Choose wisely

The 2019 campaign period for national bets has already begun. Candidates are busy conducting their campaigns. Their campaign posters and other campaign materials were already set and you can see it everywhere. Likewise, TV networks are conducting their electoral debates to test candidates’ ability to answer different issues in our country.

I am excited to express my rights as a first time voter. I am curious about our senatorial candidates and want to know their platforms because I believe voters should be intelligent and wise in choosing candidates since these people will serve our nation for six years and will represent me and other fellow Filipinos.

On the other hand, I don’t have the time to personally witness their campaigns, what I did is to watch the Debate 2019: The GMA Senatorial Face-Off on Feb. 9. All candidates are good debaters and they have brilliant ideas and opinions.

However, I am disappointed with the answer of senatorial candidate Rep. Neri Colmenares who is a human rights lawyer and a Makabayan representative.

GMA reporter Howie Severino who served as panelist event asked him, “Sabi nyo tutol kayo sa lahat ng human rights violation kahit sino yong gumagawa? Tumutol na ba kayo sa mga human rights violation, mga allegations of human rights violation by the New Peoples Army? Rep. Neri Colmenares answered, “Yes. Para naman sa amin syempre, maski sino ang gumawa noon maski NPA o AFP, dapat tutulan yon. Inamin naman ng NPA na nagkamali sila. Ang problema kasi dito napakaraming Human Rights violation ang tsi-na-charge sa military kung saan hindi nila inaamin kaya mas tutok ang human rights groups sa kapulisan at military.”

 What? I think there is something wrong with his answer. I am not as intelligent as them but his answer is biased. For me, whether the offender of human rights accept his offense or not, it is the responsibility of a human rights lawyer to investigate and give attention to their actions. Since the offender accepts his/their offense like the NPA, then they are guilty of the violation and charges should be filled against them. But what happens is human rights lawyers do not do anything that’s why this terrorist group continue to do their atrocities. In the case of state forces, since they are not accepting the accusations, then they must continue to be investigated.

As for me I should think and choose wisely and I encourage all other voters to do so. – ARTHURO SALIC, Kuliat, Project 6, Quezon City