Blessings.

(From Philippine Daily Inquirer)

Byline: Raul J. Palabrica

AS the May 10 elections near, the air is slowly being filled with black propaganda and political mudslinging. When the official campaign period for national positions starts on Feb. 10, expect the media to go full blast with advertisements and programs aimed at influencing the voters' choices for president, vice president and senators.

Many of the country's business tycoons have made arrangements to go abroad before the campaign fever heats up and return at the end of the election period. Aside from making themselves conveniently unavailable to the funds solicitors of the candidates, they want to get away from the cacophony of discordant political sounds.

For lesser mortals like us who do not have the means to seek temporary relief elsewhere, we have no choice but sit tight and bear the frustrations and inconveniences that normally accompany an exercise that is considered essential to a democratic system of government.

Listening to the accusations and counter-accusations of the candidates, one gets the impression that there is nothing we can be proud of or optimistic about our country. Or that none of the aspirants for public office is fit or qualified to be elected.

Some voters even think there is no point in going through this expensive (in terms of money and human lives) once-every-three-years event because the same kind of rascals and bums are elected anyway. The members of political dynasties simply take turns controlling the country's political structure.