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Frustrated Filipino voters are often left choosing between the “lesser evil” in elections, settling for candidates they feel either entertain or seem “less dangerous”—even if it means voting for “a smart thief or a dumb thief.” This growing disillusionment is what Leyte congressional candidate Atty. Levito Baligod, an anti-corruption advocate and lawyer, acknowledges. He also calls for more accountability from those who seek public office.

During a media conference at a restaurant in Quezon City, Baligod shared his thoughts on the reality many Filipinos face when choosing their leaders.

“Kung kaya nilang maging role model, hindi sila [magiging] corrupt. Ang nakakalungkot kasi ngayon, ang sinasabi ng mga tao, ‘Ang pinagpipilian lang namin, sir, ay yung (1) matalino na magnanakaw, (2) o yung bobo na magnanakaw.’ Parehong magnanakaw!”

(If they could be role models, they wouldn’t be corrupt. What’s sad is that people now say, ‘Our only choices are either a smart thief or a dumb thief.’ Both are still thieves!)

He continued, “Kaya, punta na lang kami doon sa nae-entertain pa kami! Pero ang totoo, ang malalim na rason nila: ‘Sir, mas delikado ang matalino na magnanakaw kaysa sa bobo na magnanakaw.’ Kasi, kung bobo yan, pwede mo pang maisahan na mahuli. Pero yung matalino, kaya nilang itago, ‘no? At nangyari yan, ‘no? Merong isang dating mataas na opisyal, hindi nagtiwala, kaya nabisto ang kanyang pagnanakaw.”

(So people would rather go with someone who entertains them! But the real reason is that a smart thief is more dangerous than a dumb one. A dumb thief can still be caught, but a smart one knows how to hide it. And it has happened before—there was a high-ranking official who got exposed because someone didn’t trust him.)

Baligod also shared his thoughts on the nature of leadership, urging candidates to first focus on being role models rather than dreaming about positions of power.

“But, ito lang sana ang pakiusap ko sa mga tumatakbo: Huwag tayong mangarap na maging pinuno, huwag nating pangarapin na tayo ang mamumuno. Kailangan munang gawin natin na tayo ay mga role model.

(But here’s my only request to those running: Let’s not dream of becoming leaders, let’s not dream of being in charge. We must first make sure that we are role models.)

“We should not just dream to become leaders of this country; we must endeavor to become role models of our people.”

He responded thoughtfully when asked about the increasing trend of celebrities entering politics, emphasizing that they were not automatically disqualified from running.

“Number one, ‘no: Hindi bawal sa kanila ang pumasok, ‘no? Ang requirement lang kasi ng ating Saligang Batas is (1) you must be a Filipino citizen, (2) able to read and write, (3) and you are a resident in a given period in a place where you want to be voted [in].”

(First of all, it’s not prohibited for them to run. The Constitution only requires that you are a Filipino citizen, can read and write, and have resided in the area where you’re seeking election.)

“Ang pwede lang nating masabi: yung public service ay isang mabigat na obligasyon, isang mabigat na responsibilidad. At kung sa tingin ng kandidato ay kaya niyang bitbitin ang responsibilidad ng isang government official e pupuwede naman, ‘no?”

(What we can say is that public service is a heavy obligation and responsibility. And if a candidate believes they can carry the weight of that responsibility, then it’s allowed.)

On the subject of celebrity candidates, Baligod recognized their built-in advantage, pointing out how familiarity can play a significant role in voter preferences.

“Meron silang built-in advantage dahil matagal na silang nakikita ng tao. Yung pagkakakilala sa kanila. Kaya tingnan mo si Willie Revillame, pasok agad siya [sa recent surveys].”

(They have a built-in advantage because people have seen them for so long. There’s familiarity. Just look at Willie Revillame—he immediately landed in the recent surveys.)

Outside the media conference, Baligod formally declared his candidacy for Leyte’s 5th congressional district. The anti-graft crusader emphasized the urgent need to clean up the country’s budget system and hold officials accountable for misuse of public funds.

He cited the case of Ako-Bicol Representative Zaldy Co, who was ousted as chairperson of the House Committee on Appropriations on January 13, 2025. The removal followed allegations that Co had lobbied for infrastructure projects that financially benefited his own companies—particularly in the Bicol region and other ventures linked to Sunwest.

Such behavior, Baligod asserted, has no place in the halls of Congress.