Changing What We Cannot Accept: Reflections on the Philippine Elections

They say, “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.” It’s a beautiful prayer, one that teaches peace, courage, and discernment. But with apologies to God, when it comes to the quality of our politicians and leaders, it is not something we are powerless to change.

For too long, we’ve accepted the notion that corrupt governance, broken promises, and incompetence are facts of life. We shrug it off, feeling hopeless, as though these issues are written in stone. Yet we forget that every few years, we’re handed the most powerful tool for change: elections.

DJ ChaCha’s words ring loud and clear in this context: “I am no longer accepting things I cannot change; I am changing things I cannot accept.” It’s a wake-up call, a reminder that hopelessness is a choice—but so is action.

Just the other day, my neighbor asked me to vote for someone. Had I not set strict requirements for electing candidates, I might have nodded and said yes. Instead, I told him, “I can’t promise anything until I’ve done my research.” He tried to convince me by saying the candidate was his mother’s godson and the grandson of a famous artist, but none of these mattered to me. Leadership is about vision, competence, and integrity—not family ties or fame.

As the elections draw near, it’s time we reject this culture of blind acceptance. It’s time to remind ourselves that we have the power to change what we cannot accept.

A Culture of Acceptance

We’ve been conditioned to accept the unacceptable. Corruption? Ganyan talaga. Political dynasties? Wala na tayong magagawa. Empty promises? Sino ba ang hindi nagsisinungaling? These sentiments have become so deeply ingrained in our culture that they almost feel normal. But they’re not. They’re symptoms of a system that thrives in our apathy, ignorance, and acceptance of corruption and low-quality leadership as normal.

This acceptance isn’t just passive—it’s dangerous. Every time we turn a blind eye to vote-buying or excuse the unqualified because they’re popular, we’re choosing to uphold a broken system. It’s as if we’ve collectively decided that elections are a formality rather than a responsibility. And when we accept these things as facts of life, we lose sight of the fact that we hold the power to rewrite the story.

The Power of Research

So, how do we break free from this cycle of acceptance? It starts with being informed. It’s not enough to vote; we need to vote wisely. This means taking the time to research candidates beyond their slogans and catchy jingles.

When my neighbor tried to sway me with family ties and fame, I realized how often we let these irrelevant factors influence our choices. A candidate’s lineage or social status should never outweigh their track record, platform, or integrity. We need to ask the tough questions:

• What has this candidate achieved?

• Do their promises align with their past actions?

• Are they committed to serving the people, or are they simply after power?

We also need to be wary of misinformation. In this age of social media, lies travel faster than truth. Fact-checking isn’t just an extra step; it’s a necessity. A vote based on false information is a wasted vote—and we can’t afford to waste any more votes.

Unfortunately, Mark Zuckerberg’s decision to dismantle Meta’s third-party fact-checking program in favor of a “Community Notes” system is a reckless abdication of responsibility. By placing the onus of information verification on users, Meta is facilitating the spread of misinformation and jeopardizing the integrity of public discourse. This move prioritizes a misguided notion of free expression over the safety and truthfulness of content, undermining efforts to combat falsehoods online. It’s a dangerous step backward in the fight against the spread of misinformation and a blatant disregard for the global community that relies on accurate information.

In the Philippines, organizations like Rappler, Vera Files, FactRakers, Fact Check Philippines, and #FactsFirstPH work tirelessly to combat misinformation. These groups emphasize the importance of informed decision-making and provide essential resources to voters who want to see through the lies and propaganda. Supporting such initiatives is critical, as we live through an era of increasing digital manipulation.

Rejecting Hopelessness

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed. The problems in our political system seem insurmountable, and the weight of it all can make us feel powerless. But hopelessness is a trap. It convinces us that our efforts don’t matter, that the system is too big to change. And when we give in to hopelessness, we surrender our power.

Choosing to remain passive, clinging to the status quo, or neglecting our civic duties doesn’t absolve us from responsibility; it makes us complicit in perpetuating the very issues we lament. As Albert Einstein aptly put it, “The world will not be destroyed by those who do evil, but by those who watch them without doing anything.”

Elections are our chance to fight back. They’re not just about choosing leaders; they’re about rejecting the things we cannot accept. Corruption, incompetence, and indifference don’t have to define us as a nation. We can demand better—and it starts with our vote.

The Challenges Ahead

Of course, change isn’t easy. There are hurdles we need to overcome, from vote-buying to political dynasties. There’s also the challenge of convincing others to care as much as we do. But these obstacles shouldn’t discourage us—they should motivate us.

Imagine what could happen if every voter approached the elections with the same level of scrutiny they would for a major life decision. We research thoroughly when buying a house or a car. Why wouldn’t we do the same for electing someone who will govern our lives for years?

Taking Action for Change

As I reflect on DJ ChaCha’s words, I realize how much they challenge us to act. “I am no longer accepting things I cannot change; I am changing things that I cannot accept.” It’s not just a quote; it’s a call to action—one that demands courage, effort, and accountability.

The Serenity Prayer teaches us to accept what we cannot change, but elections remind us that the quality of our leaders is something we can change—if we choose to. Each vote we cast holds the potential to shape the direction of our country. This is not a passive duty; it is an active and deliberate choice.

Let’s stop accepting what we know is wrong and start demanding what we deserve—leaders who have integrity, vision, and a genuine commitment to serving the people. Demanding what we deserve means holding candidates accountable, fact-checking their claims, and engaging in discussions that prioritize the country’s needs over personal gain. It means not only voting wisely but also encouraging others to do the same, fostering a culture of active and informed citizenship.

Because at the end of the day, the power to change this nation lies in our hands. It’s time to use it.