This is the third time I heard Commission on Elections Chairman Benjamin Abalos being interviewed over the phone in the past two weeks. Now that "election fever" is up, he is considered to be THE MAN. In his interview today over DZMM, my favorite AM station, he said that he threatened to sue for libel a newspaper journalist for writing maliciously that “Comelec requested to print 49 million ballots when there are only 45 million voters.” The article seems to imply that the 4 million “buffer” ballot will be used for election fraud. Though I haven't read the newspaper today, the fact that the good chairman was bothered by the article and wanted to clear his name through legal or amicable means says well of his intentions.
In one of the interviews last week, he talked about wanting to leave a legacy. This coming mid term election is his last election and he wants to change the public's view about Philippine election. Election in Pinas is viewed to dirty both literally and figuratively. On the literal side, during the campaign period, election paraphernalia abound. I'd love to own a printing press before every election because I'd sure make a handsome profit. During election day, sample ballots practically changes the landscape in the polling venues. On the figurative-side, election is characterized by massive vote buying (before, during and after the election) and dagdag bawas or vote adding - shaving. That’s why nobody loses in a Pinoy election because everybody claims to be cheated.
Chairman Abalos was a 3 term Mayor of Mandaluyong City. He ran for Congressman but lost or rather, was cheated. He has the experience and the competence to put his planned legacy in action. Madali lang ang maglinis, Mister Chairman, hanapin mo lang ang madumi. The best cleaning agent…political will.
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