RES GESTAE
By Francisco B. Lindero, Jr.

Dirty Politics?

Neither this has relation to Gloriagate tape..nor to the appearance of the opposition's Incredible Hulk, Michaelangelo Zuce. Much has been said in that seemingly endless jueteng and election hullabaloos in Congress. I prefer to keep my opinion on the issues in the solitude of my unconscious mind. That will mitigate the already nauseating political and economic scenario in our beloved country.

The politics that I will be talking about is simply a drop of water in an ocean. It is about campus politics. Insignificant it may seem but there seemed to be an attempt to color it with dirty politics. And, I am tempted to delve on this topic in an attempt to clarify the news item with the other local newspaper, on its last Monday issue (August 1). The news was entitled “Scandal brings down ex-SK chair's bid for university post”. It was about the election of new officers of the In Solidum Frasority (ISF), a law student council of the University of Iloilo.

Being a candidate myself and fortunately the elected Secretary of the ISF, I consider it my moral obligation to let the people know what really transpired before, during and after the election.

The rivalry was between the two political parties: the Nagkaisa party with Rexter Tupas as the standard bearer and in which I am a member, and the Hublag Party with Tessie Jamolo. Four of us in Nagkaisa party won with wide margins while three of our party mates fell short of only less than ten votes each. We were more surprised with the results considering that our party had made public appearance only during the Grand Election Rally, barely a day before the election. Aside from that, Jamolo's team was composed of equally popular and influential students. We recognized and respected their potentials and capabilities as much as we are fully aware of our crowds and “X-factors”.

Aware of our own resources, supporters and leadership potentials, we never dared to venture on spreading propaganda against our rivals, especially to Jamolo. That would not speak well of our candidacy. Besides, should this be our first step on our political journey, we would start it right. And, I believe, not only us in Nagakaisa Party shared the same conviction. Our fellow law students did uphold the same.

Therefore, Tupas' victory over Jamolo was not made possible by using the scandal that linked her to a high-ranking government official. Let must accept that while Jamolo enjoyed the support of her friends and classmates, Tupas, being a junior, has long before established strong “political machineries” among various groups in the College Law. Need not to mention his dynamic partymates who share in his passion to serve and wisdom to decide for the welfare of the students.

In our college, campus politics has always its shots of excitements. But, we are civil and maintain professionalism in all our school activities. We never are dirty as others wanted it to be.

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To all LlB III-B, friends and supporters of Nagkaisa Party, thank you for your trust and confidence. Let's continue working together for the betterment of our college .

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