The mood was festive. The supporters came in similar colors, whether all black, or all yellow tee-shirts. Some even wore caps. There was no element of seriousness, just fun. Is this the way we should regard elections, a time for fiesta?
For a country that has undergone typhoon disasters, floods, hunger, deaths and so much more, it is a wonder that our people are still taking everything in stride, finding something to laugh about, to smile and kid each other in public while waiting for their candidate/s to arrive and file their Certificate/s of Candidacy.
Maybe elections should be studied in the grades up to college in order to instill among the people its seriousness as a central focus for our country to be in order, to be peacefully concentrated as we choose our leaders.
The problem is that, as we reach voting age, that is the only time that we get to know how the ballot looks like, how a candidate is selected, how the officials are listed as accepted candidates, and so forth and so on. I think that is not really a very good approach.
Everyone should be knowledgeable about elections even while young in order to know that it is the Pinnacle of being a good citizen -- exercising one's right to choose the leaders of the country. Singing the national anthem, reciting Panatang Makabayan, or even saluting officials are nothing compared to filling up the ballot with the names of ethical leaders who would be handling the reins of power later on.
As I waded through the mass of supporters on the last day of filing of COCs I noticed that even at the steps going up the Comelec office at the Palacio del Gobernador, the spaces had been occupied. I felt deprived of my right to present myself as a candidate, and also, I felt marginalized by the huge mind-setting actions of the supporters. Is it not the case that music bands, banderitas, tee-shirts with the names of their candidates are forms of mind-setting that they will win the elections?
No, it did not feel right at all. I think it is within the power of the Comelec to require that all supporters should be 50 meters away from the building of the office. That space is reserved for those who are coming with their companions to file their COCs, to have a peaceful walk to the office as they mull over the significance of their act.
Sobriety not bruhaha is the characteristic of a mature electorate.
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