It''s for the fund of it, stupid

At the risk of being redundant, one once again recalls the self-imposed campaign tagline of then American presidential candidate Bill Clinton, viz: "It''s the economy, stupid". No matter how hectic the campaign, Clinton never strayed from the economy issue as the linchpin of his candidacy. And the rest is history.

Also at the risk of being called a fan of politicians who are fond of chasing their political rainbows for the fund(s) of it all, perish the thought since there''s nothing but contempt for them.

This is just to parody the vicious trend evolving into its worst during election time like now, when power seekers and power brokers are attuned to the greed for funding. Their partisans also get excited for the happy times as money floods from all sides of the political spectrum, from pol friends and foes alike. The money-conscious voters are salivating to exact their pound of flesh. "Makabawos na sad ta. Pangwartahon nato sila, bay", is a common expression.

There''s no gainsaying that those ensconced in power and running for reelection have the edge being "insiders", as against their rival "outsiders", despite legal restrictions inre the election ban. Hence, incumbent senators or congressmen for reelection, or for another elective post, still have the bonanza of their pork barrel with a big chunk being previously squirreled wisely. Besides, they reason out, they''re also being milked by the LGUs to carry them over in their respective turfs.

As for the various positions in the hierarchy of the LGUs, the same situation is true that they who are "insiders" have the advantage and accessibility to the logistics and built-in perks incidental to their positions.

The challengers being still "outsiders", have to rely on their own resources and from their affluent clan and allies. Anyway, there''s an unwritten law in Philippine politics that once their political "padrinos" win, their "contributors" take part in the spoils, as returns in harvest time. And so, fund-out is rewarded with fund-in eventually. Perhaps, with "investment return" extrapolated many times over.

Likewise, there are those whose only "assets" are their avid aspirations and proven mediocre minds, and willingness to become lackeys of some political padrinos no matter what or how, and at such price to their modicum personality. With sheer guts and desperation, they overcome lack of funds at any sacrificial cost to their honor, dignity, and morality with such reckless ingenuity just to earn the extra bucks as in "pinaspasan". Even compromising with the devil is no inhibition to get hold of election funds, and goodbye to principles as they overspend scandalously.

And then, there''s the literally poor as the country mouse who, for lack of no other else available, may be drafted to run for a post beyond his competence and capability, academically and IQ-wise. Thus, such "filler" candidate who hungers to be "honorable", only offers his "services" to compensate for lack of funds, thereby remaining always a "yes man" and a fawning toady.

It''s now a cruel joke common to everybody to aspire for "clean, honest, and orderly election", as if mouthing such much-satirized shibboleth spontaneously evokes its reality. As in "presto", or "eureka", or "open sesame", or as the instant effect of Aladdin rubbing the magic lamp and out appears the genie to grant any wish.

No, siree, there can never be clean, honest, and orderly election as long as vote buying in all its ugly variations remains a scourge. And, it''s getting more expensive because now a given candidate has to "buy" both his partisans and those of the opposite camp. Time was when the latter alone had to be "bought", but now it''s both. And so, society gets the kind of government it "fundly" deserves.

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