do anything just to secure their dream position. But think twice before screaming FAIL. Let’s go back to our old ways of handling the elections. First, with manual counting, the margin of human error is high. Second, there are lots of factors than can alter the results–bribing,threatening,sabotaging, and anything you could think of that will hinder the tallies. Third, if politician X won, then politician Y will scream that he/she was cheated and then would even petition for a recount. Fourth, it’s  really expensive and risky to hire teachers and poll watchers, and not to mention the number of teachers holding the ballot boxes getting killed and the number of classrooms getting burned. (A total waste). Fifth, once the votes in a certain area got sabotaged or gone wrong, the commission on elections would simply ignore it and declare a failure of elections, taking away the people’s right to vote.

Now with computerized elections, the information is quickly transferred. Problem is, the system might be breached as skeptics would claim it. But perhaps it would better than losing valuable teachers, classrooms and the right to vote. It will also lessen opposing candidates bashing that they were cheated since the result is immediately recorded, giving no time to manipulate it.

And  what is wrong with trying? Skeptics immediately screamed that it won’t work. Please, wake up, they are not seers or some quack fortune teller who knows the future—but if they are then perhaps anyone would appreciate if they can tell what is good for us so we can have a good future. The point is this, we haven’t even tried! If it’s crappy, then don’t do it.

Lastly, I require the reader with some common sense.

Do you see those early political advertisements regardless of being subliminal or downright shameless? Some of them even used the personality of the late president Aquino and the late Iglesia Ni Cristo leader Ka Erdy, isn’t that just shameless? Well, I advise you to not vote any of them. Why? This isn’t really my opinion but purely logic. If I may refer to the constitution, any aspiring candidate is not allowed to advertise him/herself in any manner outside the campaign period—which is at maximum of 90 days before the election day. And please don’t vote anyone who woos your religious sect by offering gifts or anything. These people are violating the Non-Establishment Law of the constitution. So if these trapo’s and wannabes alike are now on streets now and selling themselves out already, don’t vote for them. It’s pretty ironic to vote for someone who already violated the constitution. What more if they are already in their position.