Wednesday, January 24, 2007 Speak out: Elections and political killings By Rexnor H. Abellana Talamban, Cebu City
ONCE it became clear that the 2007 polls will be held after all (after the Charter change move was frozen), election-related violence erupted throughout the country.
The killings involved politicians, from “lofty” congressmen and governors to “lowly” barangay councilors.
During the wake for the Abra congressman who was slain last month, House Speaker Jose de Venecia, in a show of hypocrisy typical of politicians, piously intoned: “There must be greater gun-control in this country.”
Look who’s talking!
Politicians are the ones that run private armies and goons under the very noses of the police and military.
In many instances, they exempt themselves from the very laws they enacted at the expense of us ordinary taxpayers.
We don’t need greater gun control, just simple goons control.
This feudal electoral system will continue to weigh our country down.
And since the same feudalists are the ones “lawfully” mandated to change the system, who knows how and when things will change?
But let me make a simple appeal to these gallant “public servants”: if you have a problem with another politician, be brave enough to confront him.
Stop hiring others to “express your sentiments” while you hide in some cockpit, KTV, or manicure parlor.
