The good, the bad, and the inevitable

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.