MANILA — “Sana mahiya naman sila.” 

(I hope they feel some shame.)

Lawyer Helen Graido, policy specialist of election watchdog LENTE (Legal Network for Truthful Elections), had that to say about politicians who have been appearing in government aid distribution and other public activities.

Graido made the comment as politicians, including some seen to be eyeing reelection, have been spotted leading the distribution of government aid and attending commencement exercises even if these are not part of their official duties.

“Gusto naming sabihin na nakakahiya yung ginagawa nila.. tina-transform nila yung mga karapatan ng tao into utang na loob,” Graido told ABS-CBN News, Monday. 

(What they’re doing is shameful. They are leveraging the people’s right to quality service to gain their gratitude)

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Some examples Graido cited were politicians paying for food at graduation ceremonies or hosting a medical mission, which in turn gives people that feeling of “indebtedness.”

Graido pointed out that people should be getting services paid for by their taxes and that government and its officials should already be delivering anyway.

“Kumbaga, pag pumasok ka sa isang department store, magbabayad ako ng P500 na t-shirt, kailangan mong ibigay sa akin yung t-shirt kasi binayaran ko yun. Hindi kita kailangang pasalamatan na ‘salamat, ginawan mo ko ng t-shirt at pinagbentahan mo ko ng t-shirt.’”

(It's like if you go into a department store to buy a shirt. You do not have to say 'thank you for making this shirt and letting me buy it.'"

She said that if she could talk to potential candidates directly, she would tell them to be ashamed.

“At sana, hindi nila maisip na diyos sila kung saan man sila,” she added.

(And that they should not think of themselves as gods wherever they go.)

REMINDER TO VOTERS

With just a little over a year before the 2025 midterm elections, Graido, meanwhile, reminded voters to not feel indebted for public services that they deserve.

“Dapat pag nakaka-receive kayo ng maayos na serbisyo sa gobyerno, ang isip natin is: ‘okay, ginagawa nila ang trabaho nila.’ Hindi yung, ‘salamat pinagbigyan nila kami bilang tao.’ ... dapat, maging mapagmatyag tayo kasi ginagawa nila ang trabaho nila,” she said.

(If you receive good government service, you should think that ‘okay, good work,’ and 'thank you for helping us in your personal capacity'.)

That vigilance she said, must also be coupled with the public’s clamor or call to further improve the service.

“Wala tayong utang na loob sa mga taong ito... Hindi po sila nandyan sa posisyon na yan para mangampanya... ngunit opportunity po yan para mag-serve sa atin,” Graido told the public.

(We are not indebted to these people... They are not there to campaign. They are there because they were given the opportunity to serve us.)

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