By: Villamor C. Visaya Jr.
(Published in its print edition on Sept. 28- Oct. 4, 2024)
AS we embark on the filing of certificates of candidacy from October 1 to 8 for the May 2025 elections, people see around political stunts and public relations strategies of aspirants.
Technically, these aspirants are not yet candidates as the campaign period is still not around. These would-be bets bark on their supposed dreams, jingles and other gimmicks that can be gleaned as “campaigning” even months before the elections.
Now, people see intense rivalries among aspirants even as the filing period starts and the election campaign day is still far next year.
Sad to note, though, that posters have been plastered and displayed almost anywhere, about any greetings on occasions, events, and other gimmicks.
Paraphernalia such as flyers, leaflets, and the like, are almost seen everywhere even to promote the dreams of the aspirants without necessarily telling that they will run in such specific post.
Bets have also been doing the usual turf—plying along villages and harping on their accomplishments (for incumbents) and plain come-ons for new ones.
Mudslinging from unscrupulous candidates and violence are common.
Learning the election laws is a salient matter to be done. Being a violator, any politician for that matter will no longer be effective as a public leader in the community, much more of gaining an elective post.
Next year, we again see vote-buying and vote-selling among the candidates and the voters. And almost always, no one are detained.
Clowns are almost often seen from bets who offer anything or even the sun and the moon. Let them eat their words. Do not vote these bets disguised as sheep come May 2025 elections.#
