Election is over! The Philippine National Police or the PNP made a general assessment that the Election was "generally peaceful and orderly" and this statement had people raise their eyebrows. During the elections, May 14, 2007, there have been lots of reports of missing names, wrong precincts, and even a number of ambush incidents and deaths. Sure, the number of deaths related to elections or politics is less than the last elections, 2004. But the assessment of the PNP just makes us wonder. Is this how they see a generally peaceful and orderly elections? Well, if it is, I think we have a problem about that. How can you call an election orderly when lots of people had their names listed on different precincts they don't belong or just can't seem to find their name on the list? How 'bout those ambush, killings etc.? Isn't that a sign that it's not "generally" peaceful. I think the PNP should think twice and make sure that their assessment is right and what the public really sees. Well, maybe they should have just cited or had a follow-up phrase like: "with pockets of resistance or violence and confusion". Right?

Yes, it may have been an improvement compared with the 2004 elections but it's an improvement we should now be actually proud of. We can do a lot better and we should not be satisfied with it nor should we make it seem that the elections is generally peaceful and orderly when it's really not.

A few more days before May 14, 2007--the Midterm Elections. Have you thought about the candidates? Have you completed your list? Who's in? Who's out?

Truly a lot of questions but a few only have answered. Most people I ask, even my family, relatives or friends, have not completed their list yet. Of course, it's not that we are on a rush. It's just that by now we should have an idea who to vote for and who not to vote for. It's a decision that most people are having a hard time deciding. I wonder why...

Elections here have always been similar to a circus full of desperate celebrities hungry for attention. Most candidates are all over the TV. Political ads seem to be more and more entertaining--just entertaining--and less issue-based or none at all.

What we see are candidates selling themselves:

VOTE for ME! ONLY ME! LOOK AT ME! I AM ME!

Well, they're good at it.


And, if you ask them why they deserve your vote...

I am this, I am that, etc.

So, what will you do?

I did this, I did that, etc.

What's your platform?

Dance here, dance there, smile here, smile there, sing here, sing there.

Most of them only have "THEM" to SELL. What's good to hear and see is what they deliver. But when it comes to issues, some of them are just irrelevant.

What we need are candidates who is a public servant and has his or her issues laid out--what they want to address, what they will do and how they'll do it.

This is what they have to do: Inform the public that they're running for office because they want to address the issues of concern. It's not merely about jingles, catchy phrases, funny or stupid dances, dramatic concepts etc. It's about being serious and being a public servant.

Who do you think has the guts to be a REAL public servant?

Who has a clear plan of action?

Who do you think deserves your vote?