The way we were
DURING these past few days, we saw candidates from various political parties in a mild frenzy as they filed their COCs (certificates of candidacy) for the 2019 mid-term election at the COMELEC. It reminded me that not much had really changed in the way we conduct the pre-electoral processes.
While Comelec had specified that candidates may be accompanied by no more than four companions, it bent its own rules in the case of Presidential Assistant Bong Go who was accompanied by President Duterte himself and a large group of followers. Another disappointing observation is the dominance of political dynasties.
Three of President Duterte’s children are running for the top local government positions. Imelda Marcos will be running for governor of Ilocos Note and Imee is a senatorial candidate. Families of both former President Estrada and VP Binay are running for office. The two Binay children, Abby and Jun-jun are both running for mayor of Makati. The two Cayetanos are running for Senate and Congress. We can go on and on citing many other prominent political families.
Twelve senators will be elected to take the place of 12 of our 24 current senators whose term shall have ended in May. There will be election of new members of the House of Representatives. We shall also elect local officials – governors, mayors and other officials of provincial, municipal and city governments.
Although not a presidential election, the mid-term election in May, 2019 is regarded by political parties as a presentiment of what is to come during the national election in 2022. It is seen as shaping the course of the next general election as elected candidates act as referendum on the future and assist in mobilizing voters to support their political parties. Members of the opposition can also use the mid-term election to challenge the rule of the sitting party.
Like in the past, we again witness a surfeit in the number of candidates – 152 senatorial candidates and 185 partylist candidates. We expect nuisance candidates as well as some others who would be screened out because they do not meet the qualifications. But since one has to choose from a long list,most voters vote for only about 8 0r 9 out of 12 senatorial candidates.
From what I have observed, through Facebook, media reports and enthusiasm shown by candidates and their supporters, there appears to be a show of greater interest and expectation of positive change now than it was in the recent past. While earlier surveys had shown preference for candidates belonging to the administration party, there has been a recent show of hope over the entry of opposition candidates and new faces who satisfy the public’s expectation of competence, honesty and integrity.
Social media and millennials who will be voting for the first time will play a critical role in defining the future direction of the 2019 mid-term election. President Duterte just declared that it would be a clean and credible one. We hope that he would abide by this promise. My email,