A test of character

 CANDIDATES seeking local elective posts comport themselves in public as law-abiding citizens with visions of how they can make a difference for their respective communities, that they can be trusted with their mandate and they have the integrity to earn the title ‘Honorable.’

But a cursory observation around the communities tell us that we have candidates who have no qualms about violating the laws of the land in public view. They blatantly mock our election system and thumb their noses at our Comelec and enforcement agencies by deliberately having their oversized posters posted and hung outside of designated common poster areas in clear violation of our laws. Worse, the candidates are not lifting a finger to stop their postering teams from further violating the law.

The compliance with the postering law is a test of character. Candidates who deserve the voters’ trust are those who painstakingly make an effort to correct the wrong committed by their supporters and be an example of what makes upright and law-abiding citizens in this country.

Nothing can be more convincing about the candidate’s character than to see him /her lead in dismantling and removing his/her illegally posted campaign materials.

 

Unchallenged candidates

SOME 550-plus candidates nationwide have no opponents. That includes Mayor Belen Fernandez of Dagupan City.  With this striking development, does that mean democracy is dead in Belen’s turf and in similarly-situated territories—as some cynics say?

We disagree.

In fact, democracy is even very much alive when persons shun shooting for a political post for one reason or another.  In a democracy, no one is forced to run for an elective office.  In Mangatarem town alone, Ted Cruz, the incumbent mayor, has only 6 candidates in his ticket for councilor, leaving 2 slots vacant.  “We don’t force people.  That’s the essence of democracy,” says the mayor.

The sight of many unchallenged candidates all over the land is actually a boon as there would be less worries at the polls on election day, not to mention the outright eradication of pre-election chaos that sometimes lead to violence—and even senseless killings.

Thus, to places free of rivalries, here’s to Peace on May 9.

(For your comments and reactions, please email to: punch.sunday@gmail.com)

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