It is time the people say who gets elected

It was not the political campaign sortie that people expect of candidates but, nevertheless, it was the first vital sign that the election campaign period has indeed started for national officials. The most visible among cabinet members of the Arroyo Administration, former Chief of Staff Mike Defensor, breezed to Bohol Friday to meet organized groups from the grass roots.

Defensor who now wears a new appendage to his name – ‘Tol (short for Utol or brother) - was one of the first to be identified among the senatorial candidates of the administration's Unity ticket. Incidentally he was also the first to visit Bohol . He met with fisher folks, the youth, some barangay captains and civic organizations. He also was inducting officer and guest speaker at the Induction of officers and members of the newly formed Bohol Media Workers (BMW). Most people, especially the supporters of the administration, credit Defensor for his role in the successful management of the many crisis in the Presidency of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. A loyal supporter of the President, Defensor was always seen in front of every issue ever ready to defend and protect the President.

It will be no surprise therefore if as an early bird, Mike Defensor will also catch as many worms (voters) in Bohol . We hope the other senatorial candidates both from the administration and the opposition will also campaign in Bohol , a vote rich province. It will of course be too early to call as the campaign has barely started. But Filipino voters have never been known to learn from their experience. Voters' behavior in the past will be the same this coming election. Just the same they will be influenced by the machineries and resources of the political parties. Politicians running for office will do everything to catch the attention of the voters. They will sing and dance. They will bring in celebrities and entertainers from the showbiz. They will hire the most popular person to indorse them. They will tell the voters the faults and defects of their political opponents. But they hardly tell the voters what they intend to do when they get elected.

That is because most voters don't really care what politicians intend to do when they get elected. Voters now only care about what they can get before they go to the polling places to cast their votes. Until such time that the electorates take seriously their right of suffrage, the politicians will continue to dictate who gets elected. That should explain why political dynasty, considered illegal under the Constitution, has never been outlawed in our laws passed by Congress. In Philippine democratic system, power and authority do not come from the people. They come from politicians. It is time to change this. It is time for power and authority to be returned to the people. The coming election is the opportunity for it.