By Atty. Howie Calleja
On June 12, 2021 the 1SAMBAYAN Coalition will release the names of potential candidates for President, Vice President and Senator for the 2022 Synchronized National and Local Elections. These names shall then undergo a selection process that would determine the official standard bearer of the coalition thereafter.
After 5 years of despotic leadership in the guise of a populist propaganda, the coalition has symbolically chosen our Independence Day to reclaim as well our nation’s democracy from a government whose policies and actions have been detrimental to our nation’s interest favoring only its foreign benefactor — China. And, in a time when this Global Health Crisis has crippled our way of living, the ineffectiveness in handling this Pandemic has added more insult to injury.
On June 12, we will choose as nation a new breed of leadership and reclaim back our democracy. 1SAMBAYAN is a political coalition of democratic forces for good governance. Its collective love for our country has motivated the group to stop the present regime of corruption, injustice, human rights violation, economic sabotage, cultural bankruptcy, and even treason. Its commitment is two-fold. First, the formation of only one opposition slate to run in the 2022 national election. Second, is a platform of government for good governance that looks towards Philippines 2050 and beyond. On our first and immediate goal of having a single opposition candidate and win in the May 9 2022 Elections, a proactive search for competent candidates who embody a deep love of country and have displayed exemplary leadership as well as public and reasoned critique against the poor governance of the Duterte administration will be launched on the day of our Independence.
Each potential candidate shall be chosen based on Character, Capability, Track Record and his/her ability to launch a credible national campaign. Such characteristics will be assessed based on four data sources/sets — (a) Candidate’s Profile Sheet with detailed listing of their Program of Government; (b) Townhall Meetings and Consultations; (c) Existing External and Internal Surveys; and (d) Due diligence research materials. And after due consultation with all coalition members, a final list of official candidates shall be duly released to the public.
On the second commitment of good governance, 1SAMBAYAN together with its official candidates shall have a comprehensive platform of good governance that will embody a road map for Philippines 2050 and beyond. It will, among others, ensure a transparent accountable and participatory form of government for all Filipinos while providing equality and best opportunities for all. Genuine participatory democracy will characterize 1SAMBAYAN’s platform of governance as a fundamental political right. It is a key component of democratic governance, a powerful catalyzer of minorities and most marginalized groups’ social inclusion and a way to promote urban citizenship in contexts of metropolitan and territorial governance.
Our experience of this present regime should motivate us this June 12 to ELEVATE our voting standards. We should use our right to suffrage responsibly. We should never underestimate the power of our vote. Our vote can make a difference … It can help elect worthy men and women into public office that would alleviate the plight of those we consider voiceless in our society. Conversely, it is the same vote that can place a tyrant into government who would use one’s power for autocratic rule. We should never just make a choice, We should make the right choice. After carefully considering a candidate’s platform of governance we should make sure that our choice is articulated through our ballot, and to help make sure that our vote counts.
It is when we vote that we participate in Nation Building because it is the leader we choose that shall direct us to such a noble task. It is a great responsibility for us to choose the best candidate for the job. It is when we fail to conscientiously choose the BEST leader that we also fail in our responsibility. We are therefore impelled to make the right choice and to vote if we are to belong to the movers of moral transformation. In the end, we are Filipino Citizens responsible for the betterment of our country — the Philippines.
