I don’t think there is a point in holding elections in the Philippines. It’s so expensive and the whole process just disrupts normal activities and keeps Filipinos from moving forward. What is the point in going through something that won’t even change or improve how things are being run in the country anyway?
Before every election, the candidates use literally the same song and dance routine to entertain the voters. After the election is over, the candidates go back to doing everything they can to protect their family’s interests and virtually nothing that could benefit the rest of the population. It’s just ridiculous.
[Photo courtesy When in Manila.]
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If the Filipino voters are going to choose and elect their public servants from candidates who come from the same families who have been ruling the country for decades, then these families ought to just take turns in having a go at those lucrative positions in government; something like a contractual term will do. That’ll save us from bearing with all the empty slogans, campaign jingles, and adolescent mudslinging in the months leading to Election Day.
It’s getting harder and harder to feel sorry for Filipinos nowadays. They keep blaming others for their miseries when the fact is they are the ones who vote for the same people who cause much of their miseries. One can be forgiven for saying that Filipino voters are simply stupid, arrogant and just a bunch of losers.
At the moment, there are 178 dynasties ruling 73 of the 80 provinces in the Philippines. Now, that’s a lot. Who voted for these people? The answer: the same people who continue to complain about their wretched lives. Even a convicted plunderer can run again and again for public office. As long as he is popular, he and the rest of his family’s chances of winning are strong. It’s so pathetic.
Every three years the voters have an opportunity to vote for someone new and yet they still choose to vote for the same bozos. If Filipinos are tired of the same families who are running the country, why can’t they demand the end of the ruling of the dynasties? It should be easy enough to do if the clamor to end it is loud enough. The clamor for better candidates should culminate on Election Day, when voters choose someone who doesn’t belong to a ruling elite and someone who holds a true vision for the country.
Some Filipinos think that blaming the candidates is the way to go. Yes, majority of the candidates are taking advantage of the voter’s ignorance. These candidates deserve the scrutiny and some of the valid criticism. However, let us not ignore the fact that the voters are responsible for choosing the candidates.
Take a candidate like Nancy Binay. She is using her father’s popularity to win the election. Some of her critics are actually too harsh on her when they should be directing their anger at the voters. Nancy Binay or Bam Aquino would not even think twice about running if they knew they didn’t have a chance to win – if they knew the voters use their heads. But they know that having a popular family name is enough for them to win. What Nancy or Bam are doing may be unethical or wrong but they are comforted by the fact that it was the people who want them to win.
[Photo courtesy Showbiz Government.]
According to Bobby Tuazon who is the director for policy studies at the Centre for People Empowerment in Governance, the country’s political landscape is ‘getting worse’. Here’s what he had to say about the mid-term elections:
Tuazon projected that when all votes are counted, 21 of the 24 Senate seats will fall under the control of political families. That includes former President Joseph Estrada’s two sons from different mothers. In the House of Representatives, about 80 percent of the 229 seats will also be dominated by dynasties.
“The government will remain under the control of the traditional political parties,” he said.
‘These are the same elites who control the economic resources of the country,’ Tuazon said. What is even more alarming for him is that clans are no longer content in fielding two or three family members each election cycle.
In the province of Maguindanao, where 34 journalists covering a campaign were killed in 2009, about 80 members of the Ampatuan family, which has been implicated in the massacre, are running for office.
I can’t help but think that Tuazon is letting the Filipino voters off the hook with regard to the worsening state of Philippine politics. It’s as if the Filipino people are not free to choose. Filipinos are free to vote for the right candidate but they choose the wrong ones most of the time. President Benigno Simeon ‘BS’ Aquino is proof of this. I mean, why would the voters in Maguidananao still want to put any of the Ampatuan family in power after senior members of the clan allegedly massacred 52 innocent people? It’s so inconceivable.
Shaming the members of political dynasties does not even work. They have become dense and do not seem to have any shred of decency left. Since that is the case, shaming the voters could work instead in changing the political landscape in the Philippines. If the voters still prefer giving up their right to have a decent life, then members of the dynasties should just take turns ruling them, indeed. At the end of the day, Filipino voters should be blamed for how the public servants they voted for run the country.
In life, things are not always what they seem.
sadly Filipinos vote on
1. who they see on tv
2. who has entertained them the most
3. the last-name they’re familiar with
issues in terms of governance are ignored and qualifications are pretty much non-existent
scary thought that will soon be a nightmare reality the Philippines will face?
2016 Presidential Candidate: Kris Aquino
2016 Vice-President: Vice Ganda
ewan ko na lng ano ang mangyayari sa bansa pag nangyari na yun
“it’s more fun in the philippines!” di ba..
Nothing bad about dynasties as long as they serve the country righteously.
Nothing bad about dynasties, indeed.
What’s bad is incompetent birdbrains like you picking the incompetent and self-interested ones, like the Aquinos, for example.
Yes. But in reality, it’s just the opposite. Political dynasties in the Philippines didn’t work after all.
meron ba?
at least in the Philippines political dynasties are not run by the military, unlike in Cambodia, where fear from the military runs from every opposition mind’s as the government is run by the sons of generals, everybody in the cambodian government has a military rank, for their own family’s protection. I always fear the rise of another civil war in Cambodia, just like what happened to Pol Pot in the mid 70’s, He used the military to subdue the civilians.
“at least in the Philippines political dynasties are not run by the military”
And what about Gringo Honasan? Military aide to JPE. Trillanes? Attempted a coup just because he was inspired (and likely fomented) by Honasan. Enrile was Defense Secretary going all the way back to Marcos.
It is naive to assume that elements of the military (and the police) do not have a continuing dynastic presence in Philippine politics because they do not APPEAR to be as brutal as Pol Pot. It is precisely because of the power they hold that human rights abuses are perpetrated with impunity all over the archipelago.
Ang Paghanga ko sa mga Kababayan kaya di umuunlad
!. Pag humaga sa isang tao ay kahit ma compromised ang economiya ay iboboto at magrereklamo pag pumalpak o di naambunan
2. Puro sisi pero walang action
3. Lahat dapat ay may bayad gaya ng yellow demonstration
$.Haggang ngayon ay sinusunod pa rin ang sabi ng diyos na humayo at magparami ng bata.kahit mahirap pa sa daga
Di lahat ng pinoy ay nagsisimba pero sa parteng ito,lahat ay naniniwala.
Walang corrupt na gobyerno na education ang priority.unneducated voters the better for politician
If only 80% of the voters pay their income taxes whether correctly or not, maybe we might see some improvement in electing the right people to public office.The most abused and most exploited group of people whose taxes are witheld to ensure payment also looks like not part of the plan. A columnist once suggested that voters who pay their income taxes should only be the one allowed to vote. He has a valid point there. Why will we allow non payers and they are the overwhelming majority of the voting populace decide and determine who to install in public office?
That is not right because everyone must be equal NO MATTER WHAT.
Right, and in the Aquinos’ eyes, everybody is equally exploitable, you birdbrain.
Alconce, they already have a political system based on equality NO MATTER WHAT. They tried to make it work but it ultimately failed because it absolves responsibility from the individual, it’s called Communism.
I agree. Non-taxpayers tend be the morons who vote for celebrities and clowns, regardless of their intelligence and leadership capabilities.
However,if they were denied the right to vote they would throw a tantrum about being discriminated and crap.
I agree that nothing can be expected from the self interested politicians who consistently show themselves to be the dregs of human excrement and the height of political hypocricy.
The system itself also acts as a closed shop and a practical deterrent to any potentially good candidates who are either priced out from running, shut out by the media, or shot down by motorcycle riding thugs. ‘Goons, guns, and gold’ is an appropriate summary of politics within the philippines, and representative of 3rd world politics in general.
An example of the feudal system are the singsons of ilocos sur who have 20 family members in elected national and local political positions and a further 20+ in appointed posts – many in multiple positions ensuring that their influence covers all sectors.
No transparency, or checks and balances, simply easy access to vast sums of taxpayer money.
74% of current congressmen come from political families and 80% of senators. The philippines clearly has little right to even call itself a democracy, and manipulated elections only emphasise the point.
I also agree that the voters apply the lowest common denominator in choosing candidates based primarily on popularity, vote-buying, or bloc voting. In essence no thought, no brains, no balls.
Policies, programmes, and platforms are neither demanded nor discussed.
It all conspires to perpetuate a vicious circle, the consequences of which are all plain to see in terms of long term systemic poverty levels, rising un/underemployment levels, the droves of ofw’s going abroad, and the endemic levels of corruption.
3 years into the aquino administration and nothing has been achieved or has changed, and even the uneducated should realise by now that everything is always jam tomorrow, false promises, smoke and mirrors, endless propaganda, meaningless inquiries, and toothless investigations, all designed to buy time until 2016, and that maintaining the status quo is as much in p-noy’s DNA, as in the other sycophants, the power brokers and the oligarchs.
Any financial/business growth is largely fuelled by short term ‘hot money’, and has no positive impact with regard to investment, jobs, or inclusive growth. Even in those monopolies benefitting from high prices and high profits, wages are still pegged, and contractualisation continues, and capital investment avoided resulting in deteriorating service levels and a complete lack of innovation or improvements in efficiency.
After every foreign trip p-noy was quick to talk of all the investment he had secured! Lies. Foreign direct investment keeps going down, to an all time low, and the philippines is well and truly at the bottom of the ASEAN league, and seen for what it is by foreign observers/investors, but not by the bulk of the population who still cling in vain to mantras and motherhood statements whilst their children go hungry and remain uneducated.
The central PPP has been an abject failure and with no infrastructure projects there is no doubt about where the increased budget is going – election war chest/vote buying and certain cabinet secretaries new multi million mansions.
40 years of dynasties have raped and robbed the country and it’s people of money, opportunity, hope, and self-respect. Make no mistake the country was, and still is rich, but when personal greed dictates policy then it is as treacherous a behaviour as helping the japanese in the war, or as disgusting as condoning human trafficking/human rights abuses.
