Change can be a powerful
force—sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worse. But one thing remains
certain: it’s not always inevitable.
As witnesses to many
changes, we know that embracing or resisting them is a gamble. What matters
most is not the change itself but our decision to accept or reject it.
In the City of Batac,
voters face this choice in next year’s midterm elections. Competing for their
trust are two teams: the incumbents, with outgoing Mayor Albert Chua stepping
down after three terms to run for vice mayor, and his son, neophyte Councilor
Christian Mark Chua, aiming for the mayoralty. On the other side, former Mayor
Jeffrey Nalupta seeks a comeback, with Councilor Bismark Quidang as his running
mate for vice mayor.
History is telling.
Nalupta challenged Albert Chua in 2019 and lost by more than 10,000 votes.
Another Nalupta contender faced off against Chua in 2022, suffering an even
greater defeat. This voting pattern suggests that Batac voters know what they
want, and they’ve expressed that clearly at the ballot box.
However, next year
brings a new dynamic—Mark Chua, not Albert, is running for mayor. The younger
Chua has faced criticism, ranging from accusations of inexperience to claims of
being a mere puppet. While these may be harsh, such attacks are part and parcel
of politics. It’s worth remembering that Jeffrey Nalupta also faced doubts
about his experience when he first ran, with his father holding office.
However, the conversation should not revolve solely around experience.
Experience, while
valuable, is not the ultimate measure of a candidate’s worth. The world is
changing at an unprecedented pace, leaving us all scrambling to adapt to new
realities. In this climate, the ability to adjust and respond effectively to
emerging challenges may be more important than having a long track record.
Ultimately, Batac’s
voters will decide between returning to the past or continuing forward on the
current path. It’s a choice between what was and what is. As the saying goes,
"If it isn’t broken, why fix it?"
Change isn’t always
the best option—especially if it merely returns us to a less effective past.
Often, building on what works is the better way forward. Sometimes, continuity is better than change.