by Jacques Phillip •
For a long time now, I have been taking the activist role here and on Facebook, trying to educate the Filipinos — in particular, the voting public — as to what is truly wrong with their country today. The biggest hurdle I have come across, is their unexplainable belief that it is still — after 30 years — the fault of former president Marcos. And if they don’t respond in that fashion. They start posting all kinds of newspaper clippings. Web links. Biography websites. And a host of other information from the past. It got me thinking of how to best describe what’s happened to the Philippines over the last 3 or 4 decades.
So here goes…
President Marcos was sitting in the Palace garden one day, and decided he would plant a tree. Not just any tree mind you. But a very special tree. One that can deliver untold riches and power to those who believe in it.
As time went on, Marcos watched his little tree grow into something he never imagined. Full of wealth and power beyond imagination. Sadly, along came a bunch of hustlers and shysters who convinced the people that the man was dangerous to the future of the country. So they promptly got rid of him.
Upon entering the now abandoned Presidential Palace, the new leaders discovered Marcos’ little tree in the garden. Upon closer examination, they saw exactly what it was. But instead of cutting it down, they secretly kept it alive. Gathering their family and friends around, they agreed this was the root of all Marcos’ wealth and success. And if they were going to have any part of it, they must keep the tree alive at all costs. And most importantly… Never tell the people the tree exists.
They instructed their followers and other lemmings to tell the people all kinds of lies and other trivia to make them constantly despise their former leader. But under no circumstance, should anyone ever reveal the existence of the tree. For if the people find out, then will surely lose the benefits of the tree. And the peoples lives would be improved upon. For if the people became aware of the tree, they would surely cut it down.
Today, under the current administration of President BS Aquino. The little tree has now grown to a nightmare of a shade tree that hovers over the entire country. Helped along by an ever-growing group of political hustlers that will forever support this tree. Even at the cost of the nations people and their well being.
So there you have it folks. The plain and simple truth of exactly who is truly to blame for the continued corruption in the Philippines. You can blame Ferdinand Marcos til the cows come home. It won’t do any good. You’re blaming the wrong person. You need to blame those who wouldn’t cut the tree down. For it is they who have become more corrupt that the individual who planted the tree in the first place.
One could also say it’s like buying a house with a big tree in the front yard. If you don’t like it, cut it down. But if it grows big enough to eventually damage the house itself. Who’s to blame? The original home owner. Or you, the new owner, who didn’t cut the tree down once you realized it was an eyesore?
No comments:
Post a Comment