Let's Take A Break

Politics is evil. This is what I have realized after opening my eyes in the country’s election situation.

You might find me ignorant to this matter, but oh yes, I admit. Never before I have been a part of any election campaign and process, only this time, I would like to give myself a chance to broaden my insight about this thing.

I remember how our small town started to be competitive during the years of the thin and simple man. His three terms in the Sangguniang Bayan leads the town into a progressive one, economy and infrastructure were given enough attention which was the vehicle of success. He build the longest load in Region 4 in the area in 1998 aside from the one he established through the donation of the town sister city in Korea that worth 104M. He connected the town into its 26 barangays through small bridges, public and access roads. These accomplishments had been resulted economy growth. Farmers and fishermen finds themselves luckiest other than anyone else for the reason they could easily transport their products from the harvest place into market site.

Because of his accomplishments, on his last term no one had tried to file a candidacy against him. Every one in the town had strong belief that he is the one who could uplift the life of the citizens through his projects.

In 2004, the beloved mayor stepped down and left his office. He endorsed a wealthy man to run as a new town mayor and he won.

This time, the thin and simple former mayor back again for a reason. During his speech yesterday, he revealed the ultimate reason, he said “Noong 2004, sa entablado ring ito ay sinabi ko sa kanya (pertaining to the incumbent) na kapag di mo ipinagpatuloy ang aking nasimulan, babalik ako at lalabanan kita!”

Truly, his love to the town is pure. I certainly believe in Him not because of his doings, it is because I personally know him. He is a man of words, a man that ready to sacrifice personal things just to serve the country. How many times his wife asked him to join her in Switzerland where they could earn living in the fullest but he always refusing. He believes that the town needs him, and he is willing to follow the dictates of the needy.

But as I’ve said, politics is evil. And yes, money is influential. What is the power of a good ten point’s agenda against P1000, P2000, P3000 or P5000? Voters are wise. As of this hard life to survive, a P1000 is a big deal. It could be a great help to a family, they can survive for 3 to 5 days or more. But you see, the survival is in very limited span, they did not think about the next days, the next month or years. What they are given attention is only TODAY and not planning for tomorrow. They cannot see the benefits of the ten point’s agenda because they are not bound into sacrifice and waiting. Some people says “Kelan pa kami makikinabang sa platapormang iyan, kapag may apo na ako?” Even I can’t react to such question, she has a point actually, but if she just analyzed the situation she can find an answer to her question.

“Better to eat nothing TODAY, sleep without mat and blanket, be undressed, and live without shelter. Hold unto your belief that TOMORROW a chance to eat with fish, comfort in mattress, dressed up, and stay inside a room will be achieved. Don’t sell your RIGHT rather take the PRIVILEGE to be wise.”