The Philippines is approaching one of its most pivotal elections yet. Here's why your vote—and your voice—matters now more than ever before
When I turned 18, one of the first things my grandmother had advised me to do was to register to vote. That was over five years ago, so I barely remember what that day was like at the Commission on Elections (COMELEC). I do, however, remember walking out of the building—which building, it escapes my mind—with a small white stub and purple fingers. I was finally a registered voter, and it was all thanks to the enjoinments of my dear old grandmother, a 70-year-old foreign national, who, for the life of her, has never voted simply because she was never given the right to do so.
Read more: COMELEC Registration: How To Register To Vote Before September 30 Deadline
A Quick History on Philippine Democracy
The Philippine democracy is, in some ways, in its infancy. Though the country is considered to have the first constitutional democracy in Asia, its turbulent history finds itself fraught with growing pains. Emilio Aguinaldo had proclaimed Philippine independence in 1898, yet the Americans colonised the country soon after. The newcomers, however, did promise to prepare the Filipinos for eventual "democratic self-governance" and so their ideals were passed onto the ruling Filipino elite at the time.
Yet before Philippine sovereignty could be established came the Japanese occupation. The puppet government was another deterrent towards our democracy, which presidents thereafter have tried to restore. But then came the era of Martial Law, a time of dictatorship under former president, Ferdinand Marcos. His regime lasted two decades and triggered the unity of the people during People Power Revolution, a historic moment of peaceful protest along EDSA. Only after twenty years did President Marcos step down, yielding to the angry cries of Filipinos fed up with violence, corruption, and electoral fraud.
History has yet to end there, as Philippine democracy continues to battle in its fragile state. Many may believe that there isn't much they can do—but it's finally time and our voices have come to matter yet again. It is election season.
