Philippine - Bohol - elections are flawed. Are we doing something about it?

Vote-buying has been the order of the day - because the opponents are doing the same. Elections then become expensive - and public office, rather than becoming a public trust - becomes an instrument to hasten the return on "election investment."

Corruption, therefore, abounds and we all have become the poorer for it - except the pompous politicians and their private sector contractors and suppliers. This analysis has been beaten to death yet what have we seen?

Mayors spending P3 million to P15 million to become the town's king is an abomination in any language. Even the lowly town lawmaker will fork out half a million buckaroos to get elected. That's understandable if the voter's price is P1,000; P50 coming from the councilor-candidate. The buying price in hotly contested Panglao has gone to the roof - P2,000 per voter, an insane figure really.

Vote-buying has not stopped, two days before the election. What voters must do - is to vote according to your conscience now. There is a faint hope that if the greedy politicians recognize this - they might minimize vote buying next elections - since voters choose according to their conscience, anyway, and election spending becomes superfluous.

At least on the issue of guns and violence, Bohol has so far listened to the pleadings of the church leaders through Bishop Leonardo Medroso and Bishop Christian Vincent Noel and media, to sign peace pacts in certain areas. Thus far, only financial - not human - bleeding is happening in Bohol. Thank God for small mercies.

That is just one part of the problem. The other dangerous halo is cheating. And in this issue of the Chronilce, we had paraphrased some of the new and old tricks in the game of electoral fraud. Mind you, the vigilance we seek now is not just before but during and even after the polling time. We ask our readers to please read page 24-D of this issue.

As part of empowering the voters, we will accept your reports based on these electoral fraud guidelines which we will document in the next three issues of the paper.

We can hide the identities of the complainants who wish to remain anonymous to ensure their safety and protect relationships. Complainants can text through 0921-241-3643 ,or write to us.

This will not only democratize the power of media to document perceived anomalies but also to remind the public officials that every act they do - while in office - or in getting elected - they will be held accountable for by the electorate they vowed to serve.

We enjoin the people to help media - expose the frauds and the cheats of this election in order to put the proper shape and character to their alleged "victories."

And to the politicians we say, do not test the limits of the patience of the people to accept as given that Philippine politics will be conducted this way forever.

Any attempt you do to thwart the will of the people invalidates your right to sit on the throne reserved only for those who have the genuine mandate of free men.

Remember that you may have the official title - but without the honor designed only for those legitimized by the sovereign act of the electorate. Anyone elected by less than that is a fraud - to be unmasked and derided for what he really is.

If Mr. Cheat has any respect left - any vote undeserved and obtained by fraud - he should return. Anyone who has lost the scruples to do so, may have long lost the same in his performance of public duty (if incumbent) or is not expected to become all of a sudden honest when he deals with his official functions after he is fraudulently elected.

The logic is as sound as the law of supply and demand.

So all the brass bands, gongs and cymbals will be retired by tomorrow. All that must be said has been said more than you perhaps care to remember. The bribes have been paid and the stakes have been clarified by candidates.

Mr. Voter, between you and your conscience, your God and your country - no one can - or should dictate - who you should vote for on Monday.

This is one of your rare chances to be a true patriot - vote with your heart and mind - and defend its right to be counted with all your might.

May we have a clean and honest election on Monday. Shalom!