Social Democrats’ penetration in the limelight governance seems to create havoc to the now divided Communist Party of the Philippines- that is between Benito Tiamzon group and Jose Maria Sison’s minions- following the “unexpected” defeat of its favored senatorial bets- Satur Ocampo and Liza Maza under its infant political group, the Makabayang Koalisyon ng Mamamayan or MAKABAYAN. It could be noted that the SOCDEM had time and again opposed the CPP-NPA’s commitment to Nacionalista Party forerunner Manuel Villa and rallied behind Noynoy Aquino’s presidential race.
Accordingly, among the plots include Tiamzon forcefully withdrawing support to known MAKABAYAN party list groups including votes supposedly favoring Ocampo and Maza. This is evidenced as AKAPBATA and the two Red senatoriables had garnered little expected votes particularly on Tiamzon-led guerilla fronts in Visayas and Mindano areas. More so, this explains why cadres underground claim that the insufficient support towards AKAPBATA prompting its defeat last poll automation is due to the fact that there is a lack of Party directive ordering them otherwise. Thus, most aver that the New People’s Army (NPA) who has first-hand control underground is left with tight hands under the orders of Tiamzon, while a few members of the Central Committee insist on implementing Sison’s electoral line of attack.
The defeat of the two seasoned Red ambition in the Upper house, to include the MAKABAYAN-supported PLGs had accordingly ignited the conflict between Tiamzon and Sison. The ambitiously expensive political misfortune of Maza and Ocampo and other left-leaning political party did not only affect the “future” of the revolution but had also swilled-out the loyalty and confidence of the guerilla members towards Sison. The so-called political struggle of Sison which was regarded as “ambitious” which gratifies only a few of its members by Tiamzon and the rest of the Reds is the very threat to the Communist Founder’s leadership within the CPP-NPA. This could also be the very reason why Tiamzon takes the lead in their supposed power struggle and stood for the interest of the NPA unlike Sison who just favored and preferred cadres like Ocampo and Maza that greatly lost his “credibility” among his ranks.
It’s all in the wasted time. Stability within the CPP-NPA seems out of hand. Sison is simply losing the battle against Tiamzon. Sison’s way of corrupting the NPA logistics which demoralized key guerilla units awakened the front’s yearning to end his dodgy leadership. It’s about time that Sison relinquishes his post or else stay on top powerless and act as a mere Communist trophy. Majority in the Party thinks of Sison’s “silent ouster” as a contingency plan after the recent “rift” and power wrestling. But this is quite impossible. Sison may not like to gulp down Tiamzon’s ascension to power. On the other hand, Tiamzon would not want Sison to stay atop and continuously corrupt not only the Party’s finances but the very foundation and “cause” of the CPP-NPA, as well.
Monday, June 28, 2010
VOTERS SAY NO TO MUDSLINGING, THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX!
Philippines’ election season has been riddled with various political hullabaloos and unabated electoral dramas which noisily filled every part of the media leaving the voting public bombarded with loads of doubts, uncertainties and skepticism over political personalities’ integrity and capacity. In their haste to publicly malign their rivals and increase their chance at the presidency, candidates such Noynoy Aquino, Manny Villar, Richard Gordon, Jamby Madrigal and Joseph Estrada have all engaged themselves into political bickering that openly and in one way or another discredit their opponents
Aquino’s mental health status and his “raw” leadership capacities are often being questioned by his close contender-Villar whose recent plunder case filed by one of Noynoy’s cronies, not to mention his C5 road controversies, unexplained industries among others are being subject of “retaliatory” propaganda bombed in return by Noynoy’s camp. Erap, on the other hand, may have seemed to ride on political bickering through frequent press conferences stating Villar’s involvement on various graft and corruption activities which in turn had made the latter so enticed about divulging to public the seemingly ancient history of graft practices, personal controversies and scandals and the polygamous stance which the former had been so involved with. Jamby Madrigal and Richrad Gordon have, by and large, trodden the same path and indulged themselves on similar activities.
