It was a rare moment. All the coffee talkers were candidates for councilor in different cities in Negros Occidental.
All of them were friends. They shared campaign experiences to one another.
***
“I never thought it is this tiring to campaign and smile and say ‘hello’ to voters,” said Candidate 1.
“Yes, it is so tiring, especially for a first-timer candidate. And drinking coffee in the barangays at least five cups a day is too heavy for my heart and painful to my pocket,” said Candidate 2.
***
“I hate to say this but it seems it is the voting population that looks corrupt from the start. This is my conclusion really. Voters ask for something like coffee or a bottle of alcoholic drink or a few pesos. Now who is corrupt? Not us but the voters,” shared Candidate 3.
***
“I have the same experience, and seasoned politicians share to me that this is always their problem during election campaign. And this makes these winning politicos eventually corrupt as they have to recover their election investment,” added Candidate 1. “Voters always say candidates who do not give money could hardly win. Imagine that.”
***
“That is true, guys. We could hardly make it if we do not spend. Some candidates even secure loans or sell some properties to spend for the election. If only voters will elect based on credentials or capacity, then spending so much money will not be a concern,” Candidate 4 butted in.
***
“If I spend say, one million pesos, and I am lucky to win a councilor’s seat, of course I will recover that so-called election investment. And I would end up tagged as corrupt. That is how corruption goes,” said Candidate 2.
***
“The first significant cost to us is the printing of campaign materials, and you have to produce so much. Then we pay for the people to install the tarps. It is a never-ending story of spending. Budget is really a problem,” added Candidate 4.
***
“Truly, the first corrupt personalities are the voters themselves who demand so much from us that we are forced to find means to raise money for the purpose. Luck will find our way. But without spending nearly a million or so, the chances are slim. Let us find out if we win. Good luck guys,” said Candidate 2, ending the coffee chat./PN