Vast sums of money (97$ Billion according to Mckinseys – more than the national debt) is leaving the philippines for tax havens/investment abroad. The oligarchs have no desire to reinvest in their own country or pax taxes on exhorbitant profits, simply hide it in the same way politicians are buying property in the US, and even using diplomatic immunity to carry cash undetected through customs.
What has always been very apparent to me, having met a number of senators and congressmen is their complete lack of respect for fellow filipinos. As soon as they gain power and have access to money they turn their back on the voters and their roots, and seem to think they are better than they are, wanting to join the best clubs, create a cocooned existence, spend time in US, and display a false arrogance, and delusions of grandeur!
So what pragmatic steps can be taken to reverse a situation which may well already be past the tipping point and irretrievable/irreversible.
Anti-dynasty bill/ definition of constitution is not the way. It would follow the route of FoI – years of debate but no action – a convenient sop to show interest on the surface but with no real intention of any change. The politics of procrastination and pretence. Look busy when you are not. Look interested when you are not. Seem as though you care when you don’t.
Education is a continuing need, but a long haul process with limited effect/penetration, but i am sure that even educated observers are unaware of the sheer scale of cronyism/nepotism etc – it is kept as quiet as possible for obvious reasons.
The only practical answers are to implement FoI (and publish SALN’s online), and more importantly abolish PDAF/pork barrel. Together they would make politicians more accountable whilst removing one of the main attractions to currently enter politics.
The third element is to ensure action is taken and punitive measures applied to those who abuse the system and are guilty of transgressions – not simply selective harrassment for political reasons, and impunity for those in power/favour.
Its rather like treating an addict.
Firstly they need to reach rock bottom (voter revolt), secondly you need to deprive them of their supply (PDAF/pork barrel), thirdly you need to provide ongoing support/monitoring (FoI), and fourthly relapse (theft etc) will result in consequences (criminal charges).
What do you mean nothing has been achieved in the Aquino admin? We have already have beauty queens won the crown while the former has none.
And that’s considered as an achievement for you? What a birdbrain
LOL. You are a JOKE, eduardo
Your tears are delicious, TROLL HARDER
I just hope Asiong is just sarcastic.
And you call that an accomplishment? What a shallow way to define it, just like everything else that the Aquino administration does.
By the way, your name really suits you, “asiong” a.k.a eduardo.
Just like your name, you are a waste of space and wasteful of your time trying to post useless propaganda
And beauty queens who won the crown are a symbol of your political achievements? Too bad you are circle jerking your way out of this argument, much like anyone who doesn’t have ANYTHING to add except for hearsay and LOL Our Lord and Savior Noynoy.
And even if you base success on beauty queens alone, too bad. NO BEAUTY QUEENS WERE CROWNED in the “big four” pageants during Aquino’s first three years.
You’re now really trolling . . .
Hahahaha…Asiong, this online bickering is getting personal, they don’t even understand that you’re being sarcastic and self-deprecating in your comment. Or are you?
If voting changed anything, then it would be declared illegal
In democratic countries voting is a right and duty, in the philippines it is a sport, and both a bloody and dirty one at that.
Voting day is the last time you see your political representative until the next election campaign
Voting is the political equivalent of signing a cheque for someone to steal your taxes.
wow.
team p-noy being very generous in giving back tax-payers money in the form of vote buyng.
they are not even hiding it now – must be desperate and sure of no repercussions.
Even if they gave me a million pesos just to vote for their shmucks, I still won’t vote for them.
No to yellow dynasty, No to another 6 years of yellow incompetence in 2016.
Even if such dynasty has clean public record?
You mean the aquinos? You gotta be fucking kidding me. News flash, they are not clean. They are a lot worse
If you mean by clean, it means doing nothing that will harm their own selfish vested interests, then yeah, we shouldn’t vote in such “clean” but still incompetent officials, birdbrain.
Political dynasties can be good if it produces good results. But unfortunate, it was proven that political dynasties are bad because it produces bad results.
Clean? That retarded president of ours has done absolutely nothing since he was elected. He responded poorly to the issues concerning the nation. He is being PAID to do his job and his job is not to endorse.
These people are not incompitent. Many of these trapos are well educated . They just care for their own interests much much more then the well-fare of the Philippines.
Being well educated doesn’t necessarily mean that a person is competent. Yes, education says a lot about a person, but it doesn’t automatically label him/her as capable.
I think your badly mistaken, I had buddies use the colleges here and they didn’t even have to show up, they bribed the college professor with bottles of fine booze. There needs to be a competency test for all candidates due to corrupt lack luster college degree’s, these people are not articulate in any way they are junk yard dogs and simpletons.
many in the philippines do not deserve a degree ( which in themselves are not internationally respected) and use bribes and pay to get essays written etc.
Cheating and copying is ingrained from an early age.
They certainly wouldn’t get a degree from a good western university, or even pass the entrance exam.
And very few, even with the financial resources , show any inclination to ongoing education and lifelong learning.
For most professionals a degree is simply the first basic step and is supplemented by masters degree and/or professional qualifications.
It only shows no interest in self-development simply the easiest, laziest route in life.
Politics is showbiz for ugly people – an ATM machine for the corrupt, and a way of avoiding work for the lazy
Filipinos nowadays. they are so ignorant, for the way I see it,the basis of their vote is not on what they can do in the country but instead they base it whether that candidate has a good campaign jingle,a tv ads and WORST of all,what I really hated the most is those running candidates dancing or singing for the masa just to garner a vote.
Filipinos nowadays. they are so ignorant, for the way I see it,the basis of their vote is not on what they can do in the country but instead they base it whether that candidate has a good campaign jingle,a tv ads and WORST of all,what I really hated the most is those running candidates dancing or singing for the masa just to garner a vote.
And idiots like asiong a.k.a eduardo fall for those politician’s tricks hook, line and sinker. People like asiong a.k.a eduardo ARE the main reason why we keep getting shitty leaders like aquino and his stooges in office.
We really need to change the culture of our people or else we are doomed to keep electing incompetent, ignorant and greedy bastards like aquino.
God bless the Philippines. Filipinos just never learn their lessons. We can’t deny the fact that only a handful portion of the economy composes those who really scrutinize and use logic when casting their votes. Im sad.
If these candidates win. They will entertain us with Song and Dances , also. While they steal our taxmoney to buy condominiums in New York. If you will not dance to their tunes. Wala kang ibubulsa…na Pork Barrel. Aquino politics…it stinks…
hey, aren’t you Filipinos reacting here? Naming yourself idiots and self degrading words? What a shame! Not all voted for Aquinos and other trapos, Although there are those who thinks about the better choices than them but truly, only few are genius, above average and average to vote for the really right candidate deeply thinking of their platforms and research on every candidate they will choose. These few people are exempted from the term idiot voters. I know I am. Excuse me.
What is being discussed here is the collective behaviour of Pinoys, much the same way as the Japanese and Koreans are noted for their collective industriousness even if it is true that there are some individual exceptions to that generalisation. Fact is, Pinoys are generally known for this sort of idiotic behaviour in their politics and even in their normal day-to-day lives.
filipinos are deprived of good and affordable education. during the spanish time, education is limited to the elite and even jose rizal, the national hero was not spared from the insults of the whites.
it’s a pity that up to now, filipinos are victims of billionaire psychopaths, and their business greed.
so, is being dumbed the issue or is it greed?
Agree. Everything is broken and only a few dare fix it. We can blame what happened to us in the past(spanish, american, japanese, church, media, etc) all we want for eternity and STILL be mired in mediocrity. Its because the ruling “masa”, who all these retard politicians court with noon-time-show-like-entertainment and dreams hand outs, are to blame. And, sorry for sounding like a conspiracy theorist here but why does the government let our education system tumble and falter? So the “masa” are left ignorant and un-educated so their minds are easier to manipulate? Sounds like they want them to be stupid.
It’s just so pissing that I, who didn’t vote for these idiotic politicians, also had to suffer the consequences of having these same politicians in power, all because of the stupid voters who voted for them… >.<
I run a personal campaign to educate the Filipino voter in just one simple concept –
“It’s a secret ballot! So, take all the money that you are offered, from anyone who offers you money, help yourself to the groceries and whatever else is going, and then go and vote for the people whom you think will suit you best – you don’t need to “stay bought”!”
To all of you bashing the voters, one question: Where were you during the election campaign? If getting the right candidates to win is so important for you, what did you do to help that candidate win?
Get off the internet and start doing some legwork if you want to see change.
Huh?!? Are you throwing the responsibility of each individual to “us”? Can we actually force people to vote for who we think is the right candidate? Can you look up the meaning of democracy, please?
As if “getting off the internet” will change the way most Filipinos behave. You seem to be making excuses again for their choices.
I never mentioned anything about forcing people to vote for who you think is the right candidate, read it again if it helps.
I asked what did you do to help the candidates you think should win, besides writing about it on the internet. As the author of this enlightening article, can you answer that?
What I do with my time is none of your business, Mr Welmin. You seem to be looking for a hero to go around town “educating” the voters. Do it yourself if you want to.
Question twice asked and twice avoided. I honestly don’t give a fuck what you do with your time, I only asked what did you do to help the candidates you think should win.
Unless it’s your job to be involved in the election campaign, I’m betting most, if not all, does not get involved. We do nothing about the problem, then on Election Day we just go out and vote and feel good about ourselves for exercising our right. Then we expect change to happen, we expect to get the right candidates to win. If they don’t, it’s the voters’ fault, not ours.
The problem with our elections is not the “stupid voters”, it’s the “smart ones”. They only get themselves involved in the voting. Ask them to go out and educate people about the candidates and the typical response will be, just like the author’s, ” Do it yourself if you want to.”
@Welmin
Desperate people tend to use bad language when they get frustrated. 😉
One more time: what I do with my time is none of your business. So you can quit asking me what I did.
Why don’t you ask the voters why they voted for Nancy, Bam and Grace?
Ta-ta!
You talk as if participating in campaigns is the only real productive and/or noble endeavour. A bit self-important now, aren’t we?