The never-ending unscrupulous and malicious attacks from one candidate to the next have made the public so sick and tired about “politicking”. They now seek to view a much competitive and holistic approach to politics which would make their votes really worth the cast. Among those who have taken this less traveled road are only JC Delos Reyes and Gilbert Teodoro. As observed, the two just went on their own ways trying to lay down clear and transparent platforms of government for the electorates to see and contemplate on. This is why more and more people have succumbed to seeing political personalities engaging in a strictly clean politics which Delos Reyes and Teodoro have been upholding.
The dark horse comes victorious
In Cebu, the recently concluded youth forum initiated by a non-partisan organization called the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc.'s Eduardo Aboitiz Development Studies Center (RAFI-EASDC) showed a high percentage of trust and confidence rating from 69 out of the 149 students who were asked in the ad hoc survey. Their votes were weighed based on presented facts that involved the presidential candidate’s political track record, achievements and tangible accomplishments. Indeed the teens realized how track record and leadership capability like that of Teodoro would really help unite our slowly dividing Republic.
Religious icon Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, having believed in G1BO’s track record and capacities had finally expressed his support for G1BO to be the country’s next President. The announcement was made during an evangelical program among his 5,000 strong followers converged at the “Kingdom of Jesus Christ, The Name Above Every Name’s” headquarters in Buhangin District in Davao City.
Meanwhile, some 10,000 urban poor masses from Parola, Tondo in Manila jam-packed Gibo Teodoro’s campaign sorty on May 3, 2010. Being referred to as the “silent majority”, the Urban Poor masses officially recognized G1BO as “the adopted son of Tondo”. This is a glaring fact that surveys do not necessarily represent the entire electoral population and do not necessarily entail “sure win” of those who have emerged on top of the surveys.
Thinking outside the box
Evidently, there are indeed electorates who continue to think ahead and outside the box amidst the riddling power thug and political bickering here and there. More and more people including those in the media, show business, political analysts, academe, religious groups, businesses and youth sectors have grown in numbers and expressed their full support to G1BO.
We are all indeed fed up with political chitchats and nonsense personal attacks. We must bear in mind that this election season is for the furtherance and betterment of our country’s governmental fibers and not for political drama. Obviously, some TRAPOs and political groups used this event to perpetuate themselves to power at the expense of the voting public. We’ve had enough. And it is time for us to choose a leader which would make our country’s hope a reality.
Aquino’s mental health status and his “raw” leadership capacities are often being questioned by his close contender-Villar whose recent plunder case filed by one of Noynoy’s cronies, not to mention his C5 road controversies, unexplained industries among others are being subject of “retaliatory” propaganda bombed in return by Noynoy’s camp. Erap, on the other hand, may have seemed to ride on political bickering through frequent press conferences stating Villar’s involvement on various graft and corruption activities which in turn had made the latter so enticed about divulging to public the seemingly ancient history of graft practices, personal controversies and scandals and the polygamous stance which the former had been so involved with. Jamby Madrigal and Richrad Gordon have, by and large, trodden the same path and indulged themselves on similar activities.
The never-ending unscrupulous and malicious attacks from one candidate to the next have made the public so sick and tired about “politicking”. They now seek to view a much competitive and holistic approach to politics which would make their votes really worth the cast. Among those who have taken this less traveled road are only JC Delos Reyes and Gilbert Teodoro. As observed, the two just went on their own ways trying to lay down clear and transparent platforms of government for the electorates to see and contemplate on. This is why more and more people have succumbed to seeing political personalities engaging in a strictly clean politics which Delos Reyes and Teodoro have been upholding.
