(This was written before election day..sorry I forgot to hit the publish button hehe)
Finally, after 6 years, the Philippines is once again facing election day! On Monday, thousands of Filipinos will go to their local polls to vote.
More than 17,000 political posts will be filled in the coming weeks.
We could see a new President or we could see a new Prime Minister grace the halls of Malacanang Palace (If Arroyo gets her way between now and election day on Monday).
Military and Police have begun to take their positions at various road check points. The SM has announced their alcohol ban for the week. The automated poll's memory cards are being configured due to glitches (bad omen?). The Ampatuan clan, down south, are STILL hell bent on winning their political seats. Villar's jingles and commercials of him playing with poor children are playing by the hour. The "itlog" song (catchy jingle to teach people how to fill in egg shaped bubbles on the ballots)is playing at all 7-11 stores. GMA is using all of her personal friends, and possibly servants, to fill as many political posts as she can before she's out of office (according to rumors (e.g. The Inquirer) her personal manicurist recently got assigned a government position). Flyers are hanging all over public walls, buses, and electricity wires. Estrada is eagerly awaiting his return to the presidency. Lastly, people are still debating over who to vote for: the poor guys turned rich or the supposed honest-rich guy that belongs to a well known family of politicians. Noynoy still looks like he's riding off of his mother's and sister's fame and Villar is using every known celebrity to endorse his name.
Election fever is high. Though not in a way I was expecting it to be.
The Philippines is the most "stable" democracy in Asia. It is, after all, the product of U.S. occupation. Aside from the usual extra-judicial and media killings here and there, the Philippines actually mirrors most of the United States' election/governing process. I was expecting more hype in this year's election, especially taking into account everyone's discontent with GMA. However, that expectation became shortlived.
Instead of platform issues, I hear catchy jingles. Instead of excited voters, I see disillusioned negativity.
To add to the irony, MYX and MTV Asia (two youth oriented television shows) held their voting campaigns (similar to Rock the Vote) just last month. Which is completely irrelevant because the Comelec had ended voter registration way back early January. Their message should have started at least a year in advance to encourage young people to register to vote...not a month before elections.
On May 10, the Philippines will have a new President and a new government. I guess the process of getting there doesn't really matter..as long as it gets there.