EDITORIAL - Level the playing field

There is a phrase that gets quite overused whenever an election swings around. The phrase is "level the playing field" and it is supposed to mean making the competition open and fair to everybody.

For good or bad, only the most basic requirements of age, residency, nationality and the ability to read and write have been imposed on those desiring to run for public office. Nothing could surpass those requirements in ensuring that the playing field is as level as possible.

Question. Why are Filipinos notorious for not falling in line? Because Filipinos often do not see fairness when they see one. They cannot see that he who makes the effort of coming early must consequently end up at the head of the line. So they try to jostle him out of his place.

That is the same with leveling the playing field during elections. Everybody knows that to run a credible campaign, one must have the capacity to spend. Even if you eliminate the cheap tricks like buying votes, you still need money for campaign materials, food, fare, etc.

Yet, beyond the most basic requirements imposed on candidates, many feel it is not enough and that we need to "level the playing field" some more, to the point that we do not level the playing field at all.

By imposing so many restrictions on spending, just to "level the playing field" kuno for those who have no money, we end up stacking the cards heavily against those who do, as if to have money is a crime.

But having money in itself is not a crime. Money is often the product of hard work and sacrifice. It is often the reward for intelligence and exceptional skills. Those who wish to run for public office should not be punished simply because they have more money than others.

And this is why invoking the phrase "level the playing field" has become hollow and meaningless. It has been hijacked by those who feel the world owes them a consolation round if they happen to draw the short stick in the draw.

Leadership includes the ability to assess your strength. You do not attack China alone with a chopstick. If you have no money for a credible campaign, don't run. More importantly, don't take it against those who have. It may not be an appealing reality, but it is the reality.