Placing the ground workers

an open secret, a “normalized” system that sometimes tipping its toes between the lines of legal implications.

Let us give credit some barangay officials who have a heart for the people within his or her jurisdiction, much for those who wanted to try its chances to be one thus, he or she is running for a barangay elective post. But sooner or later, once they get into the position, they will be facing numerous dilemmas that may end up compromising their principles.

Sometimes, a barangay official has to dance to the tunes set by the higher political lords. Sometimes, they had to be creative in playing a balanced game as once you will be identified in association with the other political group, you will get a political karma. Some were playing it neutral, accepting donations and support from both sides of political fences.

This year’s barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections are more than just a run for the money, it is a strategic placement of people who will also act as ground workers for the 2019 elections. That is why in some barangays, there was a tough competition, while some candidates were running without opponents, it is also up for every bigger politico to win their support.

This is politics, after all, an affair riddled with leverages and charades, and at the end of the day getting the bigger chunk of benefits. Whether it’s for the people or their personal pockets, it only matter when there are people or groups who call out such irregularities.

Yesterday, there are already reports of alleged vote buying, all at a measly P20 to P100 at most. And if you would trust the words emanating from the “Kwentong Barbero,” which was quite literally as I went to the barbershop, you will hear these people inside (both the barbers and clients) talking bigger amounts were given to the barangay versions of “political leaders,” which like to be Purok or Zone leaders, just to convince their neighbors to vote for a particular candidate.

I hope those people I know, and even friends, who also joined the fray, would avoid taking the bait of buying votes. But when their opponents are doing such, the natural reaction would be countering the offer, thus, a never-ending cycle of money game. I wonder if how would this matter in the future, if we are consistent in these old, unethical, if not illegal, ways. (nefluczon@gmail.com)