THE RECENT barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections across the nation sparked widespread discussion. Politicians flexed their muscles and brains to ensure their chosen candidates triumphed, eyeing future gains.
During these elections, coffee aficionados gathered to discuss a pertinent topic over their favorite brews or milkshakes – “No Money? Then Don’t Run.”
In barangays nationwide, residents were visibly elated to see multiple kapitans and kagawads vying for office. Why?
“Election time in our country brings joy to grocery and meat shop owners, and even to ukay-ukay vendors, as millions of pesos flow into the hands of countless voters,” a banker remarked. He added, “Before election weekends, our bank sees massive withdrawals, amounting to millions. It’s a regular occurrence during elections.”
***
The lack of money, not integrity, capability, skill, or kindness, often decides election outcomes in our kenkoy country, a teacher lamented.
He shared that many defeated candidates confessed to him their inability to distribute last-minute monetary incentives to voters. This pattern, he noted, has been consistent for decades.
***
A businessman pointed out, “To be fair, winning against a well-funded candidate feels like a miracle. Voters often express strong aversion to such ‘richer’ candidates, whether they are incumbents or newcomers.”
He observed that independents and those outside the ruling party often lose, while those aligned with the incumbent administration have a higher chance of success.
***
Regarding voting malpractices, the teacher observed, “As long as vote-selling persists, candidates will continue buying votes. It’s the voters, wielding the pen on the ballot, who initiate the sale, not the candidates.”
***
The businessman commented on the post-election phase, “Newly-elected officials often focus on recouping their investments, not on beneficial projects for their constituents. In the second year, they might start contemplating personal gains from their position.”
***
Thus, residents shouldn’t be shocked by the lack of meaningful projects from these elected officials, who once promised Pagba-bago, Pag-Asenso and Bagong Proyekto during the campaign.
Anong sabi mo, bago ang lahat?
A joker butted in – bagong bubung, bagong sasakyan, bagong cellphone, bagong pamumuhay.
Amen they say./PN
