EDITORIAL - Discernment over other ties

Not so long ago we wrote an editorial about choosing candidates for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections wisely and well. With today being election day, it does not hurt to reiterate this message.

It is very easy to underestimate the importance of a barangay; it’s small, it doesn’t have much people in it, and --taken individually-- it may not appear to impact the politics or economy of a town or a city at all.

However, it’s the barangays that make up that town or that city. It’s in individual barangays where establishments or institutions that contribute to the development and growth of a local government unit are located. Everyone lives in a barangay, whether it’s a poor backwater village, an enclave of millionaires, or something in between, and is impacted by how it is run.

It is also the officials of the barangays who implement basic services and carry out the laws made by those in higher office. Their positions may not come off as more influential as those above them, but for those who often have to rely on basic services, government aid, or help during disasters and calamities, they are as important as mayors, governors, congressmen, and senators

Considering that this election is at the lowest political level we can assume many voters personally know some or even quite many of those running. Voters might be frequent casual acquaintances, actual friends, or even relatives of those running.

Knowing them on a personal level is both a good and bad thing. Good because voters know their capabilities and character. Bad because ties like blood or even mere friendship can dictate how we vote, considering how Filipinos have such a strong sense of family as well as community.

Even the smallest amount of gratitude over the smallest favor done can impact how one votes.

This can make voting for certain candidates easy, even if they aren’t qualified to hold public office, even if they have proven more than once that they can’t do the job, even if they are just not suitable for the position.

This election day, we hope people go for discernment over any other considerations.