EDITORIAL - And they’re off!

The campaign period for those running for senatorial seats and partylist representatives officially started yesterday.

We say officially because we all know that since last year the names and faces of candidates have started appearing in billboards and posters in public places. Although those materials they don’t have the word “vote” on them, we all know what those “reminders” to drive safely, or to be careful when walking somewhere, or to chew food properly are really for.

But now the candidates are free to do what they want with the start of the campaign period. As old-time announcers would say once a race has started, “and they’re off!”

All is fair in love and war, and also in politics. Expect mudslinging, expect character assassination, expect speeches and grandiose promises, expect undignified singing and dancing.

Expect some of them to be accommodating to one and all, even though very few can approach them once they have become officials.

Expect all kinds of structures to be plastered with campaign materials; even those not considered common poster areas like electric posts, gates, and walls of private homes.

The campaign period is actually a good time to get to know a candidate. The way they behave in public may not really be the same way they act in front of the TV. The way they interact with one group of people may not be the same with another.

We can get a good gauge of their behavior and character watching how they act at this time.

But then again people should also beware; because this is when candidates put on their best face for people to see. Like we said above, it’s when they suddenly become everyone’s friend and refuge.

In some parts of the Philippines, the start of the campaign period also means possible trouble. In areas considered hotly-contested, intense political rivalry has led to violence and even death in the past.

We hope this isn’t the case this year, but considering the intense political rivalry between the two biggest political camps today, there’s no telling if this will not spill over to their most rabid of followers.