IN THE midst of the pandemic, congress never stopped its congressional mill running. Aside from the contentious ABS-CBN franchise on its menu, it started debating on a bill that would lift the limit on election spending of candidates in the poll exercises. There's a good and bad side on this proposal. The plus side is that the expenses of every candidate in the many past elections were anyway were all incorrectly reported, now candidates will no longer have to hide their true poll expenditures. (Lokohan lang naman talaga sa totoong nagastos.) The bad side is that poor candidates whose campaign chest is too limited don't stand much chance vs the moneyed candidates. Wealthy and ruling families will continue their provincial dynasties.
Presently, Comelec's rules are already discriminatory to the poor. And if what is currently discussed in Congress will be enacted into a law, it will further dim the chances of poor but deserving candidates. Any poor candidate is not even given a Chinaman's chance to win as a mayor, governor and congressman without logistical support. In a small town, to run a decent campaign and will be viewed as a contender one has to have at least P10 million in the kitty, and add another ten if you're facing an incumbent. In a premier province, P100 million is peanut when facing a reelectionist. In cities like Angeles, Mabalacat and San Fernando, you must be willing to part with your P50 million, if you have it. And if you don't have, you must have many donors.
The House of Representatives and the Senate mostly are composed of both rich people. It is of public knowledge that large part of their wealth is sourced from their involvement in politics. A newcomer with small means cannot hope to grab key positions. There's an expressed fear that in the coming election years, only those who are now in power will remain so. Their hold on electorates who are recipients of many favors will be bequeathed to members of their families. Level playing field only exist in our imagination.
The anti-dynasty bill in Congress only went beyond the committee level and the scheduled plenary discussions on the measure were postponed many times over. I don't think this bill will ever be passed. Not as long as the present leaders are enjoying the perks and privileges of their offices, and serve as a key to more riches.
NOTES: It is very glaring that local government units (LGUs) don't follow to the letter the issued Inter Agency Task Force (IATF). It has been noticed by my fellow members from the Pampanga Press Club that control points that are causes of heavy traffic should dismantle them and instead resort to mobile checkpoints. This I heard several times from Police Lt. General Guillermo Eleazar who is the Task Force Shield commander. The reason being is that workers going to their workplaces are being held by these control points...Former Candaba mayor Jerry Pelayo is now the head of the Department of Agriculture's Kadiwa movement. For many years Pelayo set up a Candaba market inside the Clark Freeport every Friday. It has now moved from its former location to Bi-centennial park which is near Sun Valley area inside the Freeport.