Dispatch from Crame No. 394:
Sen. Leila M. de Lima's appeal to First-Time Voters

10/1/18

A few days ago, my only nephew, Marcel, became a first-time voter. He was among the many who endured the long lines and punishing heat in Comelec offices in different parts of the country.

Last Saturday was the last day of registration of voters for next year's elections. At gaya sa ibang mga deadline, kilo-kilometrong pila ng mga naghahabol na mga tao -- karamihan ay kabataan -- ang nakita natin. Procrastination is a bad trait. Pero, sabi nga nila, mas maigi pa rin ang umabot kahit sa huling araw kaysa naman hindi.

Mahahalagang bagay ang nakataya sa pagiging botante. No less than the power and privilege to participate in elections, referenda and plebiscites is given to a voter. And it is through these political exercises that the destiny of our country is being shaped and defined with the kind of leaders that we elect and the program of government that we choose. Walang ibang pagkakataon, kundi sa halalan, nararamdam natin na ang tunay na makapangyarihan ay ang sambayanang Pilipino.

Pantay-pantay rin ang karapatan ng lahat sa pagboto. Anuman ang edad, kasarian at katayuan sa lipunan, may parehong pagkakataon ang bawat isa na makibahagi sa pamahalaan sa pamamagitan ng halalan.

These awesome truths -- that sovereignty truly resides in the people, and that every voter has an equal chance to vote and to effect changes -- should have special meaning at this time in our nation's history.

In a dying democracy, in the face of rising authoritarianism -- the kind that destroys and disorients -- this is the most opportune time to regain what's left of our dignity as Filipinos and remains in our civilized society, through the power of the ballot.

Let that power speak the truth and call out the excesses and abuses of authority. Let that power confront and correct all the lies, deception and corruption that blacken the Filipino soul.

Kay Marcel at sa mga bagong botanteng Pilipino: Salamat sa inyong pagsisikap na makilahok. Gamitin ninyo ang bago ninyong kapangyarihan sa pagboto para sa katotohanan, katwiran at katarungan sa ating lipunan. Nasa inyo at sa iba pang mga botante ang kinabukasan ng ating bayan.