THE MOUNTAINEER

The barangay
(Second of two parts)
EDISON L. BADDAL

Democracy, as a government, always gives credence to the sentiments of the majority in the same way that it promotes the subjugation of one’s will in favor of the majority. Where else can the majority’s sentiments affirm the literal implication and manifestation of such dictum except in the barangays where assemblies of people, composed of rational beings, are resorted to whenever important and expedient matters should be decided and acted upon.

The barangay is the venue of every important decisions be it on the national level, i.e. national elections, referendums, plebiscites and much more on the local levels. In a similar vein, every issue that has something to do with the general weal of people at the municipal, city and provincial levels (and even at the regional level) are decided in the barangays.

On the other hand, as a political unit where disputes are amicably settled, this pertains to the quasi-judicial power of the barangay wherein disputes between or among constituents of one barangay are amicably settled without resort to expensive, irksome and long litigations in regular courts.

This refers to the exercise of the Katarungang Pambarangay Law which is a carryover from the Marcos Baranganic Justice System during his martial rule

Simply put, whereas there is a separation of powers from the municipal up to the national levels, the executive, legislative and judicial powers are vested in the officialdom of the barangay under the leadership of the Punong barangay.

Being the backbone of the basic powers of government, barangay leaders should be possessed of perception, sound judgment and noble spirit. Stated differently, those who have the potential of righteous leadership should be the ones to be chosen come October 29, 2007. This type of leadership, also is also required at the higher echelons of government, is no less required at the barangays.

The latter are the most indispensable political structural units and also the principal constituents of the territorial integrity and whole administrative range of the country. Righteous leadership is that kind of leadership which has an IMPACT.

This is an acronym which stands for the basic features of righteous leadership in which I stands for Integrity, M stands for Maturity, P stands for Proactiveness, A is for accountability, C is for Competence and T stands for transparency. These values are fervidly and constantly required in all candidates seeking public office and candidates for barangay offices are not spared from scrutiny.

Meanwhile, the fusion of the executive, legislative and judicial powers in the spectrum of authority of the barangay officials, especially the punong barangay, is such a big deal. It is a humongous job which demands nothing less than a 24/7 attention. Besides, it is quite a tough and unenviable situation on the part of the barangay officials as everybody knows everybody in the barangay.

Being so only those who aren’t onion-skinned should be elected. Ostensibly, candidates with sordid backgrounds or squalid repute don’t have a place in barangay government.

Needless to say, the demands of barangay leadership is really crucial at this point as the country is rushing to accomplish its share in realizing the targets provided in its Medium-Term Development Plan.

This MTDP contains and incorporates the national MDG targets. These targets, owing to devolution, are localized with its implementation done at the barangay level. Also, the ten-point agenda of the Arroyo Government which are slated for implementation in the barangays through different tiers of the bureaucracy should be ensured.

This can only be accomplished if the righteous candidates will win in the elections. The components of the ten-point agenda of PGMA are in conjunction with the MDG-responsive PPAs which are spelled out in the MTDP.

In Mt. Province, righteous barangay leaders should be the ones to oversee the implementation of programs not only in congruence with the ten-point agenda of PGMA, components of the national MTDP but also in consonance with the PRESTIGE programs of the governor. The term is an acronym for the eight-point agenda of the latter.
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In this election-crazy land, every election is considered a cause for merriment as well as an occasion for vibrant optimism for the electorate. Filipinos are wont to display every ounce of élan come election time because they always put a high premium on the election not only as a significant event but also as an institution.

On the other hand, the bubbling enthusiasm is invariably a veneer for expressing gall against re-electionists who want to perpetuate their hold on power. In effect, the election itself is viewed by voters as a mechanism to dislodge odious re-electionists for someone more deserving.

Essentially, this forthcoming synchronized SK and barangay elections is no different from past
national and local elections in terms of animated anticipation and hilarious festivity.

All things considered, the higher hierarchy of authority may be the ones crafting and enunciating policies, rules, guidelines and regulations but it is in the barangays where they are enacted. This is because it is in the barangays where the Lincolnian ideals of democracy being “the government of the people, by the people and of the people” are depicted and practiced.
Thus barangay officials must be made of sterner stuff and above-average mettle.

Dear fellow electors, please vote for the righteous candidates for the upliftment of the barangays and the nation in general. Godspeed on your judicious voting.