Lessons from the 2010 Election

The Filipinos have voted a new government to be led by President Elect Benigno Aquino and the Vice-President Elect Jejomar Binay.

Vox Populi vox dei. The voice of the people is the voice of God. It should be better understood that God has given the people their voice to participate in democratic processes through election. It is the people who choose the people whom they want to lead the country. Deux et Machina, the hand of God at work in politics is something else to be understood in theosocial terms.

Based on the election returns, the vote turn out have shown that the Filipinos have elected the same people who have served the government before, or the same names of people who have been in the government before.

Noynoy came in first, but Erap second, while Villar ran third. Clearly, still many of the Filipinos did not examine the track record of these people for them to be there in the top three ranks. Popularity and familiarity remained two important factors that influenced voters' decisions. From the readings of turnout per municipal and specific precints, Erap often advanced from Noynoy. It was also noticeable that there was such a thing as a "hometown vote". That people would vote for those people who were from the neighborhood.

The same people have been elected. Although this could also be attributed to their electoral machineries, the turnout of the election reflects much of the Filipinos decide the fate of this country. Bombarding the Filipino voters with ads did not really work best for Villar. Aquino's name as engrained in the people who revere Cory and the late senator, or maybe the fans of Kris, must have helped Noynoy gain the vote. The pre-election surveys got it all wrong. Noynoy and Binay were elected, their names were never really consistent with earlier survey results, except for the trust rating of Noynoy. Probably, trust is much more reliable factor to consider of who will be elected in the government.

The same people who stand in top of the social heirarchy have been elected. No "real" poor man was there to represent the widest sector of the Philippine society. By electing the same people, we can assume that the same traditional politics, from the same traditional politicians will be evident. The same corrupt practice, or may be even more will surey happen. How many of the elected senators, have legal backgrounds to be in the legislative? What can a dancer-fashionista, married to an actor propose as a bill in the congress, that the Leytenos would benefit from? How often will Manny Pacquiao attend the congress sessions, and how many bills will he pass, or how many bills from him will become a law?

We were able to manage, a generally peaceful automated elections. Thanks to the COMELEC, the teachers, and the PPCRV volunteers. We can count that we will have a more efficient system next time. Opponents of the President elect have conceded like true gentleman. Virtually, there was no sign of fraud, except the great fraud that the Filipinos have done to themselves by electing the same traditional politicians.

Another lesson we can learn from this election is that there will still be political dynasties. Recto will be in the Senate, his wife will be the governor of Batangas. Binay will be the Vice President, and another Binay will be in Makati. Change comes not just by changing political posts. Change is afforded by changing the people who run the government. When the time comes that the Filipinos or at least some of those who share the political power are aversed by the plans and actions of this elected government,the Filipinos will go to the streets again and call for change.

This election should have been an opportunity for a genuine change.

I thought, the Filipinos are ready for change. But I was wrong. I do not see any tangible change to happen in how the government of this country will run its affairs for the Filipinos. I can only hope and pray that something better will happen. That God's hands will move the spirits of these elected people to genuinely serve the interest of the country.