By Atty. Howie Calleja
Feb 8 signals the start of the formal 90-day campaign for National Candidates where election rules and laws will now be imposed, and all candidates are officially considered as such. Political analysts and pundits would say that if elections are held today candidate x would win and that the front runner is where the big business should place its bet and place its money on. Luckily elections are still 90 days away and our elections is a MARATHON not a SPRINT.
By experience, an electoral campaign is a marathon, not a sprint. This means we need to pace ourselves — if we try to go too fast, we will run out of gas. An uphill mile may require a lot from us, but even with this immediate challenge, we have to keep some energy, patience, and passion in reserve for the miles to come.
Electoral Experts often use the phrase, “It is a marathon, not a sprint.” In theory, it makes sense in terms of time – a marathon takes longer, and a sprint is very short – meaning when applied to our elections, an electoral victory takes time so don’t rush it. The path in winning in this 2022 Polls is long and impact overtime matters. Like the finish line on race day, you need to hold a vision of what the outcome you are working towards looks like, and hold that thought as a focal point to carry you through the lonely miles — knowing that every step along the path is getting you one step closer to making the vision a reality.
In order to achieve success, the road we will take will be hard, treacherous and at times frustrating. During this 90-day campaign there will surely be painful and even discouraging moments but I dare say to our fellow KAKAMPINKS, do not be dismayed. Defeat is only for those who give up at the first sign of hardship.
At times, we will argue with friends and even family members — worse we lose them in the heat of defending our candidates but please remember elections though personal in nature should not be about us or even the candidates we support but should be about our country and the love of our children to which the vote we cast would determine their future.
In these elections, we were told to move on and to forget the past thus uniting for the common good — strong words but carries empty promises. Unity as a value needs to be qualified. We can unite towards the cause of a few political elites (which serves only their interests) or we can truly unite for the betterment of all Filipinos. Well, I definitely choose the latter; and fortunately, we KAKAMPINKS have a candidate who would truly unite us all towards a brighter Philippines.
I shed tears when VP Robredo declared her intention to run last October 2021. It was a tear of hope knowing that with her the Filipinos can dream again for a brighter tomorrow. It was a tear of joy knowing that we don’t have to choose a “lesser evil” because now we have a “champion” who is certainly a class on her own; and one who is fit and prepared … and certainly not evil.
So, as we start this MARATHON and NOT A SPRINT towards the finish line, may we all keep in mind that no matter what happens, we have to continue to strive harder each day. No matter how many times we fall, we should always stand up and March on together hand in hand. And, whatever the other candidates may say, we will continue to believe that the truth will always prevail; and whatever they do vis-à-vis the guns, goons and gold, it will never generate the fear in us; and that our united action shall overcome all these forms of traditional politics. Finally, I call upon every Filipino Pink, Blue, Red, Yellow or whatever colored voter you may be to stand to what is TRUE. Fake news will always be fake, and to win on fake news is a fake victory. Stand up for what is right for the country even if this means standing alone. And fight like your life and family’s life depends on it. Your vote will determine the course of this country and of your loved ones for the next six years, so make it count.
Lastly, I pray that we will all be safe and healthy throughout the campaign and that we will all be here TOGETHER to celebrate the election of VP Leni Robredo as our next president — a leader would bring out the best in us, and someone that would make us all shine and make our country proud.