Are we there yet? Honestly, we are still quite far off. While the light at the end of the tunnel can be barely seen, there is anticipated optimism as we travel in a positive direction. I write on the matter of representation as a bridge to democracy in the context of the Muslim experience, an ongoing journey.

The essence of democracy is representation. At its core, it refers to the idea that individuals or groups in society delegate authority to specific people (representatives) to make decisions, create laws, and govern on their behalf. It is the principle of indirect participation in governance, central to democratic systems. We elect our national leaders from the President (executive) to the members of Congress (legislative) down to the local leaders in the provinces and the barangays.

Don’t get me wrong but bear with me. We have elected our local chief executives from the national down to the local/provincial/municipal levels for several elections already. But what is the percentage of Muslim legislators, national or local executives, who are Muslims (other than those on the local level in Muslim Mindanao)?

Yes, we have had a couple of Muslim senators and members of the Cabinet every now and then, like the dedicated Secretary of the Department of Budget and Management, the highly energetic Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman, born to a Maranao father and Ilocano mother. Previously, there were also Muslim Cabinet secretaries or those with the rank of secretary. But, was this enough representation?

Differently said, representation can be referred to as an outcome, an important by-product of democracy. We allow our chosen representatives to govern us in return for an assurance of a fair representation of our interests, rights, and welfare. Ideally, actual public consultations should be regularly conducted to get a sense of what is needed.

The partylist system is such a by-product. On top of elected district representatives, we elect sectoral representations for labor, women and children, farmers and fisherfolk sectors, etc. Proportional representation for marginalized sectors have emerged in response to the need for inclusivity in a pluralistic society.

Are diversity and inclusivity important in a democracy? Definitely! This should be the setup to ensure democratic representation on both the national and local levels.

The Philippines being an archipelago, diversity already exists. Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao have different cultures and ways of life. Further, a great number of us have not remained in our places of birth. Statistics show that local migration is a fact of life. Ilocanos have not stayed in the north, Visayans did not stay put in the Visayas, and so with Mindanaoans.

In fact, even Muslims are all over the country contributing to local economies. For us Muslims, we call this reverse migration — from south to north. In various localities, there is a sizable Muslim community. These circumstances should all be taken into account when choosing the candidate who best aligns with our different beliefs, values and aspirations.

So, are we there yet? In my humble opinion, it may be taking longer than we thought. While we have seen several of our kind walk the corridors of power every now and then, in a democracy where representation is deeply rooted in legitimacy, we ought to strive for more than just the quota.