A true representative of the people

I welcome the Comelec decision to scrutinize closely so- called party- list candidates to run for Congress in next year’s elections. I appreciate the noble intention of the Comelec and its main “watchdog” Kontra Daya, to extend the marginal sector of society an opportunity to voice their grievances and aspirations for a better life for our people. After all, we have a population of 93 million (and growing), but only a very small percentage of that group are well-off enough to begin their own enterprises, create more job opportunities, feed our poor citizens, and have a strong voice in the government.

As based on the Constitution, 20 percent of the electorate must come from the poor sector of our voting population. This is a way to safeguard their voice in our government. I see the reasoning behind Comelec’s moves to “protect” their position in the government by trying to maintain a clean election and to ensure that candidates truly represent who they claim to in their party-list group.

For this upcoming election, 289 groups have filed applications for accreditation to contest next year’s party-list elections. One hundred sixty-five of them are new groups. Comelec’s job is to determine their legitimacy and ensure whether the groups and their nominees really come from the sectors or truly work for the sectors that they claim to represent. At the hearings, the election commissioners asked nominees or representatives questions derived from papers the groups submitted including articles of incorporation, lists of officers, nominees, and their credentials. They also asked nominees about the history of the groups, their knowledge of the sectors they represent and about their backgrounds.

In theory, this is a sound procedure and a way for Comelec to ensure party-list groups authenticity and the authenticity of its nominees. However, the big caveat there is to ensure that the Comelec is also fair and just in its proceedings. We keep reading news of more and more party-lists being de-listed because of the findings of Comelec. We can’t just take that at face value. Why were these groups de-listed? What findings (other than net worth and name) proved that they were not truly representing those they claimed to be representing?

As I said, I believe in fair play, and I understand the need for scrutiny where some nominees may be concerned. But I also don’t believe in unfairly accusing every nominee that is wealthy of not being a true party-list candidate. As I read in a national daily, there are candidates who are attacked mainly for having financial success. In my opinion, just because a candidate is wealthy of his accord and achieved success through his own hard work (and not via politics) is no reason to add them to the ever growing list of “unqualified” party-list candidates.

I still have faith in the system but I cannot agree when the Comelec chairman calls the party-list system a “joke” because of attempts of some “fake” organizations to win accreditation. While this is true for some organizations, lumping everything up into one big punchline belittles the tireless efforts of others who truly work hard in Congress to represent their sector and author and pass bills that can affect change in the lives of our citizens.

It’s a very slippery slope. That seems to be a trademark of politics in our country. Congressman Teodorico Haresco is one of the party-list congressmen that critics have been assailing for his financial success along with his party-list group Ang Kasangga sa Kaunlaran. Due to his successful businesses, they claim he is unworthy of representing party-list organizations in the House of Representatives. I find this generalization unfair and uncalled for. As I mentioned earlier, I understand the need to scrutinize, but I think that should be tempered with fairness.

It is true that Congressman Haresco is a successful businessman. He has earned his success the old fashioned way, by working hard. I don’t think it’s fair to go after someone just because they are successful. If this is a worthy enough cause to keep someone out of office then we would have no government officials. Isn’t service record an equally important matter to consider? I believe it’s important to also look into what an elected official has done while in power to see if they are truly representing the people, and their sector, in the best way possible.

Kontra Daya says that due to his resounding business success, Congressman Haresco cannot rightfully represent the micro and small entrepreneurs. I disagree with that. Haresco did not become successful in business without understanding business. This includes the intricacies of doing business in the Philippines. His knowledge in achieving success will only help him to help others who are striving for similar business success. Plus, as a thriving businessman of his own accord (without politics), we know that he is not just trying to enrich himself further with a congressional position. He is a man who truly wants to serve and represent the people. As he himself asked — is being successful a crime? This is not the message that should be delivered to Filipino micro and small entrepreneurs.

One only needs to look at the stellar work he has done while in office to see that he is truly doing good work for the people and representing the micro and small entrepreneurs by striving to help them achieve success through legislation. The Comelec has focused so much on his wealth and success that they forgot to look at the work he has done while in office. This includes legislative initiatives that promote and help micro and small entrepreneurs, thus staying true to the party-list mandate of Ang Kasangga, which he co-founded eight years ago. In addition to championing the micro and small entrepreneurs, Haresco has also championed the environment and made vast efforts to promote clean and green programs like his solar powered tricycle and legislation to exempt users of electronic vehicles from the payment of the road user’s tax.

While there are many unworthy and even unsavory candidates seeking a seat in power, I know Congressman Haresco is not one of them. He has already declined his nomination from Ang Kasangga sa Kaunlaran to protect the group and has chosen to file his candidacy as representative of the lone district of Aklan, where he grew up, and where he has implemented many programs and projects. He also urged the Comelec to look hard at the accomplishments of the party as well as scrutinize the motives of their detractors before coming to conclusions. I have to agree with that. With the elections coming up it’s important to remove candidates that should not be running, but it is also equally important to protect candidates that should. With our nation’s future in the balance, we want candidates that work hard and can make a difference in our lives.