THERE is this thing about the voters of La Trinidad, Benguet that baffles even the most cynical political scientists and observers. When traditional patronage politics and political dynasties are the norm in almost all parts of the country, La Trinidad remains to be an outlier to the national trend – having four different mayors in the last four elections, and cutting-off beginnings of abhorred dynasties.
The La Trinidad population regard themselves as “intelligent voters” – if any, (or as a representation), it is the only town in the country which voted for the highly-respected Sen. Miriam Santiago in the last Presidential elections. So, what do these say about the mysterious La Trinidad voters?
Just like any Benguet towns, the La Trinidad voters deeply value the culture of peace and order during these political exercises – there is no guns and goons. Even the candidates and leaders know that: treating politics merely as a game where naturally, someone wins and someone loses. After the exhausting campaign trails and the proclamation of victors, the contenders remain friends and respectful community members.
La Trinidad, the Benguet capital town, boasts of about 40,000 voters: the highest number of voters among Cordillera municipalities. It is a “Valley of Colors” – a multicultural town just like its closest neighbor, Baguio City. But, unlike the Summer Capital which opted to retain their kings for many decades, the faces of La Trinidad’s leaders change constantly – immediately replacing the erring, and retaining those that truly represent them.
The La Trinidad voters do not have a problem of voting old leaders (don’t get me wrong), as long as they are doing great on their jobs, but, they also embrace the hopeful young bloods and fresh legs. As a group (and in general), they are mostly open to a multi-cultural set of leaders, shunning (to an extent) the notion of tribal loyalty. Therefore, in many instances, Ibaloys and Kankanaeys have voted for the Bontoks, and the migrant MP clans have voted for the original i-Benguets.
The La Trinidad voters are much more discerning perhaps; with its population having one of the highest literacy level in the country, and producing highly educated sons and daughters – the multi-cultural children of the town’s founders; the hardworking farmers, traders, laborers, and professionals. Sui Generis: they are a class by its own self.
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I am often asked (as a former community official) who to vote for in the upcoming elections. As one of the enigmatic La Trinidad voters (haha!), I can only suggest but not impose my choices. I often go for the humble and performing. I appreciate leaders who consider the smaller people as much as the big bosses, those who will listen.
I value experience, but I also value the youthful energy and passion of the younger leaders. I do not like candidates who mudsling or put dirt on their contenders to look clean – it only shows the toxicity of the mudslinger’s character. I also suggest that we read the candidates’ flyers – it is their love letter to us voters.
Lastly, we should seriously consider who to vote for like our lives depend on it – we should research about their character and contributions, we should choose like the legendary La Trinidad voters that we are.