We can now all sigh with relief. Despite a few kinks and curls, the general elections were generally regarded as peaceful, orderly and credible. For sure, the electoral process allows for some more room for improvement but we can all agree that there is a marked progress in the conduct of this year’s automated elections since the time automation was first introduced in 2010 and later in the 2013 elections. From the record voter turn-out of an estimated 81 percent of registered voters, the record-setting pace in the transmission of election returns, and even the early concession by some of the candidates, the 2016 elections is propitious and a good indication of what is to come. Arguably, cheating remains. Vote buying is still rampant. But the possibility of pulling off dagdag-bawas and other techniques to manipulate election results has been reduced to minimum, if not nil. Thanks to automation which made sure that human intervention in the election process is limited to a bare minimum.
In the not-so-distant past when votes were still manually counted and canvassed, every election was a tinderbox, a powder keg of sort that could explode anytime, fueled as it was by a seriously flawed system which the candidates themselves and their supporters take advantage of. Fraud, violence and allegations of cheating flying thick in the air were the norm and seen by a resigned and callous public as part and parcel of democracy, Philippine-style. The public then, always cynical and suspicious of the whole process, albeit for good reason, would easily fall prey to the antics of unscrupulous agitators.
As for the vice presidential race, I will keep my peace for now. All claims of victory by one side and cheating by the other are premature. As this is a close fight, we should all just stand down and wait for the canvassing by Congress to begin and to be completed.
This Sunday we will be celebrating Pentecost. I can just imagine the same relief that the Apostles felt when the Holy Spirit descended upon them to reenergize and reinvigorate their sagging spirits after the Lord ascends into heaven. Jesus’ disciples must have felt like abandoned orphans when he told them that he is going away, that he is about to return to the Father. This causes some distress among the disciples, hearing that their Master is about to leave them. Without the reassuring presence of our Lord, the future is uncertain for his followers. Who will protect them from the vengeful and hostile Jews? What violence and persecution will they suffer in the hands of their enemies? This is why on the day of the Pentecost, the disciples, locking the windows and doors, huddle in prayerful silence, perhaps contemplating and discussing among themselves what the future holds.
Before the May 9 polls there must have been a collective foreboding about the outcome of the elections. Months leading to E-day, political analysts were saying that the elections would be hotly contested. And so it would seem since the poll surveys showed voting preference, particularly in the presidential race, shifting from one candidate to another. In the months leading to the elections, we would see VP Binay taking the early lead, then Senator Grace Poe and finally Mayor Duterte taking driver’s seat at the tail end of the campaign period that would eventually lead him to a landslide victory. That candidates were trading accusations and counter-accusations did not help.
Much like the disciples who acquired newfound courage from the Paraclete, giving them the zeal to proclaim the risen Lord among the Jews and gentiles, and ultimately face their worst fears, we can also say that the success of the recently concluded elections, sort of, emboldens us to confront the future and gain confidence in ourselves, knowing fully well that with the help and guidance of the Holy Spirit, we have the capacity to overcome the most serious of challenges.
Of course, the Holy Spirit does not promise a bed of roses and easy life to his followers. The apostles continued to suffer persecution and to bear all forms of crosses as they proclaim the Kyregma to the gentiles. In fact, with the exception of St. John the Beloved, all the apostles suffered martyrdom. What the Spirit of God offers is hope, courage, strength and wisdom.
In like manner, the success of the elections and the coming of a new administration do not guarantee that all the ails of our society will disappear. The promise of change by the incoming Duterte administration is not a panacea. It is but a reason to hope and face the dawning of a new day with renewed courage and hope. I am interested to know how Mayor Duterte, with his colorful personality, will approach the challenges of governance. Will he inspire the courage and zeal of a Pentecost or will it be pain of the Passion all over again? The next six years surely will be interesting.
Let us all keep the faith for Christ has sent us the gift of the Holy Spirit, our helper and guide. And to this we say: “To You, O Paraclete, we raise / Unending songs of thanks and praise.” Yes, Holy Spirit, come and guide us.
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