When Elections Become a Spectacle

The season of filing Certificates of Candidacy (COC) has once again turned into a circus-like event. As depicted in the cartoon, a hopeful candidate’s supporter, carrying a banner emblazoned with “Team Prano,” belts out cheers through a megaphone, only to be hushed by a security officer attempting to maintain some semblance of order at the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) office.

It’s a scene reminiscent of the Filipino fiesta, where everything is a celebration—music, laughter, and loud parades. However, much like the traditional fiesta, this enthusiasm rarely translates into sober discussions about governance.

The festive atmosphere that marks the start of the Philippine election cycle is undoubtedly infectious. The sight of banners, the sounds of marching bands, and the sight of candidates surrounded by enthusiastic followers paint a colorful picture. It’s a time when politics and entertainment seamlessly blend, as candidates make their entrance into the race accompanied by dancing and singing troupes, fireworks, and larger-than-life promises. The streets transform into stages, and every candidate aims to outdo the other in orchestrating grand shows of support.

This spectacle, however, draws attention away from the very substance of what an election should be about. The excitement that builds during the filing of candidacies sets the tone for the entire campaign period, where we become more engrossed in personality contests, campaign gimmicks, and flashy slogans than in critically assessing the people who will shape our future.

Indeed, a similar level of enthusiasm is notably absent when it comes to asking these candidates the hard-hitting questions: What exactly do you plan to do for us? How will you address unemployment, poverty, or the deteriorating state of public services? Instead of delving into their platforms or scrutinizing their records, we are captivated by entertainment-style rallies filled with confetti and celebrity endorsements. The sound of cheers often drowns out the important conversations on issues that truly matter to the public.

We have allowed this fiesta mentality to dominate our election process, and as a result, we are distracted from what should be the core of the democratic exercise—discerning the competence and integrity of our leaders. Dancing and singing may be the front and center of election campaigns, but these distractions only lead us to miss the opportunity to deeply understand the candidates’ capabilities and the long-term consequences of their leadership.

There’s a real need for voters to temper the noise, hush the distractions, and make space for meaningful engagement. We must demand more from candidates than the ability to organize a raucous parade or deliver sound bites that only scratch the surface of our nation’s complex problems. We must remind ourselves that an election is not just about cheering for our favorites, but a serious process of choosing individuals who will manage our country’s future.

As we gear up for the election cycle once again, it is time to ask ourselves: Are we more interested in the pageantry or in the leadership our country so desperately needs? The choice, as always, is in our hands—but so are the consequences.