The 2022 election is ahead its way set on May 9 this year with the campaign period already been underway since last February 8 for the national positions. Along with the campaign, the period is various tactics and strategies used by politicians – black propaganda and fake news being in abundance during this time of the year. Needless to say, our job as voters does not end with simply shading a circle in the ballot.
Another year of choosing another candidate and another year of promises and flowery words offered by certain politicians – while there are those who truly keep a promise, the majority of the political candidates opt for the position and exploit it for themselves. And we the mass often opted to vote for those with a questionable background, with decades of corruption and violence faced by the Filipino people. Thus, is a question: when will the Filipino people ever learn?
Up to this date, the Philippines remain stagnant on its traditional conservative belief that strays not too far away from its Christian roots. Even to a hypocritical point, we Filipinos tend to rely on religious belief rather than facing truth and facts. Maybe questionable choices during an election are deeply rooted within a systematic traditional belief enforced by years and years of occupation of the Spaniards. Nevertheless, whatever the root cause is, such a problem must be mitigated as elections are fast coming.
One of the issues which plague the sociopolitical climate of the country is the current debate between the right of the third gender or the LGBTQIA+ Community, specifically the right to marriage. While many foreign countries already had given way to same-sex marriage, the Philippines still remains with its religious stance and catholic ridden beliefs that marriage should be sacred – between a man and a woman not between a man and a man nor woman and a woman. Such conservative beliefs have raised brows with the current generation.
Same-sex marriage along with the SOGIE rights has been a long fight for the LGBTQIA+ Community. With the decades-long abuse, discrimination, hate crime, and bullying the community now stands strong with its belief in equal rights, as such the right to marriage. A debate that is between the church and the state. And while the government is a separate institution from the church, laws and different political beliefs are anchored towards Christianity as the religion is dominated in the country – a huge number in the population of the country are either Christians or roman catholic.
While the majority dominates the country, there are still those who differ in beliefs and it is part of the government’s job to still recognize the minorities and the marginalized.
The argument still continues whether a same-sex law should be passed. Many argue that we should respect the beliefs of the Christian religion, that their marriage is sacred thus what would be fair is the “same-sex” union – basically would be the same in essence, a law that recognizes same-sex relationships, only with the exclusion of the label “marriage”. Apparently, such a word is owned by the religious.
But the concept of marriage exists even way before Christianity. In the context of the Philippines, history tells us that marriage existed. Same-sex relationships are even recognized due to Philippine mythologies that feature same-sex relationships. Stories that feature genuine love for one another are contrary to what is being preached today on same-sex relationship, that those who engage in such activities is unholy and only acts on lust – sparking hate to those believers of the religion towards another human being.
The disagreement with same-sex marriage or in a general same-sex relationship had been a taboo in the country that is deeply rooted in prejudice and biases resulting in hate crimes and violence faced by the LGBTQIA+ Community – discrimination and inequality are still evident today even though the slow acceptance of the community. Unfortunately, such a label hinders another human being to treat another as one. The fight towards better equality is still a moving movement, and struggling fight for those who suffer.
It is now up to the future leaders to decide the fate of the community, but it is up to us to choose the right leader.
These upcoming elections, let us be an instrument of change for those who are victims of institutionalized hate and discrimination among Filipinos. Let us know our candidates who truly fight for the rights of the marginalized – by knowing factual evidence based on reliable sources and not merely found on TikTok videos and random spliced and manipulated conspiracy theories found on YouTube. As voters who have the responsibility of choosing the next leader, we should have careful consideration for this election. The lives of people matter, one simple vote can simply flip a switch, can kill life, or can start a spark of hope.
Illustration by: Khaila Mae Faustor
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