CARTOON BY: AARON PAUL C. CARIL
EDITORIAL
Substance over form
The local election season has officially started. Over the next 45 days, both hopeful candidates will be actively campaigning to earn our trust and secure our votes. The usual energy of the local election season now fills our airspace. During the next 45 days, hopeful candidates will actively campaign to gain our trust before securing our votes.
While the thrill of politics can easily capture our attention, we must learn to distinguish true leadership qualities from simple popularity to secure our future.
During the initial days of the campaign period, visual activity reaches its peak. Motorcade processions snake through our roads while every open area displays campaign posters. The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has correctly instructed local candidates to adhere to regulations by using designated common poster areas and selecting biodegradable materials for their campaign materials. The Commission on Elections has issued warnings against the unauthorized posting of campaign materials and confirmed its readiness to disqualify rule violators. Candidates who run visible campaigns may look impressive, but their campaign presence offers limited insight into their community vision and leadership abilities.
To make truly informed decisions, we must actively seek out and critically evaluate each candidate’s plans and proposed solutions for our communities’ challenges. What are their strategies for improving our local infrastructure, from roads to public facilities? How do they intend to enhance our children’s healthcare services and educational opportunities? What concrete steps will they take to promote economic growth and ensure the safety and security of our neighborhoods? Research findings indicate a growing trend among voters of prioritizing candidates who offer direct benefits and those who distribute inangayan on election day. While these practices remain prevalent, despite several provisions of our election laws prohibiting and penalizing such behavior, a responsible electorate must also assess a candidate’s broader vision for the collective well-being and sustainable development of our locality.
However, the path toward a substance-driven election is not without its hurdles. Historically, elections in the Philippines have often been “personality-driven,” where name recognition and celebrity can sometimes overshadow a candidate’s qualifications and policy platforms. As highlighted in various studies, the deeply entrenched influence of political clans and patronage networks can also lead to campaigns that prioritize connections and visibility over genuine engagement with critical issues. Furthermore, the persistent issue of vote-buying, often fueled by patron-client relationships, can unfortunately incentivize some voters to prioritize immediate material gain over a candidate’s long-term competence and integrity.
Ultimately, the responsibility for shifting the focus from form to substance rests squarely on the voters. We need to be proactive in seeking information about each candidate’s platform, attending public forums and debates whenever possible, and engaging in thoughtful discussions with our fellow community members. Election watchdogs and the media play a crucial role in scrutinizing candidates’ promises and holding them accountable for the feasibility and impact of their proposed policies. As we’ve learned, various entities will be watching for violations of campaign rules; we should apply the same level of scrutiny to the depth and sincerity of the candidates’ platforms.
As the 45-day campaign period unfolds, let us commit to looking beyond the superficial allure of campaign paraphernalia and the fleeting excitement of rallies. Instead, let’s prioritize a thorough evaluation of the candidates’ qualifications, experience, and, most importantly, their detailed plans for addressing the needs and aspirations of our local communities. By focusing on substance over form, we can make informed choices that will lead to more effective and accountable local governance, ultimately strengthening the very foundations of our democracy and ensuring a brighter future for our beloved towns and cities.