This is the last time I'll explain my vote. I may not argue up front, but here are my arguments on why I've decided.
I've always thought that my chosen candidate, Noynoy Aquino, could run a campaign like Obama's. Obama had comparatively less experience than John McCain, yet the Americans have decided not to be subjected under a less than competent government. I thought that Noy could run a campaign built on hope that the country will rise after a 12-year spell under a government that has lost all sense of integrity. One that people can put their full trust on.
However, with the current political landscape, trapo politics still reigns. Instead of having just a few gunning for the presidency, everyone who thinks that they can could run -- even if they had been corrupt (or been loyal to someone who has been proven to be corrupt), ousted from the presidency, or just merely wanted to do so (even if they barely had a chance on winning the elections). Good governance has been ill-defined in the sense that it is considered to be "good" if the people could reap some benefits from it.
But the truth is, it's not just about the benefits.
Good governance means doing what has been entrusted to you by the populace while retaining your integrity despite the temptations being presented to you. It means delivering the services that is due the people without compromising the quality. It is about inspiring others to do good because you believe that goodness is innate. It's about using the power bestowed upon you to affect change.
I believe that my president has that ability to run the government with integrity. I believe that he can deliver. I believe that he can inspire because he's a good man. But there are just people who wouldn't give him a chance simply because he hasn't much credentials to show.
Fine, he may not have as much money to spend on advertisements, he may not have gone to Harvard for Law, he may not be a crowd-pleaser: but he's a good man with pure intentions. And if you're a good man, people can see that you only want what's best for your country even if you have just enough to get by. He ran because people wanted him to do so. I simply wanted him to run because I knew that he would put governing with integrity and principles, improving education, eradicating hunger and poverty at the core of his campaign. I know his record, and believe me, I like what I've seen. Above all, I support him because I know that he will anchor his poverty alleviation plan on Gawad Kalinga. One that has proven to be the most effective way of eradicating poverty in the country by EMPOWERING PEOPLE by showing love and care to the least of the poor. It is faith in action.
What good is being a topnotcher in the bar or being a successful businessman if you tolerate corruption in governance? What good is having a platform with too much statistics and flowery words if at the end of the day, you're the reason why our country is still in a rot? What good is having too much ads being aired on television if you have tainted your name so much by stealing what is due to the people?
Silang tunay na mahirap, silang mga may galing at talino, silang may disiplina, silang babalik na, silang mga relihiyoso, silang magaling magsalita , SILA NA ANG LAHAT. PERO HINDI SILA ANG SOLUSYON. Maaaring alam kuno nila ang pagiging tunay na mahirap pero sila rin naman ang dahilan kung bakit may mahirap. Maaaring sila ang may galing at talino, pero kung "trickle down effect" sa ekonomiya ang aasahan natin para umunlad ang bayan, hindi mo ineempower yung mahirap na ibangon ang sarili nila sa kahirapan, walang kwenta rin ang paghihirap at resources na ginamit mo. Maaaring babalik na sila, pero kung babalik lang sila at babalik lang tayo sa dating gawi at ipagpapatuloy lang natin ang naudlot, THANK YOU BUT WE DON'T NEED YOU. Silang relihiyoso, may pananampalataya sila, oo. Pero kung wala naman ang katawan na kumukumpleto sa espiritu, kung wala ang kilos at puro pananampalataya, wala ring mangyayari. Nasa Diyos ang awa, nasa tao ang gawa. Silang lahat magaling magsalita. Aba, kaya nga nila iemphasize yung mga magagandang words (yung iba pa nga di nila yata alam ang ibig sabihin), pero hindi ba yung mga taong magagaling na magsalita, sila din yung naging sanhi ng mga pangyayari tulad ng Martial Law at World War 2?
We can be very intellectual about our votes. For me, it's not just about being smart. It's also about being good. Pagiging MABUTI. Pagiging TAPAT. Pagiging tunay na Pilipino. Pagkilala sa biyaya ng pagiging Pilipino at pag-alaga sa biyayang ito.
You may always argue with me with my choice. I'd respect that; but this is my choice and I will see to it that I will be accountable for this choice. If you'd vote for the others, I wouldn't have anything against you.
What matters is that after the elections, we reunite and rebuild a better country.
