What defines a candidate? Boto Patrollers count the ways

MANILA, Philippines - ABS-CBN’s mostly young ‘Boto Patrollers’ have set very high standards for their candidates. They got the chance to come face to face with them during the recently concluded Harapan: The ANC-ABS-CBN Presidential Forum. After the forum, those undecided said they had made their own choices.

Establishing residence

But what really defines an ideal candidate? Does a mere change of address answer the residency requirement and make one a legitimate candidate for a post? ‘Boto Patrollers’ or members of our Boto Mo, iPatrol Mo: Ako ang Simula (BMPM) — ABS-CBN’s election-focused citizen journalism campaign — have raised this very question. In many provinces, for example, ‘Patrollers’ were shocked when, all of a sudden, big houses were being built, and ‘Patrollers’ realized that these mansions were merely meant to “establish the residency” for a particular candidate. The Constitution and election laws require a person to be a resident of a particular town or province to be able to file candidacy in that area. Many times politicians find a way to go around these rules. But brace yourselves candidates, our BMPM voters will not buy your old tactics anymore!

Bodyguards

These men are commonly called goons. After what happened in Maguindanao, our BMPM viewers have boldly taken it upon themselves to report politicians in their provinces who have abused their power with the excessive use, for instance, of the police force, and so-called civilian volunteers.

Another ‘defining’ characteristic of a dirty politician is his involvement in illegal acts such as jueteng and quarrying. But our ‘Boto Patrollers’ are more discerning now. Empowered through BMPM, they can no longer be dictated upon by a sheer outpour of money come election season. And as a blogger in our Boto Mo, iPatrol Mo Multiply website puts it, some local officials should be pitied, as they are what he describes as “so young and yet so corrupt!”

Streamers all around

After the Supreme Court’s decision on the Rosalinda Penera case which rendered legal what used to be called “premature campaigning”, candidates have posted their streamers here and there, making it known to the whole world they are indeed running. According to a ‘Boto Patroller’ if you count the number of posters in a community, and add up the cost of these posters, chances are the cost shall have exceeded the allowable campaign spending of P3-per voter prescribed by law. Does the quantity of campaign posters really define a candidate here in our country? There was even a suggestion from a BMPM e-mail sender to boycott candidates who post their streamers on light posts along the highway, making this dangerous for motorists.

I strongly believe our voters have matured through the years. They have become wiser voters this time around. And because of ABS-CBN’s Boto Mo iPatrol Mo: Ako ang Simula, their voices have been heard. Even in Maguindanao, where fear has apparently engulfed citizens, our ‘Boto Patrollers’ were brave enough to be the first ones to report the killings.

We salute you, the brave ‘Boto Patrollers’ who continue to send ABS-CBN reports concerning the elections in your communities. You are the future of this country. You are the electorate that will define the candidates who will govern this nation. Make wise choices, and always remember your vote counts.