2016 aspirants urged not to be a ‘garpol’

An environmental watchdog on Saturday called on politicians to practice “environmental stewardship” as the 2016 election nears.

“We appeal to all candidates for the May 2016 polls not to pay lip service to environmental protection to woo voters.  Candidates often say ‘I will serve the people and protect the environment,’ but fail to match words with deeds,” said Aileen Lucero, coordinator of the EcoWaste Coalition.
“In the period leading up to the elections, we ask all candidates and their backers regardless of their political colors to show authentic concern for Mother Earth by campaigning in a responsible manner that will cause no harm to public health and the environment,” Lucero added.

The group urged politicians to refrain from being “garpol,” a play on the words “garbage” and “politician,” to describe politicians who does not mind throwing away resources and generating loads of trash as long as he or she gets the votes of the electorate.

“From the filing of their COCs to the designated campaign period, we urge candidates to be mindful of what they do to prevent and reduce the wasting of resources and the dirtying of the surroundings,” the group said.
The group suggested that the filing of certificate of candidacies should be done in a simple way without “extravagant gimmicks, motorcades and wasteful use of propaganda materials that will only add to garbage, pollution and traffic woes.”

The EcoWaste Coalition also urged candidates to shun premature campaigning out of delicadeza.

“Premature campaigning such as the tarps with the faces and names of politicos nailed on trees leaves a bad taste to the mouth,” Lucero said.

According to the Commission on Election (Comelec), the campaign period for the presidential, vice-presidential and senatorial candidates and party-list groups will begin on February 9 and end on May 7, 2016, while the campaign period for congressional and other local elective positions will be from March 25 to May 7, 2016. IDL