I’VE NEVER campaigned more fiercely for any candidate other than Cory Aquino in 1986.
I rarely use my writing platforms for political candidates.
Sure, I wrote a few pieces for Duterte, and Leni Robredo, back in 2016; and you know how that turned out.
***
I still can’t believe how the sitting President failed me.
But I’m moving on.
Because my Vice President did very well even in her “cornered” circumstances.
And now, she’s poised to be our best president in years.
Hope springs eternal in my heart.
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I do not really want to meddle in Philippine politics.
It’s pretty messed up.
Dirty as crap.
And I’ve lost hope in the Filipino voters.
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There’s no other way to say it: Most Filipino voters are stupid voters.
They do not study their candidates, and the other candidates.
They do not study history, and thus cannot make better decisions for the future.
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I understand the desperation.
I understand the vote-selling.
I understand being scared, and voting “under duress.”
The campaign leaders will give you money, likely much less than what they are getting; and will scare you that they have a way of checking which way you voted.
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Of course, if you are illiterate, if you are ignorant, you will be scared, and you will believe them.
Thus, for 500 pesos, you will vote the wrong people in positions of power.
And thus, we perpetuate the exploitative and manipulative mechanisms of dirty Philippine politics.
***
But as I see it, it’s more than just politics, and political strategies.
This involves a lot of moral issues for me, too.
Well, intellectual issues first.
But you can already see that: Poor and illiterate people vote unwisely and ignorantly.
They have no capacity to reason, and form their own opinion.
Their reasoning is based on what they hear.
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And we know that corrupt politicians have enough money to feed the airwaves—the radio and TV businesses; and in our 2020s, the almighty Internet.
This much we understand: Politicians steal from our government treasury so that they will have money to buy votes for the next election.
In the words of Marcos apologists: “Which politician does not steal? Everyone of them steals!”
And, of course, they won’t even hear the simple statement “Leni Robredo has no corruption scandals.”
***
And so, I speak.
I feel the urge to enter the fray.
Because the smart and the righteous must speak in the face of fake news and misinformation.
Because the good and the enlightened must prophecy in times of chaos and confusion.
Because bad leaders are chosen by good citizens who do nothing.
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I have already said that I have no respect for people who use their platforms to mislead the poor and the ignorant voters in crucial times like the elections.
May I just add now that I also don’t have respect for people who do not use their platforms to inform, educate, and lead the poor and the ignorant to the right direction.
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How many people do I hope to enlighten, and bring to the right direction?
That’s a wrong question.
Just because you show someone that you love him/her doesn’t mean he/she will end up loving you back.
You love because you love.
It’s not your business if you aren’t loved back.
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The main thing is this: You give the people the Ten Commandments.
Some may listen to you, many may ignore you.
Some will take heed, others will continue in their sinful ways.
But your job is to give them the Ten.
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In the language of the New Testament: “I came that you may have Life, and have it abundantly.”
And still, the Messiah was crucified, and people will continue in their sinful ways.
But the job was simply the fulfillment of John 3:16.
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I speak not because I like politics.
But because I want to be God’s instrument.
And because I can look God in the eyes with my political conviction, I can prophecy—that is, I can speak for God!
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In the end times, a lot of false prophets will talk to you.
Maybe even convince you that it is God’s will for you to forgive the son of the thief, and vote him to power.
I’m pretty sure some Filipino Pharisees who have gotten election money have already started talking to you.
But beware of religious leaders who accept bribes on your behalf.
They do not have your interest at heart.
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And why should you believe me?
Because I’m speaking without being paid.
Because I’m speaking without accepting bribes.
Because I’m speaking out of love.
Because for me, this is not just about politics.
This is also about the Moral Right, and my responsibility to make it shine, and not hide it like a lighted candle under the bed./PN
