Local executives

In her dalliance with her brother's Senate slate, Sen. Imee Marcos made a noteworthy observation: ordinary Filipino voters seem to have no idea about what senators are mandated to do.

- ANA MARIE PAMINTUAN

It can help explain the results of surveys in the Senate race, which have caused dismay among those hoping for an informed vote.

Meeting last week with a small group of journalists, Marcos noted that people know what local government officials do — the governor, mayor, vice mayor, their councilors and even the barangay officials.

People also have a good idea of what the president does — an expanded version, being the chief executive, of what local executives do, which is to provide the basic services expected of a government. The same goes for congressmen, who look after the needs of their local constituencies.

When it comes to senators, however, there is confusion about their mandate, Marcos says, with people thinking senators are also like local executives who have a direct hand in the delivery of services.

While Senator Imee didn't say it aloud, the surveys reflect this perspective, with those who are better qualified to craft laws and exercise oversight functions being trumped by... never mind.

With many people having little understanding of the role of senators, personalities in entertainment, media and sports also have an edge in name recall and voter preferences for the Senate.

Voter attention span has become much shorter, Senator Imee said, with people not interested in campaign spiels.

Apart from the challenge of wooing votes by explaining one's campaign platform, she said it can be tough to keep the audience from leaving or tuning out after a candidate who is an entertainment or media personality has spoken.

For both national and local races, a common confusion for voters is the source of the numerous state-funded ayuda or aid programs, for which politicians fall all over themselves to take credit at taxpayers' expense.