Wishful thinking

By Bebot Villar

NASA maximum excitement level ang mga tao nitong October 1 to 5 habang naghihintay ng mga developments sa pulitika.

Araw-araw mula October 1, tutok ang mga media, political analysts, supporters and kibitzers alike kung sino na ba ang nag file ng certificate of candidacy.

Who are the re-electionists, sino ang mga babangga sa kanila, who will file for a higher position, sino ang nag-slide sa pwesto, anong partido nila, who are staying with the same group, sino ang humiwalay sa grupo? Gigising ka na lang one day na ang dami ng pagbabago. No permanent friends or enemies, only permanent interests, di ba?

Pero OK ang election because kadalasan bumabait ang mga tao, lalo na ang mga candidates at kanilang supporters. Lagi silang naka-smile, mahinahon kung makipag-usap at biglang nagiging generous.

But careful, careful. Appearance is deceptive at `yong pagiging mabait nila ay malamang temporary lamang.

Gaganda uli ang economy kasi maraming perang iikot. Pero for the candidate, malaking pahirap ito especially kung ang mga voters nila ay nasanay na sa pamumudmod ng grasya—whether in cash or in kind. At mahabang bunuan ito dahil sa napakaagang filing ng candidacy. Fiesta mood ang mga tao at siguradong duguan sa gastos ang mga candidates.

Happy din ngayon ang mga businessmen at siguradong mabili uli ngayon ang mga sardinas, bigas, noodles, sigarilyo, alak, t-shirts, calendars, mga give-away items, etc.

Pero ingat lang sa mga bank checks na ini-issue nila. We know many of their kind, walang pakundangan kung mag-issue ng check pero ‘yun pala, matagal nang closed account o kaya insufficient balance.

Then, alam n’yo ba na pag election period ay peak season din ng mga gunrunners?

Pero secret lang ang illegal trade ng mga baril, and it goes with the hiring of bodyguards. Minsan kasi, kahit na ayaw ng isang politico ang armed bodyguards, mapipilitan siya if his desperate opponent uses force to intimidate his enemies.

Ang nakakalungkot ay mukhang mistulang panaginip na lang na makita natin na iboboto ang candidates based on performance at sa ganda ng platform. Tsk tsk. For many, vote-buying and highest bidder na lang ang kadalasang usapan at basehan ngayon sa pagpili ng candidate. Walang kalaban-laban ang mga qualified but poor candidates who can serve the country well. But I have nothing against the rich candidates who mean well and can make a difference for our people.

Still at the end of the day, it’s the voters’ decision that will prevail at sana nga, kahit wishful thinking lang, there will be more voters who will reject the idea na may katumbas na halaga ang sacred votes nila.

* * * *

The slate (from mayor, vice mayor to eight councilors) that will most likely be unopposed again sa Sto. Tomas ay nag-file ng certificates of candidacy bago mag-umpisa ang birthday celebration ng outgoing mayor, ang aking mahal na kabiyak Vivien, last Oct. 2. 

Ang pamangkin naming si Vice Mayor Timoteo “Dick” Villar III and his team, filed their candidacies under the Nationalist People’s Coalition/ Biskeg na Pangasinan parties at exactly 10:02 symbolic of the birth date of Mayora Villar. 

Completing Dick’s line-up ay sina Wilfredo Pescador (my balae ) for vice mayor, at para councilors ay sila Estefania Vengco, Tomas Castanaga Jr,  Alfredo Eleccion, Dominador Lardizabal, Jerry Marquez, Ely Ramos, Leonora Zarasate and Benjamin Oculto Jr. 

From all indications, sure winner na sila kasi up to press time, Friday morning, wala pa akong narinig na ibang groupong nag-file. Pag nangyari uli ito, the tradition of winning unopposed in this town continues.

Back to Homepage

Share your Comments or Reactions

comments

Powered by Facebook Comments