Political Miley-stone
It's election season once again (although the Comelec doesn't want to recognize the fact of its existence yet) and the mud is slinging merrily away, in synch with the Christmas carols that chime promptly come the first of September. Unfortunately for senatorial aspirant and former Metro Manila Development Authority chairman Francis Tolentino, Christmas won't be as merry, as his twerking scandal has forced him to bow out of the race.
What a let down for the senatoriable. After months of premature campaigning and stomping, he has had to give up his ambitions for prestigious office. Well, newsflash for macho men of the 70's, 80's and even 90's. The rules of the game have just changed. You now live in the 21st century, and that means even greater scrutiny of your affairs (including extramarital, if it comes to that).
Social media reigns supreme. This is the age of technology, where everyone is watching. Politicians are only one photo or video away from ignominy and political death, with even the most stupid looking of constituents in the most remote barangay can take a shot and share it with the whole wide web.
Politicians and wanna-bes now have to play it safe a hundred percent of the time. The minute they let their guard down, that could be it. A picture taken with a future criminal (a la Janet Napoles) might mean guilt by association. An unflattering dress could mean the birth of a thousand memes (a la Nancy Binay's helium balloon dress.).
So no more hiring young girls to dry hump and gyrate at political rallies. If that sort of campaigning worked before in impressing and entertaining equally eager cavemen voters, that won't be tolerated now. (It's equally painful to see mayors or governors consorting with bikini-clad beauty queen candidates for Miss (Whatever) City or Province. Maybe that will stop as well, if enough of an outcry is raised.)
What's a candidate to do?
Well, some politicians have been able to deftly harness the powers of social media. I mean, if Barack Obama can have a Facebook account, then surely it shouldn't hurt for lesser men and women to also engage their constituents via the web.
Take another Francis, the former Senator Pangilinan, who is about to reclaim his seat at the Senate. His Facebook account is full of his exploits, although not in the usual masculine endeavors like driving fast cars or downing copious amounts of alcohol. Instead, it's all about the quiet comforts of farming organic vegetables in the garden.
The agricultural guru (although now resigned, in view of his upcoming run) posts pictures of newly harvested crops, or salads with ingredients straight from his farm. If I were his media adviser, that's exactly what I would tell him to keep doing. Keep on projecting the image of a stable, at peace person, one that would continue endearing him to the sober sector of the population.
Senator Pia Cayetano is equally social media-savvy, using her account to draw attention to the fight against the construction of Torre de Manila and the plight of student athletes. Her brother Alan emails his distribution list regularly, updating his constituents about his stance on serious issues.
Considering the widespread sprawl of smartphones and ubiquitous viral attacks, it's a wonder the advisers of the Liberal Party didn't immediately shut down the idea of using the Playgirls to entertain their guests. Well, it was a costly mistake (although frustrated commuters in Metro Manila traffic are rejoicing). This event was what we could call a game changer.
Hurrah for Philippine politics. We've come a little bit further down the road.
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