Thursday, June 05, 2008 Editorials: Early politicking, campaigning
ELECTIVE officials, a veteran politician once said in a rare moment of candor, start campaigning for the next elections on the first day they assume their posts.
That may be a sweeping claim but it is true for a number of politicians.
Still, what is true does not necessarily mean it is acceptable, the reason why the public frown on early politicking and politicians do it secretly or couch it in motherhood tales.
Critique
One should not be surprised therefore about some sectors howling over the report about the Ouano and Soon-Ruiz camps meeting to map out their 2010 poll plans.
Those involved must even now be in a frenzy to find the leak and plug it.
But while Mandaue City politicians are still in the process of pinpointing bets, some presidential election wannabes are starting the campaign---which is worse.
That is why Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago's ranting against it in the Senate found sympathetic ears among the people, including those who don't like the lawmaker.
Often overlooked, though, is the oh-so-subtle politicking that incumbent elective officials and politicians who also double as showbiz denizens has been doing.
The lack of reaction is not surprising because separating politicking from the official acts of government officials and the work of showbiz personalities is tricky.
Although again, that does not mean it should not be objected to.
Maturity
The problem is that, like cheating during actual elections, nothing has been done and can be done legally by those concerned about early politicking and campaigning.
Miriam's call for a clarification of the rule and for agencies to act on the matter is sensible but one doubts if this will be effective considering past experiences.
Which should bring us to the other aspect of the issue, or the attitude of many voters that is partly the reason why politicking and poll cheating are getting worse.
The dumbing of our politics, where popularity and not substance takes primacy, cannot also be separated from the lack of maturity of many of our voters.
