[OPINION] Halalan 2019: A Series of Unfortunate Events

Every aspect of the grueling blunders on the election process are to be scrutinized. Numerous people took to social media their dismay and anguish on the frustrating results, with others even planning on migrating from the Philippines. People on various social media platforms are starting a revolt against the candidates leading the unofficial tally of votes. You couldn't blame them. Who would want to see murderers, plunderers, and thieves assuming a seat in the Senate? Who would want to see incompetent individuals dominating the race? Here are 6 reasons why the results of this year's senatorial race would make everyone wish it's all just a joke.

 1.Malfunctioning machines

Numerous reports of malfunctioning machines, temporarily hindering operations, spread all over the internet. Three years of preparation before the election and you serve us with technical hullabaloos?

2. Pre-programmed Votes

The trend of mishaps continued with reports of ballot receipts as being different from the actual votes casted.  Netizens have claimed of voting their bets only to find out that the count went for someone else. These claims may be difficult to prove yet, but these measures just sound so desperate, don't they?

3. Cynthia Villar leading the race

Yes, it's a tough pill to swallow. Cynthia Villar, the woman who wanted to ban 'unli rice'. The same woman who said that our nurses need not finish a nursing degree because "hindi naman nila kailangang maging magaling". We may not know this senator personally (yes, she's eventually going to be a Senator for Christ's sake), but these statements from her are enough to prove her incompetence in the legislative body. At least for me.

4. The Rise of the Undeserving 

Among the leading senatoriables, emerged the names of those who deserve it the least. They are the likes of Revilla, Bato, Marcos, and Go. Do we need to say more? Disreputable records of these politicians were served left and right, yet they manage to gain the majority of the votes! Is this just the product of blind, foolish and uneducated voting? Or a result of the government's long-term plan to monopolize power?

5. The Counting Begins, or does it?

Topping-off the day with COMELEC's not-so-transparent counting completes the disaster. A dramatic climax to this thrilling comedy. It started with the release of 0.4 percent of the votes, followed by hours-long delays and voila! numbers jumped up and went down forming the Magic 12. Do we finally have proof that magic is real? (*insert sarcasm here)

6. The Downfall of the Ideal

Unfortunately, the clamor in social media is not loud enough to put the likes of Gutoc, Diokno, and Colmenares on top. With the emergence of the undeserving, ideal candidates backed by their outstanding credentials failed to make the cut. This election yet again proved that politics is never about competence and good track record.

The Philippines is in dire need of salvation and a life-changing plot twist. With the majority of voters thinking the way this election turned out, is it still safe to say that sovereignty resides on us, citizens of this country? It is imperative to note, however, that some of the voters were just victims of circumstances. Of unequal access to basic rights such as education. And their minds were influenced mainly by superficiality. It's not their fault. It never will be. It's the fault of those who were privileged but chose to be ignorant. Today marks the commencement of the modern-day revolution. We haven't lost yet. The quest for change continues. We will not keep quiet. Not now. NOT, EVER. 

#Halalan2019
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