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Wednesday, July 03, 2002
EDITORIAL: Meddlers in barrio polls
In five days time or by Friday, it will be all systems go as far as the barangay and SK polls are concerned. The official campaign period begins on July 5 and will end by July 13, two days before Election Day.
Almost everyone has been saying that the July 15 barrio elections for the young and the adults alike is non-political, non-partisan, and shall we say non-patronage in character. We hope this is true.
In the past few days, we note that several candidates have been trying to get the endorsement of top politicians in this city. To them a handshake or a photo session with a city official could mean much in the way of votes.
On the other hand, several elected officials appear to be taking advantage of the situation by openly but indirectly endorsing candidates for the various barangays in the city. We need not list here the posturing of these officials lest we get the ire of their rah-rah boys (sip-sips are more dangerous than the person concerned himself or herself). But it is there in the open.
For all we care, these political characters are already thinking of the 2004 elections. These characters are not ashamed about openly violating Comelec rules, because to them, what matters is that they install friendly barangay officials who can deliver the votes for them come 2004.
It will be senseless for us to say that our people should elect the most non-political, non-partisan and non-patronage inclined officials in their barangays. It is to their advantage that they select the best leader they can ever have and not the best minion who can serve incumbent officials in town.
The die, as far as the candidates are concerned, has been cast. The officials who will get elected on July 15 will help chart the destinies of the people in the community they live in. No amount of importuning from us may affect the outcome of the polls.
At least we tried to say. After all, in the end, it will be the people in the community who will sleep with their leaders staring the end of this month. |
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