Philippine Democracy and Automation of Elections by Russel S. Pernites

“Being stuck is a position few of us like. We want something new but cannot let go of the old old ideas, beliefs, habits, even thoughts. We are out of contact with our own genius. Sometimes we know we are stuck; sometimes we don't. In both cases we have to do something.” -- Inga Teekens

I remember one political scientist commenting that “Philippine democracy is transplanted democracy.” I agree with that because if we trace our political development, we have acquired democracy and developed our present political culture not on our own initiative but because the Americans have transplanted them, literally.

By reason of this “transplantation”, Philippine democracy has not worked as well as its American progenitor. It has been subjected to several criticisms and challenges and will continue to face more debacles on the process.

In the upcoming 2010 elections, the world will be a witness to the historical leap of the Philippines in terms of its electoral process. We have at last made tangible the long been aspired automation of elections—as mandated by our very own Constitution.

This attempt is another replication of the American electoral process. It aims an expeditious election process with perceived lesser fraud and election violations. It had worked in the United States and in other states, surely this will work in the Philippines. The latter argument has received countless oppositions, the automation has even received repulsion prior to its inception, but I stand to support it.

I recognize the fact and considered the advantages and the corresponding disadvantages of the automation of the election process. I stand to support the argument not because of the fact that it work in the United States or in some other developed or developing states but because I believe that the Philippines is capable of making it possible.

As the sovereign citizens of this Republic we should initiate the step to steer the direction of our political development towards a direction reflective of our own political culture. We should start the step leading a trail towards a Filipino democracy. We should not let our country get forever stuck in its present situation. Everything in this world is a cycle but when will the cycle benefit us depends on how we assert every possibility. If everything is well and good being stuck is an excellent choice but our country needs to be alleviated from the quicksand where we fell. Being stuck will be tantamount to death.

I stand to support the argument because I want to prove myself wrong. I want to prove myself wrong in totally agreeing with the political scientist’s observation. I agree with him but now I must qualify, Philippine democracy is a transplanted democracy but Filipinos are taking steps to transform this democracy suitable to the Philippine set-up.

I stand to support the argument because the automation of the election will be the benchmark to show that we have tried to develop our own and we will be able to make it. I acknowledge the disadvantages but it is better to try than dwell all our lives on the “what if’s.” Election time is the most crucial time because it is where democracy at its crux is exercised. It is a time where we make intelligent choices and by reason of the automation of election our intelligent choice will not be marred by unscrupulous fellowmen.

On this issue, I do not want to be a devil’s advocate but be an optimistic spirit, eager to embark and venture new ways. It is difficult to go beyond our comfort zones but this is a peculiar event at a pressing time. I want to become part of history—a history that will mold our political and historical identity and at the same time be a guiding post for the future Filipinos decision making. Adsum.