What's wrong with politics?

by Jhunie B. Wahayna

(This column will not be around in the meantime. I'll be joining a group as a political observer in cities and provinces. My column will be back after election.)

There are 69 candidates who filled their candidacy vying for various positions in the City of Baguio. After election, there will be 15 winners and 54 losers.

Baguio has an updated populace of 138,350 registered voters. During the 2004 election, a candidate garnered 32,187 votes and was included in the last slot for the 12 members of the city council. This coming election, to win as a city councilor, you need to garner at least 37,000 votes or 287 votes per barangay for the 129 barangays in the city. For the 69 candidates, good luck to all of you. For the future 15 winning candidates, may you become "true honorables." For the 54 losers, there's no harm in trying, there is life after politics.

***

According to the Commission on Elections, the allowable expenditures for an independent candidates is five pesos per voter, while a candidates endorsed by an accredited political party is three pesos per voter. There are 82 political parties accredited by the Comelec nationwide. ***

In Baguio City, candidates with a political affiliation must spend a maximum of P415,050 pesos only, for the entire campaign period, which covers all kinds of campaign sorties. An independent candidate can spend a maximum of 691,750 pesos.

I doubt if this will be followed since it's hard to monitor actual expenditures of every candidate. Of course majority of the candidates will only declare allowable expenditures to avoid future problems and litigations. If the expenditures are strictly followed by the winning candidates, then we expect lesser corruption to happen during their incumbency. ***
Politicians who have experienced power will always do everything to stay in power. They want to maintain their status as "honorables." Some would want their wife or husband to be also in power. They even want to include their brothers, sisters, close relatives, sons, and daughters gain power by letting them run in the election.

This type of greedy politicians, who are self-centered, wants to create political dynasties. They want their province, city or municipality to be controlled only by their family and clan. In this country, political dynasties are becoming a trend among the rich and powerful families. ***
When the winning candidates are already in power, definitely, they will think of their big expenditure losses, and surely, they would want to recover it. They will also consider the payback and utang na loob" for their supporters who supported them during the campaign period.
***
Politics has become big business in society. Politicians are aware of what ROI means – "Return of Investments ". During campaign period, politicians invest their time, money, and efforts. After winning, will they forget everything they invested? Will they forget their self- interest and really work hard for the benefit of their constituents?

Who among the politicians, who are willing to forget their ROIs and will honestly serve the people, just like following Jesus Christ who had sacrificed a lot for the benefit of mankind? Is there someone? (Comments are welcome @ jhuniewahayna@yahoo.com or jhuniewahayna@gmail.com)