Well, the elections are history. Now, it’s the vote counting that is going on. Remember last week I mentioned about it being a good idea for a foreigner to keep a low profile during the election season? Well, although all the votes have been cast, it is still a good idea to remain low key for at least the next week or so. During the canvassing and tallying, a lot of things can still happen, and it’s best not to be around if something untoward does occur.
The thing that I find interesting is that the COMELEC (Commission on Elections) and the PNP (Philippine National Police) have both declared that the elections were “relatively peaceful”. Funny thing is that during the election season (Feb through May) more than 200 incidents of election related violence have been reported. More than 100 political candidates did not live long enough to see the voting – they were murdered. Countless other political workers who were not candidates were killed. And that is a “relatively peaceful” election? I’m glad it wasn’t a violent one!
Anyway, the main part of the danger of politics has passed already. I am happy for that, as I will soon resume my normal schedule which includes a lot of travel and such. I am tired of staying around the house all the time! And to think, it all starts again in 3 years!
I'm glad to hear that Bob, yes you must be so tired of hanging around, and to think that human life is just passed off as "pAR FOR THE COURSE" at this time.
In other words, they expect a significant number of murders, beatings, muggings and other incidents of violence at this time, so the PNP breathed a sigh of relief did they ?
I was reading a report authored by a consortium of foreign companies who looked at the Philippines as a place to do business, the report said that apart from a sub culture of corruption and graft, one of the things that made the country a business risk was the obsession of "politics".
I asked Gina yesterday, why are your people so obsessed with politics ? she said "Because there is so much money for them if they can get into office" now I understand why its so important to them.
I also was watching ANC news this morning, and I keep hearing the phrase "Extra-judicial" killings, they use this phrase to pass off any murder that is not state sanctioned, they speak of those murdered as though its an expected part of everyday life, we are of course not used to seeing ones murdered in the name of local politics.
In fact the most that happens here is when someone throws an egg at the deputy Prime Minister, he of course responded by throwing a left hook, apart from that, there is not much else to report.
Interesting article as always Bob.
Hi Pete – Gina is a smart girl! She is right, once these guys get elected they have a lot of power and also the ability to garner a lot of money!
Extra Judicial killings are actually state sponsored in some cases – just "unofficially" sponsored! 😉
Well, I hope the counts go well and the political violence really is finished (at least for the time being). I'll be in Manila Thursday night and in SC in just over a week!
Good thing elections back in the Philippines is "relatively peaceful".
Yup, politics is a money maker in the Philippines. Ever wonder why so many literally kill and spend so much money just to be in position both in the major and local government? Yes, you get money in return (even double or triple). You could see that even old actors and actresses or those with a dry showbiz careers start to join in the bandwagon of political aspirants in order to have money.
Sigh. I just hope that this time the people have learned to cast their votes for the right person in the right government position.
To stay on the positive side (which can be hard to do), I remind myself that the country is still a young democracy. seeking political office can sometimes be a popularity contest with the candidates having ulterior motives.
This is a country barely 50 years old (1898 doesn't count), some might say even younger because its still trying to recover from the Marcos regime. So you have a voting public that hasn't quite matured yet.
But I choose to look at the positive signs in these elections. Filipinos really do show up to vote. Another good sign is that being a popular actor no longer guarantees a win, voters seems to put more thought in their votes.
The United States had its share of election growing pains in its early years. So I'd like to take an "outside looking in" perspective and willing to give the country more time to mature. The country is still a Democracy with a free media and that won't likely change.
Hi Bob,
I don't write comments often but my husband(Bill) and I read your blog everyday. Anyway, it's true about a "relatively peaceful election" this time. When I was working for the COMELEC we practically sit on the ballotboxes specially when the ballots has already been counted. Transporting the ballotboxes to the city hall is very dangerous. There was one election that I was one of the chaperon in the transporting of the ballotboxes to the city hall at 12 midnight with goons(supposed to be police escort) gun ready for anything. It hought then that I will not leave to tell the tale.
Hi Elisa – I am confident that your visit to South Cotabato will go off without a hitch!
Hi Jio – it would seem that things are moving in the right direction!
Hi Macky – Good thoughts. It's always a good thing to look at the bright side of every issue. I am curious, how many Filipinos that you know in the States took advantage of the Absentee Voting that was available? It seems like the Absentee Voting program is really a failure. I hope it would improve!
Hi Liklikqpaul – Thanks for sharing your insight! It is quite interesting.
Hi Bob,
Re: absentee voting — the numbers have been dismal. I saw the stats but I can't recall the exact figures. I only remember it being such a low figure.
I was not surprised though. Nobody really knows about it here and the paperwork/guidelines is just too much. I only know of one other Filipino who registered and that was for the last election. It can be so easy to bring out the voters but the consulates/embassy seem to be the problem. I know this because it seems everyone has strong opinions about whats going on back home and a vote cast is a voice heard.
But hey, gotta stay positive and there's always a first time for everything. Besides, there's so much potential with the large number of OFW. nowhere to go but up.
Hi Macky – that kind of confirms what I thought! Very interesting! The people in Comelec go on TV and they say that the process is so simple, and basically they blame the OFW's for just being too lazy! Shame shame!