LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA — Once again, we’re in the midst of the excitement that is the coming elections. That sounds like it’s just around the corner, doesn’t it? Well, in a way, it is. After all, May 2025 is just seven months away. The contestants have so much adrenaline in their systems it’s contagious! The excitement is worse in them because some may already have visions of a good life if and when they win. And why not, when so many before them are now fiscally good and tight after even just a term or two?
If I could say something to them, I’d say this:
So, you’re running in next year’s elections, whatever seat it is you’re gunning for. That’s good, because that would be the perfect time for you to show the people what you are capable of doing—for the good of your city, your municipality, or Negros Oriental, whichever it is. It will be your time to shine, that is, to make promises and then do good on those promises. It will be your opportunity to prove that you’re not just a talker but a doer. Let it serve as your chance to tell the people that you are running to serve and that you are not seeking to make politics a livelihood. But do you really want to do the job? And do you know how to do the job? Are you a person of unshakeable conviction, who will stand for your principles, no matter what? Do you truly worry about the future of your city, municipality, province, and the constituents within? Are you trustworthy and honest even when no one is looking? That last one is very important not only for the people, but for your own self-worth.
You may already have something in mind to change—an ordinance that you think is necessary; practices to shed and adopt; a list of priorities that truly starts with the most essential ones, while deleting those that are wasteful. What you may not already have is the will and the conscience to follow through with them. Well, without them, you will just be one of those who have come and gone, accomplishing nothing! I can only advice you not to follow their footsteps.
The latest news about the political landscape in the province talks about the fierce rivalry among political aspirants, both first timers and lifers. Sadly, though, only a few of them may be aware that when in office, they will be expected to earn their salaries, and not just sit in sessions, meetings, and exercise power they don’t deserve! Hopefully, they understand that public office, being a public trust, is not some solution to their personal financial misfortunes. Some, for sure, may already be harboring visions of wealth, should they win! A little advice—DON’T, for the sake of all our children, born and unborn! No sir, you cannot be an elected public servant without bring something to the table! You have to accomplish something of some worth for your constituents!
And what is this about entire families and clans running for office? Whoever anointed their blood that they should be the best leaders for us? They act like they have been ordained “UP THERE” before being born “down here” on earth! It would be slightly forgivable if they had proven themselves, having left indelible marks in the annals of progress. Well, have they? For most of them, the only marks they have left are those of economic and social insecurities that still, to this very day, plague the people.
What they should do is try to determine who in the family is the smartest and most likely to benefit society. Whoever it may be must have integrity, the tenacity to make every constituent’s life better, and the awareness that they are the “servant” in public servant. Their goal must be geared towards fair and equitable economic development ONLY, ultimately resulting in sustainable livelihood programs for everyone, once and for all! The rest of them can stand aside and await their turn to run, but only if the one ahead of them had accomplished something. But for all to run at the same time is just ludicrous and greedy beyond belief!
Don’t we just loathe the day when “that” first politician discovered that elected public service in the Philippines is such a lucrative profession? Ever since that time, many elected public servants have become wealthy beyond any believable measure while leaving the state of their cities, municipalities, or province worse than before they took office. These political dynasties have allowed certain families to maintain and even increase their family wealth manyfold. Along the way, they have evolved into metaphorical creatures with excessively thick skins. Unfortunately for the public, these creatures are far from becoming extinct. Instead, they are flourishing with wild abandon, leaving behind a bleak and desolate economic prospect for everyone else but them.
As in everything else, there are exceptions, though few. There are those who have already proven themselves to the people, no matter how much their opponents have disparaged them. Their achievements are widely known but are vehemently denied by detractors because they simply do not want them to win. They are in our midst now, ready to serve again and we just know that they will only continue the good they’ve started before. Everyone should see that.
The one consolation for the public is its access to a powerful weapon. Used correctly, it can cut these creatures down or, if used incorrectly, or not at all, it can ensure their survival for yet another devastating and unproductive term. The VOTE is that weapon, and it has always been the only weapon to defeat the scourge in government.
The only thing the people need to do is to wise up and learn how to use the VOTE to their advantage!
There are times when I think the people must detach themselves from their traditional belief that the better candidate is the one who demonstrates deep religious fervor. Haven’t they seen, on countless occasions, that those kinds of politicians have also been implicated in cases of gross malfeasance? What they should be looking for are candidates who can produce results that will directly benefit them, easing their way of life, providing them with ways to consistently put food on their tables without waiting for government handouts (misconstrued as personally coming from politicians). Religious leanings should be last on the list of qualities they should look for. Relying on a candidate’s religiousness has, on many occasions, proven to be the wrong standard by which to judge their appropriateness for the job. Are religious people not capable of lying or stealing? Does being religious guarantee competence?
We would be better off if our leaders were more taxpayer-fearing than God-fearing. More selfless than selfish. After all, we won’t lose our religion just by demanding that of our public servants, would we?
With the considerable political fraternity of aspiring politicians who have filed their certificates of candidacy, the raucous will soon be deafening. Then, when the time comes, the people will have a buffet of political hopefuls. No doubt there will be some who will sate their hunger for reform while others will be viand not fit to serve a dog.
With the way it has always been, let us hope that the May 2025 exercise will not come down in our local history as being just another cycle, another circus.
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Author’s email: bjplug@gmail.com