As was already said, what one does with one’s own time is none of anybody’s business. It is beyond the scope of the ideas tabled in this forum and you should, instead, focus on addressing the ideas tabled.
Not everyone can be “involved” in elections. And those who do get involved, get involved in different ways one of which is what you described as “go[ing] out and educate people about the candidates.” That is just one of many ways of “getting involved”. For us we choose to get involved by writing what we think on the basis of what we observe. Who are you then to judge whose manner of “getting involved” is better or more righteous than the other.
Yan talaga problema ng mga Pinoy. Rather than focus on what is readily accessible, they focus on what is inherently unknowable and, as such, outside of the scope of their faculties for deriving insight from.
And, no, the problem with Philippine elections is, indeed, STUPID VOTERS. You can’t escape that reality, because it IS reality. Why else would stupid politicians be in office if they weren’t crystalline mirror images of the people who voted for them. Deal with it.
Why do we always go back to the idea of me wanting to know what you do with your time? Again, I only asked what did you do to help the candidates you think should win. That is the idea I’m putting on the table, that is what I am addressing.
It’s not about why people vote for these people, it’s about us, a question of what more can we do to influence national issues besides what we’re doing.
If that’s how you define stupid voters, then I argue that you yourself is one of them. Stupid voter not by voting for stupid candidates, but by being satisfied with how you get involved and expecting the results you want.
“Yan talaga problema ng mga Pinoy. Rather than focus on what is readily accessible, they focus on what is inherently unknowable and, as such, outside of the scope of their faculties for deriving insight from.” Impressive. For one, impressive for the choice of words and secondly, impressive how it also applies to you.
You’ve already been told that what one does with their own time is none of anybody’s business. And that includes whether one participates in campaigns or not. How difficult a concept is that for you to understand?
@Welmin
There really is no point to your question. The candidates should sell their ideas to the people and it is the responsibility of the people to question the validity of those ideas. I can’t do the thinking for other people all the time.
The candidate’s platform should be the basis for being elected or not being elected. It’s not up to me to promote a candidate’s ideas because I am neither employed nor am I a volunteer on any of the campaigns.
It is every individual’s responsibility to vote wisely regardless of the noise surrounding the candidates.
Dear Ilda, I’m sorry for my earlier choice of words. I got carried away and these words kinda flows. I apologize for any offence taken 🙂
Apology accepted.
I help my candidates just by voting them. That’s it, simple as that.
They may say I’m stupid for voting them. Well, it’s a free country everyone is entitled to their opinion. Just like a conversation with a fellow in line on our precint. After exchanging who is our bets he said ” Magaling yun, kaya lang hinde mananalo un, sayang lang ang boto ko” Who do you think is more stupid?
@benig0
What I’m putting forward is that we can do more, much more than writing how stupid people are, to influence these things. How difficult a concept is that for YOU to understand?
@Ilda
I totally agree with your point. Platforms should be the basis of being elected. However, given the current situation, voices that need to be heard are those that are very hard for the people to hear. Is it wrong if we add ours to theirs if we support their platform? Should we be employed by the candidates first before we actively support them? What is so wrong with being volunteers if it means we can directly contribute to the national welfare?
I agree that there is much more that can be done. But whether or not a person does more or less than what you observe in this forum is really none of your business unless said person includes this domain as a topic for discussion here.
@Welmin
There is nothing wrong with volunteering or helping out candidates in their campaign. But what I am trying to say is, you shouldn’t ask people what they did to help their candidate. There’s no point in doing it. What if it turns out that the person you are asking actually supports a candidate you do not support?
This is a non-partisan site btw.
What is to look forward for our country. None. The people have spoken and they have utter the wrong word. Election have no more sense on its word as we do not see the urgency for national recovery. Our government is bound to fail, it is imminent.
Looking forward to the imminent fall of the aquino government.
its true that intelligent voters are out numbered by the lazy brains but dare not point your finger at anyone. 🙂
Republic of the Philippines pala??? Akala ko Kingdom of Philippines —> political dynasties eh
Pedro: Tatakbo ka ba sa susunod na election???
Juan: Oo, kaya mag-aartista muna ako
____ Resign! _____ Resign!… Ibaba natin sa pwesto.
*ang pwesto —> gawin na lang mayor
Why even bother with this issue, this corrupt electoral and political system has been going on in this country for decades and has not and will not change. The excuse “kasi mahirap ang buhay kaya may vote buying,” is ridiculous. Kaya mahirap ang buhay ay kasi anak ng anak ang pilipino na hindi iniisip kung may ipalalamon o wala- kaya mahirap ang buhay. Napaka walang kwentang society – puro excuses. Nakakahiyang sabihing pinay ako.
My girlfriend accepted money from many candidates and then voted for the ones she wanted. Anyone stupid enough to think people will actually sell their vote for a couple hundred pesos deserves to have their money stolen from them by the electorate.
I hope your girlfriend reported this candidates that tried buying her vote!!!
24 lang ang senador pero tignan nyo naman…kung di ba naman sangkatutak na bobo ang mga Pinoy eh ilan sa 24 ang magkakapatid at anak ng mga pulitiko…wala na bang pag-asang mabago ang pag-iisip ng mga pinoy…di pa ba sila nagsasawa sa kaboboto sa mga pulitiukong 40 years ng nakaupo sa gobyerno pati anak asawa at mga apo ay nasa gobyerno na..
Excellent take on the whole thing, I couldnt’ agree more and I see people so excited political parties on TV or the Willing Willie game show type atmosphere, I don’t even get a chill of excitement. I spent almost a whole day at the Laguna LTO and get this “Fixer” are back and integrated somehow into the LTO, Fixer sign no longer posted…yea! I noticed the cost to get your car emissions tested is up 100 peso’s even though I had to wait two hours and this guy just shows up and get his blue original American jeep pushed into the emissions backwards and picture taken, “Not started” and then the emissions guys and fixers push him out once he’s done and he starts what appears to be a choking road hazard, LOL. Next I forgot to bribe or actually didn’t know who to bribe but it turns out it’s the bosses in the sticker office and not the cashier anymore so I had to wait another 2 hours extra, boy things are lookin up!
instead of commenting and blaming people why don’t you suggest or give a solution to this since memorial problems! like: kill all the corrupt or shorten the terms of service of the elected officials to 1 1/2 yrs tapos walang re election tag 1 term lang so every body can have a chance to serve bakit kayo lang ba ang may malasakit sa bayan ako rin!
Stop voting! No one register their cars, I see protests against certain select countries that always get kicked and I’m here because of wife and kids, there you go again painting a broad brush were it don’t belong and a one way media outlet where the Philippine people have there say but you never hear what the foreigners side, he’s always guilty of sex crimes, he’s cheap, his bad mouth, he’s rude…try and think more broadly you don’t know what a foreigner goes through when everybody treats him like a cash cow, women set them up for money the list could be endless but when it hits the news it’s the poor Philippine people and their so innocent and guiltless, it’s always a one way story, what about the fishermen shot, did you hear the other side of this story? NO! just take whatever the media proclaims.
good point in suggesting solutions, but I don’t think shortening the terms of service and having re-election right after and just limited to 1 term would be economically good for the government. elections are expensive and you would rather have re-election every after 1 1/2 years then allocate more budget on elections rather than other projects benefiting the masses? It would be proper to educate.
I thought about it and have LTO solutions:
– Every single window is a cashier.
– Develop a program on computer and just print.
– No urine test (Red tape).
– No more emissions testing, just add that money to the total,(Red tape again).
– Insurance needs to be incorporated and linked into the data base, it’s all handled at the same time, this can be done.
– Dual train the Driver’s License Division also to handle the hundreds of people sitting.
– Vendors need to be purged, open up a 7/11 or fast food chain next to the LTO, no need for food vendors/insurance sellers using type writers, who uses type writers anymore? it should only take 10 minutes to get business done.
-Top management can be purged down to two people, the God like man in his own room, similar to a King can make his traditional every 30 minute walk in dress and the person under him can work around staff, no more stacking the files for extra cash.
-I need a job anybody hiring?
I can’t even think anymore…well, we all knew the election was going to be a farce to begin with.
Politics in the Philippines and the way most Filipinos vote I guess is a lot personal than professional. Subjective rather than objective. This is part of Filipino psyche I suppose.
The thing is, those who are against this way of thinking are not doing enough or may be have not been able to create the right formula to change the mindset of Most voters.Political dynasty is one where those against it just talk how evil this political monopoly is but could not offer anything that would convince the people that it should not be tolerated.
“One can be forgiven for saying that Filipino voters are simply stupid, arrogant and just a bunch of losers.”
I for one do not like the way the masses choose their leaders. In this 2013 elections, only three of my chosen candidates won and the “progressive” minded ones I voted for did not make it to the top 12. They were far from striking distance actually.
but I would not call Filipino voters stupid or losers and I may not be able to forgive anyone who makes a sweeping statement such as this.
When candidates say it is time to veer away fro traditional politics like political dynasty for instance, I think it creates a negative impression upon the voters because it would seem like they are the reason why trapo politics is thriving.
If we want to change politics in the country, it must not be at the expense of telling the masses that they were wrong in choosing their past leaders.
Just look at Nancy Binay. She was the subject of ridicule in the media but she landed on the 5th spot of the senatorial race. The reason may be is because ordinary people, those you say are stupid voters, associated with her. She was able to project this “one with the masses” image that is why she was able to sway some voters to include her in their list of candidates for senators. Add to this of course is the machinery that her father built even prior to 2010 elections.
@Jimto
So you’d rather I tell the voters that they made an excellent choice? If you want to use a soft approach, you are free to do so. I am also free to do what I want and this includes calling their choices stupid.
Whatever tactic the Binays used to win the election, at the end of the day, the voters where gullible enough to buy it. You don’t have to make excuses for them or justify their decisions. They made a choice to give away another chance to move the country forward.
I agree to call their choice stupid but the masses are misinformed or just ignorant of the fact. But still stupid as they did not think what those bozos have or have not done for the country.