The dark horse comes victorious
In Cebu, the recently concluded youth forum initiated by a non-partisan organization called the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc.'s Eduardo Aboitiz Development Studies Center (RAFI-EASDC) showed a high percentage of trust and confidence rating from 69 out of the 149 students who were asked in the ad hoc survey. Their votes were weighed based on presented facts that involved the presidential candidate’s political track record, achievements and tangible accomplishments. Indeed the teens realized how track record and leadership capability like that of Teodoro would really help unite our slowly dividing Republic.
Religious icon Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, having believed in G1BO’s track record and capacities had finally expressed his support for G1BO to be the country’s next President. The announcement was made during an evangelical program among his 5,000 strong followers converged at the “Kingdom of Jesus Christ, The Name Above Every Name’s” headquarters in Buhangin District in Davao City.
Meanwhile, some 10,000 urban poor masses from Parola, Tondo in Manila jam-packed Gibo Teodoro’s campaign sorty on May 3, 2010. Being referred to as the “silent majority”, the Urban Poor masses officially recognized G1BO as “the adopted son of Tondo”. This is a glaring fact that surveys do not necessarily represent the entire electoral population and do not necessarily entail “sure win” of those who have emerged on top of the surveys.
Thinking outside the box
Evidently, there are indeed electorates who continue to think ahead and outside the box amidst the riddling power thug and political bickering here and there. More and more people including those in the media, show business, political analysts, academe, religious groups, businesses and youth sectors have grown in numbers and expressed their full support to G1BO.
We are all indeed fed up with political chitchats and nonsense personal attacks. We must bear in mind that this election season is for the furtherance and betterment of our country’s governmental fibers and not for political drama. Obviously, some TRAPOs and political groups used this event to perpetuate themselves to power at the expense of the voting public. We’ve had enough. And it is time for us to choose a leader which would make our country’s hope a reality.
BEHIND 2010 POLLS: MANIPULATIONS AND SCAM
The 2010 automated polls had been riddled with various issues and controversies that affected not only the credibility of our government to manhandle orderly elections but the mere essence of democracy and sovereignty, as well. One political group, as sourced was rigging the recent elections through outside sources just to be sure pulling a supreme power in governance. With this, glaring facts have it that such a plan aims at perpetuating certain individuals to power, manipulating our country’s governance and eventually self-drive and shape situation favorable to their interests.
The truth behind this “plot” was seemed left to fester as there was no enough representation to uncover the electoral fraud that has been bombarding the multi-media. However, reliable source revealed that the “manipulation” of the election machines (PCOS) was materialized to perpetuate Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay, aknown social democrat, to Malacañang and subsequently take over Nonoy from the post. This scenario simply explains the sudden “victory” of Binay who only ranked second during pre-election surveys and suddenly inched-off Senator Mar Roxas in the actual vice-presidential race.
Accordingly, the social democrats have been doing extra efforts just to bag government posts since the regime of Presidents Aquino and Ramos. Source further disclosed that the group was also behind the successful impeachment move against former President Joseph Estrada and for the subsequent succession of then Vice President Gloria Arroyo. However, their attempt to rein in President Arroyo according to their whims apparently became futile as she proved her own tenacity and willful power to stay for ten years in the Palace and rid herself of their ministrations and beguiling political “advices”.
Ineffective in impulsively halt the present administration, the group tends to lie-low from their plans and content themselves with sneaky ploys to regain their “political aura” and ultimately gain mileage from various communal entities. That “dormant” stance gave them the opportunity to execute their plans through various personalities as in the COMELEC and the so-called “Noynoy-Binay” collusion. This could be the very reason why SMARTMATIC- a business group linked to a famous social democrat Hugo Chavez of Venezuela won the bidding to automate the 2010 polls.
It could be recalled that COMELEC Commissioner Rene Sarmiento, also a social democrat and was among the “spokesperson” of SMARTMATIC had constantly defended the company amid the alleged “controversies” weeks before the elections and was even sure that the elections will push through as scheduled. This simply goes to say that something “magical” could have happened during the automated polls. Smells fishy, right?
