“Our Power to Change the Future”
The Philippines showed the world the true power of the people by ousting a dictator through a peaceful revolution in 1986. Martial Law was a time of being coerced into silence while the Marcos regime plundered the country’s coffers and committed widespread human rights abuses. It silenced any opposition, including the indigenous peoples, the youth, women, political prisoners, and other individuals who spoke against it. Many were tortured and killed while others were never found. These people sacrificed themselves to give us the freedom we have today, even as our democracy continues to be challenged today.
While nationalism can fuel democracy, it must be defined according to the current political situation. It is built on identity, shared principles, and a common goal. It is driven by hope for a better future and hunger for equality. We need to act on this democracy: to be aware of current issues, to be properly informed, and to be proactive. The digital age has provided us with tools and platforms to be vocal about these injustices and our advocacies. It has also allowed for discourse to happen; people to people, and people to government. Democracy has become more accessible for us and we must use this wisely.
With each election, candidates promise to eradicate corruption should they be elected into office. However, thirty years after the end of martial law, the rule of “guns, goons, and gold” still rings true every election season.
Elections bring its own set of corruption problems: vote buying, misuse of public funds, and electoral violence. But despite its pitfalls, elections also provide a key opportunity for the people to challenge the status quo and the norms of corruption in governance. When the checks and balances instilled in the constitution are hijacked by corruption, the duty falls on the citizens to ensure that democracy prevails.
The upcoming midterm elections will be another opportunity for us to assert our rights from the government. We have the power to put public servants in positions capable of pursuing our best interests toward progress and development. With the election of 12 senators and local officials, we are selecting those who will represent us at all levels. They will create the laws that will govern us and administer programs that are supposed to help us. With such a polarized political environment, it is time for us to consider our options carefully and make informed decisions.
In particular, the youth should be concerned about the country’s laws and program of government as they will either reap their benefits or face their consequences. Take this opportunity to shape the country.
Let us all remember what EDSA People’s Power represents—the participation of civil society in politics; the ability to change the future of a nation; and the importance of democracy in protecting the people’s interest.
Democracy is and will always be vulnerable to threats of authoritarianism and abuse. It needs to be defended. It is only when we citizens acknowledge our irreplaceable role in democracy that we can protect it and use it for the benefit of the country.