The list and the buy

Last column, I shared the initial list of eight or nine senatorial candidates I was inclined to support. After that, I got several text messages from our Visayan DAILY STAR readers reacting to the list. One requested that I include and help campaign for the three candidates of the Kapatiran, especially the one who made a stand against the President and refused to transfer custody of the American soldier charged and convicted with raping "Nicole" in that celebrated case. Okay, that's a good one, only that I request for materials on the Kapatiran candidates, detailing their background, qualifications, and platform so that I can intelligently appreciate them and share them with our VDS readers. (Please send any info to lyndoncana@yahoo.com.)

Another pleaded for Kiko Pangilinan, who initially I did not include in my list because of the law he authored granting absolute immunity to minors 15 years old and below. The argument is to the effect that Kiko meant well and wanted to save valuable human life of the young from being permanently destroyed by incarceration. I must confess, I still must think through this one.

Another texter opined that she is no longer voting for both Ralph Recto and Joker Arroyo for joining the administration. To that, I say, Joker Arroyo, at least, still has some usefulness in the Senate for his fierce independent-mindedness, especially that he was the main defender of the Senate against attempts of the Palace to emasculate the chamber.

Still another one rooted for Noynoy Aquino, if only to continue the legacy of the late great Ninoy Aquino. Yes, I am sentimentally inclined to vote for Noynoy, too, but it would help a lot if he familiarizes us with what he stands for. Unlike Chiz Escudero and Alan Peter Cayetano whose stand in Congress over the burning issues of the day were very, very clear, I still have to know what Noynoy has done or intends to do. (My wife says he has the very best TV ad so far.)

Another texter argued for the inclusion of Honasan and Trillanes. The argument is that there is much rottenness in the military, and putting the two in the Senate will give them a chance to bring to the fore the internal problems in the military and, perhaps, correct or change them. Hmmm …

Another one argued that Angara in the Senate still serves a public purpose. Okay.

We keep monitoring the campaign and we hope to have a final list before voting day.

***

In the heat up to the May 2007 elections, I have picked up several interesting debates amongst the electorate, among which is whether voters should accept money from candidates. (The archdiocese of Dagupan City has openly campaigned for "Walang Hihingi, Walang Tatangap", which means "Do not ask. Do not Receive.")

Only a few, it seems, subscribe to the strict view that it is wrong for candidates to offer, and for voters to receive, money in consideration of a vote.

The more widely-held view on the ground, at least insofar as I have heard it myself, is the following:

1.) That these monies belong to the people (or are taxpayer's money) that politicians return to the people only during election time. (This seems to be based on the perception that these monies are the commissions or cuts or under-the-table deals from certain transactions in government.)

2.) That these monies are "bugay" or "gracia" and, therefore, should not be rejected.

3.)That these monies are much needed for rice, food, medicine, tuition, etc.

4.) That, despite receiving these monies, people should still vote for whoever they want, according to their conscience.

In one purok I have gone to, a young mother insisted that if you take money from a candidate, you are not free to vote for any other candidate anymore. There was an outcry from the rest of the crowd, who insisted that they are still free to vote for whoever they want even if they receive money from candidates.

Well, well, well. This is not going to be a problem for candidates who have no money to buy votes. They are immediately relieved of the moral dilemma.

My own view is not to ask and not to receive money from candidates. But it is still possible that the Lord can and will use politician's own devices against them, where even if they buy votes, they still do not get what they want. A case of God being just and the people being wise.*