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Saturday, December 13, 2003
Editorial: Not so democratic practice
The failed attempt to unite the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD) and the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) in Cebu exposed not only the hardening of the stance of local political groups but also the not so democratic mindset of political leaders.
There is no doubt that the move, had it succeeded, would have deprived the voters of a choice in the 2004 elections, one of the goals of the unification being to come up with common slates from the province down to the districts, component cities and towns.
The setup would have been convenient for the anointed candidates and their backers—they will no longer have to sweat it out to win. This is especially true in the province with only possibly Promdi putting up a fight (Alayon is allied with NPC).
But it would also have destroyed the very essence of elections as a vital component of the democratic process. It would be like duplicating in smaller spheres the political setup under the Marcos regime with the monolithic Kilusang Bagong Lipunan.
Or to use a more recent analogy, it would be like instituting in the province and other areas the objectionable atmosphere in the fifth district (where nobody would dare tangle with a Durano) and even the fourth district (where the Martinezes hold sway).
Politics in the province, especially after Ferdinand Marcos was ousted, has always been lively—a de la Serna defeating an Osmeña, a Garcia defeating a de la Serna, administration vs. opposition, etc.—with different groups fielding bets for a wider choice.
And the attitude of people has always been for the breaking up of the iron grip of political clans in some areas, like the sigh of relief that followed the loosening of the hold of the Abineses in the second district.
Thus, Cebuanos surely could not countenance an election where voters are merely called upon to validate the choices made by political backroom wheelers and dealers.
There we go again
Crowding or long lines have once again been observed in the various offices of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) as thousands rushed to beat the deadline for the validation of voters’ record yesterday.
As what was expected in this situation, tempers flared and complaints were raised against the manner Comelec attended to the people flooding their offices. The complaints, however, could no longer floor Comelec officials down like before.
This is because much of the blame can be heaped on the registrants themselves. The validation process was opened weeks before and it looks like only a few cared then.
“Even if we give them (the registrants) a year, they will still wait until the last few days,” said Acting Cebu Election Supervisor Edwin Cadungog wryly.
Indeed, until the mindset of the people changes, the scene in the various Comelec offices yesterday will never go away.
(December 13, 2003 issue)
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