Election Hangover

Some say the 1949 Presidential election was the worst ever. The 1950-51 Senate hearings about the 1949 election showed that in some Mindanao barrios, there were more voters than number of residents and that some registered voters did vote even when they had died before the election. There was less cheating, terrorism and vote buying in the 2022 elections for 5 reasons. 1. Everyone had a cellphone, tablet so bad or unusual activities could be reported, recorded, filmed and be exposed/sent all over the world, at once. There was more radio/TV coverage all over the nation. 2. Almost all the public schools turned into voting centers could be reached anytime all the time because we have more bridges, cemented/asphalted roads, throughout the country. 3. The NAMFREL (National Movement for Free Elections) merged with the P.P.C.R.V (Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting) in monitoring the 2022 election. NAMFREL was first involved in the 1951 election but after 71 years (1951-2022) of heroic efforts, it was losing steam because of age. Luckily, in 2022 the Church activated its social/political action arm through the P.P.C.R.V. It was a perfect match. NAMFREL had the experience, competence and know-how. The best organized, disciplined, dedicated groups in the nation are the GKKs and the church lay organizations (K.O.C, D.M.I. etc.). And the youth were eager to help. 4. There were 10 Presidential and 9 Vice Presidential candidates, 64 Senatorial candidates, 171 Party-list groups, national parties like N.P., L.P., PDP Laban, regional parties like Hugpong, and each had a watcher. The voting centers were filled with watchers and voters on May 9 from 6 AM to May 10 6 AM. It is hard to cheat, switch voting machines, terrorize, and buy votes when the area is overflowing with people. 5. Voting stopped at 7 PM; machine counting began at 8 PM and by 10 PM all the ballots had been counted. The election return of each machine was printed by 10:30 PM. Before midnight of May 9, we already know who won. Salamat sa Ginoo sa hapsay ug malinawon nga pinili-ay.