Trusting our elected officials

And so the people have spoken. The results of the mid-term elections tells us that an anti-dynasty law, in particular one that bans relatives of incumbents to run for the position they will vacate, is not currying favor from the voting public.

Either people have gotten smarter, or the proposed law just doesn’t make sense. Or it could be both.

Having taken more than a cursory interest in politics but looking at it from a businessman’s (even journalist’s) point of view, it would be difficult to ban relatives of elected officials from campaigning for an elective position, especially in local government.

With so many barangay captains, kagawads, and other elected local government officials, a locality could likely run out of candidates. A small town, for example, could have as little as 2,000 people. Chances are everybody will be related to one or more elected officials.

Of course, the proposed ruling could work in big cities, or even in the national elections of representatives to the lower and upper Houses. But the major flaw lies in the fact that an anti-dynasty law could be discriminatory to a competent kin of an incumbent.

And this could even be a disservice to a nation that badly needs public servants who have the credentials as well as the genuine commitment to serve the people.

Local cases

During the recent elections, I’ve noted several interesting cases that convey the fallacy of ramming down people’s throats a law that belittles their intelligence and, as I just mentioned, could even be discriminatory to the national interest.

There is this mayor of a town who had served the full nine years allowed by law. He wasn’t an out-and-out corrupt public servant but he wasn’t exactly someone that you could heap praises on for his service to the community.

Nevertheless, in a bid to “extend” his term, the missus filed her candidacy for the position of mayor. But with a poor local governance track record during the last nine years including an inadequate handling of possible future flooding disasters, the people cast their vote for the opposition.

In another case, the son of a city mayor made a bid during the last local elections to “replace” his father, who had overall done well during his nine years in office. The son’s track record, being a former representative in the lower House, was not exactly glowing, but his service record was never compromised.

The opposing candidate, fortunately for the father and son, had a track record of corruption and the trappings of an undesirable traditional politician. While the final count was but a matter of a few thousand votes after the polls closed, the son emerged victorious.

In both cases, family relationships was not necessarily the deciding factor for people to vote (or not vote) the incumbent’s kin. If the town mayor had done well, his wife would have easily received the vote, especially if the opposition was a newbie.

In the case of the city mayor, his son would have had a hard time beating an opponent who would have carried a good track record of leadership and service. And if he is not able to prove his competence in the next three years, he could easily lose his mayoral position in the next elections.

National cases

In the case of this prominent former lower House representative, his wife ran for his vacated position and won. She wasn’t exactly a pushover, although definitely deferred to her husband’s better wisdom in complicated governance issues.

She has been serving her constituents for many terms, and even if husband and wife have alternated several times to keep the post, there has been no issue of corruption.

The husband was a successful businessman before entering politics. He had always felt that he needed to serve his community and nation by taking up an elected post. This was the same commitment that his wife, and now their son, shares. The son, by the way, won in the last governor race.

On the other hand, this son of a famous and most senior senator failed to win his bid for the number that his father would soon need to give up. He had managed to win a position in the lower House, and had been active in sponsoring and supporting some good bills.

Unfortunately, he failed to hurdle negative public opinion about his past that did not seem to be an issue when he ran for Representative.

Empowering voters

What should be the issue is not the kinship of those running for elected office, but their credentials. Therefore, what the country needs is to empower voters to be able to choose the upright and morally correct candidates to serve them.

Even track record is not enough, as in the case of a former mayor who became the president of this country. This charismatic person had done wonders for his city, but had not been up to the more challenging job of being nation’s chief executive.

Of course, this country needs the best leaders it can get to help improve the lives of its 92 million people. The Philippines is still at that stage where growth could revert to stagnation or even regression. Filipinos need to be more adept at choosing their leaders.

The last election has shown that computerized voting has drastically minimized cheating at the polls. But this doesn’t mean that voting – or the quality of choice – has improved significantly. This is what our advocates of meaningful democracy should focus on.

Then too, let’s not forget the need to upgrade the quality of leadership of our civil and elected public servants. We certainly need much more of those we can trust.

FilOil Flying V Pre-season tournament

The elimination phase of the FilOil Flying V Pre-season tournament is winding down and the experts’ picks are leading the way into the next critical phases, quarterfinal and semifinal knockout games. National U Bulldogs and the De La Salle Green Archers remain unbeaten with Ateneo Blue Eagles, San Beda Red Lions and the surging Arellano U Chiefs are close behind.

Looks like another exciting pre-season competition that paves the way for more competitive UAAP and NCAA games leading to the season ending National Collegiate Championship.

Facebook and Twitter

We are actively using two social networking websites to reach out more often and even interact with and engage our readers, friends and colleagues in the various areas of interest that I tackle in my column. Please like us at www.facebook.com and follow us at www.twitter.com/ReyGamboa.

Should you wish to share any insights, write me at Link Edge, 25th Floor, 139 Corporate Center, Valero Street, Salcedo Village, 1227 Makati City. Or e-mail me at [email protected]. For a compilation of previous articles, visit www.BizlinksPhilippines.net.