Elections in the Philippines is fast approaching, and its specifically important that the people should know if they are choosing the right candidate.

Since holding an elective position is like raising a family, the voting people should gauge the candidate against his preparedness for the role, the values that he holds, his financial independence and his dependability.

1. The candidates of a local post should be familiar with the more important provisions of the Local Government Code. The local leader should be able to exercise the immense powers and discharge the crucial responsibilities that he has.  A person setting his sights on a Senate or congressional seat does not have to be a lawyer. Even if the job of a solon is to make laws, he only needs the ability to understand the issues and the practicality to determine ways to address them. A senator or congressman, whether he is a lawyer or not, always hires a legal consultant anyway to untangle technicalities and draft the bills for him. The candidate, however, should have at least reached college level.
2. The impressiveness of a candidate’s track record is not measured by the number of jobs he has held and the awards he has received. Assess the quality of these so-called accomplishments. Was he vice president of a company at a young age because of his own merits or because his father is majority shareholder of the firm? Was she able to study in an American university because of her intellectual prowess or because her father was influential enough to pull the right strings to get her in? Was his civic leadership award given by a respectable institution or by a fly-by-night foundation headed by his friends?
3. Study his campaign platform.  It is focused and specific, giving you a concrete idea of what policies he will adopt and what concerns he will prioritize once the government is entrusted to him? Can his program of government adjust to the call of the times? Or does it insist on his favorite cause, without taking into consideration the actual needs of the community?
4. Identify a candidate’s campaign financiers and the advisers and close aides whom he intends to hire once he’s elected.  This is key to judging what kind of government he would have.  (i)  Do these financiers and advisers have interests to protect?;  (ii)  How do their interests compare to the program of government?; (iii) If they match, are they out to make a killing once their bet is in power?; (iv) If they don’t somebody here is trying to deceive us, and that’s the candidate on the flyer you’re reading.
5. If the candidate is a re-electionist, review how he decided on crucial issues and determine who or what prompted his decision — because the same persons and reasons will influence his decisions in the future.
6. Know how he defines leadership. Does he see being an elected official as an opportunity to serve the people? Will he be firm when instituting reforms to make the community self-sufficient? Beware of candidates who think that being a leader means wearing a king-of-the-hill attitude. They will demand to be served rather than going out of their way to serve. They see ward leaders and voters as people with a price tag. These are the types who will readily exchange public interest for personal agenda.
7. Watch out for his definition of “pro-poor”. Squatters  are known to deliver swing votes in local electoral contests. A candidate who promises to help the poor purchase affordable houses and lots and put up livelihood projects is always better than an aspirant who perpetuates the politics of dole outs.
8. When a candidate gives you a rundown of what he has done for you or what he intends to do for you, turn your back on him. Remember that there is no such thing as a politician being heaven’s gift to your community. All the projects he undertakes in your locality, all the goodies he gives away during Christmas or in times of calamity were made possible by the taxes that the government deducts from your salary. Go for the candidate who says, this is what we were able to accomplish because of the taxes you paid, or this is what we can do together.
9. Know what kind of relationship he has with his family,what personal affairs he maintains, what kind of friends he keeps, and what sort of activities he engages in when he’s with them. These things tell a lot about where public interest places among his priorities.
10. A prospective local official should have the innovation and resourcefulness to generate income for the local coffers —- legally.   The income-generating skill of the candidate refers to his ability to think of programs that will provide livelihood to residents; not to his ability to make money for himself by using his position.
11. Is he in town? Several governors and mayors have been criticized for spending more time in other places than in their localities. They say they’re following up funds or projects that, needless to say, will benefit their constituents back home. There’s only one way to know if a re-electionist has been telling the truth: find out if he really brought home the bacon. As for a first-time candidate, know if he’s been staying in your locality long enough to be considered one of the folks. If he came home or moved in six months to one year before the filing of certificates of candidacy, then he’s only there to run for a post.
12. Is he wiling to share powers with civil society? If working with people’s organizations is nowhere in the platform, much less in the vocabulary of the candidate, think twice. If he says he’s willing to work with non-government groups, find out who the officers of these groups are —- they may be the politician’s relatives and associates.

I also have links to my other articles through my blogs: Sharing my Thoughts and Lifestyle Magazine for Moms

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