Quo Vadis? Conclusion

Given all the data presented in the previous posts, is it possible to answer whether the endorsements for Robredo made by individuals and groups affected the voters' preference or not in Negros Occidental?

As shown, the endorsements of the clergy, religious and academe here in Negros Occidental did not increase the numbers of voters for Robredo.

During the campaign period, there were a lot of echo chambers and "preaching to the choir" (convincing the convinced) that happened.

On the other hand, there was a dissonance between Robredo's supporters and the masses who preferred BBM.

As a member of the clergy here in Diocese of Bacolod (which was known for its social justice advocacy in the past) among the grassroots, I am saddened by what the data implied.

Here are some:

• The "house to house" campaign of volunteers did not made a significant impact to increase the votes for Robredo. Instead, some of voters may have actually switched to BBM (refer to Bacolod and Negros Occidental election results).

• The endorsements of members of the clergy, religious, and academe has no impact for the masses.

Although, there are some anecdotal cases of those who belong to class DE voting for Robredo. However, due to the kind of data available it cannot be determined as to who influenced them to vote for Robredo.

• It can be safely concluded that the phenomenon we have seen of volunteerism during the Robredo campaign is mainly driven and participated by leaders and core volunteers who are college-educated middle class. Once again Robredo's camp failed to shed the allegations that they are "elitists."

These are the lessons I have learned from 2022 elections.

• “Behold, I am sending you like sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and simple as doves" (NAB, Matthew 10:16).

At the end of the election, there are always allegations of massive cheating and fraud. Defeated candidates and parties always cried that they were cheated. However, this is a most difficult task to prove.

Instead, we should have been forewarned and strive to prevent election fraud and to demand authentic transparency before, during and after election.

• “For the children of this world are more prudent in dealing with their own generation than are the children of light" (NAB, Luke 16:8)

It was said that the Marcoses planned for decades to return to power.

How about those who opposed the Marcoses?

It was a case of a "too little, too late" for those who opposed the Marcoses.

Do we really expect to undo the decades of planned and strategic propaganda of the Marcoses by merely posting in FB, bringing placards during rallies, and "FB unfriending" those of different opinions?

Robredo promised that she will continue to fight for the truth and against disinformation.

This is a silver lining and, hopefully, she will succeed because we are truly in an age where battles are won not only by force but by narratives.

• In a democracy, your vote is as good as mine, even if we think the other made the wrong choice.

This is the beauty of democracy, your vote is as good as mine whether you are rich or poor, educated or not, young or old, it does not matter.

Your one vote is as good as my one vote.

As I proposed in Part 2 of this essay, we are trying to convince the masses to think like us. We thought that we have the right solution to the problems of our country.

We forgot that our vote is as good the vote of the other.

In the same way that we think that Robredo is the "hope" of our country, those who voted for BBM also thought that BBM is the solution to our country's problems.

Who is correct? We will never know.

The only thing that we can come to conclusion after 6 years is whether those who voted for BBM made the right decision or not.

As to whether Robredo would have done a better job, that is something that we leave to imagination and speculation because she did not become the president.

• Ever since I was a seminarian I often heard about how important "immersion" is. There are all these saying about having the smell of the sheep. During this election, another facet of this saying became real.

Duterte was very popular with masses even until now. He will leave the office of the president with a very high satisfaction rating. An overwhelming number of Filipinos loved him (75%).

The Filipino majority sees him as one of them. He has successfully showed that he thinks like them, speaks like them, and acts like them.

Is it possible that Robredo's campaign leaders and endorsements in Negros Occidental did not have a siginificant effect on voters' choice because these leaders and endorsers are perceived as "too middle class?"

During the time of Bishop Fortich the Church in Negros is truly the Church of the Masa.

Is the Church in Negros now still the same?

Or has it become too "middle class" that the masa cannot understand resonate with it anymore?

Well, your answers and opinions is as good as mine.

God bless the Philippines!