The campaign for local posts began in earnest on Friday, reminding us that we have to take an equally close look at those vying for our votes at the local level.
It is easy to get swept up by the campaign for national positions. These are big names applying for tough jobs.
This campaign period has been particularly noisy and eventful, marked by disinformation, accusations and even incivility among candidates’ supporters.
Everyone realizes that the national polls are a high-stakes exercise.
We should think the same of the local campaigning. These are the people who should know their constituents’ specific problems and struggles. They should be familiar with the context in which these difficulties exist. They should at least have a sense of whether potential solutions would actually work.
Local officials are the face of government for millions of Filipinos. When there is a problem, we do not immediately turn to national leaders because they are rendered distant from us by various layers of the bureaucracy.
Our local leaders, on the other hand, directly deal with the people in their own spheres. How effectively they carry out their jobs is immediately felt and noticed by the people. How seriously they take their mandate becomes apparent. And if they fail or renege on their commitment as public servants, the consequences will be immediately felt.
It’s the season for campaign jingles permeating our streets. Let us not vote for local candidates just because their names have become so familiar to us. We can arrive at a decision on whom to vote for in the same way we evaluate our national candidates – through a set of standards based on track record, performance, expertise and integrity.