The Lies of the Land

As the early morning breaks on Election Day in this Republic, one hopes that your favor is granted on these musings.

We all hope and pray that the electorate will exercise political maturity today, not sell themselves, and eschew the nation's political dynasties.

But will the people, particularly in the C, and D, and E levels do that? Prof. Winnie Monsod's study group had some positive, if extremely focused findings recently. That in Taguig, and Makati, their survey found that overwhelmingly, all classes of voters, from classes A,B,C,D, and E, rejected candidates who belonged to a political dynasty. It was encouraging, indeed.

However, only some 20% of the electorate live in highly urbanized areas where more educated, sophisticated voters are centered. Metro Manila has only 13.5 % of the entire nation's population, clustered in only 2 % of the total national land area. What about the provinces, then?

Sadly, if you look at Comelec records, of the 80 provinces nationwide, there are now 17 provinces where the provincial Governors are running unopposed.  And there are more politicians now who have made their wives, mistresses, children, or relatives to run in their stead than ever before.

"Matulungin; Nalalapitan; Mabait; Matalino; at Malinis". Those are the qualifications a typical Filipino voter looks for in a public official, and in that order of priority. So it only shows that voters have personal gain foremost in mind in selecting a candidate. Does anyone wonder why we get the kind of leaders that are elected? If people looks at public officials as "cash cows", for their BKL needs ("Burol, Kasal, Libing"), then we should expect nothing good to come out of today's exercise. and because of the low level of government's ability to provide social services, the elected official is looked to traditionally as the extension of government. Hence where the typical Filipino runs to for just about anything he needs. I saw it growing up as a boy, and it still remains today.

Besides, if the typical Filipino voter has not seen any improvement in the quality of his life from any politico, and can't expect any changes from any of the choices presented today, then why should we expect that poor voter not to sell his vote? There is nothing in it for him if he refuses to sell his vote, anyway. Pretty grim, isn't it?

Historically, the typical voter only fills in seven choices at most in his ballot.  Any more candidates added on usually is not given serious consideration.  Either just added on as a "filler" or as a "kursunada".

In our province alone, I know that certain political parties' have formed smaller select groups to be carried by "command vote", with certain members of those slates working to junk other team members. It's now such a dog-eat-dog race, that no voter can discern a variance political platform, or agenda from each slate.

And so it has happened again. A digression to the purely personal greed for power of politicians. And I am afraid, a failure of the anti-political dynasty movement. A movement which we must all perpetuate beyond May 13, 2013 through 2016 and beyond of particular concern should be the present move toward placing certain candidates today in the ticket for the Presidential and Vice Presidential slots in 2016. Or do we still care?.

Are we going to see the return of more mature, sober minds in the Senate and Congress? Will the people make wise choices? While this heart remains hopeful, it still fears that those dreams will just remain in the realm of the Lies of this Land.God bless the Philippines!

Jay Caedo 5/13/2013