The nation's decision
Every day we make decisions. Making decisions is based on our values. Small or big, decisions affect us on how we behave. Whether easily reached or well thought of, decisions affect us today, tomorrow, week or even years from the moment we make them.
And just barely a week from now, a decision has to be made that shall impact on the economic, political and general landscape of our country. This decision would determine our plight as a people for the next six years-a decision that would either lead to self-guilt or contentment in the future.
The manner we see, believe, and behave are based on our value system. This value system is very much influenced by the society. It has certain unique culture, mores, and ways of life that one is largely influenced by his interactions. When one has found meaning on a certain value, for instance, this would form part of his value system. When the family or the larger community is giving importance to relationships or a communal spirit then as a member of the community, one is eventually putting much value to it and is part of one's own system.
Generally, Filipinos have close-knit family ties. In a patriarchal family, fathers' views and opinions exert enormous influence, and generally supported by the rest of the members. During elections, this could be an avenue for members of the family to have a unified decision in terms of choosing political leaders. However this is not anymore true to all families. Others would have a certain degree of freedom to choose their own even this would lead to differing views on certain candidates.
On a larger scale, in a community, the picture is practically similar as leaders exert influence on their members. Other social institutions would call for their members to have a unified voice. The church or a religious group, for instance, would place their leaders on a decisive position to call for a cohesive effort to support certain candidates. Depending on the influence of their leaders, there are some who would follow but others would not. The herd mentality still persists but at the end of the day, it is an individual call.
Based on some psychographics studies, often used in a market study of a product, in determining the voting behavior of the electorate the primary factor in choosing was based on the candidate's popularity. Findings show that the voters tend to easily identify with the candidate's popularity and public image. Former President Joseph Estrada, a well known actor from the 1960s to 1970s, was able to maintain his popularity even when he changed careers from actor to politician. He sustained his popularity during his term of office as mayor of San Juan, Manila for two decades until he ran for senator in 1987. Riding on his popularity, he easily won his bid for the vice presidency in 1992 and was the first president to get as high a percentage vote as 38 percent in a race of ten presidential candidates.
The endorsement of traditional networks and organizations, like the church and community leaders, is another factor that influences one's decision. Candidates are dying to obtain endorsements from various religious groups and other social institutions. They ask for blessings especially from big religious groups like the Jesus is Lord Movement which is one of the biggest Christian fundamentalist groups in the country. The Iglesia ni Kristo, another major religious group, is likewise heavily asked by candidates for their known bloc vote.
But whatever sources of influence we obtain from, we should be guided by the basic value system that stood the test of time as it puts premium on the respect of universal humanity. For the benefit of the present and future generations, let's examine our conscience in discerning who would be our leaders that share our values of honesty, respect for human dignity - and with the genuine heart for public service.
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