Talisay City's Candidates' Forum

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/local-news/2013/04/29/debate-turns-yell-match-279935

April 27, 2013 - Talisay City

It was a Saturday night perfectly apt to go out with friends. Instead, I chose to stay at home with my parents. Good thing was that my dad was planning to attend to this candidates' forum which was held at the covered court beside the city parish. This has been organized by the brotherhood in cooperation with the Knights of Columbus of which my dad is a member of. I had my hopes up that I would be able to witness a stimulating activity and learn more about the running candidates.

Much to my surprise, once the forum ticked off, only few candidates were there and mostly were from  the Liberal Party. Only one sole councilor candidate, Mayor Fernandez, from the rival party came up. There were no whereabouts for his other partymates, or perhaps they just had prior engagements which they need to attend to. 

The candidates started to introduce themselves in a three minute time allotted to each of them, of which I found unnecessarily long. Most of them only blamed and pointed out issues and flaws in the current leadership instead of presenting concrete actions and solutions to solve them. They did give an empty promise that the city would be in better hands once they're elected. Well there were few, and I mean FEW (less than the number in your one hand, THAT few) who presented their plans and visions if given the chance to be elected as an official. 

Given that, it was exceptionally amusing how their supporters cheer for them, loudly, even when their speech, which was expressed in vernacular, didn't made any sense. What was more annoying was that the supporters were too noisy cheering for their candidate that the speech of the said person won't be heard in the area clearly. I was shaking my head with disgust the entire time I was there (it was my first to attend such kind of gathering by the way) knowing that these candidates would vanish into thin air from the streets right after election time. They'd be comfortably sitting in their AC office and forget what they have promised during the campaign period. Every single time. And people don't learn from it. Most of those who were there were the masses. People who give an impression that all they care is the fame and fortune of the candidate. They can't even keep their mouth shut and open their ears all the while the candidate is delivering his piece. For all we know, those same supporters are the very people who complain about how they merely survive in a day to day basis. Both scenarios, the candidate giving his empty promise and the supporter cheering albeit the content of the speech, are very disappointing. 

Who expects change when people themselves play the same game with the same distorted rules?

Upgrading the Qualifications of an Elective National Official

          Even before the implementation of the 1987 Constitution, politics in the Philippines has long been influenced as to who already held positions in the government. But as time progressed, we notice that there are many  new names wanting to involve themselves in running and making laws in our beloved country, or so we assume..

          It is evident, especially in this on going national elections, that these aspiring politicians are backed by different organizations and party lists. With this in mind, we can say that these figures have been chosen as the best representatives from the organizations where they respectively come from. If not coming from various organizations and sectors, most national candidates have already held a position in the local government. Having an experience as a leader, whether  serving a private or a public domain, is an important factor in being qualified to run as a national official. This experience can be further used as an asset once such will be elected in the seat. Having none on the contrary, even in the private sector, hinders an official from genuinely understanding the concrete needs of his fellow citizens and thereby unable to formulate laws in addressing their urgent concerns.

          Along with this experience, the track record and scholastic distinction of an aspiring candidate should also be scrutinized as this is an important factor of his ability to serve the people. Age won't matter as much once his track record will be reviewed as this will prove how much he's done as a good citizen of the republic. Scholastic distinction, not necessarily pertaining to honors and awards, this may also be being active in organizations with various causes, is also considered an important factor in being considered as a qualified national official. This would reflect his interests which in turn can affect his decision making in the position he would be elected to.

          Most importantly, it would be helpful if a national candidate presents his plans, platforms and proposals even before being officially seated so that even at the earliest time, citizens would be able to assess, and judge,  whether that aspiring national official has the heart to serve the country and the people because in the very first place, they are elected in order to make the country a better place to live in and to help the citizens progress individually and not leaving anyone behind.