By Nycel Jane Dela
The election is over. The campaign jingles have faded, the posters are starting to peel off the walls, and the noise of political rallies has quieted down. The Philippines has spoken. Our new set of leaders, both local and national, have been chosen. So, what now?
This is the part where many of us tend to disengage. After months of heated debates, political drama, and social media wars, people retreat into silence, thinking their role in democracy has ended with a vote. But the truth is, it’s only the beginning. Elections are not the finish line, they’re the starting point of accountability.
Now is the time to ask: What will the leaders do with the power people entrusted to them? Campaign promises are easy to make, but fulfilling them is where real leadership begins. Will public transportation be improved? Will education and healthcare become more accessible? Will corruption be seriously addressed? These are the questions we need to keep raising, not just in the early months, but throughout their entire term.
But the burden doesn’t fall on our leaders alone. We, the citizens, have a continuing responsibility. Holding officials accountable isn’t just the job of the opposition or the media. It’s our job, too. We need to stay informed, engage in constructive dialogue, and speak up when policies don’t serve the people’s best interest.
Do not romanticize or demonize those in power. They’re not saviors nor villains, they’re public servants. And like all workers, they need to be evaluated, guided, and reminded who they’re working for—us.
More than anything, we must remember that change doesn’t come from elections alone. It comes from consistent, collective action. From showing up in community efforts, to calling out injustices, to simply caring about what’s happening in our neighborhoods. Democracy isn’t just about one day at the polls. It’s about the everyday choices we make to uphold fairness, justice, and truth.
So yes, the elections have ended. But the real work begins now. You voted for change, now you must live it, demand it, and participate in it.
