What to look for in the campaign period

One part of our electoral process was concluded yesterday with the filing of the Certificates of Candidacy. We now know the names (or at least some) of those seeking for our votes in the May 2019 elections specially that when they, not all, on different dates, went to the offices of the Commission on Elections, they accompanied their formal acts with some kind of fiesta-like and garrulous extravaganza.

The next part of the process is for the candidates to introduce themselves to us. This is the campaign period and it is going to be an arduous task for the new players. They will have to use some gimmicks for their names to attract some interests. In the national level, there are those perceived neophytes but are actually with impeccable political pedigree. Atty. Chel Diokno, is an example but he does not need any gimmickry. On his own, he enjoys the trust among us in the academe and the confidence of my fellow lawyers. I foresee his campaign to be difficult because i believe he will be the object of vile and malicious propaganda of this administration but i also believe that his effort will be less burdensome because he can point to the laurels of his father, the late Sen. Jose W, Diokno, to be remembered on election day. In fact, there are ordinary mortals, like me, who will do our best to promote his candidacy such that in the next few days I plan to call few friends to organize a campaign team and set up a headquarter of sort for him.

There must also be among the new faces personalities who possess good academic credentials. They theoretically enjoy an advantage over those with minimal education although we had witnessed, in past elections, how men and women with outstanding college degrees did not fare better. During this campaign period, we will strive our best know who they are.

At this point, let me emphasize that intellect ranks as my first criterion in choosing the candidate. Truth to tell, I measure “intellect” in terms of finishing tertiary education with honors. Admittedly, it sounds discriminatory. I am not particularly proud of it but honestly, I labor under the impression that a person who graduates from college with Latin honors has proven his ability to pursue whatever he dreams. If he seeks a public office, he enjoys my presumption that he is confident of his competence to do the job.

This intellect criterion works both ways. There are learned men who, in my estimation, have used their gifts in less noble directions. Their past actions demonstrated the degree of guile and cunning their profound minds are capable of. In May 2019, these candidates will never get the one vote I am legally entitled to. Former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile is at the top of this group. Undeniably, he is brilliant but his role in the dreaded Martial Law regime of the late President Ferdinand Marcos and his late attempt to help re-write our history make me puke.

That is as far as my abundant presumption of intellect on a candidate goes. During the campaign period, I, as a voter, will not just be swayed by motherhood statements most honor students are capable of. Oratory, to me, is good but, this time, I will listen very carefully to those candidates who have specific plans to address identifiable important issues. While elocution usually commands my attention, I will give premium to substance. When I say “specific plans” I mean those programs that are visibly structured. These may be radical ideas but as long as the proponent outlines concrete ways, I will consider voting for him.

When I have a more or less appreciable idea on the personal background of the candidates I intend to vote for, I will next consider their stand on local issues. Those who give specifics on how the city will address the effects of climate change, on a clear city program of educating the young, on a vivid system of solid waste disposal and on a reasonable use of the assets our city possesses will have my vote. I hope the campaign period is enough to guide me.