Battle of political platforms

THE political rumble begins. Political TV ads and radio jingles gradually occupy center stage. Politicians are finding reasons so that their pictures could appear in strategic places. Posters are not supposed to be nailed on trees and lamp posts but many are not aware of Comelec dos and don'ts, or shall we say that Comelec does not have enough teeth to bite the arrogant violators.

Some radio interviews blare below the belt statements from some politicians, local and national. Well, probably some of them cannot identify the belts; or some really don't have the belts. Being the only Christian Nation in Asia, we are expecting that our candidates should behave like the followers of Christ. (I do not say that some of them behave like barbarians). We want our politicians to demonstrate what is best in them. They have to keep their cool under fire. The best is the enemy of the good. Only the best can give the best.

Politicians should not go for a brawl. Political parties should come out with encouraging slogans and excellent platforms. There should be a political party platform or a candidate's written statement of principles and plans. A platform is usually developed by a committee at the party convention. These platforms should be properly presented to the voters in a proper forum. The voters, after listening, will make proper assessment and decide who will be their choice among the candidates. The electorates will know who among the candidates have brilliant ideas, who among them can speak with wisdom, who among them could present themselves and their platforms with confidence. We have to bear in mind that from among them, we will select executives and legislators.

In here, we need the cooperation of the community, church, business sector, student body or a group of professionals to sponsor a series of cordial argumentation and debate anchored on protocol and social ethics. Gone were the days when the politicians were trying to undress their opponents on stage with the use of gutter language hitting the other faction on issues like womanizing, theft, gangsters, graft and corruption. Those were the days dominated by landlords, regional blocks, private armies and hired killers. We do not want our children to see gorillas and bears on stage.

Legitimate issues could be centered on fiscal management, morality in the government, transparency in project implementation, proper use of government assets, infrastructure projects, health plans, education for the poor but deserving students, assistance to senior citizens, housing program for government employees and slum dwellers, employment opportunities, incentives for local and foreign investors, linkages with other agencies here and abroad, genuine social program for our brothers in the hills, and other quality socio-economic means.

We are expecting our incumbent officials to enumerate their achievements in governance and their 'tour de force' with their constituency. The first-timers should double their effort by showing their best. They have to tell their audience of what are the viable excellent programs and best practices that they can offer if elected. Their political agenda should be convincingly convincing. They will be judged in their fluency of presentation and in the humility of their behavior.

We pray that the 2013 elections would be fair, peaceful, clean, orderly, and democratic. We do not want to see the parade of the beasts. We do not want to be entertained by a show of guns and money. We do not want to have mockery in our republic. We want the citizens of our country looking at our politicians behaving based on eidos. We do not want them to feast on our incompetence and fastuous manner. Filipinos can have serious fun during election without becoming funny.