With the 2019 midterm elections a year and a half away, observers are seeing elected officials already positioning themselves for another three years of being “high and mighty.”
A doctor pointed out, infrastructure projects, such as roads and small buildings, are what politicians are focused on right now. “With politicians afraid of their constituents, there is less enforcement of the law,” they said. “There is too much politicking; that is why there is a lesser chance of seeing real progress.”
“Opposition of the current administration shouts a ‘non-no’ to dictatorship, which they suspect the administration is doing,” a retired banker noted. “But, truly, since Filipinos are hard-headed and abusive, we need a dictator-like leader.”
“Everything present leadership is doing is to instill discipline and they are against it,” they surmised.
An engineer latched on to the topic.
“Why was Rodrigo Duterte elected by Davaoeños for two decades?” they asked. “Did he impose a dictatorship over Davao City?”
“He imposed discipline,” the engineer, who happened to be from Davao, explained. “Residents did not even want ‘Tatay Digong’ to leave the position of mayor.”
“His constituents got used to obeying the laws,” they added.
The doctor discussed parallels between Duterte’s time as mayor and Iloilo City Mayor Jose Espinosa III.
“In Iloilo City, Mayor Jose Espinosa III ordered drinking dens closed by 2:00 a.m. and he was right,” they explained. “What will you do at a drinking establishment after those hours, shouldn’t you be home already?”
“There are no more squabbled and rumbles in Iloilo City’s ‘drinking districts’ because the mayor made such a move,” the doctor added.
“Actions by politicians are proof of who will come out as winners in the midterm elections,” the doctor continued. “Espinosa is our bet.”
“He is approachable, down-to-earth, and understands how life is ‘down under,’” they went on to explain. “He wants discipline in the city, which is what the business community and local residents want.”
The banker brought up to impending face-off between incumbent Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia and City Councilor Ricardo Tan.
“Tan needs to pour in tons of paper bills in order to overshadow what the incumbent will dish out,” they explained. “In elections, money still talks and that is forever, especially with barangay officials waiting to see what the candidates offer.”
“Elections are a show of money and not community service,” the doctor noted.
The engineer pointed out senatorial candidates also rely on local government officials, which the doctor called “good business for the local politicos.”
Meanwhile, a retired insurance executive asked if the Saratans or Montelibanos will be lodging comebacks, and if the top Bago City officials will swap positions.
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This column greets Alex Castor, Gary Lake Liza, Joanne Yoshida, JB Ongsingco, Doc Jun Duyongco, Pastor Joe Ascalon, Mar Montinola, Mon Gochuico, Ching Javellana, Pipoy Olayra, Rodel Parcon, Stephen Sy, Emmanuel Tiples, Faye Ramos, and George Jardiolin./WDJ