Time for a cool change!

The Philippines has just had its most peaceful election, ever. Despite the protests of the few about the "failure" of COMELEC and the alleged "conspiracy" in the election, the PPRCV Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting declared that the election returns and the ballot receipts were 100% matched.

There will always be a question of the integrity and validity of the poll results, especially from the opposing side.

What is the purpose of running for a seat? To serve. Agree or agree? Everyone won't be selected in the office- there will be losers and winners. And I believe that it is just right to show sportsmanship. Issues with the VCM machines and other allegations will be investigated, as per what the President advised COMELEC. Let's see in the next few days.

You know what, I don't usually post political articles here because it might stir some debate but I hope you are open-minded enough to read this.

So the question is, why are there people complaining about the result? Because they cannot accept the fact that the son of the former president and "dictator" of the Philippines is now the 17th President of the country. I see protests from Imperial Manila and some threats to go abroad. Firstly, we are a democratic country so do what you think is right.

What happened to Martial Law?

If you were not born during 1972, Martial Law was declared because of the threat to National Security by the Communist Party of the Philippines. If you check the constitution- it was a must to do it at that moment. Did the Aquino take over during Martial Law when Ninoy died? Of course not. It was just the end of the Marcos regime but Martial Law was ended in 1981 by Marcos himself. Did the Marcoses kill Ninoy? Was it proven? Of course not. Because it wasn't them who did it. If you wanna know, then do your research.

Did they steal gold and other treasures from the Philippine government? Where are they right now? If you don't know most of those treasures were taken under the PCGG or Presidential Commission on Good Government by the former administrations. Was there a public announcement as to where the money went? Did the people enjoy the money? Nope. Don't you know that the PCGG officers became rich because of those "ill-gotten" wealth? I am not pointing fingers. It is up to you to think.

And one of the toxic mentalities we adopted from our Spanish colonizers was being judgemental. What do I mean by this? We usually judge even without basis. Even if the accused is not proven guilty. We think that the sin of the father is the sin of the son. Come on, we are now in 2o22. Christ has already paid for all our sins. Adam's time is already done. The old testament doesn't apply anymore.

You accuse them of being "magnanakaw" but you cannot really prove it. If you are in their shoes, how would you feel? I can personally attest to that same kind of accusation when my father became a drunkard. We were judged to be like our father too. But we didn't end up like him. What your ancestors did will not define you or your whole family. And I guess it would be fair not to judge the Marcoses like that as well.

Why do you have so much hatred in your heart when you were not even born during the Martial Law?

And to be neutral, I am not happy with the experiences of the victims of Martial Law and all the abuses. Was it proven that it was mandated by the president? There is no perfect governance, someone who tells you that is living in fantasy land. Just like what happened to PRRD's war on drugs. They said EJK or extrajudicial killing. It is true that there were malpractices of the police but it doesn't mean that it's all of the PNP. There will always be rotten tomatoes in a basket of tomatoes.

If you don't know. The drug situation in the country was already too rampant like stage 4 cancer. We were almost next to Mexico. PRRD said to give him 6 months to abolish drugs but he was surprised to see how bad it is. And if you don't walk on the streets like me- before it was scary to go out because I could see drug addicts and snatchers everywhere and there was no police visibility. If there are policemen, they are the protectors of those bad people. But most people said they felt safer when the war on drugs has taken place.

What I want to say is that, do not judge a person based on where is from. If you think the presumptive president is bad, did you do research on how he governed his region? Is Ilocos poor, dirty, high on crimes, or have massive drug issues? Ask your friends from Ilocos Norte or some random people from Ilocos. Be open-minded.

What this country needs are people who are willing to change, to accept change not for their personal gain but for the good of all. Being a leader is to serve, not to be served or worshipped like Mary or any saints. And if you are really pro-Philippines, you will think of the country's welfare not your own emotions.

We sometimes win and lose- that is a harsh reality of life. We do not get all we want. And let us peacefully move on. If you can't, then be that vigilante who will observe what the new president will do in the next 6 years. Be a critique not because you want to fight for your own ideals but because you want to fight for the Filipino people.

Support those leaders who will uplift the lives of the ordinary Filipinos, who will make life comfortable for them, not only for the few. Support those servants who will empower each of its citizens, not empower those who are rich, famous, and wealthy. Support those officials who will recognize your right and will do all of their willpower to protect it, not those officials who will only serve the selected few. Those officers will remove the gap between the poor and the rich, not the ones who will widen it.

For the past 6 years of my life, I have seen:

The great improvements in the infrastructures of the country. In the airport- seats were given unlike before when I sat on the floor. And the CRs were clean with lots of toilet paper unlike before when the CRS were very smelly and there were no toiletries. And the tanim-bala issue seemed impossible to stop and I could only pity those victims, especially the old ones. But it was stopped during PRRD's administration.

Before Guadualupe and other streets in Manila were very crowded and dirty, but I saw the change and felt it. It became safer to walk around. Police and military were visible.

MRT was rehabilitated. Before it will either derail or stop in the middle of the railway but now, you will see the new trains being installed and operated. And all of its elevators and escalators are fully operational too.

We now have Skyway which is very convenient to use. I admit I felt proud to be a Filipino when I was on the Skyway.

Government services have improved drastically where the staff was more friendly and professional.

I gave birth to Fabella in 2014 and I had the most horrible experience in my life. Yes. I was being shouted at by the doctors, nurses, and utility staff. The place was dirty. The CR was so freaking gross. There were 4 patients on 1 bed. Did you see the New Fabella now? Check it for yourself.

And I want a President and government who will continue this kind of service to its citizens, rich or not. My full support will be given to those leaders who will help this country to its betterment- to move on, move forward from its dark past. Who will set itself free from the hands of the NPA and other terrorists. Who will listen to the cry of the masses, not the laughter of the rich. Who has the heart to give and serve even the lowest of the people.

If you only want to live in the Philippines because of the leader you voted for, you really don't love your country. Because if you do, you will be a good citizen no matter what your political color is. So my friend, isn't it a time for a cool change?

Author's note: No debate or any fight intended. DYOR before you conclude.

All content is mine. The lead image was from Unsplash.com

©HermaniGinger