Today marks another crossroad in Philippine politics ~ Barangay elections. Being able to witness elections in two different sites, (my wife and I are registered in two different barangays), I was reminded that this usually ignored sector of the government is much coveted among local lords. No different from the national elections, there were at least five candidates for Barangay Captain and Sangguniang Kabataan chair in each site we went to, not to mention the number of people running for Kagawad.
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| Fiesta? Probably after the elections the winners will have one. |
We talked about the reasons why everyone was after a position in the barangay, when the salary grade is not that high. Could it be just pure public service; the expansion of their political network, preference in budget allocation, or just mere satisfaction of man's insatiable need to be in control? Remember that even in this smallest form of government, power-tripping and namedropping still exists.
Another question that lingers is on the existence of the Sanguniang Kabataan. Does it still serve the purpose for which it was founded? Or is it a nesting ground for future hooligans and cronies hiding under the guise of public service. Where is your SK chairman 15 years ago now? You be the judge.
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"Sir, bawal yan." I smiled and just stepped back. (taken with my LX3 up close, verrrry close. Btw, the mask is my son's, not the Bgy Chairman's. I think I should have worn it to make my shooting more discreet) |
Today I got inked again.
