(Editor’s note: In the old days candidates could tell approval by the size and roar of the crowd as noted by the author.)

For our present difficulties in holding elections the multi-party system is mostly or partly to blame, such as:

1. The long and wide ballot is too costly to prepare.
2. Party-list groups force themselves to have funny names and identity to land first on A, B, and C letters of the alphabet. Who expects to win?
3. Of the candidates for president, only three or four of them reasonably and honestly expect to win.

Candidates without any shadow of an organization are too intelligent to hope for favors from one million voters who don’t know them. Voters don’t want to waste their votes on sure losers for president, vice-president and senators.

The party-list groups, for their number alone, may easily lose their identity, platform of government and noble purpose.

Teasing Comelec

Most election rules, prohibiting this and that, have violators who plainly tease Comelec and its enforcers.

The rule prescribing the size of posters, banners, streamers, etc., is impossible to implement. Can Comelec enforcers tell the difference between 18 and 22 inches if viewed some five to 10 meters away?

Behind a razor-wire fence

Candidates have ideas that defy Comelec rules: 1) huge posters nailed to an acacia tree branch five to 10 meters above the ground, 2) streamers tied to two mahogany trees facing the busy highway but too high for the longest Comelec pole to bring down, 3) large tarpaulins protected by razor-wire fence, and 4) other teasers to raise blood pressure to a high of 200/110.

Elections in the old days

The first expensive presidential campaign waged in RP was in 1953 – Magsaysay, NP v. Quirino, LP incumbent.

Pins with the candidates’ picture, matches and small pocket calendars (June to December 1953 only) were given to any person who appeared like a voter. For the first time a campaign ditty was composed highlighting the candidate’s two or three priorities.

The clincher

The challenger’s campaign materials, according to fencesitters, were made in the US to show White House support as the clincher. (Dwight Eisenhower was president since January 20, 1953.) Sixty days before election the winner’s advantage could be seen on T-shirts of expensive cotton of various colors worn by promdi students, shoppers, and housewives.

Separate elections

In Manila’s Plaza Miranda, the more popular platform speakers campaigned for the NP candidates: president, vice-president, eight senators and four congressmen. Local elections for a four-year term held in November, 1951, elected mayors, vice mayors, councilors, governors, board members, and eight senators.

LP or NP?

Voters in 1951 and 1953 were given two choices only – LP or NP set of candidates. Nuisance candidates in those years would speak to four or five passersby and stray dogs and cats, a very discouraging experience for any person in his right sense.

Lopsided margin

There was no time to cheat or terrorize in November, 1953, as shown by the results nationwide: 70 percent for the opposition NP and 30 percent for the LP administration candidates in the most lopsided triumph in the history of RP politics.

Smart voters

Candidates should not take for granted the intelligence of voters, especially those who automatically shout “areglado or ayos na.” Far from saying “yes” they could disguise their preference and return a surprise of defeat in lieu of “ayos na.”

In small towns voters rarely say “no.” They always say “yes” and grin, not smile. Voters too proud to express their choice smile with a comfortable nod.

Clap and roar

In the days of platform speakers people waited for hours at the plaza near the bandstand. Candidates who expected to win could gather a large crowd.

The loud clap and burst of laughter at the speaker’s every joke could be the signs of approval and victory. (Comments are welcome at roming@pefianco.com).