Time to let our voices be heard

It’s winding down. Time is slowly counting down to election day, the day that will decide the fate of our nation for the next six years. Spin masters are out in full force trying to tweak headlines and make sure their candidates are only seen in the best possible light. It’s time to pull out all the stops because there are still so many undecided voters and now is the time to try to win them over.

I wrote last week about how no one was afraid to go all in. It’s all over the news and social media that skeletons are being pulled out of closets and now, more than ever, it looks like it’s become no holds barred. After all, the end is in sight and whoever make a strong last ditch effort in this final stretch might very well emerge victorious after all is said and done on May 9.

It’s no secret that there is so much money tied to these elections. I know so many are spending and giving vast sums to be able to shape the next government the way they see fit. Those who give the most might get the outcome they want, which may not be the will of the larger population. At the end of the day, especially with the masses, money talks, and all of us will end up hearing what it says come voting day.

I previously wrote that I still believe in the President’s leadership, but I admit that there are several under him that are questionable. While I see the progress and improvement we have enjoyed under the P-Noy administration, I won’t deny that there is still so much that needs to be fixed. We have a chance to keep going and cleaning up corruption and I hope that we, as a people, take that chance. I would hate to see an outcome for the May 9 elections that would lead us right back where we were before when the PDAF was in full effect and corrupt officials were robbing the people blind.

I stand behind my decision to support Mar Roxas and Leni Roberdo. I think that they are the best tandem to continue the good work that this administration has started and take it to the next level. I would hate to see the foundation that has already been laid down go to waste. I’ve been happy to see the upward trend of Ro-Ro’s numbers as the election draws near and I think they will only continue to draw in more supporters.

One of the things that I have to admit worry me about the elections is that the Marcos family is poised to be heading back to Malacañang. I still remember what it was like during the martial law years and I am astounded that anyone would want even the possibility of going back to that. As they say, those who don’t know their history are doomed to repeat it. I feel that that is what is happening right now. I hope that there are enough voters who don’t want to see that happen.

It seriously surprises me that so many of the younger generation talk about Martial Law as if it was a good time in our nation’s history. Many are under the impression that there was so much growth and progress at that time and that that type of leadership is what we need today. They believe that all the bad things from the past are just a manipulation of the media. I find this so sad because as someone who was actually there at the time, I can confirm that the stories are true and in many cases don’t even paint an accurate picture of the atrocities.

As the election approaches, I can only hope that voters are wise enough to discern what is truly happening. There is so much garbage to sift through that can easily confuse people and make them think a certain way. As those with a voice, I think we have to be fully aware and look through everything to find the truth.

For example, even though I am not for Duterte, I think it is quite ironic that everyone is giving so much weight to the accusations brought against him by Senator Antonio Trillanes. After all, I kind of find it like the pot calling the kettle black. After everything that Sen. Trillanes has done I am still shocked that he was elected back into the Senate. I clearly remember him leading a few of his colleagues in an attempted “coup” at the Peninsula Manila in an attempt to overthrow the government.

And now, not only is he back in politics, he actually had the nerve to ask the citizens of the Philippines to trust him at his word. These “accusations” have been giving him a fair share of time in the spotlight and I think it’s unnecessary. Let due process take over and let’s see what happens. I wouldn’t be surprised if in the end it all amounted to nothing, just an attempt for Trillanes to get another 15 minutes of fame.

At the end of the day, I guess people will just have to vote with their mind and their conscience. I truly believe that everyone will make the decision they feel is best. It’s quite exciting and frightening to think that by the time I write a column next week the Philippines will have already elected a new President. I can only hope for the best for the country. At the end of it all, we’ll truly see the will of the people. I just hope that their choice, our choice, ushers in a bright future for the country.