Dingdong Dantes (Image: Instagram/@dongdantes)
Dingdong Dantes reminded the public of their responsibilities as voters, less than a week before the May elections.
In an exclusive interview with TV host Bianca Gonzalez, as seen on her YouTube channel yesterday, May 2, the actor spoke about the importance of the upcoming elections as the country continues to face challenges brought by the pandemic.
“Sa tingin ko, beyond what ‘yung current administration has done or has failed to do, ‘yung upcoming elections is really about recovery—socio-economic recovery, hindi lang ng bansa kundi ng buong mundo. But higit sa lahat, it’s about the future of our children,” he said. “This is about choosing the leadership that we think we deserve and is capable of addressing ‘yung challenges of the pandemic and all the other problems.”
(The way I see it, beyond what the current administration has done or has failed to do, the upcoming elections are really about recovery—socio-economic recovery, not just in our country but around the world. But more importantly, it’s about the future of our children. This is about choosing the leadership that we think we deserve and is capable of addressing the challenges of the pandemic and all other problems.)
Dantes also gave an account of the three steps that he has been doing to choose candidates every election, which is to plan, discern and act. According to him, the process involves sourcing credible information, setting values and standards, and exercising one’s right to vote.
“Kailangan win or lose, mapapanindigan mo ‘yung kandidato mo kasi ang binoboto mo ay representasyon ng pangarap mo—ito ay representasyon ng values mo, representasyon ng paniniwala mo,” he said.
(Whether they win or lose, you should be able to stand up for your candidate because your vote is a representation of your dream—it is a representation of your values, representation of your beliefs.)
“Matalo man o manalo, you also have to be responsible of your vote. Kung ‘yung taong binoto natin ay nanalo at gumawa nang mabuti then susuportahan natin,” he added. “Pero kung ‘yung taong binoto natin ay hindi na tumugma doon sa expectations, syempre we call them out kasi kailangan responsable ka rin doon sa paniniwala at paninidigan mo.”
(Whether your candidate wins or loses, you also have to be responsible for your vote. If the one we voted for won and did good things, then support him/her. But if the one we voted for did not meet our expectations, we of course call them out because you also need to be responsible with your beliefs and stand.)
Dantes also hoped that the public, especially the youth, would continue their active participation in topics concerning the country even after the elections.
“So it does not end in May 2022. It is a continuing process na dapat hindi tayo mapagod (that we should not get tired of),” he added. ” While it is the role of the government to make life easy for us, naniniwala ako na (I believe that) we also have to help and we also have to do our part. It should not end on election day.”
Dantes moreover said that he is praying that the elections on May 9 will be “peaceful and credible.” /ra
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