Potential targetBy Atty. Aleckoy Lim
November 5, 2006 The Bohol Standard
A news item in the Bohol Chronicle last week included my name among four probable congressional candidates for the third district. When I learned about it, I had mixed feelings.
I don’t deny the fact that all four probable candidates are serious contenders so my inclusion is something that I consider as a compliment. It means that I must be worthy to be in the same league with the three others.
Before my entry to politics, I have always believed that the elections should be a friendly contest. During the campaign, the bets argue and debate against each other. Debates and arguments are part of the democratic process.
Unfortunately, the elections in our country have sunk to the level of mudslinging and dirty tricks. This is the reason why I have mixed feelings. The mere mention of my name has opened me to the attacks of those who have an ax to grind against me.
We all know that the election season starts long before the campaign period officially begins. This early, there are already incidents where potential rivals had been subjected to bad publicity and even foul tactics.
This is sad but it does not mean that we are afraid of under-handed tactics. We know how it is to be the object of black propaganda in the past and we know how it hurts not only the target of the attack but also his family.
For this reason, we promised ourselves never to engage in such unethical and dirty campaign if ever we will engage in political activity. We do not want other people to go throw what my family and I experienced in the past.
Of course, we cannot prevent other people from doing that. Perhaps because it is their upbringing or maybe because they do not adhere to moral and ethical standards, they employ every dirty trick just to be elected to public office.
The lessons of the past made me realize the need to prepare for this. The threat comes not only from potential political rivals but also from non-politicians who will exploit the situation because it is the politicians who get the blame.
This means that I have also prepared myself with certain measures on how to deal with this. In this world, the one who runs away ends up the loser. I am not saying this because I have admitted that I am a candidate but because I need to defend myself.
One reason why many people who are good materials for public office refuse to do so is their fear for bad publicity. For me, this is a small price to pay. If you really want to make a difference in the lives of people, you will be willing to take risks.
Those who play dirty however must be aware that they should be able to take as much as they can give. By this time, I am old enough to take care of myself.
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