How to deal with post-poll retirement anxieties

The worst fear that losing candidates dread after elections is the emerging reality of being alone and without anything significant to do. This is a post poll syndrome that psychologists identify as a cause of serious mental and emotional disturbance, which may lead to depression, then to vices, crime, suicide and death. Remember what happened to the late Fernando Poe, Jr. and dramatic actor, Dindo Fernando who lost in Marikina, as a congressional bet. There are many others and they just died unlamented and unheralded. They died unhappy and full of anguish. They could not take the dirty games of politics, of betrayals, treachery, fraud and unabashed indecent, shameless and massive violations of all laws on goodness and ethics. Others may already be used to losing, but there are some who are still in denial and could not believe what really hit them.

In the last polls, many patriarchs and scions of what used to be invincible political dynasties were forced to retire, for at least three years, by the irreversible mandate of the electorate. The veteran octogenarian, Luis Robredo Villafuerte in Bicol was driven out of office by his own 23 year old grandson Migz. His wife Nelly was defeated resoundingly by a cousin, Lenny, widow of the much admired Jessie, nephew of Luis. The Dazas in Northern Samar were trounced by the Ongs. The Jalosjoses in the Zamboanga Peninsula were erased from the political map. And so, what happened to Eddiegul, Tomas, Pabling Garcia and Pablo John in Cebu are just in concurrence with the temper of the times.

The best thing that should have been done was to follow the David Becham formula: Stop while on top. Retire as a champion. Be remembered by your admirers and fans as the great guy who was not driven away but opted to go in his own time. In ball games, in boxing or in politics, a really wise guy is one who will be remembered as the champion who opted to fade away gracefully and not being knocked out by a greater, or luckier rival. Any good athlete and any politician worth his salt must have a retirement plan. He must have a prepared set of post retirement activities so as to avoid depression, vices and any other emotional and psychological problem. At least, Manny Pacquiao has done well and rightly by deciding to retire soon as a boxer and transform himself as a gentlemen politician and preacher.

What mature politicians really fear is when they would feel “useless”, when people no longer would come to them to ask for favor, to seek their support, to request for their advice. These are the things that used to motivate them, the applause, the media hype, the social adulation. Now, nobody would call them for interviews, nor invite them to any discussion forum. Their opinions would no longer matter. New guys are in the limelight. The worse thing is the inevitable possibility of being alone in close encounters with their menopausal wives or their cranky and irritable husbands.

There are however many creative ways to cope with these grim possibilities. First, is to embark on a domestic and foreign travel. If they can afford it, why not? There are many exciting places to see, many beautiful flowers to smell. Second, they can take up a hobby, writing their memoirs, go into poetry, photography, painting or music. It is never too late. Third, they can involve actively in NGOs, like habitat for humanity, be active in church activities and community services, organizing and teaching youth and street children.

Fourth, and I would do this if I were in their place, is to go back to teaching. Noy Pabling was the first Dean of the Law College in SWU. Chief Justice Davide was teaching there with Noy Pabling as his boss in the 60s. It would be nice to see them both going back to the noble work of a Law professor. Eddiegul is the President of UV. He can now transform the Gullas Law School into what it used to be, the number one in Cebu. PJ Garcia is a Bar topnotcher, he can go into law practice, helping the poor workers who are exploited by some employers and ignored by their unions. Tomas will always have something to be busy about, aside from preparing for 2016, of course.