Think Bits
Our country’s multi-party system has shown its weaknesses or aberrations. In particular there are party members who give so much premium on political survival due to the way party leaders treat local party leaders.
In the case of the Liberal Party, apparently there is trouble within the ranks especially here in Cebu and other parts of the country where local original party loyalists were dumped in favor of those who were in power.
This happened in Lapu-Lapu City where the original and loyal LP members were not issued certificates of nomination by the LP leadership. Instead the CONA was issued to Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza.
In Cordova town, Provincial Board Member Arleigh Sitoy, a loyal and original LP member, was dumped in favor of his step sister and their father Cordova Mayor Adelino Sitoy.
Lately I was informed that Cordova Mayor Adie Sitoy is now supporting the presidential bet of PDP Laban Mayor Rodrigo Duterte. The Duranos of Cebu’s 5th district chose to support Sen. Grace Poe rather than LP standard-bearer Mar Roxas.
In Cebu’s 1st district, Talisay City Mayor Johnny V. delos Reyes was dismayed by the LP leadership because his opponent, former congressman Eduardo Gullas, was given more attention by Mar Roxas than him, an original and loyal LP member during a Mandaue City sortie.
So Mayor JVR is now looking for a national party to join in and support. In Naga City, Cebu, the local LP leadership also faced the same predicament. Thus it was no surprise that these LP loyalists left the party.
This wasn’t the first time the LP leadership turned their backs on loyalists. Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama was not recognized by the LP leadership who chose to anoint former congressman Tomas Osmeña.
But as the elections draw near and the winner is clearer, I am expecting more local party members shifting their loyalty to a party whose presidential bet is leading the pack.
This arrangement shows the weakness of our existing political party system which came out of the ashes of the two-party system destroyed by the late President Ferdinand Marcos who declared martial law not long after.
In the US, the Democratic presidential town hall meeting at the Ohio State University featuring presidential candidates Bernie Sanders and former senator Hillary Clinton may prove crucial to their respective bids.
On the Republican Party side, the violent clashes between protestors and supporters of Donald Trump raised concerns over the volatile statements the leading candidate continues to make that had fanned the flames of resentment among Muslims, Mexicans and Hispanics.
Trump’s continuing vitriol has both Republican and Democratic candidates worried. Many are hoping he would tone down his rhetoric lest his campaign sorties result in tragedy.
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Back in the Philippines, not a few are speaking out against the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for raising the specter of the postponement of the elections due to the Supreme Court decision that mandates them to issue voters receipts.
Former Senator Dick Gordon and Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III said Comelec Chairman Andres Bautista should stop scaring Filipinos about this scenario and instead comply with the Supreme Court order.
I think the Comelec should exhaust all efforts to comply with the Supreme Court order rather than scaring us about the possibility of postponing the elections or returning to manual vote counting instead.
The issuance of voters receipt is intended to ensure transparency and assure voters that their ballots are counted by the machines.
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