THE NATION is never satisfied with the way the Commission on Elections (Comelec) handles election activities.
A teacher, a businessman, a person with disability, a senior citizen, and a business executive share their thoughts.
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“What is the use of having the Philippine National Police (PNP) under the Comelec? Is it for the gun ban and liquor ban only? How about vote0buying activities?” asked the senior citizen.
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“When we hear that a town is under Comelec control, we think it is good news. But Comelec checkpoints happen only occasionally when policemen want to do so,” said the auto dealer.
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“Comelec has always been inutile in stopping vote-buying especially on the night before election day. Comelec has no fist and muscle to apprehend violators. It has no people to do arrests,” the teacher butted in.
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“We could not blame voters for accepting money from candidates; but we blame them for voting erring candidates who want to win only through money and not on their qualifications. If the rival is throwing out money, surely the other has no option but to give out the same,” said the senior citizen.
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“Sorry, but the Comelec is all talk,” declared the business executive.
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“In almost all towns, cities and provinces, there is vote-buying. Who can refute this?” asked the senior citizen. “I think the President should give awards to local governments with zero vote-buying. I will donate the golden plaque for this award,” the businessman joked.
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“It will be another three years of struggle for this nation. Good for areas with dedicated public servants but how about those where officials got re-elected by spending hundreds of millions of pesos to buy votes? Surely, their first move in office is to recoup their investments,” lamented the senior citizen.
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This column greets Peter Po, Panoy Gonzalez, Lyn Ortaliz, Ariston Minez Jr., Boy So, Efren Sucaldito, Vince Tiu, Mae Panes, Juan Cua Locsin, Rhina delos Reyes, Natalie Lim, Junel Divinagracia, June Malones, and Luel Magbanua./PN