The Binays, in particular, did not really win by vote. They bought votes, and rigged the PCOS machines. Same thing happened in 2010, how Jejomar Binay rose to the vice-Presidency. I mean, come on–practically NO ONE in Mindanao knew who the guy was. And he won by a landslide there? What a joke.
Tell that to someone who is asking for your forgiveness. The evidence speaks for itself. When you do the same thing over and over but still expect a different result, it’s called stupidity.
The 2nd EDSA revolution was about removing Erap the corrupt president from power. The people of Manila went on the street rebelled and demanded changes. Now the people of Manila voted him to be their new Mayor. Filipinos made a joke out of their own revolution. Some of my Filipino friends like to refer to the EDSA revolutions as a proof that the Filipinos have the courage the will and the bravery to change the country. The voters message was clear: The pro Chinese and anti American convicted criminal Erap is the man for the job! The blaming game is over. For better or worst Filipinos taking the country towards China. The USA should do what it’s true interest dictates and that is to be in good terms with Taiwan and China. It is time for the US to say goodbye before it gets messy.
before it gets messy? Do you mean it’s not messy right now? Do you want the Philippines to be like Birmany?
The first EDSA revolution was to remove Marcos and one secondary result of the removal of Marcos was to remove the Marcos supported American presence in Pampanga. Then the Filipino people in Pampanga elect Marcos relatives to elected office in the very places that wanted rid of them in the first place? Where were Filipinos when God was passing out brains and memory?
Slight correction: it’s not merely stupidity anymore, it’s already considered insanity. So yea… I guess the Philippines is worse off with that analogy
Jimto, paminsan-minsan bitter ang katotohanan. Gayunman, how else can a problem be resolved unless the cause is identified? In this case, it is our kababayans who vote the trapos into public office, at least, unang-una. Whether or not the trapos are incompetent or disingenuous or corrupt ay ibang paksa. Samakatuwid, ang unang step sa resolution ay withdrawing from denial that our kababayans are, put blatantly, intellectually dysfunctional. Ito ang blog tungkol sa paksa:
http://antipinoy.com/filipinos-and-happiness-why-we-need-to-be-serious-about-it/
Agree!!! with the present state of affairs, since we are a feudal society, why not install an Absolute Monarch!!!! Cheaper and more sosyal LOLOLOL
And who would that monarch be, the current occupant of Malacañan? Jesucristo, that has “disaster” written all over it.
Pnoy has a power to change the constitution overnight in flick of a finger
He control the whole branches of government to baranggays
the media the oligarch corporation.The pinoys are “mayayabang” always listen to famous and rich people.He don’t need our vote,comelec dictate the winner. What ever happen, only yellow propaganda can create CEBU peoples power (why CEBU,If EDSA become Saint Cory Aquino hwy, edsa is finished)The remaining 2 years of Pnoy,nobody knows what are they planning to win the 2016 even Mar Roxas worst nasty credibility,he may still win by ladslide and 100% no real pinoys will protest for free unlike yellow movement
Middle class exodus and democratic decay in the Philippines
C. Urbanski
Faculty of Asian Studies, The Australian National University, Acton 0200, Canberra, Australia
Few countries in the world can rival the Philippines as an example of a non-substantive
democracy. Recent general elections have been marred by electoral irregularities while the
election of increasing numbers of populist or elite figures raises the question of how Southeast
Asia’s first democratic republic can be so persistently undemocratic? While the variables behind
this troubling observation are numerous and varied, this paper takes the position that one of the
major factors leading to the poor-quality of democracy in the Philippines is the mass emigration
of middle class Filipinos. This paper will consider the moderating role played by the middle
classes in contemporary Southeast Asia and then identify how and to what extent the Filipino
middle class has shrunk over the last decade. A key result has been the “parochialization†of the
Philippine electorate, with voters remaining in the Philippines typically voting for populist
candidates or along traditional patron-client lines. The political loss of Filipinos abroad has been
exacerbated by the nature of the overseas absentee voting system, which is yet to provide a
realistic channel for the majority of overseas Filipinos to cast their votes. It is difficult to
imagine the Philippines achieving more than a minimalist democracy until significant reforms
are enacted to retain middle class citizens and improve the absentee voting mechanism for
Filipinos living abroad.
You might find this interesting
In the philippines, all the ingredients are there to have a weak, dumb and happy population that is perfectly happy living this way:pathetic tv shows, schools who are teaching to look cute and being happy, zero ethic. religions, religions and religions. Ho and of course that cute little 6 years old chubby girl on Eat bulaga because of course you guys have such great taste for arts. So progressive!!! How far we go in life with that!
Honestly… Can we admit that filipinos are a big bunch of primitive cute little dumbass? Primitive is the conclusion we end up with after few minutes of analyze (In the churches there they to put some panels saying: Dont drink the holy water). Ass is not a cute word for filipinos so let’s just say: They are pretty cute but not intellectually gifted but so what if they are happy like that.That’s the less we can say.
Remove the “cute” part in your description and I;m going to agree with you
This is one of the many reasons I abstain from voting in this country. I have lived abroad most of my life and I’m really saddened by how bad the politics in this country is turning into. I would like to point out that the main cause for all this is our poor education system and our anti-intellectual culture. As you have stated in another blog, Filipinos simply love to shun rationale in favor of emotions. I wonder what is the percentage of voters who actually thought long and hard before casting their votes. I wonder how many voters actually performed a background check in all the candidates. I wonder how many voters actually researched key issues that need to be addressed by these future politicians. Heck, I even wonder how many voters actually know what a senator or a congressman does in office.
The problem lies with direct democracy. Direct election by the people is a complete no-no if the population is not proven to be capable of voting a public official. There is a reason the United States uses an electoral collage. There is a reason Europe uses a parliamentary system. There is a reason we are better off with indirect democracy. We simply do not have enough competent voters.
@interxavier
We can thank the Aquino clan and their KKKs for how the country turned out. Three decades of emo politics have turned the Philippines into a vindictive society.
Indeed, the voting system is flawed but perfect for Filipino politicians.
And the sad thing is that changing the current system is not even an option for many politicians because making it ‘right’ will compromise their position. It’s all about staying in power and not doing what’s best for the nation. No one is willing to sacrifice their selfish ideals for the sake of their own country. As politicians, you’d think they’re supposed to be the ones serving the people but (as with everything here in the Philippines) it’s the opposite. It’s not just the Filipino voters but we can also point out the cowardice of so many Filipino politicians. Cowards, all of them.
North Korea, Cuba, Venezuela all suffer from the same issue’s they can’t suffer for one day they need the money flow no matter how badly it hurts their nations, the change can’t happen due to natural human greed.
The Aquino/Cojuangco clan is again trying to steal land from farmers in Pangasinan. Where will this all end?
As soon as competent voters outnumber incompetent ones…
There should be an IQ requirement; minimum IQ of 110
One of the news channels showed people waiting in a huge crowd so they can register to vote and these people were getting squashed it was raining and I told my wife, why do they bother registering to vote with such horrible lines and miserable weather…she said they get paid to register and also when the vote, there’s no fixing the problem because huge amounts of money are spent paying for votes.
It’s not the voters, it’s not the politicians, it’s not the country. it’s the political system that must be rebooted.
The system was set up by the people. Even if you change the system, the people will still find a way to corrupt it because the culture is dysfunctional.
Totally agree with you.
Yes, indeed it has become a culture. An attitude. Pessimism aside, I have resolved to the fact that I, in my generation, will not see things changing. Not especially with this Tuwid na Daan joke that the Aquinos’ media cronies have successfully sold to the public mind.
TIME FOR CHANGE FOR THE BETTER or for the same except for names of public servants? CALL FOR PARLIAMENTARY FORM OF GOVERNMENT …make the change NOW before the next elections. And you will see and experience TRUE CHANGE. Look at Japan, Canada, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Switzerland, Thailand…all in good economies and better safer governance.
I am not sure I agree with you. The shift to a parliamentary form of government may not be the solution to this predicament the Philippines is into. Here in Norway, voters vote for the parties and what these parties’ positions are on certain issues… What makes you so sure that the Filipino people would do the same, and not vote for parties just because their list of candidates have familiar names, or because their ballot has been bought?
What is needed is a total reboot of the Filipino psyche. Re-educate voters to NOT SELL their votes, and to look beyond each candidates’ persona (whether he/she is popular or his/her name sounds familiar). Instead, voters should ask themselves these questions before voting: (1) “what is this candidate’s stand on issues which affect me?” and more importantly, (2) “what will he/she do when he/she gets elected into office?”
I was hoping to see an elaborate paragraph on how desperate many of the voters actually are–for them to allow themselves to be bullied into voting this and that candidate in exchange for a couple hundred pesos. Overall, though, good take on the issue. It’s the voters’ votes that keep this country progressing. At some point, I have even questioned our concept of democracy in the Philippines.
The country is in a mess because of only one thing. The Cory Aquino Constitution! Every election mess is a direct result of this. Adk any dean of law who is old enough to study and compare the constitutions. Cory was so eager to replace everything Marcos did that she didn’t even consider that there was a lot of good from the previous constitution. The two-party system is the most important one. Even our idol ( USA) is still using the system. What do wr have today? I always refer to the housewife Cory in the story of Pandoras box. Because she really did unleash hell to this country. And there is turning back, and if you know history, only a military solution can change this. No politician will want to change the constitution. It’s good business! I’m no loyalist, but I sure know that there is no difference between entertainment and politcs in our country. I would rather have a bad president rather than a bad gov’t. And believe me, there were no rebrl threats in Mindanao before. The armed forces were on top of things. Maybe a little bit too much. But I wiuld rather have that than politicos who massacre!
