In May this year, Filipinos will cast their votes for senators and party-list representatives as well as congressmen, provincial governors and city and town mayors and other local officials.
This political exercise is a crucial one as it will not only give the citizenry yet another opportunity to choose their leaders but, more important, determine whether the nation can achieve political stability that will enhance economic growth and social concord and move the nation forward.
We must evaluate the candidates on the basis of clear criteria. And what should these criteria be?
One, we should evaluate candidates on the basis of their competence for the job.
Public office, whether it involves lawmaking or implementing the law and crafting policies and programs, requires familiarity with the workings of the democratic system.
Popularity alone can get a candidate elected, but it does not guarantee that he or she will perform creditably in office.
We should be wary, for instance, of movie stars and other celebrities who can offer nothing more than their good looks and acting prowess as their only qualifications for the demanding job of public office.
Two, we should choose candidates on the basis of their integrity and character.
We should vote for those who are honest and upright, and those who have not been involved at all in graft and corruption or any misconduct involving moral turpitude.
Three, we should give preference to those candidates who are genuinely committed to democracy and the democratic process. We should vote for those who truly believe in participatory democracy, people’s empowerment and political pluralism.
And four, we should select candidates on the basis of what they can offer by way of a clear program of governance. The electorate deserves a clear vision for the future from those who seek to govern.
We should reject those candidates who say they want to serve, but have neither the intellect nor the wisdom to offer a clear vision for the future.
We should choose candidates who will help steer the nation forward to peace and progress, not those who will bring us backward through sheer lack of a platform and a vision for tomorrow.
We should not limit our choices to the political parties and coalitions as well as party-list groups. Those running as independents also deserve to be seen and heard.
The polls will take place on May 12 with the spotlight on the capability of the Commission on Elections to ensure free and fair elections in thousands of precincts throughout the country.
But we hope the Comelec upholds the integrity of the electoral process, and rises to the challenge of making democracy work through free and fair polls.
Free, fair and transparent polls in May this year will set the stage for free, fair and transparent presidential elections in 2028. And polls marred by widespread violence and fraud today will only mean that we are likely to have similarly tainted elections in 2028.
The May midterm election is not just another exercise of our right of suffrage, it is an occasion for us to affirm our faith in the democratic process.
Honest, orderly and peaceful elections will reflect the maturity of the Filipino electorate, strengthen our democracy, and pave the way for peace and progress in the years ahead.