EDITORIAL - Make it count

Today is the last day of voter registration for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections. The Commission on Elections has declared there will be no more extension.

As usual there will always be some people hoping to make it at the eleventh hour because Filipinos are always known for putting something off until the last minute.

But still, that would be so much better than not registering to vote at all.

For those who just reached voting age, the Barangay and SK elections gives them a glimpse of how voting works. It will also prepare them for the even-bigger chaos of national and local elections.

They should not forget that voting is the biggest and most sacred duty one can ever have in a democracy.

Yes, there are people who don’t believe in voting, who continue to ignore this duty. They will say all politicians will be the same no matter who we vote, that there isn’t really much choice in the lineup, and that those who have the power actually dictate who can run and who can’t.

We have to agree that they may have a point. However, when you think about it, voting is actually that one time we can exercise power over those who normally have all the power.

There is no such thing as a perfect candidate for the job. As one Comelec officially candidly put it “we all want the perfect candidate for the position, unfortunately he never runs.”

The best we can do in our situation is to make sure power doesn’t go to someone who doesn’t deserve it, or to those who have proven themselves incompetent or incapable of public service. Even the lowliest barangay kagawad who doesn’t deserve a public post can still wield enough power to make people’s lives miserable.

If you can’t register then you can’t vote. If you don’t bother to vote then you have no right to complain about how the government is running the country. It’s as simple as that.

Those who still haven’t registered to vote still have the opportunity of a few hours left as of this publishing. Like their vote, they should make it count.