LETTERS FROM THE AGNO

Honor among gamblers
by March L. Fianza

We hear it every now and then, ‘pusoy’ or ‘tong-its or ‘sungkian’ players have sharp minds, knowing what pieces to throw or keep. That appears to have an association with the on-going midterm elections in the country. In fact it was how the late governor and Congressman Roy Pilando of Mt. Province looked at his winnings and losses in politics, unless he thinks he was cheated.

Sometime ago when he lost to his opponent in his province, he showed no hard feelings for he knew politics as a round of card game. “Politica laeng ti amuk nga ayayamen nga sugal” (politics is the only form of gambling that I play). True to practice and getting used to the maneuvers that voters and candidates do in order to win, politics has become what it is today – dirty and interesting.

Setting aside principles, some local bets in Benguet have started sliding their cards under the table to the opponents of their partymates. Here we find a gubernatorial bet posting the campaign material of a congressional candidate who is outside of her own party. In common lingo we describe that as “sumasakay sa dalawang kabayo” (riding on two horses).

Maybe that is why the Ibalois call it ‘basingkawel’ because elections indeed are a mix-mix of the good and the bad elements, all in one pot. As in a round of ‘pusoy,’ the player maximizes the "mix" or combination of all the cards, whether these are high or low.

Politicians of this sort are found in Benguet but they do not mix or study their cards well. Immediately after getting elected, they turn a blind eye to the plight of their voters. Their campaign promises are broken as fast as they are proclaimed winners in the elections.

Delivery of water right into each household's kitchen, for example, is almost a perennial campaign promise in these parts. But in Daclan, Ambangeg and other surrounding sitios in Bokod, Abatan in Buguias and Poblacion in Sablan, the water just dried up at the source. Apparently, the pipes and hoses that were pledged never arrived. How easily were the poor voters disregarded.

The 'tong-its' and 'sungkian' politician, once he gets to know his cards, should have more chances of winning. What makes him different from the 'pusoy' player is that he gets the chance to throw away cards that he thinks is not important to his fight. At the same time, he clings to everyone who can help him win.

The 'pusoy' player on the other hand has only his cards to himself. He does not have cards to throw but to make do of what he has. It is a matter of making the best combination out of his cards. Although, he may increase his chances of winning by exchanging cards with other parties, just like what is happening now.

Those are the 'constants' or 'givens' in the race, in addition to the money that a candidate may spend. Still, the best approach to winning is to reach as many of your voters, meet them face to face and shake their hands. But we do not see that happening now, at least for a congressional candidate in Benguet.

A group of voters who hail from Mt. Province but who are now permanent residents in Trinidad , confirmed the fact that when the re-electionist congressional bet was invited by them, a pig arrived in his behalf. "Anya ngayen, dyta garud baboy ti ibotos tayon a" (What happens now, let us vote for the pig instead).

The group later found out that their bet could no longer move around as some alleged that he is now suffering from arthritis or had a stroke, because they saw that he could not raise his arms to shake his voters' hands.

Another effective strategy for all candidates is to present one's accomplishments while in office. In fact, Benguet knows of one congressman who has been in office for the longest time and who has over-used his past accomplishments as a vote-getter material. People noticed that what he has been showing in his polyetos were the same accomplishments for the "hundred" years that he's been there.

Another voters' group from Trinidad said, "Luklukwen da tayo dyta nga candidato. Isumet laeng dytoy polyetos na idi napalabas a botos. Apay awan samet gamin ti baro nga naaramidan na ijay congreso!" (That candidate is fooling us. He is showing us the same polyetos that he had in the last election. Why? he has done no new accomplishments while in congress).
*****
Guard your votes. It appears as if Comelec itself is the agency that is stalling or delaying the issuance of resolutions regarding decisions on nuisance candidates. They knew at the outset that certain candidates registered to destroy the win-ability of legitimate bets, yet they refuse to act swiftly and decisively.

A certain Joey filed his candidacy in Manila and wrote Hizon as his nickname. Despite their knowledge about the existence of a real and incumbent Joey Hizon who is running for an office, the Comelec did not question the "fake" guy's registration.

If protests and petitions are not decided with clarity before the last minute of the campaigns ticks, a messy canvassing will surely ensue. Pray that it will be bloodless. Let us be vigilant to protect our votes, especially that of candidates who should win and who will be expecting help even from unknown supporters.