HELLO, dear readers. In this issue, I mean to put levity aside and provide the due respect and seriousness that my subject deserves.
May 10,2010 is an auspicious day for all of us Filipinos. Each of us view elections campaigns differently : many just show a tolerant attitude towards the unique accoutrements that go with Philippine political campaigns ( the posters and buntings hung in every available ‘maski bawal’ na space na pagkakabitan at pagdidikitan; the irritating halt of road traffic while candidates and supporters go motorcading; the blare of political speeches from p a systems and loudspeakers; and the Pinoy’s habit of immersing himself, body and mind in support of his ‘manok’, his chosen candidate starting from day 1 of campaign; many, especially the ‘sosyalins’ sneer at the ‘kababawans’ they witness; but, let’s face it, most enjoy this one time of the political season when they can participate in their democratic right and prerogatives, given time to express his own opinions and be wooed lovingly by candidates.
Of course, over the years nag- iba iba na rin ang styles ng mga kandidatong pulitiko pati na rin natin/naming mga botante since the first Philippine Presidential election was held in September 15, 1935. That political exercise which chose the Presidential, National Assembly and local leaders was paved by the passing of the Tydings- Mcduffie Act, an Act that called for the estab- lishment of a transitory government for the Philippines.
Naglaban- laban noong 1935 sina Manuel Luis Quezon ng Partido Coalicion Nacionalista, Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo ng National Socialist Party at Supreme Bishop and Founder Gregorio Aglipay ng Philippine Independent Church representing the Republican Party.
Quezon won easily with 695, 332 votes representing 67.99% of the voting population. Revolutionary Gen. Aguinaldo got 179, 349 votes, which meant that he got 17.54% of the voting population to write his name in the ballot. His lead over Bishop Aglipay was quite narrow- the good bishop got 14. 47.% or a total of 148, 010 votes.
Take note, uso na pala ang pang iintriga noon pa man- ikinalat ang tsismis that Gen Aguinaldo received bribe money from Spanish authorities when he was on exile in Hongkong. Bumagsak ang kredibilidad ng mama- at natalo.
Quezon’s running mate Sergio Osmena got a bigger voter share than him- 86. 91% of the voting population chose him to be VP (that was 812, 352 votes). His opponents were Independents Raymundo Melizza (with 70, 899 votes or 7. 59% of total votes) and Norberto Nabong (51, 443 votes or 5.50% of total).
The May 2010 elections will be the 15th Presidential elections exercise in our country.
These past elections were in 1941 (with winning reelectionists Quezon and Osmena taking their oaths of office in Corregidor where they hied off when Japan invaded the Philippines. We pause from our enumeration to review what happened when these officials were spirited away to safety to the US via submarine just as Japanese forces were getting strong in Luzon.
In December of 1942, all Philippine political parties were dissolved. This led to the formation of one party, the KALIBAPI ( Kapisanan sa Paglilingkod sa Bagong Pilipinas.). In 1943, 20 Filipinos were nominated for the Preparatory Commission preparatory for independence. In September of that same year, the Preparatory Commission selected the delegates to the new National Assembly which in turn elected the new leaders Jose P. Laurel as President, and Benigno Aquino Sr and Ramon Avancena, the 2 vice- presidents.
It was a period of extreme chaos and poverty for Filipinos. The Laurel administration( also known as the Puppet Republic) was much- despised by many. In fact, an attempt on Laurel’s life was made while he was playing golf at Wack- wack in Mandaluyong. Four bullets from a 45 cal.gun hit his body. He miraculously survived. Laurel and the others who served during the Japanese regime were, after liberation, exonerated from all war crime accusations.
Liberation came and the Philippine Republic was established. The list continues with 1946 (Sergio Osmena); 1949 ( Manuel Roxas); 1953 (Elpidio Quirino); 1957( Ramon Magsaysay) ; 1961( Carlos P. Garcia); 1961 ( Diosdado Macapagal); 1965 (Ferdinand Marcos); 1969 (Ferdinand Marcos re- elected); 1981( Ferdinand Marcos reelected under the post martial law regime). Let’s pause again to see how elections were during this time:
Marcos’bid for reelection in 1969 was successful with an unprecedented showing at the polls. Then, martial law was declared in 1972. For twelve years, no election was held. Then martial law was lifted and in 1981, the first post martial law presidential elections was conducted. It was Marcos as president all over again as a massive victory for him was declared at the polls.
In 1983, Benigno Aquino, Jr., Marcos’ forever nemesis was mortally gunned down just as he was alighting from the plane for his return to the Philippines after some years of exile from the US. The public outcry and indignation against the government was loud, angry and long. Until it culminated in the People Power Movement of ’86. Marcos had to flee the country. Cory AQuino, Ninoy’s widow emerged as President, the first woman President of this country.
To continue…1992 ( Fidel V. Ramos); 1998 ( Joseph Estrada then turned over to Gloria Arroyo via EDSA Dos); and 2004( Gloria Arroyo running for a legitimate 6- year term as President).
The 2004 elections raised big doubts and questions from non fans of the lady President. Many, up to now, believe that presidential candidate Fernando Poe Jr. was the real winner. This belief was further bolstered with the ‘Garci’ incident where people believe that the President exerted pressure on Comelec for her to win the Presidency.
As I was saying, May 10, 2010 will be added to the list of significant elections days in the country. There are so many things that we want proved: Will automation work? Will it minimize alleged/ suspected rampant cheating happening everytime pollstime comes (come to think of it, talagang wala pa namang nakukulong accused of cheating in the polls. Right and left ,however ang claims, especially from election losers that they were cheated. Vigilant na rin ba ang Pinoy? Nakikialam na at di na papayag sa dayaang isinasagawa sa ilalim pa mandin ng kanyang ilong? Inilalaban na ba ang kanyang prinsipyo at di palalampasin ang anumang katiwalian sa bilangan o maging sa pagboto ng kanyang mga kababayan?
To ourselves and perhaps pati mga onlookers, mga foreigners interested in Philippine situations or transplanted kababayans tulad ninyo in Canada, nais din nating makita- HAVE PINOYS MATURED in the way they choose their leaders? Sineryoso na kaya natin or naki uso pa rin tayo? Have we matured beyond believing in mudslinging and character assassinations? Popularity over kakayahan? Ka cheapan or dignity-Ilang kilong bigas kapalit ng boto? Have we internalized within ourselves that our one special vote would mean the delivery of this nation from the gutter where many believe we now wallow in? Natural, ang uri ng mga opisyal natin ay repleksyon natin. Kapag ganyan, e wala talagang karapatan magreklamo at mag People Power- tayo ang nagluklok, e.
It is therefore my deepest, deepest prayer that we finally have. Kasarap naman to look forward to a brighter future for our children and their offspring.
Thank you, dear readers. Please pray for our country during this very crucial time.
Greetings: Bon voyage to my sis Tessie who will go back to Houston and her work at Memorial Hermann Hospital after her month- long vacation with us here in MetroManila. Regards to my cousin- in law and good friend Linda Jacob- Tiamzon ofNavotas City.
Thank you, everyone!
