Election 2016 on Social Media

Sweeping generalizations, that's the culprit.

This is what causes the great divide, the conflict, the mudslinging, the broken friendships. How sad. Social media was supposed to give us a platform to air our thoughts and opinions but I guess that's the downside of too much freedom and too much information flooding our timeline. Everything is taken in, both bad or good, substantial and trivial to the downright, pardon my French, stupid. Emotions are hyped up and a dignified discussion of things are set aside in favor of impassioned speeches and replies that cannot be moderated. So, thus, impairing logic, reason, and most of all, manners.

Respect, that's the answer.

No matter how much you try to convince one to shift to your camp, so to speak, this cannot be done if there's no effort on the other person to listen. And sometimes just don't even try. We don't know everything. We don't know their stories and why they chose to stand by their candidate. We can't impose. We just don't. That's trampling on their freedom of choice. That's their right.

I know of friends who are for Miriam. They stand by her brilliance, eloquence, and gung-ho attitude.

I know of friends who are for Grace. Her genteel nature and upbringing are what attracted them to her.

I know of friends who are for Binay. His lengthy experience in governance is what makes them an admirer of the man.

I know of friends who are for Duterte. His battlecry against drugs is their only hope.

And I know of friends who are for Roxas, just like I do. At this point in time, we are still hoping for some level of continuity to a path that it took a long time to pave given the circumstances in the past.

But that's just the tip of the iceberg. Our stories are more than just snippets. It cuts way too deep. It cannot be contained in this one post. What we don't know won't hurt us but what we know will probably do. So, please don't judge. And don't generalize. It's not fair. Just because I am rooting for my candidate, it automatically means that I took an “envelope,” that I am “bobo,” that I am “kupal.” I am not part of the Liberal Party nor am I a campaign manager. Instead, I belong to a closed Facebook group called The Silent Majority. I am rooting for my candidate because I believe that he is the best person to represent our country given the choices. My criteria is very simple: competence, leadership, compassion, and the ability to represent the nation in international fora. This is the same criteria I have measured the previous candidates in the 2010 elections and I did not even vote for PNoy.

The real battlefield, dear family and friends, will be at the polling precincts on May 9. That's the best place where we can wield our power, where we can truly have our voices be heard. Make your vote count. And remember it's not just about the President and Vice President, we are to vote for our Senators, Congressmen, Party-List and local leaders, too. Almost two weeks left so better start drawing up your list if you don't have one yet.

After the elections, we will be led by a new leader, whoever he or she may be. Let's pray for our new administration and start living in harmony once again. But we shall also be vigilant, regardless of the fact that he or she was our candidate. Once they're installed in office, we don't have loyalty to them anymore. Our loyalty is to our country. At all costs.