The truth behind this “plot” was seemed left to fester as there was no enough representation to uncover the electoral fraud that has been bombarding the multi-media. However, reliable source revealed that the “manipulation” of the election machines (PCOS) was materialized to perpetuate Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay, aknown social democrat, to Malacañang and subsequently take over Nonoy from the post. This scenario simply explains the sudden “victory” of Binay who only ranked second during pre-election surveys and suddenly inched-off Senator Mar Roxas in the actual vice-presidential race.
Accordingly, the social democrats have been doing extra efforts just to bag government posts since the regime of Presidents Aquino and Ramos. Source further disclosed that the group was also behind the successful impeachment move against former President Joseph Estrada and for the subsequent succession of then Vice President Gloria Arroyo. However, their attempt to rein in President Arroyo according to their whims apparently became futile as she proved her own tenacity and willful power to stay for ten years in the Palace and rid herself of their ministrations and beguiling political “advices”.
Ineffective in impulsively halt the present administration, the group tends to lie-low from their plans and content themselves with sneaky ploys to regain their “political aura” and ultimately gain mileage from various communal entities. That “dormant” stance gave them the opportunity to execute their plans through various personalities as in the COMELEC and the so-called “Noynoy-Binay” collusion. This could be the very reason why SMARTMATIC- a business group linked to a famous social democrat Hugo Chavez of Venezuela won the bidding to automate the 2010 polls.
It could be recalled that COMELEC Commissioner Rene Sarmiento, also a social democrat and was among the “spokesperson” of SMARTMATIC had constantly defended the company amid the alleged “controversies” weeks before the elections and was even sure that the elections will push through as scheduled. This simply goes to say that something “magical” could have happened during the automated polls. Smells fishy, right?
OCAMPO AT MAZA, NAGTATAGO NGA BA?
Maaring nagtataka kayo kung nasaan na nga ba sina Bayan Muna Representative Satur Ocampo at Gabriela Representative Liza Maza? Bigla na lamang silang naglahong parang bula matapos ang isinagawang eleksyon noong nakaraang Mayo 10 kung saan sila ay kumandidato bilang senador sa ilalim ng Nacionalista Party. Totoo bang tinanggap na nila ang kanilang pagkatalo o sadyang pinagnilay-nilayan nila rason sa ang kanilang pagkatalo noong nakaraang eleksyon? Nakakapagduda lamang dahil hindi na sila aktibo ngayon lalo na sa isyung kinakaharap na resulta noong nakaraang eleksyon. May dapat bang ipangamba ang taong bayan sa hindi nila pangingialam?
Simula’t sapol ay nababatid natin na lagi na lamang nakikialam ang dalawang kongresista lalo na usaping patungkol sa pagyurak ng administrasyong Arroyo. Kaliwa’t kanan rin ang mga protesta at rally saan mang panig ng bansa para mabigyan ng boses ang mga naapi lalo na patungkol sa kawalan ng benepisyo sa trabaho, mababang pasahod, pagmamay-ari sa mga lupain, korapsyon sa gobyerno at marami pang iba. Ngunit, isang malaking tanong ng karamihan ay kung bakit hindi nararamdaman ang presenya nina Ocampo at Maza lalo na ngayong may malaking dayaan sa nakaraang halalan.
Ocampo at Maza, may pinagtataguan ba kayo? Bigla na lamang nawala ang dalawa pagkatapos ng eleksyon kung saan nabigo silang makuha ang kahit isang posisyon sa senado. Matatandaan na ang Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) ay naglaan ng malaking pondo para sa pangangampanya ni Ocampo at Maza. Kung susuriing mabuti, ang pinag- uusapan dito ay paggasta ng malaking halaga ng grupo na nauwi lamang sa wala dahil sa pagkatalo ng dalawa. Hindi kaya may kaugnayan sa pera ang dahilan ng pagtatago nina Ocampo at Maza? Kung tutuusin, may malaking posibilidad na maari ngang nagtago sila dahil binigo nila nag partido dahil na rin sa sakripisyong ginawa ng mga miyembro ng buong CPP para sa kanila.
