Come of age

Egay Uy

GOING back to basics and enforcing the law will certainly displease people who expect some “shares in the spoils of victory.”  Going back to basics is simply looking back to see if everything that ought to be is in order.  It means obeying and respecting the law.

Respecting and obeying election laws seem to be just a dream than a reality.  Every election, quite a good number of voters openly talk of how much candidates will bid for their votes.

On the other hand, certain groups campaign against vote-buying.  But should the campaign be addressed to candidates who will do everything under their sleeves to “win” elections?

The better approach may be in rallying the voters to campaign against vote-selling.  “My Vote is Not for Sale” is a very good starter.  In the 2013 exercise, several groups have pushed for this campaign but resources, or lack of it, prevented them from really pushing this to the hilt.

This time around, the PPCRV is again launching its MVINFS campaign.  This may become more effective with the involvement of the 62 or so parishes in the archdiocese.

We learned from Mr. Astrid Bana of the Archdiocesan Good Govenance Apostolate (Aggap) that even before the 2013 elections the MVINFS was already on stream.

The campaign for now may still be a voice in the wilderness but somehow having a group start it would be enough encouragement for well-meaning individuals.  I hope this campaign will snowball in due time even as I do not expect this to be in full swing in my lifetime.

Aside from rampant vote-buying and –selling, it appears that the electoral exercise is becoming a mockery of what is supposed to be a sacred duty or right of suffrage.  It is sometimes frustrating to hear that certain candidates are rumored to be buying votes by the thousands, and that is because voters are also selling.

I hope the voters and candidates will come of age.  As to when, I can only hope and pray.

(Egay Uy is a lawyer, city hall consultant, and chair of Task Force Hapsay Dalan.)