For once, let the vote speak, and let us abide by it

For Leni Robredo and her supporters, there is no loftier aspiration than to deny another Marcos access to Malacañang. Succeed in that, they believe, and everything else will just fall into place. For her detractors, Leni is too narrow, shallow and naive that her presidency might be a presidency of greedy, manipulative and opportunistic advisers.

For Bongbong Marcos and his supporters, reclaiming Malacañang presents a golden opportunity to restore the family name to its old glory, rectify the mistakes of his father, and be the healing president who will finally put the past to where it rightfully belongs. To his critics and enemies, a Marcos will always be a Marcos and cannot be forgiven. Even the smallest chance for a return courts disaster and must not be taken.

For Isko Moreno and his supporters, the way to the future is through the path of least resistance, the middle ground, where moderation courts neither rancor nor entitlement, that every man must work for his betterment with opportunity, encouragement and assistance provided by government. Critics suspect he is a Duterte stooge and cannot be trusted.

For Manny Pacquiao, the poor needs to get a better shake from government. The homeless need to be provided homes, the jobless jobs, the threatened security. His detractors say the guy does not know anything and will only be an embarrassment to the country. They say the perils and pitfalls of a Pacquiao presidency are too great and risky to ignore. Like Leni's, it will be a presidency of his innermost circle, those who have his ears.

For Ping Lacson and his supporters, the time has come for a clean, honest, and disciplined government. Achieve that, and a productive, progressive, healthy and law-abiding citizenry will finally make the country a proud member of the world community. His detractors are uncomfortable with his martial law background, his history in dealing with gangs, and his former association with the Estrada presidency.

For Bato dela Rosa, his seriousness in running for the presidency is matched only by the greatness of his readiness and willingness to give way to Sara Duterte if she changes her mind and runs for president. Bato has no real supporters. His detractors look at him with scorn, seeing his filing for the presidency a travesty of the process.

For the 91 others who filed certificates for the presidency, each in their own minds, whether with clarity or with delusion, with honest resolve and conviction or with mischief or in spite --they all must think they can do it. Also with neither support nor even kind humor, they stand alone, waiting to be struck down by the nuisance reaper without seeing the light of election day.

But the election is not what the candidate says or what the supporter agrees with. Neither is it what the critic or detractor rebuts and debunks. The election is what the voice of the citizen enunciates and amplifies. It is his will. It is his choice. It represents the direction he wants to go. It is a personal decision finding embodiment in a public mandate.

For too long this country has not abided by any election outcome. And that is why we have never matured, progressed and become what we deserve ever since we had elections after independence. We always get divided by the results because we are selfish. No one wants the other side to win. More critically, we think we are always right, the other side wrong. For once let the vote speak, and let us abide by what it says.