Baguio village aspirants show ‘ideal’ way in barangay polls

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?