My elderly friend whispered to me: “I think it is a stern reminder to all the winners to govern strictly in accordance with the 1987 Constitution — the enduring legacy of Cory Aquino, whose soft voice to the newly elected, though faint, was audible, with a touch of the divine: “If you don’t govern properly as you promised in your campaign, I am sending my gem boy Bam with Kiko by his side to take over and lead the way!”

The 1987 Constitution is considered the world’s best in championing clean and honest government, in the observance of ethical standards and human rights.

The winning senators will be proclaimed at the Manila Hotel Tent City.

“Perhaps, by the grace of God, this Saturday and Sunday we hope to proclaim the winning senators,” Comelec Chair Garcia said in a press conference at the Manila Hotel Tent City.

He said “a full proclamation of the winning senators is possible if there is a certainty the bottom of the magic 12 will not change.”

As of 1:42 p.m. on 13 May, “Senator Imee Marcos clinched the 12th spot with 13,028,317 votes; she had a comfortable lead over 13th placer Ben Tulfo, who got 11,880,330 votes.

Meanwhile, Manny Pacquiao’s family was shocked but accepted his defeat in the Senate race.

Keen political observers opined that Pacquiao, though considered a national hero, may have been a victim of the “zero vote for Marcos candidates” operation, the Duterte camp’s quiet campaign to shield Sara from conviction in the impending impeachment trial in the Senate that will bar her from running for the presidency in 2028.

It was reported that the following candidates were supported by the Iglesia Ni Cristo: Bam Aquino, Bong Revilla, Pia Cayetano, Ronald de la Rosa, Christopher Go, Rodante Marcoleta, Imee Marcos and Camille Villar.

Judging from the partial results of the elections, can we say that the Filipinos have matured in choosing the candidates who can best govern them?

Most Filipino voters go to the polls to choose who will govern them but not necessarily how they will be governed.

Most voters prioritize charisma and pleasing appearance over actual skills or competence. They are more for a short-term gain or the flashy promises rather than long-term benefits and sustainable solutions.

Here are two answers to my questions:

What can you say about our election?

“Our election is more of a popularity contest than voting for the most capable. This weakens the foundation of democracy,” a young first-time voter said.

I asked an elderly voter: “Will the Philippines get better if we vote for the right leader?”

He replied: “I doubt it very much because we have a dysfunctional democratic system. Candidates run for public office not to serve the people but to enrich themselves. What is unfortunate, the people seem to have accepted this situation. Since the politicians at the top are corrupt, the people in the lower levels of government are also corrupt.”

Email: artbesana@gmail.com