Partisan political election in this country is something both lively and deadly, a carnival as well as a criminal time frame. That is why even before this writing, there were already a good number of both inspiring and depressing events together with propitious and suspicions events directly or indirectly linked to partisan political realities. The truth of the matter is that as May 2010 progressively comes to fore, there will surely be progressively more celebrations held as well more lamentations made – practically all connected one way of another, with the election fever. These readily foreseen joyful and woeful realities have special significance and relevance to the big probability that the ruling administration would leave no stone unturned to stay in power and might at least through its surrogates – if not through its own constitutional or unconstitutional option.
Behold the certain joys of elections: Not only millions but billions of pesos will flood the regions down to the barangay level in terms of cold cash dole outs, charitable programs. Grants and gifts plus food and drinks, will be the order of the days. Needless to say, all these extraordinary but timely favors go gar and near, courtesy of the national and local political candidates who are rather very generous during election time. As customary, there will be not only many and noisy political rallies infallibly coupled with the standard stage shows – plus ecstatic if not delirious long-winded self-selling speeches by the candidates themselves promising heaven and earth if elected.
And here are but some woes of elections: There will be the usual proliferation of guns and goons – courtesy of the standard private armies of political candidates harbouring greed for power and avarice for wealth at all costs. Herewith come the politically motivated murders if not massacres, fatal threats, burnings of this and that. And for one reason or another, these atrocities customarily remain unsolved for decades if not forever. This is not to mention the predictable election cheatings and misrepresentations in one way of another – with or without the so called “fully automated” elections.
It is for these reasons that after so many elections in the country, the kind of government and the lot of people basically remain the same. The government continues to be manned by one too many cheats and thieves, liars and misfits. The people by and large also continue to suffer from poverty and want, from inescapable more and more taxes in exchange for less and less public services. Oh yes, the poor and the hungry stage rallies here and there. But with the present political dynasties with their respective political maneuvers, the Philippines non-enviable over-all situation remains substantially the same.
As usual: Such is life! But should it be so?
+OVCruz,DD
7 September 2009
Monday, September 07, 2009
Friday, September 04, 2009
“Pera at Makinaria”
In the realm of Philippine politics, specially so on the occasion of the much expected forthcoming national elections next year – in the event that the political exercise would really come to pass and thereafter could become free of a subsequently declared “failure” – it is both useful or practical to put in black and white the following realities affined with Philippine elections: One, elections are one big fiesta in this Country, with practically all Candidates generously funding all kinds of conceivable celebrations, loudly parading themselves all over the place, ostensibly giving people food and drink here and then, happily handling cash and/or goods to as many voters as possible. Two, elections mean calling for big entertaining public meetings in every conceivable time and place, with the people watching movie stars and stage performers singing and dancing, and mostly pretending to listen to the Candidates making one delirious speech after another. Three, elections of politicos in the Philippines are definitely not about nationalistic ideals or noble causes, but rather about rhetoric and visions, certainly not about facts and realities but instead about heavenly promises and super-projections.
Lastly and more importantly, for political Candidates to win elections, “Pera at Makinaria” – plenty of money irrespective of the source plus a well oiled or much funded political machinery – these two realities make the big difference for them in triumphantly winning or miserably losing elective positions. As to the competence and attributes, principles and value systems of the Candidates – never mind really. These are not that relevant in their election or rejection by the voters in general. No wonder then the low kind of politics as well as the poor qualities of the politicians that this Country has – especially during the passed eight years. It wherefore becomes understandable why politics is looked down upon and politicians by and large become big jokes as far as good number of people are concerned – specially the thinking and sensible ones.
As to the essential ingredient of “Pera” or the great drawing power of money, it becomes a moral impossibility for a Candidate without command of much cash, to win an elective office notwithstanding his competence and integrity. The sad truth has to be accepted that pervasive poverty and real democracy are not really compatible. This is precisely why it is during election time that image of Santa Clause political Candidates and the beggar voting public, vividly become a living reality. As to the factor of “Makinaria” or the political machinery made up of political big-wigs, particularly those still in tenure of public offices from the local to the national hierarchy of a given political party, this is another irreplaceable ingredient for avidly aspiring political Candidates to win. Without “pera” and “makinaria”, the Candidates would be standing but in thin air as they pursue their desired elective offices. The machinery is said to be the by-product of partisan politics – noting well however that in the Country, there are no permanent political parties but only permanent interests.
