For our sanity

Every time elections are held in this country, we always find ourselves at the crossroads where our sanity is being tested to the limit.

It used to be that there were only two political parties fielding candidates, with the candidates belonging to the same party sharing the values and ideals of their respective parties for the interest of the nation and its people.

Election was never a complicated process then, as those selected as candidates on both sides were competent and able and had no other motivation but to serve the people in earnest.

It was always fulfilling to exercise one’s freedom of suffrage then, knowing that whoever wins in the elections will perform to the best of his or her ability and according to the moral beliefs of the party he or she is representing.

Alas, elections today have become a political circus of sorts – entertaining yet confusing and unnerving not only because of the number of political parties coalescing or aligning but more so because of the wide difference in the nature, character and notoriety of candidates running for office.

There is need, therefore, for every Filipino to be convinced that in order to preserve one’s sanity in the 2019 elections, we have to examine our own conscience and determine the best candidates who will be able to help President Rodrigo Duterte accomplish the programs he has set forth for the country during his term.

It is still a long time until Duterte’s presidency expires in 2022 and there is nothing more important than to ensure that there will be no personal or political hindrances in the country’s march to progress.

There is no doubt that Duterte’s popularity comes from his out-of-the-box type of governance that is being recognized by the people as the one that is propelling the country forward. But the only way to keep it moving positively is to have people in government that could contribute fresh and doable ideas to what the President has envisioned for the country.

What is harmful is when we allow ourselves to be suckers of pretentious candidates--young, old and very old--who because of their seeming closeness with Duterte are making a pitch about their usefulness when in reality they have hidden agenda of their own.

Let us vote intelligently and judiciously in the coming elections.