"You have the right to vote and the right not to."
But isn't that the suffrage is also an obligation that mere right?
While people may argue that they opt not to vote because of the candidates and the kind of politics we have in the country, I don't think these are already acceptable reasons for you not to exercise your right and fulfill your duty as a Citizen. Impossible naman kasing wala kang pipiliin as there will always be the lesser evil to choose from.
If you're among those people who aren't voting this May, you don't have the right to whine/ complain (I think).
But isn't that the suffrage is also an obligation that mere right?
While people may argue that they opt not to vote because of the candidates and the kind of politics we have in the country, I don't think these are already acceptable reasons for you not to exercise your right and fulfill your duty as a Citizen. Impossible naman kasing wala kang pipiliin as there will always be the lesser evil to choose from.
If you're among those people who aren't voting this May, you don't have the right to whine/ complain (I think).
8 comments:
The 1987 Constitution do away with the exercise of suffrage as a constitutional obligation unlike in the 1973 Constitution. As it is provided in the provisions, "Suffrage (may)..."
I definitely agree with you that the usual reasons of dirty politics and poor quality of candidates are not justifiable reasons for people to waive their right to vote. It is just their way of saying that they have clean hands in case a bad/lousy candidate be elected to office.
^They also shouldn't be allowed to complain. :)
^ Indeed. Sad reality, however, the ones who haven't done anything substantial for the country or haven't even at least followed the simplest rules (ex. traffic rules) are the ones who whine so much about the sorry state of our country.
The consitution may not provide for a clause re: suffrage as a duty. But the mere fact that it's a right, it already implies obligation and responsibility (IMHO). [OT: lawyer na lawyer ka na Cleng :)]
One of the basic things you can do to contribute something in making this country better is electing the right leaders. If you can't even exercise that, just shut up right? Hehe :)
corollary to the right to exercise the right of suffrage is the right not to exercise it. that is my dilemnma. i am voting 8 senatorial candidates. no local candidate has won my vote so i might as well abstain from voting local candidates
^I didn't vote for any local candidate last '04. So, hindi rin ako nakapagreklamo re: local issues I know it's cliche, but you can always choose for the lesser evil.
Re: Senate Bets, you don't need to fill-in your ballot with 12 names.
yeah that is why i am in no pressure to complete my senate ticket.
when you make suffrage an obligation, this is just my humble opinion, you will take the essence of "right" out of it. right is corollary to freedom. these rights ensure that there is a correct balance between the government with its authority and the citizen thereby securing that there be no anarchy or oppression. i think that if you take the "freedom" out of the electoral practice, then you will restrain the people's right of suffrage. and such freedom entails not only freedom to choose among the candidates, but also freedom to waive such right because there is no rightful candidate to vote. wala just a thought
No, I'm not saying that suffrage should be made as an obligation. As it is already a "right" it doesn't only imply freedom but also implies responsibility and obligation. And speaking of balance, exercising freedom connotes certain consequences. If you opt not to vote, you should welcome the consequence of such decision (that you shouldn't be whining). :)
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