The Aftermath of Elections

By Atty. Eduardo T. Reyes III

After the dust has settled in what was a raucous mid-term elections, the real work beckons.

Candidates who garnered the highest votes now await their taking of oaths and then, assume the positions they were voted for.

Their swearing in would clothe them with the legal personality known as “public officers.” Jurisprudence defines a public officer as “any person who, by direct provision of law, popular election, or appointment by competent authority, shall take part in the performance of public functions in the Government of the Philippine Islands, or shall perform in said Government or in any of its branches public duties as an employee, agent or subordinate official, of any rank or class.” (Joseph Cedrick O. Ruiz v. People of the Philippines and the Honorable Sandiganbayan, G.R. Nos. 209073-74, January 27, 2025).

Once sworn in, the public officers would be empowered to handle public funds, directly or indirectly. The duty is sacred as taxpayer’s money are at stake. They are borne of people’s blood, sweat, and tears.

For months leading to election day on May 12, campaign sorties were incessant. Posters of candidates were plastered everywhere. Trumpets of “tinkered” familiar music would reverberate from all directions. All these were aimed at making the candidates as household names. They were designed towards making the candidates’ names indelibly marked for name recall purposes.

The election cycle in the Philippines is every three years. Lessons from history have taught us that terms of public officers cannot be too long as to be abused, nor too short as to provide limited time for them to prove themselves at public service.

But regardless of duration, meaningful public service means showing something concrete. Something that can be felt by the constituents.

Election hysteria was rife once again during the recent elections. Voting based on credentials is still a distant dream.

Promises for those with “sweet-tooth” were again distributed like lollipops.

Those promises that were thrown to the crowd during boisterous rallies must not be lost in the winds of change.

Now, the real work begins.  

(The author is the senior partner of ET Reyes III & Associates (ETRIIILaw)– a law firm based in Iloilo City. He is a litigation attorney, law professor, MCLE lecturer, bar reviewer and book author. Among the books he authored is Law on Property and Essentials of Land Registration [2024 Edition] which was on the bestseller’s list in online shops for several months. His website is etriiilaw.com).