Today, May 12, the Filipino people will once again troop to the polls in one of the most consequential electoral exercises in recent memory. At stake are 12 Senate seats, all 316 seats in the House of Representatives, and thousands of local positions—from governors and mayors to councilors in cities and municipalities across the nation.

This is more than a periodic renewal of political mandates; it is a pivotal opportunity for citizens to recalibrate the country’s direction. In a democracy, elections serve as a barometer of the public will and a referendum on the quality of leadership. Yet their true value hinges not merely on turnout, but on the quality of choices voters make.

This underscores the importance of casting intelligent votes. The stakes are too high for decisions to be driven by popularity, patronage, or political convenience. Instead, voters must assess candidates based on their integrity, track record, and capacity to fulfill the responsibilities of the office they seek. The positions being contested—especially in the Senate and House—will influence critical legislation on the economy, education, health, national security, and the rights of ordinary Filipinos. At the local level, officials will be entrusted with direct governance over communities, making decisions that impact everyday life.

We must not allow charisma to eclipse competence. Time and again, the nation has paid a high price for electing candidates ill-prepared or wholly unqualified for the positions they won. When unfit leaders are chosen, public funds are mismanaged, policies are short-sighted, and institutions are weakened. In recent years, we have witnessed the consequences of entrusting power to personalities who lacked the depth of understanding or the vision needed for transformative leadership.

It is also time to confront, head-on, the enduring issue of political dynasties. While the 1987 Constitution explicitly encourages the State to prohibit political dynasties “as may be defined by law,” no enabling legislation has ever been passed. The result: entrenched families dominate electoral contests, particularly at the local level, often shutting out more capable but less connected contenders. This has led to the concentration of power in a few hands, stifling democratic competition and fostering a culture of entitlement over merit. Such dominance, more often than not, breeds complacency, weakens accountability, and perpetuates patronage politics.

A functioning democracy thrives when citizens recognize their role as stewards of the nation’s future. Voting is not merely a right—it is a responsibility. Each ballot cast is a declaration of the kind of leadership one believes in and the kind of country one aspires to build.

We urge voters to study the platforms, backgrounds, and public service records of all candidates. Let us validate their claims vis-a-vis their track record, and evaluate their alignment with our national values and needs.

In the end, the May 12, 2025 elections are not just about who wins. They are about whether we, as a people, are ready to rise above the politics of convenience and embrace a higher standard of citizenship. Let this be a defining moment—when we choose leaders not for who they are, but for what they can do for the greater good.