Can Casti’s hand generate votes?
-A A +AFriday, October 12, 2012
ARE Liberal Party (LP) officials in the province so desperate they viewed the hand gesture of an election official as an endorsement of their rivals?
Lawyer Hilario “Junjun” Davide III and Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale, LP's gubernatorial and vice gubernatorial bets, respectively, chiding provincial election supervisor Leonil Marco Castillano, who was shown in a photo seemingly aping the campaign sign of One Cebu when its gubernatorial bet, Pablo John Garcia filed his certificate of candidacy (COC).
Television footage showed that Castillano made the sign but only for a few seconds. He claimed he did it to appease Pablo John’s child, who was crying. Gikomedyahan ra god tong Castillano aron malingaw ang bata. May pagka-joker man sab nig dagway si Casti.
So what's the big fuss about it? Okay, granting for the sake of argument that it was an endorsement, but can it translate to votes for Pablo John in the coming elections?
Unsa may pagtuo ninyo anang tudlo ni Castillano, gamhanan?
I met Castillano after the filing of the COCs and he jokingly asked if I have samples of the medicine I am endorsing on radio and TV. I asked him why. He said, “gipama-ulan akong bukton, Superbob, og inisa sa mga kamot sa mga kandidato.” “Beer ray makapawala ana torney',” I said.
Why won't Junjun and Ma’am Agnes ask fourth district congressional bet Celestino “Tining” Martinez III if he also requested Castillano to made a Laban sign when he filed his COC? Castillano did it but his thumb was hidden by the COC form. Pagkatoytoy!
Sus, ila pa gyud nang gidaginot. There are many substantial issues that they should raise against their opponents, like the indiscriminate distribution by Gov. Gwen Garcia of financial assistance to various local government units.
We already know the intention of the governor, which is to propel her brother's candidacy. Is the LP doling out funds? No, because it has no money. Why don't Ma’am Agnes secure funds from Capitol like what Gwen is doing to balance the playing field? Mao bitaw nang wala mamalhin ang ubang mayor kay way ikahatag ang LP.
LP officials claim that they have other pieces of evidence against Castillano. Okay, then by all means lay them down on the table. Their worries and suspicions against Castillano is more imaginary than real. Are they saying Castillano is siding with the Garcias because of some incidents in previous elections or because he is receiving a monthly allowance from the Capitol like fiscals and judges?
What can an election officer do to favor a candidate when we already have computerized elections? Sus, kung nahibalo pa nang taga-Comelec unsaon pagtikas, sila na lang unta maoy mokandidato.
Produce evidence to pin down Castillano and I will join you in calling for his relief.
Adto nato na siya ipalabay sa Maguindanao para dili na “Hello Garci” (referring to the conversation of former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and former Comelec commissoner Virgilio Garciano during the 2004 elections). Ma-‘Hello Casti’ na unya.
But Castilano's case and that of Cebu City north district election officer Marchel Sarno, who was captured on camera having lunch in a restaurant with controversial boxing promoter and Cordova mayoralty bet, Rex “Wakee” Salud, should be a lesson for Comelec officials and politicians.
The next time, they should be extra careful and prudent in dealing with politicians in public because their association with them, especially during private affairs, would always be misconstrued. So next time, do not wine and dine with politicians or wear t-shirts whose color is identified with a political party.
Published in the Sun.Star Cebu newspaper on October 13, 2012.
Opinion
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