Partylist process--that's democracy

Over 270 organizations filed their Petitions for accreditation yesterday, beating the deadline set by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC). The offices of the COMELEC were jampacked with people from all walks of life, desirous to take part in the democratic process. As one kibitzer said, " this shows you how vibrant our democracy is."

I don't necessarily agree with my friend Ted Failon in his commentaries this morning over at DZMM. Yes, in the past, certain groups, like those affiliated with the First Family, really bastardized the Partylist process. In fact, a known billionaire sits as a representative of balut vendors right now in Congress. Or, there are groups affiliated with a known religious organization with a brutish attitude competing and winning the elections just because of the sheer number of its religious demagogues.

And yes, yesterday, there are groups like the Alyansa ng mga Sabungero, filing their petitions for accreditation. I see nothing wrong with that. It's their right to do so. Its premature for anybody to register protests since the Comelec has not yet approved their petition. If, for some quirk of fate, this organization gets accreditation, then, that would probably be the time to go to the streets and protest against it.

Whatever we say about it, democracy is still the most ideal of all theorems. Whether it works or not is another matter but if it's quirky or not, that's irrelevant. Democracy thrives when people accept another person's quirkiness or idiosyncracies. That's the main dictum of this ideal---to live and let live.

Now, limiting the right of a group of persons is not in tune with democratic principles. In fact, that is contrary to what democracy represents. However, it is best to say that, groups like the Alyansa ng mga Sabungero should go thru the legal processes.