As votes are cast during the 2025 midterm elections, Filipinos are increasingly anxious about what’s at stake in the polls. This has prompted online discussions about who to vote for and what stances and kinds of politics should be considered in the face of growing dissatisfaction with governance and accountability. As propaganda and machinery favor those who can afford advertisements, it is now up to the Filipinos to research on their own and think about the kind of future that is in the making.
Differing opinions online have emerged analyzing the characters of the candidates and the laws that they have passed. One viral post suggested a filtering system for candidates. It ruled out those part of a political dynasty, involved in graft and corruption, or with no record of public service. At the same time, it gave preference to those with a record of passing laws — finally coming to a conclusion that Filipinos only need to be objective and check track records in government and lawmaking.
However, this filtering system of candidates tends to favor those with visible ties to elite political dynasties and prior government service. It negates the fact that lawmaking is not about the number of laws passed or who fits that image of a traditional politician. It also neglects how laws are used against the marginalized and policies have become a way to legitimize personal interests at the expense of the nation’s development. As such, it is important to emphasize that lawmaking is not only about drafting and passing laws but also about making sure that these laws genuinely improve the Filipino people’s welfare.
Additionally, while prior experience in the Senate might seem important for lawmakers to have, it is also important to see what stand they have taken on certain government practices. Any statements they have made opposing or agreeing to practices like government impunity reveal the kind of leader they are – especially if they spoke out despite odds stacked against them. After all, lawmakers play a vital role in upholding checks and balances particularly in matters of national interest. This is critical when issues such as widespread human rights violations and extra-judicial killings (EJKs) including during the bloody war on drugs, gender and political discrimination, barefaced corruption and lack of public accountability mar the political landscape of the country.
Everyone is assumed to be on a fair playing field in a democracy but in reality the field is not equal. It is heavily tilted in favor of the rich, however self-serving their motivations, and against those lacking resources no matter how deep and extensive their civic engagement and commitment to the public good.
Moreover, the current mold of the electoral system alarmingly favors recycled and conventional candidates whose superficial track records make them seem more “worthy” of seats, as the filtering system of this viral post does. It sidelines candidates with genuine advocacies in favor of those who would just use power to benefit themselves – right when the incoming 20th Congress will be called to hold abusers of authority accountable.
The lawmakers that Filipinos need are not traditional ones but rather those that truly carry a mass-oriented advocacy for the people.
