EDITORIAL - Ang eleksyon lumalabay lang

And so begins the campaign period of what is likely to become one of the most hotly-contested elections ever, thanks in no small part to the participation of the son of one of the most controversial figures in Philippine history and the urgent need to restart the economy, all this with the backdrop of the still-ongoing pandemic.

The late chairman of The FREEMAN, Dr. Jose “Dodong” Gullas was so fond of telling us that “ang eleksyon lumalabay lang” as a reminder to always hold on to our principles.

In effect, he was telling us to not sell our votes as well as our souls to candidates or any cause regarding the election. And that while the election is temporary, anything bad or regrettable done during the campaign period or the election has the tendency to cause permanent damage.

Indeed, during this campaign period, and considering what is at stake, it may become easy to give in to emotions.

During such a time it is not unusual for friends and even family members to at best not speak to each other because they are supporting different parties or different candidates for a position. At worst? There can even be open contempt and enmity.

However, after the elections, after everything has settled down, it is these same friends and family members who will encounter each other in their own social circles. What then? Does the enmity still stand?

Was the defense of your principles, your candidate, your party, or your beliefs worth the price of an ended friendship or relationship?

No one has monopoly of the truth. You cannot claim to always be on the side of what is right and those on the other side are wrong.

By all means, promote your principles, your candidate, your party, or your beliefs, but not to the extent that you cross over into open conflict, enmity, or hostility with those who are supposed to be close to you.

Because while you are supporting this or that candidate it is unlikely that same candidate will ever come to know you personally like your family and friends do. It is these same family and friends who are likely to come to your aid should you need anything, not the politician or the party you supported.