Ever since I disagreed with Manolo’s contention that the middle class will boycott Monday’s elections, I’ve started noticing indications that, well, he may be right. Strictly anecdotal evidence, of course, and certainly not massive enough to make me change my mind, but, well, consider only the following:
The son of an editor I know won’t bother to vote on May 14 — the same young man who, when he turned 18 a few years ago, stood in line for hours just to register as a voter.
Mike Tan’s always sensible column tomorrow (that is, it’s appearing Friday, May 11, although I read it on our system this afternoon) begins by talking about several people he knows who will skip Monday’s elections.
The dismal turnout among overseas voters — the vanguard of the rising middle class, is one way to look at them — suggests persuasively that the 2004 elections had turned them off the voting process.
To be sure, if I were a betting man, I would still place my money on participation, rather than a boycott. Our republic’s short history tells me that Filipinos, even the members of an increasingly impatient middle class, can’t resist the call of the polls.
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4 Feedbacks on "I could be wrong"
Erwin Oliva
I also asked the same question to some journalists covering the elections. Not surprisingly, almost everyone was not voting/registered. Sad but true.
Manuel L. Quezon III: The Daily Dose » Blog Archive » Can candidates beat the odds?
[…] a civic note, baratillo@cubao explains why he will vote. John Nery in our joint blog, who disagreed previously with my assertion the middle class will be boycotting this one, rethinks […]
Jim
Even if I’m given the chance to vote, I will also withhold my right to do so as I don’t see anyone who is true to the service of the people.
Does it matter? at Cyberbaguioboy
[…] blog entry in Current talked about people not voting this mid-term elections. I must admit I am one of them. A […]
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