From now until May, it’s election fever. Some senior citizens gathered recently to discuss the topic after a retired banker asked everyone, “How many would run for office if financial benefits were scrapped?”
A priest asked, “What is it about running for office that, for some, even family is unable to remove politics as their way of life – are they serving the people or themselves?” A lawyer responded, referring to some politicians (even barangay officials) as “businessmen and entrepreneurs with their own style.”
They added, “[If you] observe some cities and towns, the franchise holders of famous food chains are the family members of politicians – what a shame!”
The priest reiterated the banker’s point, asking, “Imagine if local government officials had no financial benefits and only received their monthly salary.”
The lawyer added: “Why are politician candidates spending millions to win an election – and even become suspects in the killing of rivals? How could they recover the millions spent after winning?”
“You know, rumors suggest politicians allegedly earn from being in a seat of power,” an entrepreneur pointed out. “That is something difficult to decipher.”
“Is there a profitable return of their investment?” the priest asked.
“Today, after one politician ‘graduates,’ their mother or brother takes their place – not giving a chance to other individuals who may be more qualified,” said the lawyer.
“It’s a big shame,” the priest responded.” But who among them is ashamed?”
“There are good financial benefits in being a politician,” the banker added.
The priest mused: “How much does a city councilor need to win an election, P10 million? Surely, for a city mayor, they would need to squander around P60 million in order to fool the electorate with promises – along with keeping them happy with a few hundreds.”
“Political games are intended to keep the electorate poor in order for candidates to ‘buy’ them,” the banker stressed.
The priest replied,” There are only two types of human beings on earth – those who fool around and those get fooled.”
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A new year without fear greeting to friends President Rodrigo Roa Duterte; Department of Tourism-Region VI (DOT-6) director, Atty. Helen J. Catalbas; Land Transportation Office-Region VI (LTO-6) Director Roland C. Ramos; DOT-7 Director Shalimar Tamano; Department of Labor and Employment-Region VI Director Cyril Ticao; DOT Undersecretary Arturo P. Boncato; DOT Assistant Secretary Roberto Alabado; Cebu Pacific Vice President Candice Iyog; LTO-6 chief Renato S. Novero; Bureau of Internal Revenue Assistant Revenue District Officer Richard Oquendo; Government Service Insurance System president, Atty. Clint Aranas; Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas consultant Jane Javellana; LTO-6 chief Reuben Tampos./WDJ