+OVCruz, DD
September 4, 2009
Lastly and more importantly, for political Candidates to win elections, “Pera at Makinaria” – plenty of money irrespective of the source plus a well oiled or much funded political machinery – these two realities make the big difference for them in triumphantly winning or miserably losing elective positions. As to the competence and attributes, principles and value systems of the Candidates – never mind really. These are not that relevant in their election or rejection by the voters in general. No wonder then the low kind of politics as well as the poor qualities of the politicians that this Country has – especially during the passed eight years. It wherefore becomes understandable why politics is looked down upon and politicians by and large become big jokes as far as good number of people are concerned – specially the thinking and sensible ones.
As to the essential ingredient of “Pera” or the great drawing power of money, it becomes a moral impossibility for a Candidate without command of much cash, to win an elective office notwithstanding his competence and integrity. The sad truth has to be accepted that pervasive poverty and real democracy are not really compatible. This is precisely why it is during election time that image of Santa Clause political Candidates and the beggar voting public, vividly become a living reality. As to the factor of “Makinaria” or the political machinery made up of political big-wigs, particularly those still in tenure of public offices from the local to the national hierarchy of a given political party, this is another irreplaceable ingredient for avidly aspiring political Candidates to win. Without “pera” and “makinaria”, the Candidates would be standing but in thin air as they pursue their desired elective offices. The machinery is said to be the by-product of partisan politics – noting well however that in the Country, there are no permanent political parties but only permanent interests.
+OVCruz, DD
September 4, 2009
Tuesday, September 01, 2009
“bad politics”
Truth to say, politics by itself and in itself cannot be really bad or “dirty”. It is the art of governance. It is the science of social organization, the knowledge of maintaining peace by promoting order among the people, the competence of putting up good State representation. All these fundamental agenda of politics are not only good but also necessary and praiseworthy – specially so in democratic nations. The conclusion wherefore is obvious: Politics is socially essential and valuable, basically commendable and practical – specially so when it pursuits truth, affirms justice and promote peace among people, irrespective of race, color and creed.
Wherefore, what makes politics disappointing, disgusting and at times even abominable, is how many politicians errantly and at times even erratically practice politics. Such as a matter-of-fact observances as transactional politics, political patronage, politics by convenience and other censurable political options and decisions, are definitely dissonant with the objective nature and the ontological finality of politics. In other words, it is the odious and devious politicians who unfortunately bring about “dirty politics” such that competent and exemplary citizens abhor to enter the political arena – notwithstanding all arguments to the contrary.
After some impartial study and sober reflection on why politics particularly in this Country has acquired such a bad name, has repulsed really good and abiding citizens, and/or has become one big sorry and sour reality, the following three political realities can be considered as its three basic causal factors – with everyone of them connoting the other two.
1. Politics without principles:
When politicians observe no permanent Credo of Convictions, no stable Code of Conduct or no avowed sound Value System but instead think, decide and act on a case to case basis according to what is easy and convenient, what is profitable and wherefore beneficial to them – this is exactly what makes the fact of politics without principles.
2. Politics without ethics:
When politicians see right or wrong, perceive good or evil, depending on varying circumstances or changing situations, when the distinction they make between vice or virtue, is dependent on their own personal interests, family advantage and/or party affiliation – this is the reality of politics without ethics.
3. Politics without decency:
When politicians have no prudence and shame – no “delicadeza” at least – this is politics without decency.
Sounds familiar?
+OVCruz, DD
Sept 2, 2009
Wherefore, what makes politics disappointing, disgusting and at times even abominable, is how many politicians errantly and at times even erratically practice politics. Such as a matter-of-fact observances as transactional politics, political patronage, politics by convenience and other censurable political options and decisions, are definitely dissonant with the objective nature and the ontological finality of politics. In other words, it is the odious and devious politicians who unfortunately bring about “dirty politics” such that competent and exemplary citizens abhor to enter the political arena – notwithstanding all arguments to the contrary.
After some impartial study and sober reflection on why politics particularly in this Country has acquired such a bad name, has repulsed really good and abiding citizens, and/or has become one big sorry and sour reality, the following three political realities can be considered as its three basic causal factors – with everyone of them connoting the other two.
1. Politics without principles:
When politicians observe no permanent Credo of Convictions, no stable Code of Conduct or no avowed sound Value System but instead think, decide and act on a case to case basis according to what is easy and convenient, what is profitable and wherefore beneficial to them – this is exactly what makes the fact of politics without principles.
2. Politics without ethics:
When politicians see right or wrong, perceive good or evil, depending on varying circumstances or changing situations, when the distinction they make between vice or virtue, is dependent on their own personal interests, family advantage and/or party affiliation – this is the reality of politics without ethics.
3. Politics without decency:
When politicians have no prudence and shame – no “delicadeza” at least – this is politics without decency.
Sounds familiar?
+OVCruz, DD
Sept 2, 2009
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