Again?
This is probably the hundred thousandth Filipino blog about how the recent Philippine national elections turned out to be … disappointing.
First off, we expected it to be an Aquino-Villar fight, then during the counting, it was Aquino-Estrada! I couldn’t help but literally laugh. We almost – ALMOST ended up with “the 13th and 15th President of the Philippines, Joseph Estrada”. How … how… embarrassing. Ika nga ni Gordon “nakakahiya tayo!”. But then, as “expected” (although I prayed that in the last minute, people would actually use their logic and not pure emotions), Noynoy Aquino got way ahead that he’s a sure win.
Don’t get me wrong. I have respect for his parents – Ninoy, a hero. Cory, former President. But how can you expect me to entrust 6 years for our country to someone who has been in Congress for 9 years, yet has not had a single bill passed into a law? How can someone spend 9 years in Congress and draft 8 bills only, when some of his colleagues have authored and co-authored hundreds? And I have nothing against single men, but I don’t know how someone who has never had a family – wife and kids – to lead the nation with the heart of a father. Being merely an uncle or a godfather does not count.
Maybe I am misjudging him, Maybe it is unfair for me to say things when I do not have the experience of a politician. But there is a chance for him to grow and improve, and maybe someday he can be a real President. But I think that time should not be now. As I have read in a blog shared through Blogwatch, would you have voted for Noynoy if he is not an Aquino, considering his current credentials? Heck, people voted for Gibo, but I didn’t even know who he was until the typhoon Ondoy hit the country. I only decided to vote for Gordon when during Presidential debates, all his answers made sense, and add to that, all that he has done in Subic and Olongapo is something I want for the entire country as well. I respect Gibo and Gordon for believing in empowering the people, for believing that the people ARE the solution, if we only work together. And I like how Gordon has the “how to’s” when asked about how he would solve this and that problem. No promises, just action plans and solutions.
Well, Gordon is way down the line, even Bro. Villanueva gained more votes. But I am glad that I did not listen to the people who told me, “Kay Noynoy ka na lang, di naman mananalo si Gordon/Gibo/Villanueva”. I remember a good friend telling me, “vote for who you believe in, even if it turns out that only a few thousand voted for him, it shows that a certain percent of the population share his/her visions and values.” And he’s right. It’s like fighting a war you know you can’t win, but you fight anyway. You fight because you have principles that you are not willing to compromise.
For now, I am hoping Noynoy would prove us all wrong. That he is indeed worthy of our respect. And I hope he does that with action. I do not wish him the fate of his father just to gain the people’s sympathy. Again.
And that is just the Presidential race. Gosh, I don’t even want to talk about the new set of Senators. I love the Philippines, I am proud to be a Filipino, but I cannot comprehend how..why… Actors in politics. Politicians wooing religious leaders. Please tell me, does this happen in other countries as well?
The Filipino people has spoken (voted). But please don’t think that all of us are stupid.
Hoping
National elections in the Philippines is on Monday, May 10, 2010. Candidates and supporters are doing their last minute campaign all over the country, while TV, print media and radio companies are making big bucks on political campaign ads.
With all these political circus going on, a thought popped in my mind: most of the candidates say they have the solution to our country’s problems. But do they really? Among all the presidential candidates, only 2 or 3 have mentioned that the solution starts with the people. Two of the candidates boldly say the President can stop poverty and corruption. I think what the other 3 candidates say about people being the solution makes more sense to me. I know people would tell me, of course that’s not exactly what the candidate means (about the Pres. being the solution), but still, the image that he/they show/s is “vote for me, I will solve the problems, poverty will be eradicated…” whatever. (there won’t be any poor people coz all of them would probably die of hunger already).
Anyway, although they have all these brilliant ideas on how to help the country, the point of this post is that people should realize that the President, and the government in general, is our PARTNER in helping the nation rise again. The President may be brilliant, but if the people around him are (still) corrupt, what good does it do to have that President? We already had one who had a clean track record, but still.
The point is that change really does have to start with the individual. People should be empowered to make a change, of course, with the good example from the people in the higher ups.
I remember reading from a mommy blog that says something like “mothers rule the world” because it is the mothers who raise children who eventually become the nation’s problem, or the nation’s problem solver. So when you really look at it, it starts with good parenting, supported by a good educational system, with a government that protects its people’s rights, etc. My point is, the government merely supports the Filipino family, but it is our choice as individuals whether or not to support the government by abiding by its rules.
This partnership should start the positive change we have been longing for. And there are actually candidates whose platform of government supports that idea. Unfortunately, I am a government employee and being the good girl that I am, I will not post in my blog whoever is my choice for President. The only thing I can say is I will not vote for puppets (people who do not decide for themselves).
May 10 is my first time to vote (imagine I am nearing my 30’s and I have never voted before – I was apathetic because I didn’t believe in change anymore). This time, though, along with thousands of Filipinos who have caught the “hope” virus, believing that it is still possible to have a better government, I will also hope. As they say, nothing is impossible. Maybe the Philippines can regain its honor, just like when it was just no. 2 next to Japan, and the Philippine currency exchange was PhP 2 = US$ 1. Maybe someday, we can tell our grandchildren “you are lucky to be born in this generation, because our country used to be poor and lawless, but look at it now…”
There is always hope, right?