Lessons from a 104-year-old voter in Iloilo

THE HOT weather and congested voting precincts did not stop the elderly of Iloilo from exercising their right and responsibility to vote in last Monday’s midterm polls. Among them was 104-year old Lucila S. Sobremisana, a mother of four and grandmother to 13 from New Lucena town, who defied the family’s suggestion that she skip casting her ballot. “My children keep on telling me that I should not vote but I still chose to vote, because it gives me happiness,” she said. She also expressed dismay over those who did not vote. “They do not understand the significance of choosing good leaders,” she said, adding that she chose leaders whom she believed will do good to their municipality. “I will not vote for leaders who are corrupt,” Ms. Sobremisana said. In Iloilo City, 83-year old Adelina P. Malaobe from Barangay Ortiz said she has never missed an election. “I keep on voting because I know politicians will help us in our livelihood,” she said in an interview. The two are part of the over 1.5 million total voters in Iloilo City and Iloilo province. — Emme Rose S. Santiagudo