In my point view I am not saying I am correct but just to share…, lets say we removed all the existing politicians, Then who are we going to vote to be the next ones? ask any individual Filipino Citizen “do they really know the people that they are supposed to vote?” how do we know that the candidates are the good ones? even myself I can not identify which one is to vote that surely will help our dying country. The Problem is “GREED” and most of the politicians I think does not fear in GOD anymore and they do not have the heart to take care of our country, they only think of themselves and their own family….But then again the question is …what We can do? or what can I do? to save our country… answer? for the moment the best thing to do is to Pray for our country and countrymen that may GOD help our politicians, bless them, cleanse and purify their hearts and may they lead our country into its righteous way. if Filipinos will have the heart and ask forgiveness of ones sins, and be fearful to GOD, I believe that he will answer all our prayers for the love of our country….
You should ask all the candidates for a platform and compare their blueprint for the future of the Philippines. You should be able to tell who has a realistic plan if you study their proposal carefully. You know someone’s bullsh*tting you when all he can give you is a catchy slogan like “Kung walang kurap, walang mahirap”.
Praying is not the only thing Filipinos can do. They can put pressure on the people in government by protesting until they get the message that the Filipino people are not happy anymore. If that doesn’t work, the people can use their vote in the next election to remove incompetent public servants from office. Since PNoy cannot run again, the people have to make sure they don’t vote for another Aquino or member of LP again.
ang gsuto ko lang malaman eh kung mayron bang makakapgsabi sa mga botante ng: kung nagsasabi ng tutoo ang isang pulitiko at kung paano malalaman na gagawin nga pulitko ang kanyang ipingakong plataporma para sa tao kapag sya ay nanalo??
The obvious solution is for voters to regard all those who are running for public office with a healthy dose of distrust. As another wise man once said, distrust and caution are the parents of security. After all, it is every citizen’s duty to guard our coffer’s guardians. This will help the public servants to stay grounded and remind them who they are working for. It is also part of every citizen’s duty to change public servants whenever they become dirty.
Filipino politicians will start doing their jobs properly if the voters stopped treating them like celebrities
that’s why i don’t vote….waste of time and in case i will vote my choose of candidate will loose to popular candidate with criminal records.
1. do we have a law that a candidate with criminal records is not allowed to run.? If we do for sure a lot of our senators and congressman should not be in their position now.
2. Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao…how about a rotation for electing President…for example this term the President is from Luzon and next term we elect a President from Visayas and after Visayas then we elect a President from Mindanao… Each Political Party will nominate a candidate all from Visayas in the 2016 election, and in 2022 all the candidates should be from Mindanao. This way we have fair share of Presidency and development.
Don’t blame others for the ills of the state, start reforming yourself NOW not tomorrow!
What’s the point in giving the people the power to vote if they can’t be accountable for who they vote for?
dapat bawal bumoto ang mga hindi high school graduate dito sa Pinas para mabawasan ang mga bobo na voter na pera lang ang katumbas ng boto nila!
to all those who are complaining, why not run for a position instead of sitting there, commenting on articles? you can do something if you really want to. all i can see here are people whining how stupid their country is. Baka nakakalimutan niyong bansa niyo rin to. Subukan niyo kayang gumawa ng solusyon. anong magagawa ng pagcomment niyo dito? may pagbabago bang nangyayari? you guys are just pointing out the obvious. yung mga nagsasabi jan na “pointless” ang pagboto, at nagrereklamo kung bakit nanalo yung mga kandidatong wala namang kwenta, subukan niyong bumoto kahit alam niyong wala na ring kwenta, atleast may ginawa kayo para magkaron ng pagbabago. tuluyan niyo lang iboto ang sa tingin niyo’y makakapagbago ng bansa natin dahil ang kawalan ng pagasa ang dahil ng pagbagsak ng bansa natin.
i can’t. if i could i would but i can’t so i shan’t. basically these trapos have had a foot hold on the system already, making my efforts worthless if i were to run for government. they have all the money, machinery and influence to win the election easily. the only way for intellectuals or “good” citizens to be elected, is to have an even playing field(money machinery influence etc) and not to allow STUPID(those who easily get lured by money, publicity and name recognition) to vote.
I didn’t created the problem the Filipino did – So they fix the problem that they created not me. Do you talk the movie that you watched with your friends who happened to watch the movie too? The same situation here we talk how fuck-up the Philippines is. And if the problem is obvious as you have said then how come majority of the Filipinos aren’t aware of it?
And get disqualified by COMELEC? LOL… wake up dude!
Eh mga bobo at nabibili nga ang mga botante e. Ikaw Filipino, ano magagawa mo? Any suggestions?
e tanga ka pala e, ang solution mo sa mga hindi satisfied sa ginagawa ng mga politiko e tumakbo for office? Have you ever read the article? What’s the use of running for office, a very stressful task, if the same voters would just vote the same candidates? MAGARAL KA KASI!
Ano magagawa ng pag comment? Education. Pero it seems kahit anong pag eduka sa mga taong katulad mo e hindi pa rin mkaintindi dahil sa baba ng IQ.
Bakit ako boboto para sa walang kwenta? Ano sense nun? Para magkaron ng pagbabago? You mean worse getting worst? lol dumbo. nakakaawa ka. I will vote for someone deserving, and I wont vote for the sake of just voting.
DEAR SIR/MADAM,
AKO PO AY ISANG BOTANTE AT ISA RIN PO AKONG EMPLEYADO NG GOBYERNO SA LOKAL PAMAHALAANG BAYAN NG CAINTA, LALAWIGAN NG RIzAL SA LOOB NG 17 TAON AT NAGBITIW LAMANG SA AKING TUNGKULIN NITONG OKTUBRE 2, 2012 AT TUMAKBO BILANG KONSEHAL NG BAYAN DITO SA BAYAN NG CAINTA. DAHIL NANINIWALA PO AKO NA MAS MALAKI ANG MAGAGAWA KO SA AKING BAYAN BILANG ISANG KONSEHAL KESA SA ISANG PANGKARANIWANG EMPLEYADO NG GOBYERNO LAMANG. AAMININ KO PO SA INYO NA AKO PO AY HINDI PINALAD NA MANALO SA NASABING ELEKSYON.
NABASA KO PO ANG INYONG ARTIKULO NA MAY PINAMAGATANG “Filipino voters should be blamed for the Philippines’ problems” NA INILATHALA NI ILDA NOONG MAY 13, 2013 AT NAIS KO LAMANG PO SANANG IBAHAGI ANG AKING SALOOBIN PATUNGKOL DITO.
“HUWAG NAMAN PO SANA NINYONG SISIHIN ANG MGA BOTANTE SA PROBLEMA NG PILIPINAS…..PARA PO SA AKIN ANG DAHILAN PO NG PROBLEMA NG PILIPINAS AY DAHIL NA RIN SA MGA KAPABAYAAN, KAKULANGAN, KABUKTUTAN AT PANSARILING KALIGAYAHAN NG ATING GOBYERNO O NG MGA NAMUMUNO.
NAPAKARAMING PROGRAMA O AHENSIYA NG GOBYERNO NA ITINATAG UPANG MAKAKA-AHON SA GUTOM AT HIRAP ANG MAMAMAYAN…AT ANG KAKULANGAN NG TAMANG IMPORMASYON O SAPAT NA KAALAMAN NG MGA EXISTING NA MGA PROGRAMA O AHENSYIANG ITO ANG DAHILAN KUNG BAKIT HINDI ITO NA-E-ENJOY O NATATANGKILIK NG KARAMIHAN.
MARAMI SA MGA KABABAYAN NATIN ANG WALANG SAPAT NA KAALAMAN O KARUNUNGAN AT SALAPI PARA MAIAYOS ANG MGA DOKUMENTO NA KINAKAILANGAN NG MAG AHENSIYANG ITO UPANG MA-QUALIFY SILA TO TAKE SUCH PRIVILEDGES. ANG LIBRE AY PINABABAYARAN….GINAGAWA NILA ITONG ISANG PAGKAKAKITAAN….DAHIL NGA WALANG PERA NAWAWALAN TULOY NG INTERES ANG MAHIHIRAP AT KAPOS NATING MAMAMAYAN. NA ISA RING DAHILAN KAYA NANANATILI SILANG MANG-MANG. PINOPOLITIKO DIN NILA ANG MGA PROGRAMANG ITO.
ANG KAMANGMANGAN NA HINAHAYANG MANATILI NG MGA POLITIKO SA DAHILANG PAGDATING NG ELEKSYON…SILA YUNG MGA NAGAGAMIT, NAUUTUSAN AT MAAASAHAN KAHIT PA SA MALING PAMAMARAAN UPANG MASIGURO ANG KANILANG PANALO…KAPALIT NG KONTING HALAGA O NG PANANDALIANG KASIYAHAN. AT KAPAG NAKA-UPO NA SA TRONO TAPOS NA RIN ANG PAGKAIN O PERA NG MANGMANG NA MAMAMAYAN….AT GANUN NA NAMAN HANGGANG SA SUSUNOD NA ELEKSYON, WALANG PAGBABAGO KUNDI PAIKOT-IKOT LAMANG NA ISA NG KALAKARAN MAGMULA PA NOON MAGPA HANGGANG NGAYON..KAHIT SAANG LUGAR SA PILIPINAS.
MAY KASABIHAN NGA TAYO NA ANG “TAONG NAGIGIPIT KAHIT SA PATALIM AY KUMAKAPIT”….SINO PO BA ANG NANGGIGIPIT? ANG MGA BOTANTE BA NA MGA NAGHIHIRAP ANG MAY KAKAYANANG MANGGIPIT O SILANG MGA IBINOTO NATIN, SILANG MGA INAASAHAN NATIN NA MAGBIBIGAY NG EDUKASYON, KAUNLARAN, KAPAYAPAAN AT KAGINHAWAHAN SA MAMAMAYAN AT SA BANSANG PILIPINAS? SILA NA NAKAPWESTO AT MAY MAKINARYANG PINANGHAHAWAKAN NA MAAARING GAMITIN KAHIT PANANAKOT PARA MANGGIPIT?
AMININ MAN NATIN O HINDI….SILA NA TINAGURIANG PUBLIC SERVANTS ANG ATING PINAGSISILBIHAN PAG SILA AY NAKA-UPO NA….YAN ANG TOTOO!
