Election fever is in the air and we desire again that our electoral process should abide with
rules of fairness and honesty this time around. The last one showed that despite the habitual
notoriety of voters, a grain of chance emerged which seemingly indicated that there was more
weight on free choice than just wiles of money. This was still far from becoming a turning point,
but it showed a faint glimmer to sway pessimism away from complete hopelessness.
We all know that suffrage right is the fundamental requisite of a free society. Everything in
public governance and our personal wellbeing emanates from our decision on Election Day. The
ballot is a precious covenant of a free man. Millions of people in the world are still fighting to
have it as millions before died winning it. We are indeed lucky though precariously to have ours
today.
But it was not a gift. It was with a price. It was from the blood of our fathers and sacrifices of
so many. It can not therefore be squandered away nor shall it be bartered with. We should be aware
that it is not only a crime but also a sin to sell it.
Indeed we aspire for changes. It has been long overdue. But all these are just mere illusion when
our voting standard forfeits its potency to undertake true and credible election. This has been
always the case. It is disparagingly daunting that induced power from within and beyond persuades
impartiality on the mandate of choosing leaders.
As usual politicians fight. They quarrel, insult and shout at each other. Allegations versus
allegations are made. Some are true, but most are not. We don't care and they know it. But they
keep on doing it anyway. Sometime, it's entertaining, but often boring and irritating. It's the
nature of the game. There's really nothing we can do but to allow democracy to parade their filth
and stupidity.
But regardless, there are couple of issues too important to set aside in Butuan today. It couldn't
just be played around. One is like a tainted beef to a burger and the other is an infected sausage
in hotdog. What I am referring is the fiasco of Mayapay and the abuse of Taguibo.
These could make or break the election because the next administration may also make or break the
question about Mayapay Park and the Taguibo Watershed. This election is a choice between what has
been and to change direction. It is a local version of Bush versus Obama; from adverse reality to
new and abiding faith to change.
The city's way of dealing the Mayapay issue has been dismally morbid. It is not on what they do
that makes it disgusting, but on what they didn't do at all. It is the ignominious display of
intentional silence on matters that affects so many that leads the inquisitive to presuppose that
something is cooking for the consumption of the mighty and wealthy. This could also predicate the
increase of private enterprises on the mountain lately.
Mayapay issue will not disappear regardless of effort to ignore. It has a towering reminder to
stay active forever. HB 3037 or whatever devious and clever scheme to come will never ever sober
the ill and grieving heart of true Butuanons anywhere. Mayapay shall always be an everlasting
legacy of greed on people too selfish and callous to care.
The reckless footprints of our fathers on the mountains may find forgiveness as we go along in
time. But the backdoor conspiracy to own by sons and daughters of those that defaced it is adding
insult to injury. It is too much to bear. They should not find consolation from the torment they
caused, nor shall they be fittingly awarded trust and confidence in leadership. Doing otherwise is
again putting a fox as guardian to a hen house.
Mayapay beacons for help. It is in compassion that she wants. The pitiable deformity she endures
is too painful to understand. She was a victim of an uncaring generation; a merciless period in
time where the powerful came in marauding sequences to plunder and pillaged her innocence. What
she is today is the remnant of a mistake where self-gain strongly demands to own it instead and
profit from it. It is indeed a worthy topic to be reckoned with on election day.
It was said before that if our focus is only on Mayapay, we are not seeing the forest by the tree.
The strain created by illegal mining and logging in the watershed is up to the brim that a spark
from irreconcilable dispute amongst unholy advocates could trigger turbulent outcome. This
involves big bucks from highly connected sources and resolve on this matter could hardly be just a
handshake.
Mayapay and Taguibo are highly politicised mountains. The neglect in stewardship to both derives
dire consequences to people. The infected drinking water from illegal activities at Taguibo
Watershed poisons the city population. The beauty and grandeur of once lush and green Mayapay is
now an ugly hunk of dirt. Yes, there are many more woes and worries in Butuan today and should be
in the mind of voters too. But these two issues should be up there with the rest on decision day.
Open demonstrations and public forums may cause people to empathize. But by just kicking empty
cans to vent out anger is not enough. It's even unproductive. It is registering our feelings
faithfully on ballots that count. It's the only legal instrument availing us. It is true that we
were cheated before and many times before that and though it's already a boring routine, we shall
not yield. We shall persistently do our obligatory duty and fervently hope that somehow, there's
an end to this repulsive abuse of our rights. We certainly wish that this coming election couldn't
be just one of the same.
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