Bawdy

Politicians are now out in the open as they seek the elective posts they aspire for. The period from the close of the filing of the certificates of candidacies at 5:00 o’clock in the afternoon on October 5, 2012 up to the official start of the campaign period will be campaign time any way. With politicians notorious for bending if not breaking the laws, it would be tough preventing them from doing every way possible to get them close to their desired ambition.

People know too well how aspirants for elective positions had been making moves to be popular and famous even long before the filing of certificates of candidacies. Every aspirant who planned to run in next year’s mid-term elections had taken initial moves to introduce their names and faces to the public.

In the case of incumbent public officials, they had conveniently used taxpayers’ money to run a continuous campaign to sustain their popularity and fame in the public consciousness. The gullible among uninformed and misinformed voters profusely believe and thank politicians for the programs and projects that are implemented in their communities, thinking that they owe it to the politician.

It is high time for people to realize and understand that government programs and projects are funded out of their taxes and it is the politician who owe them for their trust that make politicians use public funds for such programs and projects. It is also not the effort of politicians that these programs and projects are implemented. Rather, it is the job of politicians to render utmost public service and carryout programs and projects, for which they are well compensated with huge salaries and perks.

This is the reason why politicians are barred by laws and rules from displaying their names and faces on project signboards. Such programs and projects are funded by taxpayers’ money and politicians do not deserve any credit for facilitating the implementation of such programs and projects, after all, what they do is well paid for in terms of salaries, allowances and perks that are drawn from public funds.

Unfortunately, shameless politicians continue the abominable practice of displaying their names and faces which make the anomalous and deceptive perception upon the undiscerning public that such programs and projects are theirs and not the taxpayers’. They claim credit as if the programs and projects are their own out of their personal funds for which they can claim credit for their goodness. But the sad reality is that they do not own the projects that they claim as theirs. Such programs and projects are rightfully of the people whose taxes are the source of it all.

People must now assert their right to demand transparency in the implementation of government programs and projects. We cannot be passive bystanders watching in wonderment at the sidelines why politicians dupe and fool the electorate with shameless bragging their efforts and grabbing credit for doing their job which is rewarded with salaries, allowances and perks of their elective office. Showing off names and faces are simply bawdy. Comments to alellema@yahoo.com

N.B. – Fervent prayers for abundant graces and blessings as we mark the Feast of our Lady of the Holy Rosary with a modest celebration of thanksgiving for the intercessions of our Mother Mary.

Happy Feast Day celebration to the faithful of San Antonio de Padua Mission Center, San Antonio, Basey, Samar.

Our family also remembers today, with fond memories, the birthday of our late beloved mother Quiteria.

By: Al Ellema

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