Join A pathway to victory

I would not say that many of us, who are vocal in seeking meaningful change and quick to criticize the shortcomings or transgressions of others we see as perpetuating the culture of corruption and poverty, are like hypocrites. I believe there is sincerity in our advocacy — the same sincerity in our outrage over the nefarious acts of those who exploit our people. The problem is not hypocrisy. Rather, it is either a lot of hot air or shocking naivety.

Because I can sense the sincerity, I must conclude that it is naivety that is the bigger reason why genuine change — despite how fervently many of us desire it — will not likely happen. It is easier to build from scratch than to straighten an already crooked structure. From corruption to integrity, from patronage to good governance, we have become united in demanding change.

But that change will not happen — not until our efforts to correct the situation become as powerful and intense as the efforts of those who work to preserve the status quo, or even worsen it. This is the part where many of us would rather close our eyes — unwilling to confront what the bad guys do, and what the good guys must do even better if we are to have a fighting chance.

It costs a lot of money to get one’s message across to thousands, let alone millions, of voters. And while many complain about the same old tired names and faces dominating the ballots, those familiar figures keep spending massive amounts of resources to constantly remind voters they are running. Whether we like it or not, that is how elections work — and how they have always worked. I am not talking about vote-buying. Vote-buying is a crime, and we must continue to condemn it. Both the Comelec and civil society should combine their resources to closely monitor and prevent it. But beyond vote-buying, election-related expenses are not only inevitable — they are necessary.

A serious candidate needs tens of thousands of volunteers working close to full-time during a 60- or 90-day campaign. If there aren’t enough volunteers, then a network of election workers must be organized and sustained financially. These workers — whether volunteers or paid staff — cannot deliver the candidate’s message without election paraphernalia. Posters, streamers, T-shirts, leaflets, calendars, and brochures — millions of them for a senatorial run — must flood communities, along with radio, TV, and social media ads. The candidate, along with a small staff, must travel frequently across thousands of barangays — by car, plane, or boat — all of which come with steep costs.

For those who have been part of campaigns before, they know that the most expensive single day is often election day itself. The network must ensure that their most sympathetic voters get proper assistance in locating their precincts. They must maintain a vigilant presence in polling places, guarding the vote count. If necessary, they must accompany the ballot boxes to their next legal destinations.

There are legal limits to campaign spending, but the reality is that many candidates spend billions of pesos — often long before the official campaign period begins. I sometimes wonder if the Comelec is serious about enforcing these limits, given how many exceptions have been made over the years.

Even without vote-buying, how can a good, honest candidate with a solid record of service expect to win against wildly popular or well-funded rivals — especially when the latter’s skillsets are nowhere near what the job demands? It can happen — but only as an exception, when it should be the rule that public servants possess both the ethical and technical competence demanded by law.

Yet here we are again, with the campaign period for the 2025 elections already underway — the same sky-high spending limits, the same scarcity of funds for good candidates, and the same fragmented field of too many aspirants, most of whom have no chance of winning but refuse to unite behind more viable options.

Despite these discouraging realities, we cannot resign ourselves to helplessness. If we truly want change, we must walk our talk — not just scream for reform, but sacrifice for reform.

The most practical — though not easy — way forward is to tap into the 10 million pink votes of the 2022 presidential elections. If each of those 10 million voters contributed ₱1,000 — or whatever they could afford — we could raise ₱10 billion to help fund the campaigns of good candidates. For those who cannot afford to give money, they can give in kind — through volunteerism and hard work.

The point is simple: we cannot keep moaning that our good candidates lack resources when we are not doing enough to ensure they have enough — or even more than enough. If we truly want good people to win, we must be willing to match the sacrifices of those who fight to keep things the way they are.

It is not enough to want change. We must fund change. We must build the machinery that can overpower the system we so often decry. And if we can embrace this mission with passion and even a little fun along the way — then maybe, just maybe, the exceptions can finally become the rule.

If we walk our talk.