By: Aljhur Danganan 
Graphics: Noelle Cabrera 
Publication: Caitlin Mutas

As the period of the filing of certificates of candidacy ended last October, Filipinos are left faced with a lineup of aspirants filled with underqualified clowns and opportunists seeking the favor of the public.

It is truly concerning to see the hundreds of contenders eligible for next year’s election. Celebrities, social media personalities, dynasties, and those with no background or experience in law constituted a majority of the circus shaping up the midterm election runners. With only a few competent candidates, it seems like politics has become a playground for the antics of the ever-so-frivolous clowns who treat it as a side hustle or a chance for political clout.

Among the candidates is Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, currently detained and facing charges of sexual abuse and human trafficking, who filed for candidacy in the Senate through an authorized representative. In Negros Oriental, Pryde Henry Teves, brother of former mayor Arnolfo Teves who was tagged as the mastermind behind former governor Roel Degamo’s assassination. Henry successfully filed his certificate of candidacy as governor despite being designated as a terrorist by the government and facing terrorism financing cases. Allowing such candidates with pending cases to serve the very people they were accused of inflicting crimes on puts the electoral process into mockery. It insults ‌citizens in need of genuine leaders to be faced with injustice.

Social media personality Deo “Diwata” Balbuena, known for his pares eatery “Diwata Pares”, formalized his bid as the fourth nominee of the Vendors Party-list. Despite his seemingly legitimate platform, there was no mention of any specific law or plan that would effectively protect the welfare of vendors and how other people would benefit from it.

Suchis the circumstance for a lot of the candidates. They do not need to be in power to make a change. The entire point of cooperatives and NGOs is to fulfill the needs and aspirations of certain associations of people without the control of the government. When seats are limited, they must go to legitimate leaders who have actual experience in lawmaking and politics for the betterment of the entire country.

Situations like these raise a question pondered by ‌Filipinos. Why is the standard so low in allowing aspirants to run for public office? One would think that a role in serving the country and its people would require a much higher caliber of a leader. Instead, it is overrun by corrupt individuals, people with no political background, and those who take advantage of being in power.

Unfortunately, the country’s democratic system allows just that. The 1987 Constitution simply states that anyone can run, given that they are a natural-born citizen, able to read and write, and a registered voter and resident. Yes, anyone can run, but it does not mean that they are rightfully due for the position.

It is evident in many bonafide leaders that they resort to running for local administrative bodies, seeing that they have no chance of winning at higher roles such as the Senate. Alas, the lack of education and close-mindedness of many voters have deliberately aggravated the electoral process. It has made them vulnerable to disinformation and merely vote by reason of name recognition. Now that the Commission on Elections has begun the cleansing of candidates, let us hope that the true nuisance candidates are withdrawn. One can hope that the growing circus transforms into a platform where truthfully voicing your intentions is perceived as more than garnering attention and deceiving the public.

Ultimately, no matter how flawed or unjust political qualifications are, the decision lies in the hands of Filipino voters. It is their responsibility to choose the right leaders who value the welfare of the country and are endowed with a clear vision for addressing pressing matters at hand. It is their obligation to assess the caliber of every candidate and make educated choices. The true power is in the hands of the voting populace.

Let us remember that they are seeking our vote. To vote wisely is to be informed and ‌not be easily deceived. The future of our nation depends on our ability to rise above the circus and fight for our aspirations for the country. Only then can we uphold our leaders to the highest standard and maintain the true spirit of democracy for posterity’s sake.

After all, the ballot is stronger than the bullet.

Editor’s Note: This comes on the heels of the recently concluded Presidential Elections in the United States a week ago, which marked a historic moment as America’s first convicted criminal, Donald Trump, ascended to the presidency.