How not to elect 4D barangay officials

Four D barangay candidates: "Dirty, Dangerous, Deceptive and Degrading" candidates, especially the drug-linked ''trapos'' should be rejected.

It is often said bad officials are elected by good people who do not cast their votes. In other words, there are incumbent local politicians who are linked to drugs, illegal gambling, and other shenanigans, because well-meaning citizens choose not to actively participate in the exercise of suffrage at the lowest levels. So evil-minded men and women continue to dominate politics in the local levels, the good men and women choose the academe, the corporate world, business, or even overseas employment. These elitist paradigms give rise to the monopoly of traditional politicians. The good ones lose by default. The bad ones take 'em all. Of course, there are exceptions to this sweeping generalization.

But for those wise enough to get involved in the grassroots democracy in action, we offer a template to serve as guide in the coming barangay polls. First, never vote for candidates in the verified narco list, not the partisan and hastily-made lists. Never support politicians supported by drug lords or who are drug lords themselves. Never be lured by drug money, intimidation, trickery, or all forms of dirty political gimmickry. Another effective approach to fighting drugs is to reject their protectors in government.

Second, voters should reject members of political dynasties. Those who are either brothers, sisters, cousins, nephews, or nieces of incumbent mayors, governors, congressmen, councilors, board members, senators, and other politicians Even if qualified, they should not be voted. Political dynasties, as proven by track record, empirical data and anecdotal evidence, are a major cause of corruptions in government, conflict of interests, and unhealthy concentration of socio-economic and political opportunities. They are a bane to genuine democracy and are enemies to the basic ideals and principles of democratic governments and societies. The coming polls should be an opportune time to cleanse the villages of political dynasties.

Third, voters should reject those who are corrupt, or have pending graft charges where the evidence is strong. People should not wait for convictions by courts that are too slow and inept. People must judge for themselves these dirty politicians who are shameless, blatant, and notoriously undesirable.

Politicians in the barangay level who have padded payrolls and engaged in ghost employees and consultants, ghost projects, and those who conspire with unscrupulous suppliers and contractors should be rejected.

This coming barangay polls, we should reject 4D aspirants who shall bring us to drugs, and to deception, dangers, and disappointments. They should be defeated by all legal means.