Rolling

We all feel the heat. Not just the summer’s belt but the strong rivalry among the leading candidates for the higher positions of the land. Supporters fling whatever they can to defend their bet as the candidates themselves strive to keep afloat with a few succumbing to the temptation to secure the momentary acquired turf. 

I admire the perseverance of those who are lagging behind in the survey. Who are not just at the tail but at its end. Apparently, they are under no illusion of winning, but they have remained faithful to their quest. As others maintain that fight is not yet over, others have shown that what they are really pushing forward is their advocacy. The clamor for a good and clean government and with it, intelligent choices. Borne not just for a chance encounter but upon a record of service or the obvious sincerely and capability of those who want to be chosen.

Our elections are known to end with protests and recounts in certain levels. Although this is a right, I hope the voice of the people will take precedence over pride. The thought that our elections are conducted with prevalent cheating is staggering. All candidates want to win. And we only want a fair deal. However, the citizens’ vote and whoever they choose should be respected. There should be no more bickering when elections are over. Hopefully. 

After May 9, we look forward to the continuation of good programs and the improvement of those that still need to be tweaked for the better. Not a negation of whatever is running well.  As they say, why fix what does not need fixing, and take away a good program and rename it to change ownership? Truth to tell, the owners of the projects in the country are the Filipinos mismo. And though it may have been proposed by a particular leader, the program is made for the Pinoys.

We must continue to roll on. Move ahead. Accept our losses and celebrate our wins. I pray that whoever wins will run the country well, and whoever loses will move on gracefully. 

I look forward to the new set of leaders. Whether returning or new. I want to approach this new season with anticipation for better things and I am grateful to the past leadership for what they tried to accomplish. We have to remember the positive side of their term, as well as not forget the wrongs that should not be replicated. We have to remember that our leaders are not God and they should not be expected to act like one who can answer everything!

There is no room for bitterness. We faced many challenges in the past six years. The devastation brought by the pandemic and the damage carried by natural calamities, the continuing ills of poverty and the war on drugs that fluster our communities, plus the gaining addiction on on-line gaming. There is too much already on our plates. And the new government will surely have to confront these issues head on.

Thus, let our conscience speak to our hearts. While we still have the chance, let us choose wisely remembering that the leaders we opt for will be in our lives for the next six years. We do not need to move for who is popular or leading in the surveys. There may be the powerful voice of the silent. Allow them their choices. And let the nation speak.

When all is over and done, let us then roll on, and live.