Posted by Ann on May 17, '07 5:44 AM for everyone My Dad was with the Commission on Elections most of his years in government. He told me that when I think of elections, I must always remember HOPE, that is: Honest, Orderly, and Peaceful Elections. Since then, HOPE has been my standard in assessing Philippine elections.
This election year in Zamboanga del Sur, the whole province was just AH-MAYZED at how the NPC-KAMPI performed in the Congressional, Provincial, and City/Municipal race. The coalition grabbed the two Congressional seats  (1st District, neophyte Engr. Victor Yu; 2nd District, Atty. Antonio H. Cerilles on his second term), and won the entire Provincial seats: Governor Aurora Enerio-Cerilles on her third and last term, Vice Governor Roseller L. Ariosa who is also on his last term and ran unopposed, and the ten seats in the Sangguniang Panlalawigan: five seats for the 1st District, Atty. Baldomero "Baleleng" Fernandez (2nd term), Nonong Fucoy (2nd term), Mondarte (2nd term), Roger Saniel (former Board Member), and neophyte Dr. Blancia; five seats for the 2nd District, Baby Funtanilla (last term), Dalid (last term), Regala (last term), Sumalinog (2nd term), and Ocapan (1st term).
In the entire 2nd District, NPC-KAMPI won all municipal seats, STRAIGHT! From Municipal Mayor down to the 8th and last member of the Sangguniang Bayan. This includes the opposition's bailiwick, Tabina and Dumalinao. As for the 1st District, only two of the 11 component municipalities, Tukuran and Aurora, failed to deliver a straight vote for NPC-KAMPI.
And, the margin between NPC-KAMPI and its opposing party is unbelievably HUGE.
Now, based on my HOPE standard, ZDS overwhelmingly passed the Orderly and Peaceful standards. However, the Honest standard remains questionable, not because there was massive fraud or a "Hello Garci"-kind of maneuverings, but simply because the election result is highly unusual and close to INCREDIBLE.
What made history in ZDS this election year? No guns, no goons, relatively high voter turnout, the not-so-lucky contenders quick to concede.... WHAT IN THE WORLD IS GOING ON? Did I miss something? Time warp?
Atty. Jun Real, a veteran in ZamboSur politics and incumbent Congressman of the 1st District, has a proud record of not having lost a single election in his entire political career. BUT, he was not as lucky this time. He overwhelmingly lost to a mere neophyte, a first timer in the political scene, Engineer/Contractor Victor Yu who may be only half his age. Atty. Real even lost to Engr. Victor Yu in Dumingag, his hometown and bailiwick.
What is even stranger is that, the usual loud, controversial, and showbiz-like campaigns, very visible candidates shaking hands with every Juan, Pepe and Pilar and kissing babies, public rallies, and gazillions of campaign posters were at its all time LOW! I didn't even notice that it was the campaign period if not for the corny radio jingles of the candidates that pollute the air waves.
Can NPC-KAMPI of ZDS brag an Honest win in this election? If so, what factors contributed to this incredible victory? Political maturity? Charisma? Machinery? Ignorance? Poverty?
I can only HOPE for the best, ZamboSur! We deserve the "leaders" we choose and entrust our vote.
Democracy, are you a curse? If this is freedom, then what is bondage?
  | well i think zambo sur did honest and peaceful elections. no massive cheating and no buying of votes were happened. people had really chose the best leaders that could transform zambo sur to a progressive province. I just hope and pray that those elected leaders will functions and serve the province at their best without seeking any in return. mabuhay and long live zambo sur!!! |
 | vevir wrote on Aug 19, '08 Yes, Ex, I hope so too :) |
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