Sobrang paggasta sa pangangampanya sa gitna ng pandemya, turn off sa mga botante – analyst

MANILA, Philippines – Posibleng ma-“turn off” ang mga botante sa mga kandidatong gagastos ng malaki sa pangangampanya, na maaari nilang masamain dahil sa nagpapatuloy na pandemya.

Ayon kay Professor Maria Ela ng University of the Philippines (UP)-Political Science Department, maaari kasing isipin ng mga tao na pananamantala sa sitwasyon ang labis na paggasta ng mga politiko.

“If we notice, since the pandemic, people are getting increasingly vocal in their criticisms about people holding government positions violating quarantine and health restrictions as well as too much display of wealth and extravagance and those who use COVID-related activities and assistance to promote certain personalities for political gain,” paliwanag niya.

Samantala, nag-aalala naman si Ronald Mendoza, dean ng Ateneo School of Governance, na magamit ng mga politiko ang ayuda sa panahon ng pandemya para makuha ang boto ng mga publiko.

“During a pandemic and an economic downturn that saw millions lose their jobs and fall into poverty and hunger, there is deep concern that social assistance can be hijacked by politicians trying to curry favor with voters. Vote buying could also be more intense under such difficult economic conditions,” punto niya.

Una nang ipinaalala ng Commission on Elections (Comelec) na hindi patas ang ‘premature campaigning’ lalo na sa mga kandidatong walang pondo para simulan nang maaga ang kanilang pangangampanya.

Aminado naman si Comelec spokesman James Jimenez na wala silang magagawa hinggil sa paggasta ng mga kandidato.

“Our election rules require them to report their expenditures since the start of the campaign period. There are those who release reports that are saying that, even now the candidates are spending millions for campaigns,” ani Jimenez.

“In most cases, the candidates admit that… that they spent to get to know them. But there’s nothing we can do about it,” dagdag niya. RNT

Sobrang paggasta sa pangangampanya sa gitna ng pandemya, turn off sa mga botante – analyst
Source: Filipino Pinoys