FOR the politicians and their followers, election season is the longest-running fiesta in the Philippines. It starts on the first day of the filing of COCs. There is a parade of colors, flashings of symbols, handshakes, and the start of many promises.
Politics in the Philippines is a “halo-halo” delight. It is a concoction of personalities... the sane and the insane (“compos mentis” and the “non compos mentis”) or the combination of both.
Some do not need politics but they are into politics to preserve the legacy of politics because their ancestors were the builders of their province, town or city.
Good men want politics because they need employment. These men can hardly fit themselves in a job requiring civil service examination. Politics is the shortcut because the family has political connectivity.
They learn the fundamental of politics while in office until they develop that ‘fly-over’ attitude in serving their constituents. They are determined to finish the three terms allowed by the constitution.
Many men (also women) are in politics because life at home is boring.
Business, wife, and religion are boring. Politics is exciting because politicians always find a way to talk about the lives of the constituents, the proposed flagship programs, and the implementation of the master development plan.
These are good and would always remain good until the next election.
Pocket meetings and political rallies are always exciting especially if the candidates are ready for a personal combat. In speeches, the secrets of the opponents are revealed.
Listeners would come to know of the involvement of candidates in graft and corruption, and dirty transactions in their personal business. A political speech is always controversial.
Politics is show business. Candidates with skeletons in their closet will be exposed... their “queridas,” their children outside of marriage, their unliquidated cash advance, their under the table deals with contractors, their involvement with midnight contracts and their hiring of ghost employees.
Family feud is even more bloody... a brother against his brother, a cousin against another cousin, an uncle against his nephew. A merger concocted by political traders does not work if family members decide to create political wreck in the family.
Some analysts call it brewed politics. Expect for issues below the belt.
Election season is a mother of all festivals. It is Christmas because there will be gift giving. It is All Saints’ Day because many will pray.
It is All Souls’ Day because after the election many candidates will hibernate in purgatory. It is New Year’s Day because firecrackers will explode. It is Valentine’s Day because stupid Cupid will break some hearts.
Enjoy the fiesta but vote for the right candidates.