Ten Commandments for Election Candidates

In the April 30, 1919 issue of the Nueva Fuerza (a Cebu bilingual weekly published by Rep. Vicente Rama) is a version of the Ten Commandments addressed to politicians running for office in the national elections of June that year. Ybarra is happy to reprint the English translation of the satirical piece, which was written in Cebuano, in the run-up to the elections next week:

• Love your constituents, especially those who will vote.

• Thou shall not swear at election officials as if you have tax arrears and are beholden to them.

• Thou shall respect your political enemies and humble yourself before the electorate even if you know they will vote for your opponents.

• Make holy the coming elections. 

• Thou shall not resort to dirty tricks in order to ensure your popularity.

• Thou shall not misbehave in front of women and instead act in a gentlemanly manner so as to gain their help in securing votes. (Women at this time did not yet enjoy the right vote.)

• Thou shall not steal ballots and votes.

• Thou shall not lie to the people, making promises just to win their votes.

• Thou shall not covet the votes of your fellowmen.

• Thou shall not covet the position you are running for only for your personal aggrandizement but for the benefit of all.

- Ybarra