ELECTIONS 1898-2007

Again many political 'wannabees' are now trying to hoop around many different places in our country. They are seemingly determined in extracting no honeys this time but votes from their constituents that serve as their life blood in building and strengthening their career in politics. A positive vote would mean their hope to find their seat in an elective office that promises meager salary but so glamoured with exorbitant perks and power that be. "Believe me not him!", as they rant and sling mires even killing each other. But they seem to be unified and harmonious in chanting their rhetoric's, to serve for the best interest of the public. In the guise of their commitment for public service, they spend so much money for their campaign by giving some dole outs to voters in exchange of the most needed votes in their favor. As they move around to places within their area, they choose to be blinded with the situations of the roads they pass along the way. Lubak dito, doon...! Is this public service or just the usual outcome of the Department of Public Works? Why don't they just spend their money instead in repairing all these damaged streets for their constituents to enjoy travels to and from their homes? Think of this simple scenario my dear voters?

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Political 'wannabees' during the campaign period flit and rush to places under the sweltering heat of the sun to entice the voters with smiles and handshakes. Others show their talents 'kuno' in dancing and singing. They look like flitting butterflies and stinging bees. May be they think that what is several days of campaign sacrifices when it means the crowning glory of their success for an elective office! The fact is, they are the artificial and masking individuals trying to level themselves with the masses just to gain some voters' sympathy. However, when they are already in their office they think no more of the people who voted for them and eventually send them to their elective seat in the government. All their focus now when elected (seemingly the busiest time for them) is how to get back all those money spent during their campaign and more so in enriching themselves by extracting no pure honey now but poor peoples money thru 'kick backs'. And of course giving back by means of business protections or appointive government positions, the 'utang na loob' to several padrenos who in one way or another help them financially in sponsoring their candidacy. The saddest tale of all these usual 'parang normal' practices is that our government ends up running the system ineffectively because political appointees without any brains to run the office efficiently are abound. They do nothing in their office except keeping themselves occupied in collecting protection money and 'cuts' by engaging anomalous deals with big-time treacherous businessmen who now tend to squeeze consumers hard earned money to buy their products at higher prices. And who are these consumers, are they not the impoverished masses?

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On the other hand, most of our elected lawmakers are not that intelligent enough in weighing things down in enacting laws for the land to benefit the whole citizenry, not only for the privileged few. Regrettably, they keep on making and amending laws tailored to self serving interest. The will to serve the masses they advocated in their campaign is now placed in the sideline and shelved to forgetfulness. They would not even remember when was the last time Juan de la Cruz took his meal. They would not even care to think about what and how many times an ordinary Filipino eats in a day. Do we call it 'deadma'? Most of them choose to be crooks pocketing the large portion of the peoples money when they collect their salaries and allocations. And of course, they are always aware of hidden list of the 'cuts' they expect from trickerous contractors that they poke to manipulate many overpriced government contracts. Their allocations are supposedly spent for viable projects within their area to benefit their constituents. However, because of the shameless manipulations of these corrupt officials government projects always end up with substandard quality. And what you see around now is nothing but damaged roads, lack of school buildings and classrooms, poorly trained teachers, hungry pupils, etc.? All these problems are left behind and unattended in their agenda because they keep themselves busy getting back their campaign money and enriching themselves in office. Many treacherous politicians speak in public like godly apostles of wisdom but behind the scene they wear in secret that satanic smile in irony. And silently they despicably smile and quip, "Mga bugok kayong lahat, bakit ibinuto ninyo ako. Kayo rin ang may kasalanan sa lahat ng mga ito!"

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You may not be able to read this message before May 14, 2007 but I hope this will serve as a wake up call for the voting public to learn more the way how to choose a leader, though he or she may be the littlest of all evils. We can do great things by using the power of one vote. One vote is your vote. One vote for a better country where we live. Mabuhay ang mga patay para bumuto ngayong darating na eleksyon!