HINDI KAHIT KAILAN MASISISI ANG BOTANTE….IBINOBOTO LANG NILA ANG ALAM NILANG MAKAKATULONG SA KANILA…AT DAHIL SA GIPIT AT PINANATILING MGA MANG-MANG NG MGA POLITIKONG ITO…..HINDI NA SUMASAGI PA SA KANILANG ISIPAN NA IBOTO ANG POLITIKONG MAKAKATULONG SA KARAMIHAN….HINDI SA IILAN LAMANG. DAHIL SA SILA AY SINUSUPALPALAN NG PERA….BILANG PANANAMANTALA ANG KANILANG KAHINAAN…KAHIT PA ALAM NAMAN NATIN NA ITO AY PANANDALIAN LAMANG.
INAMIN KO PO NA HINDI PO AKO NANALO NITONG MAY 13, 2013 ELECTION DAHIL SA GANITONG PAMAMARAAN…SUBALIT HINDI PO SUMAGI MAN LAMANG SA ISIP KO ANG SILA AY SISIHIN DAHIL GINAWA LAMANG NILA ANG ALAM NILANG TAMA PARA SA SARILI NILA….NAKAKALUNGKOT AY HINDI ITO PARA SA LAHAT O KARAMIHAN.
MAY KASABIHAN RIN PO TAYO NA NALAMAN KO NOONG AKO PO AY NASA ELEMENTARYA PA NA NAGSASABING…”HUWAG NINYO KAMING BIGYAN NG ISDA….BAGKUS AY TURUAN NYO KAMING MANGISDA”
KUNG SANA AY TOTOONG KAPAKANAN NG MAMAMAYAN, KAUNLARAN AT KASAGANAAN NG MAMAMAYAN AT BAYAN ANG PAKAY NG MGA POLITIKONG NA-UPO NOON O NAKA-UPO SA NGAYON…..BAKIT HINDI IPATUPAD NG HUSTO NG GOBYERNO ANG LIBRENG PAG-AARAL AT PAGBIBIGAY NG MARANGAL NA TRABAHO PARA SA LAHAT…..UPANG MATUTO KAMING MAGSIKAP AT BUHAYIN ANG AMING PAMILYA O ANG TUMAYO SA SARILING MGA PAA.
BIBIGYAN NYO KAMI NG PAGKAIN AT PERA NGAYON……BUKAS MAKALAWA BA AY HINDI NA NAMIN ITO KAILANGAN?
KUNG KAMI AY MAY SAPAT NA PINAG-ARALAN AT MAY MARANGAL NA TRABAHO….SA TINGIN BA NINYO HINDI NAMIN MAKAKAYANG KUMAIN ARAW-ARAW NG HINDI NA HUMIHINGI PA SA INYO?
MAG-ISIP MUNA SANA TAYO BAGO NINYO SISIHIN ANG MGA BOTANTE SA PROBLEMA NG PILIPINAS…..MALING MALI PO ANG SALITANG ITO!!
OPINION LAMANG PO….
RED, I BELIEVE WITH WHAT YOU WROTE. This is a vicious cycle, those who got voted upon maintains the ignorance of our populace. Nakakalungkot dahil sinasadya nila ito, I just learned about BMBE, I never knew that before, malaking tulong ito sa mga gustong magnegosyo pero hindi ito ipinapaalam sa masa, dahil hindi kikita ang barangay. Tama, ginagawang mangmang ang mga botante para maging uto-uto sa panahon ng eleksyon. Marami tayong mga programa na makakatulong sa mahihirap subalit hindi ito alam ng marami kasi makakabawas ito sa kita ng isang local government unit at mababawasan ang mga tanga na pwedeng hawakan sa ilong. Saksi ako sa mga magagandang batas ng pamahalaan, ngunit ako man ay hindi nagkakaroon ng pagkakataon ng mapapag-avail dahil sa pagdaramot ng mga nasa katungkulan sa kung anumang dahilan. Kainaman at ako’y mayroong hanapbuhay, isa rin akong kawani ng gobyerno na nangangarap na mabago ang bayan ng Pilipinas. Hindi maaaring magsalita lamang tayo kung gusto natin ng pagbabago. Kailanga n nating kumilos at alamin ang ating mga karapatan. Marami tayong mga kababayan na suko na kahirapan at tinatanggap na nila na nasa mababa silang lugar kaya ayaw na nilang mangarap. Tama si RED sa pagsabi na madali ang iba nating kababayan na bomoto sa mga kandidatong bulok dahil nagbibigay ng mga bagay na panandaliang kasiyahan o kabusugan.
Maiiwasan ito kung magsama sama ang lahat para kabutihan ng nakararami. Subalit nag-aalala rin ako dahil sa mga political dynasties na ayaw mawala sa kapangyarihan na gumagawa ng lahat ng paraan para manatili sa pwesto, at ito’y maging marahas. Tunay na nakalalasing ang kapangyarihan lalo’t alipin ka ng salapi. Sana mamulat ang mga kababayan natin na hindi dapat tinuturing na diyos ang salapi, bagkus salapi ang dapat maging alipin ng tao dahil tao ang may pag-iisip ang hindi ang salapi. At sana nga huwag na sisihin ang mga mangmang na botanteng Pinoy bagkus magtulungan tayo upang mamulat ang lahat ng kababayan natin sa tamang paggawa ng desisyon.
Salamat po sa inyong tugon….
God bless po!
RED,I got your point,just to make this conversation short is why is the majority of the pilipino did not agree to become one of the state of the USA? hindi sana natin naranasan ang hirap ng buhay sa pilipinas dahil ang buhay dito sa America ay pantay,ang pagkain ng mayaman nakakain ng mahirap,bahay,kotse kayang bilhin ng ordinaryong mamamayan.ang batas dito walang kinikilingan kisihuda kang demonyo ka ay hindi ka sasantuhin,ultimo presidente dito ay HINDI pinapaligtas..kung ang Batas dito iapply dyan sa pilipinas,”ONE HUNDRED PERCENT TAHIMIK ANG BANSANG PILIPINO.
may alam ako konsehal sa alabang lahat ng pinsan nya naka payroll sa kanya.
Right now the Philippine government is a laughing stock of every nation bar none. Where in the world you can justify the killings of so many jounalists and common people in maguindanao and yet no one was incarcerated and to make matters worst the same people are allowed to run for government positions. Why can’t we expidite this case??? Why???? When it comes to dynasty i guessed majority of the voters particularly the masses are just too powerless to make the right choices to vote for financial reasons per se. Dynasty clans has power, money and goons with them. Who would brave and dare casting their candidacy against them, unless they don’t want to experience celebrating christmasses with their beloved family every year.I don’t know about you who will read my piece of mind. We will not see the end of this sad plight of our people until we change the constitution. Parliamentary form of government will do us good than the present set up we have right now. God bless us all. Merry christmas to everyone=D
Those who are criticized the government people a lot just because they saw them texting, ask yourself first..If you hold a government position do you think you wouldn’t do the same thing, texting? If you’re answer is a big “no” then you’re a real hypocrite. Don’t be judgmental my dear kababayans. Maybe you could do something else better. Run for President or any post in the government so you will know and see for yourself.
how many % are illiterate voters? and how many % are the literate voters? if we won’t change on the present system we will never prosper. what matter at present is popularity over competency. next is money over competency. what i suggest is let only tax payer vote, for those who are not paying their tax are not eligible to vote, by this we can trim down illiterate voters which is more than literate voters.
Mga bobo at nabibili ang “karamihan” ng mga botante. Iyan ang problema ng pinas.
Convince Mayor Duterte to run for the presidency, problem is ayaw niya, because of the current system where the criminals are hiding behind the back of the government. or the government itself. Mayor Duterte is not all guns but roses too, watch this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cs5Cj8_DsYc
Actually, I think there more to this story. I have to refer to the success of Makati under the Binays as an example of a political dynasty that does its job well.
Dynasties are not defined by a lack of vision, despite that they exist in the same phenomenon. Correlation is not cause-and-effect.
I agree with this article in that voters have a tendency to reelect anyone who is popular. When Erap ran for president again, he got an astonishing second place. Second place, dude, everything he did.
I think it’s a truly interesting mystery that think like this happen in our country, but I have some hypotheses.
The first is that Filipinos would rather die than look at the unknown. It’s not because they fear it, but because they are fanatically devoted to what they’ve been taught. “Yun yong tinuro sa’tin kaya ba’t natin i’change?” It should be clear by now that Filipinos want change on the outside, but not within. They want to see change without being involved in any.
The second is that they think elections are indeed sports, nothing more than a time to entertain themselves away from the cruelty of real life. It’s like drinking beer, no? Again, they don’t want a better life, but an escape from real life. I believe this comes form the Filipino mindset of being fatalistic. Ironically, the Catholic Church would disapprove of this mindset, and could throw tons of example such as Saint John Bosco, who made a difference not because he was meant to, but because he dirtied his own hands in work.
Education seems a good answer at first, but it is not enough. We need to be able to create an environment that empowers a sense of responsibility rather than a sens of entitlement. This can be achieved with little things: clear roads, stricter traffic rules, a more active promotion of the local area to investors, all within, say, the first week after election, up to the very last minute before the next. In fact, you will have saved a unimaginable amount of election budget if you started campaigning this way starting day-1 of your term. Sadly, I fear most of our public officers and employees (with the exception of the admirable few)wouldn’t give two cents about change. From my experience, they think change is an ‘estobro.’ See that? They’re in this system to pay for their family meals, not to make sure others families can actually pay for theirs.
It’s always been the same problem: values.
susko naman, may magagawa ba ang sambayanang Filipino kung puro magnanakaw ang mga kandidato? E kahit sinong iboto, e di talo ang madlang people. Sino ngayong dapat sisihin?
