VICE President Sara Duterte urged Filipinos to rethink their voting habits, warning that many of the country’s problems stem from poor choices at the ballot box.
Speaking at rallies in Tondo and Quiapo last April 24 and 25, Duterte said voters often choose candidates who entertain rather than those who deliver on promises.
“Alam n`yo marami sa ating mga problema ngayon ay dahil sa ugali nating mga Pilipino kung paano tayo pumipili ng lider ng ating mga komunidad at ng ating bayan. Una na ugali ng Pilipino ay kung sino `yang nagpapatawa sa kanila, sumasayaw, kumakanta, nai-entertain sila, `yun ang naaalala nila pag-upo nila doon sa presinto, sa voting precinct natin,” Duterte said.
“Hindi na natin tinatanong ano ba ang pangako ng tao na ito nung siya ay tumayo sa entablado para mga kampanya? Tinupad ba niya ang kanyang pangako? `Yan ang ugali natin,” she added.
Duterte also criticized the tendency to vote based on family name or celebrity endorsements and condemned vote-buying, calling it a “transactional” relationship that weakens the nation’s spirit.
“It hurts to see respect among Filipinos reduced to money. Leadership is not for sale,” she pointed out.
The Vice President said real change can only happen if Filipinos choose leaders based on ability and integrity, not popularity or wealth.
“If we want new leaders and real progress, we must first change how we vote,” Duterte said.
