-
Posted by Alfonso Quilala, Jr. on Thursday, May 17th, 2007 at 6:40 am
While looking at the posted results of election for mayor, vice mayor, and councilors it pains me to see how the votes were distributed. The results show that the people of Lapog are very satisfied with the administration. They voted the administration candidates overwhelmingly! Did they, really? It is a sad state because for 20 years in power, we can not see significant improvements in the lives of the people in comparison with the other areas of Ilocos or other parts of the Philippines. We can not see substantial developments in terms of infrastructrure, except the new market place. Thanks to OFWs, the housing landscape has changed for the better. Every time I go there for vacation, I don’t see or hear any new job-creating projects, cottage industries, or new businesses that would somewhat entice someone to stay there for good.
Back to the election results, historically, Lapoguenios vote across partylines. Before the present administration (in the 1980s), the mayor and vice mayor would almost always belong to opposite parties. The winning councilors were also split, 4 councilors from each party. I find it strange why Lapoguenios have changed. I didn’t hear reports of vote buying then. While writing this, I went back to check the results of election in 2004. As you can see, from a respectable fight in 2004, it became a very lopsided contest this year. How could this have happened? It is statistically improbable unless Bitonio did a very shameful act that made the people hate her (or there must be some truth to the rumor that barangay chairmen were promised some incentives if the incumbent win in their respective area). I was expecting based on 2004 results that Bitonio will have a slim chance to win this time around considering that her husband died just few days before the election. It’s human nature that people will sympathize with her and will then translate into votes. I was proven wrong. Oh well, it was the people of Lapog who chose the kind of public officials that they deserve. I pity those who think otherwise.
For Mayor
2004: Amelia Bitonio - 4698; Benjamin Sarmiento - 6430 (Ratio = 1:1.37)
2007: Amelia Bitonio - 2433; Benjamin Sarmiento - 8176 (Ratio = 1:3.36)
Yes, it’s an unbelievable sweep indeed. Based on recent news of administration supporters bragging about how they made a sweep in many local government units, it appears that the administration used its political machinery to influence the results of the election. For sure, incumbent mayors exerted influence in whatever form on barangay captains, who in turn, exhorted their constituents to vote for the incumbent officials, otherwise … Barangay captains (chairmen) have more power than we realize. When people encounter problems and disputes with their neighbors and other people (and there are many such cases here), their first recourse is to submit the case to the barangay government. Often, the party supportive of the incumbent (chairman) is favored and the other party ends up the loser. When barangay folks need social services, they need to get an endorsement from the barangay captain. It is clear they are at the mercy of these people. It’s no wonder that if the barangay captain asks them to vote straight for the incumbent officials, people would do as they are told. That is how the administration was able to win in all the barangays. It’s a sad reality and this, in effect, disenfranchises each citizen of his right to vote according to his will. It is abuse of power. To use another term, it is wholesale election cheating.
1 | Lani May 17th, 2007 at 3:26 pmDisheartening!! But the answer will lead me to: Lapogenians are fearful for their lives that they’ll be the next victim if they don’t cooperate with the majority….
Hello, Lapog, the money you’ve just received for your votes came directly from YOU, and to the Republic of the Philippines!!! It was stolen from YOU, and YOU deserve that MONEY back!!!
Is this possible — Lapoguenians vs. whoever it is…Questions are: Where did the money came from? Is it earned income? Stolen from the government, or from the people? Charitable gifts? Otherwise if no paper proof, whose the thief?
2 | Jane May 19th, 2007 at 4:21 amWell, it is another proven fact that Lapoguenios doesn’t deserve pity from any concern citizen. They voted that way, whether a vote-buying is involve or not, they chose to be under the power of a single person. And it disappoint me everytime I received letter from an organization, individual or even a government institution asking for a little help. I don’t sympathize to their grievance since they chose to be that way. And to those concern citizens whowant to help our fellow Lapoguenios, please don’t over sympathize to them.
3 | Vrynz May 30th, 2007 at 12:56 pm