We’re just two weeks away from the midterm elections, but many of us are still in the dark as to what our local candidates plan to do should they be elected into office. So far, we have seen only four independent candidates’ platforms printed in brochures. We want to know what the other political aspirants offer to Davaoeños.
We all agree that the city deserves an electoral process where citizens are empowered by clear, comprehensive information. This lack of information presented through general promises leaves us craving for more substance and makes us question how these promises can be implemented realistically. Since there is no available venue where they can all present their platforms in one space, we are sadly left to gather our own conclusions.
We have many questions: How will they create more jobs? What will they do about traffic? How will they protect our environment? How will they keep us safe? These are some of the important questions that need answers. Instead, we often just vote for the same people we know, based on their personality.
This lack of information shows up in how candidates talk to us. They focus on big rallies and short, catchy phrases, not real plans. This gets people excited, but it doesn’t tell us how they’ll actually run the city. We also focus too much on who the candidates are, not what they plan to do. And, we don’t have enough debates where we can compare their ideas.
Even with the internet and the power of social media, we don’t get all the information we need. The plans we see online are often incomplete. And, misinformation is having a heyday. When we don’t have clear information, voting becomes less meaningful. People start believing fake news, or vote based on feelings, not facts. We remember a time when we were all so involved in the electoral process – debates on national and local TV, interviews with political aspirants at the local level as we ask about their thoughts on governance, justice, social services, environment, etc. Is this a thing of the past? This problem on clear platforms manifests in several ways. Campaign communication frequently prioritizes political rallies and catchy soundbites over substantive policy discussions. While these can generate enthusiasm, they rarely delve into the intricate details of governance. The reliance on personal charisma and endorsements, while undoubtedly influential in local politics, can overshadow a critical evaluation of a candidate’s actual plans for the city. Furthermore, the limited engagement in genuine policy debates deprives voters of the opportunity to compare and contrast the concrete approaches being proposed.
Davao City needs candidates who share clear, specific plans. They should tell us exactly what they want to do, how they’ll do it, and when. We need real plans, not just empty words. Only then can we know if a candidate will really help our city.
When voters are not equipped with clear and actionable information, their engagement in the electoral process risks becoming superficial. It becomes easier for misinformation to take root and for emotional appeals to sway decisions that should be based on a careful evaluation of proposed policies. Davao City deserves a political discourse where candidates are compelled to lay their cards on the table, offering specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) objectives. We need to move beyond vague pronouncements and demand concrete strategies, realistic timelines, and transparent budgetary considerations. Only then can we truly understand how a candidate’s leadership will translate into tangible improvements in their daily lives and contribute to the city’s growth and prosperity.
Elections are an important pillar in the democratic process. We should be able to choose the right people whom we think can lead us and the next generation to a future that we deserve. This is all that matters.
