Filipinos’ Political Awareness: Still Too Dumb to Notice

by Charbie H. Balistoy

By all accounts to lure the public, charisma and general appeal are prioritized over policy agendas and track records.

Several leaders have been ignored due to the public’s incapacity to look past the winning candidates’ principles, names, and popularity. As if it was foreshadowed, last year’s presidential bets were popularity contests based on personalities. Professional boxer Manny Pacquiao, former actor Isko Moreno, and Ferdinand Marcos Jr., son of the former dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr., are some of those who used their fame and family ties to their advantage during the elections. On top of that, actor Robin Padilla and broadcast journalist Raffy Tulfo led the previous senatorial polls compared to the other parties with their platforms and professional backgrounds. By all accounts to lure the public, charisma and general appeal are prioritized over policy agendas and track records. Voters are based more on names than political objectives.

Moreover, political preferences can be influenced by a myriad of factors, one of which is social media. Despite the range in ages and whether media literate or not, this generation uses social media extensively. Due to media illiteracy, individuals frequently believe in misleading articles and videos and are hence, prone to false information. Consequently, more than 300 accounts supporting a candidate’s campaign were reported to be suspended by Twitter in January 2022 after they were found to have violated the platform’s spam and manipulation policies.

The phrase Ignorance is bliss conveys that not knowing something unpleasant is sometimes better than learning and worrying about it. However, it is never bliss since it can result in poor choices, wrong actions, and horrible outcomes that can negatively affect people’s quality and quantity of life.

With this dilemma, The Commission on Higher Education and the Commission on Election should collaborate to carry out widespread voters education in the institutions so that they will be fully informed about the candidates they prefer. Other government and non-government organizations must participate in spreading voter education to a broader audience. Moreover, COMELEC shall establish a policy outlining the procedures for electoral surveys, propaganda, and candidate rallies to educate voters more thoroughly.

Society has to defend freedom in a democracy, and voting ensures an accountable government carrying the people’s will. However, things are unattainable if the majority still have to deal with their political assessment crisis.