Ever since, many have already told my mother why not try her luck in politics, besides, she is one of the more popular and well respected persons in our place and my father is a notary public. Her reply had always been in the negative.
Surprisingly, it was a “Yes” this time for several reasons: one because of timing and another because of her desire to serve the place where she was born and grew up. It was the right time to give back through public service.
Our family was divided with her decision. But we saw in her her sincerity. In the first place, if we, her family, would not support her, who would? We were in an all out support mode for her since then.
The choosing of party was not as easy as one would think of. My mother has to choose one party over the other, jeopardizing her relations with those who are in the other parties. It is part of the game we call politics anyway. Good thing my mother kept her good relations with the other candidates, one thing other candidates failed to observe.
My mother’s campaign was extraordinary. Despite suffering from arthritis, she reached out even to the remotest places, literally climbed several mountains and crossed river beds, all these under the scorching heat of the sun. Our campaign for our mother was equally extraordinary. Instead of going to places and enjoying summer, we chose to be at her side all throughout the campaign period. We produced several campaign tarpaulins and we personally placed those in some of the barangays. We also produced five hundred pieces of campaign t-shirts and composed a campaign jingle. Among all those who are running for councilor, it was only us who availed of these campaign strategies. We also created a Facebook account for our mother where we posted there her personal information, the reason why she is running, her platform and we also uploaded the pictures of her campaign. We also explained there how to vote correctly in an automated elections setup. During the latter days of the campaign period, everyday, we used our Mini Pajero to round the barangays while playing our mother’s campaign jingle. The smiles of the people we passed by were priceless. Is there more effective (yet legal) way to campaign than what we had done?
Yet our mother did not even come close within the top eight.
There are several reasons why our mother’s bid for councilor ended like this. Of course, there are people who do not like our family the fact that my father’s profession befriends clients but angers the other side. And there is the infamous crab mentality as when they see us own three cars, for them we already look mayabang. But the real reason – money. I have heard of how dirty politics is before but never did I imagine that it was this endemic that you could not help yourself but curse the people behind it.
Because of money, some of our friends and even relatives had told us that we should lie low with our campaign otherwise, our safety could be at risk. Because of money, we lose some friends. Because of money, many opted not to support because of fear. But the worst case of all – vote buying, massive and blatant.
But the voters are the one to be blamed really. No one will buy if no one sells, this is a fact. But it has become systemic, and the voters are helpless especially when they are handed out a handsome amount of money. Now it becomes a dilemma. Can it be remedied? Close to impossible.
This had been the story in our place. Moral lesson? Never mind building your image, never mind college degrees, never mind the tarpaulins, t-shirts, daily rounds, etc. Save money, and save it for the latter part of the campaign period, then go a-hunting. The more, the better. The later, the better. Why not? It was effective. The sad part is, sincere candidates, like my mother, will never have a chance.
If what we have done were not good enough to earn a spot, then, we will never have our chance. It was our first time to enter politics. This would be our last. Politics really is the great discouragement.
To my mother, we know you did your best and we played it clean, it was just that they were playing a different game, a game we can never play in. Ma, you are and will always be a winner to us.
To the voters, I salute you. You are good models of the next generation. Very unselfish indeed. Keep it up. Talk about sarcasm. Does not know what sarcasm is? Maybe we should increase literacy rate ASAP. This might help remedy this dilemma we are all in.
Nevertheless, my dream continues.
For now, God bless Cabugao, God bless the Philippines.
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