SUFFRAGE: A Stolen Right?

drahries (54)in #election • 6 years ago

Just a mere few days from now and the whole Filipino nation will throng into one path to cast their votes.

Yet, the huge question is, what really is SUFFRAGE?

In Article V: Suffrage, it says...

Suffrage maybe exercised by all citizens of the Philippines not otherwise disqualified by law, who are atleast 18 years of age and who shall have resided in the Philippines for atleast one year and in the place wherein they proposed to vote for atleast six months immediately preceeding the election. No literacy, property or other substantive requirement shall be imposed on the excercise of suffrage.**

Credits to www.slideshare.net

Personally, I was exposed to the naked truth during my childhood eyes on how"election" really means to a lot of people in general, from all walks of life...from the impoverished to the most fortunate ones.

ELECTION DAY was a must-look-forward-to-event in which, in my young mind means so much to me. It was way too appealing to my senses because it greatly sounds like, MONEY and tasted so much like MONEY.

Setting aside hypocrisy when modesty is concern, yes, as early before dawn breaks, my lolo,lola, tiyo, tiya, mama and papa were up earlier ahead than our surrounding cocks and hens while patiently waiting for "kamang" (crawl) which ironically means as somebody who served as the "bag man" of a running politician who gives off money in exchange of votes. These continually happen until sun breaks and streaks of its blinding light come into a full blown. I used to hear their happy chatter of how the other party or a certain candidate gave higher note than his opponent. Old and tattered hand pockets bulging with paper bills and papers itself while a soft argument that goes quite loud sometimes as to what to buy, to do, to renovate, with all the those loath that was given to them. A lass of twelve was I, yet it seems I already have the premonition of what would the outcome may be considering if they continue to chose somebody who promised to be of servitude to the common people yet an atheist themselves. They were these ONES who preferred to be chosen through how each bill will work out for each pocket and eventually holding grudges in taking it back through wiping whatever funds are intended for the common good.

"History repeats itself,"

is a most common adage.

Who is to be blame?
Who should face charges?
Who must suffer these consequences?

Hell yeah!!!
A peso-worth question which is worth answerable by a five year-old.

If somebody will promise you to give a candy yet you don't know him/her, will you go with them?

Olahhhhh!!!! A five-year old like any sane child will definitely seek an older right away knowing that what was talking to him/her is a stranger!

The analogy of it???Well, we always taught our kids to NEVER talk to strangers. And in their not yet so developed perspective about trust and confidence will definitely take heed of elders who are deemed to be equipped with unclouded judgments.