EDITORIAL
Politicians could follow the lead of Barangay Pinsao Pilot Project
in Baguio for peaceful elections without having to spend much.
They can win without money, political machinery and
the Commission on Elections would have less to monitor for cheating, violence
or over-spending.
Shameless politicians spend a lot of money and
resources by giving away free t-shirts, tokens, food and drinks as
"bribes" to win.
But in Pinsao Pilot Project it is different. Even the
poor can run because everyone is given equal political campaign rights and the
campaign need not be expensive.
The barangay election campaign period in this barangay started without a
big bang or festivities as compared to other areas in nearby
barangays and the rest of the country where one is greeted by fireworks,
parades and posters indiscriminately posted on every nook and
cranny not even sparing tree trunks and branches.
In a covenant signed by candidates
for punong barangay and kagawad, they agreed to protect the environment by
prohibiting posters and other related paraphernalia to be pasted or hung along
posts, walls and trees.
The signing was witnessed by respected elder and kagawad
Virginia Malag who will finish her term this year. The candidates also agreed
to be non-partisan giving equal rights by putting all names of candidates in
alphabetical order in a specially designed posting board divided equally
among the candidates which was later put up in six designated
areas within the barangay approved by the Commission on Elections.
Their agreement included prohibition of giving bribes,
T-shirts, tokens, gifts or food and drinks to voting residents.
Joining drinking binges with their constituents was not
allowed including campaigning "under the influence" of liquor to
“earn the respect” of the community.Posters of candidates were not allowed.
Incumbent PB Sotero Dulayca, former PB Edgar Kapawen Sr.
and incumbent kagawad Patrick Dangatan, all running for the top position headed
signing of the covenant participated in by 15 aspiring kagawads.
They agreed there shall be no political mudslinging
and "polyetos" will not exceed
one-half of a regular coupon bond and the barangay hall’s computers, materials,
equipment among others would be off limits for use by candidates including
incumbents.
To maintain harmonious and peaceful elections, the
candidates also agreed to campaign together at the same time during
house-to-house sorties.
"We think this is the most honourable way to
campaign. Less expense on our part while earning respect of
constituents," said a candidate.
Need we say more?
No comments:
Post a Comment