slacker mommy files

    It is now February 15 and there are about 82 days left before the 2010 presidential elections. Debates and forums are being held in these and those places, as well as public mudslinging and marathon speeches about political platforms and rehashed promises. Nearly everybody has an opinion on each presidential candidate, everyone has his own manok (bet), and everyone has a say on what should be done to the Philippines on a national level.

    For me, I’m just a housewife, a mom, and a pseudo-hermit. What does the presidential elections have to do with me? Could anyone guarantee me that if I vote for Noynoy, I will be ensured that I can land a suitable job with relative ease despite my qualifications, or the lack thereof? Or if I vote for Villar, that I would be able to walk the streets of Metro Manila with my children without fear of being mugged or such? Or if I vote for Jamby, would she be able to effect the necessary changes in national health care so that I wouldn’t’t have to present my passbook before I get the necessary medical attention that I need? I do not have the luxury to be idealistic about the politics in this country. First and foremost, if I would ever vote for any candidate, I have to keep my children’s welfare in mind.

    I am aware that there are various national issues that need to be resolved: the civil-military unrest in Mindanao, educational inadequacies, unemployment, poverty, plunder, graft and corruption, et cetera, et cetera; but I am more concerned of issues that relate almost directly to me and my family. I ask again, what is politics to a housewife anyway? I would really like to read and examine each presidential candidate’s platform and discern for myself whether the changes they are selling to the people are actually feasible, and if I can entrust to them the future of my daughters. So far, I have only skimmed through three political platforms: those of Nicanor Perlas, Gibo Teodoro, and Bro. Eddie Villanueva. I still want to scrutinize these propositions for change that these gentlemen are publishing. It would seem that they already have strategies mapped out. Maybe by reading more into these, I might have a clear idea if these plans are actually doable and implementable, especially in the current societal environment and in six years of their office.

    I would want to believe that among these people running for the highest political office in the country would be one who will be really able to alleviate the immediate problems of our land and gradually effect changes the changes that they envisioned. I am still without a candidate to vote for, but should I finally decide on anyone, I hope that they will be able to lay out the foundations of a great future Philippines for my daughters.