Election in the Philippines Essay

â€Å"It is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities,† said Dumbledore of one of my favourite books, Harry Potter. Was my ‘direct speech’ properly-written? *stereotypical-cheerleader-giggle* Being a democratic country, we are given the opportunity to choose our country’s leaders in a marvel called ‘election’. But in a country where officials use their position for graft and corruption and enjoy a monopoly of political power to the disadvantage of rival leaders called â€Å"political dynasty†. Some of them even resort to unfair if not illegal means to keep their political rivals out of office: corruption, fraud, violence, vote-buying and intimidation. Graft and corruption in the Philippines has long been a topic of concern for those interested in improving the conditions in the area. The corruption of government officials and the failure of governmental leaders to use their position of power wisely has led to ongoing financial hardship throughout the nation and restricted its economic growth and cultural development. Since its inception, the Philippines has been known as an area suffering from such severe corruption. Moreover, the issue of political dynasties has heated up in relation to the 2013 candidates for the Senate who come from one and the same family or clan and thus bear the same surname as another senator, or President Aquino himself. In this sense, loud public criticism and some cynicism greeted the announcement of senatorial candidates for the 2013 elections. One set belongs to the majority coalition: Bam Aquino, the President’s cousin; Sen. Alan Peter, brother of Sen. Pia Cayetano and others. Under the banner of the United Nationalist Alliance, led by Vice President Jejomar Binay, the senatorial candidates include his eldest daughter, Nancy; Rep. Juan Ponce Enrile Jr. who would be joining his father, the Senate President; Rep. J.V. Ejercito who would join his brother, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada. In this rumpus, we can also cite many provinces and cities with political dynasties giving no opportunity to other aspiring leaders which may be more competent. The major problem—one of the major problems, for there are several—one of the many major problems with governing people is that of whom you get to do it; or rather of who manages to get people to let them do it to them. To summarize: it is a well-known fact that those people who must want to rule people are, *ipso facto, those least suited to do it. To summarize the summary: anyone who is capable of getting themselves made government ofiicials should on no account be allowed to do the job. This year is our chance to contend with this. Make shrewd decisions and choices because our choices will affect our future. In the long run, we shape our lives, and we shape ourselves. The process never ends until we die. And the choices we make are ultimately our own responsibility. You and I are essentially infinite choice-makers. In every moment of our existence, we are in that field of all possibilities where we have access to infinity of choices. Choices. Choices. Choices. You are doomed to make them. This is life’s greatest paradox. The chains continue to ignite. I am part of the chain; you are part of the chain. Can we be chains of positive change? For sure, none would claim he has seen three sides of a coin. Decisions, coming by two, are always placed in the individual’s capacity to discern truthfulness and goodness against fallacy or wickedness. Are you HEADing out for a brighter country free from corruption and poverty or are you TAILing down on a movement towards gloomy befouled Philippines?