Barangay money politics

>> Monday, November 1, 2010

EDITORIAL

The latest election was another costly political exercise wherein taxpayers’ money was spent supposedly to elect responsible leaders in the grassroots level.

What happened was another showcase of greed for money by candidates considering that barangays now are not to be pooh poohed. This supposedly lowest government unit now has sizable government allocations and perks presumably for projects but which end up being used for personal or petty purposes on whims or caprices of these local officials.

So it was not a wonder if candidates cheated by bringing in flying voters, buying votes or terrorizing or killing political opponents or their supporters –all for love of money, courtesy of a national government which seemingly now makes financial dole-outs to government agencies or adjuncts without viable programs. In this essence, taxpayers’ money is not allotted judiciously.

So now, the ideal of a vibrant and communal pillar of democracy has been reduced to synchronized hypocrisy and partisanship, violence, dishonesty and wanton unaccountability.

For most, it is now a matter of amassing money for personal gains. It is not about character, principles, platform or vision anymore. The campaign promises are just that – campaign promises. It is money politics in the local level.

It is high time the Local Government Code is studied and amended in relation to the barangay and sangguniang kabataan as political units like these have become breeding grounds for corruption.

In the case of the barangay, if there are lesser perks or allocations for locally elected officials, then maybe, only persons of integrity who have the best interests of constituents in mind, may run next time around. As to the SK, it is high time it is abolished as it had been a training ground for the youth for again – corruption.

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