The Voters of Manila – A Different Take
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.
Image: commonswikimedia
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.
FashionTravels
wow it is nice reading this i am not really prone to this kind of topic back in philippines and this post helps me a lot to understand what’s really happening! its true when you said that “We need to say NO to political dynasties, to vote buying, and to putting our personal interest before the country’s interest.” Political dynasties is the number thing i cannot accept. Like you said again we are millions of pinoys but still there are 400 thats controlling us. Its like crazy to think!
Pao Tolentino
Now that Erap is now Mayor of Manila, err, I don’t know, really, he was a good mayor but a rather sloppy president, so, people are kind of in a weird situation right now on what to expect with Erap …
Say It, Nessie
The right to vote should be practice by every Filipino. Corruptions should not be one of the reasons for not voting at all. Whatever happens or whatever the results of the election in capital, people wanted that. Its just up to erap to prove that people made the correct decision.
Aldous Calubad
The results are here and some would agree and some would disagree but thar is life
Ed @ Filipino Pork Recipes
i think we have to give Erap a chance… he made good when he was a San Juan Mayor that’s why people there love him so much…
MC
Even though I’m not a resident of Manila, I was so shocked to know about the election result. wow! I guess, I have to agree with LoveMindanao’s comment.
Ganessa
I hope Erap makes the most out of this second chance given to him by the people of Manila.
Lencilicious
No man can do a miracle, that’s what i believe. God put our minds over our hearts so we can use our intellects over our emotions.
JessicaWCassidy (@wifetoalineman)
Voters should vote the right politician that has the heart to serve the countrymen 🙂 A politician that has a degree especially about politics not just actors who have no clue how to take care of the Philippines government 🙂 It is ashame that the right people did not win 🙁 I hate politics to be honest and it has been awhile since the last time I vote in the Philippines 🙁
kulasa
lt ‘s sad that sometimes our beloved countrymen tend to Keep making the wrOng choices because of overindulgence in movies and fairy tales and magic ..with you inprayer that somehow thinqs will turn Out great in the end …
Rovie
A very interesting thought about the politics in Manila. Every voter has their own reasons for choosing this certain candidate over the other although most of the time it is not the same as our own, we don’t have any choice but to respect it. I just pray that whoever is elected, they will be true to their promises of serving the people especially the poor.
Anna
I am not from Manila but the results of the election tell us that Manilenos want change. Majority prevails indeed.
Che Syjongtian C
Majority of those who voted for Erap may have a good reason or two for choosing him over Lim. I just hope Erap will take the opportunity to redeem himself from being labelled/convicted as corrupt.
Josiet
I saw a post from one of my townmate in FB. She said, how “bobo” the people are to have elected someone so unqualified to run our town. While I agree that the elected official is not qualified, I do not agree with her generalization of the voters in our town. Voting is not as easy as choosing the best candidate, because if it were, then we would have no problems in the government now.
papaleng (@papaleng)
Bobo na pala kapag nag-exercise ka ng right mo. It is now water under the bridge for those sour-graping individuals. Just support the winning candidates na lang. San Juan had its glory years during Erap’s term, who knows yung magic nya dalhin sa Manila.
betchai
i always believe in respecting the choice of majority even if it may not be my choice, accept, support, and move on, but still continue to be vigilant in seeing our government runs clean and honest. i notice however, so much effort and probably energy is used in putting down the results, and instead of being vigilant, more subjective (and downright insulting) talks exist than objective. if we continue to find blame in our governance, in the way people choose, it is like we keep on making excuses at the state of our lives, which should not be the case, we should all learn how to embrace and work for the better what is given to us. love your positive thoughts on this issue.
Chubskulit Rose
I only exercise my right to vote once in our country. Just like what you said, it seems that our effort is just wasted.
kulasa
Sigh…..life in this country could be frustrating at times because as you said “we are not given enough good choices” and the mentality of some of our countrymen thinking someone could miraculously change their lives without them exerting effort to improve their very own lives just makes me sad.
.with you in prayer for our country 🙂
quimamay
I am not from Manila but I guess this goes to the whole nation as well. Democracy gives the right to every citizen to have a say on the direction of the state. If the direction is toward suffering, so be it. Personally, I’m trying to put myself in position wherein my progress don’t have to rely on the state or the people with power over it.
Algene
Voters must learn how to exercise their right. They can only have the privilege to vote every three years and they must make sure to take advantage of it. Whenever the results are not good as what they expected, then they must learn to accept it because we live in a democratic country. The voice of the majority always prevail.
lovemindanao
If Erap wins, it gonna be the doomsday for manila…haven’t we learned from the history….just my opinion