Editorial

Visibility

A study has concluded that product or advocacy endorsements by potential candidates in next year?s presidential and vice presidential race may be risky for these politicians instead of creating a favorable response from the public.

But it does not take researchers from the University of the Philippines to tell us that a little too much exposure on the part of the hopefuls can work against their interests. We know that a public official does not appear on billboards or champion a cause on television out of pure altruism.

Not even the Commission on Elections chief?s statement that these appearances do not constitute early campaigning ?these are meant to gauge voters? preferences ahead of the polls, says Chairman Jose Melo?quite absolves these politicians, especially those who don?t have the decency to be subtle.

Experts are telling us that the 2010 elections will be close; there will be no runaway winner. That there are just too many of them lining up for the job is a giveaway to these politicians? inability to sacrifice personal ambition to a greater cause, if there were such a thing in the first place.

This is not lost even on the youth, who made up 40 percent of the voting population in the last election. Now a group has launched a campaign, not to endorse any one candidate or party but to encourage participation of more young voters in next year?s polls. Youth Vote wants students and young professionals to ?have fun? lining up to register and then choosing the leaders they want.

?Fun,? of course, refers to the fulfillment of exercising a right to vote, in keeping with the young?s idealism, not to the entertainment provided by clowns tripping over themselves to grab the people?s attention.