by Alex C. Roldan
Now that the elections are over, it seems that the candidates who lost (mainly the big spenders), are busy justifying their loss by claiming to have been cheated by “koala bears.”
The whole country is once again in a state of uneasiness or suspense as to what can happen next if the losers who are still in power until June 30 should finally proclaim the next government. Delays are expected because the Congress leadership has transformed their halls into a venue for election protests instead of going directly to Comelec!
Amazingly, congressmen have become instant IT experts and insist that the computer system used in the elections can be easily tampered with. Most election losers seem to have direct knowledge of the attempts to rig the election – by claiming that the “koala bears” offered such service to them. But everyone of them who claims that he/she was offered such a dubious service seems to forget the faces, or even the names, of the people who approached them!
But, what if these losers actually lied? What if they deliberately lied in an attempt to nullify the elections for whatever they may gain from a failed balloting?
It would be grossly unfair to the whole nation if this democratic process is being undermined to place the country on the edge of disorder while those responsible are left alone to do it with impunity. It is imperative to go after those behind these apparent machinations and mete them the corresponding penalty!
Those who claim having been cheated ought to prove that they are not perjuring themselves or face the consequences. The same should also apply to those who won through cheating. What is happening is that those who want to wield absolute power over this country have reduced the very foundation of our democracy, the elections, into a cat and mouse game. Those who have lied and cheated merely laughed off such charges when caught and have never been punished for their misdeeds.
In the past decade, opinion survey firms have shown how low the general public’s perception of Philippines politics has fallen. Politicians are suspected of lying, immorality and hypocrisy. How many of us trust a politician’s words these days? Meaning, positive measures have to be made to improve political integrity in this country.
As anticipated, the results of elections always bring a flurry of claims of fraud, lying and deception which are all signs of lack of integrity. Integrity is the foundation of social relationships. When we can no longer depend on each other, imagine what could happen to this nation. This invariably brings up the question of who we count on when the time comes for it?
It is sad to note that hypocrisy and lying has become so common that some already consider it as a doctrine necessary to win in Philippine elections. These twisted notion has already crept into our society and even into our own homes. A necessary survival strategy? Is that the way to go? What a horrible thought!
You can have a better family life and career by being a person of intentional integrity who consistently applies ethical standards of conduct. But this is conditional integrity. This is promoted as the way to get on in life, marriage, business, yet we see all around us the tragic result of selective dishonesty. Small lies, deceptions, and improprieties lead to fraud, theft and serious social problems. Overlooking lying as just as a normal part of politics, corrupts the integrity of the political process.
We can no longer accept hypocrisy between public talk and private action, between moral claims and immoral acts. We should go back to the basics, wherein your word must be your bond. That is integrity. Integrity is rare today, but we should strive for it. The country’s political leadership should show that they have it!
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