BKIT DI NATIN SUBUKAN NG BAGONG MUKHA ANG PULITIKA?MAYOR NG DAVAO CITY PATAKBUHIN NA PRESEDINTE
kailangn sa pinas yung matapang hindi babakla bakla hindi porket kaallyado nya pinagtatakpan…. presidente natin walang magawa pagtumaas ang kuryente , tubig, pagkain lahat lahat na…..ang sulusyun lng dyn trabho para may pangbili ang taong bayan walang magugutom…sa 500 hundred na kita mo isang araw kulang pa sa gastusin sa pamilya dapat mura pagkain sa pinas naturingan tayo agrikulturang bansa …pero maraming nagugutom.
Duterte already mentioned multiple times that he doesn’t want to run for a national seat, and for good reason.
Hello mam
I’m 17 years old and
I really like your article. It is straight to the point and too honest. I’m really glad that
you write an article like this about our country it ignites an interest for us(teenagers) who will be soon the one who will be next in line.
What if we change our voting process this way?
To be eligible to vote, one must at least faithfully paid his/her tax for the past 5 years.
55% of the total votes will come from full tax payers (with annual earnings ranging from 500k-up).
20% of the total
votes will come from full tax payers (with annual earnings ranging from 100k-499k).
15% of the total
votes will come from full tax payers (with annual earnings ranging from 50k-99k).
10% of the total
votes will come from basic tax payers.
Magkakaroon ng lottery para piliin ung mga boboto per bracket/level.
Sample bracketing lang yan.
Ung mga hindi naman nagbabayad ng tax at
kakapal ng mukha magreklamo/magdemand sa gobyerno, ikulong or mag community service para may magawa namang matino sa buhay.
“Ung mga hindi naman nagbabayad ng tax at
kakapal ng mukha magreklamo/magdemand sa gobyerno, ikulong or mag community service para may magawa namang matino sa buhay.”
What has that got to do with the competence of the politicians we produce? Paying taxes has no relevance to the ability to govern. At best it demonstrates some sense of responsibility.
It isn’t the system per se that is the problem. Even with a flawless election process Filipinos could still ignore capability and elect a complete moron as president based simply on popularity and catchy slogans. We have the past four years to testify to that.
Filipinos need to recognise that any trouble we have with the COMELEC or the vote tallies is secondary to the fact that most of our politicians, especially at the national level, have neither the skill nor capacity to work in government. Stop making that mistake! Filipino attitudes — Filipino culture — needs transformation. The rest will follow.
Blood in the streets, a Revolution, the USA and other countries coming in to setup a new Govt is what it will take.. Who is willing to die for change? Dont kid yourselves otherwise..
This author may be criticizing but he or she is just one of many who understand today’s Philippine society. Deep within ourselves we must learn to take responsibility for our own actions, because we as Filipinos are QUICK to blame one another. In addition, you may ask others to rise up, take power, do some actual work instead of sitting around and criticizing our government, however that may not be so easy. Others who have done so, most particularly journalists, have been mocked, ridiculed, shamed by the media and sadly threatened and killed by our own government for revealing the truth. For the past months and years the incompetency of our government has been criticized by the international community and we as Filipinos were so quick to blame other countries for our failures ( Tacloban to set an example ). That’s just one example to state our unwillingness to take in positive reinforcement from others. Remember that dude that made that video about ” 10 things he hated about the Philippines ” ? Most of us were so quick to bash and ridicule him, another example of our unwillingness.
You see it everyday people. Priests having sexual relations, husbands and wives having affairs. People with authority, politicians , lawyers having mistresses as young as 18 years old. Our own students having to sell their own bodies to dirty old men to pay their tuition. Politicians promising but cannot deliver.
Seriously, when was the last time you saw a politician do something good for the community WITHOUT A CAMERA by his side, or posting it on facebook? When was the last time a politician WON an election without having to PAY our own citizens money so they can vote for him? What’s sad is that their own children know of this too, but seriously do not give a rat’s ass whats happening. They want their iphones, they want their selfies, they want their parties, they want to spend their parents money to go out every night, get drunk, do drugs have a great time, spending all the people’s money. Probably crash into a building, get arrested and then released because he’s the ” son of …. ” bullshit. This ” DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM ” mentality has been prevalent in our society for as long as corruption has started.
Now, what can we do ? Absolutely little, unless you have contacts in the media who will support you, the money to provide your campaign in the millions, some contacts in the government who will fight with you, and the PEOPLE who will follow you. But then again, we all have seen that these individuals rise to power.. and become the corruption that we all have despised. The only thing we have left is our own people to be educated. Maybe then we can see some changes, but not a whole lot in my opinion. We still have our own despicable selves to contend with, this CRAB mentality. ( go ahead, google it, type what comes out after it you’d be surprised ).
There is not a whole lot we can do, you can fight and replace those currently in power, only to appoint another set of corrupt idiots.
In my honest opinion, we should become a communist state because it may be one of our only remedies. Like how Jackie Chan mentioned about China. It’s good for the Chinese people because without it, there would be somewhat a disorganized state of ” dynasties ” that try to take power… like what we have in the Philippines. Speaking about China, yea they are bullying us about the West Philippine Sea, and yes they can actually take it by force because we only have one frigate and a bunch of speedboats and landing craft for our navy. They can just send one destroyer and 2 fighter jets to destroy our navy, that’s just pathetic. We have to hide behind the U.S. for help, while we cry in the background and blame one another or the international community for that matter if that happens.
Yes, i said Communist, and no i am not a member of the communist organizations in the Philippines. Atleast, this type of government can work FOR the people, and of course we keep our own freedoms.
even if we do blame the voters or not.. its still those people who are in power that can change the ballot boxes. or say the pcos machine results..
Who will care if he feels he already loose his hope from decade of decade of stupidity of people who are not educated and informed well. DO they have food in the table, do they a mind to think crtically? how all this thing going on can help them? for some it just a reality drama in a news, most of it unreliable and already been tired listening for changes. Even you have something worth voting for if this person you will vote has no machinery do you expect him to win. Thick face pig are all on facet of government we build and eat there shit! We just laught off there shit do nothing with there shit!
We have big problem running a country unlike few decades before state men are state men not a rubbish actor or actress. I think democracy also is not for us. We don’t know to handle self discipline for every citizen and if no person who will fight and ready to die for this country. Oligarchy will always on the top.
you and me , we the people must agree to make corrective actions against all intellectually dishonest and corrupt opportunist whose only desire in government is to build a dynasty … lets have a forum , a rational reasonable debate open to the communities participations without getting into personalities …if we can’t dismantle dynastism in our society corruptions will persist … can U imagine sen. bong morecost is now eyeing for the presidency …? where is sanity in our thinking processes …watch out electorate ; if we knowingly allow ourselves to be use or abuse by these cunning politicians with their stolen money from the government then we have no reason to complain with our miseries … bye !! lets work together to demolish these evil design of an intellectual mind … so long … !!!
SA AKING OPINION AY DAPAT NA MAGKAROON NG CHA-CHA AT CULTURE CHANCE PARA SI PINOY AY MAG-ROON NG 2nd TERM UPANG BAGUHIN ANG SYSTEM OF OUR GOV’T. AT ALISIN ANG POLITICAL DYNASTIES AT ANG PARTY LIST SYSTEM. GAWAING UNICAMERAL ANG LEGISLATURA AT BAGUHIN RIN ANG JUDICIARY.
There are problems with that statement. The Aquino family is also a political dynasty but you stated that he will remove political dynasties if he is elected a second time.
Besides, he can’t win a second term since he’s already a LAME Duck president.
He’s still relying on internet morons like YOU to spread fake clamor for a second term.
It is the non-taxpayers who vote for the corrupt politicians. we should pass a law that allows ONLY high school graduates and/or taxpayers (meaning income tax and real taxes) can vote. That will be the end of corrupt politicians. Of course, politicians will not like the idea of losing their voters.
“In every democracy, the people get
The kind of government they deserve”
— Allison Taylor —
PURO KAYO INGLESAN. ALAM NAMAN NINYO SIGURO KUNG ILANG POSYENTO NG KABUUANG BOTANTE LANG ANG NAKAKABASA NG SALOOBIN AT OPINION NINYO.
KUNG KUKWENTAHIN NINYO, BAKA TATLO SA SAMPU ANG MAY PINAG ARALAN. KONTING PA MERYENDA LANG YAN AT KONTRATA SA BILANG TAGAMASID NG BOTO NABILI NA BOTO NILA. KESA MAG INGLESAN KAYO, PUMUNTA KAYO SA LUGAR NANG MAHIHIRAP AT MAKIPAG USAP KAYO. MGA TANGA.
May katuwiran ka dyan kung mga pinoy lang naman ang ating tinutukoy sa usaping ito gamitin na natin at mahalin ang ating sariling wika nang magkaintindihan tayo lahat:-) opinion lang saakin kung nagawa ng national govt na 1 term of office lang ang presidente natin mas maigi siguro from national to local govt ang no reelections policy katulad ng sa presidente natin at dagdagan pa ipag bawal ang bawat magka kamag anak mag sabay sabay sa panunungkulan.
@ramon palaboy
It’s a free world. We can do whatever we want including write our articles and comments in English.
If we follow your logic, then it would be useless to physically reach out to the poor people in the Philippines and try to talk some sense into them because just like what you said,”KONTING PA MERYENDA LANG YAN AT KONTRATA SA BILANG TAGAMASID NG BOTO NABILI NA BOTO NILA.”
And for your information, the poor people in the Philippines are not the only ones who keep voting for incompetent public servants. Even highly educated Filipinos vote for losers like PNoy.
So obviously, the poor are not our target audience. Sino ang tanga ngayon?
Agree. compounding that problem is that many educated Filipinos are not even registered. they do not exercise their right to suffrage and the very first to complain or criticize the system. Ang sa akin lang din naman, kung di ka bumoto, dapat wala kang karapatang magreklamo. ginagawang vacation leave ng iba ang araw ng eleksyon. kinabukasan ng bansa nakataya pero hindi ka nakikilahok.
WE CAN REACH OUT TO THE POOR AND EDUCATE THEM. ANG TAMANG PAG PILI, SAYSAY, AT PWEDENG KALABASAN NG BOTO NILA.
