Parochial pomp and pageantry

Last Friday’s United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) launching in Cebu City may not have drawn a lot of Cebu mayors even with founder Vice President Jejomar Binay’s presence, but it served as a useful indicator of the kind of pomp and fiesta type atmosphere that the voting public expects to see in today’s start of the filing of candidacies for aspirants in next year’s elections.

Today both the Liberal Party (LP) and UNA are supposedly scheduled to unveil their candidates to the public in separate events in Manila. UNA has formally asked Sen. Gregorio Honasan to be Binay’s running mate. UNA’s complete Senate lineup will also be presented today.

Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao may make known whether he will stick with Binay or switch to LP as he made known his senatorial aspiration during a recent press conference.

This week’s announcement will precede the off-site registration of biometrics data for voters, and this is an opportunity not to be missed for those wishing to vote next year.

In this regard, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has practically brought the registration process near the doorsteps of voters and it cannot be denied that comfort and convenience have been prioritized.

There’s little if any excuse for voters not to get registered, and those doing the last minute registration on October 31 only have themselves to blame for having to endure the El Niño heat as they jockey at the expected long line to transmit their biometrics data to the Comelec.

While last-minute registrants struggle, the same cannot be said of the candidates especially those belonging to the big parties. It won’t be a surprise if the Comelec fails to enforce its limited guests rule for the candidates who usually bring in the whole barangay as a show of force.

To onlookers, this parochial display of power, of the so-called “rock star” entrance of candidates can be amusing, entertaining and disappointing however one views it.

As they enter the constricted, humble offices of local Comelec officials, their hands raised by Comelec officers, one is reminded of the song and music video of “It’s All Been Done Before” by the Barenaked Ladies which showed human beings and their antics as seen from the viewpoint of pets.

Regardless, both constitutionally mandated obligations by voter and candidate shouldn’t be set aside, and if it means having to put up with their imperfections, limitations and its excesses, then so be it. One remembers a point in this country’s history when elections are not just a sorry joke but a charade meant to impress other countries that we are a democracy.

So voters brace themselves for the week-long show. Let the filing of candidacies begin in earnest.