Malamang natatakot ang dalawa ngayon sa kanilang mga kasamahang rebelde dahil sa kanilang binibitiwang pangako sa mga ito na magkakaroon sila ng posisyon sa senado at pagiging miyembro ng gabinete kapag nanalo ang kanilang sinusuportahan. Siniguro pa ng dalawa na mababawi nila ang kanilang ginastos sa pangangampanya. Ang lahat ng pagsusumikap ng rebeldeng grupo sa pangangampanya at paglustay sa pondo ng partido ay hindi lamang sapat upang magluklok sa kaninuman sa posisyon. Marahil ito lamang ay nagbigay- daan upang mismo masira ang pagtitiwala at respetong ibinigay ng kasamahan nila sa grupo.
Simula’t sapol ay nababatid natin na lagi na lamang nakikialam ang dalawang kongresista lalo na usaping patungkol sa pagyurak ng administrasyong Arroyo. Kaliwa’t kanan rin ang mga protesta at rally saan mang panig ng bansa para mabigyan ng boses ang mga naapi lalo na patungkol sa kawalan ng benepisyo sa trabaho, mababang pasahod, pagmamay-ari sa mga lupain, korapsyon sa gobyerno at marami pang iba. Ngunit, isang malaking tanong ng karamihan ay kung bakit hindi nararamdaman ang presenya nina Ocampo at Maza lalo na ngayong may malaking dayaan sa nakaraang halalan.
Ocampo at Maza, may pinagtataguan ba kayo? Bigla na lamang nawala ang dalawa pagkatapos ng eleksyon kung saan nabigo silang makuha ang kahit isang posisyon sa senado. Matatandaan na ang Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) ay naglaan ng malaking pondo para sa pangangampanya ni Ocampo at Maza. Kung susuriing mabuti, ang pinag- uusapan dito ay paggasta ng malaking halaga ng grupo na nauwi lamang sa wala dahil sa pagkatalo ng dalawa. Hindi kaya may kaugnayan sa pera ang dahilan ng pagtatago nina Ocampo at Maza? Kung tutuusin, may malaking posibilidad na maari ngang nagtago sila dahil binigo nila nag partido dahil na rin sa sakripisyong ginawa ng mga miyembro ng buong CPP para sa kanila.
Malamang natatakot ang dalawa ngayon sa kanilang mga kasamahang rebelde dahil sa kanilang binibitiwang pangako sa mga ito na magkakaroon sila ng posisyon sa senado at pagiging miyembro ng gabinete kapag nanalo ang kanilang sinusuportahan. Siniguro pa ng dalawa na mababawi nila ang kanilang ginastos sa pangangampanya. Ang lahat ng pagsusumikap ng rebeldeng grupo sa pangangampanya at paglustay sa pondo ng partido ay hindi lamang sapat upang magluklok sa kaninuman sa posisyon. Marahil ito lamang ay nagbigay- daan upang mismo masira ang pagtitiwala at respetong ibinigay ng kasamahan nila sa grupo.
PAGKAMPI SA KOMUNISTA: ISANG MALAKING KAHANGALAN
“Kung hindi uukol, hindi bubukol”- isang kasabihan ng mga matatandang Pinoy na tugmang- tugama sa kinalabasan ng paglahok nina Satur Ocampo at Liza Masa sa senatorial race nitong nakaraang eleksyon. Hindi nakaguhit sa pulitika ng Pilipinas ang dalawang representante ng Bayan Muna at Gabriela ang pagiging senador ng ating bansa dahil malinaw na talagang napag- iwanan na sila sa bilangan ng kanilang mga katunggali.
