Emerging hot election issues

We are six months away from the 2019 elections and three months before the start of the campaign period, but there are emerging significant issues that are dominating and recurring in the main media and social media that may influence voters to certain candidates. These issues have varied effects depending on the socio-economic class, the demographics, and in terms of geographic location. Some issues will also affect more the candidates for national or senatorial positions and less the candidates for local positions.

It is a given that the advances in information and communication technologies have greatly changed the media ballgame, for better or for worse, in terms of the broader/wider delivery of the issues, longevity or staying power of any narrative, and even its redundancy. Still, the content and relevance of the message matters to be able connect to the target audience. Credibility is paramount especially with the neutralization of “fake news” by Facebook, Google, Twitter, and other sites, and the entry and counteractions of the main media into social media.

The dominance of “political dynasties” which have always been existing in the Philippine political scene has been getting news prominence lately because of an Ateneo University study which directly correlated the presence of “fat dynasties,” those with three or more close relatives holding elective positions, to the underdevelopment and poverty incidence of the area. The increasing presence and dominance of these dynasties in more areas, and the increasing number of relatives, are making more people notice these phenomena. For the coming election, in Cebu Province there are families with three to five close family members running. In Taguig and other areas in Metro Manila there are three to four family members running. In Davao and other parts of Mindanao, and in northern and southern Luzon the same is practiced. There are even two strange situations where the husband and wife are both running for Congress in different districts claiming they don’t live in the same house. This is political nepotism, an extreme presumption of ability, and abuse of the electorate. Voters are noticing this opportunism and this will be negative for the candidates.

Graft and corruption is also a recurring election issue in the Philippines and most developing countries. It gained prominence as this was the defining issue in the win of now Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir over Najib and who is now being legally prosecuted. The Imelda Marcos conviction for graft and corruption some 30 years ago brings back into play the amount of money lost to corruption which would have been better spent for economic development. The Duterte administration’s war on graft and corruption, which is still a “work in progress” is also under scrutiny and may affect the chances of the administration’s senatorial candidates, as a kind of referendum on his government after three years.

The state and direction of the economy is always an issue in any election in all countries. Inflation, unemployment, economic growth, poverty incidence, and income disparity affect the day-to-day lives of voters. In the Philippines these issues are viewed as national concerns so it would affect more the senatorial candidates than the local candidates. While patronage politics may temper the economic dissatisfaction of voters in the lower economic levels, the large middle class and the upper lower class who feel the higher prices, the lack of job opportunities, and see how the rich politicians live, will surely use the power of their ballots.

The current per capita income, the level of education and political awareness of Filipinos may not immediately translate into issues voters are aware of, which will lead to good governance. But we are moving in that direction and there is hope.