The Pen Speaks
Danny O. Sagun

THERE seems to be no turning back anymore for Dagupan City Mayor Benjie Lim as regards his congressional comeback bid. Just look at his posters/streamers hanging in every conspicuous corner of the city and maybe in the other towns of the fourth district already although we have yet to see one in our humble town of San Jacinto. Innocent as he may appear to be, he is just congratulating the new graduates this school year. But looking at the way he introduced himself, not as mayor of the city but as “former congressman,” we can already discern what his real intention is. The word former was written quite small you’ve got to go near to read it. The word congressman was written in big letters and easily read from afar.

The purpose was obvious. He wants to present himself again to his former constituents in the district as an alternative to House Speaker Joe de Venecia.

Speaking of posters, tarpaulin-made at that, there are many such posters hanging everywhere. Such are not promoting goods or products but hurray, politicians. Faces of city officials –the mayor, the vice-mayor, and the councilors - are prominently displayed. Purportedly, they are there congratulating the new graduates, inviting the public to join the celebration of the coming Bangus festival, and promoting a government program/project.

The next election is more than a year to go yet [if the elections push thru next year], but here they are, already spending this early huge sums of money to project themselves. Yes, they could not wait for the campaign period to come. Are they spending their own money? I doubt they could do that as they have at their disposal so-called CDF funds or their version of pork barrel.

Our politicians are not only circumventing the law as regards such wanton display of campaign paraphernalia. They are doing it too to promote themselves thru the radio. Radio plugs are now a common fare featuring politicians conveying messages or themes of almost any sort they can think of. A recorded voice of one Rachelle Arenas is heard daily over radio pitching for environmental care and protection. Well, the lady has to use every means to sell herself fast to the third district voters being a neophyte politician as her supposed rivals have already long been in the political arena one of whom is Bayambang Mayor Leo de Vera.

Such acts are plain political campaigning. Of course they can always claim they are not actually campaigning for political office since there is no scheduled election yet as of this time. Expect more of similar gimmicks by other hopefuls. Before the actual 45- or 60-day political campaign, posters will have dotted almost every corner, and radio plugs of all sorts will have been played at all radio stations.

Is there any violation? There is but who cares? Unless somebody brings a case to the courts or to the poll body.

Possible violations of the law are committed aplenty before, during and after elections. Have we heard of somebody jailed for breaking the election law? You may reach me at danielsagun@yahoo.com.