IT IS very well said that before the election all candidates are hoping, wishing, expecting, aspiring... and always anticipating to win. At the back of their minds, they wait for the best but their alter ego “somehow” is preparing for the unexpected.
We would like to congratulate the winners... barangay captains, SK (Sangguniang Kabataan) chairmen, and “kagawads.” We know that winning is not easy. Winning calls for a well-oiled organization, financial back-up, efficient leg workers, bounteous sponsors, and munificent patrons. Don’t forget yourself. You are “more generous” than the other candidates.
Don’t forget that in an election “generosity” begets votes. “Boxers” usually don’t win in an election. Open-hand fighters usually win. In the “Art of Winning,” one principle counts, “Your best may not be enough. You need to cripple the opponent who also depends on his best.”
That could be explained in simple language especially to barangays wherein both competing barangay captain candidates are “very generous.” How can one candidate prevent the “generosity” of the other candidate? The answer is simple. Use external force for a man-to-man defense. Checkmate all the pawns. Corner the bag man. Close the faucet.
One “generous” candidate can always win over the other “generous” candidates simply by using the right but “dirty” strategy accepted by Comelec rules. That happened and that could always happen. In an election, there are two owls involved, the wise and the wiser.
My gazetteers from other towns and cities have given their election not-so-funny-stories. We have this barangay captain candidate who is sure to win. At the election vesper, his “bag man” disappeared and the “manna” did not reach the recipients. The moral of the story: Do not trust the bag man, especially if the bag is full.
The “hook and line” method is still effective. One candidate has an effective coordinator at the voting center. After lunch, he gathered the names of those who have not voted yet and started the “fishing expedition” with good “bait.” A good number of votes were added to his candidate. The moral of the story: Always operate on an expanded budget.
The “excursion” method still works for SK voters. One coordinator organized an overnight excursion in a wonderful beach targeting the possible voters for the opponent of his SK chairman candidate. Not all was hooked but a good number were tempted by music, good food, good games, excellent accommodation and “attractive allowance.” Someone can still feed the imagination of the youth.
We have this SK chairman candidate who was motivated to withdraw three days before the election. He was pressured by the parents of his girlfriend to withdraw his candidacy. “This is what I call “Romeo and Juliet” tactic. Love and politics do not jell. In politics, one is obliged to sleep with a strange fellow. Politics is stranger than fiction.
Many independent “kagawads” run for election. If they win, that is a bonus. If they do not win, at least they have campaigned (for a reason) for their chosen barangay captains. I call it “Trip to Jerusalem”. Participants expect to lose and they can always lose by allowing one to reach Jerusalem. The losers can go to “market” after the game.
We all know that the local politicians have a hand in barangay and SK elections. Only Comelec does not know that. All these are in preparation for 2019 election if “Tatay Digong” won’t put agony to the dreams and nightmares of the local politicians. The political bridge for 2019 election is yet too far, yet too near.
Good luck winners. We pray that you will not become lame ducks barangay and SK officials. Give your best to your barangays. Just remember this, “He who is GREAT must make HUMILITY his base, and he who is HIGH must make LOWLINESS his foundation.”
Remember, you are our servants!