Limlingan: Those running unopposed

RUNNING for re-election post unopposed does not necessarily mean that the candidate for the second or more times has not done well during his term. It is not always an indication of great performances during his stay prior to the polls. This is the opinion of my friend Joe whom I had a brief chat with in a coffee shop.

I would want to partly agree with him, as we can see the same familiar names filing their certificates of candidacy (COCs) sans opponents despite their poor performances on their incumbencies which shall last until June of next year.

Prior to the end of their term, they are renewing their mandates as they simply wait for the polls without much of the fanfares of the campaign and without much election expenses too. For the unopposed, they simply help their fellow candidates belonging to their political parties or their personal bets, with their campaign chests, their presence and their endorsements.

Since those running unopposed need not utilize their time in their own campaign sorties, they can devote it rather to their team mates in caucuses, meetings, assemblies and miting de avances. They have the luxury of time and can maximize fully the 45-day official campaign period prescribed by the Commission on Election.

There are unopposed candidates because of their good performances and track record to shy away from. Often, the rivals of these are merely the nuisances or those rivals who were paid to file their COCs in order for the candidates to be said that they had their opponents.

Going back to Joe, I asked him his opinion about political dynasties. He retorted asking what political dynasties I am talking about. He was not vocal about such perhaps due to the fact that they had been normal every elections that prominent names in politics who belong to the same clan are the ones running again for positions.

A lot of national political figures are fielding their own members of their families this coming election to run for local positions. Nothing new except their younger breed who are fielded to replace them or be with them in running their offices.

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I have discussed in my past opinions about nuisance candidates for next year's election. While they consume the time of other people, they provide amusement to many on the other hand.

When asked for their platforms, they give motherhood statements that results into the upliftment of the lives of Filipinos sans their mannner how would they do such. They would be often also asked on how they would wage their campaign considering the huge expenses to have it. They then provide amusing if not funny answers that they are supported by God and the people who would vote for them despite the lack of campaign funds.

If the nuisance candidates for the Senate were to believe, two of them are the husbands of Kris Aquino, the sister of former President Benigno S. Aquino. Illusion or hallucination, the candidates would prove to us that there is indeed a thin line that divides sanity from insanity.

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For any comments, ideas, suggestions or opinions, text or call The Advocate at 0921-3636360 or send email at dencious@gmail.com

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