THE word "transparency" in one of the elements of honesty. One can never be honest by not being transparent. When he was seeking public support for his candidacy as director of Central Negros Electric Cooperative (CNEC), Roy Cordova's battle cry was transparency. And he earned the trust and, eventually, the votes of the member-consumers.
That was more than a year ago. The situation now is different. Cordova's advocacy then has become as the biggest issue against his leadership at Ceneco. And the more he brags about transparency, the greater is the demand for him to be transparent.
This means that most, if not all, consumers do not believe him nor his claim. It is unfortunate that the slogan he used to earn a directorial seat is the same weapon being used by his critics to assail his administration.
For them, Cordova's transparency program was mere "lip service." But all is not lost yet for Cordova. He has enough time to make amends. The opportunity to correct his mistakes is still there and all it takes is for him to grab the chance and prove his detractors wrong. Once a crusader of reforms at Ceneco, Cordova has become the object of protests and criticisms.
Instead of instituting changes at the electric firm, it was Cordova who has changed, according to some observers. As president, he should break the "old system" otherwise, he will lick it and swallow his pride.
It is the honorarium. This answer the question as to why the barangay election is hotly contested in several villages in Bacolod City.
The logic is simple. They are seeking barangay posts to serve their constituents. They are all promising dedicated and honest public service. They only want to help in the development of their barangays. And they are offering their selves as servants of the people.
But why do they have to quarrel? Why the need to malign, lambast and destroy their rivals? If they have one and the same objective, they have no reason to fight.
However, serving the people comes only next to serving one's personal motive.
Another factor that heats up the election fever to intoxicating level is the existing rivalry among local political groups.
Both camps of Mayor Evelio Leonardia and former Mayor Monico Puentevella have fielded their respective bets for chairmen in 61 barangays, which has turned the barangay poll into a "game of the generals" and the villages as their battlefield.
It is public knowledge that the two archenemies have been fighting over political lordship in the city for the past three decades. And while Leonardia has the upper hand, Puentevella strongly refuses to end the fight. There is no concession, no one will and so, the war continues.