A crucial election

This election is very crucial. If we cannot make this credible and it is attended by charges of cheating and other irregularities, this will be very bad for us.

It took us time to recover from the "Hello Garci" scandal. Another of that kind is enough to destroy our image abroad.

Yesterday's news said, the Commission on Election has given accreditation to both the National Movement for Free Election (NAMFREL) and the Catholic Church National Secretariat for Social Action to cooperate in doing a quick count.

Tonight our guest at our Feedback at Channel 14 is Bishop Vicente Navarra of the Diocese of Bacolod. He will be accompanied by Fr. Mao Buenafe of the Diocese Social Action Center.

We will do the program live to allow televiewers to phone in their questions or suggestions. The Bishop will be just too happy to accommodate them.

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We are happy and inspired by the commitment of Bishop Navarra on many social action issues. In a number of times that we talked, I could see his sincere desire to make the difference in terms of promoting morality in our people.

The Church and therefore, the Bishop is the most influential leader to make this change. I told the Bishop and Fr. Buenafe one time, the pulpit alone cannot be very effective in making the changes. The press must help.

It is the intensive and extensive reach of media that influences the thinking of the people.

When Bishop Navarra moves, media will be behind him. Let's hear more from him tonight.

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The filing of the certificate of candidacy of local officials is still more than a month away on March 29. But politics in Bacolod is already getting more heated.

I believe this is good. I don't like what is happening in other places in the province where "fixing" is the rule. Let there be choices. This is not a healthy sign for improving governance.

In the first district, there is a fight between incumbent Rep. Tranquilino Carmona and former Rep. Julio Ledesma. This way people have the choice.

In Bacolod the charges and counter-charges between Rep. Monico Puentevella and Mayor Evelio Leonardia reveals a healthy atmosphere of choosing candidates.

Both Allan Zamora, city legal officer and speaking for Leonardia and media man, also one-time mayoralty candidate in Moises Padilla Eric Tenerife batting for Puentevella are contributing to crystallizing the issues.

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One problem is the issues are discussed with the exclusion of Vice Mayor Renecito Novero running for Congress against Puentevella and former Joy Valdez who are never talked about because Leonardia is busy fighting Puentevella and Puentevella is busy fighting Leonardia.

So, the name that is remembered running for Congress is that of Monico and the name remembered running for mayor is that of Bing.

When will Novero and Valdez open fire? Given the time, I would like to believe both Puentevella and Leonardia are just waiting for the opening shot to fire back a barrage of shots.

And this is the beauty of an open election.

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When I called for a credible election, this means a credible Comelec. A Comelec officer who is not beholden to anybody. When you are a Comelec officer, most often politicians will call you to come to their house.

If you are a Comelec official worth your salt, don't. Maintain your independence and the dignity of your office. That Hinoba-an mayor I think will have her day for pushing Comelec official around as though she is under her employ.

Comelec Commissioners must be supportive and protective of their people in the field who face harassments. Sometimes, top Comelec officials are influenced by powerful politicians.

Our local Comelec officials are very professional and straight. That's all we need of them. We must support them.

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I was viewing the program of Ed Cruz yesterday morning interviewing my friend Cesar Leonardia who is reportedly interested to run for the city council.

I like the naivete of Cesar. When he did not like the question, he would say so and damn the caller. He was not afraid to disagree. He minced no words with his colorful expletives.

I liken him to Oscar Verdeflor. And people love Oca for that. Had he not been ill, he could have won the 2001 mayoralty reelection.

In this age of political euphemisms and double talk, we seldom find a politician who will call a spade on a dirty damn shovel.

I am not kidding but if he keeps on this stance, Cesar can win as councilor. One good thing with Cesar, you cannot zipper his mouth.

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A friend who has been one of the highest taxpayers in Bacolod, the highest even I think, has always been complaining to me about the condition of the city streets, especially in his area.

I sympathize with this friend of mine. This is election time, I said, that if we make some noise we might be mistaken as politicking. I said, wait after the election, and I will join him to air all his complaints.

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Meanwhile, I hope Comelec gets serious sending to jail violators of its rules. That is the only way people will understand. Jail them. And they will put up bail bond of P10,000 each. Our laws are not followed because we don't jail law breakers. Comelec must show it means business. And you will see everybody believing.*

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