CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama advised those who are planning to run or seek re-election in this October’s barangay elections to wage a clean campaign and never to indulge in vote-buying.
Rama was at the seminar of the Barangay Councilor’s League of the Philippines-Cebu City Chapter on “How to have a fighting chance to win an election.”
“Ayaw sugdi ang kampanya og kwarta. Victory without buying is a real victory that is lasting, but victory with buying is a defeat of your dignity,” Rama said.
The new Cebu City mayor said he is happy that the barangay elections will push through despite the strong calls from both Houses of Congress for postponement.
“Ako di gyud ko gusto aning postponement. Nganong mahadlok man ta naay election? Nahadlok mo og eleksyon kay basin wala mo’y nabuhat,” Rama told the participants in jest. (Those who are afraid of the elections are the ones who have not done anything.)
All barangay officials who attended the seminar said that they are ready for this October’s polls.
Rama stressed that barangay leaders who have done their best for their communities should not call for postponement.
The Barangay Councilor’s League of the Philippines-Cebu City Chapter has 560 members. It conducted the seminar at the Cebu City social hall, attended by close to 300 councilors who are either seeking re-election or higher position.
The seminar was conducted by training specialist Gerry Matias, who gave a tip on how to win an election. Matias is campaign coordinator and strategist of local leaders in Surigao del Norte, as well as Loren Legarda and Tessie Aquino-Oreta.
Matias said the barangay officials who will be seeking for reelection should start planning and moving now instead of hoping and dreaming to win in the election.
In running for an elective post, Matias said that candidates should also be ready in terms of financial capability, emotional, intellectual and spiritual aspects. Furthermore, he said that those barangay officials have nothing to fear if they have really worked hard for the betterment of their respective constituents during their term of office.
A majority of the barangay leaders in the city are under the political group of Bando Osmeña-Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK) of former mayor and now Rep. Tomas Osmeña.
Some perceived that the seminar was done for political reasons, but BCLP President Manuel Guanzon of Capitol Site said that the seminar was planned months ago yet.
“Gi-plano na ni siya sa miaging tulo ka buwan pa lang. As a group, as member of the BCLP, gusto ta makadaog tanan,” Guanzon said.
Cebu North District Rep. Rachel Margeruette “Cutie” del Mar said she has been doing her best to call for the postponement of the barangay election but Malacañang wants it to push through.
Prior to the 2002 polls, barangay and SK elections were held separately.
The previous barangay elections were held in 1982 (under the Marcos administration), 1989 (under the Aquino administration) and 1994 and 1997 (under the Ramos administration).
The SK polls were held twice before 2002 — in 1992 and 1996 under the Ramos administration.
Republic Act 9164 enacted on March 19, 2002 provided for the synchronization of barangay and SK elections.Barangay elections were postponed four times since 1982.
From May 1988 it was postponed to November 1988. Then from November 1988, it was again moved to March 28, 1989. For the third time, it was rescheduled from May 2000 to July 15, 2002, and finally from 2005 to 2007.
These postponements have resulted in barangay officials serving for more than a decade. (FREEMAN)