Philippines is a democratic country, we have the opportunity to choose our country’s leaders through election. The 2019 midterm election is forthcoming and politicians are already done filing for their candidacy. Our country stands as one of few remaining democratic countries that allows politicians with criminal records to run for government positions. Most politicians use their position for graft and corruption that is why Philippines has been  known as a country who has severe problems of corruption.

               There are thousands of people who are hopeful for national and local position. Some of them are private citizens such as businessmen, activist, laborer, and leaders. Others are former politicians and worst, some of them have ongoing investigation and are accused with violation to the law. Let us take the cases of previous politicans who are running for the 2019 election. First, Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada who personally filed his certificate of candidacy for senator. He is a former senator who has a graft and plunder charges for misusing P183.793 million of his Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF). Second, Juan Ponce Enrile  who filed his candidacy through his lawyer. He is also facing plunder and graft charges in connection to the pork barrel scandal. He is a 94-year-old politician who is a former defense minister and accused for pocketing P172 million out of the P345 million PDAF from his office that was diverted to fake non-governmental organizations. Third,  Ramon “Bong” Revilla who files his COC through his wife. He is currently detained because of one count of plunder and 16 counts of graft after reportedly receiving P224.5 million in commission from his misused pork barrel. These were just three of the politicians out of the many who have  criminal records and pending cases. This is one of the reasons why corruption doesn’t stop in our country. Government should implement a law that will not allow politicians with criminal records or pending cases to run again because it is like we are giving them a chance to commit another crime. Politicians should have a good character, integrity, sense of leadership, and free from history of committing crimes. Philippines need to be led by law-abiding, honest, and upright citizens of our country.

               Your one vote can make all of these attainable. Help us to be heard. Give your support to call out the attention of a lot of people.