Don't vote for Pichay!
Aside from being one of the staunch defenders of Pres. Gloria Arroyo, another reason I will not vote for Congressman Prospero Pichay of the First District of Surigao del Sur is his twisted logic about the election posters.
He said that, if the Commission on Elections wants to have no problem about the illegal campaign posters illegally posted, the government agency should be the one to paste those posters in common poster areas, and that the candidates will just pay the Comelec for the supervision. He added that if this will be done, candidates will save money because they would know how much they need to spend for the poster.
This advice to the Comelec arose after Pichay’s campaign posters posted in illegal areas drew the ire of Comelec chairman Benjamin Abalos. “Saan ka nakakita, ang Pichay tumutubo sa semento!” Abalos said. I saw the posters myself in the walls in the corner of E. Rodriguez Ave. and Ortigas Ave.
The reasoning is not correct because he is putting the blame to the implementors of the Fair Elections Act. It’s like saying, “Hey, you implemented that law. Deal with it.” Paying election officials likewise aggravates the already tainted image of the election commission.
If at this early, when Pichay is still campaigning, he does not follow simple election rules, what can he do in the Senate where he is expected to craft laws?
On a positive note, it’s a good thing the Comelec said that unless the supporters are accompanied by their candidates, the former should not wear shirts and hats bearing the name and face of the latter. I have noticed that in the 2004 elections. Take a look at these pictures:
Dindo is the nickname of former Mayor Dionisio Donato Garciano who ran for reelection in 2004. Monet, on the other hand is for incumbent Councilor Ramon Matignas Jr. Both of them were not present during the Tromba festival, a street dance cum procession which is a tradition in our town every first of May.
When I was looking for the photos above, I stumbled upon the photo of Victor Wood who also joined the festivity last 2004. The jukebox king ran as Vice Governor of Rizal, but he lost to actor Jestoni Alarcon. The guy is now hoping for a seat in the Senate.
