"We need public servants, not prom kings and queens."
The election season is upon us once again. With the opening of the period for filing of certificates of candidacy, we are seeing the faces of our potential leaders who will lead our local governments and shape our national policies.
The Constitution and the Local Government Code provide a relatively free rein and are less restrictive on the qualifications for our national and local leaders, primarily so that anyone may run for a government position and serve the country. However, this has its downside.
The reality is some candidates are voted based on popularity and name recall. This is why candidates spend huge amounts for campaign materials in print, digital, or electronic mediums. It seems that votes are directly and relatively proportional to the number of audience reached by the campaign posters or television ads. The more often people see a candidate’s face on TV, on social media, or on the streets, the more that people are convinced of his competence to run and win. The more they hear the “jingle” of a particular candidate, the more they associate it with the potential of the candidate to serve. The more appealing the slogan of the candidate, the more people are amused. Hence, recall is created, and fixed.
At this time, our country needs leaders who are competent enough to make, propose, implement, and strictly adhere to policies that will improve the conditions of our country. We need to elect leaders who are skilled, if not experienced, in solving our economic and sociopolitical problems. We need people with integrity, who are motivated by the right reasons. We need public servants, not prom kings, or queens.
Scrutinize the accomplishments of our candidates. Study their platforms, listen to their vision and determine whether their vision is aligned with the greater good. Be familiar with their views of matters of national importance—corruption, poverty, food shortage, and national security, to name a few.
I consider it a blessing that the past three years have been quite eventful. In those years, the people should be able to realize whether they have voted for the right persons during the 2016 elections, and whether they should learn from their mistakes. One can already see what the current public officials have done during their term.
With this, I strongly urge the public to reconsider their “wise” practices in voting. While candidates have yet to campaign, let’s all keep a keen eye on their intentions, views, and visions for the country. At this point where the country is constantly threatened by corruption, food shortage, crimes, illicit drugs, and terrorism, we should bear in mind first the country’s welfare and what candidates will bring to the table—whether they will be boon or bane.
