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Monday, March 5, 2012

That human factor is starvation.

The jury system and the culture of the people/Unprincipled Filipinos

“Again we are back to the description and characterisation of our government as the result of the majority of our voters putting the officials into elected office. Hence our government is as good as the majority of the people electing the officials into offices.” – Dr. Eddie C

I can honestly say that Dr. Calderon’s reasoning is clear and understandable – that one should not compromise his/her principles – integrity vs. vote selling. The obvious conclusion for someone who sells his/her vote is that person is unprincipled and without integrity.


Under normal conditions this is very true. There is however a human factor that is ignored and/or disregarded in the equation of VOTE SELLING = UNPRINCIPLED PERSON. That human factor is starvation.


Allow me to elaborate.


67% of the PI population is poor way below the poverty levels in theUS. There is chronic high unemployment. These poor people consider themselves lucky to eat 3 times a day with small amount of rice and dried fish/bagoong as ulam. Majority can only afford 1-2 meals a day. Why? A tricycle driver earns PhP100-200.00 a day on a 14 hour work schedule. Jeepney and taxi drivers after paying their boundaries and gas net around PhPP250-400 on a 14-16 hour work schedule, street and sidewalk vendors earn PhP150-500 depending on the location; farmers PhP80-170.00 depending where they are; sales people in department stores PhP275-290.00.


Cost of commodities: Rice PhP35-48/kg, galonggong PhP120.00/kg, fresh dilis PhP80-100.00/kg, dried dilis PhPy250-300/kg, tuyo/daing PhP300-400/kg, one egg PhP5.00, pork PHP150-180/kg, chicken PhP140-160/kg; diesel PhP50.00/L, propane gas PhP800/small container; and these do not include home expenses which runs in to a few thousands/month. What is amazing is in spite the low income by the people factored against the high cost of commodities one wonders how the poor manage to support their families of 2-3 children to feed and educate; and an unemployed wife. Their answer: kaunting tiyaga ho ay makakaraus din.


My question is: Given the same situation – starving, overworked and lacking enough money to support your family’s immediate needs for the next few days, will you sell your vote if someone offered to buy your vote backed by the intimidation you’ll receive if you go against those powerful politicians?


***Note: I am not sure if the street statistic I just gave you are the same as those in my notes but I assure you they are very close.


As soon as I am done writing my Philippine experience I’ll share with all of you what I’ve seen without [my] editorializing.


So you see a well fed Minnesotan can firmly stand on his principles; to a starving poor Filipino who does not know where to get the next meal for his family most likely will get the PhP3,000-5,000 offered.


I hope that clarifies the 2 different situations of the well fed Minnesotan vs. the starving poor Filipino in their decision making.


Can you honestly say that Filipinos are unprincipled because they sold their votes?


Peace and Prosper


Nelson A. Paguyo


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