Premature Campaigning

Right before I write this post message, I heard a news headline that AKBAYAN party list representative Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel would pass a bill with regards to banning of premature election campaigning.

In Parañaque alone during the holiday season, incumbent officials enjoyed the benefit of greeting Parañaquenos with large billboards with their blown-up faces in it. I just wonder if it is sincere greeting or plain campaigning.

I even saw a billboard of Councilor Gus Tambunting with his large face on the center and a large caption saying VOTE! If you do not have the chance to read the small caption you would assume he is already promoting himself, when in fact it only says, “Please exercise your right to vote!” Billboards of such kind should have a regulation. Would this be possible when the lawmakers themselves are the one guilty doing this tactic?

I want to point out again who finances these billboards. And if it came from the money of taxpayers, what are the clauses that qualify these billboards to be funded by the local government.

Everyone should pay a fair game. Being in power does not mean you can do anything you want. Everything has an end, even being in power.