Vote!

In less than a week, on May 9, the Philippines will hold its next national and local elections. We will be electing the leaders who we think can best run our country and serve the public. Most have already made their choice of candidates and many have already made their choices known to the public. Unfortunately, some have condemned those who have made a different choice with hateful and vicious words. Some have attacked the character of the candidates who are running against their choice and some have gone further to attack the character of those supporting a different candidate.

I have experienced these aggressive encroachments in social media but thankfully I was able to recruit considerable restraint to avoid any untoward incidents. This is an experience which I share with many friends who have also been castigated because of the candidates they support. One friend of mine who has been the subject of a barrage of attacks since the start of the campaign period is Toni Gonzaga. Toni has openly supported presidential candidate Bongbong Marcos, vice-presidential candidate Sara Duterte and the candidates running for senator under the UniTeam. She has spoken in public to praise the candidates she supports but she has never spoken against any candidate or any other person. Despite the defamatory imputations and malicious remarks against her and her family, she has never fought back and has remained free from resentfulness or vindictiveness. She has done nothing to deserve the enmity hurled against her. I salute her for being magnanimous and gracious in the midst of much antagonism.

We have different choices and we may feel strongly for or against some candidates, but let us not resort to maligning anyone. It is our right to voice out our opinions for or against the candidates this election and a healthy debate is encouraged, but let us never use violent words or be hostile against others who do not share the same views or who have a different candidate. We can support our candidates without putting others down.

In these final days before the election, decide wisely who to vote for and you may also use this time to make sure that you can actually vote.

The first thing you need to do is check your voter registration status. The easiest way to do this is through the Comelec’s official Precinct Finder site:  https://voterverifier.comelec.gov.ph/voter_precinct

The site will show you your registration status and it should be “Active” for you to be able to vote; your polling place and your precinct number. If there is a discrepancy or problem with your records, email  [email protected] or call your local Comelec office. You can find the contact information of these offices here: https://comelec.gov.ph/?r=ContactInformation/FieldOffices

Before you head out to vote on the day itself, remember that we must still be vigilant of COVID-19, so you will be required to wear a face mask. It’s also advisable to bring some form of official identification or ID (a Voter’s ID is not required to vote) and a pen of your own in case you need to sign something else such as the voter’s list. However, you must use the official Comelec markers to mark your ballots.

You may also want to list down your precinct number. You can also bring a list of the candidates you are voting for (but you cannot bring campaign materials with you).

When you arrive at your designated polling place, there will be a temperature check at the entrance. Based on a resolution of the Comelec, those with a consistent temperature of more than 37.5 degrees Celsius will still be allowed to vote (this is your right, whether or not you are sick) but will be directed to an Isolation Polling Place. You need not present a negative COVID test to enter the polling place, nor will you be required to present your COVID-19 vaccination card – but for your own safety and that of others, I highly encourage everyone to get vaccinated and boosted.

Once inside, proceed to the voter’s assistance desk to get directions to where you will be voting.  At your assigned room/location, present yourself to a member of the Electoral Board and they will give you your ballot, ballot secrecy folder and marking pen. Check your ballot and make sure there are no tears, marks or already shaded areas.

Remember to use the ballot secrecy folder and to fully shade the oval that appears before the names of your chosen candidate. Don’t vote for more than the allowed number of candidates. Don’t erase anything on the ballot, or put any distinguishing mark, and remember not to take a picture or recording of it – these are all election offenses.

Afterwards, voters will feed their ballot into the Vote Counting Machine. The machine will dispense a voter’s receipt – you can use this to check that the machine correctly reflected who you voted for. Deposit the receipt in the proper receptacle (you can’t take pictures of the receipt either) and then have your finger stained with the indelible ink. Congratulations – you’ve voted!

Let me end with this plea: Whatever your political beliefs may be, please vote on May 9. Even if you feel like your one vote will not matter amidst the millions of other votes cast – go out and vote.

A vote is not only valuable because it decides the victor. The value of a vote is that it is a recognition that the power of a government must come from its people; it is an acknowledgment that we live in a community and that the community deserves to be heard; it is participation in the grand human project of figuring out how to live with each other, and a sign that we are still invested in trying to make things better.

Your vote alone doesn’t solve the nation’s problems. But it is a commitment to being part of the solution. It is after the election that we see that commitment through.

Whoever you will be voting for, I respect your choice and I respect you. Whoever your choice of candidates are, I do not judge you. Despite our differing colors this election, I believe that we all want the best for our country. No matter who wins, if we truly love our country, let us rally behind the choice of the Filipino people and unite to build a better Philippines for all.