Vote selling – vote buying

LONG time since, the disturbing matter of “vote buying” has been an issue whenever elections were held in the country.

This shameful phenomenon has closely accompanied Philippine elections from the barangay level to the national level – be these midterm of presidential elections. In fact, on the occasion of the recently concluded barangay election, the debasing reality of “vote buying” was noted as significantly more widely practiced than in previous elections.

The truth of the matter is that there will be no “vote buying” if there is no “vote selling.” These two transactional ventures come in pair even but in ordinary business enterprises.

No one can buy something if no one is selling anything. In the same way, no one can sell something if no one is buying anything.

Concretely in conjunction with the last election and the significantly more “vote selling –  vote buying” that more extensively and openly accompanied the said political exercise, the following observations are well in order even if only for a better understanding of its signal implications – all of which are anything but pacifying and inspiring realities.

The first and foremost truth behind the detestable agenda is that – notwithstanding all heavenly surveys to the contrary – there are even more Filipinos who live in poverty in the event that they do not actually wallow in misery.

No one with even but a little delicadeza would sell his dignity but making money through the selling of his vote that is intimately linked with his good name.

But then, there is the well-known saying that, “Empty stomach has no ears!” This is why although vote selling is contrary to but elementary ethical standard, it is unreasonable to blame, much less condemn the sellers.

Then enters the long since established fact that Philippine politics make a great business. Wherefore, as a rule, only rich individuals and wealthy families usually aspire for and seek the tenure of public offices precisely because so much capital is needed to buy votes – among other expensive pre-election agenda such as the gathering guns and the hiring goons.

But once successfully elected, the capital return is immense. Sad to say, this is precisely why individuals living with integrity and having competence but have no money to use as capital for elections, are the last ones who aspire public offices.

Lastly, all the above constitute the fundamental reason why – as well said by those in the know – supposedly winning political candidates in the Philippines are but “proclaimed” considering that it is not sure if they are really elected.

Translation: They become authorized to assume the public offices they campaigned for, not really because it is certain that the people voted for them freely and willingly – but simply because it is said so by these and those individuals tasked to do so./PN

2 COMMENTS

  1. i’m glad that soneone has brought up this issue of vote selling/vote buying. this shameful habit has become endemic that our beloved national hero, jose rizal must be sadly disappointed at the current turn of political events. is this what his sacrificial death for independence has become? consider the facts: jose rizal stood up to the spaniards for the latter’s arrogance in depriving filipinos of their rightful education much more active participation in political governance. the way elections are being run today — from the barangay up to the national level — candidates promise the sun and the moon to the voters to get their support catering especially to the financially marginalized who understandably choose these candidates due to political patronage and vote buying! once elected, instead of going all out to search for solutions in improving lives of these hapless voters, the local winning candidates start to experience amnesia and instead become embroiled in “making hay while the sun shines.” personally, i see no difference between the treatment of the “indios” during the spanish regime than now. it’s those who are supposedly close to the ladle that taste the soup. only in the phlippines where elections are run by guns, goons and gold. look at the headline-grabbing news after the recent barangay elections. this or that punong barangay was shot dead or…the candidate had suffered the same fate. is this what democracy is all about?! might as well not hold elections where millions and millions of pesos are spent! after all, whoever has the dough gets the vote! wise up, voters…take the time to know the candidates inside out. gradually gravitate to become serious and mature voters. only those candidates with proven integrity, honesty and a passion for public service should be elected! and…once they are elected, hold them to their campaign promises, meaning, let them deliver, otherwise, these candidates with broken promises should be booted out of office. one more thing…lthe epal law should strictly be implemented. seasoned local politicians, this early, should tear up musrooming signs that read: “sorry for the inconvenience. we are working a better road for you.” my goodness…who should take responsibility for the improvement of public roads? of course the DPWH because it is DPWH’S mandate! in sum: let’s wake from our stupor!! the national and local elections are just around the corner…2019. there’s plenty of time to really screen the candidates and as a stakeholder in political governance, cast your vote.

  2. i wholeheartedly agree with arch. oscar cruz. philippine elections from the barangay level to the national level have become a sham! outwardly, we visibly display our patriotism by standing at attention during the flag ceremony and holding our breast while the philippine national anthem is being played. but…is that what democracy is all about?! “sovereignty resides in the people,” meaning, it’s up to us filipino voters to elect our local and national public officials freely, without the use of guns, goons and gold. why resort to these arm-twisting tactics?! might as well not spend millions of pesos to hold a supposedly free elections when, after all, a candidate who spends the most in buying votes take the cake. how utterly said it is to think that our beloved national hero, dr. jose rizal gave his life to set us free from the domination of a foreign power and yet here we are, centuries later being dominated politicians whose goal is not public service but financial enhancement. surely we are aware of the epal law yet, at this early stage, signs are put up in speciific areas which read: “notice to the public…sorry for the inconvenience. we are working a better road for you.” if that isn’t politicking and prohibited by epal law, i don’t know what is. shouldn’t the department of public works and highways be responsible for setting up these signs? after all, it is dpwh’s mandates to repair roads. why do these politicians want to stay in office? public service? think again. we need integrity, honesty and character from our politicians hand in hand with public service. they sound poetic in promising the earth, moon and sky but no sooner have they been elected than these promises are thrown out the window. let us hold them accountable; remember their promises and if unfulfilled, boot them out from office in the next elections. these impoverished voters need guidance and direction on how to improve their lives; not politcial patronage. rather than spend money during election time, why not look for practicable solutions in tandem with rigorous and sustained training for future jobs or private enterprise? the 2019 elections are crucial for a balance between economy and governance. if we need positive change. then let us work at it through the ballot not the bullet.

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