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Yes, the candidates will still win, but you shall have sent the message that you don’t believe in them or what they represent. It’s a protest vote. It’s a statement.
We’re halfway through election day, May 12, but I’m still hearing this voter dilemma a lot: You don’t support the lone politician running for a certain post in your locality, so you’re thinking of just skipping the polls. “Siya pa rin naman ang mananalo.” (That candidate will win anyway.)
There are voters, meanwhile, who don’t think the unopposed candidate is particularly “righteous, competent, and servant-hearted,” but they vote for him anyway because, well, he’s the only one running. “Sayang naman ang boto ko.” (I have a vote to spare, so I’ll use it anyway.)
The problem with the first mindset is you forfeit the power of your one vote when you can actually use it into a protest or statement vote.
The problem with the second attitude is that you betray your own principles and conviction about who should be entrusted a particular post, and gives that undeserving politician a false vote of confidence.
You’ll see the magnitude of the problem if you will look at the numbers.
First, note that I use “unopposed” in a broader sense. It’s not just the literal meaning of only one candidate running for a position. It can also refer to candidates who are “strong” — often because they come from families that have held power for so long — that all their rivals are considered token, their bid expectedly easy. (#PHVote Reads: Top races to watch in the 2025 local elections)
Let’s even extend the meaning of “unopposed” to dynasty members running for both the top executive post (governor and mayor) and the vice post (vice governor, vice mayor) that will preside the local legislature (provincial board, city or municipal council). Their twin victories will ensure that all forms of checks and balances are removed. (READ: In 24 provinces, governor-vice gov candidates come from the same family)
The case of dynasts running for the governorship and mayoralty at the same time their relatives are running for congressional representative can also be considered a variation of “unopposed.” They say it’s so that when they both win, they can easily support each other’s programs; I say, that encourages them to pursue programs that they want even if those completely don’t address the real needs of their communities.
So, the numbers: GMA Integrated News Research has counted 1,068 local positions for which there are lone candidates. These include 9 for governor, 51 for congressional district representative, 288 for mayor, and 324 for vice mayor. “Notably, 32 local government units nationwide have all their candidates— from mayor to councilor — running unopposed,” the report said. (Since councils have several slots, unopposed here means the candidates all belong to one slate or party.)
Unopposed candidates only need one vote to win. Shoo-in candidates may easily garner the “50% plus 1” needed to prevail in a one-on-one contest. Established names with weak or token challengers can effortlessly emerge victorious in multi-cornered fights.
So how do you vote against the sure winners anyway?
Cast votes for other positions, but skip the positions they are running for. That will not invalidate the rest of your ballot. (Of course, if you want to vote for the challengers, that’s a good, brave step too.)
When you go to the polls, you are counted in the voter turnout. When you cast your vote for other positions but not for the positions sought by the unopposed or practically unchallenged dynasts, you are providing a comparison — say, 100,000 showed up to vote, they all cast a vote for, say, vice governor, but only 50,000 for governor; or there were 100,000 voters who cast their ballots, but only 25,000 voted for the father mayor and congressmen sons.
Yes, the candidates will still win, but you shall have sent the message that you don’t believe in them or what they represent. It’s a protest vote. It’s a statement.
And, for all you know, it’s a signal for better qualified politicians who are currently observing on the sidelines that they may have a chance with these principled voters the next time around.
It will be warning too, to the winners now: Better do good in the next three years, or we voters will come after you.
Go, run to the precincts now — we have until 7 pm to vote! – Rappler.com
