Friendly Observer
By Arthur Keefe
After the event
The elections ended with a predictable
clean sweep for the incumbents. What if anything can we learn from this year’s
outcome? Firstly, that Filipinos love a party! No, not a political party, but a
real ‘knees up’ with plenty of music and dancing. The final rallies were well
attended, thanks partly to well organized convoys from the outlying areas.
They were more entertainment than
political, and seemed to go down well with the public- especially the grand
finale of fireworks. Those of us who follow politics closely may have been
disappointed, but the crowds were certainly not.
Secondly, that vote buying is not an
explanation for victory. Money was certainly offered, but people have become
wise to the fact that they can take the cash, but still vote as they chose. No
doubt most felt obligated to follow the sample ballot from those transporting,
feeding, and paying them, but in all likelihood the main impact is to produce a
high turn out rather than the changing of voting intentions.
Thirdly, we must thank and respect the
opposition candidates and the single independent here in the city. They knew
from the start their chances were slim, but they put huge time and energy into
their campaign, and in so doing, they provided people with a real alternative.
The thousands who supported them did not waste their vote, as they showed
elected office has to be earned, not grabbed.
Despite the sharp divisions, there was no
violence here (although regrettably people still died elsewhere) and no real
dirty politics. Both sides played the peculiar style of Philippine politics
(including the use of ‘controlled votes’ and denying each other access to their
villages), but within the local customs, they both played fairly.
I regret that this ‘fair play’ may not
extend beyond the election, where patronage is still likely to deny fairness to
those considered politically hostile.
Fourthly, despite the frequent carping
about the actions of their elected members it is clear that a large majority of
people have given a vote of confidence to the incumbents at all levels. It may
be that I am overstating this, but at the very least, this majority found no
cause to charge the present arrangements.
Democracy is not simply voting once every
few years. Real democracy requires those elected to continue a dialogue with
those they govern.
It requires those elected to be sensitive
and responsive to the views and wishes of the electorate throughout their term.
Election confers the responsibility of stewardship, not the powers of the autocrat.
A good politician is one who serves all the people, not just himself and the
vested interests which supported him.
The agenda for those with a renewed
mandate is a formidable one. Good governance and maintaining what is good in
San Carlos is something the public have recognized by their vote. There are
solid improvements behind this, not least the new hospital and the new
University College.
However, San Carlos is a quiet backwater.
It’s great for retired people or those who like a quiet life, but it offers
very little to young people, most of whom leave as soon as they seek work
outside of low paid and low skilled occupations.
Initiatives such as the Legarda call
centre do not thrive, and few outsiders consider investing here. Even local
businessmen often look to Cebu or Bacolod for new opportunities.
Economic development is hard to achieve,
but desperately needed if San Carlos is not to become the City of the aged!
As an agricultural area, food processing
is one obvious option. With a large coastline and an excellent port, marine
activity is a possibility. Ideas come but quickly go.
We must all wish the elected
representatives well as they take up their responsibilities.
The election has shown people are
interested in how they are governed. This capital (including the opposition
groups) must be exploited through a form of participatory democracy in which
the elected and the electors work together to move the City forward.
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