Pinoys urged: Vote for Philippines, not for selfish gains

MANILA, Philippines — Filipinos should vote for the Philippines, not for selfish gains, money or expected positions in the government, the country’s former top diplomat appealed yesterday, emphasizing that the elections today will determine whether the nation will move toward integrity and democracy or fall further into corruption.

“In this very important exercise, may we ask our fellow Filipinos to vote for our country, preserve our democracy and uphold integrity, justice and truth,” former foreign affairs secretary Albert del Rosario said in a statement.

“Please vote for our country – first and foremost – before personal advantage, money or expected positions in the government. Please do not vote for selfish gains, at the expense of our countrymen,” Del Rosario added.

Filipinos will be exercising a fundamental right made possible by the democracy regained by the people’s struggle against the Marcos dictatorship that crippled the Filipinos’ right to vote, according to the country’s former top envoy.

“The democratic exercise (today), however, will also determine whether our country will move towards integrity and the preservation of democracy; or whether it will further fall into corruption, depravity and fascism as during the Marcos dictatorship,” he said.

Del Rosario asked Filipinos to preserve democracy and uphold integrity, justice and truth.

The 2022 presidential election has been defined as a one-on-one fight between Vice President Leni Robredo, who has no record of corruption, and former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., who, Del Rosario said, basks in the corrupt legacy of his dictator-father.

Marcos wishes to reinstall his father’s regime, which amassed an estimated P500 billion or more in plundered wealth from the Filipino people.

Some 70,000 people were imprisoned, 34,000 were tortured and over 3,200 were killed during the nine years of martial law, according to Amnesty International.

“Given the options in the presidential election, we believe that the choice (today) is clear and unambiguous. In fact, the 2022 presidential election presents the most obvious choice in recoverable memory,” Del Rosario said.

Voting for Marcos, he emphasized, is the most unpatriotic choice since it is tantamount to voting without shame against the interests of the country and Filipinos.

“When we vote (today), for one moment, please think about our children, grandchildren, friends and neighbors. Their future is at stake. Our country’s future is at stake. (Today) will determine whether or not we will have deliverance as a nation,” Del Rosario said.

“Please vote for the presidential candidate who will surely work with all her might to improve the lives of our people,” he added.