HERE we go again. Pangasinan’s political activities possibly revolving around the Commission on Elections’ say-so, scare tactics and little else, again.

Over the years, Comelec always warned and threatened candidates and voters about vote-buying, illegal postering and promotion activities, etc. as criminal and prohibited acts under the Omnibus Election code with penalties of imprisonment for one to six years, disqualification to hold office, and forfeiture of one’s right to vote.

Yet, vote-buying became more blatant if not brazenly operated right under the very noses of Comelec supervisors, yet not a single vote-buying operator nor the beneficiary of the vote-buying spree have been collared or charged for the offense. Candidates’ posters are even perpetually nailed to trees and electric posts, yet no one has been charged.

In Pangasinan, the “pakurong” has since become a traditional and expected joyful occasion for voters. Yet throughout the past elections, no Comelec supervisor or election officer in the province was ever seen or heard acting on these rampant vote-buying spree in towns and cities. Are they coopted by incumbent local officials?

It didn’t help that Comelec is known to take years to act on election protests but to begin to believe that the Omnibus Election Code will finally be given importance and credence is like wishing for a shooting star to appear every week. So it seems.

Will Pangasinan finally see a difference in the conduct of the 2022 campaign and elections with again a new provincial supervisor? Or just the same, as usual?

Comelec rules

THE Comelec (Commission on Elections) has this crazy propensity to craft rules that are insanely hard to implement.  For example, take the size tarpaulins that a candidate wants done.  Why the need to impose limits as to the with and length of every signage? To level the playing field?  That’s too shallow a reason.  Why infringe on the right of the candidate to do things as he pleases?  It’s his money, anyways.  And, yes, why the law allowing the Comelec to meddle with a homeowner’s choice of what shape and size his poster would appear in his abode’s gate or fences?  Hasn’t the Supreme Court ruled on the inviolability of a homeowner’s right to have total control of his house? That no government agency can ever dictate on how a household is decorated, run?  And look, this thorn stings us every election season. Yet, has the Comelec punished violators?

A miracle if there’s even one.

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