The wheat from the chaff

November 15 is the deadline for candidates to withdraw or switch their previous COC – certificate of candidacy.

This early, though, we are now seeing such political maneuvering for the 2022 elections.

Interestingly, just like in the last 2016 elections, the members of the same family switches from an earlier filed candidacy for mayor to a national position with another family member reporting that he was ordered/instructed to file his candidacy for mayorship.

While the daughter is still not commenting on why she withdrew her candidacy for mayorship, speculations are rife she will run for President like her father or she may settle for vice presidency.

Meanwhile, negotiations have been busy, ongoing, and more to take place between now and November 15.

The public can expect that there will be other withdrawals and switching from those loyal to the father of this candidate daughter.

Already, an emotional vice presidential candidate confirmed that it will be unavoidable that decisions will soon be announced which may include his withdrawal of his candidacy.

Expect more candidates to engage in this political musical chair game.

Who will slide down from a higher to a lower position, who will withdraw and who will align with whom will be known from November 15 till even just before the May 2022 election day!

Why all these withdrawals, switching and alignment, re-alignment?

The name of the game is politics for the power-hungry. Ensuring victory is their goal, being in power the ultimate victory.

Genuine public service is not their main agenda, not their main interest. Power and all its attendant perks and privileges are the stakes they are aiming for.

Hopefully, prayerfully, we hope the Filipino voters can discern and select the genuine public servants, the sincere servant-leaders from among the candidates for next year’s elections.

These biblical verses come to mind- Matthew 3:12 and Luke 3:17 that refer to the separation of the wheat from the chaff.

May the voters be guided by the message of these bible verses. May the voters remember “he whose fan is in his hand who will purge his floor and will gather the wheat (the grain) into his barn: but the chaff (the husk) he will burn with unquenchable fire.”

May our Filipino voters be guided by the Holy Spirit to discern the true sincere candidates who will serve our people especially the marginalized, the needy, and the vulnerable.

May our Filipino voters select those who will be guided by God to unite and to heal our nation.

May our Filipino voters elect those who worship God rather than those who think they are gods.

May the Filipino voters select those who have palabra de honor, those with integrity, those with proven track record of consistent, sincere public service.

Beyond the might and display of power and wealth, of the 3 Gs- goons, guns and gold – from now till election day next year, may the Filipinos scrutinize all candidates in terms of pro-people, pro-country performance and perspectives.

For example, what is the view of candidates and what have they actually done regarding the following important issues:

One, on Kalayaan, on the independence of the Philippines. What do the candidates think about the West Philippine Sea and what have they actually done about this?

What do the candidates think about the Chinese presence in casinos, in the Pharmally deal, and, in other business transactions?

On Kalusugan, on health. Again, what have the candidates actually done during the pandemic and what are their clear health and anti-covid plans/policies for our people and our country?

On Kahirapan, on poverty. On Kalikasan, on environment.

Who has done what, when, where for the sustainable protection and sustenance of our people, our poor/needy and of our environment/ resources?