Where are they?

(Editorial)
Biliranisland.com staff
First Posted 06:39:00 03/26/2010

Two of the members of the Espina political clan including one of their close political allies and two more local candidates were absent during the leadership forum sponsored by the student organizations of Naval State University (NSU).

The aim of the NSU student organizations for holding such forum was to give the voters firsthand information from the political aspirants running for the congressional, gubernatorial and vice-gubernatorial positions their platforms of governance and their answer on several issues affecting the province of Biliran in particular and the country in general.

Rules have been established by the organizers to avoid personal, below the belt confrontations and gutter talks among local candidates infront of the viewing public. So, in general, the leadership forum is professional in its approach.

The majority in the crowd who were tertiary students of NSU witnessed that even neophyte, perennial loser and less-known candidates showed up out of respect to the official invitation extended. Well, for the candidates who attended, there’s nothing to lose but there is more to gain for the free and useful public exposure they’ve got especially to the kind of audience who eagerly wanted to hear their platforms of governance and answers to the issues being raised.

But the big question is that why Biliran Governor Rogelio Espina (congressional aspirant), Gerardo “Gerry Boy” Espina, Jr. (gubernatorial aspirant) and Biliran Vice-Governor Lucy Curso (re-electionist), Ralph “Raffy” Salazar (gubernatorial aspirant) and a certain Pablo Mejia III, who is running for the vice-gubernatorial post did not attend the forum?

We can draw a valid excuse for the non-attendance of Gov. Rogelio J. Espina, Gerardo “Gerry Boy” J. Espina, Jr. Lucila C. Curso, Ralph “Raffy” and Pablo Mejia III if the forum is sponsored by the opposing political camp or any politically-biased organization or group.

However, the outcome of the leadership forum showed that it was devoid of any political biases and preferences. Candidates engage themselves in a professional way and they observed proper decorum; the organizer was too careful and observant to the rules and the crowd in attendance was listening attentively in every pronouncement made by the candidates.

The non-attendance of the Espina candidates and the two more political aspirants shed more doubts, drew mixed reactions and impregnated several conclusions from the very attentive and keen observant audience. Did they fear on something which they could not give a clear and concise answer? No prepared platforms of governance yet? Were they serious and candid enough in their candidacies Or their action of not attending the forum is a plain insult to the student population of NSU, professionals, retired government officials and employees and the ordinary Biliranons who were present that day.

The leadership forum is the right venue for candidates to present truthfully, explain clearly, expound honestly to the voting public what they will do that will make a difference in the lives of Biliranons in the next three years.

The public forum is the appropriate setting where voters can distinguish candidates who are liar from honest; can differentiate who are true or not in their intentions to serve the public; can discern the corrupt, less evil and the straightforward; can recognize who really cares for the welfare of the people and those who only care of themselves ; can set apart the chaff from the grain among the array of candidates and can decide of whom “bilog na itlog” to be shaded corresponding to the candidates name in the official ballot in the May 10, 2010 elections

Biliranons deserve the right to be informed and holding an official public forum is one vehicle for the electorates to arrive at an informed choice and to reach the best decision come the May 10, 2010.