Post election blues

As of writing, I am withstanding deafening silence in my bedroom, a night before election day. Prior to taking my night's rest, I took a quick scan of the city. It is my first time back in the field and during elections. I'm not used to empty streets and checkpoints all around. I guess this is what it means to fight for a clean and honest election.

By the time you all get to read this, it will be the day after the polls. The anxiety doubles as we wait for the official results. It is doubled because we are unsure if there is transparency as the votes are being transmitted. We are also unsure if the votes are rigged. What is even more unsure is if Filipinos voted for the best person to run the country.

While we wait for the winners, what's going through my mind is their first hundred days. Will we have a new set of leaders who want to wipe everything their predecessor has done, or shall they continue a so-called legacy? On a personal note, leaving a legacy is somewhat subjective because we have different standards for our leaders. Others may see concrete projects like infrastructure as a form of legacy. The smart ones know that the legacy for them is a better life for Filipinos. This would include lower prices of basic commodities like gasoline, food, and the like.

I wonder what it’s going to be like in the next six years. For so long, I have been wanting to be that type of taxpayer who doesn’t mind paying because I know my hard-earned money goes to decent projects and programs for the betterment of the Filipino. Right now, I am even worried that my children will be paying for the debt this administration plunged us into.

The transition months will be painful for those incumbent officials who were not chosen again by the people. They can claim they were cheated or their tactics don’t work anymore. At some point, the citizenry will crave for a breath of fresh air. The demand for good governance isn’t an offense to those in position. It’s their right as citizens.

It is still uncertain what the future may face. We don’t know if the next administration will bring about the change and development we long for, let alone accountability. While the numbers continue to pile up, I try my best to sleep well without feeling fearful for the future of my children. I kneel in prayer that divine intervention bless the counting of the polls without compromising its sanctity. This is indeed a tough time for us all, yet we made it through. Onwards to the next administration that we all deserve.