Tama namang ang malaking agwat o maliit na bilang ng boto na nalikom ng dalawang kongresista ay nagpapahiwatig lamang ng papaliit na papaliit na mundo ng makakaliwang militanteng grupo tulad nila? Maari din senyales ito na nagsasabing nagsasawa na talaga ang taong bayan sa kaliwa’t kanang pagsisigaw sa mga kalye at sa kanilang walang katapusang mga rally laban sa gobyerno kung kaya’t naiisip nila na wala na ngang maibibigay na bago para sa bayan ang dalawa.
Suntok sa buwan ang ginawa ni Satur at Liza sa kanilang pagsabak sa pagka-senador lalo na ang ginawa nilang pakikipag-alyansa sa anak ng dati nilang itinuturing na kaaway na si Bongbong Marcos. Marahil ito ang dahilan kung bakit naging mapakla ang panlasa ng taong bayan sa dalawang kandidato dahil ito ay nagpapahiwatig lamang na hindi tunay ang pakikipaglaban para sa karapatan ng taong bayan bagkus ay mas importante pa ang pagpapalabas ng kanilang ngiping pulitikal na karaniwang nakikita natin sa mga tinatawag na TRAPO.
Umuwing luhaan din ang ibang kaalyadong partylist group nina Satur at Liza sa ilalim ng tinatawag na MAKABAYAN. Hindi nakakuha ng tamang boto ang mga grupo tulad ng KATRIBU at AKAP BATA samantalang halos tig-iisang posisyon lamang ang nakuha ng ilang kakamping partylist groups. Isa sa mga pahiwatig na patuloy na lumiliit ang suporta ng taong bayan sa mga makakaliwang ay ang malaking pagkatalo ng presidentiable na si Manny Villar. Kung matatandaan na inendorso mismo ni Communist Party of the Philippines Chairman Jose Ma. Sison ang nasabing kandidato tulad na din ang pag- endorse nito kay Satur at Liza. Sa madaling salita, kung sino man ang kumapi sa mga komunista at paniguradong natatalo sa anumang larangan. Kakampi pa ba kayo sa talunan?
Tama namang ang malaking agwat o maliit na bilang ng boto na nalikom ng dalawang kongresista ay nagpapahiwatig lamang ng papaliit na papaliit na mundo ng makakaliwang militanteng grupo tulad nila? Maari din senyales ito na nagsasabing nagsasawa na talaga ang taong bayan sa kaliwa’t kanang pagsisigaw sa mga kalye at sa kanilang walang katapusang mga rally laban sa gobyerno kung kaya’t naiisip nila na wala na ngang maibibigay na bago para sa bayan ang dalawa.
Suntok sa buwan ang ginawa ni Satur at Liza sa kanilang pagsabak sa pagka-senador lalo na ang ginawa nilang pakikipag-alyansa sa anak ng dati nilang itinuturing na kaaway na si Bongbong Marcos. Marahil ito ang dahilan kung bakit naging mapakla ang panlasa ng taong bayan sa dalawang kandidato dahil ito ay nagpapahiwatig lamang na hindi tunay ang pakikipaglaban para sa karapatan ng taong bayan bagkus ay mas importante pa ang pagpapalabas ng kanilang ngiping pulitikal na karaniwang nakikita natin sa mga tinatawag na TRAPO.
Umuwing luhaan din ang ibang kaalyadong partylist group nina Satur at Liza sa ilalim ng tinatawag na MAKABAYAN. Hindi nakakuha ng tamang boto ang mga grupo tulad ng KATRIBU at AKAP BATA samantalang halos tig-iisang posisyon lamang ang nakuha ng ilang kakamping partylist groups. Isa sa mga pahiwatig na patuloy na lumiliit ang suporta ng taong bayan sa mga makakaliwang ay ang malaking pagkatalo ng presidentiable na si Manny Villar. Kung matatandaan na inendorso mismo ni Communist Party of the Philippines Chairman Jose Ma. Sison ang nasabing kandidato tulad na din ang pag- endorse nito kay Satur at Liza. Sa madaling salita, kung sino man ang kumapi sa mga komunista at paniguradong natatalo sa anumang larangan. Kakampi pa ba kayo sa talunan?
