The Great Homecoming

            The cry of barangay was already over. It was no mean feat. But it’s good that congressional mischief in its three attempt over a decade for possible postponement of Barangay elections didn’t  saw daylight. Thanks now that all system goes for barangay and Sanguniang Kabataang election to thousands  barangays today nationwide. Mindanao has more than 10,000 and 2014 of these come from Region 10 with Carmen in Cagayan de Oro whose  50,000+ is the largest. Sea of humanity trooping in different barangays to cast their votes, what a spectacle to behold.  That alone calls for celebration, an apt description as we choose for leaders to be elected as service expanders and providers.

It is earnestly hoped then that this important exercise of sovereignty in barangay would come up with worthy leaders from among the educated and whose  character are beyond reproach and has moral integrity and persuasion  that could stand the test of time at least while they are in office  worthy of the votes cast on their favor and  could give best  service over  petty politics to the constituents. Let therefore the voters  reflect on who among the wannabes deserve our votes.

 If possible give premium to those who have been serving the community without counting the cost. Vote outright to those who pledge not getting their  salary when elected. But check if they declare this wholeheartedly not as rhetoric and antics in getting your votes. We need this new breed of politicians not those who are  moving  heaven and earth to  get elected for pork and its equivalent IRA in barangay. It’s short of sacrifice and they are the kind of people we need most   - unselfish ones and service-oriented. Truly,  this kind of leaders who would serve above their personal interest is rare but we need them to dramatize that barangay is not job giver that any prospects and opportunists are up in running for  office for personal use  and satisfaction..

 Look for the professionals and those oozing with talents not the political surrogates who are only there to promote the whims and caprices of their mentors to  perpetuate  patronage politics and establish political dynasties. Section 38, of Omnibus Election Code is very  categorical on this stating: “The barangay election shall be non-partisan.  No person who filed a certificate of candidacy shall represent or allow himself to be represented as a candidate of any political party, political group, political committee, civic ,religious, professional. . . “ But incredibly, even some Chief Executives are making a mockery of this provision going all the way campaigning  his surrogates at will. Document this incident and attach evidence and you can submit this to Gising Barangay Headquarters at 112 Hayes-St. CDO tel. (08822)74-510, an Ombudsman-accredited Corruption Prevention Unit for proper action and handling

 Shun away the drop-outs. How could we professionalize our primal base and improve it if we allow them and  those in the D and E brackets calling the shots instead  over  the professionals. Let them finished and  complete first  their studies if  they want to leave an imprint to the constituents. How could they best serve the community  and not succumb to corruption when they’re in office if they are not well equipped and would rely only  for IRA and other benefits for survival.

 Barangay is not a job offerer, you should know. It’s both a  company and an economy alright with all those resources - land , labor and capital available - . But these are reserve only  for those who have talents and initiatives of exploiting these  resources for good. What good having all these resources if we don’t have the minds, and hands to make them productive in the first place? Most importantly beware casting your votes to  those who dish out money, noodles-sardines-rice and other in-kinds with your votes in their mind. Be true. Your vote is not worth their salt, right? You’re gullibility is simply taken for a ride by these opportunists making you as accomplice of corruption. Your stand on their passing windfall is the gauge. Why take them if you know that you’re worth more  than the goodies offered and given. Otherwise exercise freely your sacred right in determining who’s the men who could deliver the best shots for you. Or you don’t have any business for their recall as inept leaders later  as provided by law through Constituent Assembly.

    For the first-time voters, pray before casting your votes that you are doing it honestly, voluntarily and freely as your covenant and pledge of  commitment before God and nation voting the right persons for the job. That way you help build true essence of democracy and contribute  building strong Republic giving legitimacy to those who will govern and thus help eradicating  corruption right from its base, cutting the vicious cycle of fraud arising from selecting the incompetent ones.

Service could be the classic definition of politics.  Precisely we have election to transform this into an institution as “sovereignty resides in the people and that all government authority emanates from them.” Decide then looking through your prospects’ track records and see if he has what it takes to serve. All this is undoubtedly done for  the future, the younger generations coming. Reforming now the system, getting out the resurgence of patronage politics ensuring qualified and competent officials weeding out corruption is definitely   the best legacy we could offer to them. The best of luck then to all of us.