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Outstanding Local Legislator Award 2019

The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao replaces the
existing Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), the Bangsamoro
Autonomous Region was formed after voters decided to ratify the Bangsamoro
Organic Law in the January 21 plebiscite. The ratification was announced on
January 25, 2019, by the Commission on Elections. This marks the beginning
FOREWORD of the transition of the ARMM to the BARMM. Another plebiscite was held in
nearby regions that seek to join the area on February 6, 2019. This plebiscite
saw 63 of 67 barangays in North Cotabato join Bangsamoro.
Interestingly enough, the landscape is changing with the politics in
the air. There is also the Federal Form of government discussed in Congress
that will see the political system change. What does all this mean for the 81
Governors that now manage our regions and provinces?
Our governors are at the top of the executive department after the
President who to date, some may say has almost absolute power. Be it true
or otherwise, the executive power is the legal extension towards this power,
ergo our governors. Interestingly enough the race toward the presidency is
populated by sitting senators unlike in America where the Governors wield
the influence and integrity.
Our governors are at the front line in our fight against drugs, poverty,
communism, terrorism as well as human rights and yet it is they the media
omits from its news headlines diverting their successes to national personalities.
All Politics is local

It is said that all politics is local regardless, especially with this mid-term
election with national candidates dominating all media especially broadcast
television. The public is bombarded with the multiple communications
platforms with the addition of social media. The wet markets are experiencing
high profile politicians scouring the “palenke” shaking hands with the vendors
and the consumers. Babies are being carried for photo opportunities only to
land on print broadsheets. Need these politicians spend time and money to
win the peoples vote? And should all this prove effective, how can so many
candidates win with the limited seats available for the taking? So what does it
mean that all politics is local?
Our population is rooted within the thousands of islands. This is what
is termed as grass roots. And from this comes our local legislators who have a
personal relationship with their constituents. No amount of media mileage can
replace that personal attendance on a one-on-one with the voters. While our
local legislators need to win the votes of their constituents, it is the very same
local legislators that will carry and influence the voters towards the national
candidates. Not the other way around.

At this very crucial stage of the elections for both local and national,
who wields the power of the mandate from the people? The power our Local
Legislators wield is almost phenomenal dictating who our national leaders will
be. And for those who think they can sway the people using today’s electronic
media, they are sadly mislead.

The power of the people emanates from our local legislators, period!
We at SMI have taken the cudgels to Acknowledge, Award and place
center-stage the Outstanding Governorship and the Outstanding Local
Legislators for 2019.
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