The barangay political craze

Like certain diseases with several strains nowadays, politics in the Philippines also breeds quirky strains and changes over a long time that spread like crazy.

For one, it used to be that politics and elections covered the towns, cities, and provinces only, and up to the national level. Barangay officials then had been appointed until much later. Even later during the election campaign period, there had been no keen competition among barangay candidates who were often blood relatives or kin, and mutual friends and neighbors. Earlier barangay elections were just taken for granted by the grassroots as just an informal political exercise, and taboo to political parties and party partisans.

For another, the barrio people used to shun any ambition for government posts, say, barangay captains and councilmen. These few interested candidates were virtually taunted and sneered at behind their backs as mentally deranged. Now the affairs at the bottom of governance have drawn a lot of interest in the barangay politics.

Despite the Local Government Code, barangay officials did not have any compensation or salary, as rationalized by those claiming barangay service as voluntary, gratis, and altruistic. However, now, despite weak denials, barrio election is no different from higher offices. There is now keen rivalry for the positions of Barangay Captain and Councilmen, unlike before when running was "forced" on them. This time, the candidacy of many aspirants is ultra high, just as the intense rivalry that is basic.

Besides, it appears now that although no mention of a regular salary in the law, such absence is not an aberrant factor as "allowances" are allowed. Among affluent barangays, like, in cities and large towns, their allowances are lucrative in amount, and with perks.

The hot rivalry is even true between father and son, and between brothers, 1st cousins, nephew and uncle, and other kinship by affinity and consanguinity. After the election, they lose their closeness of entire families and clans. The ensuing enmity is so revolting that may last in their lifetimes. Once very close and intimate, the rivals avoid talking or greeting each other. This misfortune is unfortunate which creates family feuds, all due to petty and crass politics.

Another thing that is scandalous now, the competing wannabes spend money to ensure victory. No wonder should they win, there is no assurance not to recoup what had been spent. And this includes "buying votes", and violating Comelec resolutions for the political exercise, and the defiance to comply with the law on financial management. Bitterly for election spenders, like, buying votes, the "bought voters" often flummoxed the vote buyer, as in "dawat kwarta, botar kontra".

One motivation for barrio folk to dabble in politics at the lowest rung of governance is not lofty altruism. And tacked to holding office is the chance to append to their names the appellation "honorable". "Honorable" is also used by non-elective barangay officials. Man by nature is vain, and is flattered by apparent praise, no matter that most aspirants don't deserve it. Just imagine that many barangay officials have low EQ, or none at all, but the dream of exercising power is often ignored by them nonetheless. However humble their positions are, at least they can leave behind the legacy of once being "honorable".

Since power corrupts and, absolute power corrupts absolutely, there lies the temptation to be corrupt, despite their limited jurisdiction. Many questionable transactions have been disallowed by COA for violations of the requirements on the expenditure of barrio funds. The search for power is the cornerstone in all levels of politics, despite the unpalatable craze, including the lack of capability due to low EQ, buying votes, other forms of cheating, just to strut in public as "honorable" barrio captain to inflate their ego.

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