Crucial election

Today’s column is about the forthcoming elections instead of the pertinent Supreme Court decisions which enable our citizens to better understand our laws and thus become more law-abiding. The May 2022 elections is indeed very crucial to the survival of our democracy because if the results will be the same as in the past, where most of the officials we elected turn out to be promoting their own selfish interest rather than our national interest, then we will just continue to suffer the kind of government we have now. Indeed, we are already on the verge of sliding back to the despotic, corrupt and ruthless martial law regime toppled by the EDSA people power revolution of 1986 when the Filipinos resolved to never again allow such kind of regime in our country.

Undoubtedly, our voters were misled into believing the enticing promises of the then mayor from Davao who has been pictured as a hands-on, effective and incorruptible administrator whose style of running a government appeared to be what the entire country needed at that time. But when he assumed power, he already displayed a tendency to disregard the rule of law by refusing to submit his Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net-Worth (SALN) or allow the examination of his bank account to determine the veracity of said SALN.

Then in his much-vaunted war on drugs, he allowed the police to engage in extra-judicial killings under Operation “Tokhang” that clearly violated the rights to life and to due process guaranteed by the Constitution. Obviously, he believes and adheres to the tactics used by Marcos during the martial law regime. In fact, he tried to rewrite history by depicting Marcos as a hero and allowing his remains to be buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani. Indeed, it clearly appears that he still favors the use of martial law tactics by supporting the presidential bid of the son of the late dictator. Thus, the coming elections is really so vital in the preservation of our freedom and of our democracy, which ultimately depend on us voters.

First of all, our countrymen should understand clearly that their right to vote is one of the most precious and cherished rights as citizens. When they vote they should act like the “boss hiring applicants for a position,” as Archbishop Soc Villegas said. If voters succumb to vote buying, threats or the glowing promises of traditional politicians like what happened in the past, they are in effect devaluing and demeaning their right to vote.

Secondly, voters should get rid of all the traditional politicians (trapos) who are now holding elective positions, especially in the Legislative and Executive branches of government, whether pro or anti administration. As we are now experiencing, the country seems to be on the verge of sliding back to a dictatorial regime because those whom we elected previously, particularly in the Legislative branch, have abandoned and discarded the principle of “Checks and Balances” enshrined in our Constitution to preserve our democracy. Despite the corrupt and dictatorial practices of the present administration reminiscent of the martial law regime, they remain quiet, submissive and tolerate these practices. The current investigation in the Senate about the anomalous deal with the apparent cronies of Duterte in the Pharmally Corporation appears to be an exercise in futility as its investigative power is defied by the President, who ordered his Cabinet members not to attend the hearings.

Thirdly and most important of all, we should be more vigilant in ensuring that our votes are properly and accurately counted, especially because our elections are now automated and the machines can easily be manipulated. People cannot help but raise their eyebrows and worry when the Commission on Elections signed a P536-million deal with F2 Logistics Philippines for the distribution of election materials and other supplies, including the delivery of 57,000 Vote Counting Machines. There is a lot of reason to worry here because F2 Logistics is linked to Dennis Uy, who was a major contributor to Duterte’s presidential campaign in 2016. The Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) and the National Movement For Free Elections (NAMFREL) should be very alert and more watchful in the coming election, which is indeed very crucial in determining whether democracy will be preserved or whether a regime with the vestiges of martial law will prevail.

Voters, particularly in the class D sector, must be fully informed and convinced to elect candidates other than the traditional politicians (trapos) elected previously. Apparently, this can happen if we the people will not re-elect candidates who collaborated with or tolerated the dictatorial tactics of the present administration, particularly in the Senate and the House of Representatives. It is about time for us to support and elect other candidates who are sincerely campaigning and sacrificing their time, talent and effort in order to win and thus be part of the “government of the people, for the people and by the people.”

In this connection, let me set modesty aside by appealing to our electorate to vote for my own son Joseph Peter “Jopet” Sison who is running for senator under the Aksyon Demokratiko  Party. Jopet studied at the Ateneo de Manila University where he was mainly  trained to be a “man for others”. He obtained his Bachelor of Laws degree at Manuel L. Quezon University (MLQ) and has served the QC government as Kagawad of Brgy.  Pinagkaisahan and as 4th District Councilor. As councilor, he authored 100 approved ordinances and 170 resolutions, approximating about 45 percent of the City Council’s enactments during that period. Among the ordinances are the QC Tricycle Ordinance and the Child and Youth Welfare Ordinance. He was also instrumental in the establishment of the Quezon City Polytechnic University.

He also served for several years as assistant general manager of the National Housing Authority (NHA), mainly promoting the housing projects especially for the poor and the under-privileged sectors. He also served as president of the National Home Mortgage Finance Corporation (NHMFC), assisting the informal settlers in socialized housing, particularly the Community Mortgage Program.

He is the co-host of the long running drama anthology, “Kapag Nasa Katwiran Ipaglaban Mo,” a TV show that helps Filipinos to be God-loving and law-abiding citizens. He is seeking the post of senator to be able to help in promoting the general welfare and interest of the Filipino people. I appeal to our voters to support and vote for him because I know, as his father, that he will do his very best to serve our country which is his obsession when he was still of tender age.