COME TO think of it. The first time we all exercised our right to vote and chose the people who would lead us did not happen when we turned 18 as contained in Art. V, Sec. 1 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution. It happened several years earlier, right inside that small classroom of the elementary school where we were enrolled when the election of class officers took place.
Remember those times when we had to elect the student leaders in our section for the school year on the second or third week after classes have officially started? There were no election promises that proved to be too good to be true, no campaign soirees that featured mudslinging of the other candidates or vote-buying that was a direct insult to the dignity of the voter, as well as the integrity of the entire election process.
The selection of class officers in elementary that went on yearly until fourth year high school was democracy in action. We each guarded our one vote knowing fully well that the future of the class for the rest of the school year was at stake. Sure, we were friends or even relatives with some of the members of the class. But that was immaterial because we wanted only the best, the brightest, the exemplary, the dependable, the hardworking and the highly trusted in the class to be our leaders and role models who would represent our section in all school activities. Because we valued the reputation of our section, we wanted a set of officers who would carry the name of our class with so much honor and dignity.
We always chose the most responsible classmate to be the class president, someone whose orders we did not mind following when the teacher was not around. In selecting the vice president, we gave our support to another classmate who would complement and complete the work of the president because we wanted someone who could exemplify shared leadership. As for the secretary, our vote always went to the classmate with the most legible penmanship, who would not complain at all when instructed by the teachers to write the important notes and lecture on the board and whose records management skills was flawless.
When it comes to the treasurer, we would raise our hands in approval of the classmate who could be trusted with the class funds, who even at a young age already valued accountability and transparency. Of course, we would always agree that the class mathematician was the most qualified to be the auditor. That classmate was not only good in numbers; he was also highly admired for his incomparable integrity. This made him the best bet to provide check and balance in the management of the class funds.
Even the position of the public relations officer was taken seriously. This always went to that classmate who aside from keeping everyone informed was the best link we had to the rest of the school and even to the external stakeholders. For the sergeant-at-arms we would entrust the task of ensuring peace and order in class to the “big boys” whose mere stance and forceful command were enough for our unruly classmates to stop and behave.
What about the muse and her escort? Funny that even these so-called “positions” were selected by the majority and not merely appointed by the class adviser. Back then, we would not only vote for the most good-looking classmates. We wanted our class to be represented by the classmates who were also smart and kind.
I just find it really odd that back in grade school and even until fourth year high school, we considered our vote truly sacred. To think that at that age, we did not even have a profound knowledge of the intricacies of an election. We only knew the importance of having the most competent and the most deserving classmates to lead us and represent the school.
So, what happened between then and the many times that we exercised our right to suffrage? Have we become so jaded that we have stopped believing in the power of one vote? Have we become so frustrated of the process and of the results that we no longer take our vote seriously? I hope we have not totally given up. Sure, the change we all long for is still nowhere in sight. But if everyone values his or her one vote as if the future of the entire country depends on it, change will definitely come. It all begins with one vote.
