Visibly invisible

Egay Uy . 

THE Philippine National Police-spearheaded “Unity Walk” on Sunday would have given the candidates the opportunity to show to the voting public, without even saying a word, their real intention for running for public office.  However, several candidates, both of the administration and the opposition failed to make it.  They were visibly invisible.

After the program, the media was flooded with rationalizations and allegations why some others failed to, or deliberately or intentionally did not, make it.  Notably, the reasons or rationalizations were either imagined or real.  Some had earlier commitments while some others shunned the event because the program “featured” the incumbent mayor of Cagayan de Oro City, Oscar S. Moreno, to deliver a welcome address.

Organizers said the program was based on a template that the other communities used.  Specifically mentioned was the Unity Walk in Quezon City where Mayor Herbert Bautista delivered the welcome address.

While Oscar S. Moreno is a candidate for re-election for City Mayor of Cagayan de Oro, we cannot deny the fact that he represents the City as its Local Chief Executive.  The event, the Unity Walk, was held in the City of Cagayan de Oro so it was just appropriate for the chief executive of our locality to welcome the participants, kaabag o babag ba kaha.

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Still on the Unity Walk, I read a joke (Yes, Pinoys have this propensity to concoct jokes given the opportunity) on Facebook that a mayoral candidate who shunned the Unity Walk because of concerns of being penalized or fined.

The joke continues “Because of the implementation of the no-to-plastic city ordinance.”

Seriously, elections are supposed to unite not divide the people.  While we have our own reasons for supporting certain candidates, be they incumbents or wannabes, elections is one civilized way of choosing those who should hold the reins of government, those who should “serve the people.”

To those who are running for public office – set the example. Walk your talk.

(Egay Uy is a lawyer. He chairs the City’s Regulatory and Complaint Board, co-chairs with the city mayor the City Price Coordinating Council, and chairs the city’s Joint Inspection Team.  He retired as a vice president of Cepalco.)