Well, well, well… here we are. It’s June 30 and yet it has not fully sunk into my brain yet. I have always been the reluctant one, a doubter, a hesitant supporter. On the eve of the 2016 National Elections, I shared my journey with Team Duterte. What I didn’t mention is how I have vowed to return to political blogging, whoever wins. I made this vow sometime February 2016.

And here I am, on the day on the Inauguration of President Rodrigo Duterte. After more than a month of silence, I am finally returning to posting about political stuff. And yes, after many years of hiatus, I will be actively blogging about politics. Not on a separate blog, but here on my personal blog. This is my self-proclaimed duty as a #PartnerforChange.

It has been a month since we branded him as Presumptive President and weeks since he was declared as President-Elect, but it still has not sunk in yet. Wala gihapon ko katuo na nakadaog gyud si Mayor.

The past few weeks have been confusing. Mayor has not taken his oath of office as President and yet, news from left and right, from legit and not quite legit sources were aplenty. Issues came in. In all shapes, forms, and on all topics possible. I refused to answer, post, or comment. Not until I was sure I won’t be part of the incoming administration. And not until I was mentally prepared for it. I told myself, sigurado June 30 klaro na siguro akong panan-aw. Hayag na ang dalan.

First off, no, I am not officially part of the incoming administration. Am I mentally prepared to blog commentaries about the pertinent issues of the day? Not quite. Obviously, I am soooo blatantly pointlessly rambling over here. But I have to fulfill my promise to myself. To return to political blogging.

Why? As my mentee asked me “What do I wish to achieve?” The simple answer is the campaign was such a struggle that I believe I owe it to myself and to every Duterte voter, to every Filipino that we each become a #PartnerforChange. And I would like to start with what I think I can do best.

(I don’t know who came up with that hashtag but I applaud them. So simple yet so brilliant.)

So this is how I choose to be a “Partner for Change.” By remaining the reluctant one, a doubter, a hesitant supporter. Hindi ako bulag. Hindi ako bingi. Hindi ako pipi. At hindi rin ako tanga. At gagamitin ko ang ano man ang kakayahan at meron ako upang bigyan ng pansin ng mga bagay na dapat bigyan ng pansin. Para makinig sa mga hinaing, tahol, at bulyaw ng mga Pilipinong hindi napapakinggan at para bigyan ng boses ang mga mamamayang walang boses mailahad ang kanilang opinyon at mga kwento. Para magbigay ng aking opinyon at kuro-kuro kung kailangan.

In my past talks on the importance of (political) blogs, I have always highlighted how bloggers can shine light on a little known topic or issue and make it matter. This is how the “Hello, Garci” blew up on the national consciousness, via the PCIJ blog. This is how people started fighting for the FOI Bill, for reproductive health, for better ICT governance, against Charter Change, against MOA-AD… for or against many other issues. I credit the many Filipino Political Bloggers and who took a stand, who made noise, who said this matters when nobody else did. Who took it upon themselves to make mountains out of important mole hills.

I might not be as passionate a political blogger as I once was, but I vow to try my best, my hardest to be earnest and sincere every time I type in my thoughts and opinions. To think many times over before pushing that publish button. I will try my best to know, to listen, to see, to learn so that I might have something to say and share. I will no longer be lazy in reading the news or researching about important issues. I may not always be right or balanced in my views, but trust that I will always write and publish not for my own sake or for the sake of one person but with the life and liberty of every Filipino in my heart and in my mind.

Now more than ever, the Philippines needs its citizens to speak up. I still trust our traditional media outlets. But I believe they are somehow limited.

As a #PartnerforChange I owe it to myself and to the Filipino people that I remain vigilant. That I do not keep my thoughts to myself. That I continue to be the reluctant one and actively voice my doubts and fears, my praises and approval, all my thoughts and opinions… whether it be for or against the incoming administration. That I shine the light where there is little attention. After all, this is our country and we fought for change. We fought for equality. We fought for a government that sees and listens to its people.

I am the fifth estate and I am a #PartnerforChange.

Padayon, Pilipinas.