The heat is on
WITH the completion of the filing of candidacies for the 2016 elections, the stage is now set for yet another riveting political experience. Clearly, we are besieged by mostly familiar names and faces, many from well-known political clans that have been expanding every election period. They have become not only transgenerational, but have crossed traditional bailiwicks as well, with family members taking residence all over town.
Every candidate claims to be impelled by the call of public service, never mind the heap of money required to be elected. It baffles me how any of them could be so willing – and able – to first spend tons of hard currency just to be able to serve the public! Indeed, loads of money that in itself and without need of a public office, could serve the public interest; think of the classrooms, barangay health centers, farm-to-market roads and bridges that it could build, as well as basic frontline public services like primary health care that it could provide.
Instead, this money will be spent for tarpaulins, posters, and other campaign paraphernalia, media advertisements, entertainment, advisers, “coordinators” and other ground machinery, poll watchers, supporters and rah-rah squads. If news reports are true that “hakot” crowds attended the filing of candidacies, how much more the coming sorties? In every election, accusations of massive vote buying have become a tedious refrain and I wonder if in 2016, it will be any different.
The most vulnerable target of vote buying is obviously the needy and impoverished. I remember one election when my kasambahay asked to go home for a week, saying that every registered member of her household would be paid 1,500 per vote. She had computed that her family would easily make 6,000, which was more than what she was making in a month. No brainer, she said, specially considering that she did not have to pay her way because their “coordinator” has also arranged buses for their trip from Manila and back. At least they would actually vote and share in the pie, I thought in dismay, not like the usual modus of simply getting them to vote in absentia without any material reward to show for it.
But what a pitiful waste of the right of suffrage! They, who comprise a big bulk of the electorate, fail to realize the power in their collective hands to install a government that can lift them from poverty way beyond a measly 6,000 dole-out once every three years. The power of choice largely belongs to them and it behooves us to help them exercise this power responsibly so that together, we can get the government we have long aspired for.
We have at least six months to do our rounds in our respective areas and groups of influence. More than endorsing particular candidates, let us focus on responsible voting. In due time, the choices will be clear and the allure of a one-time pay off will dissipate. Indeed, the heat is on, and it is on us. (email mgptqualop@yahoo.com for feedback)