Primy Cane, ABS-CBN News

<figure class="op-social"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="335" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ij17RNXE8Kw" width="510"></iframe></figure><p>The number of unopposed candidates in the country is rising with every election year, based on Commission on Elections (Comelec) data, and this leaves voters in some areas under the leadership of the same group or family of politicians for decades -- and with no options.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2016/regions/02/07/unopposedyear.jpg"/></figure></div><p>This year, there are more than 700 unopposed candidates, with the ARMM topping the list with 135 unopposed candidates. Region 1 follows with 84, Region 6 with 76, Region 10 with 52, and Region 2 and CARAGA with 45 candidates each.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2016/regions/02/07/numberunopposed.jpg"/></figure></div><p>In the municipality of Talisay in Batangas, the entire political lineup from mayor, vice mayor, and councilors are unopposed for the election. This is the first time it has happened in the municipality.</p><p>Talisay Mayor Gerry Natanauan said they no longer have to go around and endorse their candidacy when the campaign period starts.</p><p>&quot;We are making history. Sa kauna-unahang pagkakataon, ngayon po lang maipapamalas ng Talisay sa Batangas sa rehiyon at buong Pilipinas na totoo na tayo ay nagkakaisa bilang isang bayan. ‘Pag nangyari ang mga bagay na ito na walang laban, walang eleksyon, walang nag-oppose. Ang sasabihin lamang ay napakagaling ng mayor sa bayan ng Talisay,&quot; said Natanauan.</p><p>There are several towns all over the country where the voters literally had no say in choosing their leaders for the last three or four elections.</p><p>Many politicians play tag team with party mates, their spouses, siblings or children after the regulated three terms, and then after one term, return to their previous positions.</p><p>This means that by the end of their term in 2019, these places would have been under the leadership of the same political group or family for nearly twenty years or more.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2016/regions/02/07/unopposed.jpg"/></figure></div><p>Some of these unopposed candidates from 2007 to 2016 include Hydie Delfin and Noel Antonio of Lutayan in Sultan Kudarat, Marilou Sanchez of San Guillermo in Isabela, Timoteo Villar III of Santo Tomas in Pangasinan, couple Nancy and Jose Tabanda III of San Vicente in Ilocos Sur, who have been swapping for the mayor and vice mayor positions, Luciano Ligan of Kibawe in Bukidnon and Jamal Manabilang of Bumbaran in Lanao del Sur.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2016/regions/02/07/bargraph.jpg"/></figure></div><p>From 2007 to 2016, the number of unopposed candidates has been growing per election in the provincial, municipal and city levels.</p><p>Political analyst Jan Go is distressed by these figures. &quot;Nakakabahala na malaman na walang lumalaban sa kanila. Kung ang demokrasya ay eleksyon at kung ang eleksyon ay bukas sa lahat at kung napipigilan ng mga malalakas na pwersang pulitikal yung ibang maaring tumakbo, isang kwestyun yan, maaring naapektuhan ‘yung ating demokrasya.&quot;</p><p>The Comelec said it only takes one vote for an unopposed candidate to win. Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez in a statement said there is nothing in the law preventing these politicians from running unopposed again and again.</p><p>&quot;There are no specific rules applicable only to unopposed candidates. Elections will still push through as scheduled, even in places where there are unopposed candidates. There is no limit to the times they can run unopposed as long as they don&#x27;t go beyond three terms. The fact that they are unopposed isn&#x27;t their fault, yes? Nor can anyone be forced to run if they don&#x27;t want to,&quot; said Jimenez.</p><p>But how have these candidates maintained this position of ease for so long?</p><p>Go cited three positive and negative reasons for this: first, &quot;they are so good that no one wants to run against them because everyone wants to continue that kind of leadership”; second, “baka nabili na sila. If the cost of paying off an enemy to go down or not even run is lower than the cost of actually competing with someone else, I would rather pay off someone than engage in open campaign di ba”; and third, “baka pinatay na sila. ‘Yung mga hindi susuporta o hindi tutugon sa mga request na ito ng kasalukuyang nasa kapangyarihan, maaring tanggaling sila mismo sa kalawakang ito, patayin na sila o kaya’y ipa-kidnap sila. Nandoon pa rin tayo sa sitwayson na umeepekto parin yung guns, goons, gold.&quot;</p><p>Another reason Go cited is the high cost of running a campaign discouraging potential candidates. &quot;Maybe we have to reduce the cost of campaigning kasi kung babawasan natin kasi the cost of elections in the Philippines napaka-gastos. Kung magagawan natin ng paraan na hindi ito maging magastos, mas ma-eengganyo ang maraming tao na, ‘ah, gusto kong tumakbo at hindi ko kailangan isipin kung magkano ang pera na kailangan ko, hindi ko kailangan tumanggap ng donasyon sa mg businessmen na may interes pag ako ay naluklok na sa pwesto,’&quot; Go added.</p><p>A democracy like what we have in the Philippines is a system of government where the populace gets to choose who they want as leaders. In this respect, both the Comelec and political analysts agree that though the law allows candidates to run unopposed, the nation will be able to uphold its position as a democratic country better when voters have more choices on election day.</p>

The number of unopposed candidates in the country is rising with every election year, based on Comelec data, and this leaves voters in some areas under the leadership of the same group or family of politicians for decades - and with no options.

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Number of unopposed candidates rising

Primy Cane,

ABS-CBN News

Published Feb 09, 2016 06:10 AM PHT

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