As the campaign season intensifies in Dumaguete and Negros Oriental, candidates must remember that their conduct is a reflection of the values they wish to uphold.
Dumaguete prides itself on being a University Town—an intellectual hub where ideas are debated with reason and respect. In such a community, there is no place for below-the-belt campaigning, misinformation, or divisive rhetoric.
Politics, by nature, is contentious, but it should not breed hostility.
Unfortunately, history has shown us that political rivalries can escalate beyond words. The assassination of Gov. Roel Degamo and nine others two years ago remains a tragic stain on our Province.
While no one knows for sure why it happened, pending the outcome of the criminal cases filed against the suspects, that killing has been tagged as politically-motivated, and has placed our Province under the magnifying glass of the Commission on Elections.
It placed Negros Oriental—and by extension, the Philippines—on the international map for all the wrong reasons.
Violence must never again be a tool for political maneuvering. Democracy thrives on the free exchange of ideas, not intimidation and bloodshed.
Candidates may be political opponents, but they are often colleagues, even friends, outside the campaign.
The divide among supporters is also alarming. These followers—ordinary citizens—are left quarreling, sometimes irreparably damaging relationships within families and communities.
This kind of division weakens the very fabric of our society. It is time for our leaders to set an example by fostering unity, respect, and a commitment to fair play.
Dumagueteños and Negrenses deserve leaders who will elevate political discourse, rather than drag it through the mud. Campaigns should be about platforms, policies, and programs that will uplift the City and the Province—not personal attacks or mudslinging.
Let us demand better. Let us expect more from those who wish to serve. If we are to move forward, our elections must be fought with dignity, intelligence, and an unwavering commitment to peace. The future of Dumaguete and Negros Oriental depends on it.
