It’s running season once more

Wala’y silbi sa balay pero gusto’ng mosilbi sa barangay.  Gisalikway sa katilingban pero sa barangay modagan.  Naunsa na ni?

There are the real public servants whose selfless devotion to their community are worth emulating but their numbers are far overwhelmed by the multitude who got into position and in turn wants the community to serve them.

The barangay elections are not the same as the national and mid-term elections but things still get pretty nasty in some parts of the country.  Just what exactly is in the barangay elections that some people go to the extreme act of permanently eliminating the opposition?

For two weeks, runners in a different kind of competition battle towards the finish line for the top prize of being the do-it-all village chief.  Be it male or female, the barangay big boss becomes the judge, mayor, chief of police, ambulance driver, electrician, money lender, realtor or sales agent among others.  If the winner has dubious connections, he could well become the village lord and executioner.

It has always been summer time when elections are held and considering that school is out, sports tournaments and training clinics are a plenty catering from the toddlers learning the basics of the game to the oldsters who got infected with the fitness virus.  Candidates then happily or maybe grudgingly, support their teams even going to the extent of providing uniforms from head to foot and then hire collegiate coaches for the duration of the tournament. 

Makers of sports apparels are doing a killing because aside from the athletic outfits, they also do the uniforms of the candidates and their “loyal” supporters.  We say loyal, because they received t-shirts to wear with the requisite meals and allowances, and the promise of a position in the barangay if they win.  This is reality especially in urbanized areas.

Letters of request for sports equipment are sent to candidates’ houses or offices that the number of letters received are enough to wrap each fruit of a laden mango tree.  Sometimes, request for softball equipment comes from a hilly community that you’ll be wondering where they’ll be using it but give in nonetheless for fear of losing their support.  And then these loyalist get some swagger of superstar proportions and a feel of being in power because of ‘Kap’.

Elections are a boon to the youth in the sporting sense.  Candidates, particularly those with money to burn have no qualms in sponsoring teams from scrabble to volleyball.  Programs targeting the young and of voting age are usually initiated.  With the return of the Sangguniang Kabataan, we will be expecting year-round activities of educational and whatever trips and athletic events.  Because they look up to their Titos and Titas in power, it is just wishful thinking that these kids won’t be corrupted by their elders already in position. 

Majority of the electorate might think that the May 14 exercise is not important.  Let us think again.  It is the barangay officials who know their area well and with their individual networks can monitor anything from stray dogs to alien invasion.  Let’s do away their readiness-to-serve bullcrap but instead focus on their ability and initiative to lead.

When we pick the wrong people for the job, the SK will have controversial and questionable role models.  Then our youth can never become the “hope of the fatherland”.  The famous guy who made this quote could be shaking his head from above seeing a good number of his “hope” on the road to hopelessness.

Let’s make good choices on Monday.  The P500 or P1000 or more that you get from your favorite candidate cannot compensate for the next foreseeable future.