The voters of Manila are being called different unsavory names because of the election results that tend to show that ousted President Joseph Estrada is winning against the incumbent Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim. Without delving into qualifications which appear now to be moot and academic since Election Day 2013 is done and over with as of 7 pm yesterday, I would like to invite the readers’ attention to the qualifications and psyche of the voters themselves. The significance of the election results in the City of Manila goes beyond the winning candidate. The very slim difference in the votes garnered by these two candidates begs to be analyzed further.

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The City of Manila

As the capital city of the Philippines, whatever happens in Manila affects the nation. Some are even in the view that where Manila goes, the nation goes. Although this is not absolutely true if we look into our country’s history, it can be fairly surmised that events in Manila will always have serious repercussions on the rest of the country.

For one, Manila is very accessible to media coverage and public scrutiny. It is very understandable why events that occur in the city is almost always big news. Manila has had its glory days and regaining such glory remains an elusive dream as of this time.

The Voters of Manila

The voters of Manilacannot be classified in a single behavioral description or economic class. The list of voters will include people from the lowest to the highest economic levels as well as people having entirely different political beliefs. In fact, it would be difficult to come up with a precise description of a true Manileño or Manileña since the influx of people from different provincial origins have somehow blurred the lines.

By and large, Manila voters are generally active and participative in election processes. Although there has been observed apathy occurring in individual capacities, it can still be said that Manila voters are quite interested in determining who gets to lead the city. The parting of ways among voters come in the thinking and feeling processes that come with election.

What The Numbers Reveal

At the risk of going into apologetics, the slim difference in the number of votes between Estrada and Lim will reveal that democracy is alive and well in the city. Unlike other areas where the leading candidate leads by a mile, almost inviting comments why the runner up bothered to run at all, Manila has shown what a real election race means. It is a race to the finish of two candidates as brought to the finish line by the voters of Manila.

Whoever gets to be declared as the Mayor of the City of Manila at the end of the day will have to consider what this means since no one will be working with the support of a landslide victory. The voters of Manila has spoken. However, it would be a great help if the numbers provided will come with demographic data. Knowing where their votes came from would lead to a better understanding of the psyche of Manila voters.

My Say

I am a registered voter of Manila. I have done my part yesterday even if voting seem like a useless exercise sometimes. I abide with the decision of the majority whether it agrees with my personal vote or not. However, I believe we must continue educating ourselves to get the election process right.

An election need not be a frustrating exercise in the goal of placing qualified candidates to critical government positions . I am one in saying that the Filipinos are not being given enough good choices and we just have to look at the list of senatorial candidates to determine that. We need to say NO to political dynasties, to vote buying, and to putting our personal interest before the country’s interest. To do this, we need to accept that the journey up ahead is going to be more difficult but the prize of good governance is certainly worth it.

I heard this from one panelist in one election coverage I was watching this morning. There are about 18 Million families in the Philippines but the country is being controlled by only about 400 families. These families enjoy the economic and political clout that can turn most of us green with envy or resign in hopelessness. Sadly, the remaining 17 Million or so families which most of us are part of continue to make it easy for them to continue their rule.

Many are now calling Manila voters as well as other voters who voted in the same nature as “bobo” or stupid. These voters apparently think otherwise. When I heard one voter from our area say that he is actually doing a smart thing by voting for someone he believes will miraculously make his life more comfortable, I knew right there and then that the problem was not in intelligence and that it goes way much deeper than we care to acknowledge.