IT was supposed to be a solemn affair, where newly elected officials took their oaths – before their constituents – and made plenty of promises to obey the laws blah, blah, blah, serve the people, to the best of their knowledge and abilities, blah, blah, blah.
And that happened all over the country last June 30 – the date cast in stone in the Constitution for the term to end, and for the new term to begin.
But what happened last June 30 was different.
It was mostly exclusive, meaning, only a few select group could enter the premises, sometimes with a dress code to boot and not, repeat, not really a public event. Public event meaning, anybody, or any Juan can just enter and witness the solemn occasion. And eat the catered foods and refreshments too.
No way Jose.
Just a few select, and privileged ones, were given the chance to witness the supposedly solemn ceremony, and devour the prepared foods and drinks.
Kinsa man diay angayan nga mo-witness sa oath-taking – mga politiko, mga empleyado ug mga ka-pamilya, paryente ug mga amigo lang sa mga politiko?
Can that be considered a public event or open to the public?
* * *
In some instances, there were ordinary people invited, yes, that’s true. Meaning, some people in the barangays were included in the event as witnesses.
But the thing is, only those invited were there, those who wanted to attend but were not invited, could only wish upon a star.
Sakto diay na?
Nganong pilion ra man ang paanhaon, nganong dili man open to the public nga bisan kinsa ray maka-sulod, ug maka-kaon?
Tungod sa gasto?
* * *
Looking at their faces while the priests were doing the homily, one easily gets the impression that they were serious, dead serious, in listening to the meat and bone of the homily, and really listening not just hearing the message, kanang mo-tuhop gyod sa ilang utok ug kasingkasing.
But come to think of it – many of them were really bored of the long sermon, monotonous matod pa, mas maayo pa kuno ang mo-spend og dugay nga pa-make-up ug pa-hairdo kay sa maminaw sa pari.
The very reason why one could easily see huge relief on their faces once the mass was over kay ang sunod ana, picture-picture na dayon.
Importante gyod kaayo ang picture-picture kay anha ra baya diha makita og dugay ang ilang mga porma nga dugay sab nila gi-preparahan.
* * *
Because of too much focus and preoccupation on the tasks of making themselves the most bongga during the event, many of them forgot the most important task.
And what is that?
The oath itself.
Magka pandol-pandol ug mag-susapinday intawon ang mga dila sa paglitok sa oath labi na kay iningles man.
Kalimot tingali og practice og sulti or basa og iningles or too excited nga sila ray gitan-aw ug gibantayan sa mga tawo, luoy gyod kaayo paminawon samtang nanumpa nga mo-serbisyo sa katawhan.
Kon sa mga beke pa, minus kaayo ilang performance bisan kon bongga unta ilang porma.
* * *
Dunay uban nga nag-require og attendance kunohay unya papirmahon ang mga mi-attend og 2 or 3 sets.
Para asa man nang attendance slip kunohay – para supporting document aron dili mo-question ang COA sa kagastohan?
Kon public purpose pa or for a duly programmed expenditure man gani, nganong i-limit ra man ang paanhaon nga people’s money man unta ang gigasto?
Tubaga daw beh!
