By Farah G. Decano

 

SOME of those who were invited to the recent State of the City Address of Mayor Belen T. Fernandez intentionally did not attend. They complained to their respective community handlers that they did not receive any padulas from Mayor Belen and even threatened to shift political loyalties.

Poverty was not the reason for their absence. If it was so, these invitees could have conveyed that their no-show was due to their hand to mouth existence, i.e. they could not skip work, or their lack of transportation funding.  They did not even say anything close to it.

Instead, their message was clear – “We want money or else…”

This is the exercise of voters’ power gone wrong. Instead of attending the SOCA in order to hear for themselves Mayor Belen’s performance report, they use their power as a leverage to bargain for money.

Has padulas mentality  started to become the norm in Dagupan politics?

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I am concerned about the alleged deluge ofvoters transferring to Dagupan City.  Are most of them actual residents of our city?  One community handler told me that this exodus is due to the promise of pakurong on the eve of election and “other maintenance fees” paid out by their political sponsor. What proof of residence do they present? Easy-peasy. Just their government issued IDs and some barangay certifications.

Contrast above requirements with those needed in nullity and annulment cases, where the complainant must prove that either of the parties are residents of the place where the court has jurisdiction.  They must not only provide barangay certifications and official IDs but also billing statements,  employment records and whatever else the court may require.  Perhaps, congress should revisit the laws pertaining to change in voting place.   We do not wish that the fate of Dagupan City shall be determined by buyable non-residents who sold themselves to politicos.

The trait of being buyable is not the monopoly of those who are drowning with the necessities of life.   They are also exhibited by those holding  honorable positions.

When I was the City Administrator, I remember one so-called Honorable Councilor who was quoted by another saying, “[k]apag  ayaw pa ibigay ni Mayor Belen ang hinihingi namin, magiging mahal kami.”   The former was part of a group hostaging then proposed city budget in exchange for moolah.  Sadly, he ran under Mayor Belen’s party.   

 Mayor Belen, this is your chance to cause a political overhaul in the coming 2025 elections.  Batid kong gagawin ninyo ang makakayanan ninyo para hindi na maulit ang Magic 7.  Hwag na kayong kumuha ng mga kandidato para konsehal na kung sino-sino lang. Alalahanin po ninyo ang mga aral ng nakaraan na kahit  kapartido ninyo ay may posibilidad na maging balakid if the price is not yet right.  Hwag na kayong kumuha ng mga  kandidato na puro pera lang ang alam.  Hwag na rin kayong kumuha ng mga kasama ninyong tatakbo  dahil malaki,  tanyag o malapit sa inyo ang pamilya nila.  Please remember, that running with famous but “discreet scalawags” is not an assurance that they will intelligently cooperate with you in the future.

Mayor Belen, the best legacy that you can hand to the city is the reintroduction of honor and integrity in politics.   Please enable those with good intentions, knowledge, and skills to serve the government.  Marami po diyan. Wala lang silang pera.  Pluck them out from socio-civic clubs, from the media, from student organizations and other upright sources.  Tama na ang mga dancing, singing, and clown trapos who are most likely for sale.

Mayor Belen, the candidates you choose is a reflection of your leadership.  I know the value of buyables to a leader who has no other means of persuasion but money. Buyables are easier to deal with. Once bought, they surrender their humanity and act like robots. Councilors for sale will make your term easier if you agree to their requests.  The idealists and intelligentsia need a lot more convincing. But,  if they are persuaded, you know that you have done well.     

I am of the belief that you are a Mayor with a vision, adequate persuasion, and an iron will power to see things through.  There is no need to perpetrate these loathsome buyables in government.

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