First day high
The first day of the elected officials in their office was in shambles. Even we, reporters, who are used to covering these kinds of stories felt a bit lost. We have to admit, we kind of miss the old administration and the bond that we have formed with the people whom we keep on connecting with for everyday work. Yesterday was a blank slate for us, starting new from scratch.
We saw how those who wanted work in City Hall and Capitol patiently line up for the usual courtesy call. They brought with them their documents and the best lines to convince the new chief executive that he/she owes them at some point, at least a job, even at least good for three years is what they can give back in return for the favor. We saw how department heads were changed and furniture were moved from one office to another. It was like a school's first day high.
Although the elected officials in Metro Cebu are not new to governance, we have forgotten how their term was like in the day. Their style of governing over the province and the cities have been reduced in our memories after the long time that their nemesis took over. It looks exciting from the outside - new faces, new rules, new everything but we smell tension brewing.
In Cebu City, Tomas Osmeña stripped his office of everything from floor tiles, to the toilet, and all the fixtures. In Lapu-Lapu Cty, the issue of using the congressman's office for the mayor is underway. These are just a few examples, I'm sure there are many. It is like waiting for solid particles to settle down in a suspended liquid formula. Everybody needs time to feel good about their new position now.
I don't know what lies ahead in the succeeding days to come. We see familiar faces from the previous departments of different cities coming together in another area to serve once again. It’s like they have been given another chance to be in government despite their co-terminus status. We know that these people have the many years of experience which could be helpful to the new administrations, but what about those who deserve a shot at working for government as well?
It feels like a circus sometimes, you know. How politics changes every now and then, but I guess that's how it is. For every citizen who wants to take part in this change, I guess what we can do is to give our all-out support. They may not be the candidates that we supported during the polls but there is nothing more we can do.
These leaders need our support, most especially now. If they go blindly without the people's support, then this isn’t a democracy, it’s a dictatorship waiting to explode. Well, now is the time to say good luck, I guess. Let's see how the three years will go.
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