“There is no act of treachery or meanness of which a political party is not capable; for in politics there is no honour.” –Benjamin Disraeli

Within the first two weeks of college, students often spend that time adding and dropping classes. In Philippine politics, traitors adopt similar techniques if certain candidates are lagging behind rivals or appear to have no chance at winning at all. They drop those candidates from their line-up (or even forge pacts with other parties). This also could happen if a candidate fails to deliver on or provide a large sum of campaign cash – in politics, there is no such thing as “free lunch.”

Politics is not as much about “all-for-one, one-for-all” as it is “No money, no honey;” a “bahala ka sa buhay mo” dilemma plagues candidates without such financial contributions. Such a sinister scheme is carefully and secretly discussed by key strategists in opposing camps (or a third party) and even the candidates’ immediate families are kept in the dark. However, once the treachery is revealed, which usually occurs on election day or when ballots are being canvassed and the results are showing who is in the lead, it is too late to make any drastic steps to avoid the inside hatchet job.

In some instances, supporters find sample ballots omitting their candidates’ names or their names are covered by stickers of their rival.

Such an approach often leads to a war of words between party members with each side accusing the other of being a “Judas.” It only intensifies when some members of the party win and others lose, which leads to a civil war. The anger and frustration ultimately leads to party mates blowing each other to smithereens.

The country has seen this kind of situation unfold. In 1998, during elections in Iloilo City, congressional candidate Salvador ‘Buddy’ Britanico and party mate, mayoral candidate Jerry Trenas, went from sweethearts to enemies; inseparable before and during the campaign to emulating the two Koreas after the votes were cast.

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I received my overseas voting paper seal from the Commission on Elections. At any time before May 13, I, and other US-based Pinoys, can cast our votes in the upcoming midterm elections.

Accompanying the envelope were instructions and the official ballot containing the names of 62 senatorial candidates and 181 party list candidates. This will be my second time to cast a vote away from the Philippines.

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Alex P. Vidal, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two local dailies in Iloilo./WDJ