The flaw of democracy

Originally published in Heraldo Filipino Volume 38, Double Issue

 

Election day is when we exercise our freedom to choose our leaders; freedom which allows every person to vote regardless of gender, religion, culture, and role in society. However, this is freedom, which also allows unqualified and uninformed choices to count.

As we draw near the 2025 Philippine Senate elections, I cannot help but notice numerous political personalities in commercial advertisements, social media, and posters waving their names on people’s faces. This makes me wonder about their expenses prior to the campaign period this coming February 2025. Where can they get such money, given that their lone salaries from their government positions won’t suffice? Most of them will argue that they have their own businesses, or are supported by political donors. If so, then it raises concerns about the potential influence of wealthy donors and business interests on their political agendas and policy decisions.

Moreover, the financial backing helps with sustaining a campaign, leading to more publicity and popularity regardless of the candidate’s competency. Despite a candidate’s qualifications, the charisma of a popular celebrity excites the majority of people the most. Their supporters mostly come from their fanbase, plus a promise to help the poor. That’s it. No degrees required, and no experience in law-making whatsoever.

The appeal of charisma is highly evident during the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections back in 2023. After observing the candidates’ platforms, even outside my barangay, their ignorance on current social issues was clear to me, especially in cases wherein they rather focus on basketball and volleyball leagues. Although sports is a healthy practice for the youth, the lack of scope for other matters such as environment and education shows less concern for long-term solutions to more crucial problems.

Since voters are inclined to appeal to what impacts them directly, it is the target of most candidates. This includes monetary grants, relief goods, and popular sports competitions. Projects like these are not inherently bad, but initiatives should have a balance between short-term and long-term goals. My father, a former barangay official, used to tell me the unnecessary purchases of the other officials, such as an overpriced second-hand printer and substandard infrastructures. As an engineering student, I share the sentiments of observing badly-built facilities and improper practices in infrastructure maintenance. 

The Philippines is known to openly practice democracy, but this democracy is not absolute. The majority of people think that democracy is well-practiced in the country because of the illusion set by the fact that everyone can vote. Behind the votes are schemes orchestrated by those who are in power to stay in power. I have seen a lot of election misconducts that suppress the voter’s genuine desire for change such as vote-buying, coercion, and manipulation of election results. Political dynasties are one of the major issues in most regions. Many argue that if the family members share the same vision in leading, why stop them? The issue is not about the warmth of their hearts, rather it is the threat of completely having control of the governing system as they are also being headed by the same group of people. Having more of the same families in different official positions gives them easy access to tampering legal processes.

The education crisis in the Philippines is a flawed root in democracy that branches out in electing ineffective government officials. The practice of disseminating disinformation is one of the strategies being laid out by those with extensive platforms, and the target audience is the uneducated sector of the community.

Is this why teachers are underpaid? Is it a coincidence that a system valuing educators so little might also lack sufficient classrooms and facilities? Does the flawed and unchanged education system simply train us to obey the current political system? People in power are scared of educated voters. The unending cycle of keeping corrupt officials in power so that they can stop voters from getting educated ensures that the freedom offered by democracy will always be an illusion.

Superficial events over critical programs, filled with clout that students get from extravagant events are the talk of the town. This emphasis on events highlights a broader issue where superficial popularity often overshadows substantive qualifications. As a member of the University’s student publication, I can’t help but notice how many student leaders view us as merely event photographers. When it comes to media coverage invites, we are seen to give visibility on their events, but when it comes to participation, we are merely existing. The focus on popularity can win votes in Student Government (SG) elections. Often, students vote for the candidate they recognize most, even without understanding their platforms. This seemingly minor practice during school years can develop into a habit of prioritizing popularity over qualifications, potentially affecting their choices beyond school life.

The flaw isn’t in democracy itself, but the people who are exercising it. To uphold freedom in democracy, we should recognize and address systemic issues such as corruption, manipulation, and lack of transparency that undermine its practice. Only by staying informed can we see the truth. It is not enough for us to just register, and vote. We’re being robbed behind our backs. Be vigilant and take action in stopping political malpractices no matter how small. Because these small instances may act as a seed that will grow and hinder everyone’s freedom.