SA SUMULAT, NA TUMBOK MO ANG PROBLEMA NG ATING MGA BOTANTE. NAKUHA MO BA ANG ATTENTION NG NAKARARAMI? ANONG KASUNOD NITO? ANONG PLANO?
Why don’t you REACH OUT TO THE POOR AND EDUCATE THEM if you want to? Why are you expecting others to do it?
What happens next after we publish our articles is up to the people who read it. 😉
We simply can’t force people to do what we want. They need to use their own critical analysis. We just provide alternative views.
Ta-ta!
Then take the lead =)
What’s with people waiting for another person to lead them? They should be more independent and be able to do the right thing on their own.
Your the one who suggested a probable solution,then why don’t you do it yourself if you think your right. Its not about being independent. Its about credibility.
So, you are relying on me to do what again?
What does this statement even mean?
Who relies on who? Don’t expect that all people are gifted with knowledge to know whats right from wrong. Even educated people make mistakes. If you are that confident on giving a strong suggestion about educating the poor then why take the lead. How will your readers be move by every words you said if you don’t show them that your reliable enough to be followed. If you yourself don’t even give it a try to educate the poor then why will others do it then. In short Walk the Talk =)
@urmimi
If you want to educate the “poor”, you are free to do so. As for me, I would rather educate the “rich”. It’s easier and more effective because they have access to the Net and they have the money and resources to make things happen.
Aren’t you the one who made a suggestion in educating the poor? You can check it out in your comment with ramonpalaboy. If your target market here are those “rich” people I guess your on the wrong avenue. Also read most of your blogs and your comments, you sound as if your pro poor and now your after the rich. Because you are after the rich, you may also include those successful and prominent in the society. In able for you to get their attention I think you have to work hard for it. Again I reiterate, you have to be credible enough to be followed.
Be specific with that “rich” thing of yours. Maybe your pertaining to a brat and party animals here. Also don’t undermine who can have an access to the Net. Let me remind you that not all great leaders came from prominent family.Its not always all about the money. I don’t know where you are coming from but I assume that you simply hate the government. Thats it.
@urmimi
You do have a comprehension problem. Your interpretation of my statement is wrong. This was my response to ramon: “Why don’t you REACH OUT TO THE POOR AND EDUCATE THEM if you want to? Why are you expecting others to do it?”
That was only if he wants to. I hope you get that.
Why am I “on the wrong avenue”? Ikaw yata nangmamarunong because you think your comments make sense but they actually don’t.
I suggest you keep on guessing. It seems no amount of explaining will help you understand my points. What makes you think I am “after the rich”? LOL
If you really believe that I will not get attention because YOU think I don’t have credibility, then you have a loser mentality. You should do yourself a favour and focus on the ideas than the person behind it.
You are right about one thing: you don’t know where I am coming from and your assumptions about me are mostly wrong.
It will always be a leader-follower scenario. If there will be no unity or good relationship between the two, do you think there will be a good outcome? Who must take the blame? We have an incompetent government, also we have stubborn citizen of the country. Then whose to blame? If only we accepts our mistakes and sincerely willing to change for the good then collective change will somehow makes a difference. Sabi nga nila “if hindi ka na nga makatulong, huwag ka ng maging pabigat”
I’m sorry, but your comment doesn’t make any sense.
If you are still asking “who is to blame?” after reading the article, then you probably need to read it again or work on your comprehension skills.
Ilda. You nailed it and some of us get your point and we agree completely. Unfortunately most people don’t and some of them are here in this comments section. There is no point in trying to argue with people that have made up thier minds. Same people that are the front and center of this article. I agree! Only way to make positive change is by empowering the movers and shakers and when you succeed in that the rest will fall in ( “BOBO”tantes) .
Well Im sorry Ms. Ilda if Im below your intelligence here. But I guess its you who didn’t get my point. Just because you made a final statement that voters are to be blame doesn’t make you 100% right. Your also giving an opinion here so I’m also giving mine. I don’t need to explain myself here but i’ll stand by what I comment earlier. If you don’t find my thoughts acceptable, fine. My perspective is different from yours but that don’t make you way better than me. I didn’t attack you as a writer in your article considering that your not pointing strong holds that voters are to be blame, instead you discussed more of political dynasties. That’s one of the problem here, everyone is right and doesn’t want to compromise. If everything you believe in works for you, then don’t expect it would work for others.
Also, If you find my questioning in my comment at it is,then I guess you don’t get me there. And because I don’t have that thought same as you have doesn’t make me wrong and you right.
If you want to present a proper dissenting opinion, then you can start by not parroting the one-liners that the majority always keeps on blurting out. “The take the lead” is one of those one-liners.
When defending your point, go in-depth and give reliable evidence, and don’t be driven by just your emotions alone.
So this is defense 101. Well, if you think that by making a one-liner comment makes me just an emotional attention grabber here then its your prejudice. Do you want me to back up that take the lead thing with legal provisions, social behavior studies, ethics in political dynamics and so on and so forth so I can be a respectable voice out here. Then what, will everyone understand those things? They’ll just accept thoughts that are acceptable to them and reject those that are not. Then what’s the purpose of these by the way? You’ll create an article then if someone just give a simple comment you’ll judge them and make conclusion out of that. Isn’t you are the emotional here. That’s the problem with us people we choose whats acceptable to us. Do I have to enumerate people who take the lead instead of whining here and there? Its no use. We must be open minded here and not criticizing everyone.Whether the comments here are positive or negative either way, you must accept it and attack those who oppose you. How can you convince those detractors of yours if instead of persuading them to take your side your making nonsense rebuttals.
People like you should not be given the right to procreate. Just an opinion
LOL! best comment Timmy!
Dynasties are responsible for poverty and unemployment. Come election time, the circus comes around and money is spread like butter. Can you blame voters? Yes. For being stupid. Accept the money, enjoy the circus and vote for the best. That should have been lesson learned since way back when. Time to take action
I think it’s a three ring circus. The politicians, the voting public, and most importantly the system.
Now let me reduce it to a simple analogy to better understand what I’m saying.
There was a time, in the 80s actually, that the National Basketball Association, yes you read it right, the NBA, experienced players playing the game in a dirty fashion. Most teams back then plays the game so physical you cannot anymore distinguish what is rough or what is dirty. Violence is the order of the game, so to speak and as expected, fines and suspension abound. Sadly, in spite of penalties and punishments the trend continues and eventually affected the league tremendously because people started to shy away from the games.
Face with the possibility of losing revenues and making basketball unpopular, the league was forced to tinker with its house rules. Among the many adjustments in policy the league did which help reduce violence in the game was to impose fines and penalties more stringent that not only hurt the erring teams but also the players themselves because the monetary penalty has increased a lot that they feel it from their pockets every time they are fined or suspended. After the adjustments in the system, the game become more exciting, Clean and entertaining again.
Interpreting that scenario with our electoral problem, we have to seriously look at the system which obviously has a lot to do with what is wrong with it. Yes, politicians and voters are both guilty of the same but we have to remember that they can get away with it because, like dirty NBA players, the system allows them to.
Sadly whilst the situation in the Philippines maybe extreme, because of dynasties, the reality is that democracy in the 21st century is not producing good leaders. There are few prime ministers or presidents world wide that you would put in charge of a sari sari store for fear they would screw it up!
I made the right choice by moving out of the PH. Traydor ang mga namumuno sa sarili nilang kababayan
This articles makes the fallacious assertion that Filipinos are just voting for the wrong leaders. It does not answer WHY. In fact, there is zero chance of voting for the RIGHT leader because the whole political system functions so that only the WRONG politicians get on the ballot– these are the political dynasty families and the ambitious corrupt. Until there is electoral reform and the constitution is changed, the hope that things will get better is just a futile dream.
To the author, no offense, but i suggest you just shut up, and dont waste your time answering all these non sense people.
THIS IS THE PHILIPPINES, REMEMBER?
Crab Mentality at its finest. Nice article, and its just funny how people comment negatively, like HELLO , why the hell are you reading this in the first place T_T
kudos to the author, and dont waste your time on senseless a holes
Democracy and right to suffrage doesn’t work in a country where election is a popularity contest, votes can be bought, convicted felons can run for office, and political dynasties dominate. Mas important sa masa makakaen araw araw kesa ma-involve sa decision making at social responsibility. Nice article, but next big question is, now what? What can we, the middle class and educated can do about it? Would the poor and uneducated even care to he informed?
“why can’t they demand the end of the ruling of the dynasties?”
eleventh hour plea:
PASS THE ANTI-POLITICAL DYNASTY BILL NOW!!!
These opportunist and incompetent politicians was once just an electorate. An electorate that is coddled by the lenient Constitution. Majority of the electorate did not even finished a decent educational background but are permitted by the Aquino Constitution’s “at least can read and write” provision. 24 years hence and beyond,here they are, all grown up but intellectually and morally sparse, wrecking havoc in our beloved country.
The filipino people are largely responsible for the political and eeconomic state of the country now. Their votes are guided not
by intelligent weighing of facts and practical purposes but by merely allowing themselves to be cohered by others’ opinion and by personal adherence to a candidate regardless of its moral and capacity to fill the position. This lack of direction and
sense of purpose rendered the filipinos lame to exact their true
will in steering the country’s destiny.
How can we make the gov’t and the state stronger than the oligarchs and traditional politicians so that we can end their rule? The gov’t and the state should not be owned by these people but of the masses.
Filipino voters sadly always missed the point when voting for public officials. Voters are too personalistic, utterly ignorant of the real issues and rarely thought of the real essence of suffrage. Most candidates take advantage of these weaknesses and tossed the voters to non- existence once in power. Truly the problem is largely the voters the voters themselves and not the politicians!
Why we Filipinos are so naive when if comes to a more pressing and realistic issues? We tend to shy away from seriously facing what those problems are and how to dealt with it decisively. We are caught in a vicious cycle of helplessness to achieve real political and social change that are the keys to economic revival. We got to take things deeper and put more thrust into them to effect realistic positive change.