It seems that Filipinos voting for electoral candidates and a lovesick person choosing to be blind for romance have similarities — both are stuck in a cycle of selecting the wrong individuals and turning a blind eye to their red flags. Unfortunately, these repetitive instances have caused tons and tons of heartaches and heartbreak to the nation and its people.
However, this coming 2022 election, we have the chance to finally put an end to this sequence, an opportunity to break the cycle. It may require a lot of effort though, as it will challenge our beliefs, biases, and build new habits for the long run.
"However, this coming 2022 election, we have the chance to finally put an end to this sequence, an opportunity to break the cycle. "
But no worries!
This article will give you a simplified part-by-part process of what to do in order to choose the right candidates to vote for.
And where else to start but with oneself, right?
1. Know yourself and Know the Issues of Society
Before anything else, you need to know yourself to prevent future heartbreaks. Assess the values and principles you adhere to and reflect on the things you want and don’t. This will help you establish a list of what you are looking for.
For instance, if you acknowledge yourself as a Christian both in mind and heart, then the candidates to look for should embody and reflect the values taught by the Lord. By knowing this, you will be able to figure out right away that you should root for someone who has fear in the Lord, does not steal, kill, or involve in immoral acts.
Yet, if you prefer rationality and give utmost importance to the law, the candidates to pin for should be law-abiding citizens without any records of, for example, violence, corruption, or tax evasion. *wink wink*
Moreover, one should also know the issues we are currently facing. It is highly encouraged to learn about society and its challenges, including poverty, unemployment, pollution/climate change, red-tagging, abuse, mental health situations, abortion, divorce, and the likes. This, again, will help you figure out how to differentiate and estimate the gaps of where you and the electoral candidate stand, which will serve as a basis on who to choose later on.
Always remember, though, that one’s stance should be rooted in informed considerations and not from one’s feelings and emotions alone. As American journalist Sunny Sea Gold says in voting, “don't just go with your gut.”
"Always remember, though, that one’s stance should be rooted in informed considerations and not from one’s feelings and emotions alone."
2. Familiarize Yourself with the Complete List of the Candidates
Despite being overlooked, knowing the complete list of candidates on your ballot is a big help in choosing the correct people to vote for.
First, it will help you clearly visualize your choices and see the line-up of the people you think would work well together in serving the country. Next, it will lessen your chances of leaving out those who might be worthy but are not given enough limelight during campaign periods.
Lastly, it could give you the idea of the families who are trying to form political dynasties — things you should try to break apart or prevent from happening.
You can get the list of people running for positions from Rappler: Presidential and Vice Presidential Candidates, Senatorial Candidates, District Representative Candidates, Local Position Candidates, Party-list Groups
But in case you do not have the time to compile the names, do not fret. You can always ask or wait for the sample ballots that the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) will provide.
3. Know them All
Know them all is the most vital of all steps, and it is your findings here that you should rely on in choosing the right people.
It is always beneficial to be informed and updated about their electoral candidates. And by informed, I mean knowing every bit of stories and news about them. However, with the endless narratives and vast amounts of data in the digital world, it is tricky to decide where to start and what to ask.
So, we put together the things that you should definitely check/look for when researching our candidates.
a. Assess the candidates’ platforms
What are their plans for the country? Do they have plans/programs for the minority? The students? Are they inclusive enough? What specific sectors and issues will they be focusing on?
b. Look at their previous accomplishments and projects
Have they contributed to the community, nation, or to the people prior to the election? If so, in what way? How did it go, and what are the latest updates on it? Or maybe, if they authored law(s) — did it help the people, or did it make things worse for them?
c. Gather information regarding their educational attainment
Are they knowledgeable enough in the process of creating and analyzing laws? Are they aware of the different theories and discourses on representation, gender, race, and culture? Or maybe, are their credentials factual?
These kinds of information are vital in the creation of laws, and thus they must have mastery of these. Also, check if there is falsification in their educational records. As said, “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.”
d. Know the Candidates’ stand on Issues
Do they take the conservative or more of the more liberal side? What are their reasons for choosing their stance? How do they stand on the issues presented to them? Are their moral values and considerations aligned with yours?
e. Research on the controversies they are in or linked to (if there are any)
By any chance, are they caught up in any scandals? Do they have records of corruption, violence, maybe tax evasion, or maybe all?
f. Learn the Candidates’ styles and Leadership abilities; and,
How do they speak to the people or to their staff? Are they civil during their speeches, or do they blabber unnecessary words? How are their relationships with other politicians?
g. Search for how they live outside their work
This is not necessary, but it’s good to be updated about their lives as ordinary citizens. This will give you an inkling of the matters they are genuine about and what they are not. For example: Do they sincerely like to help people, or is this only for a show for the elections?
You can find answers to these by rummaging through the candidates’ campaign websites, the press reports, candidates’ previous and recent speeches, candidate debate sessions, and even on some trusted social media profiles.
To note, however, do not rely on social media alone as your basis. Research, officially published documents, and direct statements are still the best sources. Never and ever forget this step.
It is always disadvantageous to only know the names of the candidates. Doing this is irresponsible as it gives away the nation’s fate to people who might not be fit for the job. It, likewise, endorses the saying “Iboto ang sikat, hindi ang karapat-dapat” which should be avoided at all cost.
4. Know How Others View the Candidates
Another way of getting to know the candidates is through learning what other people think of them. Narratives of others also help catch some details that we might have overlooked or have not heard of. Thus, it is always a good thing to join discourses and forums.
Smart Voter website also recommends voters to ask other people about their opinion of electoral candidates as it might give them a different perspective or point of view in seeing an issue or understanding the candidate — which may potentially help us clarify our own views.
Nonetheless, we should still be wary as people can mix facts with opinions. Smart Voter, likewise, reminds us to consider the facts we have researched, compare them with others’ stories, and do not ever discredit or discount our judgement. You might be the one on the right path and not them.
"Nonetheless, we should still be wary as people can mix facts with opinions."
5. Compare and contrast your wants and the ability and personality of your choice.
Lay down all of the things you have gathered about the issues and the information about the candidates. Compare their information and choose those who have the best credentials and good records, and eliminate from the picture those who appeared to be incapable of filling the position. From the remaining people, choose your final pick — they should be the ones that best reflect the values and principles you adhere to.
If you think there is no one that can amount to your standards, either choose the lesser evil (and hope for the best) or just refrain from choosing at all (in better terms, you can always abstain). Though, to be honest, I’d go with the former choice.
6. Educate Others
This is not necessary but it is a part of acknowledging that not everyone has the time, resources, and/or capacity to research. Thus, educating others about the electoral candidates is already a big contribution and a pledge of love to the country and the people.
That’s our quick overview on how to know who to vote for this 2022 election!
However, I must say that this does not ensure the nation’s prosperity because politicians are susceptible to change and in breaking their promises. Nonetheless, we should still try our best as citizens and hope that they’ll do the same.
If this how-to article does not resonate with you, then you can still check out the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting’s (PPCRV) recently released 3-hour voter education video program titled Iboboto ko: MakaPinas, which has a different approach to choosing the correct people to vote for. If not, there is also the Smart Voter’s website for a more elaborate step in becoming a responsible voter.
Regardless of what steps you should follow, our aim as Filipinos should be one and the same — to elect candidates that will prevent this nation from experiencing more heartaches and heartbreaks.
"Regardless of what steps you should follow, our aim as Filipinos should be one and the same — to elect candidates that will prevent this nation from experiencing more heartaches and heartbreaks."
Graphics by: Nicole Pacardo
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