DYSFUNCTIONAL REBELS IN THE PHILIPPINES
What is the difference between rebels and revolutionaries?
Rebels are known for what they are against, while revolutionaries are known for what they are for—simple enough? In the Philippines, there are too many identified rebels but one can hardly notice any revolutionaries. Indeed, we have no shortage of rebels- people who can keenly express what they are against, but when asked what they are exactly for, they were less likely give you any specifics. Suddenly, the air become abstracts and motherhood statements abound. It gets far worse when they pressed to give anything regarding how they would accomplish this in greater detail.
Revolutions require more thinking than rebellions, since not only do revolutionaries need to work through the same processes that rebels do in order to bring down the present system, they also need to provide a better working alternative to the system they intend to replace–not necessarily in that order. There seems to be this naive tendency to expect that dismantling the present system automatically defaults into a better one simply by letting things take their course, as if burning down or destroying a building would automatically grow a better building like a phoenix rising out of the ashes without a strong follow-through or real effort to rebuild one. In regime changes, reformers tend to focus on solutions to the evils of the old system—evils they may correctly identify. However, as they turn out, we find a worse kind of evil in their place. Especially in the absence of planning and foresight and no real grasp of principles, like terrible chess players, when reformers are not too keen in covering all their bases, there will be serious consequences in areas that actually haven’t been anticipated.
The leaders a society chooses reflect very much on who or what the society is. In other words, leaders tend to be the projection—the very image of the collective than elected them into office. When a society is unable to weigh the situation soundly- logically or reasonably- and has a shallow grasp of equally sound governing principles, then they easily and quite naturally fall for the same type of leader. A results-oriented society who believes in personal accountability would choose the same type of leader. A society who falls for leaders lacking in accomplishments in their history of service is not a results-oriented society. A society who falls for leaders who spent most of their time opposing without offering a sounder alternative is likely to be simply a society of whiners and complainers. A society who supports rebels and not genuine revolutionaries is an anarchic society. A society who elects a leader with no viable platform or solution to its ills is a society with no realizable promise as a collective. A fickle and dishonorable society is a society who ousts a leader and yet re-elects the same leader for a sack of rice.
Which society are we?
Rebels are known for what they are against, while revolutionaries are known for what they are for—simple enough? In the Philippines, there are too many identified rebels but one can hardly notice any revolutionaries. Indeed, we have no shortage of rebels- people who can keenly express what they are against, but when asked what they are exactly for, they were less likely give you any specifics. Suddenly, the air become abstracts and motherhood statements abound. It gets far worse when they pressed to give anything regarding how they would accomplish this in greater detail.
Revolutions require more thinking than rebellions, since not only do revolutionaries need to work through the same processes that rebels do in order to bring down the present system, they also need to provide a better working alternative to the system they intend to replace–not necessarily in that order. There seems to be this naive tendency to expect that dismantling the present system automatically defaults into a better one simply by letting things take their course, as if burning down or destroying a building would automatically grow a better building like a phoenix rising out of the ashes without a strong follow-through or real effort to rebuild one. In regime changes, reformers tend to focus on solutions to the evils of the old system—evils they may correctly identify. However, as they turn out, we find a worse kind of evil in their place. Especially in the absence of planning and foresight and no real grasp of principles, like terrible chess players, when reformers are not too keen in covering all their bases, there will be serious consequences in areas that actually haven’t been anticipated.
