Beyond Facebook and Twitter: Why we should be partisan in this 2013 elections

 

I had a get-together with some of my friends over the weekend and during one of our conversations, they told me that while they admire my being involved with politics and governance in our country, they themselves would rather stay out of it and just quietly go on with their lives.

 

“Magulo at madumi ang pulitika kaya mas mabuting manood ka na lang at huwag nang makialam” quipped one of my friends.  

 

An apathetic middle class?

 

I share this short experience because this is precisely the attitude of many middle to upper class Filipinos who have grown comfortable with their day to day lives that they no longer see the need for them to be more involved in ensuring that our country is able to choose the right kind of leaders in this coming elections. The active involvement of the upper to middle class of our society in supporting and campaigning for good leaders in this coming elections is critical since they are the ones who have the time and resources to do this. The lower income bracket which comprise more than 80% of our population will be busy with working to ensure that they will be able to place food on the table each day thus, we cannot expect them to be the ones who can actively be involved in supporting and campaigning for the kind of leaders our country needs.

 

Reform candidates can win with the right support

 

This kind of apathetic and indifferent attitude towards being actively involved in helping good candidates win in our elections is the reason why up until now many of our local government units are still governed by corrupt political dynasties. If you look at the experience of Pampanga and Isabela in the 2004 and 2007 elections, one major reason why Among Ed Panlilio and Grace Padaca were able to win against well-entrenched political dynasties was because the middle to upper class in their provinces decided to take a stand and contribute much needed resources as well to their respective campaigns. The only way that good leaders will be able to win in our elections is if he or she is able to get support from well-meaning ordinary citizens who will go out of their way to volunteer and contribute to his or her campaign. Without this support, it will be very easy corrupt political leaders to overwhelm these good candidates with their political machinery and money.

 

Going beyond the internet and social media

 

Many of us often complain about the proliferation of unqualified candidates who will simply win because they are part of a political dynasty. Yet, beyond our rants and postings over the internet, have we actually done something more concrete to stop this from happening? The challenge right now is for the educated and enlightened class of our society to go beyond Facebook and Twitter advocacy and to go beyond their comfort zones towards helping campaign and support effective, ethical and empowering leaders who are running in this elections. One simple way is to go out in your barangay and convince tricycle drivers and vendors alike to vote for the candidates that you strongly believe in. Another way is to contribute resources to help fund the campaigns of these good candidates whose only agenda for running is to be able to bring about good governance and lasting reforms in our government.

 

The amount that one gives need not be big, for example, P 500.00 can already allow a candidate to purchase at least 150 stickers that he or she can use for his campaign. A contribution of P 1,000.00 can already provide 2,000 flyers that the candidate can distribute while he or she is going house to house. More important than the amount that is contributed is the stand you are making to help inspire a good leader to continue to fight the good fight. Campaigning against all odds can definitely be a tough and lonely battle but if we really want better leaders for our country then the time to make a stand is now.

 

Bringing good leadership and good governance in our local governments

 

With the recent investment upgrades that our country has achieved, we have seen how good governance and leadership with integrity can help propel our economy. This coming elections, let us bring good governance to our local government units and be partisan for good leaders. Let us make small sacrifices by going out of our comfort zones to work towards helping ensure that they have a fighting chance against their corrupt political rivals. This is the only way by which we can finally bring President Noynoy Aquino’s mantra of “Kung Walang Corrupt, Walang Mahirap” to the grassroots and ensure that genuine development and reforms are felt by every Filipino.

 

Comments are welcome at harveykeh@gmail.com

Follow me at Twitter: twitter.com/harveykeh

 

Harvey S. Keh is Director for Youth Leadership and Social Entrepreneurship at the Ateneo de Manila University-School of Government and is also the Lead Convenor of the Kaya Natin! Movement for Good Governance and Ethical Leadership.