Maulion: Face Off

ONE thing that is sure -- like death and taxes -- this coming election is that whoever gets elected would only get minority votes. And the good thing about those who would not make it would have the comfort of getting back their old seat in the Senate and their comfy offices, as in the past, continually serving the people as if nothing happened, brushing off their political setbacks simply as thing of the past. Cool.

Most likely too, the first two higher votes earner would be that close, given their numbers in the surveys. Ergo, why not have a face-off election between the two to clothe would-be President with majority votes as some countries like France in Europe are doing to secure the mandate of the people? That’s the question Yamashita George Paderanga, my colleague in DAR in Misamis Occidental, has been asking.

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Simple idea but whose wisdom is coming out of age, given the upcoming automated election. The idea may seem wishful thinking, our electoral system being multi-party in nature, which allows ambitious politicians to run as they wish. Then there’s Comelec, allowing the festive mood among Presidential candidates all the way to party-list with its leniency in the vetting process.

“Binababoy na tayo ng Comelec,” complained Rep. Leonardo Montemayor in his last visit to Cagayan de Oro City, noting how even some party-list has to play dirty just to have their group noticed by playing with words coming up with catchy words and figures just to be registered ahead of others. Where in the world, for instance, can you find party-list groups making mockery of marriage by making it appear as mere contract renewable in 10 years! There used to be 144 party-lists; not the number 188, and counting. Rep. Montemayor noted the penchant of Pinoys to register just as many sectoral representatives they could think of.

One valid reason, too, for the using the face off system is a far off idea of restoring the two-party system, as it is already deemed history by 1987 Philippine Constitution. “Malabo,” categorically stated by party-list Congressman Teddy Casino. “Maganda and pwede subalit magasto,” added Francis Pangilinan. “Maganda kasi siya dahil the government will shoulder all the expenses allowing just the people to vote.”

Secretary Andaya of DBM, who resigned lately as he is bent in recovering back his old district, was even more realistic. “Correct, we have multi-party system today but look at the trend of survey. It looks like the trend is leading to that,” he said as Liberal party and Nacionalista party Standard bearers are seemingly dominating the survey. But who knows given the momentum Gibo Teodoro is getting and gaining?

Seemingly, it appears that the two-party system and an independent slate is resurrecting from such development, but only as far as surveys are concerned. Restoring it permanently is practically different matter.

Face off undoubtedly could be a breakthrough. It is just hoped that the idea would generate ripple effects that could turn the tide the other way around.

Of course, this is only a wishful thinking from concerned taxpayers. But who knows? This is crucial gauging from the lessons in the past where coup de’ e tat and other forms of democratic outpouring of restlessness are hanging like Damocles sword over the people every time we have weak President getting elected through minority votes.

(rf_maulion@yahoo.com)