Filipinos take their elections seriously compared to other countries where citizens just go through their usual routine and ignore their right to suffrage. In fact, an 80% voter turnout in the Philippines is not unusual.

In truth, it would have been "political suicide" to have the May Polls deferred because people who have been simmering in a political cauldron for far too long need to vent their anger or satisfaction on governance or the lack of it.

And there are only three issues in the May Polls - performance of candidates, their position on Charter Change and as a referendum on the GMA administration.

The voter will have to discern which of the above are the more important criteria for his choice, rank them and vote accordingly. The voter's final choice could just be that - half-man, half-beast.

But whatever your choices are, voting on May 17, 2007 polls are both a citizen's inviolate right and sacred duty. As they say, bad men get elected because good men like you refused to vote. We deserve the public officials we vote - and you don't have the right to complain (later) if you abnegate on your duty to make the choices on who your leaders should be.

To make the poll results a true expression of the people's will is for you to report to authorities flying voters, double or triple registrants or attempts to enlist the dead and the unborn among the qualified 40 million voters in the country. Military personnel assigned to certain locales are allowed to register in their place of duty as did many army men, to the chagrin of opposition boss, Makati city mayor Jojo "Rambotito" Binay.

Today, we appeal to some sectors of society to contribute in making the May political exercise both credible and a fruitful one.

We implore the candidates to take elections seriously. Nuisance candidates like the Racuyals, the Amay Bisayas and the Eddie Gils of this world - should just go fly a kite and be carried therewith away to Mars or some dreamland they deserve to live on.

Ditto for those whose main objective is not "public service" but to run for the "funds of it" (pocketing solicited campaign funds) or otherwise enrich themselves while in office.

We implore the teachers to continue to exercise the lodestone of courage that is demanded of you as poll watchers and administrators. Let God reward you for your vigilance for we know you are paid a pittance for the risk and hard work you have to do in an almost thankless job during elections. Do not sellout, dear teachers, otherwise you might as well quit teaching because you will have lost the moral ascendancy to lead your pupils to higher levels of citizenship, because you have allowed your noble profession to be used or such abominable designs.

We implore the Citizens Groups (like Namfrel) to go fasting again to recover that aura of objectivity and divine impartiality in seeing the elections go through a truly democratic process. Be brave once again when it's easier to fold our arms and watch history pass us by. You are a rare species in this world full of compromises - but all the more reason that is for you to stand up and be counted. There are too few of you left.

We ask the goons to please stay indoors. The Gun Ban is already in effect and if you are caught in violation thereof - recall that this means six years in jail and permanent exclusion from running for public office and from voting for life - for you and your conniving bosses. You will be half Filipinos, the law assures that. Don't even dare.

The gold-givers - kindly stop this cycle of corruption and fraud which you perpetuate by spending too much to buy your votes and then employ fraud and corruption while in office in order to recoup your electoral expenses. Only you have the power to stop this vicious cycle of corruption which partly explains why the Philippines is dubbed as the second most corrupt nation in Asia. Dili ba ta maulaw ana?

To the Military top brass, heed the words of resigned Defense Chief Avelino Cruz to spare the soldiers the disaster of having to be used by politicians for partisan interests because they do not want "to be caught in the middle of political strife. That is not their primary duty."

To the political parties, please ennoble the electoral process by presenting candidates on the basis of meritocracy and patriotism and discuss issues during the campaign rather than bring "sex bombs" and actors and actresses to gyrate on stage - or yourself do the sing-and-dance act to the exclusion of everything else. Let us help raise the level of political consciousness of Filipinos and inform them of issues because only a well-informed voter can vote intelligently. Won't you feel happy to deserve that kind of vote of choice of an intelligent creature?

To the Comelec commissioners whose character is embellished by association to the computerization scam and the Garci controversy and other electoral fraud, please resign and have pity on your descendants who will inherit your bad reputation. Those who intend to use their Comelec positions in exchange for thirty pieces of dirty silver, please banish the thought. Better still, remember that man does not live by bread alone.

And to the various churches in this country - do make a matrix of criteria in guiding your faithful in deciding who to vote in the coming May polls. It is a performance of your shepherding duty and sacerdotal vow to be the lighthouse that should illumine your parishioners especially in times of figurative darkness. That act would not be violating - but fulfilling - the spirit of the Gospel.

Every election, to us, is always important. But because of the poisoned air and the multiplicity of issues that divide the nation today - reflect that the May 17, 2007 polls may be more crucial than other elections. Brace for it, then.

Remember, we only have ourselves to blame - if it fails.