12/05/2025
๐ญ๐๐๐๐๐๐ | ๐บ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ (๐๐๐๐)
The right of voting; the exercise of such right.
Did you know? The word DEMOCRACY comes from the Greek word ๐
ฤ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ that originated from the two words: ๐
ฤ๐๐๐ which means โpeopleโ and kratos that translates to โruleโ. That is to say, democracy is โrule by the peopleโ- it is a government by, of, and for, the people.
With the Philippine National and Local Elections upon us once again, all registered voters are called upon and greatly encouraged to participate - to vote with our countryโs best intentions in mind and to fully use and take advantage of this right, this opportunity, to vote and take part in governing our country. For such a right was not easily acquired.
Our right to vote (๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐) - our established presence within the politics of the country - took many, many, many years for it to become what we have today. During the Spanish Era, Friars held great sway over the appointment and election of various local officials, with the elections being commonly done within their residences and under their influence.
On the other hand, when we were passed on to the hands of the United State, we were deemed incapable of suffrage, only allowed to vote after some time had passed and even then, it was restricted only to the โelite and intelligentโ. The reason for which, explained by William H. Taft, the first U.S. governor of the Philippines in 1902 and head of the Philippine commission during the first formal elections, was that by doing so, it would โsecure a fairly intelligent body of representatives in the popular assembly.โ
Facing such obstacles to complete suffrage, the Filipino people, especially women who were not allowed to vote yet, worked hard to fight for the establishment of their rights to participate in such a crucial aspect of our society. With the ratification of the 1935 Philippine Constitution in 1907, and with the successful completion of the condition that 300,000 women declare their wish to vote to the country, women were finally allowed to vote. In 1916, with the passing of the โJones Lawโ, an elected Filipino legislature with a House of Representatives and Senate was created. 18 years later saw the establishment of the Commonwealth of the Philippines with Philippine Independence promised to be given by 1946.
Unfortunately, the triumphs we Filipinos have accomplished during those years were violently halted and yet another obstacle - a great and tragic one - threatened our independence in the form of the Japanese colonizers in 1941. The Japanese Military reigned cruelly over all, while the civil administration during this tumultuous period was reduced to puppets under tight control. The Constitution in this period had no provisions on voting, and even the new president, Jose P. Laurel was elected unconventionally.
Liberation was gained in 1944 and independence was in sight as 1946 drew near. The first elections that Philippines had as an independent country, wherein Manuel Roxas was elected president, was held on April 23, 1946, a few months before gaining our independence. The years afterwards saw the establishment of a presidential system inspired by the United Statesโ.
The Commision on Elections (COMELEC) is โthe principal government agency tasked by the Constitution to enforce and administer all laws and regulations concerning the conduct of regular and special elections.โ Independent from the three branches of the government (Executive, Legislative, Judicial), COMELEC takes upon the pivotal role of ensuring the fairness, honesty, and integrity of elections.
From casting our votes on ballot boxes and manually counting and checking each data gathered with as much accuracy as possible, the Philippines have come a long way and is now using various more efficient and quick methods as technology made a turning point in the history of elections. In 1992, COMELEC introduced โOperation Modexโ, from the words Modernization and Excellence and campaigned for the modernization of elections. This operation encouraged the exploration for innovation in the process of election using technological advancements. Republic Acts No. 8436 and No. 9369 further pushed forward Operation Modex, eventually leading to the full automation of elections within the country in 2010 and until now.
From having no say on the leadership of our country, from having that say only available to the minority, from being colonized, oppressed, and restricted, the current Filipinos now have the ability to influence the politics of society.
In this yearโs elections, may all of us always keep in mind the weight that every vote we cast has in determining the state of our beloved country. This is an act that shows our love for the nation. Suffrage is our right and power to make a difference, an impact, a choice that will dictate how our lives and the lives of the people around us will be led. Let no such thing as โ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐โ hinder you in making the right decisions in choosing the people to trust in governing our nation. For every vote counts; every vote matters - your voice matters.
Words by: Athea Narvadez
Pubmat by: Xian Segundo
