MANILA
The May 9 general elections here in the Philippines have far-reaching implications to where the country will be going in the next decade, not only during the six-year term of the incoming President.
So many key concerns will fall in the lap of the next President. Will the economy continue to grow? Will the growth seep into the poverty-ridden sectors?
Will the dispute over the West Philippine Sea be resolved? Will the United Nations Tribunal in The Hague decide in favor of the Philippines? How will China react to a decision unfavorable to it?
Will crime continue to gallop in practically all over the Philippines? What would be the effect of unbridled crime to the people’s daily lives? Will the police be able to control crime and members of its own ranks who go rogue and commit crime?
How will the new administration tackle the monstrous traffic in Metro Manila and other urban centers? How long will it take to construct infrastructure that will divert traffic away from congested urban areas? (Construction on a new rail system to ply the Quezon City to Bulacan province corridor will start soon.)
How will the new government solve the invisible plague of illegal drugs that’s ruining many young people’s lives and whole families? This is a menace that works its evil from the underground, unseen by most people but is all-so-real among the addicted and affected.
Will the new administration seriously take a look at the horrible quality of textbooks that miseducate millions of our youth. Some people praise the outgoing Secretary of Education for his work but it remains a puzzle why he didn’t crack down on textbook authors who are either ignorant or lazy as they continue to come up with error-filled texts.
Will the reproductive health law that supports women’s choice in deciding their personal preference and welfare be fully implemented? Or will those who oppose it play dirty tricks and make it hostage to their contrary orientation by withholding budgetary funding for it?
Will the armed forces and national police get full attention from the new administration for their crying need for modern equipment and gear, plus increased salaries for the rank and file? Will rogue members of the uniformed forces all be weeded out to come up with a truly professional combined force?
Will daily wage-earners get a break from the new government by giving them a higher minimum wage and also ensure security of tenure instead of what’s happening today through contractual employment that allows employers to fire workers after six months?
Modernity has swept many parts of the world, some of them in our own backyard, but inequitable labor conditions in urban centers and rural areas continue to plague the workforce. Pitiful working conditions in factories and exploitative policies in the agrarian sector chain many workers to lifetime slave-like situations.
The daily lives of countless people are so miserable and onerous, they just exist with nothing to make them happy. The quality of life in many parts of the country is so low, people have nothing that gives them pleasure.
The majority of the Filipino people are like a forgotten species in their own homeland. The candidates running in today’s elections promise them a better Philippines once they’re elected. The presidential candidates toss about promises that are unlikely to be fulfilled.
On May 10 or thereabouts, will the Filipino people be rejoicing or weeping? A year from now, will the people be celebrating their vote or regretting it? Unfortunately, none of us can predict the answers.
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