Changing The System

I was one of the very few people who dared to cast their vote for the less popular candidates in the last senatorial elections. Call me a fool but it is true I voted for Victor Wood. Hell, I even campaigned for him in our office.

Younger Filipinos may only know Mr. Wood for his much-publicized fling with Madame “May Asim Pa” Auring.  The slightly older may remember him for his hit songs including his version of Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline” with which he popularized the word “tatsing” as in “Hands, tatsing hands, reaching out… tatsing me, tatsing you… Oh, sweet Caroline…”

Believe me I wasn’t making light of my right to suffrage. I had valid reasons for giving my vote to Mr. Wood. For one I was frustrated over the fact that none of the already established candidates at that time offered anything new. They were all just mouthing off the standard motherhood bulls__t. While most Filipinos cast their votes for the familiar devils, I chose to give mine to a few of those we didn’t know yet.

But, the idea of voting for Mr. Wood first came to me when I saw him in a special episode of the now defunct GMA7 program Debate. In that particular episode, Mr. Wood was asked what he thought was the problem with Philippine politics or something to that effect. I was floored because his response was totally unexpected but more importantly it made real sense.

Without any hint of uncertainty, Mr. Wood candidly said that the problem was that running for public office in the Philippines was just too costly. He elaborated by pointing out that because of this candidates who get elected inevitably try to recoup their expenses through corrupt practices while in office. I’m not sure if I recall it correctly but I think he also pointed out that the major TV stations are the only ones benefitting from the campaign period by way of the expensive fees they charge for the candidates’ campaign advertisements.

Call me a fool but I really voted for Victor Wood. I voted for him because he had the audacity and the balls to point out what many of us — politicians especially — already know but choose to ignore. Our election system breeds corruption.

With the 2010 elections fast approaching, wouldn’t this be the right time to push for change in our system? I’m not talking about automation since that’s already being discussed and debated on. I’m talking about making it cheaper for any candidate to run for office. I’m talking about Mr Wood’s idea.

Of course, a less costly electoral process is not a guarantee that elected candidates will no longer engage in graft and corruption. It would, however, guarantee some meaningful change in the country’s political system. For one, it would open up the political arena for other aspirants who may be poor in terms of finances but are truly rich in terms of having a real and honest desire to lead the Philippines to greater heights.

I think this whole idea is really worth a try. The TV networks, print publications and all the other relevant sectors should agree right here, right now to stop the practice of charging for campaign ads and other election-related materials. These entities should view this as their opportunity to provide the people with real public service. They can count this as their contribution to the country’s well being.

I can already imagine the immediate benefit. More candidates, more choices. More choices, more freedom for the voting public to pick out the truly deserving candidates from the scum.

Mr. Wood, I won’t vote for you again but I thank you for inspiring this post.