Makati residents on elections, Binay dynasty

Makati residents on elections, Binay dynasty

By Irish Mae Silvestre
The Philippine Reporter
As the last of the ballots were counted for the highly divisive midterm elections, the future of politics is a hot topic. From electoral fraud to campaign strategies, Makati residents share their thoughts on the results and what it means for the future.
Karen Nina Marie Camcam, 40, a full-time mom
Perfecto Dacuycoy*, 44, an electronic banking officer
Nenita A. Gonzalez, 64, a business owner
Ramon Naui, 41, a project officer
Rhoni Christel R. Trillana, 23, a procurement specialist
Harold Ynez*, 66, a business executive
What are your thoughts on the election results?
Camcam: I wasn’t happy with the results, especially on the national level. I have to accept that most of the electorate are either immature or too lazy to do their research. This could be a learning experience for us: know the demographics, strategize and campaign to the CDE classes.
Dacuycoy: People will have their opinions whatever the result. If their team wins, it’s all good. If they lose, they’ll rant that they were cheated.
Gonzalez: Though I expected the outcome of this election, I still hoped people would vote wisely. But I felt sad about the results.
Naui: I think it’s full of crap and fraud. The uneducated outnumber the intellects. There are questionable results, though it’s a welcome sign that some dynasties in the LGU (local government units) have ended.
Trillana: It’s disappointing. I hoped Filipinos learned their lesson after the first three years of Duterte’s administration; that wasn’t the case. It proved why we never stopped being the third world country we are now.
Ynez: The majority of the voting population was unaware of the facts and situation our country’s facing. Qualified candidates were outvoted by plunderers, comedians, murderers and undesirables. Name recall and popularity still win elections.
What are your thoughts on the future of the Binay dynasty?
Camcam: They will never let go of Makati. Unless there’s someone really powerful, wise and has the ability to throw away billions of pesos, this city is theirs. They’re greedy for money and power. Rumour has it the next Makati mayor will be Abby Binay’s husband.
Dacuycoy: People patronize the Binays’ “Robin Hood” type of leadership – as long as people benefit from any theft or corruption, they don’t care and let it continue.
Gonzalez: The Binay dynasty remains unless a Makati citizen who’s strong, respectable and has [a real understanding of politics] should stand up to run against them.
Naui: The Binay dynasty will continue until a solid opponent comes in, which unfortunately we haven’t seen in the past 33 years.
Trillana: Nancy and Abby’s victory were an eye-rolling result, but their father’s loss sparked hope that this dynasty might someday be a thing of the past.
Ynez: The patriarch lost to Kid Peña, indicating a strong opposition in the coming election. The Binay dynasty’s grasp over Makati is now in danger considering the silent majority is asserting their strength in numbers.
What’s your opinion on the allegations of vote buying and electoral fraud?
Camcam: They’re the norm but hard to prove. There are so many gray areas and the laws have loopholes. I’ve seen the interview with the COMELEC and they confirmed that, yes, there are many cases but not even one person has been penalized or sentenced.
Dacuycoy: As long as there are poor citizens who accept money, vote buying and election fraud will continue.
Gonzalez: The results speak of the reality of electoral fraud. The majority and the most powerful really win.
Naui: These allegations are rampant because it’s been the norm in every form – they just don’t have solid proof to back those claims.
Trillana: We have to fight this election practice – it won’t stop unless we do our part. Politicians know exactly who to target. They take advantage of Filipinos’ hunger only to be the mere cause of their starvation once they’re seated in government.
Ynez: Vote buying seems to be an accepted means to win; it’s an open secret.
What’s the general reaction among Filipinos?
Camcam: They’re satisfied. Most Filipinos are short-sighted – they don’t think about the long-term. Whoever makes them happy now – whether through a teleserye, dance moves or comedy – they’ll support them.
Dacuycoy: The general reaction has been: “Pare-pareho lang yan [they’re all the same]; might as well get our chunk of whatever they’re getting.”
Gonzalez: Some Filipinos are saddened and the majority who are blinded by the promises of their chosen leaders, felt victorious. They don’t know what will happen to the future of their beloved country.
Naui: It depends: if you’re pro-administration, it was satisfactory. If you’re on the other side, you may feel there’s massive cheating.
Trillana: Disgust, anger and a sense of hopelessness. I felt sad seeing that an ex-convict, a daughter of a thief and dictator, and a bunch of lunatics and clueless others are now the country’s “lawmakers.”
Ynez: For computer literate voters, the “glitch” during the canvassing is unacceptable, thereby raising speculations on the authenticity of the results, especially with the lopsided outcome of the count.
*Real name withheld on request