CAS SPEECH CONTEST

CAS SPEECH ELECTION

Women: Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing?

(This article is in response to Rina Jimenez-David’s article Women for the Senate)

In the article of Rina Jimenez-David, Women for the Senate, Senator Pia Cayetano pointed out that having more women in the Senate will result to gender equality and more women-friendly bills. As far as gender equality is concern, it has always been, what men can do, women can do it too; sometimes even better. Despite the different approach each gender uses, the results can be of no difference at all.

In the forthcoming election, there will be eight women aspiring to have a seat in the senate. Each of them promised to make the “minority voice” be heard and be equally treated.

However, is having more women in the Senate means a greater chance of a better government?

Women, just like men can be influenced by personal motives and be a great player in politics. If Sen. Pia Cayetano wanted equality and to create more women-friendly rules, could that be offensive on the part of the other gender?

As a common knowledge to all, many bills were passed and approved that favor women. All the rights are always entitled to women since as the society portrays, women are always the victim. They are always the one who need help and protection. Come to think of it, our very own president is a woman. However, did she became a good leader in terms governance and moral recovery?

Looking back to the article, Rep. Rissa Hontiveros mentioned that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has done a disservice to the idea of women leadership.

GMA is  a woman but she acted like she is not. This only shows that a motherly love can also be dangerous and destructive. Not all women entitled to rule or be of power remain to be faithful to their roles. Sometimes they can be of great advantage or the other way around.

Is it not too bias on the part of the women since they always make use of gender stereotyping to promote their own personal motives? I acknowledge that the author has no intentions of promoting senatorial candidates. However, the issue of gender equality and women’s rights have occurred for almost a century now.

The same arguments are being thrown back and forth. When will it ever stop? Are the women of today not yet contended of acquiring the same status as men have or the ones behind this are just asking for sympathy to their advantage?

I am a woman, and being one means knowing that women cannot be good all the time. We can be wolves in sheep’s clothing, and sometimes we can do things worse than men can.

Quick and Easy: Greater Responsibility

No more sleepless nights for the COMELEC and government employees on May 2010 election.

Decades ago, election has always been busy and full of unexpected events. As seen on news reports, first time voters fall in line for hours just to register. On the day of the election, the complaint of missing names, dead people voting and manipulation of votes are reoccurring problems. All of these are then blamed on the people behind the whole election process: the COMELEC and the teachers.

However, the existing trend will be no longer the same. Technology always has everything man would need. Cellular phones are for faster and cheaper communication, scanners for detecting fake money, and machines for the automated election.

Would this be the answer for a stress-free voting process? Or this new technological advancement will just bring additional problems?

According to Mr. Jessie H. Borro, head of the office of the Commission on Election (COMELEC) Miagao, Iloilo, the voting process will be quick and easy. Both the first time voters and the old ones will be exercising their right as Filipinos through shading or filling the circles.

Also, the days for counting all the votes will be shortened since the results will be transmitted from one place to another. This is made possible by service providers or the cellular networks, and of course, SMARTMATIC.

If this will be the predicted scenario for the upcoming election, voters are privileged because they will be hassle free. However, once the machines will be malfunctioning during the event, this will endanger the whole election.

Let us remember even if how machines make the life of men easy and convenient, they do not have brains of their own. Once they break down they do not have the initiative of what to do next. The power of the technology still lies on the people in order for them to be of use.

In the upcoming May 2010 election, everyone should do their part as voters. We should remember that we are the ones empowering these machines for the automated election. It is our responsibility to familiarized ourselves with the proper procedures during the whole process.

In addition, as part of our responsibility, our presence of mind on who to vote should also be given attention. Let us not get too excited in the newly introduced aid to us. We should still focus on our obligations as citizens and as Filipinos.

Things may be more convenient for us, but let us remember the burden we will have once we take for granted the things we are ought to do.