My vote is for sale, but…

My vote is for sale to the highest bidder. Give your life in service.

Three years ago, my husband Orange ran for vice mayor of Kawit. Here, I personally witnessed how tiring, even exciting and frustrating it is to run in an election. I was out-of-sight as was also preferred by my husband for a couple of reasons — my work and he also wanted to shield me from the politics of politics. I was his rah-rah girl but only in the confines of our home.

During the last week of the campaign, we heard that there were irregularities. It wasn’t confirmed who was behind them. To my husband’s credit, he was extremely popular in the local surveys, as high as 80-20, so I told him, “We have to have faith in the people.”

We lost the elections. The people have spoken. It is my fervent belief that our leaders represent the voters, and we get the leaders that we truly deserve.

Who are our leaders anyway? We call our congressman, ‘tongressman. We know that payola is already a practice. It’s also public knowledge, especially in the provinces where jueteng is prevalent, that local leaders and even the police are in the take, and yet, they win!

Former Comelec commissioner Gregorio Larrazabal tells me that the only way for cheating to be possible in an automated election is through vote-buying and voter disenfranchisement. I think this may be true because of rampant reports of vote-buying. (The issue of transparency in the counting of votes is another thing.)

For as low as P300, people are willing to sell their votes for whatever reason — whether because they badly need it or simply to take advantage of milking candidates dry. You won’t see them anyway after elections.

For campaign contributors, supporting someone comes with certain favors once the politician gets elected. How much?

The proposed money ban by the Comelec, now down the drain, is a poor attempt at curbing vote-buying. Accept it, vote-buying is part of the electoral system, unless the judiciary does something to persecute those found guilty of vote-buying, and also go after individuals and corporations with absurd campaign contributions. I’m not even sure if there’s a law for that. Surely, someone like the ever-reliable BIR Commissioner Kim Henares will be able to find holes in personalities involved regardless of affiliation (fingers crossed).

More transparency in government will also deter the politicians and “corruptors” from making money in government, and will think twice of their ROI or Return of Investment. Yes, I’m talking about the Freedom of Information Bill. Again, media and civil society groups will play a big part. (Mr. President, please make this your legacy before you step down from office. Legislating transparency will be a sure step to ensuring that those who come after you will be led in the matuwid na daan.) We fix the system. Otherwise, honest people turn corrupt for their survival.

This coming elections, my vote is for sale, but it can’t be paid with money.

I expect my leader to give nothing but his life in service.

I am voting for a leader that gives importance to the true marginalized — like indigenous groups that can offer him nothing in return. If a leader is sensitive to the needs of the least of our brothers, to those who do not have a voice, then I am assured that he will give importance to every Filipino.

(To my asawa Orange — simplicity is your core, and I will be forever in awe of you and how you treat people with dignity. May you also be forever happy with me, hahaha! Happy birthday my Indy! To my Mama Elaine, our superwoman, our idol. You’ve done so much for our family already. Power hug! Happy Mother’s Day! Love you both!

For your comments, do e-mail me at [email protected] and get updates from me on Twitter @bernadette_ABS.)