AS
LOCAL ELECTION CAMPAIGN STARTS
Wake-uppers:
Scene: Pope Francis has named Fr. Cosme Almedilla, 60,
as the new bishop of Butuan. Almedilla, a clergy of the Diocese of Talibon,
succeeds Bishop Juan de Dios Pueblos who died in October 2017. A native of San
Miguel town in Bohol, the bishop-elect is a product of the St. John XXII
College Seminary in Malaybalay City and the Loyola School of Theology (LST) in
the Ateneo De Manila University. He was ordained a priest on Aug. 4, 1987.
 |
| Pope
Francis has appointed Fr. Cosme Almedilla as the new bishop of Butuan. Photo courtesy: CBCP |
Scene:
Beauty pageant expert, make-up artist and host Oliver Esclamado Acebes, passed
away last week at the age of 27, leaving
Bohol entertainment and beauty pageant industry grief stricken. Soon after the
news was confirmed, many of his friends and acquaintances took to social media
to express their grief and share condolences. Acebes, a registered
nurse from Jagna, Bohol, was a Pianatics member, the group of supporters of
Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach. The last pageant he watched was the 67th
Miss Universe competition in Bangkok, Thailand. The municipal government of Jagna said that “his delightful personality was
memorable.” We will always cherish the memory of his enthusiasm hardworking
capability and well-disciplined life.” So
long Oliver!
***
As the
official campaign period for the local polls opens on Friday, politicians are
likely to encounter the same old perennial issues: poverty and lack of social
services. Voters also questioned their
sincerity, honesty, integrity, competence and track record.
While drug problem and corruption remain the most pressing problems in
Bohol province, many voters are also concerned about tourism, climate change and environmental protection. Basic
needs as water, electricity and jobs also matters to ordinary voters.
 |
| For Michael Cañares, tourism, climate change and environmental protection are of paramount concern. |
Michael Cañares, a senior research manager for Digital Citizenship at the Web Foundation, said how candidates would give importance to environmental issues in their platforms would be critical in the election.
“Will the local leaders betray
the environment this time and pursue development projects at the expense of
environmental destruction?” said Cañares, who has more than 10 years of
research and development work experience in community-based project management
and regional development in Southeast Asia.
According to Cañares, Bohol has enshrined the importance of the environment
in its development thrusts but how this will be carried out by the leaders in
terms of policies and programs would be critical.
"We have heard of the
massive destruction of the mangroves in Bien Unido last year, the plan to put
up an oil depot for some big company in Sandingan (in Loon town) recently, and
the revival of the issue of Panglao reclamation as proposed by the some
investors," the international consultant said.
The growing inequality is
also a big issue here. He said that while there is relative growth in the
different economic sectors the growth has favoured the rich.
"As expected, the already
rich, making them all the more richer, while the majority of the population has
not benefitted from this economic growth," he said.
He noted that the income from tourism had not trickled down to the poor,
especially the farmers and the fishermen who are often times the victim of powerful businessmen.
"So how will the
leaders this time ensure, that growth will occur with equity?" asked
Cañares.
 |
| For Willy Ramasola, the
growing problems of drug problem and corruption in Bohol province have become a major election issues. |
The third issue that will
matter, according to Cañares, is how leaders will approach the issue of
disasters and climate change.
"We have experienced
first hand how an earthquake and climate-related disasters (as typhoons) have
devastated our province, impacting everyone. However, we have also seen that
our capacity to cope with these have been differentiated. The rich are
able to bounce back easily, but the poor are having significant problems coping
up," he said.
Part of being resilient is
to ensure that everyone is able to withstand natural disasters and minimize
losses, he said.
“I think the leaders who
are able to provide us a clear vision of how people can be protected and made
resilient in the face of natural disasters is critical in the coming
elections. I should also add though that man-made disasters should also
be part of the equation, including threats to peace and order," he added.
But for Willy Ramasola, a
social media influencer and political observer, issues on corruption and drug
problem should be addressed urgently.
"Projects to solve
potential problems on power and water, addressing environmental concerns, policies
to promote investment and breaking up the monopolies that keep prices
high," said Ramasola.
Both Cañares and Ramasola said that while many voters were
conscious and concerned about the election issues, it was doubtful if they
would elect candidates based on those concerns.
 |
| Beauty
pageant expert Oliver Acebes with Miss Universe 1993 Dayanara Torres and Miss Universe 1994 Sushmita Sen. |
"Unfortunately
though, while I have highlighted the issues above, it is still a fact that
voters have the tendency to forget these issues come election day," said
Cañares.
While the debates and the miting de avances will be a good place
to discuss and learn about what are the stand/plans of candidates, Cañares said
the fact that something else, other than proposed programs will matter.
“At the end of the day, it
is the politician who has the political machinery that will be able to corner a
large vote for the Boholanos,” said Cañares. "This includes, among others,
the capacity of mayors to give "inangayan" on election day, or the
ability of congressmen or governors to run a campaign, dispensing favours to
mayors, and barangay captains while the campaign is ongoing.”
Money matters during
election time, irrespective of age, income, level of education, or religion, according
to Cañares.
Ramasola said voter’s
education is critical in influencing the outcome. However, Cañares said the problem is not just
about voter’s education.
"It is more about
reforming value systems and ensuring that people have the right incentive to
really vote for the candidates that will bring citizens better public service
and a better future," said Cañares.
"That’s why the
candidate who has an organized social media team, a well- oiled political
machinery that can bring in voters to join rallies and getting them out to vote
will come out the winner," Ramasola said.
* * *
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