Today is May 14,2018 the day where the people of different Baranggay's in the Philippines has to chose another Baranggay leaders that will lead them for 3 years. Our Baranggay is being handled by Baranggay Captain aided by 7 people who is also called Kagawad. Our Baranggay Captain is the one listening to our pleas and present it to the Mayor as Baranggey Ordinance and try to give what the people of the Baranggay needs. Our Baranggay plays a very important role in our community because after being elected they become our leader and our role model. For the good of the people our Baranggay Captain should be making rules and regulations and often submit requests to the local government for whatever project they will be doing in the Baranggay.
It isn't a secret that our Leaders have been doing some corruption,may it be small or big amount of money. They get it from the projects that was given to them by the government. A Baranggay mini Gym,for example,that is being requested by the people,the fund that is supposedly going to be spent on that project,the leaders tend to corrupt the fund which leads to buying of poor materials and delaying the project to be finished. As people chooses the wrong official to lead them,they suffer for 3 years and hear them complain about the poor service that they're getting. Some may say after that they will never vote for that same person to lead them again.
Surprisingly after 3 years of service,it is again time to chose another leader or to re-elect a good leader. Time flies so fast,that we can't even notice it is time to vote again. But some politicians that are greedy for power and hunger for more corruption runs again and tends to pay the vote so they can lead people again poorly. As a daughter of a Kagawad I saw how they ran the election,as an exchange for the votes they pay money and prevent voters from voting the right person to lead them. It isn't a question of how much they can get,the question is,how much does their Dignity cost's. The effect of choosing the wrong person to lead will be seen after the election,people will again suffer for another 3 years of corruption and poor service. One may see it as a small role in the community but actually the Baranggay officials serves as the Legislative and Judiciary,thus it has a bigger power one can even imagine.
How much does one's Dignity cost? Is it for 500 php? It has been a constant reminder to vote wisely and never sell your right to vote for the right people to lead our community. As for me I am also part of the advocacy to "No To Vote Buying". It will be a more peaceful election if money will not be involved,without it poor individual with clean intentions can be appointed too and can be a leader of the Baranggay. We can sell our vote for all we want but think about how we will suffer for choosing the wrong people to lead us. Don't sell your vote,because after you spend the money,the good service is also gone. Vote Wisely and lets say No to Vote Buying.
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