An Assertive COMELEC Can Dissipate Rumors

Despite the assurances coming from the military brass and Malacanang officials that the May 10 automated elections will push through, the country is rife with rumors and conspiracies relating to the expected failure of elections scenario. Even presidential bets are affected by it as they issued possible moves should there be an attempt to prevent the holding of elections or to mess up the results. Some religious bishops even participated in the current public debate on whether there will be a failure of elections and what the public should do should such scenario take place. Despite all these, the country is now ironically one busy place on earth for election campaigning. National and local candidates are now working 24/7 to convince the voting population that they are the right choice for the country come May 10 polls. In effect, rumors of failure of elections are either relegated in the sideline or that the people are still weighing the credibility of this event from happening. Perhaps a quick assurance from the COMELEC coupled by their ability to strengthen their mandate to conduct a clean and safe elections on May 10 will calm the nerves of people who worry day and night about the possibility of election failure. Election officials should start to be assertive and prevent chaos and confusion from happening. They should enforce election rules and mete out penalties or punishments to candidates and political parties who abuse them. During the election campaign period up to the actual day of voting, an assertive COMELEC operating as an independent constitutional body can maintain order and cause rumors to dissipate by simply adhering to its mandate to conduct elections and enforce the rules with clarity and decisiveness. If it continues to be in the background while all kinds of rumors and gimmicks are taking place, then there is no question that May 10 polls will fail. Right now, the most powerful political entity in the country in terms of powers and responsibilities is the COMELEC. On the other hand, it is also the body that will absorb most of the blame should the first automated polls of the country fail and no winners are declared.

Opportunity Knocking

The May elections event is an opportunity knocking for the Filipino people. It is not a job offer but a duty - a qualified duty not just to vote but to transform that vote to put to rest the twin problems of corruption and poverty that have plagued the country for years. Every Filipino voter should therefore vote with this in mind. It is the future of the country that is at stake here. Reforms in government can only begin when you have elected leaders that are serious and committed in eradicating the root problems of slow economic development --- corruption and poverty. If the lure of money overcomes the call of patriotism, then the vote that could have spelled the difference between permament political reforms and shoddy political promises is rendered wasted. Filipino voters should therefore vote with their conscience. This is one opportunity knocking. A vote can level a mountain of problems in a democratic country such as the Philippines. Choosing well-meaning candidates with concrete programs of reforms for the good of the community and the country should be considered by the voters. And it is easy to see who they are. These candidates commit themselves to the voters. They are not moneyed candidates who suspiciously deal in vote-buying and confusing political ads. Instead, they speak from the heart. They follow election rules and are not puppets of corrupt political figures. Indeed, the May election happening is memorable for it will test the patriotism of Filipinos and challenge their ability to choose between making their vote count and solve the ills of the country or become a part of the cycle of corruption and poverty by allowing corrupt candidates to rule once again. This is an opportunity knocking and Filipino voters should take advantage of it.