The bizarre campaign season
By Eva C. Visperas
TWO media colleagues recently confessed their weariness of the ongoing campaign season.
My response, a resounding “No!” delivered with a wide grin, prompted a curious inquiry. Why, they asked, did I seem to relish this period?
The answer, I explained, is multifaceted. Firstly, there’s the almost theatrical display of candidates at their “best.”
Suddenly, every voter is a VIP. Smiles are mandatory, hospitality is paramount. Bawal ang nakasimangot. Dapat iistimahing mabuti ang mga botante.
It’s a fleeting transformation where everyone seems to morph into an angel, albeit one without wings, but with hearts overflowing with supposed goodwill. The marginalized – the poor, the vulnerable, the elderly – becomes the focus of unprecedented attention.
Of course, there are the exceptions, the dedicated officials who tirelessly serve their constituents year-round. But for many, the campaign trail is a rude awakening, a sudden immersion into barangay visits and door-to-door visitations.
Yet, this season of supposed goodwill also unveils the darker side of politics. The same individuals who are now paragons of virtue can, with startling ease, resort to mudslinging, personal attacks, and the fabrication of accusations. The air crackles with negativity, and in some unfortunate instances, even violence.
What truly fascinates me, however, is the public’s perception of who’s “winnable.” Take for instance the congressional races in the 1st to 5th districts.
Political pundits seem to have already anointed the incumbents and Manay G as the presumptive victors. Some are so confident in their predictions that they’re willing to wager significant sums, particularly in places like Dagupan, where the “sure winner” is, according to them, a foregone conclusion. It’s the Makuli tan Masirbi!
Then there’s the mayoral race in Sual town. Mayor Dong, it seems, is poised for a third term, a sentiment echoed by the voters I’ve spoken with over the past few months. “Really?” I asked, genuinely intrigued by this unwavering confidence.
“Oh, yes,” they confidently replied.
The same thing is happening in Urdaneta City. I argued that the “Urduja boss” would exhaust all means possible to make their candidate win. But the people I talked to seemed so unsure of her victory, unlike the sun that rises in the east and sets in the west.
Another interesting fight is in San Carlos City. Will the incumbent still hold the torch, or is it time to pass it on to a new bearer who is as ready as the incumbent in all aspects of the campaign? I heard from the grapevine that the incumbent has been working incredibly hard. But the challenger is matching their efforts, too.
Just a few hours before the deadline for this piece, the campaign for the election of local candidates will begin.
We will once again hear speeches laden with lies and fabrication, and witness character assassination.
It’s the most popular circus in town!
People are entertained.
But let’s be serious about the elections.
In the last few weeks, I witnessed how voters were excited to see a senatorial candidate who was undoubtedly famous in his chosen profession earlier in life but changed path to legislation, only to become a Non-Performing Asset (NPA) in the Senate.
I compared how voters swooned over this candidate with another senatorial candidate who is smart, highly educated, a performer, and an achiever in the Senate, but who receives a cold welcome from the people.
Yung isa, hirap na hirap, todo effort magpaliwanag sa tao kung ano ang pinaglalaban niya. Yung isa naman, kaway-kaway lang, magsalita ng konti na wala namang katuturan, sabay akap at photo-ops sa madlang pipol, ayos na ang buto-buto!
We never learn. Tsk! Tsk! Tsk!
The campaign season is a strange mix of fake niceness and nasty politics. It’s a show where people’s best and worst sides come out. It’s interesting to see how ambitious and desperate people can be, and how easily opinions change. As a journalist, I find it all fascinating.
Share your Comments or Reactions
Powered by Facebook Comments
