THIS is a reaction to the disappointment of [Commission on Elections chairman Benjamin] Abalos.
Sir, the message is very clear, the OFWs here are busy with the more basic things — that is, the welfare of their respective families. Charity begins at home.
Personally, I did not register because I do not want to be counted as among those who place people with their own personal agenda in any position in our government.
It would have been better, if the Philippines would be run by common sense, rather than spend for elections which would place politicians without an iota of the simplest sense. After all, those who have the money will be sworn in to office, so what is the use of casting my vote? It is a waste of time.
While your office is doing everything to make things sensible, what will come out [will be] senseless results. In the Philippines, elections are all about money. Period. End of story.
– Edi Managaytay, Elmhurst, New York (via e-mail)
April 22nd, 2007 at 4:52 pm
One reason we are not improving is the way we appreciate things that are happening around us. We must show support to good things and learn to show disgust when things are wrong. That way those who are performing good will strive more to be good and those who are not will find their way hard to continue what they are doing.
So I agree that, as another OFW, I want my voice to be heard. I am also not voting.
April 21st, 2007 at 5:07 pm
Yes I’m also an OFW, busy working just like anybody of you who wish for nothing except to provide welfare for my family. Indeed, one reason why we chose to work abroad is because our government can not give us all what we want. But this doesn’t mean that we’ll forget completely our responsibility for our one and only real homeland –Philippines. It is not a waste of time sir to cast your vote. Our government is trying everything to listen to your concerns that’s why we have this OAV. Let us not be pessimistic that our country is doomed to fail…I strongly believe that there are millions of overseas Filipinos who still care for our dear Pinas.
No matter where we are or what we believe…it is our sole duty to proclaim to the world that there are still Filipinos out there who love and care their country.
April 17th, 2007 at 8:08 pm
“Sir, the message is very clear, the OFWs here are busy with the more basic things â€â€? that is, the welfare of their respective families. Charity begins at home.”
“It is a waste of time.”
If you are a Filipino, Mr. Managaytay, in both legal and nationalistic senses, you would know better that in a democratic state, it is the utter responsibility of all to vote. True, there are still problems in holding very clean elections, but still there are hundreds upon thousands - if not millions - of volunteers all over the land that try their best to uphold the integrity of the elections at the very grassroots level.
Although I do not know what your personal reasons are, the article and Mr. Abalos do say that the Filipinos in the areas mentioned there /feared losing their US citizenship/ if they took their oaths for absentee voting. Does that NOT tell you that they are not faithfully upholding the duties of their Filipino citizenship?
For the sake of all the people struggling here in the Philippines - with all due respect to someone who is already abroad - please do not make excuses like “It is a waste of time.” In the tenets of democracy, I’d say that is tantamount to treason to the motherland.
Mabuhay po tayong mga Pilipino.