Today we, as one nation, trooped for the second time this year to our respective polling places and voted for our village (barangay) officials. We chose the people who will lead our communities.
The barangay is the basic unit of governance. The most basic of services should be delivered first and foremost by this unit. The barangay is also the governmental unit closest to home since it encompasses the community. Hence, the barangay elections were perceived by the authors of the Local Government Code to be as non-partisan as possible.
However, the barangay of today is not what it should be. Barangay councils start to lack credibility, transparency, and accountability. the barangay chairperson uses facilities such as the barangay patrol car for his/her personal use. Even the Sangguniang Kabataan, which is supposed to be the voice of the youth in the community, has now become a breeding ground for trapos or traditional politicians. And the positions are very much "to die for", explaining the culture of violence that marred past barangay elections, including this one.
The electoral process we have witnessed today is no different from the elections of the past. Perennial problems - missing names in voters list, blatant violation of the Omnibus Election Code, delayed delivery of election paraphernalia, and long lines - still exist. And as I have mentioned, several incidences of violence nationwide have rocked this electoral process.
Everyone is dismayed with the lack of preparation for today's electoral process. We still have a long way to go in terms of reforming our process.
But then again, why keep on whining? We are responsible for building this nation; let us start with our respective barangays.
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