NEXT INBOX QUESTION: In your opinion, what accounts for the “fading power of showbiz” in Philippine politics?

MESSY ELECTIONS. The balikbayan who gave adviced Filipino voters to vote wisely in this section last week told The Ear that her observation of the recently-concluded election was a dismal one. She said, “Messy kaayo ang election. Puwerte  kagubot ug grabe kahugaw. Wala gyud koy nakitang improvement sa election 20 years ago. Hinuon, nisamot ka hugaw.”

COMPUTERIZED VOTING NEEDED. This balikbayan who has been living in the United States for 20 years and who is here in Cebu for vacation and to “observe” the elections said that many election problems in the country will disappear once the government will switch to computerized voting. She said, “As I see it, daghang tawo ang masuholat para mo cheat, from the voters to teachers and even Comelec employees. But once ma computerized na ang voting, most election problems we encounter now will disappear. If we really want honest elections, kinahanglan ma-computerized na gyud ang elections.”