Timid sunrise peeps over Mount Hilong-Hilong. Faint morning blush of shine
paint the sky to cuddle a gloomy day. The valley awaits a new beginning.
Election is days away and the future is in the hand of those that are ordained
by choice.
It is not easy. What has been in the campaign is difficult to let go. Fresh
wound bleeds and hurt pierces the heart. Our process of choosing leaders
grossly becomes an obnoxious nest of anger. Hardly does forgiveness overcome
vengeance for fair election is not in fashion anymore. It turns into a power
contest between family clans. It's a syndrome of who's the toughest guy in the
block.
Banking against hope, people wish for elected officials to deserve their
mandate. Corruption in government is intensely rooted in the system and in few
cases even organized to collectively deceive. However, feeble as it maybe,
possibility still exist that from within the usual alliance of the elected,
someone out in remoteness may emerge in purpose to encourage guidance for
public well being instead. Human nature is full of surprises. Neophytes may
take the role.
It will not then be a question of bad apple in the basket. It is more of a good
apple in a basket full of rotten apples where honesty is already equated as
weakness. It is most difficult for them to maintain ethical values. Standing in
moral correctness amidst a herd of unprincipled company is by itself subject to
spitefulness and reproach.
There were those who tried and got in to realize that it was not for them.
Armed with noble intention to change, they learnt the hard way. The powerful
and the experienced can't just be pushed out from old habits. It was worth a
try, but rules of the game implied not to attempt again. It's too much of a
sacrifice for an upright person to endure.
This is the hard reality in government service today.
The system has to change and modes of the day should not discourage the
willing. Course correction is necessary to purge crookedness and ineptness out
of public service. It is in the doing of new blood where redemption is likely.
Restoring proper decorum is unattainable in present climate. But it has to be
worked out and every attempt to mend shall be encouraged. To rid officials of
misconduct is ineffective without inference to consequence from within peers.
This entails self sacrifice. Working inside to demand honesty in the governance
of the community is obviously unpopular. It is to step on the toes of powerful
people with muscle and audacity to subject opposition to adversity. It is not
for the faint of heart. Many a brave tried and failed. Some served a term and
that was it. Most were simply absorbed into the fold.
It was after election years ago when someone told me. "What hurt most is the
thought that I can't realize my dreams for Butuan." He ran as a candidate for
mayor and lost to wealthy and powerful people in town.
He lived a modest life with unfaltering conviction for honesty. He gave no
quarter to misdeeds. He had the fortitude to defy what wasn't right. He was a
defender of the weak, a kind hearted man and a fierce enemy against corruption.
Yes, he was Melong Fortun, a fighter and a friend.
There must be some Melong Fortun somewhere within the quarter of a million
people in Butuan today. A few is needed to wear his shoes. The monster he left
untamed, which then also devoured public trust and belonging has grown more in
size and shape. It is now a standard practice to exploit and to abuse at will.
Election is a process to effectively shield citizenry from malice and tyranny.
It now becomes a mockery thereby losing its meaning and purpose. Without its
potency, people are bare and helpless against the assault of the selfish. Our
government whose object is for public good is by itself an uncaring autocrat to
pilfer from the innocent and the weak.
The pale glow of dawn continues. It goes hazier and dimmer each morning. The
future gives no glimmer as no one seems to care anymore. Election fever is
afflicting the valley. Rhetoric is without substance. Everyone is fighting
their little wars that they lost the way to a better and brighter tomorrow.
Pity!
