Subtle Solicitations

In events, celebrations and conferences, government officials are usually invited. Mainly, it’s protocol or an expected standard procedure. Barangay captains, councilors who are committee heads of related services, vice mayors, mayors, vice governors, governors or congressmen are requested to give welcome remarks or inspirational messages. Such invitations are expressions of respect, especially when community projects or activities are implemented with the support of the barangay government, local government or funding from a congressman. It’s just right.

But these are interesting times. Would-be-candidates are submitting their certificates. In a few months’ time, campaign will start, continuing towards the elections next year. Now, these welcome remarks or inspirational messages become open opportunities for some pre-campaign primers.

A barangay captain delivers a speech with the usual content of the significance of the event, support of the administration, past accomplishments and future plans which ultimately concludes to a promise of more support when he gets elected as city councilor. oh, so that’s the whole point of the discourse. I have to admit it was not done distastefully. I understand that he has to maximize opportunities to gather votes. His whole time at the microphone was not sickeningly swarming of promises of what he would do once elected. He does not mention his last name too much. Actually, he mentions the position he wants to run for only once on the far end of his speech. It was not annoying. Let’s get to know him. Let’s see if he deserves our votes.

I heard an incumbent councilor deliver another message. I think he will be running. He gives some comments about the significance of the event. He expresses appreciation to members of the community. I don’t think I heard any hint of his candidacy. That sounds nice. Another personality was invited to deliver a message in an event. For months now, it has been public knowledge that this personality will be definitely running. The speech was short and direct. The prominent part that I remember was expression of gratitude for support given by the community. The speech did not take long. I heard no mention of candidacy, not even an indirect hint. I have to admire the sensitivity to the audience who were more excited to watch the pageant which was actually the main event, and would be annoyed to listen to extended addresses from hopeful candidates.

Then, here comes a mayor. He/She goes on with his/her usual spiels. He/She reports his/her accomplishments of infrastructure projects. I have heard this every time he/she would stand at a podium with a microphone. That makes me wonder. He/She has sounded like he/she has been campaigning long before the filing of certificates of candidacy. That’s interesting. He/She relays an anecdote which was intended to honor the community present there, or flatter them or to aggrandize himself/herself.

In the middle of the speech, he/she inserts an account of an incident that he/she says happened just before he/she entered the hall. He/she says that someone approached him/her and asks him/her not to leave. Presumably, he/she means his/her position, incidentally as mayor. He/She goes on with the speech. At the end, he/she declares that he/she would be able to help the people all the more in the higher position that he/she will be running for, not as mayor anymore.

I got confused there. People have known very well that he/she has his/her eyes set on that higher position. Then, he/she inserts this little anecdote of one of his/her constituents seemingly begging him/her not to leave the position of mayor, presumably to paint a picture that there exists a considerable sector of voters that desperately wants him/her to stay in position. (For all we know, he/she could have just made up the story. But let’s give him/her the benefit of doubt.) What was he/she waiting for? Was he/she throwing a bait on the crowd, to check if they would chant in chorus, “walang iwanan” to show his/her party that the people want him/her to stay in position? Well, nothing of that sort happened. The crowd did chant. But that was when he/she came up the podium. They chanted for the release of funds. Actually, it came across as somewhat disrespectful.

He/She reminds me of a punk rock song from The Clash, “Should I Stay or Should I Go”.

I wonder how he/she would fare against his/her expected opponent who has long had a running start with free rice and free admission concerts. Those sort of gimmicks appeal to the public. When I think of it, between the two of them running for this higher position, I would pick the incumbent mayor.

“…being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.” Philippians 2:2-3