Living in a society wherein the rich get wealthier while the poor get poorer—it is frustrating to witness how elections have always been dominated by popular candidates, especially by those who are infamous for having criminal records.
They say bad publicity is still publicity. Indeed, convicted officials have proven it with how they are still receiving an enormous amount of support as they run for higher office.
What is even more alarming are Filipinos who are normalizing this as they lose hope for government reform.
“Pare-pareho lang naman sila, bakit hindi nalang doon sa subok na,” is what we always hear from those who root for presidential aspirant Bongbong Marcos Jr., who is a convicted tax evader.
You’ll know our country is in a hopeless case when we keep on electing candidates involved in graft and corruption cases like Jinggoy Estrada and also by those celebrities who use politics as a retirement plan like Robin Padilla.
The question is, why would we opt for convicted officials when we’ve got a long list of those who know the law better than those legislators who have the tendency to manipulate it?
Filipinos have always been after the familiarity of names—of whose families have been in the politics for a long time to stay in power.
Meanwhile, the underrated aspirants who didn’t have a vast amount of money to spend for the campaign would automatically lose the election.
We need public servants, not politicians; criminals should never be an option when there are candidates who have clean track records and genuine intentions to serve.
Credentials may not be a requirement, but it speaks for one’s character. Just like how every employer carefully selects their applicants, they require them to present their National Bureau of Investigations clearance before entrusting them a post in their company.
Despite the fact that we all know how our justice system only favors those who are seated from above, it is not to discriminate against those who have criminal records and still want to live a new life.
A tainted name for a nameless person limits their life opportunities as they get to experience the most discrimination. But how come known politicians involved with many atrocities are never held accountable; the worse is that Filipinos even look up to them.
For a long time, we have been settling for less because we are not used to how we should be treated—thinking it is normal to have a low minimum wage, overworked yet underpaid workers, a broken justice system, and corrupt officials.
Nevertheless, our broken system serves as a reminder for us to be more critical of who we elect as lives are at stake.
But, it is never too late to make a change; we must check where our loyalty stands as we defend these officials who barely do the minimum.
Comments