The leaders a society chooses reflect very much on who or what the society is. In other words, leaders tend to be the projection—the very image of the collective than elected them into office. When a society is unable to weigh the situation soundly- logically or reasonably- and has a shallow grasp of equally sound governing principles, then they easily and quite naturally fall for the same type of leader. A results-oriented society who believes in personal accountability would choose the same type of leader. A society who falls for leaders lacking in accomplishments in their history of service is not a results-oriented society. A society who falls for leaders who spent most of their time opposing without offering a sounder alternative is likely to be simply a society of whiners and complainers. A society who supports rebels and not genuine revolutionaries is an anarchic society. A society who elects a leader with no viable platform or solution to its ills is a society with no realizable promise as a collective. A fickle and dishonorable society is a society who ousts a leader and yet re-elects the same leader for a sack of rice.
Which society are we?
AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE FILIPINO TO STEP UP AND LEAD
The Philippines’ Commission on Election has done a tremendous responsibility as been observed in today’s National and Local Election. It overcame the hexes cast upon by the shamans in the Philippine media and the parties they supported, and stepped up in the face of overwhelming disapproval. The COMELEC stands tall as a lone beacon of modernism in our backward society.
It is indeed very ironic that the COMELEC, for so long being the blacksheep institution of the Philippine public sector, has rocketed to the top of civil service excellence on the back of a feat of technology implementation, while the stalwart relics of 1980’s emo politics now stand under the stern gaze of a public that have all but caught on to the con operation they had subject Da Pinoy to for the last twenty five years.
If Cory Aquino brought pride to the Philippine nation in 1986 for leading the people power “revolution” of that year, Noynoy Aquino, her eldest now, now stands to the same twenty-four years later--- by standing aside the institution he sought to undermine stands tall and casts a gloating shadow on his ironic win in legitimate polls.
We see the dawn of a government headed by a person who cannot lead as an opportunity for the Filipino to lead the way they were meant as the most IMPORTANT elements in ay truly democratic society.
It is now the time that Filipinos should take accountability beyond being mere voters. Being constituents of a democratic government entails responsibility beyond the vote. Electing a president is not the end of our role. It is the beginning of it.
The measures of a president’s success are quite simple: a president must have:(1) A clear understanding of his country’s most pressing issues – the As-is State;(2) A lucid view of what he envisions his country to look like by the time he steps down six years later – the To-be State of the Philippines in 2016.; and, (3) A roadmap to get us there — The Plan.
Yes, Mr President, it becomes more real now — especially to the people you’ve made promises to. The countdown to 2016 is on. And we will be watching — and leading your government.
So what’s the plan, Mr. soon-to-be President?
It is indeed very ironic that the COMELEC, for so long being the blacksheep institution of the Philippine public sector, has rocketed to the top of civil service excellence on the back of a feat of technology implementation, while the stalwart relics of 1980’s emo politics now stand under the stern gaze of a public that have all but caught on to the con operation they had subject Da Pinoy to for the last twenty five years.
If Cory Aquino brought pride to the Philippine nation in 1986 for leading the people power “revolution” of that year, Noynoy Aquino, her eldest now, now stands to the same twenty-four years later--- by standing aside the institution he sought to undermine stands tall and casts a gloating shadow on his ironic win in legitimate polls.
We see the dawn of a government headed by a person who cannot lead as an opportunity for the Filipino to lead the way they were meant as the most IMPORTANT elements in ay truly democratic society.
It is now the time that Filipinos should take accountability beyond being mere voters. Being constituents of a democratic government entails responsibility beyond the vote. Electing a president is not the end of our role. It is the beginning of it.
The measures of a president’s success are quite simple: a president must have:(1) A clear understanding of his country’s most pressing issues – the As-is State;(2) A lucid view of what he envisions his country to look like by the time he steps down six years later – the To-be State of the Philippines in 2016.; and, (3) A roadmap to get us there — The Plan.
Yes, Mr President, it becomes more real now — especially to the people you’ve made promises to. The countdown to 2016 is on. And we will be watching — and leading your government.
So what’s the plan, Mr. soon-to-be President?
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