Taking responsibility for positive change in 2019

I am usually one for silver linings but even I would admit that they were few and far between in the year that was. Looking back over all that transpired in 2018 it is understandable that many of us end the year feeling frustrated and even slightly wary of the coming year ahead. After all, if things continue on the way they have been in the past 12 months, more blows could be forthcoming and I believe our country is long overdue for a break.

But then again, that’s not to say that things could not get any worse. I wouldn’t want to fall into that curse trap. Things could most definitely get far worse which is why it does also seem prudent to remain grateful for things that went well in the year that was. And I am indeed grateful for the good – I just can’t help but hope that 2019 is a big improvement – a positive change that we could all definitely use.

And I think we have that chance to make things better in the year that is to come. We always begin the New Year with hope filled hearts and pray that things will get better in the 12 months ahead. Everyone usually has a list of resolutions and makes promises to do better and act better than they did the year before. It’s this mindset that we need to keep with us as 2019 begins and especially during the upcoming elections. Once again we have the chance to make a positive change in the country and we can’t just let that slip through our fingers as we may have done with many elections in the past.

I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say that we are sitting on a powder keg as far as the country and the government is concerned. We are all yearning for change and for something better but we have to be prepared to do our part in getting it and that could mean going against the popular grain and being responsible for our own due diligence when it comes to selecting new government leaders this coming May.

We are two and a half years into the Duterte administration and the government still has very little to show for their promises to improve the country. If anything, things have gotten worse – and with TRAIN 2 waiting in the wings this could only continue the trend of rising inflation and hardship for our people. In the past two and a half years a bloody drug war has raged which has cost the lives of so many and has barely put a dent in the drug situation in the Philippines – a problem which the president said he could easily address in just “six months.” It’s safe to say that in general, Filipinos are having a harder time than ever and seem more divided than we have been for a very long time.

And yet, all this more still doesn’t seem to be enough to make the ruling majority of our citizens – the proverbial 16 million as it were – question the president and his decisions. While his popularity may have decreased in the past couple of years it has not waned significantly enough to highlight a shift in consciousness. In fact, in a nationwide poll conducted just this December it seems that roughly 74% of Filipinos are still satisfied with the president’s performance.

This is quite telling because it makes many of us all the more worried for the potential outcome of the upcoming elections. In order to keep the status quo, President Duterte needs allies in the government and the 2019 elections is the perfect time for him to rack even more of them up. Although he may not be running, the midterm election will serve to show President Duterte’s acceptability as the country’s leader in a very volatile and difficult time. And – if we give the president enough additional government allies we could very well be pushing the federalism agenda into fruition, meaning a huge change in the government and the country.

However, that being said, how is one supposed to vote? There is no effective opposition at the moment. The remnants of the Liberal Party that were defeated in 2016 have no real leader in place and no real way of getting down the grassroots level were they need to have their message heard in order to make an impact. And even many of those not part of the opposition but harboring a differing opinion to the current government, have been scared into silence by the current residing powers that be. So how can anyone with an opposing political opinion even hope to go against this proverbial Goliath?

At this point, that is up to us – the citizens. While we have the power of democracy behind us we have the chance of letting our voices be heard. In the upcoming 2019 elections I urge everyone to be extra careful with their votes and make them count. Don’t just sit back and vote the “names you know” – do your research and find out which candidates really have our best interests at heart. If we really want change to come, it seems that we have to bring it ourselves.

On that note, here’s to positive changes and a new beginning this January. I’d like to wish you all a very Happy New Year. I hope you have all enjoyed the holiday season with your families and your loved ones. May 2019 be better than the year we leave behind and may the coming 12 months bring everyone prosperity and joy.