It’s time to move on

AS the cliche goes, “the people have spoken”. Many polling precincts had become a virtual market place where votes were sold. But such is the nature of the beast. It’s a gamble where bets are placed in “the dark”...meaning one foregoes with probabilities and just say “come what may”. For those who sold their votes, they just gambled their future. For the rest of us life must move on.

That’s for the local election. The national election derby is another story. In the past, captive votes were traded for guns and golds but since the fiefdoms of Andal Ampatuan had been totally expunged those running for national positions have to rely on the strength of their party organizations. The regional parties and the alliance that they forged were a force to reckon with. Hugpong Ng Pagbabago which was spearheaded by Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte welded an alliance that became an effective vehicle for senatorial race like what we have just seen in the May 13 midterm elections. For certain this will determine the outcome of future elections. HnP-PDP Laban totally obliterated the Liberal Party senatorial slate Otso Deretso.

In the meantime, Dabawenyos celebrate the spectacular performance of their homegrown neophyte politicians - Christopher “Bong” Go and Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa. They and the rest of the candidates identified with Pres. Rodrigo Duterte decisively won the elections. Their victory is extremely crucial to this administration as it embarks on the implementation stage of its Build, Build, Build program. The Duterte government just achieved unprecedented milestones in the Philippines. Its 10-point economic agenda and tax reforms earned a bbb+ investment grade for the country, Duterte himself registered an “Excellent” approval never experienced in the annals of the Social Weather Station or trust rating and he is bound to have full cooperation from the legislative department.

The autonomous government in the Bangsamoro region will soon be fully functional paving a new era of peace and development in Mindanao while the local peace talks with the New Peoples Army continue to gain headway. We have seen the defeat of left-leaning political organizations while the voice of Jose Ma. Sison, head of the moribund communist party of the Philippines, had become pipsqueak and irrelevant.

It’s time to move forward.