Why we need to get it right  

Tomorrow is election day. The Filipino people will again exercise the right of suffrage upon which the power to determine the future of this country resides. Individually, each qualified voter, through the sanctity of the secrecy of the ballot, fearlessly chooses who he wants to lead. Collectively, the Filipino nation, under the desired expectation of a free and honest elections, empowers itself to be the ultimate arbiter of who the next president will be.

Undoubtedly, this election is one of the most important political exercises in recent Philippine history. The next chief executive should be able to lead a nation faced with extreme challenges both in domestic affairs and in the international sphere. Issues of immediate consequence to every Filipino are waiting to be addressed at the moment after he/she is sworn in. How do we fight COVID-19 in ways that are more effective not only in saving lives but also in saving a faltering economy? What fiscal policies must we adopt in order to prevent or minimize the strain on our public finances? What measures do we need to implement that seek to restrain inflation, promote economic growth, increase wages, expand job opportunities, and lower the prices of goods and services? Are we doing enough to assure better education for our children, clean environment, safer and crime-free communities? Have we curtailed graft and corruption in all levels in government?

On foreign issues, the next president should be able to tread a fine line between confronting the expansionist views of an ambitious China while at the same time mindful of the repercussions of the national economy and the Philippines' relations with other concerned countries. How can he/she handle the growing threats of cyberattacks and terrorism? In matters of world economy, what measures must we adopt to counter the post-pandemic effects such as supply chain disruptions, rising interest rates, drastic technological shifts, integrated digitalization, and even climate change? After the Duterte regime mired with accusations of state-sponsored extrajudicial killings and human rights abuses, how do we regain our moral ground in the community of nations?

With elections, the conventional wisdom has always been to choose who among the candidates one deems worthy to occupy the highest office of the land. And rightfully so, for such is the reason for holding it. However, beyond just a simplistic process of elimination, tomorrow's presidential election is also the Filipino people's date with destiny. In these abnormal times, there is no place to hide, no excuses for retreat into what was considered ordinary and routine. There is a new world out there. There is a compelling necessity for the next Philippine president to have a clear vision in steering this country into stability during these anxious times. Tomorrow, there is even a more compelling necessity for the Filipino people to get it right.