he Philippines has just had a presidential election. The first for the second decade of the 21st century. Like the presidential election 6 years ago that gave us President Rodrigo Duterte, this election appears to have been heavily influenced by social media.

Filipinos can't have enough of social media. In fact, Filipinos are one of the heaviest users of social media in the world. Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, TikTok, you name it, Pinoys use it.

Unfortunately, the world is now seeing a dark side to social media. Its widespread acceptance by people everywhere makes it the ideal tool for spreading propaganda.

Some believe that the will of the Filipino voters may have been subverted by the armies of trolls and cyber-criminals that, for years, had carefully molded mass sentiment towards selected candidates.

Since no one has definitive proof of cheating at this point, we have to accept the results of the recently concluded election and move on. So "move on" we will.

The incoming president must be accorded the courtesy and respect befitting the office. So too for Sara Duterte, the incoming vice president.

We would like to see the new administration place heavy emphasis on improving Philippine education. Philippine schools lag behind schools in most countries, thus its students also lag behind those of other countries. If the Philippines is to remain an independent country—and thrive in this century, the quality of its schools must improve. This has to be "priority one" for the new administration.

Bongbong Marcos will certainly have his job cut out for him. He will have to overcome the skepticism and distrust that many Filipinos still have for his family. If Marcos can pull it off, and keep the country firmly democratic, his presidency will go a long way in rehabilitating the Marcos family's tarnished image.

Published 5/18/2022