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Around here the only ones feared are the “feds.”

Following the arrest of Sabana Grande's veteran mayor, Miguel “Papin” Ortiz, the old issue of term-limiting political positions was put on the table.

The mayor fell into the hands of federal authorities over an alleged corruption scheme set up by a contractor, who in turn was connected to PPD structures in past campaigns.

Many were left open-mouthed because “Papin” had a well-earned reputation as a good mayor. He had public works to his name and, until that moment, had no blemish on his service record.

Then came the speculation. Theories were spun blaming the long time he had spent in the mayor's office. They attribute that, in the long run, someone found the right price to compromise his integrity.

Without getting into determinations, since that will be seen in federal court, one cannot blame the time factor in a person's performance in a political position for their downfall.

In fact, during this term we have seen how several rookie legislators have had to resign their seats after a misstep into wrongdoing. So time, whether much or little in office, is not a factor.

Now, as for the antidote being sought, we can say that limiting terms is not the remedy either. If you wish to push this idea, find other reasons, but not as the sole tool to eradicate corruption.

In various countries it exists and, even so, that stain has not been eliminated. Besides, here the electoral apparatus works correctly. The people go to the polls and do not give the benefit of the doubt to any official whom they perceive to have failed on their promises.

Take the governorship, for example. By the time we reach 2020, we will have had five governors in a span of 20 years. If this is not about the power of a people, then I do not know what could describe it.

I will go further. In our entire history we have only had one ruler, Luis Munoz Marin, with 16 years in office, and only three have served two or three terms.

Likewise, the Legislative Assembly has been renewed, and we can say that there are few legislators like Antonio Fas Alzamora who spent 40 years warming a chair in the Capitol.

Don't take my word for it; do the exercise on the State Elections Commission's website and you will realize what I am telling you.

The path to maintaining a sound administration is to strengthen oversight entities such as the Office of the Comptroller, Government Ethics, and the Department of Justice.

Ironically, in the budget recently discussed by the so-called Fiscal Control Board, the scissors are taken to several of these agencies.

That is fatal. Around here the only ones feared are the “feds.” The local entity is perceived as a toothless lion that bites but doesn't clamp down.

So, my friend reading this, the formula is not magic and it is not about limiting this or that position. It is guidance and oversight to avoid temptations. Only that way do you cut the legs out from under the Anaudis or Irvin Riquels of this world who go looking to tempt any Papin out there.