Fomenting election campaign

THE race against time has already started. We now see senatorial candidates coming to Negros in the guise of attending fiestas, the inauguration of projects, alumni homecoming, and birthday parties of some bigwigs. Our lamp posts are flowering with tarpaulins of candidates wishing us all “Merry Christmas and Happy New Year”, to be followed by “Happy

Valentine’s Day,” and later “Congratulations on your Graduation.”

The election propaganda war has already started. Political gang war begins to be sweaty. The election campaign is designed to promote or defeat a particular candidate or candidates to a public office.

Organizations have been formed. Political caucuses and meetings are going on. Sweet speeches and sugary promises are heard. Publishing and distributing of materials about the candidates are discreetly done in the guise that they are just their curriculum vitae. Phone calls are made to solicit pledges and votes.

The coffee shops are open with daring opinions on who will win and who will cry after the election. Our La Mesa de la Libertad has been visited already by some candidates or their forward observers. We already see some decals or stickers pasted by some political Robin Hoods in places of interest. Some commentators and tabloid writers have already surfaced to promote the early generous candidates.

Candidates are always reminded that anything they do should always be within our election laws. How many could understand and could not understand? That question could always be reflected in their qualifications.

Candidates running for executive positions are oftentimes heard making some “good offers” to community leaders and independent businessmen. They are assured that if they help and the candidate wins…they can be executive assistants, consultants, chairman of committee on police matter, infrastructure projects, special education fund, sports and culture programs, or will be given special assignment within the power of the executive. This could be tempting.

Some “fly-by-night” groups would make their counter-proposal to the candidates. They would present a very good project study to those who are running for mayor (incumbent or aspirant). Mayors would be told that if they win, this project will be backed up. They are telling the candidates that their group is having three thousand members and they are all voters.

At times, candidates have to gamble their luck. They have to submit their names to leaders of some religions in their town or city. There could be some back deal in reference to the Holy Bible as interpreted by some religious leaders. Candidates in all parties are seen in churches making their own style of communications with God. God will decide based on the voice of the people. It is His will and His will be done. That could be seen after the election.

Campaign period is fun. We see actors and actresses acting their best. Some of them will become our public officials because they are too good to be true. The voters are the board of judges. In case of a tie, the voting machine will decide.*