By Robert B. Roque Jr.
How many of you share this experience on TikTok — sheer joy, then sadness so depressing all of a sudden? Yup, short videos can do that.
One of the heights of laughter that kept my funny bones trembling was a collection of clips one commenter tagged as “the senators who should not have been elected.”
Featured in that barrage of videos were the blunders at the session hall and press conferences of the honorables — Robinhood Padilla and Lito Lapid.
But soon I came across another medley of clips of candidates for senator in May’s midterm polls. The theme was the same: stupidity at its funniest — this time, featuring Philip Salvador, Willie Revillame, Bong Revilla, and Lito Lapid.
But instead of making me laugh, this TikTok video dropped me into the pits of sadness that I had to abandon my phone on the nightstand.
Well, three of them are in the Magic 12. Let’s just watch Netflix.
Comelec rules — really?
The campaign season is officially here, and the Commission on Elections (Comelec) wants everyone to behave — no campaigning at 2 a.m., no oversized posters, and no reckless spending.
Candidates have 90 days, 120 minutes per TV station, and P3 per voter to convince the public. Sounds orderly, right? Except, of course, that these rules have already been spectacularly broken — weeks and months ago.
Comelec Chairman George M. Garcia can plead all he wants, but let’s face it: premature campaigning is the electoral equivalent of jaywalking in Manila — technically illegal, but everyone does it.
The Supreme Court has essentially declared that “premature campaigning” doesn’t exist, so Comelec’s stern warnings are about what — wishful thinking?
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, Sir Garcia, EDSA and all other major thoroughfares have weeks ago and months ago been dotted with campaign posters the size of the Comelec Building façade. So, who are we kidding?
* * *
SHORT BURSTS. For comments or reactions, email firingline@ymail.com or tweet @Side_View via X app (formerly Twitter). Read current and past issues of this column at http://www.thephilbiznews.com
